Child of Destiny

The Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual was originally a special ritual from China’s native mythology of natural gods.

The Mount Tai God—the Great Emperor of Mount Tai—held an extremely exalted position in Taoist mythology.

The Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual was, in essence, a sincere plea to the Great Emperor of Mount Tai, offering one’s own life in exchange for the return of a deceased person’s life.

In the era before belief in Yama had emerged, even the Yellow Springs fell under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor of Mount Tai.

This culture of Onmyōdō Arts and even Taoism had also been introduced to Japan through the ancient empire’s influence over Japan.

The Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual likewise appeared within Japan’s Onmyōdō Sect.

But Bai Cangshu also knew that, in this Infinite Reincarnation World where most worlds were Anime Worlds, the Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual was most likely not what it was in Eastern Mythology.

There was an anime called Tokyo Ravens, whose central plot also involved such a ritual.

Bai Cangshu had never watched such a relatively obscure niche work. But after spending so long training with Xiao Ning, the monotony had driven him to start playing some lesser-known anime, and he had not expected to encounter it now.

"How did you know I came to ask about this?"

Bai Cangshu did not deny it. Instead, he continued the conversation along the Shrine Master’s lead, vaguely realizing where the problem lay.

Had the other party called him a divine envoy because he had built up tremendous prestige in the Demon Slayer World, or because of Inari Ōkami’s curse upon him?

Sensing the distinct aura of Inari Ōkami on him, the old Shrine Master had no doubt that he was a true divine envoy—one even closer to Inari Ōkami than the previous visitor.

"In fact, half a year ago, another divine envoy came to inquire about the Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual."

"It is a secret transmission of the Tsuchimikado Clan. They once performed it after that war which swept across the world, but it caused tremendous harm to both their clan and Japan itself. It would not be an exaggeration to say it shook the nation’s fate."

"This old man could only direct that divine envoy to the Tsuchimikado family. After that, that incident happened…"

The old Shrine Master lowered his head. The Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual seemed like some kind of curse to him.

Yet deep down, he still hoped that this divine envoy had come to mend everything.

This was not something the current Jujutsu World could resolve.

Or rather, in his view, after that mysterious and glorious age of the Heian Period came to an end, Human Sorcerers could never resolve this matter without borrowing Divine Power.

Bai Cangshu had obtained some important information, giving him a clearer grasp of the world’s current state.

The Tsuchimikado Clan were descendants of Abe no Seimei, the renowned Great Onmyōji of the Heian Period. And in the story of Tokyo Ravens, it was indeed mentioned that Tsuchimikado Yakou, the clan head and a Great Onmyōji, had activated the Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual after that sinful war of invasion ended.

The result, however, was a terrifying Spirit Disaster erupting in Tokyo.

Although Yakou’s purpose in performing the Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual in Tokyo Ravens had been to reincarnate into one of his clan’s descendants, there was no guarantee that his ritual in this world had been intended for the same purpose.

The many worlds within the Reincarnation Space seemed to have connected worldviews to a certain extent. But because all manner of branching timelines existed, there was no way to guarantee exactly where the timelines of those other worlds had gone.

"One last question, Shrine Master. What were the characteristics of the previous divine envoy you mentioned?"

The old Shrine Master raised his head and glanced at Bai Cangshu. It seemed that only because of Bai Cangshu’s question did he realize that he should examine a divine envoy’s appearance, rather than merely that radiance.

"This old man did not look too closely, but that person wore a white cloak and gave off a peculiar air."

Bai Cangshu had not actually wanted to know the Reincarnator’s appearance. In the eyes of Plot Characters, Reincarnators looked entirely different from how other Reincarnators saw them, since Avatars did not affect them.

Appearance was meaningless, but certain traits of temperament and habit were quite useful.

"A peculiar air? What kind of air, exactly?"

The old Shrine Master thought for a moment. Turning to look at the woods below the mountain, he said,

"It was as though sunlight would fall upon him wherever he went, and even in scorching weather, a cool breeze would find him. The kind of peculiar air that unconsciously drew people’s eyes."

"To ordinary people, perhaps he would seem like a Child of Destiny."

The old Shrine Master’s description was poetic, but Bai Cangshu’s brows furrowed tightly.

That description did not sound like any simple ability. It sounded more like a special trait that clearly exceeded the dimensions of ordinary power.

And the description of a Child of Destiny inevitably made Bai Cangshu think of the particular category among the special cards the professor had mentioned—the Twelve Heavenly Stems, bestowed upon those fated by destiny.

Tch. This world was really becoming more and more interesting.

The old Shrine Master also pointed Bai Cangshu toward the current location of the Tsuchimikado Clan. As the sun set, he arrived at a grand residence nestled among the mountains and forests.

As the direct descendants of Abe no Seimei, the Tsuchimikado Clan nearly represented the highest standard of Japanese Onmyōdō.

Yet the residence was remarkably deserted at the moment.

When Bai Cangshu came calling, there was no one guarding the mountain and no one to announce his arrival. He simply strode openly into the heart of the Tsuchimikado Clan’s territory and met the current head of the Tsuchimikado family, the white-haired Tsuchimikado Ochiai.

He also saw the long-haired man standing behind Tsuchimikado Ochiai, dressed in a black kasaya robe.

Intense killing intent and hostility instantly enveloped Bai Cangshu. An icy aura closed around him like a swamp.

Bai Cangshu turned and saw a huge bird-shaped cursed spirit blocking the mountain gate through which he had entered.

Beyond the courtyard wall, a voluptuous female cursed spirit whose face was completely obscured floated atop the wall as well.

"Head of the Tsuchimikado family, your clan grounds do not seem as deserted as you claimed. Another guest has arrived."

Tsuchimikado Ochiai raised his head and scrutinized Bai Cangshu. He was about to say that he did not know him when he suddenly spotted the crest in Bai Cangshu’s hand.

"This… this person does seem to be someone who once showed great kindness to our Tsuchimikado Clan. Perhaps he is a descendant."

He rose to his feet and bent toward Bai Cangshu with difficulty.

"Esteemed guest, we of the Tsuchimikado Clan have always remembered every benefactor who has ever extended us aid."

He knew that such crests had been issued only during the Taishō Era, when the clan and other forces such as the Onmyōdō Sect and Shintoism had granted them to those who had provided extraordinary assistance.

"If you had come bearing this crest in the past, we would certainly have been able to grant you whatever you sought. But now…"

He looked at his ruined residence and the empty clan grounds, grief showing on his face.

Suguru Geto waved a hand, and the Special Grade Cursed Spirit: Tamamo-no-Mae slowly disappeared. He curiously studied Bai Cangshu, feeling that the man’s gaze and bearing vaguely reminded him of someone.

That mouth that seemed to carry a teasing smile at all times, and that habit of leaning slightly back and looking down at people through his lower eyelids.

Tch. What an arrogant face.

Bai Cangshu also recognized Suguru Geto. This so-called savior really wasn’t an idiot. He had actually found the true core of the City of Silence’s problem too.

"You misunderstand, Tsuchimikado. I did not come to ask you for anything. I only want to ask you this."

"Who exactly did you give the Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual to?"

Suguru Geto’s expression changed slightly. He had indeed realized that the power which had caused Satoru Gojo’s death and turned all of Tokyo into a land of Silence was not Jujutsu Kaisen, but Onmyōdō.

He had also placed his suspicions on these traditional noble clans, whose authority had faded as Jujutsu Kaisen flourished.

Yet this man, whose cursed energy coiled around him like crimson flames, had spoken its name outright.

"The Mount Tai Imperial Lord Ritual?"

"Is that the true nature of that technique?"

A black serpent emerged from the shadows. In an instant, it coiled around Tsuchimikado Ochiai.

This was the age of Jujutsu Kaisen. With the passing of time and the fading of mysterious powers, things like Onmyōdō could no longer compare to a power like Jujutsu Kaisen, rooted in human emotion and fear.

Mystery would fade, but human emotions and fear only grew greater with the development of civilization.

Suguru Geto narrowed his eyes, a dangerous curve forming at their corners.

Bai Cangshu looked at the distance between Suguru Geto and himself. It was only around seven meters.

He stepped forward.

"Mr. Jujutsu Sorcerer, before I get my answer, you had better not do anything unnecessary."

"I am very dangerous."

The corner of his lips curved upward, revealing an equally dangerous smile.

Suguru Geto watched this unfamiliar Jujutsu Sorcerer out of the corner of his eye. The man’s cursed energy was not particularly outstanding, and he did not take the threat seriously.

Though the nature of the other’s cursed energy did seem rather good, it was ultimately only the amount possessed by an ordinary Jujutsu Sorcerer.

He reached out and seized Tsuchimikado Ochiai by the throat. The elderly head of the Tsuchimikado family was lifted helplessly into the air, letting out a muffled whimper.

Suguru Geto looked leisurely toward Bai Cangshu. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Bai Cangshu raise his left foot and stomp down violently.

Bang!

The ground shuddered violently. Suguru Geto’s expression changed, and Bai Cangshu’s figure had already vanished from his sight.

That movement, that speed, reminded him of some very unpleasant things.

Suguru Geto abruptly threw Tsuchimikado Ochiai aside. At the same time, the several Grade 1 Cursed Spirits resembling black serpents crawled toward his back.

Many people actually misunderstood Suguru Geto, believing him to be the type who relied on cursed spirits in battle.

But in truth, Suguru Geto’s hand-to-hand combat was extraordinarily powerful. In terms of physical ability alone, even Satoru Gojo was inferior to him.

As a fierce gust of wind struck from behind, he spun around instantly, cursed energy circulating through him as he threw a punch.

Bai Cangshu did indeed appear behind Suguru Geto in an instant. He showed no reaction to Tsuchimikado Ochiai, who had been thrown to the ground. As Suguru Geto’s fist, wrapped in intense cursed energy, came at him, Bai Cangshu merely tilted his head slightly.

Pfft!

Pain flashed through Suguru Geto’s throat as his windpipe was struck by a hand chop.

The sound of shattered cartilage rang out, and only then did he realize what had happened.

This guy…

The other had appeared behind him in an instant. Faced with his punch, Bai Cangshu had not slowed down in the slightest. He had merely tilted his head, dodging the fist by the most precise margin, then chopped at Suguru Geto’s throat the instant he stepped past him.

There had been no superfluous movement whatsoever. With only the most suitable speed and the most suitable force, he had taken Suguru Geto down in a single blow.

By the time Suguru Geto fell, the three black serpent cursed spirits had only just reached Bai Cangshu.

Cursed energy appeared around Bai Cangshu’s hands as well. Looking down at Suguru Geto, he said,

"See? I told you. I am very dangerous."