Chapter 832

As for the present, Natsume Chikage did not intend to stay in the editorial department and wait.

He checked the time and found it was still early.

He planned to look for a craftsman with superb skills to try to repair that "damaged Oden Immortal's soup ladle".

This was an important experiment on whether "special equipment" could be repaired by conventional means.

He prepared for the worst, that is, this piece of equipment might be completely destroyed due to repair failure.

But if successful, it would open up new ideas for subsequent collection and use of special equipment.

In any case, this was an attempt worth taking a risk.

Clearing his thoughts, Natsume Chikage coughed lightly, breaking the silence.

"Three editors,"

"Thank you very much for telling me the sales situation of the books today, and helping to process the new manuscript."

"I have learned a lot, and gained a lot."

He bowed slightly.

"I have other things to handle later, so I will take my leave first."

This voice pulled Takahashi Jun, Niigaki Shoji, and Uda Ayaka, the three, fiercely back to reality from that snow country constructed by words.

All three raised their heads somewhat trance-like, their focus slowly aligning with Natsume Chikage, as if waking up from a distant dream.

Just in that short reading time, they had been deeply captured by the opening sentence that was refined to the extreme but had infinite imagery.

That ability to outline the beauty of boundless loneliness and cold beauty with highly restrained brushstrokes was completely different from the meticulous and passionate reasoning style in "The Devotion of Suspect X", but equally—no, even more—shocking.

If it weren't for Natsume Chikage's farewell, they would probably continue to read like that, letting themselves be wrapped in that delicate and sorrowful torrent of words.

After finally coming back to their senses, none of them could help but stir up stormy waves in their hearts.

They originally thought that this novel "The Devotion of Suspect X" was already Natsume Chikage's peak at the start.

After all, most authors are like this.

The first novel that explodes is the one with the best results.

Yet the novels that followed were one worse than the last.

Finally, they fade into the crowd.

But this Natsume Chikage is a rare super literary genius.

Can flexibly switch writing styles.

From the simple writing style that was easily recognized by the public before, to the super strong pen power and aesthetic realm of today, it is simply terrifying!

Takahashi Jun reacted first, hurriedly stood up, his face still remaining with the moving expression brought by reading.

"Natsume-sensei, please wait a moment!"

His tone was urgent, carrying retention.

"Today your novel's first-day sales are so hot, this is definitely a great joy!"

"How about... we go eat a meal together and celebrate a little?"

Niigaki Shoji also immediately put down the manuscript, stood up, and nodded in agreement:

"Right, right! Takahashi-senpai is right!"

"This is indeed worth celebrating!"

Uda Ayaka's beautiful eyes also flickered with expectant light, she walked lightly to Natsume Chikage's side, her voice sweet:

"Hmm, I also think this proposal is very good~"

"I know a good restaurant nearby, the environment is very quiet."

Natsume Chikage faced the warm hospitality of the three, a grateful but firm smile appeared on his face, and he declined tactfully:

"Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it."

"But I really have arranged other important things today, so it is really inconvenient to stay for long."

"As for celebrating... next time, okay?"

"Wait until the matter of 'Snow Country' also has a clue, then we will gather together properly."

The three saw that he was determined to go, looked at each other, and all showed obvious disappointment, but it was not good to force him again.

"Okay... since Natsume-sensei has something to do, then let's forget it this time."

Takahashi Jun rubbed his hands with some regret.

Uda Ayaka blinked, carrying a hint of playfulness and persistence, saying:

"Then it's a deal, next time for sure! Natsume-kun, I have remembered it!"

Niigaki Shoji also bowed respectfully:

"Natsume-sensei, take care. Please be careful on the road."

Just as Natsume Chikage turned and prepared to leave, Takahashi Jun seemed to suddenly remember something, and hurriedly added, his tone filled with solemnity:

"Natsume-sensei! This 'Snow Country' of yours..."

He looked at the stack of manuscript paper on the table, the light in his eyes shining.

"Although I only read the beginning, just by that stunning opening and the beauty of the words flowing between the lines, I can already feel its extraordinary!"

"I guarantee you, no matter what today, I will finish reading it!"

"After I finish reading, I will immediately, solemnly report to our group leader, and recommend it to the head office with all my strength!"

"I will definitely fight for the most matching, most senior editor for you!"

Natsume Chikage turned back, nodding sincerely:

"Thank you very much, Editor Takahashi."

"Then, I will wait for the good news."

After saying this, he nodded to the three editors again, and then turned and left the Literature Editorial Department.

With his departure, the editorial department seemed to be briefly quiet for a moment.

But soon, those three pairs of eyes fell back onto the manuscript paper on the table impatiently.

Although there was other editorial work waiting to be handled, that literary world named "Snow Country" that had just been opened a corner emitted an irresistible attraction.

The three almost didn't have any hesitation, and sat down again.

Fingers brushed over the paper.

Gazes dived back into that cold and beautiful country built by words.

The further they read, the more their hearts and minds sank.

Those beautiful and sorrowful sentences, as if possessing magic, automatically transformed into flowing pictures in their minds.

Snowy plains, hot spring inns, hazy lights, aloof characters...

Everything seemed to happen vaguely before their eyes, carrying a slightly cold touch and ethereal aftertaste.

Tokyo.

Taito Ward.

Near Kappabashi Tool Street.

Natsume Chikage, according to the search and evaluation on the Internet, found a famous century-old shop hidden in the depths of a small alley.

The shop sign was simple, written with "Ando Cutlery · Repair Workshop".

This place specializes in the customization, repair, and maintenance of handmade kitchenware and knives, especially famous for repairing traditional ironware and high-quality knives.

Natsume Chikage, carrying the "Oden Immortal's soup ladle" broken into two pieces, pushed open the door.

The bell on the door made a crisp "ding-a-ling" sound.

The scene inside the shop entered his eyes.

The space was more spacious than imagined, but filled with the atmosphere of time precipitation.

The wooden shelves and glass counters were wiped bright, but the patina on the edges and the subtle wear marks silently told the passage of time.

The air was filled with a faint scent of steel, grease, and wood.

On the walls and in the display cases, all kinds of kitchen knives, pots, and planing tools were displayed, from modern refined steel products to traditional handmade knives, everything was available.

Several customers were browsing in the shop, mostly housewives carrying vegetable baskets, or professional people like chefs with focused expressions.

And just as Natsume Chikage stepped into the shop, the moment his gaze habitually swept across the surroundings—

His gaze was sharply attracted by a kitchen knife lying quietly on an old knife rack in the deepest part of the shop!

It was not because its shape was exaggerated; on the contrary, its shape was simple and smooth, and the scabbard was plain.

But in Natsume Chikage's eyes, the edge of the knife's outline was faintly emitting a circle of pale blue luster that only he could see!