21st Century Necromancer

"So this is your personal lab, Mr. Chen Yu? It looks pretty good!" Standing inside Chen Yu's private Regenerative Medicine Research Laboratory, Jounouchi Hiromi couldn't help but tease him as she looked around at the various instruments.

Although this was indeed a nice laboratory, it still paled in comparison to the one Chen Yu had painstakingly set up in the Mage Tower.

"I plan to use this lab for follow-up research and experiments on broad-spectrum anti-cancer drugs, as well as studies on healing potions and plant-based treatments," explained Chen Yu to Jounouchi Hiromi, while also clarifying why he had moved his research here: "The staff here were selected by Ryosen-kun from the Mingyue Society, so they are quite reliable. Therefore, some experiments and research that do not involve magic can be carried out here."

"If the staff is from the Mingyue Society, then it shouldn't be a problem to conduct magic experiments here, right?" Jounouchi Hiromi asked upon hearing Chen Yu's explanation.

"That's true, but after all, this place still receives regular patients for treatments. If I were to conduct magic experiments here, it wouldn't be good if an accident occurred and was discovered by the public. Besides, I already have a magic laboratory, so why bother conducting magic experiments here?" Chen Yu slightly nodded as he rejected the idea of performing magic experiments at this location.

Hearing what Chen Yu said, Jounouchi Hiromi simply shrugged indifferently and then asked him about something else, "By the way, Mr. Chen Yu, the time for the Inari God's invitation to the banquet should be in the next few days, right? When are you heading to Kyoto?"

"There is an academic conference in Kyoto next week, which fits perfectly with the schedule. Hiromi, do you want to come with me?" Chen Yu looked towards Jounouchi Hiromi since she was now an associate professor and no longer had the freedom to follow Chen Yu around as she used to when she was just an ordinary doctor.

"I can't leave the hospital, and I haven't received an invitation to the conference. An associate professor can't just go along with you as part of your entourage, can she?" Jounouchi Hiromi pouted regretfully. If possible, she indeed would have liked to accompany Chen Yu, but this time, she really couldn't help it.

Jounouchi Hiromi's response left Chen Yu feeling somewhat helpless, but he nodded in understanding and said, "Then I'll have to use the Necromantic Space as a transit point to pick you up for the banquet when the time comes."

"It looks like there's no other way," Jounouchi Hiromi replied with a hint of regret. She wanted to visit Kyoto not just for the Divine Feast of the Inari God but also to enjoy touring the city, "Then remember to bring me souvenirs from Kyoto, Mr. Chen Yu!"

"I know. I'll bring you Kyobashi," Chen Yu promised with a smile.

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Since he could not travel with Jounouchi Hiromi, Chen Yu didn't bring anyone else but set out to Kyoto on his own.

After flying directly from Tokyo to Kyoto and settling his luggage in the hotel room he had booked in advance, Chen Yu went out to wander around Kyoto.

For those who are not familiar with Japan, it's easy to confuse Kyoto with Tokyo, but in reality, they are two completely different cities.

Before Japan embarked on the road to modernization during the Meiji Restoration, Kyoto had been the capital for over a thousand years. It wasn't until Emperor Meiji moved the capital to Edo and renamed Edo to Tokyo that the capital shifted from Kyoto to Tokyo.

Although Tokyo was the undisputed capital during the Meiji Era, most pre-war Japanese laws were abolished after World War II, and the subsequent laws did not specify Tokyo as the capital of Japan. Now, Tokyo is considered the capital simply because it functions as such, and it's a conventionally accepted notion.

With over a thousand years of history, Kyoto has a completely different vibe from Tokyo. Its streets seem to accumulate history, exuding an ancient charm. Old buildings and stone-paved streets give a unique experience compared to Tokyo's modernity and fashion.

The original Kyoto was built in imitation of the Tang Capital Chang'an, and even today one can vaguely recognize the city grid pattern based on Chang'an, as well as the pervasive influence of Tang era architectural styles on the Japanese buildings here, showing the deep cultural impact China has had on Japan.

However, for Chen Yu, the cultural ambiance is secondary; what affects him most is the various transcendental auras that permeate Kyoto.

Compared to Tokyo, Kyoto more significantly highlights the depth of Japan, a country with a long history. The transcendent aura is not uncommon in this city, and the divine presence emanating from the many ancient shrines and temples around Kyoto allows Chen Yu to feel the majesty and aura of the deities even from a distance.

Feeling the auras that filled Kyoto, Chen Yu couldn't help but think to himself that perhaps Emperor Meiji made a mistake by transferring the capital to Edo because, for Japan, this was where the true essence of the country lay.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Chen Yu. He was just attending a conference as an ordinary person and needed to go to a divine banquet, nothing more.

Remembering the Kyoto souvenirs that Jounouchi Hiromi had asked him to buy, Chen Yu began looking for them on the streets of Kyoto.

But Chen Yu hadn't walked more than two blocks when someone he had not expected suddenly appeared before him.

"It is an honor to have Mr. Chen Yu visit Kyoto. Please forgive Suzuhime for not welcoming you from afar," said Suzuhime, who suddenly appeared in front of Chen Yu and gave him a very respectful bow.

Compared to the last time Chen Yu saw her, Suzuhime was perhaps dressed more discreetly to mask her identity, wearing a dark purple kimono instead of the lavish Tang Garment, although she was still adorned with two bells on her headpiece, which tingled as she bowed her head.

Seeing Suzuhime bowing to him, Chen Yu simply smiled lightly, "No harm is done to those who don't know. It was also my fault for not notifying you of my arrival."

"Regardless, since you have come from afar upon an invitation, we should all do our part to extend hospitality. Mr. Chen Yu, may I guide you and show you around the sights of Kyoto?" For some reason, Suzuhime seemed much more obedient in front of Chen Yu this time, unlike her mischievous demeanor when they met at the Little Rice Princess's place last time.

Chen Yu casually raised an eyebrow and nodded before asking, "Do you know where to find authentic Kyobashi? I need to bring some souvenirs back."