Su Mu never imagined he’d gain qualification to enter the shrine’s mystical realm so easily.
Of course, the prerequisite was that he’d laid the groundwork thoroughly enough, with the Hundred Immortals Sect, Beidou, Qingyu Society, and the others providing excellent support along the way.
The first thing Su Mu did after coming down the mountain was treat Sakurai Mei to a big meal to express his gratitude.
After that, he bought some gifts and planned to visit Chiba Sankai and Chiba Keiko.
Ever since his identity and strength were exposed, he rarely went back to their place. He usually stayed in the detached villa Nishimura Koishi had given him.
The reason was simple: the people and events he now had to deal with were far more complex than when he first arrived. Living with them would only bring them more trouble.
Although he didn’t have much emotional attachment to the Chiba family, they had lived together for quite some time, and they had always treated him extremely well. He figured it was best not to be a burden on them.
Besides, living alone was much more convenient. He could have his biological phone calls with Ye Qingyi anytime.
He arrived at the door and was about to knock when he heard someone inside complaining indignantly: “Sis, you’re just too kind-hearted. I told you long ago, you can’t raise someone else’s child, especially an ungrateful one. Now look what’s happened. She’s skyrocketed to success, and what about you two?”
“Exactly. Back when Keiko was still around, she played nice, mooching off you and refusing to leave. Now that Keiko’s in trouble, she’s made it big but is afraid of being held back, so she simply doesn’t come home. Sigh… It’s so sad. You and your husband took her in out of the kindness of your hearts, and now she’s turned out this heartless.”
The speakers were Auntie Li’s younger sister and her husband. These two had been unemployed, struggling to make their way in the world, until Chiba Keiko helped them start a business. For a time, they were riding high.
But after Chiba Keiko’s accident, their business went downhill. To keep making money, they’d repeatedly asked Auntie Li and Uncle Sankai to put in a good word for them with Su Mu, hoping for some help. Each time, Chiba Sankai refused sternly.
They’d even approached Su Mu directly. At first, Su Mu helped them a few times out of consideration for Auntie Li’s kindness, but their greed knew no bounds. Their demands grew more outrageous each time. Finally, Su Mu got so fed up that he stopped paying them any attention.
And now, here they were, badmouthing him behind his back…
Honestly… Su Mu didn’t even want to bother with these matters. It wasn’t like they were his real relatives. And even if they were, he’d never spoil them like that.
Not caring if it made things awkward for the two of them, Su Mu pushed the door open and walked in, feigning surprise: “Oh, what a coincidence! You two are here too?”
Not long ago, these two had been kicked out of this very house by him.
The moment the two saw Su Mu, their already unpleasant expressions turned sour. Auntie Li’s sister immediately grabbed her sister’s arm and started whining: “Sis, look at that fierce look on her face! Last time she literally beat us out of here! It hurt so much and was so humiliating.”
As she spoke, she wiped her eyes and nudged her husband to chime in.
Su Mu sneered coldly and ignored them.
He first greeted Auntie Li and Chiba Sankai, then went over to sit for a while beside the still-unconscious Chiba Keiko.
It was lucky Kotaro was at school, otherwise he’d be clinging to Su Mu, asking a million questions.
Auntie Li knew exactly what her sister and brother-in-law were like, so she naturally wouldn’t take their one-sided story at face value. She looked at Su Mu helplessly and said, “Just ignore them. They’re always like this.”
The couple was utterly shameless. Seeing that pleading with their sister was getting them nowhere, they tried their luck with their brother-in-law. But Chiba Sankai’s grim, stern face made them back off in an instant.
They had no choice but to slink away from the house.
Su Mu silently reflected: sometimes the people closest to you are far more terrifying than any enemy, especially those with thick skin that knows no bounds.
That afternoon.
Su Mu left the Chiba residence and headed to the Samurai Order to see Nishimura Koishi.
Before leaving, he checked on Chiba Keiko’s condition. The result was the same as before: no major issues, just waiting for her to wake up.
Nothing had changed.
Seems Uesugi Bunka’s medicine wasn’t so miraculous after all.
When he arrived at the Samurai Order’s meeting hall, he found Uesugi Bunka and Nishimura Koishi both there.
“Good afternoon, both Chiefs.”
They nodded in acknowledgment.
The atmosphere in the hall felt a bit off. Neither of them looked very happy, like they were dealing with some tricky problem.
“Chiba, first of all, congratulations on being chosen by the shrine. You’ve secured another spot for our Samurai Order to gain experience in the mystical realm,” Nishimura Koishi started.
Su Mu offered some modest remarks.
Uesugi Bunka continued, “Chief Nishimura and I were recently discussing how to reward you. Unfortunately, there’s no rank above White Moon except Red Sun, so we couldn’t promote you further. We thought about granting you some special privileges, but the council of elders opposed it.”
Su Mu was currently a White Moon-ranked samurai. Excluding special circumstances, that put him on the same level as Sakurai Mei.
Sensibly, he said, “I’m deeply grateful that you both wish to promote me. But I’ve only been in the Order for a short time and lack seniority. It’s better not to promote me too quickly.”
“Having that kind of mindset already puts you ahead of many young people. Nowadays, the younger generation is often too focused on quick gains and lacks patience. Few are as steady as you,” Nishimura Koishi said with a smile, though a trace of worry lingered in his eyes.
Su Mu understood and cautiously said, “However, since you both intend to promote me, I’d like to prove to the elders through my own abilities that your judgment is sound.”
Nishimura Koishi immediately beamed. “As a matter of fact, there is something we need you to handle.”
He glanced at Uesugi Bunka, who cleared his throat. “Let me explain. Here’s the situation… (ten thousand words omitted for brevity).”
In short, a man-eating monster had appeared in the Shikoku region. It was currently unclear whether it was a creature from another dimension or a mutated indigenous Earth creature. They needed Su Mu to go investigate.
Su Mu found it strange. Wasn’t it just a mission? Why were these two acting like they’d been forced into something, speaking so oddly?
He knew the public narrative was that Uesugi Bunka and Nishimura Koishi didn’t get along. In reality, their relationship was decent. But they’d never been this… chummy before.
The way they were playing off each other was weirdly unsettling…
It wasn’t until Su Mu had accepted the mission and left that the two exchanged disdainful glares.
“How about that? I won, didn’t I? I knew she’d step in with her left foot first,” Uesugi Bunka said with a sly grin, lifting his chin at Nishimura Koishi.
Nishimura Koishi took a small sip of tea and smiled faintly. “So?”
Uesugi Bunka’s expression shifted. “Wait, aren’t we agreed? If I win three times in a row, she’s mine? Don’t tell me you’re trying to weasel out again?”
Nishimura Koishi’s smile vanished. “My exact words were, if you win three times in a row, it’s yours. But I never said what was yours. How does that automatically mean Chiba Maya is yours?”
Uesugi Bunka, however, looked cunning. “Heh, after being tricked so many times, I came prepared this time.”
He played a recording:
“If I can win three times in a row, it’s mine.“
“Alright, win three times in a row, and it’s yours.“
…
Uesugi Bunka: (-ι_- )
Nishimura Koishi burst out laughing. “I never even said who was winning three times in a row! Hahahaha!”
Uesugi Bunka looked utterly wronged…
As Nishimura Koishi laughed, he sneered inwardly: You muscle-brained fool. Did you really think this was some kind of game? If such a quality talent ended up with you, who knows what mess you’d create… Hah. This one, I’m afraid you can’t handle!