Yomotsu Hirasaka is a pathway in Japanese mythology connecting Yomi with the human world.

This place is somewhat similar to the Road to Yomi in Chinese mythology, but it is not the entrance to Yomi; it is the exit from Yomi.

Moreover, this place was blocked by Izanagi with the Senzui Stone in ancient times, separating Yomotsu no Oni Kuni from the human world, preventing any ghosts and monsters from Yomi from entering the human world, and also keeping mortals from entering Yomi.

Although this place is the boundary between the human world and Yomi, it does not exist in the present world. But since it connects the human world and Yomi, naturally it can be entered from the human world into Yomotsu Hirasaka.

And the place to enter Yomotsu Hirasaka from the human world is what is now Shimane Prefecture, Japan, also known in Japanese history as Izumo Province.

Izumo, in Japanese history, was actually a country that opposed Yamato, and even the Kusanagi Sword, one of the three divine artifacts of Japan, was a reward gained during Yamato’s conquest of Izumo.

In Japanese mythology and history, Yamato Province worships the Takamagahara deities, which are the Heavenly Gods of Amaterasu Ōmikami’s lineage, but the Izumo region has a lineage of Earthly Deities descended from Susanou.

Mythical records state that originally Japan was ruled by Izumo, but because Amaterasu sent her descendants to rule Japan, they went to war with Izumo. After defeating Izumo, Japan was ruled by Yamato Province, under the descendants of Amaterasu, establishing the “eternal dynasty” of the Emperor’s rule.

Nonetheless, Izumo remains the center of Shinto in Japan. In other parts of Japan, there is a saying of the “month without gods,” which refers to the lunar calendar’s October when all deities across Japan leave their places to gather in Izumo for a meeting, thus it is called the “month without gods.”

And indeed, Izumo has always held a very important and special position in Japanese history, especially among Japanese transcendent forces. The three major powers have always known that Izumo Province is actually where Yomi is suppressed, preventing the invasion of demons from Yomi.

“Lord Chen Yu, Yomotsu Hirasaka has always been guarded by Izumo Taisha to prevent demons from Yomi from invading the world.” Inside Izumo Taisha, an Onmyoji in hunting attire walked alongside Chen Yu, explaining the history of Izumo Taisha to him respectfully: “During the Warring States Period, Yomi’s seal had loosened once, leading to the destruction of Izumo Taisha. The Sixth Heaven Demon King descended, bringing havoc to Japan. It was only after Izumo Taisha was rebuilt that Yomi was suppressed again.”

“The Sixth Heaven Demon King? One of the Six Heavens’ Ruler of Transformation and Freedom?” Chen Yu curiously looked at the Onmyoji and couldn’t help but laugh: “Are you saying Oda Nobunaga back then was indeed Mara reincarnated?”

This Onmyoji is currently the head of the Tsuchimikado Family. Originally, he did not care about the presence of Chen Yu and did not mind even when the branch family sought him out.

But after Chen Yu quickly ascended to demigod status, he became anxious too and thickened his skin to join Chen Yu’s ranks through family connections.

Nonetheless, he was the leader of the Onmyoji lineage among Japan’s three major transcendent forces, and with Tsuchimikado Yoshiharu, one of the three leaders of the Mingyue Society, being a junior family member, the old man still somewhat boasted of his status.

After all, he was a legendary-rank master, though in the eyes of Chen Yu, a monster with demigod subordinates, he was not much, but he was still a master on his own right.

Were it not for the severity of this matter and having received word that Chen Yu plans to undergo a Deification Ritual, this old fellow wouldn’t have rushed out so eagerly, losing his dignity to flatter Chen Yu like a lackey.

“Indeed, but Oda Nobunaga back then wasn’t Mara himself, merely a manifestation of his consciousness. So, although he caused quite a catastrophe, even burning down Mount Hiei, ultimately he was sealed at Honnoji.” The head of the Tsuchimikado Family explained the history to Chen Yu.

Although Oda Nobunaga is considered an exceptional hero in Japan’s Warring States history, if not for his fall at Honnoji, he could have possibly forged a new history for Japan. But he was also a reincarnation of Mara’s consciousness.

Regarding why Oda Nobunaga now seems nothing like a Demon King, it’s only said that Buddhism back then appears too feeble now, and instead, people appreciate the defiant and unconventional behavior of the Demon King at that time.

However, this precisely confirms Mara’s words: “In your Age of Dharma Decline, I shall have my followers infiltrate your temples, don kasaya, and undermine your Buddhist Law. They will distort your scriptures and disrupt your precepts to achieve what my might cannot today…”

Having learned from the Tsuchimikado Family head that Izumo Taisha has been suppressing Yomi, he naturally had to make arrangements for this matter.

So he asked the head of the Tsuchimikado Family: “Is it possible to have Izumo Taisha open the entrance to Yomotsu Hirasaka?”

“This… might be difficult. It has been the mission of Izumo Taisha for thousands of years. Unless a divine decree is issued, they cannot defy this task.” The head of the Tsuchimikado Family explained to Chen Yu, feeling both anxious and respectful, even though he didn’t know why Chen Yu wished to open Yomotsu Hirasaka.

“A divine decree? Then I’ll seek one from His Highness Miketsu and Amaterasu.” Chen Yu nodded slightly.

Although barging into Izumo Taisha would not hinder him, Chen Yu did not have the habit of kicking down someone else’s door.

Moreover, Izumo Taisha is one of the most important shrines in Japanese Shinto. Kicking it down would have some adverse effects, which might affect his upcoming Deification Ritual, so it’s better to be cautious.

His plan for the Deification Ritual had already received tacit approval from Amaterasu and full support from the Inari God, so obtaining a divine decree was indeed very simple.

However, what seemed normal, even commonplace to Chen Yu was bewildering to the head of the Tsuchimikado Family, causing him to lower his head even further.

For Onmyoji and priests like them, deities are utterly transcendent beings, even mentioning them requires utmost reverence. How could they be as casual as Chen Yu, who spoke as if merely calling a friend?

“How many people can your Tsuchimikado Family deploy? There’s no need to mention those below expert level, they would be getting themselves killed.” With the matter of opening Yomotsu Hirasaka solved, Chen Yu naturally turned the topic to the main focus of this visit to Izumo: “My Deification Ritual will open the Senzui Stone, and then the army of Yomotsu no Oni Kuni will appear in our world. Does your Tsuchimikado Family have any methods to temporarily hold back the Yomi army?”

“This… Our Tsuchimikado Family has an elder ancestor living in seclusion. He is a Great Onmyoji from the same era as our ancestor Abe no Seimei, who once sealed Tamamo-no-Mae with him. If we could request his assistance, maybe we could resist the Yomi army for a while.” The head of the Tsuchimikado Family gritted his teeth and revealed the family’s greatest reliance and trump card.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep