Chapter 65: Young Yae! Waking up to find an extra daughter!

In the end, Luo Li waited until the yokai had gradually dispersed before preparing to take the little fox and his two young disciples back to the Grand Narukami Shrine.

At this late hour of the night, the shrine maidens had all retired to rest.

The entire Grand Shrine was exceptionally quiet; looking from the peak of Mount Yougou toward Inazuma City, one could see only a few scattered lights flickering.

"Master, why did Saigu ask you to look after the Grand Shrine? Will it be like this from now on?"

On the way back to the Grand Shrine, Mitsuyo had heard Luo Li mention that he would be stationed there permanently. Although pleasantly surprised, she was also curious about the reason.

"If it's like this from now on, wouldn't you be happy?"

"Hehe, that is true, I suppose."

Upon hearing the news, she even selectively forgot about the two months he had spent missing without a trace. Mitsuyo was single-mindedly thinking about how to explain to her mother why she would be living at the Grand Shrine from now on.

Since she finally had another opportunity to see him, she couldn't give up this perfect chance for "usurping the master" just because of modesty.

"Alright, it's already very late today, you two go to sleep quickly."

After urging the two young girls to hurry off to rest, Luo Li led the little fox alone to Kitsune Saigu's living quarters.

Unlike its exterior, Saigu's resting place was extremely simple.

Aside from numerous necessary ritual implements and sacred objects, one could not find a single gaudy or flashy item.

However, unlike the two obedient disciples, little Yae became spirited again upon returning to the Grand Shrine, the disappointment of being thwarted moments ago swept away completely.

It hopped and skipped, curiously peeking into the room where Saigu lived, tinkering with things from time to time, though it dared not cause any damage.

It wasn't until it ran to the very center where something was being worshipped that it jumped onto the table, tilting its head as it looked at the placed *gohei*.

Suddenly, a certain scent that was extremely attractive to it drifted over from the front.

Luo Li paid no mind to the little thing running around, instead walking over to Saigu's sleeping area to lie down, intending to rest.

On the other side, little Yae arrived at the place that had attracted it; located in front of the *gohei* were some brightly colored medicinal herbs and pill-like objects.

Glancing back at Luo Li, it quietly ate everything that looked delicious.

After a while, the little thing suddenly felt a bit sleepy.

Taking advantage of the fact that it was still conscious, it jumped back to Luo Li's side, feeling light-headed, and curled into a ball on his chest, falling into a deep sleep.

…………

Inazuma City! Tenshukaku!

Unlike the slumbering populace, Raiden Makoto, as the Sovereign of Narukami, stood at the top of the pavilion, gazing at Celestia quietly floating in the sky.

Just moments ago, she had once again received a revelation from Celestia.

Through the connection of the Gnosis, a decree originating from the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had been issued.

It did not require her to take action just yet, but it wouldn't be long before a major event occurred.

Raising her hand, she stared for a long time at the "Gnosis" floating in her palm like a chess piece, and Makoto sighed.

"The treasure fought for by breaking through heavy encirclements now seems to be nothing more than shackles binding the body."

"The storm is coming, and the shackles are hard to break..."

When her gaze unintentionally shifted to Mount Yougou, that originally lonely and beautiful face became bright once again.

"But that fellow is really something; having said such things, how can I refuse?"

The whispering Makoto formed a faint smile, though it was unclear whether she was referring to the matter of Celestia or something else.

Scanning the beautiful Inazuma with lingering affection, she loved her country dearly; in the past, she would tirelessly recount the local customs and traditions to Ei.

Later, Luo Li came, and then Saigu, and day after day, the audience slowly grew.

And this emotion, settled by the passage of time, could no longer be severed.

"What is it? Are you here alone, feeling sentimental about the spring and autumn?"

The voice that suddenly rang out from behind made Makoto turn around.

Shaking the Cherry Blossom wine in her hand, Kitsune Saigu said with a smile: "If there's anything unhappy, tell me so I can be happy too. No matter what, having a listener is better than being all alone."

"No need, I am no longer alone."

Catching a glimpse of Makoto's cheerful expression, which did not seem like a lie, Kitsune Saigu was slightly taken aback.

"You really have changed quite a bit."

"Everyone is the same."

The two looked at each other, both understanding the meaning in the other's words.

Kitsune Saigu spat and said plaintively: "Then it seems I was being overly sentimental by coming up here."

"No, I just happened to want a drink; you came at the perfect time."

Sitting elegantly at the top of the pavilion, Makoto signaled for her to hurry over: "I haven't seen the sunrise of Inazuma in a long time; keep me company today."

"Is this a request?"

"If you think it is, then it is."

Atop Tenshukaku, the two who had known each other for countless years could not help but laugh at the same time.

…………

Several hours passed, and as the morning sun pierced through the sea of clouds, the morning light shone upon Mount Yougou.

Grand Narukami Shrine!

Waking from a hazy sleep, Luo Li suddenly felt that something was wrong.

Before falling asleep the previous night, he had seen the little fox crawl onto his chest to sleep soundly.

But what was this weight currently coming from his body?

He opened his eyes in confusion, and the next moment, the face of a tender and green young girl was reflected in his pupils.

"???"

Luo Li was somewhat stunned; how did he wake up to find an extra young girl in his arms?

He saw the young girl with her eyes closed, curled into a ball, her messy, wrinkled pink hair spread out. Resting on her head was a pair of pink ears that had almost blended into her pink hair; if one didn't look carefully, one really wouldn't notice them.

"Is this... little Yae?"

After a brief moment of bewilderment, Luo Li realized.

If it were a stranger, it would have been impossible not to trigger his instinctive vigilance.

"But why did she suddenly transform after one night?"

This point caught him off guard.

Crucially, he hadn't heard Kitsune Saigu say that Yae had recently entered a critical phase.

Regardless of how many questions he had, it was already an established fact, and Luo Li didn't dwell on it.

He casually took off his fine robes to wrap up the little girl Yae; after all, the fox form had fur to cover her, but as for now...

Looking at the little girl still sleeping, Luo Li inexplicably had the illusion of having gained a daughter overnight.

Judging by her appearance, she was about seven or eight years old, her features like carved jade, her brows and eyes not yet fully grown.

Even so, she exuded a cuteness that could make anyone love her.

Observing carefully, one could faintly see a trace of the future Yae Miko's charm.

"Better send her back to Saigu."

Perhaps the movement of getting up was too large, startling the young Yae awake.

She rubbed the corners of her eyes, covered her mouth to let out a small yawn, and only then slowly opened her slightly reddish eyes.

Her movements paused, and Luo Li lowered his head: "Uh... good morning, little Yae?!" ===== CHAPTER 67 =====