142: Chapter 142 The Story of Uesugi Akemi

"Qin Qin, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

Shen Yue looked at Jiang Qin as she walked into the kitchen, feeling like steam was about to rise from her head.

"N-nothing."

Jiang Qin pressed her lips together tightly, her tongue lightly sweeping over the lips she had just bitten.

She, she, she, she actually did it.

"Oh, Qin Qin, if Brother can't wake up, then let him sleep. Maybe Brother is tired. Let's save some food for Brother."

Shen Yue didn't notice Jiang Qin's expression, only comforting her while stir-frying bean sprouts.

In Shen Yue's opinion, Jiang Qin actually liked Brother quite a bit, she just had a slightly awkward personality.

"Okay..."

Jiang Qin responded, lowering her head to help Shen Yue get the seasonings.

Meanwhile, Qi Lian and Tang Xiaotang were whispering about something outside.

Of course, it was mainly Tang Xiaotang who was whispering.

"Lian Lian, take me with you tonight, please take me with you."

Tang Xiaotang linked her arm with Qi Lian's, shaking her slightly.

"But..."

Qi Lian hesitated. She hadn't discussed this matter with Brother yet.

"Don't worry, Brother will definitely be happy."

Tang Xiaotang asserted confidently.

"Really?"

Qi Lian felt a bit strange looking at Tang Xiaotang's earnest expression.

Wouldn't it be exhausting to be with two people at once?

"Definitely."

Tang Xiaotang nodded fiercely.

"Then let's just ask Brother directly."

Qi Lian and Tang Xiaotang discussed together; as long as Brother agreed, it would be fine.

"Great! I'll message Brother later. Wait for my good news, Lian Lian!"

As Tang Xiaotang spoke, she hugged Qi Lian tightly, squeezing with all her might.

But after hugging for a short while, Tang Xiaotang's conscience suddenly ached.

'No, I'm clearly only supposed to like Qin Qin! Tang Xiaotang, how could you immerse yourself in this gentle haven? You have to be worthy of Qin Qin!'

Thinking this, Tang Xiaotang suddenly let go of Qi Lian and walked toward the kitchen.

Jiang Qin was preparing bowls and plates at that moment when she was suddenly hugged by Tang Xiaotang.

"Huh?"

"Qin Qin, I like you the most."

Tang Xiaotang said with a hint of guilt.

"Ah?"

"Really."

"Then hand me a plate."

Jiang Qin casually handed a plate to Tang Xiaotang behind her.

"Oh, oh."

Lunch was eaten very pleasantly.

Other than leaving a portion of bean sprouts and two steamed buns to keep warm in the pot for Fang Xun, everything else was cleaned up completely.

Before leaving, Jiang Qin didn't forget to leave a note for Fang Xun.

"Brother, there are buns in the pot."

And so, the girls played at home until about half past one before heading out to school.

Fang Xun slept until four or five in the afternoon.

When Fang Xun went out, he was greatly moved seeing the note on the table.

Sister is truly the best.

Just as Fang Xun was chewing on a bun and eating bean sprouts, his phone rang again.

"Master."

Fang Xun glanced over and saw those two characters pop up.

"What is it?"

Fang Xun replied.

"I wish to see you once."

Uesugi Akemi sent the request.

"Then come over. I'm at home."

After sending this message, Fang Xun tossed his phone aside.

He didn't even look at the subsequent messages Uesugi Akemi sent.

He remembered that Uesugi Akemi had mentioned before that an envoy from the Onmyōryō wanted to see him.

Heh, did they really want to see him?

They were probably probing to see if he was around.

The rift—the people in Dongcheng City didn't dare to act rashly and would definitely come looking for him.

He could certainly choose not to go in, but once he entered and couldn't get out, everything would change.

Just after Fang Xun sent his message, his door was knocked on a moment later.

"Just come in. There's a key under the door mat."

After receiving Fang Xun's permission, Uesugi Akemi retrieved the key from under the floor mat and opened the door.

Then, she carefully returned the key to its original spot before walking in with great reverence.

It was clear that she was very nervous.

"Master."

As soon as Uesugi Akemi entered, she approached Fang Xun and was about to kneel.

But she was stopped by Fang Xun raising his hand.

"What are you afraid of?"

Fang Xun looked at her appearance with some helplessness.

She was just a little miko, without her own will.

"I still prefer how you looked when I first met you—full of vigor and high spirits. Besides, I told you a long time ago not to call me Master."

"But..."

Uesugi Akemi hesitated.

"How much do you know?"

Fang Xun asked directly.

"I... I don't know."

Uesugi Akemi shook her head; she truly didn't know.

In fact, even now, she didn't know exactly what had happened, only that some unpleasant things had occurred.

And these things were related to Fang Xun.

Especially the dispute between Great Minister and the arriving Gonnojo, which made her feel there was an issue.

But Great Minister only told her to serve the Divine Lord well. However, Gonnojo and the others actually requested her to...

"Then what do you know?"

Fang Xun asked again.

"To serve you well."

She had just thought of this, and when Fang Xun asked, Uesugi Akemi instinctively replied.

"Not bad."

Fang Xun nodded. "That world, how much do you know about it?"

What Fang Xun was referring to was naturally that strange other world.

A world with creatures whose genes matched, and also Disaster Beast that were indistinguishable from the current world.

Moreover, there seemed to be more of them, and they were stronger.

But in that place, Sakurajima's Onmyōryō and the shrines had built such a massive underground structure.

"I, I grew up there."

Uesugi Akemi said quietly.

Hearing Fang Xun mention that world, Uesugi Akemi immediately realized where Fang Xun was referring to.

"What?"

Fang Xun seemed not to have heard clearly and asked again.

"I grew up there. If you want to know, I can tell you slowly."

Uesugi Akemi said softly.

"Tell me, I'm listening."

Fang Xun said simply.

"Well, I don't actually know much, but I really did grow up there.

When I was little, there weren't as many strange things there, and I used to play with them.

They were also very willing to listen to me."

"Are they those strange 'cats' with several heads?"

"Mm, besides the cats, there were many, many others. Master, you've already been to see them. They are all very well-behaved."

Uesugi Akemi showed a very warm smile.

She thought back to her life there previously.

"Hmm..."

Fang Xun looked at Uesugi Akemi's expression, which didn't seem fake. In Uesugi Akemi's eyes, those bloodthirsty monsters might truly have been very obedient.

"Why did you grow up there?"

Fang Xun suddenly remembered this question.

"Divine Lord, do you want to see?"

"See what?"

"My body."

Uesugi Akemi said, slowly turning her body around, presenting her back to Fang Xun.

Then, she slipped the red miko outfit down from her shoulders.

Fang Xun looked at the spine that should have been smooth and delicate, and his eyes widened slightly.