This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame

"..." Mouchi Mashi.

Cough cough cough...

Mouchi Mashi started to cough violently.

After coughing, she patted her body, smiled at the corner of her mouth, and said: "Mr. Beichuan is indeed fond of jokes."

"I'm not joking."

Beichuan Si showed no intention of giving face to Mouchi Mashi:

"You certainly can't beat me."

"Uh..."

Seeing Beichuan Si like this, Mouchi Mashi instinctively took two steps back, then gritted her teeth and stood firm.

Magong Yongshi, who was beside her, floated to Beichuan Si's side and lowered his voice: "Mr. Temple, it's better not to push the other side too hard, isn't it more prudent? If she gets angry and doesn't tell us the information about the Mouchi Witch... that would be unacceptable."

"She won't."

Beichuan Si waved his hand, speaking confidently:

"She will tell me everything I want to know."

Hmm...

Magong Yongshi paused for a moment, then reacted by taking two steps back, sitting down: "Since Mr. Temple already has an idea, Yongshi naturally won't say more."

Yes, since Beichuan Si already has his own thoughts, there is no need to say more, just silently support him from behind.

The person and spirit turned to look at Mouchi Mashi.

Now Mouchi Mashi had already tidied up her black kimono and sat back down on the cushion.

After completing these actions, she finally spoke:

"Then... where should we start?"

"..." Beichuan Si.

"What kind of status does the Mouchi Witch have in the Mouchi family, what role does the Mouchi Witch have for you, what is your purpose in painstakingly searching for the Mouchi Witch..."

Beichuan Si asked three questions in one breath, making Mouchi Mashi unable to help but grimace: "Mr. Beichuan... you're really not very polite."

But seeing that Beichuan Si had no intention of responding to her words, Mouchi Mashi sighed again.

She could see it clearly now.

Beichuan Si had absolutely no intention of responding to her words.

He only wants to know about the Mouchi Witch.

Other than that, he doesn't care about anything.

Understanding this, Mouchi Mashi restrained the expression on her face and said gravely: "Heavenly Guardian... the communicator with Yellow Springs... can chant the whispers of the deceased, and comprehend matters of the current and hidden worlds... it doesn't matter which phrase is used, but — "

Mouchi Mashi extended a finger:

"The Mouchi Witch is precisely the key to open Yellow Springs, the passageway to Yellow Springs."

Open Yellow Springs, the key to Yellow Springs?

The passageway to Yellow Springs?

Beichuan Si maintained a calm expression, though a flash of amazement swiftly crossed his mind.

The passageway to Yellow Springs... what purpose is there in going to Yellow Springs?

This certainly can't be compared with the previous types of the spiritual realm.

Whether it is the Shenzhu Family or the Four Directions Family, on Ihui Island... what they do is merely 'suppress Yellow Springs', but the Mouchi Family aims to go to Yellow Springs.

There's simply no room for comparison between these.

Like sensing Beichuan Si's emotions, Mouchi Mashi's delicate eyes turned to continue speaking: "Mr. Beichuan, do you think the Mouchi family is only at this level now? The Mouchi family was far more terrifying in the past."

"Oh?" Beichuan Si turned to listen.

He also wanted to hear what Mouchi Mashi would say next.

"You should know, otherwise you wouldn't be this strong now. Only by encountering stronger supernatural phenomena can an exorcist progress further... and someone like you... stronger than the former Mouchi Witch... surely you have encountered 'Yellow Springs' more than once."

On this point, Mouchi Mashi guessed correctly.

Yellow Springs was basically an old acquaintance of Beichuan Si's; any supernatural phenomenon with a slight increase in level was basically associated with Yellow Springs, rituals, and sacrifices.

"Continue."

Beichuan Si added a remark.

"Since Mr. Beichuan has encountered Yellow Springs more than once, he must know that all over Japan, it's not only some huge shrines suppressing Yellow Springs."

Mouchi Mashi's eyes flashed coldly, she raised a second finger: "Many families with long-standing traditions, shrines, suppress Yellow Springs through their unique rituals."

"Rope Sacrifice, Mirror Sacrifice, Blood Sacrifice, Coffin Sacrifice... with ropes killing the witch for offerings, killing the witch with a Spirit Mirror for offerings, not holding back... sacrificing the witch with her blood and flesh..."

One cruel word after another spilled from her lips, and with each utterance, the temperature in the air seemed to drop slightly. In the end, the air was filled with a bone-chilling coldness. It was as if the place they were in now wasn't the sweltering heat of the southern kingdom...

"These rituals... each carries a unique significance, some can even be called bizarre and disgusting... but it cannot be denied that these rituals are effective means of suppressing the Yellow Springs."

Beichuan Si did not refute Mouchi Mashi's words.

These Japanese style, suffocating, rituals full of eerie beauty are indeed effective in suppressing the Yellow Springs.

Though some may be bloody and barbaric... Japan nowadays doesn't have scenes of night-walking ghosts, thanks to these ancient families.

The Shenzhu family, Four Directions family, Ihui Island, these places are such examples.

And apart from them, there are many more villages and shrines that are entirely abandoned, even their locations can't be found on maps.

"But the Mouchi family is different from these places."

Mouchi Mashi raised her head and looked at Beichuan Si, speaking word by word: "What the Mouchi family is responsible for is not just a simple prefecture... or a region. It is—"

Her tone elongated, heavy.

"The balance of Japan's hidden world and the present world."

A thick sense of goodwill rose in Mouchi Mashi's eyes.

Her words fell and were clearly visible.

Behind Mouchi Mashi was the Nakajima family's small courtyard, with small bridges and flowing water, the landscaping appeared beautiful and natural.

And beyond the walls was Kagoshima Prefecture's iconic Sakurajima Volcano.

Beyond Sakurajima Volcano... was an endless blue sky.

At this moment, as the sunlight fell, Asuka flew across the sky... everything appeared peaceful and serene.

Facing Mouchi Mashi's words, Beichuan Si picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and then raised his head to say:

"And then? What about the Mouchi Witch?"

Uh...???

Mouchi Mashi couldn't help but widen her eyes.

She couldn't hear any sense of reverence in Beichuan Si's tone, nor could she sense any trace of surprise.

It seemed as if besides the Mouchi Witch's matters, there was nothing else worthy of his attention.

Looking at Beichuan Si like this, Mouchi Mashi opened her mouth wide, incredulous words came out:

"No... did you really understand the meaning behind my words just now?"

Still thinking about the Mouchi Witch stuff?

Why do you keep dwelling on that Mouchi Witch?!

She genuinely wanted to pry open Beichuan Si's head to see what was inside.

Is it that aside from the Mouchi Witch's matters, he simply doesn't care about anything?

This is simply absurd! How could a general person not be shocked to the point of death upon hearing those words just now?

But before Mouchi Mashi could finish thinking about all these things, Beichuan Si already tapped on the table:

"Continue."

His tone was plain and indifferent... still so plain and indifferent...

Mouchi Mashi swallowed her saliva.

Until now, she seemed to finally understand.

Her earlier analysis of Beichuan Si seemed to be flawed.

The other party appeared only to be interested in the Mouchi Witch... aside from this... he didn't seem to ponder anything at all.

"This is really..."

Mouchi Mashi shook her head, then somewhat wanting to laugh.

She has realized.

This Beichuan Si in front of her...

Seems to resemble herself!

"If it's someone like this..."

Mouchi Mashi clenched her fist with force, then slowly turned her gaze to her wrist.

On her fair, snowy wrist...

A totem that is neither human nor beast is flickering with a crimson glow.

The destiny of the Mouchi family...

What will it ultimately come to?

Mouchi Mashi has inexplicably begun to anticipate.