Chapter 312

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Chapter 312: The Sudden Arrival of Love

The shrine maiden’s name was Kuya. She served at Kamitsumi Shrine, but she was no ordinary shrine maiden. When introducing herself, she explained that she had received the blessing of Kamitsumiwoikirihime. Divine power resided within her, making her a living deity.

Among the most renowned of such living deities was Sanae Kochiya, a being who embodied both human and divine traits. Sanae resembled a traditional shrine maiden more than a mere decorative figure, her eyes transformed into serpent-like orbs.

Kuya, persistent and curious, asked about Hokusinn Kichyō’s name, as it reminded her of a friend from her past. However, Hokusinn Kichyō had no such friend. Bai Wei almost confirmed that her social circle was quite small.

From Kuya’s words, it became clear that Hokusinn Kichyō existed, and they had, in fact, arrived at a point in the future.

Bai Wei asked, “May I ask how old you are?” He wanted to determine the current time.

“This is a secret,” she replied, avoiding the question.

He continued, “How many years ago did you meet Hokusinn Kichyō?”

Kuya smiled mysteriously. “Now it’s my turn to ask,” she 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.”

Bai Wei frowned, “Maybe the Hokusinn Kichyō you know is actually a fake.”

“Where did your confidence come from?”

Bai Wei smiled, but it was controlled and polite. Still, he couldn’t shake his doubt about the truthfulness of Kuya’s words.

Hokusinn Kichyō, daughter of the famous swordsman Hokusinn Xuanma and heir to Hokusinn Itto-ryu, was passionate about swordsmanship and online surfing. She had owned two pets, one of which tragically died in a car accident while the other peacefully passed away of old age. Hokusinn followed her father’s every command, often labeled the obedient daughter of a strict tiger father. This was the information Kuya slowly revealed.

“Is this what she told you?” Bai Wei asked.

“No,” Kuya replied, “I also saw it with my own eyes.”

“Didn’t she tell you that she reconciled with Hokusinn Xuanma, mastered the legendary Northern City One-Blade Style, and defeated a hundred opponents?” Bai Wei asked.

Kuya tilted her head, her eyes narrowing, studying him. “Are you serious?”

“If you don’t believe it, forget it,” Bai Wei said, suspicion rising. “Has it really been so long?”

He couldn’t help but feel confused. The information seemed contradictory, and Kuya’s impression of Hokusinn Kichyō seemed to be stuck in the past.

Bai Wei thought the mismatch could only mean one thing: Kuya had made a mistake, not him.

Before he could inquire further, Kuya spoke again. “Let’s just assume that’s the case. After all, it has been a long time since I saw her.”

“I will bring her to meet you when I find her,” Bai Wei said.

Kuya paused, nodding slowly. “That’s fine.”

“Then, could you please tell me where she went?” Bai Wei asked, changing the subject quickly.

“I told you, I haven’t seen her for a long time,” Kuya said with a shake of her head. “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.”

“Aren’t you a witch?” Bai Wei pressed. “You should be able to work some magic tricks, right?”

“Do witches have any inherent connection to miracles?” Kuya answered, an enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

Bai Wei found himself frustrated, as if speaking to a mysterious seashell. Every time he asked something, she would dodge with another question.

If he were in the Empire Era, he would have used the Golden Power to force an answer out of her. He was beginning to feel the anger rising, though he did his best to contain it.

“Maybe we won’t find any trace of Hokusinn Kichyō…” Bai Wei muttered, contemplating the next steps.

He pulled out an Ema from his pocket, the exclamation mark still visible on it.

[Dead End (Explored)]

[New Path (Unexplored)]

It appeared it could be used again.

“What is this?” Kuya asked, reaching out for it.

Bai Wei swatted her hand away. “Dream on.”

“You!” she exclaimed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Bai Wei raised an eyebrow. “You never answer when asked, always acting mysterious. No wonder no one visits the shrine anymore. You’ve scared all the guests away, haven’t you?”

Kuya’s expression remained hidden behind her mask. Despite being scolded, she felt an unexpected stir of nostalgia rather than anger. It had been years since anyone dared to speak to her in such a manner, especially so closely. Living alone for so long had made her feel disconnected, unable to even hold a proper conversation. Instead, she was being lectured by a young man.

She paused. “What you said is true. I know nothing of those things. I’ve never seen the sword witch of the shrine. I don’t even know what year it is now. I’ve lived here alone for so long, never going down the mountain.”

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

“Present divine beings do not require food or drink,” she replied.

“Then, you don’t need to pull—” Bai Wei started.

Kuya rolled up her sleeves as though ready to strike, “Hmm?”

Realizing he had pushed too far, Bai Wei quickly adjusted, asking instead, “Do you recognize this Ema?”

“I don’t,” Kuya said. “But perhaps I recognize the handwriting.”

Bai Wei passed her the Ema, letting her examine it closely.

Kuya recited aloud, “May I obtain one person’s heart… and never be separated until old age…”

Her voice faltered. “How could it say such a thing? It’s disrespectful to the gods. And this isn’t the Shrine of Matrimony either. Truly absurd!”

Bai Wei couldn’t help but think Kuya seemed more like a cat than a snake—her demeanor bristling suddenly like a cat with raised fur.

“I agree,” he said. “The sentence doesn’t sound right, does it?”

Kuya nodded deeply in agreement.

She continued, “However, the handwriting does belong to Hokusinn Kichyō. She imitates her mother’s style, so the characteristics are unmistakable.”

Bai Wei, seeing she was deep in thought, interrupted. “Since Hokusinn isn’t here, I’ll continue my search. You should close up for the night.”

Kuya gazed at him for a moment, her serpent-like eyes scrutinizing him. After a pause, she said, “Wait a moment.”

Bai Wei stood still as she turned and entered the house. Moments later, she returned and handed him a lucky charm.

This charm was heavy, shaped like a stitched cloth bag, and its contents were unknown.

“If you come again,” Kuya said, “you can follow this charm.”

Bai Wei nodded as he accepted it.

“I will take my leave then,” Kuya gestured politely.

After carefully stowing the charm, Bai Wei turned to leave, then asked, “Do you truly not recognize me?”

Kuya didn’t answer but instead asked, “Hokusinn Kichyō, who exactly are you?”

Bai Wei, now walking away, wanted to ask but didn’t answer her directly.

“I don’t recognize you,” she called out. “I’ve never heard of you or seen you before. But… you give me a sense of familiarity.”

Bai Wei slowed his pace, responding, “Friend. It could be a destined connection.”

He walked away through the bird gate, embarking on his journey, his figure disappearing along the mountain path.

Kuya, standing beneath the shade of a tree, murmured quietly to herself, “Friend? The words on that Ema don’t say the same thing…”

As Bai Wei journeyed once again through the tumultuous currents of time and space, he paused for a moment, his steps faltering.

“Have you returned?” he murmured aloud, but immediately contradicted himself.

Looking around, he realized the mountain path stretched out before him once again, and the bird gate was nowhere to be seen.

Following the path ahead, he saw only desolation. The ground halfway up the mountain was open, with a single wooden house that resembled a shrine but was clearly different from modern shrines. The towering tree was gone, and the ground was overgrown with weeds. A foul smell lingered in the air.

On the ground, scattered remains and severed body parts lay in disarray, fresh bloodstains visible among the decay. The bodies were no longer alive, having decomposed long ago.

Bai Wei focused his hearing, picking up irregular breaths and a faint heartbeat—only one.

He approached the shrine, noticing the broken lock on the door. With a firm push, he opened the decaying door.

A flash of cold light suddenly shone, aimed directly at his forehead. The sword was swift, but not swift enough.

Bai Wei pressed his fingers together and caught the blade. Following its path, his gaze moved to the hand that gripped it, and then to the disheveled woman behind the sword.

“I came to find you on purpose, and this is how you greet me?” Bai Wei remarked, an eyebrow raised.

The moonlight reflected off the blade, allowing the woman to see his face. Her nervous expression vanished in an instant. Without thinking, she dropped the sword and rushed into his arms, tightly embracing him.

“I like you!” she declared loudly.

Bai Wei stood still, shocked. “……?”