Her manner of speaking really seemed to indicate she was already used to attending parties.
“Ah, however, can a miko normally celebrate Christmas?”
“Overall what we do isn’t that strict. However......”
Yuri wryly smiled towards Godou’s inquiry. Afterwards she slightly became at a loss for words.
“However?”
“Kaoru-san is amazing whenever it reaches this time of the year. Starting from the twentieth, she would have dates with girls every single day. Amazing people should behave like this, completely unfazed even when faced with the nagging of elders.”
Ena continued where her friend left off and explained to Godou.
Speaking of Kaoru, the girl she takes as her partner on a date is definitely swapped every day. She has even developed the ultimate skill of having Christmas dates with three separate people within the same day.
“Guess it would be best to not invite her......”
“Since she is someone who likes to be rowdy, I suspect she would still show up for a bit. However the problem lies on Ena’s behalf. Every year around this time Ena will head to the mountains to spend the holidays.”
“Hey Seishuuin, about those religious practices in the mountains, are you able to get a head start on it?”
Ena clasped her hands and said “ah, I see” in response to Godou’s question.
To the rigid Hime-miko of the Sword who wasn’t used to having a good time, Godou couldn’t help but smile.
Seeing this, Yuri exposed a graceful smile and Erica elegantly glanced over everyone as if she was a noblewoman. Even though Liliana was the person who had to invite other people and act as the host, she was still very happy.
Just like this, the early parts of December have indeed been very peaceful for Godou and company.
At this time, the person who brought the doom and gloom was the martial artist Lu Yinghua——no, instead it was someone in this world whom he feared the most, someone whom he was most humble to, a person whom he was in contact with that was deemed the most supreme tyrant.
Part 2
"I've brought a message from Master."
The current location was the VIP room of the Akihabara maid-themed tea house, the "Peerless Statesman."
Lu Yinghua spoke gloomily as soon as he spotted Godou.
Fourteen years old. A handsome youth with a slim but not particularly tall physique. Nevertheless, an unmistakable sense of arrogance hung on his face the same way dark circles below the eyes could not be concealed.
Besides Kusanagi Godou, Sayanomiya Kaoru and Amakasu Touma also happened to be present in the room.
Those two were currently playing baccarat on one of the card game tables.
"From Nee-san? What a rare occasion."
The unexpected report livened up Godou's spirits.
It was currently after 10pm on the ninth of December after his discussion with the girls about the party. After a lively dinner with everyone, Godou had received a call from Lu Yinghua informing him "I just got back."
Lu Yinghua had apparently made a trip back to Hong Kong for some reason.
Hearing that he was back in Akihabara, Godou looked forward to meeting him again.
"Come to think of it, I haven't contacted her all this time."
The sworn elder sister Luo Cuilian. Style name Hao.[14] The one people addressed as Her Eminence Luo Hao. As well as being Lu Yinghua's master, she was the leader of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains. Friendship between gentlemen was as insipid as water[15] -- she was one who lived according to this principle. Consequently, even though she and Godou were sworn siblings they did not have frequent contact. In fact, this was the first time Godou heard from her since parting at Nikkou.
"During my recent visit to the Mount Lu convent, Master suddenly said the following."
In a remote corner on the sacred peaks of Mount Emei, looking up at the moonlit sky.
The transcendent beauty who rivaled the moon fairy was declaring in a beautiful voice as melodic as a musical instrument.
'Perhaps it would be a pleasant experience to admire the beauty of the moon together on occasion, just the two of us, siblings bound by oath. My young eagle, I have a mission for you. You must take care and accomplish it as if it was your job.'
Hearing the demonic cult leader's statement retold, Kaoru and Amakasu exchanged glances.
"Considering it's Her Eminence, would things really be over with just moon watching?"
"Hey don't slander her. Even though she's someone who can't be left alone in urban areas, I think she's quite affectionate in certain ways -- Eh, am I wrong?"
With a wry expression, Godou objected to the two History Compilation Committee members who were both older than him.
Standing next to Godou, Lu Yinghua shook his head with a complicated expression on his face.
"Listen to me carefully, Honored Uncle. If five or ten years had passed since you last parted, then sure, her words might seem a little plausible. But less than two months? Master in particular, cannot possibly desire a reunion with her sworn little brother simply because she misses you!"
Stated in no uncertain terms, a depressing sense of truth.
"I can guarantee with an oath, something suspicious is definitely going on!"
"Decidedly..."
"In any case, allow me to deliver this to Honored Uncle first. Master's orders are to drink it up during the next full moon."
Lu Yinghua handed over a little bottle containing a liquid that looked like mercury.
"What'll happen if I drink it?"
"I expect it will lead to all kinds of trouble. Drinking it results in instant transportation to Mount Lu where Master resides."
Godou shrugged in response to this rather problematic explanation that left great room for elaboration.
Well, it's not like I'll die -- thought Godou to himself. Accepting the bottle and putting it away, he said:
"When's the next full moon?"
"It happens to be tomorrow..."
Tonight, I'm gonna meet my elder sister in China--
Godou announced to the girls during lunch the next day. "No ordinary meeting for sure" was Erica's response. Saying that, she sighed. As for Yuri, she pleaded "You must return safe and sound" with a grave expression. On the other hand, Liliana offered her assurance, promising "In the event of unforeseeable tragedy, I will take good care of little sister Shizuka."
Godou sent a text message to inform Ena who was currently training in Chichibu.
'Please tell me about your experiences throughout the journey. However, it'd be best if you don't die.'
Her reply did not seem like she was joking at all.
In any case, Godou could agree with her response in certain ways.
"Compared to tigers in human form, Nee-san sure is ten thousand times more fearsome..."
Godou muttered as he walked over to Shinjuku's Kabukichou[16] district during dusk.
It did not feel appropriate to wear school uniform on this bustling street, so naturally, Godou had changed into casual clothing. He made his way to the address of a multi-tenant building. The office of Hong Kong's Lu family was located on the top floor of this building, and Lu Yinghua apparently had a room there for conducting daily affairs.
Anyway, today's destination was the rooftop of this building.
Lu Yinghua was waiting right there. Furthermore, this nephew's male subordinates were using chalk to inscribe on the floor of the roof geometric shapes and patterns with lots of Chinese characters written on them.
"We welcome your grand arrival, Honored Uncle. We are now preparing the magic circle."
Godou nodded to acknowledge Lu Yinghua's martial arts salute, then waited for ten-odd minutes.
By the time the circle was complete, the evening sun had already set and the sky had turned completely dark. Godou stood in the center of the circle with only Lu Yinghua by his side.
Mustering his determination, Godou drank the bottle of silver liqui
d he had received earlier.
His first reaction was that it tasted really bad. A kind of indescribable taste rivaling Arianna's efforts in pot-stewed cuisine. Furthermore, the instant he swallowed this viscous fluid, an exceptional sense of scorching heat seemed to be spreading from his stomach.
This liquid's effects were apparently quite astounding.
It seemed to be the medium for applying Daoist arts to Godou all the way from distant Mount Lu.
Due to the discomfort in his throat and the scorching feeling in his stomach, Godou collapsed to his knees on the floor of the rooftop. In that very instant...
He was transported. The surrounding scenery of the Kabukichou building rooftop gradually dissipated and Godou found himself no longer crouching on the rooftop of the multi-tenant building in Kubukichou.
'Much time have passed since our last parting, my little brother.'
"Nee-san...?"
Hearing the beautiful voice he missed so much, Godou groaned.
Enduring the discomfort in his throat and stomach, Godou stood up with great difficulty and surveyed his surroundings.
This place was deep in mountains he had never been to, and consequently never seen before. Also, he had not been sent to the foot or even midway up the mountain.
Situated on one of the peaks of Mount Emei, this place was at substantial altitude. Godou was standing on a protrusion of rock that resembled an observation platform and offered a wide expansive view of the neighboring mountains and the world below.
The greenery at the foot of various mountains, together with the swathes of white snow near the mountaintops, looked as if they were far off in the distance.
Turning his gaze up, Godou could see the sky filled with twinkling stars.
"I can't see you, where are you?"
"Honored Uncle. Master is simply projecting her voice from far away."
As Godou looked around for signs of Luo Cuilian, Lu Yinghua informed him.
The nephew proceeded to kneel on one knee and salute with one fist against an open palm.
"Master's might and virtue, rivaling the sun in the sky, becomes ever more dazzling for each passing day. Your disciple Lu Yinghua reports his return, and at the same time, offers wishes of eternal longevity to wise and valorous Master."
Godou was immensely impressed by how far Lu Yinghua went with these words of flattery.
Luo Cuilian's unique and wonderful voice was heard once more. But her message was exceedingly merciless.
'My young eagle, thank you for accomplishing your task. Now go back to your training for I have prepared a suitable opponent. You shall be lauded if you achieve victory in one day. You pass if you do it in two. If it takes you three days... Hmph, then I shall personally give you a good schooling. Nothing else needs to be said.'
Luo Cuilian had infused a certain power into these quiet words. Namely, the [Dragon's Roar and Tiger's Howl].
The authority to turn her voice into shockwaves of wind. The current level of force was probably strong enough to send a light vehicle flying.
"----!"
Surrounded by the intangible shockwave, Lu Yinghua took a great leap backwards and crossed his arms in an X-shape to protect himself. True to the name of the promising young star of the martial realm.
Dodging the full brunt of the force, he was instead blown into the night sky between the mountains. Furthermore, the magical wind continued to blow, pushing him further and further back in the air.
"Oowaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!"
For the very first time, Godou heard the pitiful screams of his arrogant nephew.
Lu Yinghua was blown away like a kite whose string was severed, falling somewhere amongst the peaks of the mountain range.
"This really doesn't look good for Yinghua..."
'Do not worry. I have already summoned an appropriate opponent to the place where this child will land. Leave him be for now.'
Luo Cuilian answered Godou's comment on a completely different wavelength.
Was the scene that just transpired an everyday occurrence for this master-disciple pair? Whether the disciple who could instantly react to any situation, or the master who imposed her expectations upon him, neither were normal.
Oooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaooooooooo....
Hearing the rumbling roars of a magical beast in the far distance, Godou spoke up:
"Could that be Yinghua's opponent?"
'Yes. Hoho... Even though I said two days would earn a pass, from what I can tell, he passes if he can hunt and kill this formidable foe within four days. So, how well will my young eagle perform?'
The demonic cult leader uttered words that had long transcended the realm of strictness.
Godou remarked "she really is someone like that" as he nodded, praying to the heavens for Yinghua's safety.
'So, little brother. Come up directly along the mountain path. Your elder sister has been waiting impatiently.'
Urged by the voice of his sworn elder sister, Godou got off the rock that resembled an observation platform.
He proceeded to ascend the mountain path. This place should be somewhere in the Lushan National Park in China's Jiangxi province. The sky was filled with stars and constellations without being shrouded by a single cloud. A completely clear and lucid night sky.
This splendorous canopy of radiant starlight was a view one could not find in gloomy urban environments.
"Since we are here to admire the full moon, I guess it's lucky the sky is not overcast."
'In accordance with prior wishes, I had the clouds blown away beforehand. Chasing after a cloud-hidden moon could be amusing at times. Nevertheless, tonight is the reunion of we sworn siblings after our two-month separation. Truly, taking place beneath the bright full moon is most ideal, hence those impertinent clouds have been driven away for this occasion.'
Godou was merely remarking on something he noticed, but little did he expect such a surprising answer.
She turned out to be even more counter to common logic than imagined... Godou thought to himself emphatically as he conversed with the sworn elder sister's voice. Soon after, he reached a pavilion.
In an open area in the mountain, a little house with only a roof and no walls had been built here.
The transcendent beauty in front of this pavilion was the Campione who stood as the Ruler of the Martial Realm.
"You have arrived without trouble, my little brother, Kusanagi Godou!"
In this fashion, the sworn elder sister and younger brother were reunited after two months.
Part 3
Family name Luo. Given name Cuilian. Style name Hao.
Despite having passed the age of two hundred, she still possessed the beautiful appearance of a late teen. Hers was beauty that put nature to shame and could bring nations to ruin. Indeed, such incomparable beauty of hers was truly transcendent.
Tonight, she was dressed in Han Chinese clothing, in a style reminiscent of a heavenly goddess.
The elegance of her long flowing sleeves and lightly floating hemlines gave one an illusion of having arrived at the heavenly emperor's palace.
But in actual fact, she was the warrior standing at the martial pinnacle and the Daoist priestess who had reached the peak of Daoist mastery. Ingrained in her body were arts and knowledge completely surpassing all other Campiones.
"Why don't you relax? Sit or lie down, whichever you want. Should you tire of moon watching, we can have a quiet conversation throughout the night. Hoho, as Devil Kings, it is not a bad idea to enjoy ourselves in a style in tribute to the Seven Sages."[17]
Making such a suggestion, Luo Cuilian lowered herself on her own.
And sat down on a white tiger(!) rug that had been laid over the floor of the pavilion.
Another similar rug could be seen, most likely prepared for her sworn little brother. Godou was currently wearing a winter coat, but it was merely one intended for use in Tokyo. At the top of a mountain at such high altitudes, it was completely ineffective.
To be honest, the tiger fur rug was truly a blessing. Godou immediately bent down and sat cross-legged. At the very least, this should help keep his legs and lower torso warm.
Running his hand through the striped pattern of the white tiger fur rug, it felt extremely smooth.
"Was this really skinned from an actual tiger...?"
"Who knows? These were simply offered in tribute by members of the holy cult some time ago. I'm not really aware of the details."
The sworn elder sister's uncertain answer fully convinced Godou instead. It was definitely the real thing.
He could not imagine anyone foolish enough to offer something inauthentic to Her Eminence Luo Hao.
"If you're hungry, please enjoy some of these dishes. In order to receive you as a guest, your elder sister ended her long absence from the kitchen, bringing to life her arts of the kitchen knife once more."
"Eh? Nee-san cooked personally!?"
Luo Cuilian lightly waved her hand before Godou as he watched in shock.
Immediately, a number of large dishes appeared between them. Laden upon them were three brightly-colored specimens of Chinese cuisine.
The first dish seemed to be thick pork slices heaped over leafy vegetables.
The second dish consisted of ten-odd springrolls arranged in a triangular shape. For some reason, the pastry wrappers were red in color.
The third dish consisted of clear transparent soup. Even the wrappers of the floating dumplings in the soup were transparent, and they seemed to hold fillings made of diced meat and vegetables. Unbelievably, the fillings contained all seven colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet, giving a bright and colorful display like a kaleidoscope.
"...Nee-san turns out to be someone really talented at cooking."
Godou remarked emphatically in admiration. Every dish without exception was astoundingly phenomenal.
This was not simply limited to taste. Even the appearance exhibited artistic flair like the creative masterpieces of a master chef. Combined with the extraordinary aroma, the visual impact truly made the viewer look forward to the excellent taste.
"You absolutely must not disclose to others these skills possessed by Luo Cuilian. Even though I once underwent training as befitted a daughter of the Luo family, I am now the Ruler of the Martial Realm. Putting on a show in the kitchen does not really suit my stature."
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