The majestic samurais opened the path. Then, a luxurious carriage slowly drove into Unripe Rice Village. This was the Kondo family’s Princess Tsukihime’s men.
As the samurai had said, Zixing would successfully arrive at Unripe Rice Village before dark. They would stay in the Nagato’s household. Everyone in the Nagato family went out to greet the group. It was generally the same as the situation that Zixing had encountered before.
However, after spending some time in Nagato’s household, she failed to await Mo Xiaofei’s emergence. Zixing figured that out. “I am afraid Mo Xiaofei and I are not situated in the same ‘Unripe Rice Village.’”
Would she, like Mo Xiaofei, be stuck in the “Unripe Rice Village” loop?
Zixing recalled over and over again the steps taken to let “Unripe Rice Village” go to the fourth day. But what surprised her was that these steps seemed difficult to unfold without Mo Xiaofei by her side.
First of all, with her current ability alone, there was no way to bring Saburo Nagato into the dungeon.
“Miss, the Nagato family master said that it was too late to prepare because of the suddenness, but I also tried my best to prepare food for hospitality and ask if you can come over with me.” The handmaid outside the door said gently at this time.
Hearing this handmaid’s voice, Zixing had an idea. She instructed the handmaid to walk in. Soon after, a figure in handmaid clothes. Taking advantage of the moment when the Nagato house samurai guarding outside not paying attention, the figure lowered her head and left.
When it was completely dark, and the lights were lit in the Nagato’s household, the woman in handmaid clothes quietly fumbled to the old Nagato’s house.
This person was indeed Zixing after exchanging identities with the handmaid. The reason she did this was nothing more than to see if the conditions of reincarnation were the same when she was the only one who came to this “Unripe Rice Village” this time.
This time, she needed to explore alone.
Without any obstruction, Zixing easily opened the dungeon entrance. As for the guy who had been guarded outside by Nagato Munechika’s orders, it was easy to deal with. She finally recovered a little demon beast power this time. Although it wasn’t much at all, it was more than enough to deal with an ordinary person.
Since Zixing encountered the girl in the white kimono during the destruction of the last “Unripe Rice Village,” she had been unconscious and unable to learn more information. The reason why she resolutely came to this dungeon alone this time was just a subconscious behavior.
She didn’t go in the direction of the “Longevity Palace” but went straight to where Haru Narukami was imprisoned. Haru Narukami was still like how Zixing remembered – a crazy woman.
Zixing looked at Haru Narukami in front of the prison for a long time, pondered for a long time, and finally seemed to have made a decision. She reached out and knocked on the wooden column of the prison.
The sound made Haru Narukami react a little. Then, the crazy woman slowly raised her head.
Zixing stared at Haru Narukami but muttered to herself, “This demon beast power can only last for little time. But if I can spend the same day repeatedly, even if I manage to ask for a little information each time, I should be able to find something useful.”
Her demon beast power suddenly recovered a little during the second reincarnation loop, but now she hadn’t seen much recovery. This might be related to the state of someone or something that caused her to fall into this illusion. For example, if the operator were weak or distracted by other things, the illusion would naturally become much more fragile.
As for only being able to recover such a small amount, it was probably because she was seriously injured before entering the Yan Wuyue World.
Zixing’s pupils suddenly shimmered. At this moment, she was performing a secret technique passed down in the Greedy Wolf Clan.
To put it bluntly, it was a method similar to hypnosis. But, of course, it was much more advanced than ordinary hypnosis.
“Look at me, Haru Narukami.” Zixing called in a low voice at this time. She had been paying attention to the surroundings for fear that she would offend a particular rule and reset the time back if she was careless.
“Look at me… Haru Narukami…”
When Haru Narukami’s empty eyes became more hollow, Zixing nodded, knowing that her technique was successful.
Zixing endured the tingling sensation on her spirit caused by the tiny demon beast power and quickly asked, “Haru Narukami, tell me what is special about Chizuko Nagato. Why do you hate her?”
Haru Narukami’s expression revealed her struggles. Zixing could only grit her teeth at this time, strengthening the secret technique’s effect.
Finally, Haru Narukami slowly said, “She is the monster that Nagato Munechika uses the heart of the demon beast fox to implant in my body, and then let me give birth. I am the last of the onmyoji Narukami family who slew the fox demon beast. The descendant, me, has the soul of the fox demon beast sealed in the body. What Nagato Munechika wants is a complete fox demon beast that belongs to him.”
Hearing this, Zixing took a deep breath, “Was the fox demon beast that your ancestors had slain called Yu Sanniang?”
Haru Narukami slowly said, “I don’t know. The ancestors have very few records about the fox demon beast. When I was young, the Narukami family had fallen. So I know very little about this matter. However, the Nagato family should have a lot of records. Otherwise, the Nagato family will not master this method of using the fox demon beast heart.”
“Has the soul of the fox demon beast sealed on your body transferred to Chizuko Nagato’s body?”
Haru Narukami showed a trace of pain but finally nodded under Zixing’s gaze. Zixing remembered the content recorded in the stone rubbing that Liang Tian, a subordinate of the Nagato family, found for her. She asked casually, “Do you know the key?”
“What key?”
“Key to the Penglai’s Gate!” Zixing said calmly, but she appeared extremely tired and hasty.
Haru Narukami shook her head blankly. At this moment, Zixing only felt giddy with her head spinning. She had experienced this before. It signified the moment when the time was about to reset.
“I can only do it again.”
Zixing’s consciousness gradually lost. Then, she felt her body bumping up and down when she woke up at the next second. She was already in a carriage.
“Miss, at the current speed, we should be able to reach Unripe Rice Village before dark.”
…
What was Chizuko Nagato thinking at this time?
Oh, she might be wondering why this samurai, who appeared desolate, spoke to her like this. Unfortunately, she couldn’t read any more info from the samurai’s face or his eyes. After all, most of her knowledge was taught by Axiu.
She no longer remembered whether her mother taught her anything because the memory of her mother had slowly faded.
As for the place where Haru Narukami lived, it would occasionally stimulate some of her memories, which Chizuko Nagato had no clue on. The only thing she could be sure of was that she was born in this place.
“Who are you?”
It was a soft and immature voice with no fear. Chizuko Nagato even walked into the room step by step and looked at the desolate samurai curiously, “Do I know you? Why do you know my name?”
Mo Xiaofei shook his head, “You don’t know me, and I don’t know you either. But at least we have seen and experienced some things together.”
Chizuko Nagato tilted her head, obviously unable to comprehend this sentence.
Mo Xiaofei whispered, “Even if this is the last thing you want to remember, even if this is just an unreal place, I hope you can…”
I can… What?
Chizuko Nagato could not hear till the end.
Because the desolate samurai in front of her suddenly stood up and walked outside, leaving only this sentence, “Don’t tell anyone you have seen me.”
He left through the window in front of Chizuko Nagato’s eyes. Chizuko Nagato witnessed that the other party disappeared when Axiu called her.
“Miss Chizuko, you’re here! You scared me! Remember not to simply run around next time.”
“Axiu, read for me…”
It was just that the young handmaid put Chizuko Nagato in her embrace and let her sit in her arms. Then, Axiu opened Chizuko Nagato’s treasured “Kojiki.” She became a little worried because she knew limited words.
But thinking that this was Miss Chizuko’s most anticipated time of the day, Axiu gritted her teeth and read the words that she could recognize, “Frog…En…pond…Well, is this the word pond? Then, how should I read it? Hmm, that’s probably it. Miss Chizuko, do you get it?”
“Axiu, you are so stupid!”
“I’m sorry.”
Mo Xiaofei did not go far. He somersaulted through the window and left, but he still hid outside. Watching this scene between Axiu and Chizuko Nagato unfold, Mo Xiaofei smiled.
He then quickly left this place. It was time to meet Saburo Nagato and Nagato Munechika. He was worried about Saburo Nagato confronting the terrifying Nagato Munechika.
…
Before meeting Nagato Munechika, Saburo Nagato thought to himself that his brother would at least show a hint of anger. But, he was a little disappointed in the end.
Looking at Nagato Munechika’s gray hair on the temples, Saburo Nagato became quiet.
There were only two brothers here. As for Shinji Nagato, Nagato Munechika had sent him away already.
Nagato Munechika sat quietly for a while and said, “Saburo, are you not going to give me an explanation?”
Saburo Nagato said calmly, “Brother, what kind of explanation do you plan to let me give you?”
This is unlike the usual Saburo Nagato. Nagato Munechika thought. But Nagato Munechika still held his patience. His patience had always been great, “Saburo, you know what I want to hear. Why didn’t you get rid of the two women who tested the medicine but let them walk in the sight of the villagers? Is this related to the mysterious samurai?”
Saburo Nagato nodded.
“Have you seen him? Have you spoken to him?” Nagato Munechika’s eyes narrowed.
This was Saburo Nagato’s dreaded gaze. The gaze contained so many things that Saburo Nagato could barely bear it.
The majesty of the Nagato family master, the elder brother’s power, bullying, and so forth.
“Yes.” Saburo Nagato lowered his gaze and slowly said, “The samurai knew that there is no curse. Those so-called magical medicines are nothing but flour and sugar. But, who knows that? After all, the two women who tried the medicine survived their last day of a month.”
“Give me an explanation.” Nagato Munechika shook his head, “Saburo, I don’t want to waste too much time on you. Tell me if you have found that little bit of pitiful self-esteem, plan to deal with me with this samurai? Since you came in, I saw the hatred in your eyes.”
“Just as you said, brother.” Saburo Nagato became calmer and calmer.
“You should die on the battlefield. That is your best destination.” Nagato Munechika shook his head again. “I don’t know what kind of method the samurai used to find out the secret of the Unripe Rice Village curse. I am not interested in knowing what kind of agreement you have with this Samurai.”
“My elder brother finally couldn’t help it. Do you want to murder me here?” Saburo Nagato sneered and then shook his head, “Actually, I shouldn’t make fun of you. I don’t have the qualifications. Although you tempted me to commit such sins to Haru Narukami, it proves that I was too incompetent. But don’t worry, brother, I will hold your head to make atonement before Haru.
“You?” Nagato Munechika also sneered, motionless, “Have you learned the Nagato Sword Technique from Shinji secretly?”
“Killing my brother is the crime of treason, after all.” Saburo Nagato stood up slowly. His eyes locked on Nagato Munechika, “So, I’m aware of my eventual death. If I can kill my brother, I will commit Seppuku [1] before Haru later. If I lose to my brother, then sprinkle my ashes under the cherry blossom trees in the courtyard belonging to Haru and me.”
“For the sake of you also having the blood of the Nagato family, I promise you.” Nagato Munechika closed his eyes.
Zheng!
The katana was wielded.
But the katana was no longer sharp. There were rusts on the blade. Since coming back from the battlefield, Saburo Nagato had not taken care of it well.
He vaguely remembered that this was the katana he had received from Nagato Munechika before the expedition. It was almost one of the best katanas in the Nagato family and should have been inherited by Shinji.
This was a prop in exchange for Haru Narukami.
“Die!”
Saburo Nagato exploded with an amazing aura. It was something he had never had on the battlefield.
The rusty blade slashed at Nagato Munechika’s neck just like that. Saburo Nagato didn’t expect that his elder brother didn’t avoid it; the opponent didn’t even intend to block it.
The blade cut Nagato Munechika’s neck, but it was hindered at this time. What laid in front of the blade wasn’t a neck but seemingly a hard rock.
“How could it be?” Saburo Nagato’s eyes were full of disbelief.
“Now, you should know the gap between you and me.” Nagato Munechika sneered. Behind him, there was a tail revealed.
Nagato Munechika grabbed the blade of Saburo Nagato’s katana with one hand. By exerting some slight force, the grip broke the katana’s blade directly, “I will mix your ashes into the mud to expand the ‘Longevity Palace.’”
Ah-!
Saburo Nagato yelled violently.
“Like I said, you don’t have that kind of strength to go against me.” Nagato Munechika shook his head and reached out his hand. “The gap between you and me is heaven and earth. You can never beat me.”
“What if you count me in too?”
Who?
Nagato Munechika felt his body becoming extremely heavy as if a mountain was pressing on him. At this moment, that sound reached his ears. His body was pressed to the ground!
Boom!
The knee hits the ground. If it were not for soft tatami mats, the bones would have been broken!
Boom!
Nagato Munechika’s body was under more intense pressure at this moment. His body was pressed to the ground, rendered unable to move!
He lifted his head stubbornly, only to see a desolate samurai opening the door and walking in slowly.
“Sorry, I just learned this ability. I didn’t control it well.” The samurai said calmly, “I call it “gravity.” I have used it to destroy the Unripe Rice Village once. But, I think it’s more fitting to use it against you.”
“Who are you!?” Nagato Munechika gritted his teeth and squeezed out his words while his body was struggling frantically.
“I’m just a passerby who wants to be a hero because of his interest. But this path is arduous.”
As he just finished speaking, a figure pounced over.
“Munechika!”
With a roaring voice, Saburo Nagato inserted the broken blade into Nagato Munechika’s back fiercely. The blade went in!