Volume 5 Chapter 8 The Great Villain of the World, Having a Heartwarming Time with My Senior Disciple
"I'm back, Shouou."
"Oh, welcome back! Tenhou!?"
...Huh?
Why are you so surprised?
Shouou.
I sent ahead a letter to say I'd be returning to Hokurin.
Shouou is acting really flustered.
Her hair is a mess.
Her robe looks like she put it on in a hurry.
"Did something happen?"
"N-no, nothing at all. More importantly, it's been a while!"
Shouou grabbed my hand.
"First, let's have some tea. After that, I want to hear about what happened in Toukaku of Eastern Town. The things you couldn't put in the letter, and updates about our master──I want to hear it all directly from you, Tenhou."
"Understood, Shouou."
And so, I ended up visiting Shouou's house.
"...I kind of wish I could've gone to Toukaku too."
After hearing everything, Shouou let out a sigh.
"To think you had to face 2 martial artists alone, Tenhou. Especially when one of them was a user of Kyuuki, a technique from the 'Four Fiends.' And yet, I couldn't help you..."
"I also wished you had been there, Shouou."
"We have to thank Touri-san. She helped you in my place, after all."
"Yes, I plan to thank her properly later."
"And then... there's Bakkai. That's what's on my mind."
Nodding, Shouou took a sip of tea.
"'Hidden Five Gods'──they're linked to that organization, the 'Golden Feather Syndicate,' right? If that's true, Bakkai must know something about them."
"That's right. It would've been good to hear more from the others, though..."
"Are they unconscious after being defeated by Bakkai?"
"Yes. Shuu-sensei is treating them for now."
Most of the 'Hidden Five Gods' higher-ups have severe injuries.
The only exception is the Ryo siblings...
"The Ryo siblings weren't people we could talk to."
Those 2 only ever talked about martial arts and techniques.
It doesn't seem like they know about the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
"I don't think we can get any information from those 2 either."
"That means we just have to wait for a higher-up to recover or for Bakkai to spill the truth."
"Master Raikou said, 'Bakkai's spirit is broken. She'll talk.'"
Apparently, it's because I resemble Master Gyoun.
Having lost to me, it would be like losing to Master Gyoun twice for Bakkai.
That's why Bakkai's spirit is shattered.
Before she dies, she's bound to testify.
──That was Master Raikou's assessment.
"But... I don't really understand how I resemble Master Gyoun."
"Me neither. I've never met Master Gyoun."
"Right?"
"But... being told that makes me a little uneasy."
Shouou stared intently into my eyes.
"Uh, Tenhou"
"Yes?"
"Tenhou doesn't become...hermit, right?"
I thought it was a joke.
But Shouou is serious.
She brings her face closer and stares quietly into my eyes.
"Tenhou doesn't abandon the secular world and stay in the mountains, right? "You don't cut off the 5 grains (worldly desires) and aim for Shosen (ascetic practice), right? You don't go anywhere I can't reach, right?"
"Um...I don't have that plan, but"
"Really?"
"It's true. Why are you saying that?"
"Well, I mean, Tenhou looks like Master Gyoun? That Master Gyoun went to the mountains to become hermit, right? So──"
"Did you think I would aim for hermit in the same way?"
"...Uh, yes"
Shouou looked bright red and turned her head down.
"Thinking about it made me really anxious. Like when Master Gyoun abandoned martial arts... and his disciples, or if Tenhou were to go off into the mountains alone..."
"I wouldn't do that, seriously."
Honestly... I don't think I could survive in the mountains.
In my previous life, I lived in a 21st-century town.
So I have no clue how to live in the mountains.
Abandoning the 5 grains... Living without rice or wheat would be impossible.
Before becoming a hermit, I'd probably just starve to death.
And anyway, I can't abandon the world.
I have a family.
I have friends.
I have a mentor and companions.
I have work entrusted to me by Crown Prince Rouen, and promises made to Ryougen-kun.
There's also the matter of Fuu Senkou.
I'm the one who brought her to Hokurin.
Abandoning her and vanishing would be way too irresponsible.
Well... maybe I could avoid a Destruction ending by becoming a hermit.
But still.
Knowing me, even after retreating to the mountains, I'd keep worrying about everyone else.
It seems you have to let go of attachment to become a hermit.
And that's just not me.
That's why there's no way I could ascend to immortality.
"It's fine, Shouou."
I looked Shouou straight in the eye and spoke.
"Becoming a hermit is impossible for me. You don't need to worry."
"R-Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Also... if by some chance Tenhou becomes a hermit, I could just become a fairy maiden instead!"
"...Shouou?"
"Besides, when Shisui-neesama came to Aika Country, she told me about a 'method for preserving youth between a man and a woman.' So, if it comes down to it, Tenhou and I can just do that together!"
"That kind of thing actually exists?"
"Yep. Shisui-neesama is someone who pursues beauty. She said a female Taoist who came to Souma Country once explained the secret longevity technique to her."
"...The secret long life method?"
"Yeah. They say if you do that, you can stay youthful and live a long time."
"What kind of person was that woman Taoist?"
"She looked like an elderly person."
"Isn't that... suspicious?"
...A person using a youthful long life method being elderly.
I think it's definitely some kind of scam.
"Yeah. That's why it seems Shisui-neesama sent that Taoist away."
"That makes sense."
"But just to be sure, I want to ask my master if that technique is real. I think it was called... 'Dual Cultivation Long Life Method (Biocultivation)'."
"Got it. When our master returns, let's ask together."
"Yeah. It's a promise."
"......Sorry for interrupting your conversation, Ouka-sama."
Suddenly, I noticed an elderly woman standing at the entrance of the room.
She held a tea set and looked troubled.
"Ah, Tou. You brought a refill of tea."
"Yes, indeed. By the way, I have something to say."
"Wait. Before that, let me introduce you to Tenhou."
Shouou stood up and approached the elderly woman.
"Her name is Tou. She came from Souma Country to take care of me. You met the male gatekeeper before, right? Tou is his niece."
"Nice to meet you, Kou Tenhou-sama."
The woman... Tou-san clasped her hands towards me.
"I always hear about you from Ouka-sama."
"Likewise, I apologize for the late introduction. I'm Kou Tenhou. Thank you for always taking care of Shikei."
"You are just as Ouka-sama described."
Tou-san smiled kindly.
"I've always heard you're polite and kind to those beneath you."
"That's right. Tenhou is my pride and joy junior disciple!"
"I see. However, Ouka-sama..."
"What's wrong? You suddenly have a serious face."
"In front of someone important, it's better not to say anything strange."
"Strange things?"
"Did you not just say 'Dual Cultivation Long Life Method (Biocultivation)'?"
"Yeah. Shisui-neesama told me. I don't know much about it."
"That Taoist was too suspicious, and Shisui-sama was turned away, right?"
"That's right. But Shisui-neesama said to ask my master."
"...It's better not to take everything Shisui-sama says too seriously."
Tou-san sighed.
"I was also present when that person heard from the female Taoist."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I heard that the Longevity Method is a practice done by men and women in the bedroom, exchanging 'ki' while connected, creating dense 'ki' within their bodies."
...Ah.
So that's the kind of practice it is...
It's done by men and women in the bedroom... isn't that a relative of the 'Bedchamber Arts'?
I've heard it's something the emperor does with his consort.
But that Taoist seems fake.
Teaching the Longevity Method while looking obviously old.
Yet, Shouou's big sister told her to ask our master.
...That's going too far for a prank.
No matter what, even Shouou would be surprised...
"I see! So there's a practice like that!"
...There isn't.
Shouou nodded as if impressed.
Probably... she thinks that the Longevity Method is something like 'Beast Body Guidance' done together.
"...Ouka-sama."
Tou-san pressed her forehead as if to hold back a headache.
"What the Taoist said is that it's a practice done by men and women in the bedroom, right?"
"Yeah. So, I just need to hold hands and sleep with Tenhou, right?"
"...Ouka-sama."
"What's wrong, Tou?"
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