Check on the pale lady one last time :)
The empress may be gone, but have you made her truly disappear?
Have you found the Kowai? The game is at a stand-still until you've finished at least four yokai.
Go north instead of northwest where you rid yourself of the monkey on your back. Look at the altar if you haven't done so yet, then head back towards town. You may find something no-one else but the Kowai would want laying around on your way back.
