Magong Yongshi was exceptionally intelligent and possessed a heart as pure as an orchid.
Just as she had said, n who toiled outside all day and ca ho to face their wives’ array of ticulous questions would undoubtedly grow discontented.
"I don’t know why Mr. Temple is so determined for Tong and the ancient secrets of Shenzhu Village, but seeing your stance, all I, a re woman, can do is stay by Mr. Temple’s side."
"Is that so? Then I shall rest." Since Magong Yongshi did not plan to inquire about anything, Beichuan Si did not wish to expend the effort to explain what he had seen in the Shrine now.
He could always reply to Magong Yongshi, this female ghost’s questions once he regained his strength.
The most important thing was... perhaps Magong Yongshi might rember sothing—
Thinking so, Beichuan Si closed his eyes and fell into a light doze.
"Please rest, Mr. Temple," Magong Yongshi murmured gently.
There was no knee-pillow nor excessive care.
Magong Yongshi simply knelt quietly by the pit, from ti to ti materializing to add a few sticks of firewood to the flas.
Amidst the flickering firelight, a tinge of sorrow seed to gather in Magong Yongshi’s eyes.
She sighed softly for reasons unknown, her gaze dancing with the flas.
Winter rain, wooden hut, young girl—
The firelight leaped.
Two hours later, when Beichuan Si had recovered his energy, the downpour had already ceased unbeknownst to him.
"Mr. Temple," Magong Yongshi greeted him.
"Uh-huh." Beichuan Si got up, took his clothes that had been drying on a wooden rack, and put them on.
His backpack, too, was mostly dry, so Beichuan Si slung it over his shoulders without hesitation.
After finishing these tasks, he checked the ti again.
It was a bit past three in the afternoon.
There should be no significant problem making his way back to the city from here.
After all, Beichuan Si had already committed the route to mory.
"And the notes, I’ll have to transcribe a copy as well," Beichuan Si said as he flipped through his waist bag and decided that next ti he would buy a better waterproof pouch, especially so that docunts and literature wouldn’t suffer this problem when they got wet.
Since there was still money left from what Magong Tong had given him, there was no reason for Beichuan Si not to use it.
Having made his decision, Beichuan Si turned his head to look at Magong Yongshi, "There are so things I would like to tell you."
"...I understand," Magong Yongshi nodded gently.
Seeing she was ready, Beichuan Si didn’t dally and imdiately recounted what he had seen in the Shrine.
The peculiar torii gates, the repeatedly appearing mysterious flowers...
"Similar to a water lily... yet far more enchantingly shaped... According to your description, Mr. Temple, it does indeed resemble the Soul Summoning Flower," pondered Magong Yongshi after so thought. "Although my mory is sowhat incomplete, the appearance of the Soul Summoning Flower has never faded."
"Its form seems like it could be etched deep into one’s soul—the flower is beautiful, but I detest it."
Magong Yongshi had a simple reason for hating the Soul Summoning Flower.
Because of its existence, she was burdened with unfounded expectations, burdened with the fate of being one of the Soul Suppressing Twins.
Her life was just beginning, yet she hadn’t experienced anything.
"But it is an unavoidable duty," Magong Yongshi spoke with profound sadness in her eyes, "The Shenzhu villagers trust , I cannot help but step forward—I have to step forward."
Beichuan Si did not offer much comnt on Magong Yongshi’s lant.
No matter what Magong Yongshi thought, in the end, she had chosen that path paved with thorns and bloodshed.
Burdened by a heavy yearning, they continued to forge ahead.
"I have to leave first," Beichuan Si suddenly spoke up.
Magong Yongshi revealed an understanding expression, "I understand. Mr. Temple ntioned earlier that you needed to return to the city first. In that case, please leave as soon as possible. When night falls, Shenzhu Village will once again withdraw into obscurity. I will do what I can on my own. Staying in Shenzhu Village to monitor the situation here for Mr. Temple."
"Alright."
Beichuan Si wasn’t one for fussing, and this trip back to the city was to bring Magong Tong over.
If he rembered correctly, today or tomorrow was the start of the spring break, so Magong Tong should be making her way to Shimadu City soon.
After making arrangents with Magong Yongshi, Beichuan Si simply picked up Kelian and left Shenzhu Village along the main road they had arrived on.
"I hope Mr. Temple can truly resolve all of this."
Magong Yongshi’s figure shimred, her eyes following the departing figure of Beichuan Si.
As the cold wind blew, she also dissipated with the breeze.
...
Having morized the way back, Beichuan Si’s departure wasn’t as laborious as his arrival had been.
This ti, returning to the city, he not only needed to buy a new airtight backpack but also other essentials.
Beichuan Si first took an hour and a half to reach the city, then went to an inn to clean up after two days without a wash. Afterward, he ran to a sports store and bought a new pair of hiking boots, a raincoat, cold-weather clothes, a waterproof flashlight, and other items.
Of course, he didn’t forget to prepare for Magong Tong.
Just to be safe, Beichuan Si also prepared a climbing rope, planning to tie Magong Tong to himself when ascending the mountain, to prevent her from accidentally falling into a ravine.
Regardless, the exploration of the Shrine was sothing he had to complete alone.
Only after fully understanding the situation inside the Shrine would he dare to bring Magong Tong into it.
After completing all these preparations, Beichuan Si returned to the inn.
But he didn’t rest afterward—
Beichuan Si finished transcribing the remaining notes, rubbed his temples, took out his phone, and dialed Magong Tong’s number.
He only waited a mont before the call was answered promptly.
"Hello, hello? Is that Beichuan?" Magong Tong’s voice was as soft and weak as ever, with an indescribable fragility.
"It’s . I want to know what ti you’ll be arriving tomorrow, Magong, so I can co to pick you up."
"Ah... yes! I’ll probably arrive at Shimadu City around nine o’clock in the morning."
Even without seeing Magong Tong, Beichuan could tell from her panicky words that she was nervously tense on the other end.
But Beichuan didn’t care about that and asked rather bluntly,
"Nine o’clock?"
Isn’t that a bit too early?
Wouldn’t that require taking the earliest morning bus here?
He wasn’t one to coddle, but Magong Tong’s high level of initiative was sowhat unexpected for Beichuan.
"Because, Beichuan... you’ve been working so hard for . I can’t hold you back."
"..." Beichuan.
Not holding him back was practically impossible—
Beichuan really wanted to say that to Magong Tong.
In fact, taking a delicate girl like her to a place associated with the supernatural was intrinsically a hindrance.
It was only because of what Magong Yong said that ’Tong is the key to solving all of this,’ that Beichuan chose to bring her to Shenzhu Village.
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