Chapter 430
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Chapter 430: He Can See
Golden tree talisman.
The layer of the shrine was carved by the bloodline witches in Kamiji Village using the natural resin that came from the golden tree during its growth process.
This is a handmade product.
For outsiders, it only has slight commemorative value, but for the shrinesword witches and the followers blessed by the golden tree, it holds great significance. In times of need, it can even protect against disasters. By using this talisman, one can receive the blessings of the golden tree.
Originally, these handmade crafts were not given to outsiders. However, during this New Year’s visit, the shrine opened its shrine to the public, providing a good opportunity to worship the deities. As a result, they hurriedly made dozens of extra crafts, which varied in quality. They were given as gifts for the New Year’s visit. If they can attract followers for the shrine, it would be a good thing. If not, they can be collected as souvenirs without blame.
Nowadays, people collect stamps, so the handmade crafts that are not sold outside the shrine naturally have even more value for collectors.
The shrine’s actions were all done with good intentions and goodwill.
Therefore, when this talisman was stepped on and shattered, the situation suddenly escalated to a higher level.
It’s not as simple as putting fruit on pizza in the presence of Italians or snapping chopsticks in front of Chinese people… It’s almost like smashing the statues of the Holy Child, Father, and Mother in someone else’s church.
Most of the sword witches gathered here have received some education in Kamiji Village.
They personally experienced the blessings of the golden tree and witnessed the sword witches, who had undergone a transformation, regain their appearance.
In the days to come, there is no need to worry about uncertainty. It is more than just a blessing to start anew.
Beliefs can be contagious. The deep-rooted beliefs of the older generation in Kamiji Village have profoundly influenced the younger generation. Apart from the strong-willed individuals like Kokonohana Nori, there are also traditionalists represented by Kokonohana Reiko. Now, the conflicts have been resolved and the two factions have merged, erasing any fundamental differences.
No priestess can tolerate the disrespect shown to their deities.
The chilling aura of danger spread as the gaze of the sword witches lowered, making the previously cheerful hall unnervingly quiet.
Saki Jingūji felt somewhat disconnected from the others due to her long hospital stay and lack of witch bloodline.
Although she couldn’t empathize directly, she understood the seriousness of the situation. So, she quickly stepped aside and decided not to get involved.
It was cunning of her to distance herself as an outsider and just watch the spectacle. She wasn’t like funeral attendant, whose presence often caused headaches for others.
Jingūji, being a sword witch of the shrine, would never sit idly and suffer as a mediator. She anticipated that this situation would not end well.
But she underestimated the anger of the sword witches.
It was not just anger, but a desire to kill.
The leading sword witch approached slowly, kneeling down and carefully picking up the broken golden tree amulet.
Saki Jingūji didn’t have a strong impression of her, they weren’t together at the same time.
Igarashi Shimizu said, "That’s Shaki."
Saki Jingūji had heard that Shaki and Izumi, the two sword witches, didn’t want to endure the pain of flesh transformation and becoming monsters. They intended to jump off a cliff, but were saved at the last moment. When they woke up, the flesh transformation was gone and they had acquired new supernatural abilities. They said their memories of that time were not very clear, but they could accurately describe it as a true miracle.
Inside Kamiji Village, they saw the golden tree and were the first to receive its blessings.
Later, when they returned to the shrine, they also took part in the intense training session where they were beaten by Bai Wei. They surely didn’t know Mr. White’s true identity.
It’s better not to know.
Igarashi Shimizu didn’t know much about the two sword witches, but she could understand Xia Shu’s feelings at this moment very well.
It was extremely painful and she could truly empathize.
She herself was no different – her heart felt like it was filled with gunpowder, just waiting for a spark to ignite and explode.
May our emperor be blessed…
This is a blessing from our divine emperor. The lowly people of Yingzhou are worthy of being trampled upon!
Sophia’s memories had a lasting impact on her. Even after a hundred years, this strong determination, memories, and emotions couldn’t fade away.
Sophia, in those days, treated the emperor like a worshipper treats a deity. She wholeheartedly devoted herself, regardless of whether she was rational or mad, whether she persisted or lost her way. In the end, she always remained steadfast in her will, and her faith remained pure and untainted.
She could usually maintain her composure, but now it was impossible. She couldn’t hide her emotions, and she even burst into laughter. Her laughter was sweet yet gentle, graceful yet icy cold, like the sound of cicadas in the scorching summer, signaling the end of life.
It was very loud and annoying.
But it also didn’t live much longer.
Congressman, oh, so what… This is a shrine, there are hundreds of Yingzhou congressmen, if one dies, there are countless replacements.
Congressman Asakura realized something was wrong and desperately tried to say something good, even bowing down in apology, showing great humility.
Takeshi held the broken amulet in his hands, knelt down, and ignored the apologies, staring blankly for a while.
After waiting for ten seconds, she stood up and looked at the congressman, saying, "The god remains silent, I didn’t hear any divine message."
Asakura thought this comment left a way out for him and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your generosity, I will definitely educate my daughter when I go back…"
He thought the matter would pass like that, but unexpectedly, he heard a clear sound.
Takeshi put away the broken amulet and used his thumb to push the hilt of his sword, pulling out his personal dagger.
Sword witches and police officers are alike, both being subjects exempted from the Blade Hunting Act. They are allowed to carry real swords and knives, although they usually don’t. But during the New Year’s shrine visit, where they are responsible for arrangements, almost every one of them carries a weapon. No one would have expected that the shrine’s sword witch would draw her sword not against an assassin or monster, but against a congressman who came to pay respects.
"The gods didn’t say they would forgive you… Therefore, your actions will be seen as blasphemy!"
Xia Shu calmly spoke about the conclusion he had drawn from this silence.
She is an excellent problem solver, her reading comprehension is always good, and she has never doubted it.
The cold light on the sword illuminated Asakura’s face. As a member of the parliament, he also had some knowledge of swordsmanship. Seeing this, he remained calm and didn’t panic. At least he didn’t appear too weak. He was also a powerful figure, having worked his way up from a city councilor to his current position. Being threatened with a real sword didn’t scare him. In a normal situation, he would even dare to shout back loudly. If the other person had drawn a sword, it would be an opportunity for him to strike back.
This time, he also wanted to shout back, to push back with a more dignified aura. However, the words got stuck in his throat and he couldn’t say them.
Because their eyes looked different.
Those who dared to draw their swords in front of him were either outlaws or irrational. However, the sword witch remained very calm. She was angry, but restraining her anger. Despite having drawn her sword, she still restrained herself, as if there was a noble sense of duty deep within her that made her unwilling to compromise.
What made him even more furious and shocked was that behind Xia Shu, the other sword witches had almost the same look in their eyes.
This look reminded Asakura of some past events. He thought it was almost like the followers of an evil god.
Faith is like this, it is not good or bad by itself, it only depends on what you believe in.
Clang… Clang… Clang…
The sword witches unsheathed their real swords one after another, they had killed mountain monsters and fought against demons, they were all experienced warriors.
Since the shrine was established, no sword witch ever thought they would live to retire, most of those who retired were severely injured.
The guests at the scene shivered, as more than half a dozen glittering real swords were drawn from their sheaths, the cold light was filled with freezing chill.
The congressman found it difficult to make a decision, if he was alone, he might have considered kneeling down and begging for mercy.
But he was not alone here, there were other congressmen and high-ranking officials, it would be embarrassing to kneel down and beg for mercy, it would tarnish the reputation of his political party.
The shrine was on an equal level with the police department, but it was not subject to control, it was only accountable to the shogun, it had parallel powers with the cabinet, if he knelt down, it would diminish the authority of the cabinet, and his political career would be completely ruined.
Generally speaking, the shrine is absolutely neutral, the sword witch priest sheds blood for the country and doesn’t participate in pointless political struggles, that’s why he can come here to worship without any worries, to perform and show that even though the emperor and the shogun, there are two suns in the sky, he has no other intentions.
Chao Kang, with a brave face and a self-mocking heart, stood protectively in front of his pale-faced wife and daughter, even though it was his daughter who had caused the trouble.
"What do you want?"
Xia Shu said, "Of course…"
Apologizing and showing remorse is essential. A shrine shouldn’t bully the weak, but it also can’t allow insults.
She planned to say that, but to her surprise, Igarashi Shimizu stepped forward.
"Before going to the shrine, bow to the deity nine times. No one else can do it for you!"
She spoke loudly, intentionally making her voice so loud.
She wanted him to hear what she had to say, and she also hoped he could see it.