Chapter 316

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Chapter 316: The World Twenty Years Later

Shikoku Town, the Shimura Family.

Rokuro Shimura pushed open the door to the room, placed the purchased items in the hallway, and then went upstairs to knock on the door.

“Please come in.”

Inside, Hitomi Shimura and Igarashi Shimizu were playing a card game. The two girls, one older and one younger, had their faces covered in sticky notes, marking their loss in the game.

“Mr. Shimura.”

“I’ve bought all the daily necessities,” Rokuro Shimura said cheerfully upon seeing his daughter. His face held a contented smile.

“I’m sorry to trouble you,” Yoshine Ise, sitting in a wheelchair, apologized.

“I couldn’t possibly trouble you,” Rokuro Shimura waved his hand dismissively. “Mr. Bai introduced me here, and these small tasks are what I should be doing. It’s just a brief stay, there’s no trouble at all. My only concern is whether the accommodation meets your expectations.”

“It’s enough to have a safe place to stay,” Igarashi Shimizu replied. “I don’t dare to ask for too much. But it would be best if Mr. Shimura could stay indoors and refrain from going out for now.”

“I have the same plan,” Rokuro Shimura nodded. “I bought plenty of supplies and kept them at home. Now, I can stay there peacefully and spend more time with my daughter.”

Hitomi Shimura’s face lit up with an innocent smile.

“But Miss Kokonohana has already left. She…”

“Don’t worry about Lady Kokonohana,” Yoshine Ise reassured. “She knows what she’s doing, and she went to find Mr. Bai Wei. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s good,” Rokuro Shimura scratched his head. “By the way, you must be hungry too. I’ll go make dinner. I’m quite skilled in cooking. It was with this skill that I managed to marry my wife.”

Igarashi Shimizu, feeling like she was about to lose to Hitomi Shimura, immediately put down her cards and offered, “Let me help you.”

Rokuro Shimura tried to decline, but Igarashi insisted. She seemed somewhat defeated, like a soldier retreating after losing a battle.

Meanwhile, Yoshine Ise began telling stories she had heard at the shrine to keep the children entertained.

In the kitchen, Rokuro Shimura was busy with the ingredients. He spoke aloud, “Mr. Bai is such a kind person. He came and left in a hurry, without even having a simple meal here. I can’t think of a proper way to thank him.”

Igarashi nodded, expressing regret. “Unfortunately, that’s too good.”

Rokuro Shimura asked, “I am a bit curious, what is the relationship between all of you and Mr. Bai?”

“It’s nothing much, just friends. He has taken care of me a lot,” Igarashi Shimizu replied, cheerfully adding ingredients into the pot, seasoning them, and covering the pot. “He came to Shikoku Town to find someone too. I hope he has found that person already and returns soon.”

Her words were genuine, but also marked by an underlying unease. Igarashi Shimizu was the only one here with actual combat ability, but she had been injured. If her hiding place was exposed, she wouldn’t stand a chance alone. If Bai Wei were here, however, he would have no trouble facing any threat, no matter how great.

The scent of cooking filled the room, bringing a temporary sense of peace and harmony.

Kamitsumi Shrine.

“I am not here…”

“He might have gone to Sengoku Shrine. Let’s go there and take a look.”

Kokonohana Nori paused, scanning for any sign of Bai Wei. She glanced at the sky and saw the evening creeping in. She had to decide whether to return or continue searching for him.

Without hesitation, she chose to keep searching. Going back would mean waiting fruitlessly through the night, with no progress to show. The rituals wouldn’t stop either.

She believed that Bai Wei’s absence must indicate he had uncovered something important. It was essential to break free from the ritual and disrupt the banquet of a hundred demons.

No matter how much the funeral attendant speculated, she would never know that Bai Wei had already become lost—twenty years later.

The sky had darkened, and a crimson moon hung overhead.

While the night market bustled with activity, only a few townsfolk noticed a procession of flashlights and torches gathering in the outskirts of Shikoku Town.

A group of dozens, carrying torches and shoulder poles, marched forward in an intimidating line. At the front was the mayor of Shikoku Town, a respected elder.

Although it was called a town, it was more of a large gathering of villages. Yet, even here, the village elder held immense influence.

The village elder spoke in a grave tone, “As you all know, the situation is dire. We must choose a young girl to meet the Sengoku God.”

A middle-aged man asked, “Why must we do this? The Sengoku Shrine is said to be extremely mysterious. Going there could cost us our lives.”

“No matter the cost, the ritual must be completed. If we provoke the Sengoku God, you all know the consequences,” the village elder replied coldly.

“What should we do then?” asked a young man, hesitant.

“Run? Will it help?” The village elder sneered. “Several families moved out half a year ago, and look at what happened to them. Their bodies were found in the mountains, devoured by wild beasts, with only their heads left. Some bodies were found in the water. If any of you dare to run, it’s as good as seeking death. I won’t stop you, but who among you isn’t afraid of death? Who dares to go?”

Silence.

The village elder continued in a low voice, “Now, every household refuses, and no one wants to draw lots. After careful consideration, the only option is to choose from the Shimura family.”

One man remarked, “Rokuro Shimura won’t agree.”

“He didn’t want to agree, but he had no choice.” The village elder raised his hand, signaling a few men to carry in a stretcher. On it lay a man wrapped in bandages, barely recognizable.

The man, Hachiro Shimura, couldn’t speak. His tears flowed as he gazed at the crowd, desperately trying to say something sorrowful.

“This is Hachiro Shimura, Rokuro Shimura’s younger brother. He’s been taking care of Rokuro’s daughter for years. But when he returned, Rokuro beat him so severely that he is now disabled. His life is ruined. His wife is mentally disturbed and locked at home. Their son, only ten years old, has been brutalized and left with lifelong psychological scars.” The village elder sneered. “Not many know this, but let me make it clear: Rokuro Shimura has lost his mind. I would have expelled him from the village even earlier. Now, we must capture his daughter and hold her accountable for his crimes. Any objections?”

A few young men silently prepared themselves. Some in the crowd shouted in support.

The rest of the crowd remained silent, neither wholly evil nor wholly kind. They had chosen to stay silent.

They knew about Hachiro Shimura’s gambling addiction, relying on financial support from Rokuro Shimura. They knew of the terrible life Hitomi Shimura led at Hachiro’s house. There were those who considered telling Rokuro about it or secretly bringing Hitomi to their own homes, but their kindness had limits.

They had stayed silent in the past, and now they remained silent. No one dared oppose because to do so would mean another child being blamed. The blame could then be shared, absolving everyone else.

The only one truly at fault was Rokuro Shimura.

“No objections, then? Let’s go capture someone!” The village elder commanded fiercely. “Knock on the door!”

The Shimura Household.

Rokuro Shimura, finishing his meal, heard a knock at the door. He saw the flickering torches outside and quickly exclaimed, “Everyone, hide!”

He thought they had come for the two witches. He had a hidden basement in his house, a safe place where he could hide them. “If you hear any noise, don’t come out. I’ll deal with them if necessary!”

He opened the door to see the village elder and paused. “You…”

Before he could finish, Rokuro was struck in the abdomen with a stick, causing him to collapse, coughing up stomach fluids.

The group of thugs from the village rushed in, binding Hitomi Shimura and carrying her away.

“Daddy, Daddy!” Hitomi screamed in panic, but a plastic bag was quickly placed over her mouth to silence her.

“What are you doing?” Rokuro roared, struggling to stand. He rushed toward the attackers, but being just an ordinary man, he was struck twice, his vision darkening. Still, he grabbed his daughter tightly.

The village elder paused the attackers and said, “Your daughter has been chosen for the ceremony. Will you not let go?”

“Daydreaming,” Rokuro spat defiantly. “I won’t let go even if you beat me to death.”

The village elder’s voice grew colder. “Tie him up first and bring him back with us. To prevent further trouble.”

The procession of torches slowly drifted away, fading into the silence of the night.

In the Underground Basement.

The two sword witches looked at each other, confused. “It seems like… there isn’t much activity?”

They were in a solid underground basement, built to withstand earthquakes. The structure was sturdy, and the sound insulation was excellent. Even if one pressed their ear against the ceiling, only distant, sporadic sounds could be heard.

“I’m a little worried,” Yoshine Ise hesitated, wanting to open the basement door.

“Let’s wait a little longer,” Igarashi Shimizu shook her head. “I know you’re worried, but I have to ensure your safety. The Shimura family are just villagers. The people outside are no demons. I don’t think we’ll face trouble.”

Ise sighed softly, finally conceding. “Okay, but I don’t want to be a burden.”

Kamitsumi Shrine.

Bai Wei asked, “So, is this really the future twenty years from now?”

Kuya replied, “I’m not sure about the exact time discrepancy, but whether you come from twenty years ago… only you know. The time difference introduces some misinformation in our communication.”

Bai Wei said, “She can prove it.”

Kuya nodded. “After seeing her, I choose to believe you—for now.”

Hokusinn Kichyō interjected, “So, what exactly happened twenty years ago? And who are you?”

Instead of answering directly, Kuya said, “Why don’t you go see for yourselves in the village? When you return, you’ll have your answer.”

“What will we see?” Hokusinn Kichyō asked, feeling uneasy.

In Kuya’s voice, there was a trace of happiness as she spoke, “Some things that I consider beautiful, for example…”

“Digging my own grave?”