Chapter 525: 183. Asuka wants to eat fried chicken—
The three of them basked in the sun, heading toward Hegao Hachimangu Main Shrine located halfway up the mountain.
Occasionally, they glanced at the azure sky and the red-dyed mountain forest.
The entire Divine Palace was very large, divided into the Main Shrine and Lower Shrine sections. The main gate began at the Yuigahama coast in Kamakura, with the straight Ruogong Avenue flanked by the First Torii, Second Torii, and Third Torii barriers.
Passing through the third torii marked the official entry into the Lower Shrine at Hachiman Shrine.
On both sides of the shrine path were two artificial lakes.
One was called Genji Lake, the other Heike Lake, with each name corresponding to two ancient and noble clans.
"These two lakes are full of spiritual energy," Fujiwara Reya said while gazing across the water.
As the Mountain God, he had a keen sense of nature. Although both lakes were artificial, *he felt as if they had been part of this mountain for thousands of years.* Moreover, *he sensed that these two symmetrical artificial lakes were the beautiful eyes of the mountain beneath his feet, quietly hiding a smile.*
Mrs. Hoshimi’s face, white and crystal-clear like jade, was tinged with a bit of charming glow.
Whether from pride or satisfaction, she turned to Fujiwara Reya with a lively expression: "This mountain has its own Mountain God, and since the day these two artificial lakes were built, they have been considered her eyes."
"I see," Fujiwara Reya couldn’t help but congratulate himself on his discovery.
"She is also my Shikigami," Mrs. Hoshimi said with a radiant smile.
*I am also a Mountain God, so why not take me in as well...* Fujiwara Reya suddenly thought.
*Upon reflection, being taken in as a Shikigami by such a beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and capable young mother-in-law, to massage her feet, massage her back, warm her bed, and chat with her and her daughter every day, wouldn’t that be more enjoyable than being the Heavenly Dog Leader facing seven menacing Great Tengu?*
"Let’s head this way, Rinko is practicing in the morning, and Xiangxiang is there too. Though I bet Xiangxiang is slacking off..."
Mrs. Hoshimi turned and walked toward the shore of Genji Lake.
On this bright autumn morning, there were quite a few tourists by the lake, mostly housewives with their children. The gentle sunlight spread across the ground, while soft, thin clouds drifted in the sky, seemingly about to draw people into a deep, distant space.
Whenever the wind blew, the golden ginkgo leaves fluttered in the air. When people on the ground looked up at the leaves, *they must have found it quite amazing.*
"Hey, hey..."
Mrs. Kasahara fell one step behind and walked shoulder to shoulder with Fujiwara Reya.
Fujiwara Reya turned to look at her, and she playfully blinked and then pointed at the gracefully retreating figure of Mrs. Hoshimi. Her soft, seductive lips seemed to quiver slightly, as if devising a plan for him.
The two of them stared at each other.
Without a word, they had a strong tacit understanding, allowing their emotions to flow and communicate silently through subtle expressions.
"Himeko."
Mrs. Hoshimi suddenly called out.
"What do you need, sister?" Mrs. Kasahara put on the airs of an elder sister.
She wore high-waisted jeans and a white shirt, looking both cool and beautiful, like a strict neighborly sister.
"You’re getting too close to Mr. Fujiwara," Mrs. Hoshimi looked discontentedly at her friend’s little hand resting on Fujiwara Reya’s shoulder.
"Are you jealous?"
"Do you think I would be jealous of you?"
"No, you’re jealous of Mr. Fujiwara. When the sister you’ve adored most from childhood is taken by a young boy, wouldn’t you be jealous of him? Yako’s heart isn’t very forgiving, you know." Mrs. Kasahara laughed.
Her expression was both pure and enticing, very cute.
Her slightly pouted, plump, and vivid lips were tempting to taste.
Mrs. Hoshimi couldn’t be bothered with her friend’s sarcastic tone, and calmly said to Fujiwara Reya, "She’s been talking nonsense like this since she was young."
"Were you always playing the younger sister role?" Fujiwara Reya asked.
"I am the sister!" Mrs. Hoshimi proudly puffed up her chest.
*Impressive!*
The chest that originally had no curve seemed to swell a bit, already half the size of Mrs. Kasahara’s.
"Haha, Yako is adorable," Mrs. Kasahara immediately chuckled.
She let go of Fujiwara Reya’s hand, hopped forward, hugged her friend’s neck, and leaned in to whisper. Mrs. Hoshimi initially wore an expression of disdain, but she was soon drawn in by her words, and the two of them bent over with laughter.
Fujiwara Reya couldn’t hear what they were saying.
But there was no need to listen, just watching was enough.
The morning sunlight shone on them, and their black hair glistened with a faint blue hue. In the eyes of the son-in-law, the radiant young mothers-in-law, shone brilliantly.
The three of them walked along the lake, entered a ginkgo forest, and continued along the stone path dappled with light and shadow.
A small yellow bird perched on the reeds by the water, while the carp in the pond rippled the water, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
Even the bird’s chirping echoing over the water sounded particularly clear.
Ahead in his line of sight, dressed in a red and white miko outfit with black hair tied in a ponytail, Hoshimi Rinko appeared, immersed in her spiritual practice.
The soft autumn sunlight filtered through the ginkgo leaves, bathing the forest in gold. Rinko, absorbed in her training, had a golden sheen to the blue light swirling around her fingertips, appearing almost integrated with the scenery and air.
After a month of intensive practice, she had successfully advanced to the rank of Divine General at eighteen.
Fujiwara Reya felt proud of her.
At the same time, he was troubled by the slightly younger miko nearby.