This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 530 - 341: One Hammer (8000-word goal achieved)

Chapter 530: Chapter 341: One Hammer (8000-word goal achieved)

Ihui Guangjiu Residence and Ihui Ju Xu showed no particular reaction to this. By their appearance, it seemed they had long been aware of Ihui Nailuo’s plan.

Yet neither of them harbored any thought of escaping from the other, merely standing by Ihui Nailuo’s side, hanging their heads without uttering a word.

Perhaps this was why Beichuan Si had never sensed even the slightest hint of life from either of them?

Raised as living offerings by Ihui Nailuo, their only purpose was to serve as sacrifices.

Such a future was visible at a glance.

Eat, grow, learn, then become a living sacrifice.

That was all.

Because from the moment of birth, their futures had already been dictated by Ihui Nailuo.

Would Ihui Nailuo choose one of them as the offering for the "Palm Pass" and the "Foot Corridor," allowing the other to survive?

Of course, that was impossible.

Aside from the "Palm Pass" and the "Foot Corridor," another place required a living offering.

That destination was the Divine Tree.

The other one would also be used as a "pillar."

To awaken the Divine Tree as a "pillar," she would die embracing the hopes of the islanders.

The only difference was that she would meet her demise a few hours later than the former.

Looking at the two with their heads lowered, Beichuan Si recalled when he and Ihui Guangjiu Residence communicated using a notebook.

One of her remarks made a particularly strong impression on him:

"Not even able to decide one’s own expressions, one must face death with a smile."

From the beginning, their lives and deaths had been controlled by Ihui Nailuo.

Such was their tragic destiny.

Ihui Ju Xu tightly clutched her sister Ihui Guangjiu’s hand, her gaze lifting momentarily.

She looked at Beichuan Si, offering a plea for help with her eyes for the first time.

They had already agreed with Beichuan Si in a notebook earlier.

They hoped he would protect both of them during this journey to Mikami Forest, even if in the end they still had to be sacrificed as offerings for the Divine Tree, they hoped the other could survive.

Now the crisis had arrived.

If Beichuan Si did not offer help now, their fates would be entirely decided by Ihui Nailuo.

However—

The emotionless expression on Beichuan Si’s face chilled Ihui Ju Xu to the core.

That kind of look... hardly seemed like one willing to lend a helping hand.

Yes, perhaps Beichuan Si was also unwilling to risk saving them? After all, according to Ihui Nailuo’s explanation, the Earth Spirit to be offered as a human pillar possessed exceptionally terrifying abilities.

Even Beichuan Si would likely be effortlessly torn apart...

If that were the case...

Ihui Ju Xu was faintly filled with despair.

She bit her lip tightly, bowed her head, her complexion pale.

She held her sister, having given up completely.

Ihui Ju Xu awaited Ihui Nailuo to select either of the sisters as the offering for the "Palm Pass" and the "Foot Corridor."

"Sister..." Ihui Guangjiu embraced Ihui Ju Xu.

She, too, understood what was about to occur.

In the hearts of the sisters, now utterly resigned to their fate, someone spoke with composed calmness:

"I don’t think things have reached such a critical extreme, Miss Nailuo."

Oh?

Ihui Nailuo withdrew her sullen gaze and turned towards Beichuan Si: "I didn’t quite catch the meaning of Beichuan Mage’s words."

Beichuan Si ignored the sharpness in Ihui Nailuo’s gaze like the edge of a knife, his tone remaining mild: "What I mean is, there is no need to prematurely use a shrine maiden candidate as an offering. It’s clearly more prudent to keep an extra one on hand, is it not?"

The words of Beichuan Si made Ihui Ju Xu and Ihui Guangjiu, who had been resigned to death, raise their eyes in surprise.

They looked at him but found no change in his cold and rigid face.

Was Beichuan Si... trying to help them?

"Do you mean to say... you have a way to deal with the Earth Spirit?" Ihui Nailuo’s voice carried a hint of incredulity before she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Impossible.

No matter how powerful Beichuan Si might be, he surely had no means to contend with the Earth Spirit. If an offering wasn’t made, not only Beichuan Si, but even she herself would be torn apart by the Spiritual Bodies.

And...

"Even if you, Beichuan Mage, truly had the power to confront the Earth Spirit, I would still not agree to your proposal. I cannot stake the Divine Tree on your sudden idea."

Ihui Nailuo’s expression darkened.

She would permit no errors in any part of the process. On this matter, she was unwilling to take the slightest risk.

Beichuan Si’s eyes remained undisturbed.

Ihui Nailuo’s reaction was, in fact, within his expectations.

After planning for twenty years, with her aim now within reach, how could she allow any deviation?

However—

"Miss Nailuo, you’ve been mistaken about one thing from the start." Beichuan Si’s hand, cold and dark, writhed with black energy, rapidly shaping a sinister-looking Death Aura Hammer.

He gazed levelly at Ihui Nailuo: "My words don’t need your agreement. You just need to do as I say."

Ihui Nailuo’s face shifted, her response heated: "Beichuan! By what right do you command me?"

Indeed, by what right does Beichuan command me?

I am the Great Heavenly Person of Ihui Island! Ihui Nailuo!

Some confidence welled up in Ihui Nailuo, her eyes locked onto Beichuan Si.

Under her scrutiny, Beichuan Si naturally offered a statement she couldn’t refute: