【Good Leaf】Eclipse of the Crimson Moon

Chapter No.16

【Simplified】

From the selection day to the present, more than three years have passed without realizing it, and the light of the crimson moon is gradually full, and the day of the main sacrifice is approaching.

The success or failure of the ceremony this time is related to the survival of Yue Jian, so the nerves of the five families have been tense, lest any slight "accident" interfere with the progress of the ceremony.So far, everything is going well, except for the lingering shadow of last failure.

The Tsukitsuki Festival is a regular festival that gathers people's hearts, eliminates heresies, purifies the moon, and thanks the gods. It is held once a year in Kokubun Shrine.Judging from the last festival, the mood of the townspeople is fairly stable.In this way, as long as there are no mistakes, the official sacrifice can be held as scheduled in half a year.

Based on the above reasons, the mobile personnel who come and go to Yuejian must go through the verification of the five companies before they will be released.Outsiders wanting to obtain Yuejian's long-term residence rights have to go through layers of checks, so as not to mix with inspirations with special physiques or factors that bring "mutations".

From this point of view, how did that incomprehensible boy come to Tsukimi?Would the priest in charge of screening make such a mistake of letting suspicious people pass?Although it is the preparation period for the table sacrifice and all departments are very busy, it is not necessary to neglect such an important issue.

Thinking of the sacrifice, I had to withdraw my thoughts and face the urgent problem to be solved.Although the Asakang family no longer sent representatives to attend the memorial ceremony, there was still a mountain of work to be done.In addition, Asakura Hao also specially picked the time to assign me an extra task, asking me to go to Izumo immediately to retrieve something from an old friend.

He didn't tell me what that thing was, but just explained the location and the person in charge, and asked me to "go there alone, so as not to be noticed by others."

I have a lot of doubts about this thing, but since it is specifically requested to be carried out "secretly", it must involve the secrets of the Ma Cang family, most likely it is a magic weapon, a magic tool, or a document scroll.

Isn't it strange?Obviously there are branch priests other than me, but I, an outsider, is asked to do it... Will he trust the foreign girl brought by Grandma Mu Nai without reservation?No matter how you think about it, that person's mind is definitely not so simple and sloppy.He should also know that I have always been suspicious and wary of him, and it has been very clear since the first meeting.So, what is the basis behind this "trust"?

No matter how I think about it, I can't get an answer to this question.Occasionally, absurd thoughts would flash through my mind, but I would deny them immediately.

Ma Cang's good self-confidence is because he is sure that he can see through everything?Or even thoughts hidden deep inside by others?

How is this possible?

I told the subordinate priests about the boy I noticed before, and instructed them to monitor his whereabouts, and deal with it according to the usual practice if they found anything suspicious, and then I hurried to Izumo to carry out the secret mission.

★★★

The relationship between the Yuwu family is as expected, and it is not as simple as "partners who have shouldered the same mission for many years".Like many families with a long history, not only positive feelings have been accumulated over the long years, but also countless shadows that have quietly precipitated and manifested everywhere from time to time.

No matter how humble and courteous they appear on the surface, each family will not easily back down on issues involving family interests.During the preparation of the ceremony, on the one hand, it is necessary to assist the officiant family to preside over the various affairs of Yuejian, and on the other hand, it will be carefully restrained to avoid an imbalance of power.Monitoring the behavior of other key members of the family is naturally one of the tasks.As expected, for a human group, it is indeed sad that the minimum level of trust cannot be maintained without reaching this level.

In order to hide the real purpose of the trip, I traveled to many places and spent a lot of time, and the time I stayed in Izumo was only half a day.I went to the predetermined place and got the entrusted item smoothly. It was at an inconspicuous roadside stall. When the old man handed over a folding fan box that was not so delicate, I really wondered if there was something wrong.

The thing in his hand was simply tied in a knot with a red ribbon at the waist, and it looked like a fairly ordinary folding fan in terms of weight, and there was no trace of a special seal being applied at all.This is what Ma Cang wanted to avoid the eyes and ears of the four families, and even the priests of the Ma Cang family could not appoint it?

After taking it away, I left Izumo, circled around with the follower who didn't know where to hide, and finally returned to Tsukimi for two weeks.There is not much time left until the sacrifice of the Siyue Festival. Thinking of the countless things that need to be dealt with, I can't help but feel irritable.As soon as I arrived at Yuejian, I received a report that made me feel even more depressed:

The group of candidate priests in Tsukimi Middle School failed in the expulsion mission, and also alarmed the teachers, and it seems that people other than the target were also implicated.This is indeed beyond my expectation.I thought that dealing with a child didn't need to be taken too seriously, as long as he was a little intimidated according to the usual practice, the other party would immediately retreat and transfer to another school to leave Yuejian, but the boy was unexpectedly calm, or was it...stubborn or dull?

In the report, someone mentioned that the young man repelled their last move with outnumbered enemies. He should have undergone some physical training and his skills are very agile.In short, it seemed that ordinary methods would not work on him, and I couldn't help but get a headache, because at such a busy time, all kinds of things are entangled.Although the orders of the Yuwu family are everything on this island, it doesn't mean that the priests can act recklessly and plant seeds of uneasiness among the people.It seems that this matter can only be handled carefully after careful consideration.

The boy's information was sent quickly, and after checking it, he understood why he was released by the censors.

Masumi Nishikujo, 13 years old.

Four years ago, she left Tsukimi with her family for medical treatment and went to Tokyo.For about ten years before that, the Xikujo family lived in Yuejian Old Street, and his father obtained long-term residency as the person in charge of a logistics company designated by a supplier of daily necessities on the island.There was nothing suspicious about the family.

And this boy returned to Yuejian alone this time because his parents died unexpectedly and had nowhere to go, so he had to go back to his parents' old residence.

After closing the report, he couldn't help closing his eyes and sighing.

Lost home and wandering without a home, why did you come back to see you this month?As long as it's not here, anywhere is fine...

It seems that the reason for passing the verification is because they had the right of residence, but after four years, is this rough approach advisable?At the very least, I clearly felt the unknown aura coming from that young man, which is not what ordinary people should have... And this kind of ambiguity makes people feel anxious and vaguely ominous, it's definitely not just my allergies.It would not be good for him or Yuejian to keep him here.

Closing the report decisively, I gave the command of "forced expulsion" to the subordinate priests.

The more intelligent people are, the more stubborn they are. It is a common problem for such people to force their way in when they clearly sense danger.If you don't let him see his situation clearly, he will probably never make a wise judgment, right?Even if it hurts him, let him leave Tsukimi. This is my judgment as the head priest of the Asakura family.

The priests will handle it carefully, and then the boy will be forced to leave.Then we can also devote ourselves to the table sacrifice that is about to begin.More than half a year has passed since the last festival, and the enthusiasm of the townspeople is very high. There are many volunteers assisting the priests from the publicity to the decoration of the Kokubun Shrine. The preparations are going on in an orderly manner. .As for Ma Cang, I haven't seen him since I handed over the thing I got to him. It seems that he has been looking up books in the dormitory, and he doesn't ask anything about the festival.

This time there will be no representatives from the Asakura family.Since Asakura became the chief priest and stayed at the Tsukiyomi Shrine three years ago, the Asakura family has rarely appeared in public, and this time we are only responsible for auxiliary work.Therefore, a few days before the festival, I finally ended my busy work for nearly a month and was able to take a little rest.But almost at the same time, I received another report that gave me a headache.

About a month ago, Nishikujo Masumi, who "accidentally slipped down the steps" on the way home, was found by passers-by and sent to the hospital.The boy had been discharged from the hospital two days ago, but he had no intention of leaving at all.

"... I bought school supplies in a nearby department store in the afternoon... It seems that I am preparing for the resumption of classes..."

Before he could finish speaking, the handle of the Kagura bell in my hand cracked and cracked, and I was speechless for a while.

Is this person really an idiot!

How...how could there be such a stubborn guy!

It's unbelievable... He obviously has a frail face!

The young priest in charge of the report is a person who doesn't know how to read words and expressions. He didn't notice the strange expression on my face and continued to report: "... Then I went to the market and bought ingredients for a few days..."

"Okay!" I dropped the sacrificial utensil in my hand to the ground heavily, and the people around were stunned for an instant.Doing his best to calm his mood, he lowered his voice and said:

"Okay, I will handle this matter later. It will be done after the table ceremony. The most important thing right now is to successfully complete the ceremony in two days' time."

After all my subordinates retreated, I took a deep breath, feeling that my heart was still beating fast.

I know that I have always had a bad temper, and I have always been indifferent to others. I have always had few people or things to touch my heart frozen in the snow in Xiabei, but now I feel intensely irritable and flustered.It's just a small matter that hasn't been dealt with in time, so it's nothing to worry about.

It's just because that guy is an idiot I've never met before, so I'm a little surprised.

There really is such a person... who has been injured like that and still stays without a care...

I really couldn't understand what he was thinking, so after school that day, I waited for him at the place where he must go home.Confirming in person is the first step, and the next step is to see his reaction.If it's really a fool with a brain problem, it's easy to deal with.But the reality is often the opposite.

As soon as he met my eyes, his face immediately turned crimson, which made me embarrassed too.

I walked up to him quickly and stared at him coldly. He backed away subconsciously and apologized hastily, which made me even angrier: What is he thinking in his mind?Does this person have no common sense at all?

"Why are you still here?"

"Huh?" He seemed confused by my question, his expression changed from embarrassment to surprise.It seems I have to put it more bluntly, he really is a fool.

"Are you an idiot? Masumi Nishikujo. Don't you know that you're an eyesore to come to school like this?"

After asking this sentence, I finally saw a little uneasy expression on his face.

For the stranger's questioning, he didn't refute or get annoyed, his lips moved and he didn't say a word in the end.This is the first time I have seen the face covered by the overly long light-colored bangs up close. There is a little crimson in the brown pupils, mixed with flickering light, wandering and chaotic, like the eyes of a frightened small animal ...If that scene is seen by outsiders, it will only be regarded as me bullying my junior.

"Disappear!"

After glaring at him coldly, I left the boy who was stunned on the spot, quickly turned around the alley, stepped into the path, and drove fast all the way, not wanting to slow down.

Incomprehensible.

Even a stupid person should know, right?The person in front of him has a great relationship with everything he encountered before.

But why is he showing that look?

When people are tortured and treated unfairly, they will reflexively feel hatred and hatred, or at least enter a state of high alert.But in those eyes, I couldn't see a trace of resentment or malice.

Is he too weak?But I know that he once helped the students who were besieged, even though the opponents were a large number of seniors.

Sure enough, there is only one conclusion: he is a stupid idiot!

The strange aura I felt when I got close to him this time didn't fade away, but I still couldn't figure out what it meant.

From the perspective of yin and yang art, there are two kinds of existences that cannot be seen through: one is the operator whose ability is higher than his own. If he hides his spiritual power and breath, the inferiors will not be able to detect it; what is protected by the enchanter or spell.

Will Nishikujo Masumi be the latter?This is not something that can be figured out in a short time, and if there is such a possibility, I can no longer shoot him at will.Although I understand the importance of this matter, I don't have time to study it carefully.Let's put his affairs on hold until the table sacrifice is over. Fortunately, he doesn't look like the kind of person who will cause trouble.

There is another point that I am a little bit mindful of. Those eyes with a blurred color seem to have been seen somewhere...

Where exactly is it...I always feel that there is an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, but I can't remember it no matter what.

Walking and thinking with questions, before I knew it, I had arrived in front of the worship hall of Tsukiyomi Shrine.

By the way, I still have something to report to Ma Canghao, but will he still be here at this time?

Walking up to the steps, the priest on duty, after saluting, stepped forward and reported that the priest had just left the worship hall and returned to his residence.I hesitated for a moment, then turned around and entered the worship hall.

The interior of the hall is very large, and it is more profound and mysterious because the end is buried in darkness, but the layout is not much different from ordinary shrines.

On the altar in the middle, there are various instruments and sacrificial utensils layer by layer, and the shrine on the top floor enshrines the statues of gods that the people of Tsukimi have believed in for more than a thousand years.Probably due to the age, the surface of the god statue has been damaged, and almost all the details are missing. In addition, the light is dim, let alone his face can be seen clearly.However, the name of this enshrined deity was not recorded in Tsukimi's classics, and modern priests only refer to him as "Tsukiyomi God". (Note)

The twilight light from the ever-burning lamps on both sides of the altar is still, shining through the hazy paper lamps, blending with the crimson light that spills into the room through the gap of the screen, casting long shadows on the screen and lamps.

This is a scene I have long seen, but today my eyes were once again attracted by a sacrificial utensil displayed on the altar.

It was placed by the chief priest, cast by himself, condensed with spiritual power, and used to guard the mezzanine world.

On the left is a piece of unremarkable talisman paper, with spell characters drawn in vermilion in the center.This should be the medium used by Ma Cang to set up the enchantment.

It is said that the Ma Cang brothers have shown extraordinary talent in spiritual abilities since they were young, and they also obtained the qualification of priests when they were young, which is also rare among the descendants of the Yuwu family.Each sorcerer is good at different fields, and the sorcerer who is at the top of the five in terms of incantations is undoubtedly Ma Canghao.Although his arrogant eyes make people uncomfortable, but I must admit that his strength as a priest is indeed unfathomable.

The thing on the right was a bit weird when I first saw it. It was a small wooden doll.On the delicately drawn and realistic face, the black eyes stared at the empty hall, and the long black hair was scattered on the plain kimono.Beautiful but empty, and can't feel any spiritual cohesion.I was curious about the purpose of this thing, and then someone explained that "the Hina doll is originally a container of nothingness inside".

Hina dolls used as sacrificial objects originated from "human form".Beautifully crafted and gorgeously dressed human figures were originally toys for girls, but skilled craftsmen endowed the inanimate existence with a "body".They are so similar to human beings that they are used by warlocks as substitutes for "human beings" in various ceremonies to bear various disasters and bad luck for human beings, so they are also called "Zhi".However, the technique of making and using "Zhi" is quite difficult and remote, and only a few artisans in Japan have mastered it.Because that is a very dangerous spell.

It is said that the better the dolls are made, the closer they are to humans. This does not refer to the appearance, but to the characteristics of the doll as a "container".Because it is too human-like, but there is nothing inside, this is the deadliest attraction to the spirits floating in the illusion, making them desperately want to enter it, that kind of gravity is as irresistible as sweet poppies .Therefore, there is another existence in the originally empty container, which becomes the "body". (Note)

The human figure is more likely to attract disasters and evil spirits than anything else. The magician also uses this method to get rid of bad luck. "There will be wanton destruction, leading to tragedy.

This doll is a sacrificial object to appease the restless soul after being sealed off by the surgeon, and the surgeon is the good twin brother Asakura leaf.

When I found out that he was a puppeteer, I was surprised at first, but after thinking about it carefully, it might be very suitable for him.

The young man with such a soft and windy smile and warm but quiet amber eyes focused on sculpting, slowly making a delicate and elegant human figure, and then poured his strength into purifying Linge.Using his ability to explain that the problem can be solved in a faster and tougher way, but he chooses this extremely troublesome way to fulfill his mission is indeed something he can do.

Before the fall of Ma Cangye, "dark sacrifices" using human sacrifices were also held, but the frequency was far less frequent than it is now.The practice of involving people other than priests has always been questioned. At that time, some priests, including Ye, voiced their opposition.But if it is impossible to suppress the vibration of the spiritual way, no matter how many people object to it, it will be ineffective.So the young man proposed to replace the real person with "Zhi". Although the process was very hard, it was successful anyway.

Being able to do this is enough to prove that he is also a very capable performer.It is said that he has also practiced swordsmanship, and it is already difficult to find an opponent who can match him in Yuejian.

I doubt the credibility of these rumors.Exaggeration and belittling are sometimes formed intentionally or unintentionally, and then rumors will become more and more out of touch with reality.

If he is really that good, why did that happen four years ago?

Because there were no traces of fighting left at the scene, and the teenager had no external injuries, that incident has been questioned by many people so far.If you think about it this way, it can explain the reason why the guards outside the side hall are so tight.

What kind of accident happened to the young man is still a mystery after several years.If it wasn't for that incident, perhaps Yuejian would be completely different now...

Today, the moment I saw this doll, I felt a subtle feeling in my heart.There are invisible things slowly condensing in the void. Although I can't be sure what it is, I have a hunch that something is about to happen.It's not just Yuejian's people who are affected by this thread of destiny that is running in the dark.

★★★

On the day of the Siyue Festival, the entire Yuejian was immersed in a noisy and lively atmosphere.More than half of the townspeople gathered in the shrine to participate in the ceremony, and the mountain road outside the shrine was also crowded with people passing by.

The priests of the five families preside over the ritual in the imperial garden of the shrine, and the climax of the festival is at night.When the bright moon is in the sky, the ceremony of worshiping the moon and reading the gods will officially begin.Before that, we, the priests of the Asakura family who do not need to attend the ceremony, can have a period of rest.

However, before noon, I received a message from a subordinate priest who came in a hurry:

"Master Anna, the priest please come to Tsukiyomi Shrine immediately."

I was secretly surprised.It is very rare for Ma Cang to send someone to call me urgently like this, especially when it is so busy.

At midnight yesterday, the customary dark festival was held at the Tsukiyomi Shrine, and it was almost time to end by now.Did something happen during the ceremony?

When I hurried to Tsukiyomi Shrine, the dark festival was over, and I was taken by the guide to the side hall next to the imperial garden.In the past, it was only used as a preparation and rest room for ceremonies, but today it is full of people.

Among the priests of the five families wearing black cassocks, I immediately noticed the young man in the red kimono, his blood-scorching eyes exaggerated his inherent fierce aura to the extreme.Although he couldn't see the expression under the mask, he could clearly feel that the atmosphere in the room was extremely dignified.

There were mixed whispers in the crowd, and some people glanced at the corner of the room from time to time.Following their gaze, they found a person lying at the feet of the subordinate priest on the right, who seemed to be a young man from the figure.

wait...that hair color...

No way…!

But this kind of light brown shattered hair and translucent white skin... there is probably no one else but him.

Nishikujo Masumi?How could he be in such a place? !

Just when I felt my scalp go numb, Ma Canghao's voice came over, cold and clear:

"Someone broke into the forbidden area during today's ceremony. Anna, I will leave this matter to you to investigate and handle it properly."

"…Yes."

Feeling that not only Ma Canghao, but also the representatives of the other four families focused their attention, my nerves tensed up a bit, and I quickly suppressed what I wanted to ask.

"It's less than half a year away from the 'Eclipse'. Now is a very critical time, so this matter must be treated with caution, and the inspection teams of the four families will also assist you."

"Yes."

The eyes that glanced over from the side were flickering. Of course, their thoughts were not as simple as "assisting".If it is handled according to the usual practice, the fate of this kind of trespasser will only be one.I think I have probably understood the significance of Asakura's explanation.

Note: Tsukuyomi God, the legendary god born from the right eye of the father god Izanaki Ming, was appointed to be in charge of the "Kingdom of Night", also known as the Moon God.The gods mentioned in this story are not equivalent to the "Tsukiyomi God" in the myth, but only because of the special environment of Tsukimi, they are so respected by people. In fact, it is a unified name for the many gods in charge of the Kingdom of the Night.

Note: body, the evil spirit enters the human form to obtain a body and becomes a non-human thing that can move.They retain the evil thoughts of being spirits, and possess the instinct of destroying and absorbing souls to survive. They are very dangerous monsters.