Chapter 425

Chapter 425: The Blood Moon Fades Away

Three days later, at Edo Hospital, a warm exchange lit the otherwise sterile environment.

Sakurai Shiru’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Really? Is this truly a gift for me? Can I accept it?”

“Of course. It even says, ‘To Sakurai Shiru’ on it,” came the reassuring reply.

“That’s wonderful!” Shiru exclaimed, clutching the pristine album tightly. She bounced and twirled with joy.

For a devoted fan of Hatsurai Wagaizuma, the limited-edition album was nothing short of perfection. The albums, originally meant for Yagyū Simozi, had been generously passed on to Shiru in celebration of her imminent discharge from the hospital.

Doctor Kurosawa, standing by, shared the latest medical updates. “Her recovery has been remarkable. By December, she’ll be ready to leave.”

To ensure her transition was smooth, Kurosawa accompanied Shiru to Kamiji Village, a place transformed by the newfound freedom from the Scarlet Curse.

In the village, sword witches who had endured arduous physical transformations were reclaiming their lives. Some sought peace in marriage and family, while others returned to the shrine, bolstering its numbers. Thanks to the Golden Tree, non-combat casualties among sword witches had become a thing of the past.

For Kurosawa, this December brought an unfamiliar sense of relief. The haunting dread of the Crimson Moon had given way to a series of blessings. Every day, she spent ten minutes in quiet prayer, her heart filled with gratitude for the Emperor’s well-being.

It wasn’t just her spirit that seemed lighter—her body felt more energized, her mind clearer. For once, a genuine smile graced her face.

Meanwhile, Bai Wei, aware of the events unfolding around him, maintained a careful silence, focusing his conversations on Sakurai Shiru. He was ready to support her, and Yagyū Simozi had accepted the situation as well.

To encourage Shiru’s musical aspirations, Bai Wei had arranged for a triangle piano, a thoughtful gesture that symbolized hope and new beginnings.

His ventures extended beyond the personal. A piece of the legendary Western dragon’s remains had been auctioned through Xue Hanlei, securing him financial freedom. Rare and priceless, the dragon’s wings, scales, and skull were treasures of ancient lore.

Bai Wei’s simple, unadorned life contrasted sharply with the immense wealth he had amassed. He mused that hunting extinct creatures might be the fastest way to riches—if only time machines existed.

Elsewhere, Xue Hanlei enjoyed her vacation in a hot spring village near Mount Fuji. Delegating tasks to her associates, she ensured the piano was delivered from Dragon Sakura’s inventory to the Yagyū household.

Back in Hokkaido, Yagyū Simozi stayed behind for her exchange program. Between extra classes and competitions, her return to Edo was delayed. For now, Bai Wei handled the household matters solo, his focus shifting to his ongoing quest to navigate the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom.

The month brimmed with coincidences and dramatic turns, as if scripted for a short film. Bai Wei’s days included encounters with the destitute and a visit to the shrine to check on Saki Jingūji.

Jingūji had recovered from her injuries but chose seclusion, avoiding relatives from Kashihara Shrine. Life at the dormitory suited her, even as she gained a few pounds.

The Shogunate’s silence over Jingūji’s Heroic Spirit Principle puzzled many. Despite the exposure of her abilities, no official intervention came. The title of heroic spirit was both a blessing and a burden, one that Jingūji herself viewed with skepticism.

In Yingzhou, supreme and second-grade heroic spirits occupied unique roles in society. Yet, compared to the invincible aura of supreme spirits, second-grade heroic spirits struggled with public perception.

Among the notable second-grade spirits, Xue Luoyang of the Ming Country stood out, a living legend capable of matching supreme spirits in battle. By contrast, Yingzhou’s second-grade spirits were few, their influence limited by politics and geography.

At the shrine, Saki Jingūji encouraged Bai Wei to spar with the sword witches. Reluctantly, he picked up a wooden sword and soon found himself immersed in combat.

The dojo buzzed with energy as Bai Wei’s dual-sword technique tested the endurance of every participant. One by one, the sword witches fell, only to rise again for another round. Tears, bruises, and determination filled the room, the chaos bordering on cathartic.

Jingūji, showcasing her agility

and resilience, emerged as a

standout. Despite her bruises,

her progress shone through.

Yoshine Ise also impressed

Bai Wei, blending healing with

strategic counterattacks.

As the training session

concluded, Kokonohana Nori

approached Bai Wei with a

proposition. She offered him a

teaching position at the

shrine, a flexible and well-

compensated role. Bai Wei

accepted, not for the money

but for the opportunity to

prepare the sword witches for

the battles ahead.

With this new role, Bai Wei bid

farewell to his part-time job at

Izumi Dojo, introducing a

capable replacement from the

Hokusinn family. His

responsibilities settled, Bai

Wei’s life began to regain a

steady rhythm.

By the end of December, the

blood-red moon had started to

fade. The Yagyū household

buzzed with the return of

Yagyū Simozi, and life

gradually resumed its

comforting normalcy.

The new year loomed on the

horizon, bringing with it the

promise of fresh beginnings

and a renewed sense of purpose.