Chapter 9

Somewhere!

In the secluded valley where the stream flows.

The Tengu land isolated from the world should have been quiet and peaceful.

But with several galloping thunder arrows breaking through the sky, feathers struggling to drift in the sky.

The birds in the forest fled in panic, but were caught in one net by the six thunder lights that swung open.

In an instant, the lively valley returned to silence.

Watching the heroic Tengu girl who continues to draw her bow and set arrows, surprisingly shooting seven arrows at the same time again, the thunder light covering it makes the air smell burnt, Asase Hibiki cannot help but cast an envious look.

"So... so amazing!"

In terms of archery alone, hitting the target every time is already a rare sharpshooter, not to mention shooting seven arrows at the same time without aiming.

Even looking at the seven countries, such a person is hard to find.

Luo Li, standing beside Asase Hibiki, sees her longing and laughs: "Want to learn? I'll teach you."

"Can I?"

The little shrine maiden is not confident, feeling that she cannot do as well as Mitsuyo.

She cannot even recognize some ordinary spells in the Shrine, and occasionally sends the wrong fortune slips. If she practices archery, will she not learn it for a long time?

"It's very simple. If you want to learn, remember to call me to get up every day." Without any guilt for using child labor, Luo Li orders naturally.

Originally he wanted to tease her by saying "warm the bed every day," but considering the little shrine maiden's thin skin, he had to give up regretfully.

"Well, I know!"

Staring at the Tengu girl with bright eyes, Asase Hibiki makes up her mind. Even if she cannot do as well as Mitsuyo, she must practice to be outstanding.

Unlike the little shrine maiden, looking at Mitsuyo's heroic posture, Luo Li gradually overlaps her with the little Qilin who also taught archery in Liyue.

"I don't know if that little girl who liked to cry and cry has succeeded in losing weight now."

Recalling the well-behaved Qilin little girl who often hammered his shoulders and legs for him, Luo Li cannot help but hook a curve at the corner of his mouth.

"Counting the time, it's almost that day."

The immersed thoughts are finally interrupted by the sharp sound of breaking through the air echoing in the valley.

Luo Li comes back to his senses and finds that Mitsuyo is looking at him with expectant eyes.

He claps his hands to show approval: "It seems that the archery has indeed not been left behind, and it has improved compared to the past."

"The things Teacher gave, I won't lose them."

The pretty Tengu girl returns to his side, declaring proudly.

Luo Li nods, which can be seen from the long bow in her hand, with mottled old traces all over the bow body.

It is not broken, but the imprint of erosion brought by time after many years of use.

Despite this, the smooth and warm bow handle can also show that the owner must often play with it and carefully maintain it.

"This should be the graduation gift I gave you at the beginning, still keeping it?" Luo Li points to the old bow held in Mitsuyo's arms like some precious treasure and asks.

"Of course, this is the first gift Teacher gave me."

Gently wiping the bowstring just used, the fiery feelings hidden in Mitsuyo's eyes are obvious.

Luo Li is silent, coughs slightly, and changes the subject: "The test result is qualified, tell me, what do you want, Teacher will try his best to satisfy you."

Rolling her eyes, Mitsuyo bends her eyes mischievously: "Hmm, haven't thought about it yet, let Teacher owe it first."

Not knowing what this girl is planning, Luo Li has to agree. He cannot go back on the promise he made.

The satisfied Tengu girl giggles, happy that she successfully won a condition.

Being able to get a promise from Teacher's mouth is more surprising than getting legendary treasures.

"Oh my, it's so late."

Immersed in the joy of seeing Teacher again, Mitsuyo looks at the starry night sky that appeared unconsciously, quite frustrated.

She was thinking of walking around with Teacher after testing archery and chatting about the interesting things over the years, but there was not enough time.

Clearly, she usually feels that a day is like a year, why did today pass in the blink of an eye.

"It's all Mother's fault for chatting for so long." Mitsuyo, who forgot her mother after having a teacher, pouts and complains.

Gently knocking on the girl's head, Luo Li says angrily: "Alright, I have been living in the Shrine during this period, if you want to see me, you can go anytime."

Sticking out her tongue playfully, Mitsuyo jumps a few steps away and says understandingly.

"Then I will go to Teacher tomorrow, it's getting late, Teacher should take Hibiki back quickly!"

After speaking, she raises her pitch-black wings, waves her hand, and takes the initiative to turn into a stream of light and shoot into the sky.

Watching the disciple go away, Luo Li takes Asase Hibiki's little hand.

"We should go back too."

Under the starry night.

Two figures, one big and one small, walk leisurely along the ancient stairs towards the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Taking advantage of Luo Li not paying attention, Asase Hibiki looks back at the mysterious forest gradually shrouded in shadows.

Today's encounter is more bizarre and miraculous than the sum of her previous ten years. Thinking that she will also step into the realm of non-humans, the expectation in her heart arises spontaneously.

Until returning to the Shrine, Asase Hibiki locks herself in her small room, burying her head in writing letters to her hometown every day.

"...Mother, I will start to be Lord Luo Li's apprentice tomorrow."

"People here are very good... it's just that the monsters are not quite the same as what the shrine maiden sister in the village said."

"I will study hard, and then go back to inherit Asase Shrine."

Writing the last word, Asase Hibiki seals the letter, presses it, and climbs onto the small bed to lie down.

With a beautiful vision for the future, the little loli enters a sweet dream.

PS: Ask for flowers! Ask for evaluation tickets! If you big guys have any suggestions, you can comment! I will seriously refer to them!