Trafford's Trading Club

739: Chapter 152: Wind Over Water 739: Chapter 152: Wind Over Water In front of the big screen of the screening room, a strange contortion suddenly appeared, a distortion of space.

The maid first walked out, like a guide.

Behind her, Da Zhe stretched his back and yawned as he stepped out as well, and after that came Izanami.

She was no longer the ruler of Yan Wuyue World, but she was also no longer eroded by Yomi-no-iki, returning to her original appearance.

However, she no longer possessed her original Divinity, yet remained an absolutely stunning beauty.

Of course, due to the loss of her original Divinity, she naturally could not compare to her former self, as her Divine Power had fallen several levels.

Nonetheless, she still held Extraordinary abilities.

As long as there was a Transcendent seed, there was a possibility of recovery in the future.

Because of this possibility, she was willing to sacrifice her original Divinity rather than her Soul.

“The present world…” Izanami’s beautiful eyes swept over the screening room.

She created Yan Wuyue with the Fragmented World, always staying apart from mainstream history, allowing Yan Wuyue World to remain in an ancient environment for countless years.

Naturally, the development of the present world was quite foreign to her.

Those technologies known as science and the world’s established materialistic concepts became like invisible shackles the moment she stepped back into the present world, giving her a feeling of sinking into mire.

“What’s going on, why is the present world suppressing Extraordinary Power…” A look of horror flashed in Izanami’s eyes.

As someone who once possessed True Lesser Divinity and the authority over a Fragmented World, she understood better than anyone what this feeling meant.

The Dharma-ending Age, the alteration of the rules of Heaven and Earth, the present world resisting the existence of the Transcendent.

“Of course, it’s because this world is dying,” You Ye said softly.

Izanami’s expression shifted slightly, as if she had thought of something, and she immediately looked down in silence.

Da Zhe did not understand what that meant, he only curiously observed the people in the screening room.

These people seemed like they were hypnotized, and even the staff of the screening room appeared to be like puppets.

Their consciousness had been drawn into Yan Wuyue World, and their bodies now appeared as empty shells.

Fortunately, it was within the screening room.

As long as the movie hadn’t ended, no one would come in and discover anything.

Otherwise, if this happened on the street or in other public places, with such a large-scale irregularity, the outside world would have already exploded in chaos!

“Miss Izanami,” You Ye spoke again at this time, “As per your request, you have been restored to your original state and returned to the present world.

I believe that even without your original Divinity, with the level of Divine Power you still possess, you can stay safe here.”

Izanami gazed deeply at the woman who instilled in her countless anxieties.

Not to mention that the current rules of the present world everywhere restrained her, even if her original Divinity were still around, and she possessed most of Yan Wuyue World’s authority, she would still not be the other party’s match.

“I want to take a good look at the changes in the present world over thousands of years under correct history,” Izanami slowly said, “The vast seas and mulberry fields, I may indeed have left for too long.”

“If you need anything another day, you’re welcome to visit our shop at any time,” the maid elegantly bid farewell to Izanami’s departure.

Strong Divine Power was something Izanami could not touch, something she even needed to offer all her reverence.

Yet now, a Strong Divine Power was being so humble in front of her…

The feeling was truly indescribable.

But Izanami believed this definitely wasn’t a serene feeling.

Being stared at by this woman’s ocean-deep blue eyes, Izanami only felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She didn’t even want to stay for another moment, and her body passed directly through the wall of the screening room.

Although she no longer had her original Divinity, she could still easily alter her body’s structure with Divine Power to pass through such simple materials.

Outside on the street, people came and went.

This was a modern society developed from ancient China, now at the end of the cold winter, the sky had completely darkened.

With bright lights emerging on the exotic street, Izanami was at a loss, unsure where to go, or if this return, at such a great cost, was the right decision.

“Perhaps I should first understand the mainstream changes in history…” Izanami shook her head, her beautiful eyes turning to focus on a lone woman walking down the street, stepping in front of her.

“Oh, you are…” The woman walking alone suddenly saw a woman in a kimono with stunning looks appear before her, instinctively bewildered.

At the same time as her astonishment, her consciousness began to blur…

…

“Should we wait here for the boss to come out, or go back to find the boss?”

Now, of course, it was advisable to follow the maid’s lead…

Da Zhe looked at You Ye with an expression that wasn’t quite natural.

He couldn’t forget the method the maid used to stimulate potential.

You Ye then softly said, “Let’s wait here, the flow of time is different in each place.

The master should be coming out soon.”

Da Zhe nodded.

He had spent at least several days in the Yan Wuyue World, yet upon returning, the movie here had not yet finished playing.

The experience truly astonished Da Zhe.

As Da Zhe was about to speak, the space in front of the big screen twisted again, and the maid immediately turned with a smile and stepped forward.

Da Zhe glanced and thought to himself: Time to witness the romance again…

…

…

Lord Nagato has died, and not only that, even Young Master Shinji has passed away.

As this news began to spread in Zaodao Village, the villagers who had only just regained their lives felt incredulous.

Lord Nagato was truly a good man.

To help the villagers of Zaodao Village survive the curse, he could be said to have selflessly dispersed his wealth!

“It seems that Lord Nagato was also unable to leave the village due to the curse.

He hasn’t gone out for many years, much less visited the Kondo Family.

As the main family that granted lands to the Nagato House, it was necessary for Lord Nagato to report back after resolving the curse.

But he didn’t expect to encounter bandits halfway.

Alas, Lord Nagato was once a powerful Samurai, but now he’s old, and Young Master Shinji never matured…”

The villagers discussed, sharing rumors from the Nagato House.

“Alas…

Who’d have thought a good person like Lord Nagato would leave us just like that.

He didn’t even get to see the rebirth of Zaodao Village…”

“Indeed, indeed…

Lord Nagato…” the women tearfully lamented.

“We should live better lives.

If Lord Nagato knew from above, he would be comforted.”

“That’s right, let’s start a new life!”

As the village buzzed with opinions and began discussing how to handle the matters after Lord Nagato and Nagato Shinji’s passing, discussions also took place within the Nagato House.

Mo Xiaofei and Nagato Saburo.

It was the end of the third day; tomorrow was Zaodao Village’s day of ritual…

Mo Xiaofei silently calculated the time, feeling somewhat distracted as Nagato Saburo spoke before him.

“I secretly took Shinji’s body out of the village once and made it look like he died in battle.

Later, I hired some ronin to bring the message back.” Nagato Saburo said calmly, “The body of Nagato Munachika can’t be found, likely indicating a grim fate.

But recovering Shinji’s body is enough proof.

Now, the elders are discussing making me the successor of the Nagato House.”

Seeing Mo Xiaofei’s indifferent demeanor, Nagato Saburo continued, “I plan to let Tsuruko inherit the Nagato House.

Then I will announce my return to the battlefield.

After all, I originally came back using an injury as an excuse, so returning now wouldn’t be inappropriate.”

Hearing Nagato Tsuruko’s name, Mo Xiaofei was surprised, “Nagato Tsuruko?

Are you sure?”

People are unpredictable…

At this moment, Mo Xiaofei couldn’t fathom Nagato Saburo’s intentions.

He wanted to confirm, so he looked directly at him and asked, “Nagato Saburo, now that Nagato Munachika is dead and Nagato Shinji is no more, the secrets of Zaodao Village are unknown to outsiders but you…

As for me, once this matter ends, I won’t appear again.

Hence, you have no reason to give up your claim to the Nagato House.

And as for Nagato Tsuruko, frankly, she’s not your daughter, is she?”

Nagato Saburo shook his head, his expression desolate, and murmured, “She’s…

ultimately Haru’s child.

No matter how much hatred I bear, in the end, its source is myself.

If it hadn’t been for my momentary greed back then…”

He shook his head again, “Tsuruko is innocent.

Let this be her compensation.

I believe in the reborn Zaodao Village, she’ll grow well.

Ah Xiu is a kind-hearted kid, and over the years, it’s been mostly thanks to her care for Tsuruko.”

Nagato Saburo stood up, “Once all matters of the Nagato House are settled, I will personally visit the dungeon.

Once I’m inside, I ask you to seal the entrance forever, burying me there as well.”

Having killed his brother, patricide, and failed his wife, cowardly fleeing the battlefield…

Mo Xiaofei looked at this deeply sinful man, knowing his spirit was long dead.

“Alright.”

So, Mo Xiaofei nodded.

The day of ritual was an age-old tradition in Zaodao Village.

Though Lord Nagato had died, such traditions shouldn’t cease.

Only on the day of ritual, the villagers were not especially spirited, a subtle silence hung in the air.

This time, the Nagato House didn’t appear as a whole; only Nagato Saburo stood by simply with Nagato Tsuruko, Ah Xiu, and two servants.

The Early Rice Shrine Maiden returned as scheduled, slightly lifting the villagers’ spirits.

Yet Mo Xiaofei remembered what the bamboo pole once told him—

the Early Rice Shrine Maiden died due to the curse, and the current one is still young…

This is the node of contradiction in Zaodao Village, but when the old Early Rice Shrine Maiden appeared back then, the villagers of Zaodao Village thought it was natural and did not feel anything was amiss.

Ultimately, it is still unreasonable, but…

Mo Xiaofei glanced at Nagato Tsuruko standing beside Nagato Saburo and noticed she was curiously watching the ritual ceremony, then smiled with relief.

There are no completely rational and perfect things; even if there are slight flaws, perhaps this outcome is the best I can create?

Seemingly sensing Mo Xiaofei’s gaze, Nagato Tsuruko looked at him, scrutinizing carefully.

Mo Xiaofei nodded, then slowly left everyone’s sight, and it seemed that no one noticed the departure of the Respected Samurai who had come in contact with Zaodao Village’s curse, as the ritual had reached the stage requiring silence.

Perhaps Nagato Saburo knew about Mo Xiaofei’s departure, perhaps he did not, he was merely gazing at the figure of the Early Rice Shrine Maiden on the altar, watching her perform the ancient dance.

Nagato Saburo vaguely remembered that Narukami Haru also once acted in place of the Early Rice Shrine Maiden at Zaodao Shrine, awakening the ceremony.

At that time, Narukami Haru was also dressed in white top and red skirt, holding a Divine Coin, dancing the ancient dance, with her mouth softly hiding the songs of the ritual.

“Tsuruko, I will embark on a journey again, and there might never be an opportunity for us to meet again.

So, if you get a chance, become the Early Rice Shrine Maiden; your mother once was,” Nagato Saburo suddenly said.

The small Nagato Tsuruko looked up at Nagato Saburo, only seeing his chin.

She thought that if those stubbles on her father’s chin were on her face, they would definitely tickle.

The hidden songs of the ritual by the Early Rice Shrine Maiden echoed in her ears.

——The wind on the water is guided by the flow.

——The melody floats all around, reverberating softly.

——Swaying, swaying, shaking as it reaches the endless sky.

——Traversing through time, coming and going, descending to the transient world.

——Now, friend, come to the earth.

——Let us sing the songs we have forgotten.

——Retrieve the feelings we have lost.

——Until the moment we reunite, sleep deeply, deeply.

——Time is flowing by…

…

…

Days after the festival in Zaodao Village, the Nagato House had arranged the aftercare affairs for Nagato Munachika and Nagato Shinji.

On the day of the memorial, all villagers of Zaodao Village came in an orderly manner.

After this, Nagato Saburo announced the agreed matter with Mo Xiaofei.

He would return to the battlefield, while Nagato Tsuruko would become the new heir of the Nagato House.

Prior to this, several prepared clan elders would jointly assist the house.

“Are you ready?”

In front of the entrance to the dungeon, Mo Xiaofei looked at Nagato Saburo and asked softly.

The sinful man didn’t speak at that moment, with his back to Mo Xiaofei, looking at the pitch-black entrance.

He was simply wearing a plain outfit, with a bamboo sword pinned, having shaved all his whiskers cleanly.

This was the cleanest appearance of Nagato Saburo that Mo Xiaofei had ever seen.

He firmly stepped into the entrance, disappearing into the dimness.

As the mechanism of the entrance closed bit by bit, Mo Xiaofei suddenly thought, back then, when Nagato Saburo persistently climbed the stairs to Zaodao Shrine every day, was he also in this clean appearance?

“Peace of mind.”

Mo Xiaofei ultimately destroyed this open mechanism completely.

At the same time, repeatedly destroying every possible means of opening the dungeon, checking over and over again, almost obsessively.

…

The door to the Nagato House closed, and those who came to mourn had all left.

The ancient mansion of the Nagato House seemed to fall asleep in the night.

Ah Xiu was exhausted; she was supposed to watch over Miss Tsuruko, but still fell asleep in her fatigue.

Nagato Tsuruko read under the lamp…

Ah Xiu fell asleep while halfway through reading, such a lazy person!

At that moment, Nagato Tsuruko suddenly looked out the window and saw a figure fleeting by.

Curious, she walked out of the corridor and into the courtyard.

This was the Samurai who distributed pills to the village.

The Samurai smiled at her again, “Live well in the future.”

Nagato Tsuruko blinked, “Are you leaving?”

Mo Xiaofei nodded: “I will leave here, but whether I can leave remains uncertain.

As for the future, I cannot say for sure.

But I will no longer appear in Zaodao Village.”

“Isn’t it good to stay?” Nagato Tsuruko asked again.

“This is ultimately not my place to stay,” Mo Xiaofei shook his head.

He still had to find his companions, then think of other ways to see if he could truly leave the Yan Wuyue World.

Mo Xiaofei suddenly looked up at the bright moon.

On the night of the festival, it was a full moon, but now it’s a waning moon.

Nagato Tsuruko is still well, not only passing the festival day but also showing no changes.

He thought that when Nagato Tsuruko meets the moon, she might change.

The full moon might just be a catalyst, and what truly makes her change is the truth she cannot bear.

“Oh, by the way, have you thought about becoming the Early Rice Shrine Maiden?” Mo Xiaofei suddenly remembered the experience of swapping places with Zhuifeng and asked abruptly.

“Hmm?” Nagato Tsuruko tilted her head adorably.

Mo Xiaofei smiled mysteriously, “Perhaps you’ll meet a very clumsy but loyal fellow…

in the future.”

“Mm.” Nagato Tsuruko nodded, seemingly understanding.

Mo Xiaofei said: “I’m leaving.”

“Wait a moment!” Nagato Tsuruko suddenly called Mo Xiaofei.

She turned and ran back to her room, quickly emerging again.

She held a small square box in her hands, approaching Mo Xiaofei once more.

This box…

Mo Xiaofei’s eyelids twitched; he already recognized this box: “This is…”

Nagato Tsuruko handed the box over with a tilted smile: “For you!

I found it in the pond during the day!”

…

After leaving the expansive grounds of the Nagato residence, Mo Xiaofei flew all the way, eventually stopping just outside the boundaries of Zaodao Village.

He looked at the peculiar gift box, a type you would only find in modern society, queasily grasped in his hand.

Could it be that this has traversed through all reincarnations, perpetually existing?

What on earth is this?

Just as Mo Xiaofei was about to open the gift box, a sudden, overwhelming sensation of separation struck; his vision went black, and his consciousness began to withdraw…