Chapter 144: A National-Level Scandal

It was already the next day by the time Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai emerged from the Inner World.

Outside the shrine, the world remained a sheet of white; the snowflakes on the treetops and the ancient, solemn shrine complemented each other. The sun was nowhere to be seen, and along the mountain paths and ancient plank roads, several middle-aged shrine maidens in white robes and red hakama were sweeping the snow.

In the mountains, time loses its meaning; Uesugi Muneyuki felt dazed, as if the scenery around him hadn't changed at all, as if he had only been inside for a moment.

However, touching the scorching Sacral Chakra brand on his lower abdomen, Uesugi Muneyuki clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking that Senior Mai had indeed succeeded. She had imparted the entire set of Reproductive Chakra Secret Art to him, and through the method of Tantric Empowerment, Uesugi Muneyuki finally understood how to cultivate.

At the same time, the Sacral Chakra had already merged with the Dharma Body of the Aizen Wisdom King, forming a system of its own. Uesugi Muneyuki could now feel the absorbed Courage beginning to circulate along the Sacral Chakra, truly starting to integrate into his body.

Shirakawa Mai was also exhausted; the entire process of transmitting power and transplanting it was equivalent to losing a portion of her own strength, and both sides had to re-adapt to the new Spiritual Power Circuit. The whole process left her drenched in sweat, but seeing that Uesugi Muneyuki still had questions, she suppressed the urge to go take a bath and chatted with him for a few more moments.

"So, is the transplant complete?" Uesugi Muneyuki covered his lower abdomen; the Sacral Chakra brand was both painful and itchy. "I feel like it was too fast; we've actually only met twice until now."

"Heh, if we met a few more times, you and I would be at each other's throats," Senior Mai sighed. "How many more times do you want to encounter an attack?"

"Then, thank you." Although Uesugi Muneyuki knew this woman had other motives, he still thanked her sincerely.

After transplanting Senior Mai's Chakra, Uesugi Muneyuki needed some time to adapt because it wasn't his own Chakra, but one transplanted from her, which would cause a rejection reaction. Therefore, what Uesugi Muneyuki needed to do for the next period was to gradually fuse the Chakra and thoroughly adapt to and master this power.

And when that day came, both sides would begin Dual Cultivation.

Shirakawa Mai had made this point very clear: our Dual Cultivation is a matter of time, even in the foreseeable future.

"Uesugi-kun, since you've accepted my power, don't go out and date randomly anymore; stick to a few fixed ones," Senior Mai suddenly smiled meaningfully. "Otherwise, something will happen."

"Why?" Uesugi Muneyuki was puzzled; it seemed Senior Mai didn't care about his private life, as long as he maintained absolute loyalty to her regarding the Inner World.

"The Reproductive Chakra naturally binds to reproductive behavior; the energy within the Sacral Chakra will circulate automatically, and the energy in your body will disturb the other person's body..." Shirakawa Mai laughed wickedly, full of malice. "Once you get used to this flow, it's over; the brain and the nervous system of the whole body will no longer be able to leave you, Uesugi-kun..."

"Stop, stop!" Uesugi Muneyuki waved his hands, his expression a bit ugly. "This is too Slaaneshi; is this really the Aizen Wisdom King?"

"It's all Tantric, after all; for someone like you who has to enter the world often, this is just right!" Shirakawa Mai signaled that Uesugi Muneyuki could get lost; she wanted to take a bath alone.

Uesugi Muneyuki went out, and Shirakawa Mai returned to the shrine to take off her full set of shrine maiden robes, peeling the white silk stockings off her toes bit by bit, until a large expanse of pinkish-white reflection lit up the entire curtain.

That fair skin shimmered like white jade under the illumination of the white snow outside the window, and the enchanting curves rose high over her flat abdomen, displaying her perfect figure to the fullest.

She slowly submerged herself into the large wooden tub just like that.

Hot water spilled down, and the misty steam turned into white jade stained with the colors of the mortal world. The Chief Priestess of the Kanto Shrine Alliance tilted her head back, closing her eyes to enjoy this brief comfort.

So the Contract is concluded? At this moment, Shirakawa Mai finally put away the expression that everything was under her control, and a bit of shyness appeared between her brows. She lowered her head and laughed at her own recklessness: couldn't I have waited a little longer?

It really couldn't wait. Having finally caught a delicious newbie, if she didn't secure him early, would she just let her decades of prime youth be wasted like this? She had been lonely for too long, and other existences in the Inner World... were all very dangerous; she dared not gamble, nor did she want to.

The hot water obscured the bronze mirror nearby, covering it with a thin layer of water mist.

Shirakawa Mai reached out to wipe away the mist, and the mirror immediately reflected her slightly flushed, exquisite facial features.

*Hoo~*

Recalling her somewhat impulsive decision, Shirakawa Mai was also momentarily dazed.

She had delved too deeply into this play of senior-junior, master-disciple, predecessor-successor. Although this was a script she had produced, she knew very well what kind of person Uesugi Muneyuki was; he was calm and sharp, and if she didn't invest some real feelings, he would be able to sense it.

Shirakawa Mai stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

Let's try it.

Countless complexities and entanglements flashed through her dark, translucent eyes, but the die was cast, leaving her unable and unwilling to regret it.

She was not a particularly hesitant woman; when she felt her master wanted to seize her Dharma Image, she decisively arranged an accident and firmly counter-killed. She had made decisions for herself countless times; she didn't need others to remind her.

It was just that this decision was a little different.

Could she really succeed? Could she really become the next New God, 400 years after Nankobo Tenkai?

It doesn't matter!

Just like Konohanasakuya-hime, cherry blossoms rise and fall; a moment of brilliance is enough... I have fought for it, and if it fails, it is the will of heaven!

And besides... just as Shirakawa Mai was full of fighting spirit, the goddess senior suddenly noticed a detail.

A bright red brand remained at the location of the Sacral Chakra she had transplanted out.

Aizen Seal?

Oh no! Without the power of the Aizen Wisdom King in the future, this part is effectively locked and cannot be opened.

"Uesugi!!!" Senior Mai's roar spread throughout the entire Haruna Shrine.

"You plotted against me!!!!!!!"

……………………

That afternoon, after enjoying a dull and tasteless kaiseki meal at the shrine, Senior Mai drove Uesugi Muneyuki down the mountain. On the way, Senior Mai gave Uesugi Muneyuki no pleasant looks at all, her teeth itching with anger.

Uesugi Muneyuki, however, smiled toothily, thinking: you're allowed to plot against me, but I'm not allowed to plot against you?

But regardless, both sides had reached a consensus during this meeting and completed the final step, which could be called a win-win.

However, there was one person who won big.

Amidst the falling snow on Haruna Mountain, a paparazzo holding a DSLR camera was extremely excited. He put down his camera, checked the photos inside, and revealed a lecherous grin.

This time! I've hit the jackpot!

National actress and Chief Priestess of the Kanto Shrine Alliance, Shirakawa Mai, and the newly promoted legendary rookie Forensic Pathologist of Yonezawa Uesugi, Uesugi Muneyuki, in a secret meeting at Haruna Mountain! One night, two days! Tender and affectionate! Driving a Mercedes together to cruise at the holy land of street racers!

This will be an unprecedented exclusive report! This will detonate the entire Japanese entertainment industry! This will be an earthquake that shakes the entire Kanto region!

Hehehehehehe~

The paparazzo flipped through the photos he had taken: there were shots of Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai entering Haruna Shrine together, chatting and laughing; there were photos of them coming out of Haruna Shrine the next day; and there was Shirakawa Mai driving the Mercedes with Uesugi Muneyuki sitting in the passenger seat, looking like he was being kept.

Hehehehehehe~

Who should I sell it to?

Should it be *Friday*, *Weekly Gendai*, or *Weekly Bunshun*?

I'll just see who offers the highest price!

After saying this, the paparazzo slowly slipped down the mountain; he had been on the mountain for a whole day just to wait for these two to come out.

The next day, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Oi Racecourse.

It was another pleasant horse racing day. Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji was there as usual, buying betting tickets, watching the races, drinking, enjoying New Year's cuisine, and even pounding mochi together, spending a pleasant day.

By contrast, Watanabe Minami, the Face of the Metropolitan Police Department and newly appointed Chief of the Thirteenth Subsection of Investigation Division 1, was feeling quite dejected. The sweet and adorable Miss Minami was dressed in a red and black plaid skirt paired with a green beret, thick black pantyhose, and genuine leather suede knee-high boots, leaning listlessly against the comfortable sofa; she had only eaten half of her favorite croquette.

"Minami, don't look so glum, have a drink." Watanabe Eiji smiled as he took the Dassai and poured a glass for his daughter: "Life is full of disappointments, how can you give up just because of a small setback?"

"............" Miss Minami pouted with a bitter expression, thinking that her father had it easy. Ever since he ascended to the position of Superintendent General, he had been riding high; within a few months, he had become a Director General with real power, connecting upward to the Cabinet, suppressing the Public Security Police in the middle, and controlling all departments of the Metropolitan Police Department below. Of course he was happy.

Because of my misjudgment, those Non-Career Track small fry under the Thirteenth Subsection don't even take me seriously anymore!

Damn it! Miss Minami clenched her small fists, thinking that she would have them all transferred to Hokkaido later!

But it's fine, just wait four more months! Four months from now, my Partner Uesugi-kun will return like a bolt of lightning! When the time comes, the Special Mission Unit will be established, and together we will kill gods if gods block us, and kill Buddhas if Buddhas block us!

"Oh! Look, isn't that Uesugi-kun?" Just then, Mouri Takayoshi, the Criminal Investigation Department Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, pointed at the large television hanging on the wall: "Hmm?! Uesugi-kun and... Bai Chuan Mai of the Soul Agency?"

"Hmm?" Miss Minami was stunned and quickly shifted her gaze.

"Weekly Bunshun New Year Special Edition: 'National Actress Bai Chuan Mai and Legendary Forensic Uesugi in a Secret Two-Day One-Night Rendezvous at Haruna Mountain, Dating Rumors!'"

"Recently, our reporters captured National Actress Bai Chuan Mai of the Soul Agency and the Legendary Forensic Uesugi, a descendant of the Yonezawa Uesugi Clan, being discovered meeting in secret at Haruna Mountain in Gunma Prefecture. The two were seen dining sweetly together near Ota City~ and even speeding in a Mercedes on Haruna Mountain. Uesugi Muneyuki sat in the passenger seat as obediently as a puppy the entire time. The two appeared intimate, behaved unrestrainedly, chatted and laughed, and even visited Haruna Shrine together..."

The television showed photos of Uesugi Muneyuki and Bai Chuan Mai driving a Mercedes through the mountain roads of Haruna Mountain, as well as photos of the two entering Haruna Shrine together.

Seeing this scene, Watanabe Eiji, Mouri Takayoshi, and Okada Masayoshi all turned their gazes toward the dazed Miss Minami.

What is going on?

Miss Minami could not respond at this moment; she was already frozen.

Was, was he taken away?

Uesugi-kun, is he going to be taken away???!!!

(End of this chapter)