But what followed was Master Yutian's question.

He asked without hesitation, "Miss Huiye mentioned just now that the formation of the spiritual realm requires the grudges of the deceased, so may I ask what exactly is the issue with the Four Directions Family Shrine? Why were there so many casualties there? If we were to speak of it... can we actually contend with the levels of vengeful spirits within?"

Indeed.

This was also what Beichuan Si had been eager to know all along.

The fact that Master Yutian asked this question in the presence of Beichuan Si was like giving him a reassuring shot.

This question was not something Four Directions Huiye explained as simply as she did the Moon Obscuring Mirror; she hesitated for a moment before finally letting out a deep sigh.

After sighing, Four Directions Huiye raised her head again, "Do you remember what I mentioned earlier about 'a family under threat will use certain methods to deal with those threats'? That is also the answer to the question you, Master Yutian, are asking now."

Four Directions Huiye held the Moon Obscuring Mirror securely in her palms, her expression becoming somewhat solemn, "After hearing what I am about to say, there will be no turning back from this commission. I hope everyone understands this."

"So, if anyone wishes to back out, they can do so now. I promise in the name of the Four Directions Family, no harm will come to them."

Neither Master Yutian nor Master Onodera made a sound, which was taken as tacit agreement.

On the other hand, Beichuan Si didn't seem to care at all but was looking thoughtful, wondering about something.

Seeing their silent acquiescence, Four Directions Huiye began to narrate the long history of the Four Directions Family.

The Four Directions Family. The 'Four Directions' primarily refers to the four phases of the moon.

These are the new moon, upper moon, full moon, and waning moon, corresponding to no moon, waxing, full, and waning.

No one knows since when, but the Four Directions Family has been living in Nara Tenkawa Village, charged with suppressing the 'threat' in this area.

And the threat in this region is the Gate of Yellow Springs, hidden near the Shize Mountain Area of Tenkawa Village.

"Being close to the Yellow Springs, the Four Directions Family became well-versed in it... many members of the family learned curses and worshipped the Tsukuyomi Commanding God... and they built a shrine," Four Directions Huiye lifted her head, "But even so, the tragedy during the Waning Moon Time couldn't be prevented."

The so-called Waning Moon Time refers to the time of each year when the moon's radiance is at its weakest.

New Moon.

Every year during this time, a surge of Yellow Springs Energy and some indescribable terrors would erupt from the Gate of Yellow Springs.

These indescribables came in many forms.

On one hand, there were monsters; on the other, vengeful spirits... and the surge of Yellow Springs Energy at this time caused heavy losses to the Four Directions Family.

Members of the family severely affected by the Yellow Springs Energy would be assimilated by shinobu and eventually be drawn into the spiritual realm, disappearing into the vast mountains.

"Therefore, we established the Four Directions Shrine. These are the previously mentioned new moon, upper moon, full moon, and waning moon—the Four Directions Shrine."

Four Directions Huiye's eyes twinkled, "By the accumulated moonlight from these shrines, we could finally suppress the Yellow Springs completely during the Waning Moon Time."

She hesitated for a moment, holding the Moon Obscuring Mirror in her hands, showing it to Beichuan Si and the others for inspection.

"The Moon Obscuring Mirror is a spiritual tool formed by the condensed moonlight gathered over years, with its thick concentration inscribed upon this mirror that bears special curse marks. Hence, it resonates with the moonlight in the Four Directions Shrine."

Four Directions Huiye sensed the benevolence concentrated in the Moon Obscuring Mirror, and then she said in a deep voice,

"Thanks to the Four Directions Shrine, the Four Directions Family need not suffer the torments of the Waning Moon Time, need not live in fear—an assumption the then head of the family made."

Four Directions Huiye continued, "But there is a cost to activating the Four Directions Shrine. After all, to release such a massive amount of moonlight to suppress the Yellow Springs, a medium is certainly needed. And this medium is the maiden of Tsukuyomi each year."

Although slight, Beichuan Si noticed that Four Directions Huiye gripped the frame of the Moon Obscuring Mirror tightly.

Could it be that the ultimate fate of the medium is to be sacrificed... to disappear?

This was what crossed the minds of Master Yutian and the others.

"In fact, the maiden does not need to be sacrificed," Four Directions Huiye seemed to read their thoughts and raised a finger, "Guiding the moonlight is a very important duty. Therefore, one must maintain purity, concentrate wholly, free of any distractions. If there is the slightest distraction, the massive moonlight may dissipate... and even possibly backfire, aggravating the situation during Waning Moon Time, making the already unstable Yellow Springs more restless."

With another sigh, Four Directions Huiye said,

There was no need for her to continue; everyone had already understood.

The issue was simply that the last witch had been distracted in the moment she was to concentrate all her heart and spirit, ultimately leading to a worsening of conditions during the Waning Moon Time, causing the Yellow Springs to stir and erupt, dragging the entire family down into the abyss.

"Just as you have imagined, the Four Directions Family suffered heavy losses. Had it not been for the remaining core combat power, it's estimated that all of our clansmen would have been devoured by the monsters and resentful spirits during the Waning Moon Time."

"After this incident, the Four Directions Family was no longer powerful enough to suppress the Yellow Springs, moreover, the family decided to close all the Four Directions Shrines. Using the weak moonlight that rushed out when the shrines were closed, a barrier was formed, completely isolating the Four Directions Family Shrine from the present world. Meanwhile, our people from the Four Directions dispersed and were separated, only having shown some improvement in recent years."

Four Directions Huixue finished all she had to say in one breath.

To seal the Four Directions Family Shrine within the spiritual realm, forever cut off from the present world.

This could be considered a novel method.

No wonder the Four Directions Family had been so secretive; with a matter like the failure to suppress the Yellow Springs, it wasn't something that could be casually mentioned to others.

"Now that the Four Directions Family has started to recover, of course, we wish to reclaim the Four Directions Shrines, because restarting the Four Directions Shrines is exactly our family's mission."

Four Directions Huixue spoke with a stern expression.

Her face was serious, showing no sign of deceit.

This caused both Master Yutian and Master Onodera to nod in understanding: "If that's the case... it's indeed understandable."

For an ancient family like the Four Directions, caring about family honor and such was reasonable and somewhat justifiable.

But... trust is one thing; neither of the two would be foolish enough to believe everything completely.

"Does the Beichuan Master have any insights? Don't be polite, if you have any useful ideas, we will all accept them."

Seeing that Master Yutian and Master Onodera did not have much issue, Four Directions Huixue turned to look at Beichuan Si.

Any insights?

Beichuan Si raised an eyebrow.

He truly had many issues on his side.

Beichuan Si wouldn't simply believe that the Four Directions Family made such a fuss just to reclaim their lost glory.

After all, everything was prioritized by benefit.

If there were no benefits, why would the Four Directions Family be so eager about the Four Directions Shrines?

They must be scheming something else for later.

But Beichuan Si was still unclear about it now.

Of course, he wouldn't be so foolish as to ask outright.

As long as the Four Directions Family didn't scheme against him, he was actually willing to solve the problem of the Four Directions Shrines for twenty million yen.

But now, there were too many unknowns.

The true intentions of the Four Directions Family were still concealed beneath the surface...

Thinking this, Beichuan Si also shook his head to confirm, "The departure date is June 1st, right?"

"That's correct," Four Directions Huixue nodded, "It could be later than that; it mainly depends on your preparation time... How about it? Do you need me to give you more time for your preparations? Since it involves family issues this time, I want to be as prepared as possible."

Master Yutian and Master Onodera were the first to express their views:

"The things that need to be prepared aren't many, three or four days should be enough."

After receiving their replies, Four Directions Huixue looked at Beichuan Si, and then glanced at his shoulder bag thoughtfully:

"What about Beichuan Master? Does Beichuan Master need more time to prepare?"

Beichuan Si noticed Four Directions Huixue's gaze.

He shifted his shoulder bag back slightly and replied flatly:

"No need."

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