readytorunbook Chapter 269 Xu Ning, who doesn't want to take the challenge
Chapter 269 Xu Ning, who doesn't want to take the challenge
Although it is unknown what considerations led to the selection of shrine maidens for Narukami Taisha.
Judging by the appearance of these two priestesses alone, they are absolutely outstanding.
Therefore, it can be inferred that the shrine maidens in Narukami Shrine are probably all young and beautiful women.
"Liyue Xu Ning, this is my first visit to Narukami Shrine. May I ask how you two are addressed?"
The two shrine maidens exchanged a glance. The girl on the left, with her hair in a high ponytail and her hands tucked into her sleeves, smiled and said, "My name is Inashiro Hotaru, and this girl next to me is Kano Nana. Please don't get her name wrong. If you pronounce it as 'Grandma,' she'll be very angry."
The girl on the right has short hair that reaches her ears, but her eyes are unusually bright.
Hearing Inashiro Hotaru's teasing, a hint of embarrassment and anger appeared on her face. However, when she saw Xu Ning looking over, Kano Nana forced herself to hold back and nodded slightly to Xu Ning.
Xu Ning knew that "Nana" meant July in Inazuma's language.
Perhaps this girl was born in July, and her parents hoped that she would grow up to be a girl as vibrant as summer, which is why they named her Kano Nana.
Xu Ning smiled and greeted her in return, adding a compliment: "It's a very nice name."
Despite being stared at by the two priestesses, Xu Ning felt no discomfort whatsoever. On the contrary, he keenly sensed that the girl named Inashiro Hotaru's gaze repeatedly swept over the little fox he was holding.
Meanwhile, the other, Nana Kano, was looking thoughtfully at the wine gourd hooked on the little finger of her left hand.
As soon as I walked up the steps, I could see the two people standing there to greet me, so they probably already knew I was coming.
Considering the thunderous sound when Master Ji transformed into the Fox Palace last night, it must have been arranged by that "wise and beautiful" Lord Yae no Kami.
Reaching out to stroke the back of the little fox in his arms a couple of times, Xu Ning asked with some curiosity, "I just heard Miss Daocheng say that Xu Ning is not a person with a pure heart. What makes you say that?"
Inashiro Hotaru covered her mouth and laughed, "That's not what I said."
"The lamps on either side of the entrance to our shrine are called 'Kūkai'. They are made of dreamwood and were personally enshrined by Lord Yae no Kōji with a secret method to examine people's hearts. If anyone harbors evil intentions, once they are detected, they will suffer the backlash of their own malice, kneel down in repentance, and be unable to set foot in Narukami Taisha."
Looking at Xu Ning, who seemed to be deep in thought, Inashiro Hotaru continued, "But if someone comes with a pure heart and a sincere wish, they will not be able to sense its existence at all, and will only regard it as an ordinary street lamp."
Upon hearing that such a wondrous technique existed, Xu Ning became even more curious about the eighth-level divine son who possessed Bai Chen's bloodline.
"I wonder if I will have the honor of meeting Lord Yae no Kami today?"
Xu Ning asked Inashiro Hotaru, who was obviously more talkative.
Inashiro Hotaru chuckled, “Oh dear, what a coincidence. Lady Miyaji left early this morning, but she told us before she left that she would be giving you, such a distinguished guest, a special treat.”
Having confirmed his suspicions, Xu Ning expressed his gratitude.
Then, pointing to the little pink fox she was holding, she said, "This is a little fox I found at the foot of the mountain. A section of the boardwalk collapsed, which injured its hind leg. Could you please take care of it for a while? Once it recovers, you can release it back into the wild."
As Inashiro Hotaru was leading Xu Ning inside, she heard his request, glanced at the little guy in Xu Ning's arms, and smiled, "It's not impossible, but judging from the way this little guy looks, it seems like he's particularly reluctant to part with you."
Xu Ning looked down and smiled.
The little fox seemed to understand Xu Ning's words, reaching out its paws to tightly grip Xu Ning's clothes, its slender eyes warily watching Daocheng Yingmei beside it.
"Okay, you can come with me if you want, but I can't hold you like this forever, otherwise we won't be able to drink."
Xu Ning gave a push with one hand, placing the little fox on his left shoulder, and laughed, "That's fine."
The little fox seemed quite satisfied with the spot, curling up and nestling against Xu Ning's shoulder, its fox eyes slightly narrowed as if it were dozing.
Having resolved the little fox's problem, Xu Ning took a swig of Thousand Wind from his wine gourd before settling down to appreciate the scenery of Narukami Shrine.
It has to be said that Xu Ning's timing this time was perfect.
It was March, and the cherry blossoms on the mountain were in full bloom.
Beautiful cherry blossom petals are scattered everywhere, from the stone-paved path of Narukami Taisha Shrine to the eaves of small pavilions and the surface of the clear lake.
The tallest cherry blossom tree in Narukami Shrine is the sacred cherry tree enshrined in the main hall.
The trunk of the entire sacred cherry tree resembles a crouching fox, with its outstretched branches almost completely shading the sky above the shrine.
"...But I don't know if it's just my imagination, but why does the sound of the wind coming through the branches and leaves always give me a feeling of the cherry tree being withered and in pain?"
As soon as Xu Ning spoke, Daocheng Yingmei looked at him in surprise.
"Can you tell from hearing that? But you are right about some things. This Rai-zakura tree is the manifestation of Lord Narukami's power. It blooms all year round and protects the entire Inazuma."
"It can absorb the ominous evil spirits scattered throughout Inazuma into Rai Sakura's body, purifying the entire earth. However, Rai Sakura's power also has its limits. When those evil spirits accumulate to a certain extent, they need to be exorcised. Recently, it has been time for Rai Sakura's great exorcism."
Upon hearing Inashiro Hotaru's detailed explanation, Xu Ning suddenly had the thought, "Working people should accept tasks with curiosity in mind," and quickly changed the subject, asking, "What's that little house over there for?"
When Yingmei Inashiro saw that Xu Ning was not going to continue talking to her about the details of the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Exorcism, she kicked a small pebble under her feet in frustration, but still replied seriously, "That's a lottery event specially prepared for people who come to offer incense and pray. Many Inashiro women come up here to get a good fortune and then go down the mountain with good luck."
"Oh, this is interesting! Can I give it a try?"
Seeing that Xu Ning seemed quite interested, Inashiro Hotaru nodded and said, "Please make yourself at home. We'll wait for you here."
After Xu Ning walked towards the place where the lottery was being drawn, Inashiro Hotaru's face immediately fell.
He asked Nana Kano, "What should we do? He seems to have no intention of helping at all, so I have no excuse to give him what the priest asked me to do."
Kano Nana said helplessly, "I told you to give that thing to Gendou Ringo, just as a small gift that comes with the lottery, but you just wouldn't listen."
Inashiro Hotaru stared wide-eyed and said, "How can that be? How can that guy with all those bad habits take such an important thing?"
Xu Ning had already arrived at the lottery area.
Then he saw a witch with a look of disgust standing behind the counter, her chin resting on her hand, exuding an aura of "I shouldn't be here".
Glancing at Xu Ning as he approached, the witch coldly asked, "You want to draw a fortune stick? Pick up that thing and shake it hard."