Chapter 312

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Chapter 312: The Sudden Arrival of Love

The shrine maiden’s name was Kuya, she was a shrine maiden at Kamitsumi Shrine.

She wasn’t an ordinary shrine maiden. She introduced herself, mentioning that she had received the blessing of Kamitsumiwoikirihime. Inside her, dwelled divine power, making her a living deity.

Among the most iconic living deities is Sanae Kochiya. She embodies both human and divine qualities, resembling a traditional shrine maiden more than a mere decorative fish.

Because of this, her eyes transformed into snake-like eyes.

Kuya persistently asked for Hokusinn Kichyō’s name because it reminded her of a friend from her past.

Hokusinn Kichyō didn’t have such a friend, Bai Wei could almost confirm that her circle of friends was quite small.

From Kuya’s words, it was confirmed that Hokusinn Kichyō existed, and naturally, it could be determined that they had arrived at a future point in time.

Bai Wei asked, "May I ask how old you are?"

He wanted to figure out the current time.

"This is a secret," she rejected answering.

"How many years ago did you and Hokusinn Kichyō meet?" Bai Wei continued to inquire.

"Now it is my turn to ask," Kuya said. "Why are you looking for Hokusinn Kichyō? She… doesn’t know you, right?"

"How is that possible?" Bai Wei shook his head. "She didn’t mention me to you?"

"I have never heard of it before."

"Maybe the Hokusinn Kichyō you know is actually a fake."

"Where did your confidence come from?"

Bai Wei’s smile was restrained and polite. It made him doubt the truthfulness of Kuya’s words.

Hokusinn Kichyō, the daughter of the renowned swordsman Hokusinn Xuanma and the heiress of Hokusinn Itto-ryu, had a great passion for swordsmanship and online surfing. She had owned two pets, one of which tragically died in a car accident while the other peacefully passed away from old age. She obediently followed her father’s every word, lacking independence and often being referred to as a tiger father’s obedient daughter in the world of Hokusinn Itto-ryu… Kuya slowly revealed this information.

"Is this what she told you?"

"Also, I saw it with my own eyes," Kuya replied.

"She didn’t tell you that she has already made peace with Hokusinn Xuanma, and has also obtained the legendary skills of the Northern City One-Blade Style, achieving the feat of defeating a hundred opponents?"

Kuya gazed at Bai Wei, tilting her head slowly and thoughtfully – Are you serious?

"If you don’t believe it, forget it," Bai Wei couldn’t help but feel suspicious. Was it really such a long time later here?

If that’s the case, why does this shrine maiden’s impression of Hokusinn Kichyō still remain from a long time ago?

The information from both sides showed a clear mismatch, indicating that one party had made a mistake. It couldn’t have been me who was wrong, so it must be her.

Bai Wei wanted to inquire further, but he heard Kuya change her words, saying, "Let’s just consider it as such, after all, it has been a long time since I last saw her too."

Bai Wei said, "When I find her, I will bring her to meet you."

Kuya paused for a moment, calmly nodding her head and said, "That’s fine."

"Then, could you please tell me where she went?" Bai Wei swiftly changed the subject.

"I have mentioned that I haven’t seen her for a long time," Miko Kuya shook her head. "I’m afraid I can’t help you with that."

"Aren’t you a witch? You should be able to do some magic tricks, right?"

"Do witches have any inherent connection to miracles?"

Bai Wei was at a loss. He was just as confused about the current situation. This priestess seemed like a mysterious seashell. Whenever he asked her something, she would reply with "I don’t know" and often ignore his questions by throwing another one back at him.

Bai Wei was so angry that if he were in the Empire Era, he would have definitely used the Golden Power to extract this person’s tongue, flatten him with it, and then shove it back into his mouth. He wanted to teach him a lesson on how to speak properly.

If they really couldn’t find any trace of Hokusinn Kichyō, then perhaps they would have to…

He took out the Ema from his pocket, it still bore the exclamation mark from earlier.

[Dead End (Explored)]

[New Path (Unexplored)]

Sure enough, it could be used twice. It wasn’t like a messenger pigeon, it could be explored again.

"What is this?" Miko Kuya reached out her hand and said, "Show it to me."

Bai Wei swatted her hand away and grumbled, "Dream on."

"You!"

"What do you think you’re doing?" Bai Wei raised his eyebrows. "You never have an answer when asked, always mysterious and acting so superior. Indulging in your foul temper, it’s no wonder no one visits the shrine anymore. Guests must have been scared away by your attitude, right?"

Kuya’s expression was hidden behind the mask. After being scolded for a few sentences, she felt a hint of nostalgia rather than anger. It had been many years since anyone dared to scold her, let alone criticize her from such a close distance. Living alone for a long time could also bring about feelings of loneliness. She couldn’t even have a proper conversation and was instead being lectured by a young person.

She paused for a moment. "What you said is true. I have no knowledge of those things, nor have I ever seen the sword witch of the shrine… I don’t even know what year it is now. After all, I have been living here on my own for a long time and never go down the mountain."

Bai Wei asked, "So what do you eat? Do you feast on the winds and drink the dew?"

"The present divine beings don’t require food and drink."

"Then you don’t need to pull…."

Miko Kuya rolled up her sleeves, poised to strike and said, "Hmm?"

After Bai Wei hit the brakes, he asked again, "Do you know this Ema?"

"I don’t recognize him," she said. "But perhaps I can recognize the handwriting on top."

Bai Wei held Ema in his hand and passed it to her, showing her and said, "Take a look yourself."

Miko Kuya recited, "May I obtain one person’s heart… and never be separated until old age…"

She was startled. "How could it be such a sentence? It’s disrespectful to the gods. And this isn’t the Shrine of Matrimony either. It’s truly absurd!"

Bai Wei male thought that this blue and white shrine maiden was not like a snake, but more like a cat. Suddenly, she got all spiky fur.

Bai Wei male took back the ema and said, "Hmm, indeed, I also feel the same way. This sentence just doesn’t sound right, don’t you think?"

Miko Kuya deeply agreed and expressed her approval.

She continued, "However, this handwriting indeed belongs to Hokusinn Kichyō… Her handwriting imitates that of her mother, so the characteristics are very obvious."

Bai Wei saw that she was still contemplating and interrupted, saying, "Since Hokusinn is not here, I plan to continue searching for someone. You should close up earlier on your end."

Kuya lifted her head and gazed at Bai Wei with serpent-like eyes. She examined him up and down for a moment, then said, "Please wait a moment."

Bai Wei stood still as she turned and walked into the house. After half a minute, she returned to the tree and handed Bai Wei a lucky charm.

This lucky charm was heavy and had a shape that could change. Its outer appearance was a stitched cloth bag, and nobody knew what was inside.

"If you ever come again," Kuya said, "you can follow this lucky charm."

Bai Wei nodded.

"I will take my leave then," Kuya gestured with a polite ‘please’.

After Bai Wei carefully put away the lucky charm, he asked before leaving, "Do you truly not recognize me?"

Kuya didn’t answer, but instead countered with a question, "Hokusinn Kichyō, who exactly are you?"

Bai Wei turned and walked away, wanting to ask a question without answering.

"I don’t recognize you," she added, "I’ve never heard of you, never seen you before, but… you give me a sense of familiarity."

Bai Wei, too, slowed down and answered her question, "Friend, it could be considered as a destined connection."

He walked through the bird gate, simultaneously embarking on a "path of life," his figure disappearing along the mountain path.

Kuya stood under the shade of a tree, murmuring quietly, "Friend? The words on that picture of Ema don’t say the same thing."

…

Once again, as Bai Wei journeyed through the chaotic currents of time and space, his footsteps faltered for a moment.

"Have you returned?"

He had just finished saying this sentence, when he immediately contradicted himself.

He looked around and found that it was still a mountain path. The bird gate behind him had vanished without a trace.

Following the mountain path, he walked forward. Looking ahead, he saw a desolate scene. The ground halfway up the mountain was still open, but there was only one wooden house here. Its appearance resembled that of a shrine, but it was clearly different from modern shrines. The towering tree that was once there had vanished completely, and the ground was covered in overgrown weeds. There was also a foul smell in the air.

On the ground, there were scattered remains and severed body parts. Fresh bloodstains were also visible. However, these bodies were not alive; they had been decomposing for a long time. Decayed bodies couldn’t move unless they were some kind of undead creatures.

Bai Wei looked at the bloodstains that stretched inside. He closed his eyes and focused his senses on his hearing. Soon, he heard some movement coming from inside.

There was a breath, irregular and faint, accompanied by the sound of a heartbeat – only one.

He walked towards the old shrine cabin, gazing at the broken lock on the door. He reached out and pushed open the decaying door.

The next moment, a cold light shone from the corner where the sound of breathing had come from, aiming directly at his forehead, a vital spot. The sword was swift, but not swift enough.

Bai Wei pressed his index finger and thumb together, catching the incoming sword. His gaze followed the familiar blade, moving to the hand gripping it, and finally to the disheveled-haired woman.

"I came to find you on purpose, and this is how you welcome me?"

The moonlight reflected off the blade between them, allowing her to see Bai Wei’s face. Her nervous expression disappeared suddenly, and in a flash, she released his hand. Impulsively, without thinking about anything else, she dashed into his embrace and tightly hugged the man from the Ming Country.

"I like you!" she exclaimed loudly.

Bai Wei, "……?"