Chapter 64: The Youkai Appear, Tokyo Faces Calamity After Calamity

Just from the scene before his eyes, Director Takahashi believed that the abbots and shrine priests present, even if not supernatural themselves, were at least somewhat connected to the supernatural; in any case, they were inseparable from it.

Instantly.

Director Takahashi rose once more and bowed ninety degrees in apology.

Since they intended to woo the supernatural, their attitude had to be correct; sincerity was inevitable.

Seeing this, Ashimura Xia Mei's expression softened; she turned to look at Ashimura Kenji beside her and broke into a radiant smile.

That smile made Ashimura Kenji's heart ache.

Alas, he could never explain it again; Xia Mei's obsession with Shinto was now unbreakable.

The actions of the abbots and shrine priests were not only seen by Director Takahashi but by everyone present, including Ashimura Xia Mei and the younger generation.

Let alone Ashimura Xia Mei, who was obsessed with Shinto and further confirmed Shinto's supernatural nature, even the other members of the younger generation were stunned, their hearts pounding with doubt.

What is going on?

Abbots, shrine priests, what are you doing? Why do you have such an accepting attitude? Director Takahashi was asking if you possess the supernatural; does this attitude mean you are admitting it? Could it be...

Our temples and shrines truly possess the supernatural?!

It can't be real, can it? If it weren't, why wouldn't they deny it and instead act so accepting?

The younger generation was shocked, bewildered, and terrified.

In fact, after the existence of youkai was confirmed, these people, who had always disliked temples and shrines and only viewed inheriting the roles of abbot or shrine priest as a future job, had long harbored doubts; they speculated that if youkai existed, then perhaps the supernatural and gods existed as well.

Now it seemed that in nine out of ten cases, they did exist.

They couldn't help but feel deep regret, sensing they had lost a great opportunity.

Why, if temples and shrines possess the supernatural, did the abbots and shrine priests not tell them?

Could it be because they usually did not practice diligently in meditation, chanting sutras, or praying to the gods, so the abbots and shrine priests did not want to reveal the truth, and thus did not pass down the supernatural Buddhist arts or spells to them...

The more they thought about it, the more likely it seemed; their intestines were almost twisted with regret.

The next second.

It seemed they thought of something.

Their gazes fell upon Ashimura Xia Mei.

Just moments ago, Ashimura Xia Mei had fiercely confronted Director Takahashi; the scene was vivid in their minds.

Their bodies suddenly shuddered, and they realized the truth.

That was it; Ashimura Xia Mei must have come into contact with supernatural Shinto arts, otherwise she would never have dared to confront Director Takahashi.

As fellow professionals and members of the younger generation, they had naturally exchanged words before; they recalled that when Ashimura Xia Mei spoke with them, she often talked about Shinto matters, which clearly indicated she knew something about Shinto.

One must understand that a young person would not naturally like such archaic things as Shinto.

Only someone who knew of Shinto's supernatural nature would like it.

"Everyone."

After apologizing, Director Takahashi did not rush to discuss matters of family, nation, or the supernatural; instead, he prepared to move on to the other main topic for which he had invited them today.

Inquiring about the youkai passage.

It has already been confirmed that youkai and humans had interactions in ancient times, but why the youkai severed their connection with the human world and all went to the Supernatural world remains unknown.

According to the advisory group formed by the government, composed of Professor Gutian and other youkai scholars, scientists, and data analysts, they speculate that the severing of the connection between youkai and humans must have been caused by some event.

Seeing that Director Takahashi had something to say, everyone present immediately tensed up.

To be honest, their earlier act of mystery was purely to bluff their way through.

Originally, they thought that once Director Takahashi received confirmation of the supernatural, the secret meeting would end, because he had previously stated it was merely a simple inquiry; now that he again seemed to have something to say, it made everyone nervous.

Could it be that Director Takahashi is about to propose some form of supernatural cooperation?

Or perhaps he wants us to provide some information on the supernatural?

If that is truly the case, we are doomed; setting aside supernatural cooperation, even if he just asks for supernatural information, such as supernatural Daoist arts, we certainly cannot provide it.

The lie cannot possibly be breaking right at the start, can it?

Just as their spirits were extremely tense, on the verge of collapsing their image and demeanor as Gao Seng and masters.

Ding-ling~

A mobile phone rang.

"Hmm?"

Director Takahashi took the phone from his pocket and looked closely; it was not a private call, but a call from the Emergency Response Supernatural Department, made using the most urgent phone number.

"Excuse me, I must take this call."

Looking at this phone number, Director Takahashi frowned and could only rise to go to the restroom to take the call.

Seeing Director Takahashi go to the restroom, taking advantage of the gap while he was on the phone, everyone present quickly exchanged glances.

The old Monk from the Asakusa Temple looked at Ashimura Kenji and the others.

What should we do? How should we respond next?

"What did you say!!!"

A loud shout frightened everyone.

The old Monk from the temple almost stumbled, falling from the sofa to the floor in fright.

In an instant.

All gazes converged toward the restroom; the loud shout had come from there, emitted by Director Takahashi.

At that very moment, the restroom door swung open violently.

Director Takahashi rushed out and said without hesitation.

"Something has happened! Youkai have come out from the Supernatural world!!"

Shua!

Pupils constricted to needle points; everyone stood up in unison, expressions suddenly shifting, horror raising goosebumps.

Hey, hey, Director Takahashi, don't joke around; monsters have run out?

Director Takahashi strode over quickly, face solemn.

"Sorry, let's end the talk for today. The office just called; monsters have appeared in the Arakawa District. Monsters have killed many people. The military is already engaging the monsters in firefights. I must rush to the scene. Everyone..."

He wanted to ask if anyone among everyone could help, but in the end, he did not say it.

No way; he could not say it.

Just minutes ago, he learned everyone possessed the supernatural; now asking others for help would make the supernatural view the government too poorly. Crucially, he had already misspoken...

At this moment.

Everyone paid no attention to Director Takahashi's pause; their full attention was on the words "monsters have appeared and killed many people."

Mouths opened; instinctively, hearts felt like they were jumping to the throat, bodies ice-cold.

Is it really this ominous...

We pretended to be supernatural for only minutes, and monsters appeared; that's too coincidental.

Is the King of Hell coming to claim their lives? Or does the world truly have gods, and because they pretended to be gods and ghosts, they angered the gods, who sent monsters to punish them?

It could be seen that the old Monk Terumi clasped both hands, still bearing a solemn and majestic countenance with a calm expression, but the two legs shrouded within the kasaya trembled like a sieve.

The others were much the same.

One by one, outwardly calm as water, inwardly panicked to death.

At this same time, they noticed Director Takahashi's speech had paused; immediately startled, they instantly understood what Director Takahashi's final words had intended to say.

My heavens; Director Takahashi does not intend to ask us to exorcise demons...

They prayed in their hearts: Please do not speak! Please do not speak! If we go to exorcise demons, it is not exorcising demons; it is feeding demons, filling the mouths of demons.

"Director Takahashi, I will go with you. Monsters are not something ordinary people can deal with. Although my spiritual power is meager, I am at least a member of the Divine Path; dealing with monsters is my duty."

Unexpected.

Xia Mei stepped forward, voluntarily offering help.

On her delicate face, determination was written; deep within those clear eyes, a trace of barely restrained excitement and agitation could faintly be seen, flashing and vanishing instantly.