Chapter 77: The Amazing Artist
Even though it is the 21st century, there are still many old longhouses in Black Vortex Town.
Some are located in inconspicuous places in the town, some are side by side, and some are on the outskirts of the town, the houses are close to collapse.
In present-day Japan, the people who still live here are obviously very poor.
However, Uesugi Kiyoshi knew that these longhouses are actually part of the vortex.
They may be run-down, uncomfortable, and living in them may cause strange bodily changes, but they can withstand the disasters caused by the vortex.
As the disasters worsen, the residents of Black Vortex Town will eventually discover the purpose of the longhouses, and then, following the instructions of their ancestors, they will build new longhouses.
When all the longhouses are connected, the Dragonfly Pond in the town center will open a passage to the bottom, and all the townspeople will rush into it, and die there.
Then the passage closed, and the Vortex Curse came to an end. Black Vortex Town would soon decay and age with time, new towns would be built on the ruins, and people would start living happily again.
Of course, before the vortex awakens again.
Black Vortex Town is like a farm, and the Vortex Weird is the owner, selling products every once in a while.
Uesugi Kiyoshi's plan was to skip the shocks, burning, bloodletting, and belly splitting processes, and directly go in front of the owner.
"What about after entering the underground? How do we fight the Vortex Curse?" After listening to Uesugi Kiyoshi's explanation, Saito Shuichi still had doubts in his heart.
He would never believe that people entering the underground vortex could leave safely. How could humans possibly be adversaries if there was a real fight?
Uesugi Kiyoshi took out the folding fan he borrowed from the Saito family, fanned a few times, looking relaxed.
"The hermit has a plan!"
Even a bad idea is better than no idea at all.
Looking at him, Saito Shuichi felt a bit less annoyed, and then realized he was heading towards the town center.
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to Itsutsu Kishima's house. You don't think this little money is enough to build a house, do you?"
Itsutsu Kishima's house is located near Dragonfly Pond in the center of the town.
Just like Saito Shuichi, she also has a happy family and a cute seven-year-old brother.
"Shuichi, Vortex-kunn, how did you guys come here?"
Seeing Saito Shuichi and Uesugi Kiyoshi arrive together, Itsutsu Kishima was surprised but more delighted.
"Mom, Dad, Shuichi is here, along with Uzumaki Naruto!"
Once called "Your Excellency" everywhere he went, Uesugi Kiyoshi now became "along with", feeling a mix of emotions but still remembering to present the gift he had.
"First time visiting, is Mr. Gojima here?"
Itsutsu Kishima's father, Toshio Kishima, is a potter who is famous in Black Vortex Town and often participates in pottery exhibitions in the city.
"Oh, Dad..." Itsutsu Kishima said with a mix of annoyance and amusement as she mentioned her father, "He's sulking right now!"
"Why?" asked Saito Shuichi.
"Because none of the pieces he took to Yuanshan City sold! But it's no wonder, they are both strange and difficult to use!"
Walking into the living room and seeing the table full of pottery, Uesugi Kiyoshi realized that Itsutsu Kishima had spared her father's feelings.
More like post-modern deconstructive art pieces than pottery, this pile of objects was completely mysterious in their purpose, with strange colors and swirling patterns that seemed almost lifelike.
"There's... there's something wrong with these, they have been contaminated by the vortex!" exclaimed Saito Shuichi in horror.
Toshio Kishima emerged from the inner room at that moment, clearly displeased upon hearing his words.
"What are you saying, Shuichi? This is a piece of art! Look at that young man next to us, he's so focused, isn't he?"
"That's right, it's an amazing piece of art!" Uesugi Kiyoshi promptly praised, "Such unique colors, exquisite patterns, even in Tokyo, there are very few, actually, none with such genius design!"
Saito Shuichi opened his mouth, feeling amused and puzzled, from his viewpoint, he could see Uesugi Kiyoshi, eyes closed, praising loudly.
"I wonder which master created these artworks?"
"It's me, Toshio Kishima, but your praise is too much!"
Even though he said that, Toshio Kishima couldn't help but smile broadly and straightened up a bit.
"By the way, who are you?"
Uesugi Kiyoshi opened his eyes, turned around, adjusted his attire, and then extended his right hand.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto, the editor-in-chief of East Asian Cultural Publishing, I heard about an outstanding pottery artist in Black Vortex Town, so I came specially to have a look, and indeed, the reputation is well-deserved!"
Before he arrived, he rented a suit and struck a deliberate pose, looking quite like the real deal.
"Vortex-kunn is actually an editor? I can't believe it!" Itsutsu Kishima whispered to Saito Shuichi.
Saito Shuichi nodded a few times, feeling very conflicted and unsure how to respond.
Uesugi Kiyoshi continued, "Our company is planning to establish a database of influential figures in Japan, providing a platform for celebrities in various industries. This will be the largest encyclopedia of industry celebrities in the country. Are you interested?"
"Can I really do it?"
Upon hearing this news, Toshio Kishima almost jumped up, his voice even getting a bit higher.
"If someone of your caliber is not qualified, how many ceramic artists in Japan can make it into the database?"
Uesugi Kiyoshi firmly grasped Toshio Kishima's hand and earnestly said. I just hope that East Asian Culture Publishing House will be willing to participate.
"Of course!" Toshio Kishima was practically floating in the air. "What do you need me to do?"
"First, I need these works to persuade the chief editor."
"No problem!"
"Then we just need to input the data at a small cost. You know, building a database is not an easy task..."
After signing the cooperation agreement, the Kishima family's savings of 350,000 transferred to Uesugi Kiyoshi's hands. He was holding a pile of vortex products and was about to leave under Toshio Kishima's instructions when a gentle girl's voice was heard outside.
"Excuse me, is Itsutsu Kishima at home?"
She was a beautiful and quiet girl, with shoulder-length hair, bright black eyes, and porcelain-like pale skin. She was dressed in the same school uniform as Itsutsu Kishima.
Seeing Uesugi Kiyoshi and Saito Shuichi coming out, her lips curled slightly, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkled.
"Hello, I'm Kurotani Azami. Can you tell me who Saito Shuichi is?"
