The Four Directions Family had many hidden artifacts, but with only a few days to prepare, there was simply not enough time to thoroughly investigate what was concealed behind their walls.

But in comparison to the Four Directions Family, Beichuan Si had not laid all his cards on the table either.

"However, the fact that they were able to detect our presence and Kelian's." Magong Yongshi knelt in midair, his slender eyebrows slightly furrowed, "It feels like that shrine maiden must have kept some things hidden."

"The Moon Obscuring Mirror is one aspect, another is the complete absence of benevolence within her... There must be a problem there as well."

"Indeed." Beichuan Si finished his coffee in one gulp, then knocked on the table and added, "As a shrine maiden serving Tsukuyomi, she should not be completely devoid of goodwill; Master Yutian and Master Onodera must be well aware of this."

Well aware they were, but Master Yutian and Master Onodera obviously weren't naïve enough to directly confront Four Directions Huixue.

After all, if someone is clearly trying to hide their secrets in front of you, it would be inconsiderate to pry.

"Mm." Magong Yongshi nodded gently, floated down from midair, half-knelt beside Beichuan Si, and reached for the coffee pot to refill his cup.

Watching the brown vortex swirling in his cup, Magong Yongshi spoke, "Tomorrow is the day of departure. Mr. Temple, have you prepared everything you need?"

Beichuan Si, holding his coffee cup, drank the remaining coffee and replied, "Speaking of preparations, it's mostly just a few more flashlights and some rations."

He reached out to stop Magong Yongshi, who was about to pour him more coffee with a graceful gesture,

"That's enough for today, I need to rest."

Beichuan Si said this, glancing sideways at Nishijou Kurenai and Shenzhu Shihui.

Lately, Nishijou Kurenai seemed to have taken up calisthenics again, going so far as to use an electric drill, wooden bars, and nails to make herself parallel bars and a vaulting horse.

Though she didn't always grasp the drill firmly, resulting in the drill hitting her bottom a few times, it was harmless, and she managed to construct them.

At the moment, Nishijou Kurenai was clambering up and down the parallel bars, while Shenzhu Shihui was engrossed in a game on her phone.

Seeing their lack of concern, Magong Yongshi merely cleared his throat and lifted his gentle face, "Ladies, Mr. Temple is about to rest."

Even though his voice was soft and pure, there was a chill that seemed to lower the temperature.

Nishijou Kurenai's small, doll-like body froze and then dropped onto the table, remaining still.

On the other side, Shenzhu Shihui almost dropped her phone, fumbling with it for a good while.

By the time Shenzhu Shihui steadied her phone and turned around to complain—

A pair of black pupils was already looking at her closely.

Those eyes filled with gentleness made Shenzhu Shihui shiver. She opened her mouth, and the complaint that was about to come out changed its tune:

"I was just about to rest too, Yongshi! Tomorrow we're going to the shrine of the Four Directions Family, right?! Watch how your sister performs!"

As she spoke, she rolled up the sleeves of her shrine maiden outfit, revealing slender, white arms.

"Please rest," repeated Magong Yongshi, his eyes filled with chaotic black lines, "Mr. Temple is resting. Sister should be resting as well, right?"

"Yes, you're right!" Shenzhu Shihui nodded vigorously, her body transformed into a pale golden stream and in an instant, dove into the Shinra Bell.

"Then I will also rest, Mr. Temple."

Magong Yongshi bowed his head, his voice gentle.

"Mm," Beichuan Si responded, "Go ahead."

After Magong Yongshi entered the Shinra Bell, Beichuan Si stretched his shoulders and lay down on the bed.

Tomorrow was the day to gather; resting early to conserve energy would facilitate activity.

...

The next day, in front of Yutian Temple.

"Good morning, Beichuan Master." Master Yutian and Master Onodera together intoned a Buddhist chant and greeted Beichuan Si.

Beichuan Si nodded, adjusting his backpack, "Good morning, Master Yutian, Master Onodera."

After exchanging greetings, Beichuan Si looked towards the line of cars behind Master Yutian and Master Onodera.

A row of black, ordinary business cars, five in total.

It seemed they were to depart in these vehicles.

Beichuan Si's expression flickered slightly as if sensing something and he looked behind him.

Sometime, with two bodyguards accompanying her, Four Directions Huixue was already standing behind him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good health to you all," Four Directions Huixue, as usual, held the Moon Obscuring Mirror in her hands.

But upon closer inspection, one could see that her face was lightly made-up and her hair tied back with a sandalwood paper ribbon.

She stepped forward and addressed them, "We'll board the cars and head to Nara Prefecture starting now. Do any of you have questions before we leave?"

Four Directions Huixue cast a glance at the three in front of her, finding no objections, she nodded in satisfaction, "Then let's depart now."

Master Yutian and Master Onodera appeared to have been informed of which car to take, but Beichuan Si had just arrived and was not familiar with the arrangements.

He was about to look for a driver to ask when Four Directions Huixue called out to him from behind.

"Beichuan Master," Four Directions Huixue, holding the Moon Obscuring Mirror, quickly walked beside Beichuan Si, "If you don't mind, would you share a car with me?"

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