Tomo-sama's Rescue Plan - Hell Chapter

How did you fall from heaven, O bright star, son of the morning?Why are you cut down to the ground, you who conquered the nations?

You have said in your heart: I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will ascend above the high clouds; I will be equal with the Most High.

But you will go down to Sheol, to the very depths of the pit.

—Isaiah 14:12-14:15

1.

This year is another disaster year.Chun listened to the old people.

Just after the New Year, my father urged me to leave.There is no other reason, the food at home is not enough to eat.Chun also has an older brother and a younger brother. As the only girl in the family, it was not uncommon to sell to Yoshiwara's Goulan in the pitiful year when sweet potatoes and wild vegetables were scarce. My uncle did come up with this idea, but my mother died. Not doing it, holding a pair of scissors across his neck, Chuncai has another way to survive.

Two days before departure, my mother found her best old kimono and changed it into a girl's dress that didn't fit so well. While sewing the cuffs, she told her in a whisper:

"When you get there, you have to be sensible, and you have to be active. Don't be lazy. I heard from Ayu next door that the patriarch of the Bliss Sect has a very kind heart, and there is a place for homeless people in the Sect. It's a good place to go. After a few years, when things get better, let your father find you a good man in the village and bring you back. Xiaochun must work hard if he wants to be obedient."

Although Chun is only nine years old, apart from being too small because she always has enough to eat, she does all the farm work very neatly, so she is very confident in herself.

"No problem, mother, Xiaochun will definitely work hard!"

On the second day of New Year's Day, before dawn, her father took her off. The two of them walked along the mountain road for a long time carrying some simple local products, and they didn't find the monastery until the afternoon.Chun saw three words written on the wooden sign at the door, but she was illiterate and did not know what was written. The weather in the mountains was very cold and the snow had not yet melted. Keep her and father's footprints.

The man who opened the door for them was wearing a strange white suit, buttoned all the way to the collar.The temple looks very spacious, and there is a pond around the main hall. Because it is winter, the pond is frozen, and the yellow and black lotus leaves and lotus pods are frozen in the ice.

Seeing her looking around, her father quickly pressed her head and stared at her fiercely.They followed a girl in the same white clothes to the porch of the side hall. The girl looked at the straw sandals on Haru's feet with red toes, and shook her head.

"This is not acceptable. Please wait a moment."

Not long after, she brought a clean white foot bag and new straw sandals.The spring has grown so big, no matter whether it is winter or summer, it is barefoot, and now it is almost as happy as receiving a New Year's gift.

Father knelt on the ground and kept thanking him.The girl in white smiled softly and said:

"Wan Shi Bliss Sect has always helped the poor, not just for you, don't mind."

The girl also brought them hot tea and some vegetable pancakes.Chun hadn't eaten since morning. Although the cake was made of thick noodles, it was extremely sweet. Regardless of her father's warning gaze, she devoured it all.

"What a spirited child, the Godfather will definitely like it." The girl said with a smile.

The wait lasted a whole day, and Chun ate two meals here. Although they were all coarse grains, there was tofu and seaweed soup, which was unimaginable in the countryside.Father also looked very contented.

"Xiaochun is really lucky." He said privately, "We must try our best to stay, so that we don't have to go hungry."

When it was time to light the lamps in the evening, the girl in white came late and told them that they could visit the Godfather.The father straightened her clothes nervously, tugged at her slightly loose kimono, and told her not to speak, and to cry as hard as she should, and the father and daughter followed the girl in white into the hall of the main hall. cloister.

The ebony floor was extremely smooth, and Chun was almost afraid that he would slip and fall, which would be a complete embarrassment, so he didn't even dare to take too wide a step.After walking for an unknown amount of time, the girl who led them stopped in front of a paper door, knelt on the ground and said:

"Lord Godfather, I brought the father and daughter who came from Lake Biwa."

There was a clear voice from the door.

"Come in, let them in."

Chun was thinking about how there would be children here, so he was dragged in by his father. The charcoal stove was burning in the room, which was very warm, and the smell of sandalwood came over his face.Chun didn't dare to raise her head, she could only see a wide hall from the corner of her eyes, and she had never seen the utensils on display before, so she dared to follow her father step by step, kneeling on the ground.

"Are you guys from Lake Biwa? It's so far away, you must have walked a long way, right? It's been hard work."

The clear child's voice came from the front, and Chun still couldn't help but raised his head curiously, and saw a man in a black cassock and a Pilu hat sitting in front of a golden screen painted with lotus flowers. child.The child was no more than ten years old, and she was as beautiful as a raw silk doll she had seen in a townsman's house. The hair that fell to her shoulders was the color of white oak, and there was a layer of rainbow light in her eyes. The fire also looks crystal clear and radiant.

Even in her dreams, she had never seen such strange and beautiful eyes.

Probably because he noticed her staring blankly, the boy showed a sweet smile: "What's your name? How old are you?"

The father pressed her head in panic, and answered for her: "The patriarch of Islam, the youngest girl is called Ah Chun, and she is nine years old this year. Because of the disaster in the countryside, our family can't survive. If she can starve to death, I ask you to take pity on her, and find her a job in the church, she is good at cooking and washing, she is absolutely capable!"

This little boy is actually the legendary patriarch of the Bliss Cult? !Chun was extremely surprised, but he didn't dare to show it at all. He could only lower his head and lay down on the ground, pretending to wipe away his tears.

"It's so pitiful. Has the surrounding area of ​​Kyoto Prefecture reached this point?"

The little patriarch pondered for a moment, then asked:

"Xiyue, where are we short of manpower now? Is there any suitable for such a young child?"

The girl in white bowed her head and said, "This child is too young, and she just came from the countryside. I'm afraid she doesn't understand the rules of the church. I'll give her a place under the kitchen to do some cleaning work."

"Great." The voice of the little patriarch sounded very happy, "Xiaochun, is your name Xiaochun?"

Only then did Chun come to his senses, and hurriedly lowered his head to the ground, "Yes, yes! Just call me Xiaochun!"

"Xiaochun will go with Xiyue and help in the kitchen. Don't worry, the gods have heard your wishes, and everything will be fine."

God...?

Chun knew for the first time that the gods really gave food.

2.

So Chun lived in this place called "Eternal Bliss Cult".There are about 100 resident believers here, all of whom have dedicated all their property, devoutly follow the patriarch to practice, and hope to go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss after death. Morning and evening classes and prayers are carried out very regularly every day.In addition, there are also some believers who live outside. They still live a secular life, but they also come to the church to pray to the Godfather on a regular basis.

Haru heard from Xiyue that Master Jiaozu was not an ordinary child, but the son of a god, as evidenced by his innocent hair color and iridescent pupils.The patriarch is also extremely intelligent, he can hear the voice of the gods since he was a child, and he can give advice to the congregation. Therefore, there is always an endless stream of people who come to the Bliss Sect to seek his help, from the banner master with a salary of a thousand stones in the Kyoto Prefecture to the next. From ordinary townspeople and even villagers, the Bliss Cult opens its doors to all poor people who need the guidance of the gods.

Because of this, the little patriarch is very busy every day, either listening to the confession and prayers of the believers, or presiding over the morning and evening classes.Chun remembered that in the countryside, boys around the age of ten were still at the age of having fun in the fields or playing marbles, but here, everyone respected the Godfather, because it is said that as long as they wholeheartedly believe in the Godfather’s salvation, they will recover after death. You can go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, which is the world of gods and a place where everyone can live happily.

Xiyue has a fair and melon-seeded face, which is very delicate.She followed her mother to the Bliss Sect since she was a child. After her mother passed away, she took over the job as the patriarch's personal maid. She turned 15 this year.

When bringing Chun to the hut where the maids lived, the first thing Xiyue did was to boil a pot of hot water with mugwort leaves and calamus soaked in it, and told her to wash it off.

"Master Jiaozu is the son of the gods, you can't touch the filth, you must not smell, and when you work in the kitchen, you must pay attention not to get blood or fish on your hands, those are unclean smells, If you want to see the Patriarch, you must wash it off right away."

Xiyue thought for a while, and then told her carefully, "You are not allowed to run around in the church. Only believers who have participated in the initiation ceremony can go to the morning and evening classes, but if you need it, you can go to the Godfather to pray, remember to go Change into clean clothes before."

Chun Ting nodded again and again, thinking that although the patriarch of the Bliss Sect looked like a child, he lived like the priests in the shrine, and he was too particular.

For such a particular patriarch, the diet is very simple. No, it is not so simple as it is another form of picky eaters.When Chun followed Xiyue to prepare meals, he found that there were always one or two types of fish and vegetables.After coming here for a month, when Chun couldn't help but ask, Xiyue sighed:

"When Mrs. Qingzi was here, she restricted the diet of Master Jiaozu too much... As a result, he only ate those few things since he was a child, and he had a severe partial eclipse. But it has been changed now."

Seeing Chun's puzzled eyes, she added:

"Mrs. Qingzi is the mother of Lord Jiaozu, who has passed away. Remember, don't mention this name to Lord Jiaozu, and don't mention it to anyone in the church."

As she spoke, she added two more pieces of fish to the plate.

But when Chun followed Xiyue to deliver lunch, he saw the difficult side of that little patriarch.

"I don't want it!" The little boy in pink and jade pouted, "I hate bonito the most!"

Xiyue had no choice but to kneel down and coax him: "Master Jiaozu, stop being picky eaters, you have to eat something nutritious to grow taller."

The child blinked a pair of big colorful glazed eyes, looking extremely innocent.

"Xiyue only bullies me and forces me to eat things I don't like," he actually shed a few crystal tears, "I'm so sad."

Xiyue obviously couldn't help this, so she had no choice but to take away the two pieces of fish, "Then, please wait a moment, Master Jiaozu, I'll go and make something else for you. Xiaochun, help Master Jiaozu change the charcoal in the charcoal stove again."

"Okay!" Master Patriarch changed his face quickly, turning tears into smiles in an instant.

After Xiyue went out, Chun stayed in the house to clean the charcoal stove.I heard the little patriarch call her:

"Xiaochun?"

Chun hurriedly fell on the ground, "Yes, Patriarch, do you still remember the little girl's name?"

"Of course, my memory is very good. I can remember your names." The little godfather said with a smile, "Get up, you don't need to pray. Is Xiaochun still used to it here? Are you happy? "

"Master Muslim, my daughter is much better here than in my hometown. At least I can eat tofu and wheat rice. Every time I pay the New Year's tribute at home, I only eat acorn noodles. If the New Year's tribute is paid If it’s not enough, the village officials will come to ask the crime, and the father and mother will still be punished.”

"It's so pitiful, living like this must be very hard, right?"

Seeing the tears welling up in the eyes of Master Jiaozu, Chun couldn't help being a little moved, with a very sad expression on his face.

"Yes, yes. No matter how hard you try, you still can't get enough to eat... The little girl originally had a younger sister, but she died after she was born..." Chun himself choked up, "When there is really nothing to eat , the grown-ups would drown the newborn girl... If they stayed at home, the uncle would have sold the little girl to... a place like that. Fortunately, my mother heard that the Bliss Cult can take in homeless girls, Only a little girl can..." She wiped her tears, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you such cruel things."

"It's not like that, Xiaochun."

A small hand touched the top of her head, "Listening to the prayers of the believers is the duty of the son of the gods. I was born to make the believers happy. So don't worry, if you have any sad things, please tell me Listen, everyone here is like that."

Chun looked up and saw the boy in black robe standing in front of her, with a compassionate smile like a god or Buddha on his face.

So beautiful, those eyes.

As long as you follow this son of god, you will surely get happiness, right?

Xiyue's voice came from the door: "My lord, can I come in?"

"Okay, please come in."

Xiyue walked in with a delicate black lacquer tray.

"Master God Patriarch, you still have to eat well first, and then listen to the prayers of the believers."

On the tray was an exquisite white porcelain dish, inside was a large piece of yellow and trembling Tamagoyaki.

"Wow!" Little Patriarch exclaimed in surprise, "This looks so delicious!"

"Master Patriarch, try it, I used a secret weapon."

"Well, Xiyue's cooking is delicious, what did you put in?"

Xiyue smiled mysteriously: "It's sugar."

The child's mouth was full and his eyes widened.

"But...it's not that you can't eat..."

"It's not wagashi, it doesn't matter if you only eat a little bit, it won't damage your teeth." Xiyue said seriously, "Master Jiaozu doesn't like to eat fish, and it is when you are growing up, so eat more eggs Well, the eggs contain the nutrients that the hen uses to give birth to life, so they are very nutritious."

"Then please take care of Xiyue." The little teacher said with a smile.

In this way, winter passed in a day-to-day repetition of work.In the nearly boring daily life, Chun gradually memorized the various rules of the Bliss Sect.For example, the Patriarch loves cleanliness, the sutra hall and the main hall must be kept tidy at all times, and the cassock must be fumigated with good white sandalwood; for example, the Patriarch must not disturb the visiting believers. Showing a sad expression; another example is that the former patriarch and his wife are a secret that cannot be mentioned in the sect. Everyone says that the Eternal Bliss Cult was founded by the patriarch under the guidance of the gods. Although he looks only ten years old, he is the son of the gods. His wisdom cannot be guessed with the heart of a mortal.

But among children, it seems that there are not so many taboo topics.Chun quickly met Ah Tai and Cai Xiang, who were also helping in the kitchen. They were both children of believers, one was 11 years old and the other was eight years old.

"I heard the concierge's grandma mentioned it when she was chatting with my mother," the grandma once said mysteriously, "it seems to be a murder of love."

Spring is here, and fluffy grass sprouts grow in the vegetable garden. When the sun is good, Chun and the two children will hide here and play marbles. As long as they are not caught by the cook Obasan, they will Can play until the sun is about to go down.

"What is love killing?" Chun asked curiously.

"that is…"

"Tai, my mother said that you must never mention this." Caixiang warned him, "If Yamada and the others find out, they will be kicked out."

"Understood." Auntie rolled her eyes, "But there are only three of us here. If you don't tell me, I won't tell you. Could it be that this silly girl will say it by herself?" He patted Chun on the head rudely, "Hey, newcomer Yes, you won't talk nonsense, will you?"

Chun hurriedly said, "No, I'm very strict with my mouth."

"That's fine." Ah Tai lowered her voice and said vividly, "That happened two years ago. I heard that the former patriarch and female believers were doing that kind of thing in the scripture hall, and they were caught by Mrs. Qingzi , directly stabbed the two people to death with a knife, and then committed suicide by taking poison. It is said that it was very miserable at that time, the whole room was full of blood, and even the intestines came out. Now the tatami and walls of the scripture hall have been replaced It's over."

"Ah?" Chun covered his mouth, "Does the Patriarch know?"

"Master Jiaozu himself witnessed the whole process." Atai's tone was somewhat respectful, "But as expected of Lord Jiaozu, I heard that he was completely unruffled in the face of danger, commanding Yamada and the other male believers to restrain the corpses, and dealt with them very decently After the funeral, it is only said that the former patriarch and his wife were summoned by the gods and went to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"This... will everyone believe it?"

"What's the matter, even if the previous patriarch and his wife had problems, the patriarch himself is the son of a god, there is no doubt about it." Atai said confidently, "Which eight-year-old child have you ever seen can maintain that kind of scene?" Calm? It's because the Patriarch is not a child of a mortal at all, so he can show the decisiveness and courage of a god at a critical moment."

"It makes sense." Chun nodded foolishly, "Master Jiaozu is really amazing."

"Grandma! You guys are being lazy again!"

The cook, Obasang, shouted loudly, "Get out of here and wash the vegetables! Achun, Miss Xiyue is looking for you! Master Jiaozu has a distinguished guest coming this afternoon, why don't you hurry up and prepare?"

"Yes, it is!"

Chun stuck out his tongue, and ran away in a hurry.

It is indeed a distinguished guest.It was a young lady from the Kyoto prefecture, and Chun Kan was dazzled by the silk sleeves she was wearing.The lady was not very old, but she was full of momentum. It was just a casual trip, and a dozen servants followed her.All afternoon in the spring, I was busy serving tea and water, preparing all kinds of snacks and incense. I was so busy until it was dark that I saw the gorgeous young lady come out of the tea room of Lord Godfather with a happy smile, and left with hugs and hugs. .

Seeing them go, Xiyue breathed a sigh of relief.Chun asked curiously, "Which family is this lady from, she's so stylish."

"It's the lady of Ocha Makoto and Mrs. Suzuki's family from the Kyoto Prefecture." Xiyue said with a smile, "I have a bad temper, but I only like to watch our godfather dance the fan dance, and I will come here every now and then in the name of prayer." Once, it’s just the beginning of spring, and thanks to the wit of Master Patriarch, she can be coaxed to be happy every time. These wagashi are brought by them, you can share them.”

Two carved food boxes inlaid with abalone shells were carried up. It was the first time in Chun's life that he saw this kind of dessert called "Wagashi". They were made into petals or green leaves, and translucent small balls, layer by layer. The food boxes are arranged in a patchwork order, exuding the tempting sweet aroma of glutinous rice and red beans.

Her saliva was about to flow down, and she looked excited when she looked at the others.Everyone rushed forward, and the two boxes of wagashi were quickly robbed.

This is the first time Chun knows that there are such beautiful and delicious things in the world. I heard that sugar is a precious thing even in the homes of ordinary townspeople. Not to mention the days when they couldn't even pay the annual tribute in the past two years.She couldn't help thinking that she should have let her younger brother Ah Jian come with her, so that both of them could eat this delicious snack.

But before the end of spring, she received the news of her brother's death.

The news was brought by Ah Yu who lived next door to her house. It was said that he ate something unclean from the field. The doctor in the village declared him hopeless after two days of treatment. Ah Jian, who was only six years old, died just like that.

But Chun knew that Ah Jian was a clever kid who would never eat anything from the field.

He should just be too hungry.

After receiving the news, Chun hid under the kitchen and cried for a long time. It was not until Xiyue came to ask her to clean the scripture hall that she saw her swollen eyes from crying.

Xiyue sighed softly, and said: "Almost everyone here has experienced this kind of thing...Go to the Patriarch to pray, I believe the gods will be able to answer your doubts."

When Chunjin entered the scripture hall, the morning class had just ended, and the little patriarch was sitting in front of the golden lotus screen, showing a surprised expression when he saw her.

"Xiaochun, what's wrong with your eyes?" He asked, "Why are you crying? Did something sad happen?"

Chun rubbed the hem of his clothes, and said sullenly, "Master Jiaozu, I...I want to talk to you... about one thing."

"No problem, no matter what, I'm happy to hear it."

She finally burst into tears: "My brother is dead..."

After listening to her cry, the little godfather also shed tears of sorrow.

"It's so pitiful, the child who failed to accept my redemption will not be able to go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss..."

Chun Geng was sad, fell on the ground and cried, "The old people say that even if such a young child dies, he will not be able to become a Buddha, because he owes his parents a debt, so he can only go to hell to pile up stones to atone for his sins. Enough is enough to go to reincarnation..."

"That's fake."

The little patriarch said firmly.

"The so-called heaven and hell are all lies, they are lies fabricated by those people. After a person dies, his thoughts will stop, he will feel nothing, and his body will rot and turn into mud. This is a natural thing. As long as you are alive Living things experience it."

Chun couldn't quite understand, but listening to this little boy who was about the same age as her speak so calmly in a clear voice, her heart gradually calmed down.

"So... Jian he... won't feel pain anymore, won't be hungry anymore, will he?" she murmured.

"That's right, it's very painful for people to live." The little patriarch seemed to shake his head regretfully, "Although we can't go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, we won't suffer any more when we die."

"If you think about it this way... it doesn't seem so sad..." Chun sniffed, "Will I die like this too? After I die, I won't...see my parents, and I won't be able to see Xiyue and Atai? "

"No, as long as you join the Eternal Bliss Cult, you will be able to meet in the Pure Land of Bliss in the future. Only my believers can get this kind of salvation." There was an innocent smile on the face of the little patriarch, "Would you like Xiaochun?" What about joining? I can arrange the initiation ceremony for you."

"Is it really possible?" Xiaochun's eyes widened, "But my family can't make an offering to the Patriarch, what should I do..."

"It's okay, after all, it's my mission to save children like Xiaochun."

"I...I want to! I want to join a religion!" Chun agreed without any hesitation.

So at the age of nine, Chun became a follower of the Bliss Cult of the World.

3.

Six years passed in a blink of an eye. Chun grew up slowly in this monastery called "The Temple of Bliss". During this period, her mother also passed away. I didn't feel too much sadness. After all, my mother worked day and night when she was alive, and the little food at home had to be given to my father and brother who worked outside. This kind of life is really not happy at all. , death is also a kind of relief.

The famine lasted for almost two years.The Bliss Cult took in many homeless people during the period, and in the following years, bankrupt businessmen and even samurai came here from time to time among the townspeople.That's right, it is said that even the samurai's life is not easy now, the general has lowered their salaries and issued new money, but these people may be used to living a life of extravagance, and instead they are getting more and more in debt.Therefore, the teaching ancestor lord added the content of property and even sex to the content of the maze.Chun often saw Xiyue come out of the scripture hall with a face full of embarrassment and even red in the face, but the patriarch didn't seem to care, no matter what questions the believers asked, he would always smile with understanding.

When Chun came in with tea, he happened to see the man surnamed Kusama whining and complaining.

"...It's really unreasonable. It is obvious that the general himself has no money, but he still has to deduct the money of us deputy officials. This year, I have lost a few hundred taels this year. It is said that the son of General Ji Zong He's a 'piss public party', he can't even speak clearly, it seems that he really lives up to his reputation..."

"Your annual salary is at least three hundred shi, which is not too little. Why are you still worrying about money? It's really not worth it."

Master Jiaozu waved a paper fan with an amiable smile on his face.This boy with a round face has grown into a handsome boy, and his stature has also grown rapidly like a spring tree. At the age of 16, sitting in front of those adults, he already has the grace of an official son. .Inexplicably, Chun felt that he had changed a little, but it seemed that he hadn't changed at all. The young man in the black cassock always had a gentle face, and his speech was unhurried, but his eyes reflecting the rainbow became clearer and brighter, and he became calmer.

"Master Gyozu looks like an expert in the world, with a big heart, but how can money be enough?" The man who came to pray sighed, "I have to spend a few dollars a year just on the tea house in Gion. Bailiang, otherwise the girls wouldn't look at you at all. Oh, it's so hard to live..."

"Why don't you try to do some business? I heard that the prices of tobacco leaves and cotton are not bad recently."

"Doing business is not as fast as being an official. Just helping people arrange a bridge repair job, I can get ten taels of silver in the account at least." The man said triumphantly, "Didn't you listen to Master Kamio? Like sesame seeds, the more they are squeezed, the more oil they will produce... Oh, it's really a sin to say this in front of the Patriarch, I must repent and go to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss after I die..."

When the person left, Chun threw his teacup heavily on the tray angrily.

"Who is this, it's too disgusting."

She has become more courageous in the past two years, probably because she has spent too much time with Lord Godfather, and seeing that he always treats others with a smile, she doesn't have so much fear in her heart.

"The countryside still can't afford rice at all. My brother wrote to say that the annual tribute has not been reduced at all, and the master's family is forcing the germinated rice to be replaced by tobacco leaves. My house is not suitable for growing tobacco leaves at all! This old man is good. Aren't you afraid of retribution for saying something like sesame oil?"

"Xiaochun, you are not really stupid enough to believe that there is such a thing as retribution in the world, are you?" Master Jiaozu covered his face with a fan and chuckled, "Which domineering villain have you seen had retribution? On the contrary, the villain always You get something for nothing, live as happily as you want, but kind people are always treated unreasonably. Things in the world have always been like this, so what’s so strange about it.”

"Is there no retribution?" Chun said incredulously, "Don't gods and Buddhas care about these people?"

The Godfather smiled and said nothing, just picked up a wooden box left by the man from the table, weighed it in his hand, and handed it to Chun.

"This is an offering from Mrs. Kusama. You give it to Xiyue and ask her to buy things for the new believers."

"Recently, there are too many newcomers. I heard that there was another flood in Edo, and many people died. I heard from Xiyue that several people clamored to join the church yesterday." Chun hesitated. Next, "Will the Lord Godfather listen to their prayers?"

"No problem, please ask Xiyue to arrange for them." Master Patriarch said with a smile, "Also tell her to take my seal and go to Miss Suzuki, and ask her when she is free to have tea again."

"Should I call Miss Suzuki again?"

For some reason, Xiyue frowned after hearing the news.

"This is the third time this month. Every time she brings her female companions, drinking and smoking waterpipes in Lord Godfather's tea room, making it a mess!"

"Master Jiaozu...couldn't it be because he likes her? But she is already eighteen! I knew that old woman had no good intentions." Chun said angrily.

Xiyue picked up the account book in her hand and slapped her hard on the head, "I'm already 21, you mean I'm also an old woman?"

After finishing speaking, she sighed, "It can't be helped, I heard that Lord Yucha is very popular in Beijing recently, and our church still needs to rely on his care for many things... I'll go and invite Miss Suzuki."

Two days after receiving the letter, Ms. Suzuki came with a large group of people. This time, she not only brought her own snacks and seasonal fruits, but also invited a shamisen musician from Gion to add to the fun. Ms. Suzuki and The female companion was carried up the mountain by servants in an exquisite cage.Seeing the following servants still carrying the rattan box and mirror, Chun silently walked over and pulled Xiyue's sleeve.

"Isn't this a plan to stay?"

Sure enough, Ms. Suzuki and her party did temporarily stay at Kek Lok Si in the name of meditation and prayer.Except for the morning class and evening class, the Patriarch suspended all activities for receiving believers and concentrated on praying for Miss Suzuki.

The tea room was brightly lit all night, but what came out was the sound of the shamisen. Chun saw Xiyue coming out of it with a flushed face, and said fiercely: "It's too outrageous!"

Chun was a little puzzled, so he opened the door of the tea room in the name of sending red bean soup, and saw clouds of white smoke floating in the room, mixed with a faint smell of alcohol. Holding a cigarette, he stared fascinatedly at the young man dancing with a paper fan in the middle of the room.

It is rare for the Patriarch to not wear a robe, but a moon-white feather. The dancing movements are like flowing clouds and flowing water. His long white oak-colored hair is scattered on his shoulders. Haru thought of the legendary Izumo Akuni, and even though he didn't understand it at all, he thought the dance was very beautiful.

So what is Xiyue angry about?Could it be that Miss Suzuki shouldn't be smoking in the tea room?

Chun is already 15 years old, and the girl's intuition made her faintly aware of something.Ms. Suzuki is indeed a beautiful girl, except that the makeup on her face is a little thicker, she is a little bit more arrogant, and the family background of Yucha Fushin is also very good...

But Chun never thought about what kind of woman could be worthy of the child of the gods.

Master Jiaozu is the snow on the top of the mountain, the light of the troubled times, the guide of the believers, and the messenger of the pure land of bliss, which is beyond reach.

Such a thing as blasphemy, I dare not even think about it.

"Master Jiaozu, is your little maid not in a good mind? Why are you just standing there stupidly?" Miss Suzuki's charming voice floated over, full of disgust, "It's really an eyesore."

"What is little Ayane so angry? You're staring at others, because you think my dance is not good enough?" The Godfather came over with a smile, sat next to Miss Suzuki, and gently slapped her hand. Tiao then took the cigarette rod away and took a puff in his mouth.

"It's from Echigo." He squinted his eyes, took a puff of the cigarette, and stroked the shiny black stem with his fair and slender fingers, "but it doesn't have the fragrance that little Ayane brought last time."

Immediately, two blushes appeared on Miss Suzuki's face, and her eyes became more blurred.Only Chun stayed where he was, not knowing whether he was looking at the Godfather or the fox god Inari.

"Xiaochun, stupid girl, if you don't go out again, do you want to stay and drink with us?"

The patriarch looked at her with a smile on his lips.Only then did Chun realize it, and quickly ran away with the tray in his arms.

After running all the way back to the kitchen, she stomped her feet fiercely and said, "It's too outrageous!"

"puff--"

Xiyue laughed from the side.

Chun touched his hot face, only to feel the beating sound of the heart in his ears.

The next day, after three poles, that Miss Suzuki got up lazily.Chun helped the servants prepare hot water for washing, and after a while, he saw the group of people rushing out, holding all kinds of utensils and utensils, even bamboo mats, saying yes Miss Suzuki said that she wanted to release paper kites with the Godfather.

Ms. Suzuki picked out a gorgeous paper kite with a peacock painted on it and gold powder on it, but she left a ghost painted one for the Godfather.There were two horns on the huge ghost head, which looked lifelike and extremely hideous. For some reason, Chun felt vaguely ominous when he saw it, but he couldn't explain why.

The Godfather himself didn't take it seriously, and happily played with Miss Suzuki as usual.Although the place of Kek Lok Si is located in the forest, it happens that the courtyard of the temple is large. It is already autumn, and there are two paper kites floating in the clear blue sky, against the fiery red maple forest all around. Both darkness and darkness are kept out of this world.

Chun suddenly felt that this beauty seemed to be a dream.

Xiyue also came over