Abe no Seimei's expression was somewhat strange. He hesitated for a moment, feeling as if the other party seemed to know something. Especially when calling his name, that peculiar look, as if they knew his real name but were cooperating in an acting performance.

But it shouldn't be... After all, at this time the other party is still relatively weak, completely an ordinary person, besides their Guardian Spirit there's really nothing special, it shouldn't be possible for them to know.

So, hesitating slightly, with a gentle smile hanging on his face, he decided to be partially honest: "My Lord City Lord, we actually had a brief encounter a few days ago, that was outside of Rice Leaf Mountain City. We saw each other from afar, I suppose you must have also seen us at the time."

After thinking it over, Abe no Seimei believed it was because they had been seen at that time, which led to the suspicion now when they were seen again, thinking that something was wrong with them.

With that deduction made by the Onmyoji, he felt slightly helpless. He wished he hadn't gone to see the two now; simply waiting in Lushan City would have sufficed... That way the person wouldn't prejudge them suspiciously, making the negotiation much smoother.

"...Hmm."

Gu Mo gazed at the two people opposite him, and after a moment slowly nodded, without saying anything.

Met before? How come he had no impression at all, couldn't recall it... Wait, those two whom he had initially mistaken for two distant targets, weren't they just these two fellows? He really had never thought about that!

So that's how it is, well then it's simple... Abe no Seimei lightly nodded, showing a relaxed smile, carefully weighing his tone as he spoke: "Actually we didn't merely run into each other, but came specifically to seek you out, to ascertain something."

Planning to change his strategy, he aimed to explain around this misleading point, clarifying why they did what they did, ultimately first earning the other party's trust.

"Oh, what is it?"

Gu Mo nodded leisurely, appearing very patient and interested as he asked.

"Before explaining, allow me to keep you in suspense first... Do you know about Onmyoji?" Abe no Seimei said, his expression maintaining its previous gentleness.

In the current Warring States Era, as imperial power declined, the warrior class ruled the world, and Onmyoji was gradually disappearing from the historical stage. However, for a long period before that, during the Tang Dynasty when the concept was learned from the Tang envoys, and subsequently became popular in Japan, Onmyoji was once a hot profession.

Dukes and nobles needed spiritual solace and assurance for the state from Onmyoji, and the common people found comfort in their difficult lives through them. Moreover, in the age of ignorance, exorcising demons and dispelling curses relied heavily on their talismans and magic, being the spiritual pillar of the entire nation.

Abe no Seimei posed the question intending for it to be a starting point.

If the other party already believed in the power of Onmyoji, everything would be easier to discuss, but if skeptical, he could showcase some genuine skills, proving he had real talent, seamlessly segueing into his next words.

Like predicting future calamities, prophesying that the other is the person with the Celestial Mandate, destined to save the world, thus they've sought him out to lend a hand, so when the predestined fate arrives, there would be the power to change everything... and so on, such tactics.

However—

"Onmyoji? Of course, I know, this game doesn't have SSR." Gu Mo continued to nod.

How could he not know this, he's extremely familiar with it.

"..."

"..."

An eerie silence.

Abe no Seimei opened his mouth, seemingly dumbfounded. Such an expression was rare, even the somewhat impulsive Minamoto no Yoshiie couldn't help but cast a few extra glances.

But in the next moment, he chuckled bitterly, sighing and shaking his head: "So it turns out Lord Mo, you truly know everything. I thought you were joking..." Immediately after, seemingly recalling something, he frustratedly tapped his head with the fan in his hand: "Even though you hinted so clearly just now, I still didn't believe it, truly embarrassing."

On the other side, Gu Mo, who was about to explain that it was a joke, swallowed his words back.

He maintained an awkward yet courteous smile, his thoughts rapidly spinning inside his head, what, what is this person saying, how come he doesn't understand a single word?

"So you really did tell the truth about the Thousand-Mile Eye..."

Abe no Seimei agreed as he carefully studied Gu Mo's eyes, finding them clear and bright, yet unable to discern any special trait, which only made him even more amazed.

"Born with eyes able to gaze into the world, seeing through past and future... Such a heavenly blessing, truly unimaginable. I remain ignorant still."

Emmmm... Thousand-Mile Eye? Seeing through past and future?

Gu Mo blinked, beginning to understand. Did his future self back in the past say something preposterous to the Great Onmyoji? Including setups like "Thousand-Mile Eye," and "Onmyoji doesn't have SSR"?

The prior theories about time-travel, butterfly effects he followed were all conjectures; though possessing some level of prescience, it was generally limited to main events, with little hold on overlooked details, relying on his understanding and clues for associative reasoning.

Because the game's timeline span was too large, he couldn't possibly display everything with exhaustive detail; intervals between plot tasks varied from few months to years, or even decades.

Occasionally interwoven with side quests and fragmented clues, together helping surmise roughly what could be imagined... Thus Gu Mo was now exerting his mind, but could merely conjecture based on available information, likely sound, but not completely certain.

Yet now, Abe no Seimei's words provided substantial corroboration...

"Truly embarrassing, but perhaps it's better this way..." Abe no Seimei sighed, then smiled again, "This way Raiko and I don't have to worry about how to explain our origins properly to persuade you, it was quite a headache."

"Actually, it's no big deal, both of you are famed individuals; if using the same names could attract criticism, using pseudonyms isn't bad at all."

Gu Mo still remained unclear about many things but continued following the general idea, responding in agreement verbatim, appearing calm and assured... Despite not grasping all specifics, he understood the general situation, plus his current character is a Prophet!

"That's true, though we originally didn't plan on showing ourselves before others."

Abe no Seimei shook his head.

"We were merely residing as a shred of deceased Divine Spirit in Paperman Shikigami, notwithstanding retaining all memories and knowledge from our past selves. Ultimately, we're not complete beings, moreover, several hundred years have passed despite relying on Spirit Stone for nourishment, our conditions aren't great..."

He spoke freely, pointing with his fan at himself and Minamoto no Yoshiie beside him:

"We can't do much, just as agreed, while these Paperman clones remain viable, strive to teach you and others some things before the seal at Byodoin loosens... Well, I have only Yin Yang Technique to offer, Raiko has some unique skills too, hope you and Lord Hidechika won't disdain."

The impressive female samurai snorted lightly, yet tacitly acknowledged, creating a closed-loop—

He and Qingming earnestly taught these two, enabling their rapid growth, eventually under destiny's guidance solving the three Great Demons they could only seal...

And likewise under destiny's guidance, they grew returning to aid him and Qingming's past living bodies, so they deliberately left Paperman, assisting them in growth in the future.

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