This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 105 - 104. Shimadu City Public Library

Chapter 105: Chapter 104. Shimadu City Public Library

Beichuan Si had arranged to meet Master Yutian at ten in the morning; in the meantime, he packed up his things and repeatedly reminded Beichuan Huili to be careful before leaving with his travel bag and Kelian.

It took ten minutes to get from the Beichuan family home to Kyubei, and another ten-plus minutes from Kyubei to Yutian Temple. When Beichuan Si arrived at Yutian Temple, it was already 9:45 am.

Magong Tong and the empty-handed Master Yutian were standing at the temple gate conversing.

As soon as Magong Tong saw Beichuan Si, joy lit up her face, and she waved vigorously at him:

"Beichuan!"

Beichuan Si responded coolly and then approached Master Yutian, "I appreciate Master Yutian’s assistance this time."

He spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, and Master Yutian nodded inwardly as he formed a Dharma seal with his fingers, his tone leisurely, "Mr. Beichuan need not worry, I also have my own tasks in Ibaraki Prefecture, and Ms. Dongzi and I have a longstanding acquaintance. It is both reasonable and proper for me to help."

"Moreover, I admire Mr. Beichuan’s disregard for personal safety; this is but a small favor, hardly worth mentioning."

No wonder Master Yutian was so concerned about Magong Tong’s situation—it turns out there was an affinity with Magong Dongzi.

This instantly resolved the doubts in Beichuan Si’s mind; he withdrew his gaze and looked toward Magong Tong, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated.

Noticing Beichuan Si’s gaze turning towards her, Magong Tong’s mouth moved slightly, and a faint voice emerged, "Beichuan, be careful."

She had heard from Grandma Dongzi that Shenzhu Village might be hiding unknown dangers.

Of course, she was very happy that Beichuan Si was willing to help, but she equally did not wish for misfortune to befall him.

"I know," Beichuan Si nodded in response, then he looked at Master Yutian on the other side, "Mage, let us set off now."

"Very well, Mr. Beichuan, please wait here for a moment," Master Yutian chanted a Buddhist invocation.

He re-entered the temple.

After a while, a minivan slowly came down from the slope road.

Rolling down the window, Master Yutian, with his buzz-cut head, poked out and called out:

"Mr. Beichuan, get in."

His attire adorned with a kasaya while driving did seem rather odd, but Beichuan Si did not care.

The last time he passed by a Japanese temple in Yashan City, the abbot there even wore headphones and DJ’d, mixing cocktails.

In Japan, monks don’t have that many strictures. They don’t adhere to the four restraints, can marry, and considering the increasingly tough survival conditions for Japanese Buddhist temples, monks and abbots everywhere are resorting to novel ways to attract believers.

However, for an abbot like Master Yutian, who truly possessed the skills to attract good fortune and repel evil, it likely wouldn’t come to such extremities.

Beichuan Si acknowledged Magong Tong with a gesture and got into the vehicle.

Watching the car start, Magong Tong couldn’t help but jog a couple of steps, following behind the minivan and calling out loudly, "Beichuan!"

"Beichuan! Have a safe trip!"

"Safe travels—"

Beichuan Si watched as Magong Tong’s petite figure gradually disappeared over the horizon, her voice fading into the distance.

The sight of her blushing face and vigorous waving toward Beichuan Si until the end left an impression on him.

His expression unchanged, he turned his head back as Master Yutian’s voice arose from the driver’s seat, carrying a hint of wistfulness, "Miss Magong really is a very fine young lady."

To this, Beichuan Si nodded in heartfelt agreement.

Magong Tong was indeed a nice girl, not just knowledgeable and well-mannered, or possessing an elegant demeanor. But there was definitely a sense of delicate beauty about her.

The helplessly pitiable look that unintentionally emerged could indeed make one’s heart flutter.

"Miss Magong has been visiting Yutian Temple once or twice every month since she moved here."

"When I asked her the reason, she would always answer me that she was praying for the people she had involved, hoping that her misfortune would only target herself. In this restless era, it’s really not easy to find girls like that."

"That’s true," Beichuan Si replied succinctly.

"I wonder how Mr. Beichuan sees Miss Magong? To my knowledge, Miss Magong hasn’t brought any male companions to Yutian Temple over the years, and I have never seen her so intimate with any man," Master Yutian suddenly blurted out.

Master Yutian thought his hint was clear enough that Beichuan Si couldn’t possibly misunderstand.

"Magong and I have a friendship."

Uh—

You really don’t get it at all!

Good things can come in pairs! You and Miss Magong are both plagued by misfortune and ominous signs—it’s like you have a matching couple’s look!

Just as Master Yutian was about to continue hinting, he was interrupted by Beichuan Si’s indifferent words: "I understand your point, Master Yutian, but if we don’t solve the current situation, Magong will only become more endangered."

Well done, the young man actually understood completely.

Master Yutian was left speechless by Beichuan Si’s remark and after some time only exclaimed a Buddhist chant:

"I see, it seems I was being presumptuous. Please forgive me, Mr. Beichuan."

Beichuan Si looked calmly: "This time, I still need to trouble the mage. You don’t need to mind such a small matter."

The two chatted for a while longer but Master Yutian realized that Beichuan Si didn’t seem to enjoy talking much, so he stopped and focused on driving.

The journey was silent.

By the time they arrived in Shimadu City, it was already two in the afternoon, and Master Yutian had already arranged a single room for Beichuan Si.

"That’s it for today. We will rest here tonight, and I will set out to help believers exorcise demons tomorrow morning. Mr. Beichuan, do you have any other plans?" Master Yutian asked, turning his head.

Beichuan Si pondered for a moment and then shook his head: "I can accompany the mage at that time."

He felt it would be better to stay with Master Yutian—if Master Yutian couldn’t resolve the issue, he could step in and then proceed with the investigation in Shenzhu Village.

After all, having troubled him so much, it wouldn’t be quite right not to repay the favor—of course, the key point was that Nishijou Kurenai had been somewhat weak ever since she dispersed part of her benevolence from her body the day before yesterday.

Since there were resentful spirits and grudges readily available on that side, Beichuan Si also thought about letting Nishijou Kurenai absorb them to recover her strength.

Seemingly sensing Beichuan Si’s thoughts, the hidden Kurenai stirred inside the collar.

The little one was somewhat pleased.

Master Yutian nodded, "Is that so? Then I will come to fetch Mr. Beichuan tomorrow. Likewise, I’ll be visiting an old acquaintance here later and won’t take Mr. Beichuan along."

After a few more words, they each returned to their rooms.

Master Yutian was going to visit an old acquaintance, and naturally, Beichuan Si wouldn’t idle either.

Now that they were in Shimadu City, a visit to the city’s public library was naturally in order.

Perhaps he could find old news reports in the library and discover some information about Shenzhu Village.