Before the official ceremony, the Ancient One, with her characteristic compassion, personally announced that all visiting Sorcerers would be permitted to freely trade and exchange goods within Kamar-Taj. She even designated a specific temple as a dedicated exchange zone, making it convenient for Sorcerers from around the world to conduct their business and connect with one another.
In such a place, with a keen eye and a bit of luck, one might find some truly remarkable items or forge friendships with like-minded individuals.
Chen Chen stepped lightly into the exchange zone. The temple's interior was far more expansive than its exterior suggested, with stalls stretching as far as the eye could see and a dense crowd of people.
He was somewhat awestruck. The crowd here was far larger than the one in the main square. This was a testament to Kamar-Taj's influence. Sorcerers were already an exceedingly rare existence, yet here, hundreds, even thousands, had gathered.
As he entered the exchange zone and walked only a few steps, Chen Chen's sweeping gaze suddenly froze. He stared in astonishment at a gracefully moving figure not far away.
A figure in a long black dress, her raven-black hair cascading down like a waterfall, caught Chen Chen's eye. As she slowly turned her head, her exquisite features, skin as fair as jade, and the cool, aloof expression in her eyes revealed her identity: Kanzuki Kazusa, the woman he hadn't seen in so long.
Kazusa was haggling over the price of a magical artifact at a stall, discussing it with the vendor. Seeing this cherished companion after so long, Chen Chen felt a surge of joy and began walking toward her.
*I wonder how she's been,* he thought, his steps quickening with a sudden sense of urgency.
As Chen Chen approached, Kazusa, who had been bent over the artifact, turned her head as if sensing his presence. Her delicate, noble face, tinged with curiosity and her signature aloofness, caused passersby to slow their steps, their gazes lingering on her with a hint of greed.
"Hmm?"
"Hi."
The two locked eyes. Chen Chen gently raised his right hand, waving it at Kazusa, a smile revealing his pearly white teeth. Kazusa stared blankly at Chen Chen's sudden appearance, frozen for several seconds. Then, as if snapping out of a daze, she dropped the magical artifact she had been tinkering with for so long and hurried toward him.
Standing before Chen Chen, tears gradually welled up in Kazusa's narrow, beautiful eyes. Under the astonished gazes of the surrounding crowd, she threw her arms around him, her cherry-red lips parting slightly to voice her sorrow and resentment: "Why didn't you come to find me sooner?"
Gazing down at Kazusa in his arms, Chen Chen felt a pang of guilt. He reached out and stroked her flowing hair.
He paid no mind to the envious, jealous, and hateful glances swirling around them.
They clung to each other for nearly a minute. Seeing the red-rimmed eyes of the woman he had longed for, Chen Chen's heart ached. He asked, "You idiot, why did you come all the way here?"
She paused, then continued, "I'd already heard about you from our teacher. When I heard you'd ascended to the throne, I was happy for you. But then news came that you weren't recognized by the other Sorcerers, and the Three Great Primordial Demon Gods had revived the Grand Tournament. It made me worry about you, so I came here to Kamar-Taj to find you."
"You really are a fool," Chen Chen murmured, unable to resist kissing her forehead. "In this world, who could possibly harm me?" *If the circumstances were different, I'd be taking this "bullying" much further,* he thought.
Just as they were lost in their tender moment, a stir rippled through the crowd. The dense throng slowly parted, creating a path.
A man emerged, dressed in a white *so-kan* and a tall *eboshi* hat. His features were refined, and he carried a white cypress fan, which he gently waved, exuding an aristocratic aura. Three burly men in sturdy armor followed behind him.
"Isn't that Abe Haruya?!"
"Abe Haruya? The man said to be the closest to Abe no Seimei? He's so young!"
"How did he end up here?"
"A young hero, I suppose. But it seems Young Master Abe has his sights set on the Kaminazuki Clan's eldest daughter. Now that the woman he fancies is here, embracing a stranger, how could he possibly stay calm?"
The surrounding crowd seemed to know Abe Seiya well, their expressions tinged with caution. It was clear this man was no ordinary figure.
And indeed, that was true.
Abe Seiya was the grandson of Abe Tadaharu, the current head of the Abe Clan. He was also known as the man closest to the legendary Onmyōji Abe no Seimei. Several years older than Kazusa, he possessed Onmyōdō talent comparable to hers, but was even more diligent.
He had been cultivating his skills abroad for years and hadn't returned to the family estate. During the time Kazusa committed her offense, Abe Seiya was conveniently out of the country.
Given that the Kaminazuki and Abe Clans had been close allies since the time of Abe no Seimei himself, and Kanzuki Kazusa was the personal disciple of Abe Tadaharu, the two families were practically family.
Abe no Seimei and Kazusa had known each other since childhood, and their families had long considered a marriage alliance. However, it remained merely a thought, as they were still children and there was no need to settle things so quickly.
Later, after Kazusa used Onmyōdō to kill a yakuza member, a rift formed between the two families over the incident. Nevertheless, the Kaminazuki Clan still held Abe Seiya in high regard.
Moreover, Abe Seiya harbored romantic feelings for Kazusa. To him, Kazusa was flawless in appearance, ability, and family background—no one but himself was worthy of her.
When he learned through his intelligence channels that Kazusa had a close relationship with Chen Chen, he resolved to defeat Chen Chen.
His arrival at Kamar-Taj served two purposes. First, he wanted to demonstrate his strength to the world, defeat Chen Chen—whom he considered weak—and claim the throne of the Sorcerer Supreme, thereby gaining the power of the Vishanti.
Second, having learned through his special intelligence channels that Kazusa had also come to Kamar-Taj, he planned to use this opportunity to win her heart.
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