Chapter 705

"Not entirely sure, but I suppose so."

Hattori Heiji was saying this offhandedly when suddenly, a folding screen directly facing the door was pulled open, revealing a short, elderly woman dressed in ornate clothing with heavy makeup on her face.

Upon seeing the old woman appear, some people around whispered things like, "It's the Longevity Hag," and "The Longevity Hag has come out."

Everyone took out their numbered tags, waiting for the drawing to begin.

Inside the room, the Longevity Hag beckoned to the side, and a shrine maiden serving nearby immediately handed over a stick with the tip wrapped in oilcloth.

The Longevity Hag took the stick and, using it for support, shuffled forward step by step, slowly walking out onto the wooden floor outside the room.

She first thrust the supporting stick into the fire of the altar ahead to ignite it, then extended the stick toward the paper door beside her; immediately, flames appeared on the paper door, quickly burning out a number.

Three.

Following the appearance of the first number, the Longevity Hag extended the burning stick to two other paper doors, and the flames successively burned out the numbers "one hundred seven" and "eighteen."