Chapter 365
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Chapter 365: The Unexpected Incident
The Heroic Spirit Principle, at its core, represents a kind of power—authority and might that reaches the very origin of mystery.
In the world, “power” often implies a level of deterrence that can affect strategic decisions or even warfare.
Crystallized power, in essence, is the solidified form of this power, serving as a one-time right of use. In the past, Bai Wei would distribute low-level Golden Power to establish his presence, mostly consisting of initial and intermediate grades.
However, Saki Jingūji, with her current level of awakening, had not yet reached the point of wielding power.
To most ordinary people, the Heroic Spirit Principle and power may seem indistinguishable.
At first, Bai Wei was slightly startled, but soon his doubts were alleviated. He spread his palms and asked, “Are you referring to this?”
In his palm were three petals of the Blossom of Life Taker—recently plucked by him. These petals had been enhanced to the second level of the Heroic Spirit Principle, equivalent to leaves from the golden tree. If Bai Wei had not preserved them, they would have long since dissipated.
These few petals emitted a fragrant aroma, and Bai Wei had planned to use them to make tea. In the past, he often picked leaves from the golden tree to brew his tea—a clever way to live frugally.
“It really is the Heroic Spirit Principle!”
“Hand it over quickly, or you won’t be able to leave!”
The middle-aged man shouted, trying to provoke a confrontation.
The crime of stealing crystallized heroic spirit power was significant—akin to stealing a nuclear bomb. However, taking a few petals of Blossom of Life Taker, which contained traces of this power, wasn’t as severe. These petals would grow back later.
The complete Heroic Spirit Principle could self-repair over time, as long as it was not shattered. A small loss of blood had little impact on humans, as blood replenished quickly.
Bai Wei narrowed his eyes, his expression subtle. Such an exaggerated reaction over a few petals?
Even if he had broken a branch, the immortal fox would have gladly given something in return—just as he did when he offered his hair in exchange for a scabbard. What were a few drops of blood compared to that?
Bai Wei noticed the eagerness in the middle-aged man’s eyes and thought, “This guy has never seen the world.” He then casually pocketed the petals.
“I really don’t have the energy or time to play games with you here.”
The international friend pointed to a corner of the hall and said, “The garbage bin is over there.”
The middle-aged man was taken aback. Realizing that his intimidation had failed, he wondered, “Is this guy a fool or just too stubborn? Does he think I’m joking?”
He was already anxious because he hadn’t seen Saki Jingūji, but if he could just get the Blossom of Life Taker from her, everything would be settled.
The woman next to the middle-aged man, clad in a kimono, closed her folding fan and said, “Saki Jingūji is originally from Kashihara, and the Heroic Spirit Principle she possesses is also our possession. It’s not appropriate for you to simply take it. Please return it.”
As she said “please return it,” she subtly signaled with her eyes, urging the man to advance the shikigami.
Bai Wei replied, “This is the shrine’s hospital. Are you sure you want to start a fight here? It would offend a lot of people.”
“The shrine will give me face,” said the woman confidently.
“But just now, the priest didn’t let you enter. Will they really give you face?” Bai Wei shrugged, his tone skeptical. “I have my doubts.”
Igarashi Shimizu chuckled. “Insulting someone’s weaknesses. Oh, Mr. Bai, you’re so naughty.”
Yoshine Ise added, “He’s naughty. Do you like him?”
Igarashi Shimizu cleared her throat and spoke loudly. “Ahem… Listen, everyone. This is a shrine. Releasing familiars here is disturbing the peace. As a shrine’s sword witch, it’s my duty to teach you the basic rules of society. That means don’t cause a ruckus in the hospital, and don’t trouble the doctors, nurses, or patients.”
The couple’s expressions shifted.
The woman said, “Sir, you surely can’t stay in the hospital forever.”
Bai Wei pretended to be surprised. “Are you, by any chance, threatening me?”
“Just a friendly reminder. The innocent suffer for the crimes of the guilty. Precious things like this—things you can’t handle—shouldn’t be in your possession.”
Bai Wei pressed his hand to his forehead, giving an indescribable expression. The woman misinterpreted it as distress.
“I can offer you some benefits, how does that sound?” the woman pressed, seizing the opportunity.
Bai Wei raised an eyebrow. “Benefits?”
“We can negotiate about what you want,” she said, suddenly shifting to a business-like tone.
“Oh?” Bai Wei thought for a moment. “There is indeed something I want.”
“Go ahead, tell me.”
“A grand piano,” Bai Wei replied.
Igarashi Shimizu tilted her head. “What’s a grand piano?”
Yoshine Ise explained, “You should attend a concert sometime. A grand piano is a musical instrument, and it’s quite expensive… costs millions of yen.”
Shimizu said, “Well, it’s not that expensive.”
Igarashi Shimizu came from a successful family business, with many popular overseas products. It could be said that in Yingzhou’s social hierarchy, the more outstanding people were either from prominent families or, at the very least, prosperous rural households like Kawamata Airu’s. The gap between social classes was hard to bridge, despite efforts from the shogunate to promote universal education.
The woman’s expression shifted slightly. “That’s too expensive. How greedy.”
Bai Wei shrugged. “In that case, there’s nothing more to discuss.”
He judged Kashihara’s abilities well. If they couldn’t even afford a grand piano, they were clearly struggling. Economic power shaped the superstructure, and if they were stingy about something as small as this, it meant they were in a tight spot.
Yoshine Ise nodded. “It’s clear that Kashihara Shrine has been struggling in recent years.”
The woman couldn’t hide her frustration any longer. She muttered, “One million yen, you should know better.”
Bai Wei shook his head. “A grand piano? You don’t have the power to negotiate.”
“This kid is playing tricks on us!” The middle-aged man lost his patience.
“If you don’t have money, don’t act like a big shot,” Bai Wei sighed as he walked towards the hospital entrance.
“You can leave the hospital, but I can’t guarantee what will happen to you outside,” the woman warned darkly.
Bai Wei didn’t even bother to respond, instead raising his middle finger in a silent expression of defiance.
Igarashi hurried to catch up with Yoshine Ise.
“Mr. Bai, let us take you back,” the sword witch said. “With us here, they won’t dare do anything.”
Bai Wei replied, “I wish they would cause trouble. It would be easier for them to give me some money and let me get the grand piano.”
“I’m worried you might be too rough,” Yoshine Ise said. “There’s a shortage of healthcare resources, so let’s avoid troubling the doctors and nurses.”
Through it all, no one had paid any attention to them. Were they persistent, or just unwilling to give up?
After leaving the hospital, Bai Wei arrived at the entrance and noticed that a different security guard was on duty. The older guard had been replaced by a strong middle-aged man, who looked at Bai Wei with an uneasy, yet controlled gaze. Though he appeared calm, Bai Wei could easily detect the subtle alertness in his demeanor.
It was unusually quiet—no pedestrians on the road, and no cars emerging from the underground parking lot.
Bai Wei stopped in his tracks, watching the security guard closely. The guard’s fake calm expression quickly crumbled, and he kicked open the door, running off as he activated a walkie-talkie. “The target has been detected! Request immediate capture action!”
Moments later, the previously quiet street was filled with the sound of sirens. Armed forces behind the walls aimed their guns at Bai Wei.
“The first warning: drop your weapon, put your hands on your head, and surrender immediately!”
