frightfiction Chapter 268 Welcome to Narukami Taisha
Chapter 268 Welcome to Narukami Taisha
Xu Ning was surprised that Ayato Kamisato would be so direct, asking him, a Liyue native, about Inazuma's domestic affairs.
Xu Ning paused, holding the wine gourd, and chuckled softly, "My lord, it's not appropriate for you to ask me such a question."
The isolation edict effectively separated the people of Inazuma from the people of the other six countries.
The appearance of the Eye Hunt Order separated ordinary people in Inazuma from those who possessed the power of the God's Eye.
The emergence of the Coral Palace rebels tore apart the entire country's faith and territory.
These three things are intertwined, and it would be an exaggeration to say that Inazuma is currently in a precarious situation.
At this time, the three ministers, who should have worked together to help Inatsuma out of her predicament, also had disagreements.
The Kansei and Tenryo magistrates completely disregarded the opposition of the Shabu magistrates and pushed forward the implementation of the seclusion edict and the eye-hunting edict.
This is why Ayato Kamisato said that his corps was weak and powerless.
However, is this Shabu-Bōjō, which neither holds economic power like the Kanjō-Bōjō nor military power like the Tenryō-Bōjō, but merely serves as the guide for culture and festivals, really as weak and powerless as Ayato Kamisato said?
When Ayato Kamisato heard Xu Ning's question, she smiled and said, "It should be fine, right?"
“Although I have always served in Inazuma and have never been to Liyue, your reputation and deeds have long been spread throughout Inazuma by the sea breeze. Moreover, Liyue, like Inazuma, is a kingdom that walks with the gods, and I value your opinion very much.”
Seeing that Ayato Kamisato was determined to ask, Xu Ning took a sip of wine and laughed, "If I were in your position, I'm afraid I would have already wrapped the cloth strip embroidered with 'Eternity' around the necks of those two family heads ten years ago. But some things are never too late to do, don't you think?"
Although it was Ayato Kamisato who asked the question, he seemed completely unsurprised by Xu Ning's answer, chuckling lightly and saying, "If only I had the courage of Lord Xu Ning. But what brings Lord Xu Ning on his long journey to Inazuma?"
Xu Ning spread his hands and said with a wry smile, "It's all because of that little brother I know! He came here to look for information about his sister and also to pay homage to the face of your country's Thunder God. But the situation in Inazuma is a bit tense right now, and as his older brother, I had no choice but to accompany him for his safety."
As Xu Ning spoke, he himself felt that he had indeed paid a lot for Kong.
Of course, Xu Ning couldn't recall anything about leaving his ship empty-handed on an island and going out to have fun by himself right after disembarking.
Ayato's gaze lingered for a moment on the gourd of sake in Xu Ning's hand, before he casually chatted with Xu Ning about the differences between the local customs of Liyue and Inazuma.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Ayato Kamisato ordered a servant to lead Xu Ning to a prepared guest room to rest.
Xu Ning did not refuse. After thanking them, he went with the servants.
"Lord Ayato, Xu Ning and the demon tanuki disappeared after entering the house, leaving only the wine gourd in the center of the room. It seems to be some kind of barrier technique."
Ayato Kamisato waved his hand, "Go and rest. Just keep an eye on his whereabouts, but don't get too close. If you upset the guest, it will backfire."
"Let's wait and see which side will be the key to breaking the deadlock!"
Xu Ning still wasn't used to resting in unfamiliar places.
So after entering the guest room, he directly led Master Ji into the Dust Concealment Space.
Wendy collapsed again beside Jiuquan. Her appearance made Xu Ning deeply understand what Qingyi meant when they first met: "Lie down wherever you want, and sleep there."
Back then, this cowardly god probably slept by the bluestone like this all the time!
However, Qingyi wasn't asleep yet; instead, she was intently making a midnight snack, probably because she was hungry watching Xu Ning and Master Ji eating and drinking outside.
The wine barrel that was brought from the Guardian Forest was still quietly placed in the center of the cave. Xu Ning hadn't expected that this little guy could sleep so much.
After instructing Qingyi to prepare a room for Master Ji, Xu Ning went upstairs to sleep.
The next day, after thanking Ayato Kamisato for his hospitality, Xu Ning took his leave and headed up the mountain towards the shadows.
Similar to yesterday in the Forest of Guardians, there are stone statues in the shape of foxes everywhere along the road to the Shadow Mountain.
The mountain road twists and turns, winding around most of the mountain before ascending in a zigzag pattern.
However, when Xu Ning reached the first wooden staircase, he discovered that a section of the walkway, which was originally built along the mountainside, had been collapsed by someone.
The broken wooden ladder fell, crushing a clump of bushes and crushing a small pink fox underneath, which whimpered pitifully.
Xu Ning jumped down from the broken section of the plank road, pushed aside the bushes, and found that the little fox was not seriously injured, but its left hind leg was pinned down by two wooden planks and could not escape.
Xu Ning lifted the wooden board with one hand and lifted the little fox up with the other.
Seeing the little thing covered in dirt, Xu Ning laughed and said, "You're so dirty, I don't want to hold you. Let me blow on you to dry you. Close your eyes."
The little fox seemed to be extremely perceptive, burying its head deeply and squinting its eyes.
Xu Ning summoned a gust of wind that circled the little fox twice, blowing away all the dust on its body.
However, the little fox's pink fur was also blown into a mess, making it look extremely disheveled.
"It's quite a coincidence. I just acquired a rare item from your ancestor, and now I can put it to good use."
Xu Ning took out the comb that Wu Bai had given him from his pocket and gently combed the little fox's messy fur.
The little fox seemed to thoroughly enjoy this treatment, lying on Xu Ning's lap, tilting its head and watching with its pair of bright purple eyes as Xu Ning slowly combed its body with a comb, murmuring soft hums.
After tidying up the little guy, Xu Ning casually put the comb back in his arms, picked up the little fox and said, "Your legs are so swollen, I might as well send you up the mountain. There are fox statues everywhere in this shrine, and the shrine maidens there should treat you well."
Xu Ning held the little fox in his arms, spread his wings of wind, and leaped lightly across the broken plank road, continuing upwards.
With no further obstacles, Xu Ning walked directly along the road to the torii gate of Narukami Taisha Shrine.
When Xu Ning arrived at the torii gate, as he passed the streetlights that suddenly appeared on both sides, it felt as if he had suddenly passed through an electric net, and a tingling sensation quickly spread around him.
Xu Ning glanced at the streetlight beside her with some surprise.
Xu Ning clearly sensed some kind of probing power attached to it, which seemed to be the ability of the priest in the shrine.
I just don't know what use it is.
"It seems that although he is not a person with pure intentions, he has no ill intentions. Welcome to Narukami Taisha Shrine, traveler from afar!"
Xu Ning looked up at the top of the steps and saw two young witches standing prettily on either side of the road, looking him up and down with great interest.