Chapter 419: 157. Mountain God Festival: Miss Yukino Shyly Melting Away
Dusk descends.
On the river entering the town, large ships adorned with colorful silk banners form a long line approaching the dock. Floats, surrounded by a host of yokai, progress forward, and with the gathering of torches and lanterns, the lively atmosphere of the festival begins to spread.
At the welcoming pier, there is a clean and flat open space. The area is cordoned off with straw ropes, with paper strips hung upon them.
The white paper strips flutter in the wind, flickering like wandering souls.
In the resplendent sunset, yokai are chanting and singing.
"Majestic Yamato God,"
"Bless all beings with eternal life."
"From today onward,"
"Through the Nine Heavens Floating Bridge,"
"To the Temple of the Gods."
The bewitching yokai, kneeling in a black and red kimono adorned with small chrysanthemums, has a red dot on her forehead, made up Kyoto-style, resembling a red plum blossom in the snow. The meticulously applied powder-white neck and immaculately combed hair exude an indescribable solemn atmosphere.
The festive lights come aglow, brilliantly colorful.
More and more joyfully dressed yokai disembark from the ships and enter the town.
Those wearing straw hats and carrying loads are Fusang Gods, evolved from the hats and loads. Some yokai move using their original forms, resulting in various bowls, chopsticks, abacuses, and brooms floating in the air conversing.
As night falls, bonfires are lit across all the mountains.
Drumbeats and music have begun, with melodious flute sounds and thunderous taiko drums, while parade processions occasionally pass through the streets.
From a high vantage point, countless red lanterns hang from the eaves of every building along the street, looking spectacular as tens of thousands of flames flicker in the wind.
Moreover, the great river flowing through the town appears dreamlike and illusory. Under the illumination of the lights, the river resembles a multicolored ribbon.
Amidst this bustling scene, probably no one would have thought that the Mountain God is squatting in the grass by the river... gnawing on sugarcane.
As the landlord here, Fujiwara Reya was supposed to be stationed in the palace, welcoming some more important guests.
However, finding it too cumbersome and tiring, he delegated matters outside the palace to the Totoro butler and interior matters to Aunt Qing, sneaking away from the other three female yokai.
Crouching unceremoniously in the grass, Fujiwara Reya munches on sugarcane, occasionally glancing towards the pier.
The sugarcane is sweet and juicy, though it would be better without having to spit out the residue.
Eh?
Then why not just drink sugarcane juice?
As the Mountain God ponders this question, a luxurious large ship docks.
A group of yokai wearing ghost god masks and dressed in red hunting robes disembark in an orderly formation.
At the end of the line is a tall and round radish. With white skin and only wearing a loincloth, his cheeks droop like radishes down to his chest.
This big radish is the Agricultural God, named God of White.
As the first deity from Takamagahara to attend the Mountain God festival, the appearance of the big radish stirs a small climax in the atmosphere.
"Welcome, Lord God of White—"
Amidst respectful and enthusiastic cheers, Crow Tengu soon appear carrying a divine chariot flying over.
To welcome the God of White, the Totoro butler arranged for the Mountain Child to perform a brief fire sacrifice ceremony.
A high-flaming fire basin is set in the middle of the pier, with female officials dressed in white formal attire, uniformly styled as ancient court ladies, chanting spells around the fire basin.
"Burn, oh burn, O God! We need oranges, rice..."
As they chant, they keep throwing various crops into the fire basin.
This is an ancient ritual for offering to the Agricultural God, burning crops into Takamagahara to pray for next year’s harvest.
The big radish steps over the fire basin and sits in the divine chariot.
"Squeak—"
The divine chariot creaks under pressure.
Four Crow Tengu lift the divine chariot into the air, flying towards the palace courtyard.
"Phew~" Fujiwara Reya spits out a mouthful of sugarcane residue, pondering whether, given his relationship with the God of White, he could perhaps cut a bit of radish to make soup... It’s said that the flesh of the God of White is extremely delicious, and consuming it can enhance divine attributes.
Probably among the tens of thousands of yokai and deities present, only he would have such thoughts.
"Caw~"
The cry of a crow comes from the sky.
Fujiwara Reya looks up.
A flock of crows flies from the distant sky, and as they approach overhead, he raises his hand and flicks at the leader, a plump black crow.
"Boom~"
Space ripples.
The plump crow spirals down into the grass, barely cursing before spotting the Mountain God munching on sugarcane. Instantly, it scurries over on its knees: "Young Master!"
There are two factions in Hidden God Town.
One is his father’s Mountain God faction, calling him Mountain God; the other is his mother’s Great Tengu faction, calling him Young Master.
"Has Miss Yukino arrived?" Fujiwara Reya asks.
"Almost here." The Dark Crow, nervous all over, kneeling with its bottom slightly lifted, replies, "Their ship has already entered the town’s vicinity and is queuing for docking."
"And what about that Takeuchi fellow?"
"He came along as well."
Fujiwara Reya asks seriously: "Can you make him disappear en route?"
This offbeat question perplexes the Dark Crow for a moment before cautiously replying: "Killing him is not a problem, since this is the Young Master’s territory... But he’s here on behalf of the Ghost Clan, and he’s submitted an official visiting card. If something happens to him during the festival, aside from offending Yoshitsune, it would tarnish the Young Master’s reputation."
Then make him disappear on his way back... Fujiwara Reya thinks quietly, patting the spot next to him, "I’m just joking, don’t be so tense, come sit over here."