Tenshu Castle
"Ling! Wake up, it's your winter fireworks festival today!"
"Oh, really... what the hell! How did you get into my room! I'm not wearing clothes!"
Ling Feng was still a bit sleepy. Seeing Makoto, his brain short-circuited for a few seconds, then he felt something was wrong.
Scared awake instantly, he quickly hugged the quilt and hid in the corner of the bed.
Open!
Makoto's eyes suddenly lit up. She bent her body charmingly, climbed onto Ling Feng's bed, and said with a bewitching smile.
Makoto: o(❛w❛)o
"Oh—not wearing clothes, come, let big sister take a look."
"Don't pull off my quilt!"
Ling Feng's face was flushed red. He rolled himself and his quilt into a ball, defending from all angles.
"Come on, let big sister take a look. I haven't seen it before, and you've seen my body too. Why are you shy? 〃∀〃"
"Help!"
At this moment, Makoto was like a big bad wolf, looking at the trembling "little rabbit" Ling Feng with hungry eyes.
Wishing she could eat him right now.
"What are you two doing!"
Ei looked at the current actions of Ling Feng and Makoto, unable to believe that her usually dignified and lady-like sister would have such a side.
However, this was not the most important thing. Just looking at Makoto, who was pressing Ling Feng down, Ei inexplicably felt a bit angry and dissatisfied.
"We are..."
"Ei, didn't you go to find Kitsune Saigu and the others to prepare for the festival?"
Makoto quickly changed the subject, then jumped off the bed, tidied her clothes, her face flushed, and she kept avoiding Ei's gaze awkwardly.
She clearly remembered that Ei wasn't going to find Kitsune Saigu and the others early in the morning, so why did she come back at this time?
Damn it!
Just a little bit more.
Makoto secretly regretted it.
"I just came back to get the festival program. I heard Ling Feng cry for help and came in to see."
"Then after you got the program?"
"I'll go find Kitsune Saigu. Right, Kitsune Saigu is still waiting for me. Makoto, I'm leaving now."
Ei was indeed simple-minded and was instantly distracted. She remembered she had something to do and left in a hurry.
"Hehehe, she's gone. Come on, Ling, let's continue our unfinished business."
"Huh? Where did he go?!"
Makoto looked at Ling Feng with a wicked smile, but unfortunately, Ling Feng was no longer on the bed. He had already escaped while they were chattering.
Ling Feng jumped out of the back window of Tenshu Castle, quickly changed his clothes in mid-air, and then landed safely on the ground.
This was the coast, a place rarely visited by people.
"Phew, I'm so scared. Winter Fireworks Festival, here I come!" kanshu wu.ξà
Ling Feng turned into a golden light and flew towards Inazuma City.
On the streets of Inazuma City, everyone was busy preparing for the evening's winter fireworks festival.
"Lord Ling."
A blue-haired staff member ran over.
"Oh, you're from the Yashiro Commission, aren't you?"
"Yes, my name is Kamisato Ayaka. Lord Ling, are you here to inspect the preparations for the winter fireworks festival?"
"No, I'm just out for a stroll. Keep up the good work, I'm rooting for you."
Ling Feng smiled and patted Kamisato Ayaka's shoulder.
"Yes, this first winter fireworks festival will definitely live up to your expectations, Lord Ling."
Kamisato Ayaka said excitedly, chest puffed out.
As expected, just like the rumors, Lord Ling is very approachable.
"Alright, I won't disturb your work. I'll just wander around alone."
"Yes!"
Then Ling Feng walked leisurely down the street. The surrounding people greeted Ling Feng enthusiastically, and Ling Feng responded with a smile.
"Phew... Back then, I was just an ordinary person. I never expected to be so popular now."
"It's really hard to leave."
Ling Feng sighed inwardly.
"Let's go to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Makoto said that Yae has the Bai Chen bloodline."
"Kitsune Saigu also intends to make Yae the next head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, so she's been having Yae study etiquette with her recently."
Thinking this, Ling Feng flew towards the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Now Ling Feng was completely sure that Yae was the future Yae Miko.
Before, he only suspected it, but now he was 100% sure.
Thinking about how Yae Miko would tease him in the future, he had to settle this score properly.
However, Yae Miko didn't directly acknowledge him. Did he say something to her before he left?
At that time, he didn't know that Sasayuri didn't die in the Archon War, but at the hands of Orobashi.
"Never mind, things will develop as they should. Let's take it slow."
At the Grand Narukami Shrine, a white fox in a shrine maiden's outfit looked at Ling Feng, who had suddenly arrived, and teased him.
"Ara ara, isn't this Lord Ling? Aren't you busy with work lately? How do you have time to visit the shrine?"
"Ara, could it be that you're here to see me, Lord Ling? Do you need some special service?"
Seeing Kitsune Saigu's seductive and alluring demeanor, Ling Feng said calmly.
"Sorry, I'm not interested in you."
"Eh, Lord Ling, how can you say that? You hurt my feelings. Do you want to try? It's really comfortable~"
"No need."
This Kitsune Saigu would tease people at the slightest provocation. Ling Feng had developed some immunity to her.
"By the way, where are Yae and Sagiri?"
Ling Feng was actually a bit curious why Sagiri followed Yae to the Grand Narukami Shrine every day.
"Oh~ Sagiri? She's playing with Asase Hibiki and the others in the back."
"They're all the same age, so they get along well."
"As for Yae, she's still training."
Ling Feng nodded upon hearing this. This Kitsune Saigu was normal in this state.
"Since that's the case, let me remind you not to forget to attend the winter fireworks festival tonight."
"This is a nationwide event. Bring your shrine maidens and have some fun."
Kitsune Saigu said with a smile. kanδん
"Thank you so much for taking the time to notify me, Lord Ling. Don't worry, I will."
"By the way, do you really need some special service?"
Ling Feng waved his hand and said as he walked away.
"I don't like playing with old foxes."
"Who are you calling an old fox? Aren't Makoto and the others older than you?"
"I'm sorry, Makoto and the others are prettier than you, and even Chiyo is prettier than you."
Hearing this, Kitsune Saigu spat out blood, as if pierced by ten thousand arrows.
And each arrow was a critical hit.
Looking at Ling Feng, who was leaving by wind, Kitsune Saigu thought to herself.
"Am I not good-looking? Then why do little children like me? It must be your taste that's problematic."
"I've decided, I'll prove my charm tonight."
Kitsune Saigu had decided to find some cute little ones to chat with at the winter fireworks festival tonight.
...
In the evening, outside the rooms of Makoto and Ei in Tenshu Castle.
"I say Makoto, Ei, and Sagiri, it's been an hour, and if you don't come out soon, the festival will start."
Ling Feng complained. He had been waiting for an hour and had been waiting until now.
"Don't rush, almost there, almost there."
Makoto's voice came from inside.
"You said the same thing half an hour ago."
Ling Feng quipped.
Creak—
Makoto and the two walked out of the house.
"Didn't I say almost there? How do you feel?"
Makoto complained a few words, then said with a smile.
Looking at the three beautiful women dressed up before him, Ling Feng's eyes lit up. Although it took a long time, they were indeed beautiful.
"Very beautiful."
"Hmph, let's go. By the way, Ei, here's a fox mask for you. Wear it later to avoid causing trouble. Here, Sagiri, this is for you."
"What about me?"
Seeing that all three had fox masks, but he didn't.
"You don't need it."
"Why? The public recognizes me too."
"I want to see how people will look at the famous Lord Ling, with three beautiful girls."
Makoto said with a giggle.
Ling Feng: ...
"What the hell! Makoto, you can't play like this."
"Let's go, the festival is about to start."
When they arrived at the festival site, Ling Feng immediately bought a fox mask and put it on.
However, when he returned, he suddenly couldn't distinguish between Makoto and Ei. Sagiri was easy to recognize.
The two sisters wore identical clothes. If he didn't deliberately sense their aura, it would be difficult to recognize them.
The festival was grand, and the entire Inazuma City was immersed in joy, with everyone wearing happy smiles.
Ling Feng and the others walked through the food street. After all, food was the most popular!
Soon, they met Chiyo and Sasayuri, who were playing with their companions on the street.
Ling Feng originally invited them to join, but they both flatly refused.
Sasayuri looked at Ling Feng, who was leaving with three girls behind him, filled with envy.
They were all brothers, so why did he have so many girls around him, while he, alas, it was hard to say.
However, it was the first time he had seen Ei in such a normal girlish state. Holding a lot of snacks, it was not hard to guess that they were all from Ei.
In front of the lottery stall, Ling Feng and the others gathered, each holding a slip of paper.
Makoto: "What did you get? I got Great Luck."
Ei: "Great Luck."
Sagiri: "Great Luck."
Ling Feng: "...I also got Great Luck."
"It seems our fortunes are all good. Let's go to the ema stall next."
Makoto led them towards the ema stall. There were many people gathered in front of the ema stall, writing their wishes.
After Makoto and the others left, Ling Feng lowered his head and looked at his slip again.
Then he burned it with his earth fire, compensated the stall owner with Mora, and caught up with Makoto and the others. kanδん
In front of the ema stall, Makoto and the others had already drawn and written their wishes. Seeing Ling Feng finally arrive, Makoto complained.
"Ling, why are you only here now? We're all done."
"It was a small matter, but it's resolved. Boss, give me an ema."
Ling Feng scratched his head and smiled.
Ei's drawing was simple: pursuing the pinnacle of martial arts and protecting everyone.
Makoto's drawing was also simple: the six of them lying on a picnic blanket.
As for Sagiri, she drew a picture of Ling Feng and her from a past Christmas.
Ling Feng wrote a poem.
"May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon together, even if we are a thousand miles apart."
After hanging the ema, they continued to wander the streets. Suddenly, they saw an acquaintance and all looked as if they had seen a ghost.
A white-haired fox woman wearing a fox mask was sitting on a rock by the roadside with a small child.
Although it was normal at the festival, the abnormal thing was this fox woman!
This was Kitsune Saigu!
They recalled a past case – Kitsune Saigu, the arsonist of hearts.
Damn it! She's actually trying to trick such a young child now!
"Kitsune Saigu! You are arrested for deceiving a little boy's feelings!"
"Ara?! Ling Feng! What are you doing here!"
Kitsune Saigu was startled and quickly tried to escape.
"Trying to run? Not so easy! Get into the little black room!"
Ling Feng flashed and chased after her at full speed.
"Today is the festival, you can't arrest me!"
"Who said you can't arrest people during a festival? This time you'll be locked up for three days!"
After arresting Kitsune Saigu and sending her back to the Grand Narukami Shrine for Yae, who was practicing there, to keep an eye on her, Ling Feng returned to Inazuma City.
After returning the child to his family, Ling Feng then went to the agreed meeting place to find Makoto and the others.
By the time they met up, it was already very late, and the festival had reached its final stage.
"5! 4! 3! 2! 1! Happy Festival!"
As the people of Inazuma shouted.
Boom boom boom!
Brilliant fireworks illuminated the night sky.
"So beautiful! Fireworks on a snowy day have a special charm."
Makoto exclaimed.
"Makoto, come here for a moment."
Ling Feng suddenly transmitted his voice to Makoto. Makoto turned her head and nodded. Without disturbing Sagiri and Ei, who were mesmerized, they went to the side.
"What's wrong, Ling?"
"This is for you."
Ling Feng took out a ring and handed it to Makoto.
"This is!"
Makoto's eyes widened. She covered her mouth with both hands, her face full of disbelief.
"Ling, are you proposing to me?"
Makoto took off her mask, smiled charmingly, and looked at Ling Feng affectionately. It was clear that she was very happy now.
Having experienced so many times, Ling Feng understood that Makoto had a strong affection for him.
If he admitted it now, he would quickly gain a beautiful wife.
But...
"Yes, and no."
"What do you mean."
Ling Feng's words made Makoto confused. What did he mean by "yes and no"?
Ling Feng took Makoto's hand and placed the ring in her palm.
"Do you remember the promise you made to me back then?"
"If you could endure until the end of the Archon War, I would grant you any one request."
"This is it. I hope you will always wear this ring."
"This—"
"Promise me."
Ling Feng said firmly.
"Okay."
"That's good."
Ling Feng took out a small knife, lightly cut Makoto's fingertip, and stained a drop of blood on the ring.
The carved patterns on the pure white ring flashed, and then returned to normal.
"Ling, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, don't forget my request."
"Don't worry, I thought you would ask for something excessive, but I didn't expect it to be such a small thing."
Makoto pouted and said with dissatisfaction.
Ling Feng didn't know how to reply, so he just scratched his head and smiled foolishly.
Because this matter was more important than those things.
What Ling Feng gave Makoto was a resurrection ring. If Makoto died, the resurrection ring would activate and return to him across space.
Once the resurrection ring's effect was fully activated, Makoto would be resurrected.
He did all this to prevent Makoto from dying in the Khaenri'ah War.
He didn't know when the Khaenri'ah War would happen, and even if it did, Makoto wouldn't tell him, she would definitely go alone.
This was an insurance policy he gave to Makoto's life.
"Makoto, I hope we can participate in the winter fireworks festival together in the future."
"We definitely will."