Chapter 436

After the lead shrine maiden respectfully bowed her head and bid farewell to Yae Miko, she left alone along the path she had come.

Only the pink-haired fox stood outside the hall, gazing at the main hall, which was far from grand and paled in comparison to the Tenshukaku.

However, it had a unique flavor belonging to Watatsumi Island.

"I don't know if that guy is inside, but whatever, since I'm already here, I might as well talk about the merger issue."

Muttering to herself, Yae Miko swayed her slender waist and stepped into the main hall of Sangonomiya with measured steps.

In the quiet hall, footsteps gradually echoed.

When she finally reached the center, in front of the huge coral backdrop on the slightly elevated platform, a man and a woman seemed to be whispering something.

It wasn't until she saw Yae Miko's figure that Sangonomiya Kokomi stopped trying to demand an explanation from Father and stood up to show respect to the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine.

"I was wondering which envoy had the qualifications to represent Raiden Shogun-sama; so it is Yae Guuji-sama of the Grand Narukami Shrine who has graced us with her presence."

In terms of rank, the two were perfectly matched.

One was a familiar who worshipped the Electro Archon, while the other was the living shrine maiden of Orobashi.

However, facing Kokomi's friendly greeting, Yae Miko's gaze first fell on the young man beside her.

Before meeting, Miko had thought of various scenarios, but when they truly met, the joy and palpitations in her heart slowly calmed down.

Kokomi found it a bit strange; weren't they here to negotiate? Why were they silent upon arrival?

She discovered that the other party's gaze was fixed on Father, and after a moment of daze, thinking of Mikoshi Chiyo and Asase Hibiki, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned to look.

She saw a look of astonishment appear on Father's face.

"That Traveler was right after all; Hearing Luo Li-dono, I have finally found you."

Staring at Miko, whose expression changed from joy and attachment to a trace of resentment, Hearing Luo Li was speechless for a moment.

He had truly thought it was an envoy sent by Raiden Ei, never expecting it to be Yae Miko.

And looking at her, it seemed she had come specifically for him.

As thoughts raced through his mind, he spoke slowly with a sigh: "Five hundred years without seeing you, the little thing from back then has already grown into a beautiful young girl."

Yae Miko didn't mind the term "little thing"; back then, she was still a naive and ignorant little fox who liked to lie on his shoulder to rest, occasionally going to the Hyakki Yagyo to argue with Urakusai.

Thinking about it carefully, there were so many memories, even if they weren't as profound as those with Raiden Ei and Kitsune Saiguu.

But Miko's longing for Hearing Luo Li was no less.

Lying on his chest to sleep, having her fluffy tail combed by him.

Later, when she took human form, she would fall into a dream while listening to many myths and monster stories in his arms.

If Saiguu was the strict mother who gave her life and wisdom, then Hearing Luo Li was the loving father who broadened her horizons, extended her interests, and looked toward the future.

The two treated her in completely different ways.

"Hearing Luo Li-dono hasn't changed at all." Yae Miko said with unceremonious sarcasm: "Just as unrestrained and transcendent, leaving without a word, leaving us to grieve, and even when you returned, you didn't reveal a single bit of news."

Hearing Luo Li chuckled: "The little thing has a sharp tongue, and now she's using it on me."

"I wouldn't dare. As for Hearing Luo Li-dono's decisions, how would a mere little fox like me dare to comment? I'm just feeling resentful seeing the Matriarch sighing day and night."

Pretending to be respectful, she indicated her status was humble and she dared not blame the noble Lord, but her words were not as merciful as her demeanor.

Hearing Luo Li shook his head slightly; the little fox from back then was not so easy to fool now.

"Come here."

Yae Miko glanced at him and acted as if she hadn't heard, still standing in place, unmoved.

Her narrow fox eyes shifted slightly, flashing with a glimmer of light that hadn't forgiven him yet.

In front of others, she was the mysterious Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, the most powerful editor of the Yae Publishing House, a bad fox who toyed with people's hearts, and a very excellent shrine maiden.

However, in front of Hearing Luo Li, she was still just that little thing who liked to whine.

"What kind of tantrum are you throwing?"

Hearing Luo Li rubbed his brow; puberty had arrived, and she was being rebellious, was she?

Yae Miko actually couldn't figure out her own inner thoughts for a moment.

She really wanted to get close to him, just like five hundred years ago, quietly shrinking beside him to listen to those mysterious and strange mythological stories.

But her heart resisted this scene because she hadn't forgiven him yet.

She needed a reasonable explanation; otherwise, it wouldn't be so easy to get her forgiveness.

"No, there is a difference in status between me and you, Lord; I dare not be in the same place."

"……"

The obviously rebellious line left Hearing Luo Li speechless; without asking for her opinion, he directly changed the phase and forcibly transferred her to the high platform.

Coming to his side, Yae Miko didn't shout to leave, just stayed silent, not knowing what she was thinking.

Hearing Luo Li took the initiative to hold her hand and pull her to sit beside him.

"How did you find me?"

He urgently wanted to know the reason, and whether Raiden Ei also knew he was here.

Only then could he adjust his plan.

Yae Miko gave a light hum and did not answer.

Her slightly tall figure knelt beside him, and her bold attire made Hearing Luo Li click his tongue.

The curve on the side could be seen clearly; this person, whether intentionally or unintentionally, deliberately turned her body to face him with her side, holding her arm with one hand, exposing all the fairness beside her shrine maiden robe.

Hearing Luo Li: "……"

He suspected this person was doing it on purpose, but he had no evidence.