Chapter 334

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Chapter 334: The Final Curtain

[The event has ended]

[Reward: Stygian Water, Four-phase Puppets, Yunhu Sword]

[Evaluation: Very easy] -> [Review: Very simple]

Bai Wei dealt with the Thousand-Stone Black Snake, while the rest were just a motley crew.

Most of the monsters and demons died under his command, but unfortunately, he didn’t gain much experience from defeating them.

As for the other monsters and demons, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t dare to venture further into Shikoku Town. Tonight’s feast of a hundred spirits has come to an end.

But the unrest couldn’t be stopped in a short period of time. The aftermath of the clashes couldn’t escape the attention of the shogunate, and would be subject to investigation afterwards.

For the shogunate, this was a troublesome matter. In its perspective, maintaining control was the utmost priority, with ensuring the people’s safety coming afterwards.

So, once a power that threatened the shogunate’s rule emerged, it would immediately attract various attention. It might even lead to a visit to Osaka Castle to meet the shogun.

Once his disguise was revealed, Bai Wei might have to return to the Ming Country.

He didn’t expect to be able to hold on forever, but holding on for a little while would be good, preferably until Simozi came of age, which was still over a year away.

Luckily, the sword witch was still unaware of the truth, so as long as Hokusinn Kichyō kept it a secret, there was no need to worry about being recognized for now.

If the sword witch suspects who did it, let’s shift all the blame onto the emperor.

…

Bai Wei returned to Kamitsumi Shrine and as he gazed upon the devastating aftermath of the fierce battle, he immediately knew what had happened.

Returning to the shrine, Hokusinn Kichyō stood under a tree, lost in thought, while Kuya peacefully leaned against the tree as if she were asleep.

Bai Wei’s eyes narrowed in an instant, his fists clenched tightly. Then, slowly, he relaxed his grip.

As Kuya’s true identity, he actually had some suspicions.

Hokusinn Kichyō from the parallel spacetime, it wasn’t really difficult to guess.

In front of Shimura’s house, Kuya didn’t see those two graves twenty years later. But this didn’t necessarily mean that the future had changed now. Perhaps the graves had simply been moved? He didn’t delve too much into it because delving deeper would inevitably involve Kuya’s secret. She chose to conceal it and spoke in ambiguous riddles, repeatedly mentioning the topic of "the last day." It was obvious that she had her own thoughts and decisions.

Hokusinn Kichyō also chose not to reveal it directly, and the meaning was already quite clear.

Bai Wei couldn’t intervene in the matter between them; he could only leave space and time for them to handle it on their own.

Just… he didn’t expect that Kuya had actually chosen death.

When they waited for each other to return, they had already been separated by life and death.

He still had some words left unsaid to her, but now, no matter what he said, she would never be able to hear them.

Bai Wei walked to Kichyō’s side, Hokusinn turned his face, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Cry, crying will make you feel better."

Hokusinn Kichyō, however, shook her head and sniffed forcefully.

"She said that she would be very happy to die in the hands of her loved ones…"

"This is a good thing, I shouldn’t cry. She has finally found her happiness and has finally found peace. How can I cry?"

She tried to force herself to smile, but no matter how hard she tried, the muscles in her face remained stiff like iron blocks. A sense of heaviness weighed down on her heart.

"But why do I feel so unwilling?"

Hokusinn Kichyō asked, not seeking an answer, but unwilling to accept this cruel outcome.

Bai Wei remained silent, gazing at Kuya who seemed to be quietly smiling. He wondered, "When you close your eyes, what is it that you truly think about?"

Is it liberation or revenge?

Perhaps she realized that she could no longer find the answer.

Bai Wei suddenly remembered something and took out the amulet that Kuya had given him from his pocket.

The amulet helped him with time and space positioning, but now it was useless.

Thinking of returning the item to its original owner, he took out the amulet, only to suddenly see an object slipping out from the bag of the amulet.

He extended his hand and swiftly caught it in his palm.

In that moment, Bai Wei could finally see that the filling inside the amulet was a neatly carved wooden piece, a horse painting. It didn’t look brand new at all, as it had been crushed for a long time, but it wasn’t yet decayed. The marks left on it were heavily worn, making it barely recognizable by its pattern and writing.

"Let me see," Kamitsumiwoikirihime exclaimed, "I might be able to tell."

Bai Wei handed Ema to Kamitsumiwoikirihime, who quickly examined it and said.

"The wish written on top of this painting of a horse is…"

"I hope to find happiness."

Hokusinn Kichyō was startled. Her eyes turned red once again as she took the Ema and hugged it. She slowly crouched down and let out a soundless sob.

Not wanting to disturb her emotional release, they silently walked away.

Bai Wei walked to the other side of the shrine and asked, "Can you recognize such heavy wear and tear?"

"Of course, I am the deity of this place," Kamitsumiwoikirihime said, recalling fondly. "Recognizing Ema isn’t about the design, but the wishes left behind." She continued, "A long time ago, someone left me a Ema. Although I can no longer remember who it was, I have kept it in perfect condition all this time."

"Oh? Can you show me, please?"

"…Alright." Kamitsumiwoikirihime, with a divine air, wrapped Ema and handed it to Bai Wei. It was evident that this piece was even older and more worn-out. The traces of wear and tear had made the remaining writing and patterns on it indiscernible.

Bai Wei shook his head, indicating that he couldn’t recognize it. He wondered, "What is written in this wish?"

Kamitsumiwoikirihime recited the poem written above, "May I gain someone’s heart, never to part till the end of time."

Bai Wei paused for a moment, then burst into laughter and said, "Hahaha…"

Kamitsumiwoikirihime was puzzled and asked, "Why are you laughing?"

Bai Wei shook his head and said, "Such a beautiful poem… It just unfairly judges me."

There were two painted horses.

There were two instances of cause and effect.

In the blending of the past and the future, the living still exist in this very moment. Time is truly an intriguing thing, constantly cycling, going and coming again.

Bai Wei gazed into the distance, as the crimson moonlight had also passed its peak, beginning to slowly fade, like a gently falling stage curtain.

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and said, "It’s all over now."

…

"Is it over now?"

Leaving the two Sword Witches who had just departed from the Netherworld, they looked at the empty Sengoku Shrine and went around in search. Eventually, they discovered the lifeless body of a giant serpent lying in a valley.

Even in death, this monster still exuded a chilling aura that could send shivers down one’s spine. There was no doubt that it was a formidable demon, at least on the level of a dragon, capable of causing catastrophic havoc.

Kiriko Mizuko, feeling a sense of sadness in her heart, whispered, "How could it be killed? Did something even more ferocious come after it?"

Kokonohana Nori shook her head. By now, all the golden raindrops in the sky had disappeared. However, the body of the black serpent slain by the golden sword still emitted scattered golden sparkles. Just by seeing these glimmers, the funeral attendant knew who was responsible. She felt a brief moment of relief mixed with disappointment in her heart.

The easy part is when the gods intervene, everything naturally goes smoothly and nothing becomes troublesome anymore. It effortlessly leads to success, bringing along those who lie down. The disappointing part is that he didn’t stay, and I didn’t get to see him again either. There are still some things that haven’t been clarified.

The funeral attendant suddenly asked, "Mizuko, what do you think would happen if a new deity appeared in the shrine right now?"

Kiriko Mizuko tilted her head and said, "If a new belief suddenly emerged? Hmm, it might cause division."

"What do you personally think?"

"As for me, if it’s of any use, I might have a little faith." Kiriko Mizuko kicked the body of the black snake and continued, "If I were in danger, and a god or a disciple of a god would come from afar to save me, I would definitely be willing to believe."

Inside Kokonohana Nori’s heart, there was a flutter of uncertainty. "…"

"But I also know that it’s impossible. Even Inari Okami wouldn’t care so much about their devotees," said Kiriko Mizuko. "So, at the very least, it can guarantee that I’ll find a boyfriend as wonderful as Mr. Bai Wei, and I’m willing to believe in that!"

Kokonohana Nori spoke seriously, "Let’s not talk about these things. First, let’s go back to Shikoku Town. After dawn, we will contact the shrine to handle matters here."

"Can I go to the town and grab some fries on the way?" Kiriko Mizuko asked persistently, her stomach rumbling with hunger.

"Sure, not only fries but also ketchup," Kokonohana replied cheerfully, in a playful mood.

Kiriko Mizuko, later on, said, "But Jingūji has been sleeping all along, and I’m a little worried…"

"This might not be a bad thing," Kokonohana Nori glanced at the slumbering sword witch, "She might be dreaming about her past life."

The Heroic Spirit Principle was undergoing further revival, and there was no way to thoroughly experience the entirety of the long life of the Celestial Fox in just one short encounter.

Just relying on her alone would be a bit difficult, she needed some additional assistance.