Chapter 406: 155. Mountain God Sacrifice Approaching
The vast blue sky, strands of white clouds.
Under the watchful eyes of myriad spirits, Fujiwara Reya brought Kawashima Miki and Kasahara Fumi into the heart of the Feitu Mountain range, landing before the mountain gate of the Sacred Mountain.
"The Mountain God’s sleeping palace is actually a Great Shrine, built atop the Sacred Mountain of the Feitu Mountain range. The mountain is lush with cedar, cypress, red pine, and oak trees. As a Sacred Mountain, no living tree is allowed to be cut down here, and nothing impure is permitted to enter the mountain. Moreover, the form of faith taught here is the oldest tradition."
As they walked through the main gate, Fujiwara Reya introduced his home to the two women.
The Sacred Mountain mentioned here refers to the mountain where the Mountain God resides.
Passing through a country path, the road turned into stone steps, and the gate of the Divine Palace, similar to an archway, came into view.
"Mountain God——"
The two guards at the entrance stepped back a few paces and respectfully clapped and bowed with their hands together, offering a grand salute.
"These two are my wives, remember that." Fujiwara Reya instructed, then immediately laughed and dashed away. Behind him, Kasahara Fumi kicked the air, glaring reluctantly at his back.
The guards behind watched them leave.
The young Mountain God exuded confidence and pride, yet his temperament was gentle and amicable, acknowledged by everyone as the rightful master; while his two wives, with snow-white skin and bright eyes, were of extraordinary beauty, walking in the sunlight as if they were exquisitely carved from jade, leaving no one with any sense of unease.
The only issue was...
"Sigh, it seems the Mountain God will also become henpecked like the Old Mountain God..."
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Beyond the gate, there was a path covered with pebbles.
The mountain path wound and steep, with tree branches and leaves on either side adorned with thin ropes, each bearing a white paper strip and a lantern at intervals. Whenever the wind blew, the paper strips and lanterns would sway gently. The roots of trees beneath the pines and cypresses, peeking through the ground, were covered in fresh green moss, resembling algae wet with rain.
Kawashima Miki walked lightly, observing this unfamiliar world as she went.
Under almost every tree, there were translucent jellyfish-like spirits floating in the air.
These were the initial forms of native demons, absorbing sunlight and moisture from heaven and earth in their spirit form; in twenty or thirty years, they could gain intelligence and become true demons.
"These are all your future subjects, Missus," Fujiwara Reya said with a smile.
My subjects... Kawashima Miki felt a surge of emotion and couldn’t help but reach out a finger.
In an instant, with the cool breeze blowing through the mountain forest, countless spirits floated over, swirling around her in graceful dance. One spirit, almost manifesting a corporeal form, dared to land on her fingertip, fluttering its transparent wings.
Crystal clear wings, paired with pristine white beauty on a fingertip.
Fujiwara Reya’s hands itched a bit.
Not to hold her hand, but to capture this moment in a sketch.
"Fukaeri," Fujiwara Reya turned around with a smile, "these are your subjects as well. Would you lower your airs and communicate with them a bit?"
Kasahara Fumi, who had been casually observing, turned her head, catching sight of his radiant smile.
She found this person truly strange.
Seemingly sincere, refreshing, embodying both the warmth of the sun and the resilience of the earth, yet why does he keep impulsively attaching labels to her... Like earlier, without even consulting her opinion, he had the subordinates call her ’wife,’ how vexing...
Kasahara Fumi also extended her hand, letting a spirit linger on her fingertip.
The summer breeze, sunlight, dancing spirits, verdant leaves... made this place seem like an enchanted realm.
The orange long hair cascading down one side of her cheek shimmered like a ruby, as if it might ignite.
"May I kiss you, Sister Fukaeri?" Fujiwara Reya was somewhat captivated.
Kasahara Fumi withdrew her hand and walked forward without looking back.
Kawashima Miki’s fingernail, without hesitation, poked the waist of the rascal.
"Ah——" Fujiwara Reya clasped his waist with both hands, pleading for mercy.
Continuing up the path, under the shade of greenery, scattered everywhere were small stone Buddhas and Little Heavenly Dog statues. Due to the excess of summer festivals, the statues were covered in moss, exuding a weighty sense of history.
"Doesn’t anyone maintain these?" Kawashima Miki asked.
"Every few years, someone comes in to restore them a bit," Fujiwara Reya replied.
"Ordinary people?"
"Yes indeed, every year a few ordinary people are allowed in here." Gazing at the summer sunlight illuminating the lawn, Fujiwara Reya’s eyes smiled as he explained to them in a bright tone, "Of course, ordinarily people aren’t allowed to enter the mountain; only those truly devout are permitted entry. The selection is quite stringent. Anyone with ill intentions would feel a mysterious sensation right upon entry, akin to being struck by lightning."
"Why let ordinary people in?" Kasahara Fumi asked.
"There is such a legend in the Feitu Mountain range. In the depths of the vast mountains, a rotund Mr. Totoro resides. On clear nights, it plays the flute in the trees with little Totoros; when it rains, it carries a lotus leaf hat, waiting for the big cat bus at a rural bus stop."
Hearing this, Kasahara Fumi pictured Mr. Totoro in her mind.
It must have a chubby, round face and tiny eyes, with a broad belly soft like fluffy cotton. Playful children can bounce around on it, and if tired, they can lie on it and sleep."
"Mr. Totoro is gentle and reliable. In times of trouble for ordinary people, it reaches out to help. Additionally, in the forest, there are adorable spirits that only kind-hearted people encounter. Those who can see the spirits receive the Mountain God’s protection, never getting lost in the vast mountains."