Chapter 74: Luo Qianqiu

Indeks stared at the character 【chicken】 with shining eyes.

Chicken cutlet burger was one of her favorite foods.

Or rather, she loved any dish made with chicken.

Then, Indeks rattled off over a dozen chicken dishes, and as she spoke, unbidden tears nearly spilled from the corners of her mouth.

Star Traveler: “Come to think of it, is this the first member we added whose name is this bizarre?”

Star Traveler: "Previously, the most intimidating name was Drag, but even that wasn't this strange—it had at least a kind of unconventional aura of dominance?"

Chicken-Cutting Sword Immortal?

Lumina regarded this title with a strange expression; she was among the few who could grasp its deeper implication.

Could it be…

Did some poor soul’s 【chicken】 get sliced by a Sword Immortal?

And then, that ruthless Sword Immortal who cut chickens just happened to be invited to the chat group at that moment?

Paper Angel: “Has the group owner figured out who this person is?”

Even Konan, who had been quietly lurking all along, couldn’t help being pulled out of her silence.

Comprehensive Manga Big Female Lead: “The only name even close to this bizarre is 【Moonlit Bird Strolling】, but Zhang Chulan doesn’t even practice swordplay?”

Chicken-Cutting Sword Saint?

Someone with such a bizarre title must be from some comedy drama—but Luo Qianqiu racked her brain and still couldn’t recall anything like it.

Temporarily pulling her attention away from the chat group, Luo Qianqiu began deep in thought—and only then noticed the flaws in the shrine maiden’s movements before her. How could she not criticize?

“Yukinori! Your expression must be natural!”

“Natural doesn’t mean smiling. How can Itachi be a proper shrine maiden if your Kagura dance is this stiff?”

Luo Qianqiu stepped forward, scolding aloud, yet her face beamed as she personally began correcting the girl’s form.

“My Lord Qianqiu, Yukinori has only just joined the Qianqiu Shrine—please take it slow.”

As Luo Qianqiu’s hands moved up and down, turning the icy beauty Yukinori into a blushing mess, Yotsuya Mieko, watching from the side, quietly exhaled in relief—and then gleefully offered advice.

She had joined the Qianqiu Shrine earlier and was the first to be trained and molded by the shrine’s master; now, seeing someone else share the burden…

Hehehe~

“My shrine is so large, yet we have so few shrine maidens—we must press on!”

After carefully training little Yukinori, Luo Qianqiu returned to her shrine master’s seat, watching the shrine maidens perform the Kagura dance, her mind already turning again.

“Mieko.”

“Yes, My Lord Qianqiu!”

Luo Qianqiu’s sudden voice startled Yotsuya Mieko.

Though My Lord Qianqiu now seemed gentle and fond of teasing young beauties…

Yotsuya Mieko had never forgotten how, back then, the fearsome fox god had been crushed like rotten wood and then seized and refined by My Lord Qianqiu!

“How’s your best friend, Momoyama Hana, coming along?”

Luo Qianqiu smiled faintly as she spoke words that made Yotsuya Mieko’s forehead break into sweat: “If she still won’t come here to perform Kagura for me, next time a malevolent spirit uses her as a barbecue grill, I’ll have to give it serious thought.”

This was no joke—Momoyama Hana’s body was uniquely endowed, her vitality unnaturally robust, even capable of replenishing it through eating.

Though bound by rules, malevolent spirits couldn’t swallow her whole, they still ended up as unfortunate barbecue grills.

Occasionally, powerful malevolent spirits would drag lesser spirits over the fire for a quick roast.

Though she held great affection for Momoyama Hana—for her figure, her beauty, her personality—

But what was Luo Qianqiu’s standing?

Even the mightiest conglomerates had to bow respectfully and offer lavish gifts to beg for her aid.

National agencies from every country sent greetings during holidays.

If Momoyama Hana refused even to become her shrine maiden and perform a few Kagura dances, why should she lift a finger for her?

“My Lord Qianqiu, rest assured—Hana has completed her school leave procedures and will arrive soon!”

Recalling her own thunderous, unlucky best friend, Yotsuya Mieko resolved: she must get her up the mountain first.

“My Lord Qianqiu, could my sister, Yukinori Yōno, join our shrine as a shrine maiden?”

After finishing her dance, Yukinori Yukinori, still catching her breath, asked hopefully upon hearing the conversation between the shrine master and her senior.

Though the Qianqiu Shrine was newly built, its reputation rang across the entire world.

Haven’t Itachi seen how respectfully the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Meiji Shrine, and Nikkō Tōshō-gū have come to pay their respects?

Moreover, just days ago, Yukinori Yukinori—possessed by a cat spirit and nearly devoured by a demonic soul—after learning the full scope of the world’s situation, now worshipped the shrine master with boundless reverence.

My Lord Qianqiu was the very anchor of this world.

To become a shrine maiden here was a blessing earned over three lifetimes.

“Yukinori Yōno…?”

Luo Qianqiu paused, hesitating.

Frankly, Yukinori Yōno had some talent—but compared to Yukinori, Mieko, and Momoyama Hana, she fell far short.

Besides, the three current shrine maiden trainees at Qianqiu Shrine, though not matching Kikyo, were all of top-tier purity, kindness, and spiritual aptitude.

Would letting Yukinori Yōno join really not lower the standard of her shrine maiden group?

“Your sister’s talent is still lacking.”

In the end, Luo Qianqiu shook her head—but seeing Yukinori Yukinori’s eyes dim, she gently ruffled her hair, adding: “If Itachi bring her in now, when Itachi all begin cultivation, she’ll be crushed and her Dao-heart shattered. That wouldn’t be good.”

“Wait until I’ve gathered my first group of nine shrine maidens—then your sister can come to train.”

A great sect can’t consist only of elite core disciples.

Someone like Yukinori Yōno, with average talent, could still strive to become a solid mid-tier pillar.

“Thank Itachi, My Lord Qianqiu!”

Upon receiving this affirmation—and then the head-ruffle—Yukinori Yukinori beamed with genuine joy.

“Whoa! That smile from little Yukinori—perfect!”

Luo Qianqiu, watching Yukinori’s smile—like an ice mountain cracking beneath a spring breeze—inhaled sharply, then ruffled the little cat’s head again.

“My Lord Qianqiu!”

The girl, easily flustered, blushed—Luo Qianqiu smoothly shifted topics: “How’s the investigation on Shiina Mahiru going?”

Luo Qianqiu certainly wouldn’t let that so-called “neighborhood angel,” Shiina Mahiru, be snatched away by that neighboring yellow-haired brat.

Such an angelic girl—how could she not follow her to save the world?