Four Directions Huixue looked at the Moon Obscuring Mirror near her chest, softly cradling it in her palm.

The small circular mirror shimmered with a halo of rainbow light, the reflection on its surface inscrutable.

"Is that so."

Beichuan Si nodded expressionlessly.

Then he glanced at the two men who looked like bodyguards, following not far behind them.

Sure enough, these two had also come along.

"Are you concerned about those two behind us?"

Four Directions Huixue clearly noticed Beichuan Si's gaze, glanced apologetically at the bodyguard men behind her, and said, "I'm sorry, I am not allowed to go out alone. If I wish to go out, I have to bring them along."

"It's nothing," Beichuan Si waved his hand, signaling to Four Directions Huixue not to worry.

For the most part, these two bodyguards kept their eyes on Four Directions Huixue, looking at him much less frequently.

This confirmed Beichuan Si's previous thoughts.

These people were mainly here to watch over Four Directions Huixue; he, Beichuan, was just a mere accessory.

But...

Why monitor Four Directions Huixue?

Beichuan Si found it somewhat incomprehensible.

Yesterday, within the spiritual realm, there had been many good opportunities, yet Four Directions Huixue hadn't revealed any inside information to him. Monitoring her now was utterly superfluous, wasn't it?

Thinking this, Beichuan Si looked at Four Directions Huixue again.

He harbored a bold idea in his heart.

Could it be... that Four Directions Huixue wasn't unwilling to speak... but unable to speak?

Beichuan Si silently activated his necrotic vision.

Under the necrotic vision, the benevolence emanating from Four Directions Huixue's body became even denser.

If yesterday's benevolence within Four Directions Huixue's body could only compare to half of Nishijou Kurenai's, then now the benevolence around her was equal to two-thirds of Nishijou Kurenai's.

Just one night, what had occurred?

Could this be the reason why Four Directions Huixue couldn't speak?

Was it a family curse? Or had someone used some curse to restrict her freedom to speak?

Beichuan Si pondered subconsciously.

"Ah... Beichuan Master, we've arrived at the outdoor sports store you were looking for."

Four Directions Huixue's voice called out.

Beichuan Si stopped and looked up.

Just as Four Directions Huixue had said, this was the outdoor sports store Beichuan Si had been searching for.

Here, Beichuan Si could buy the special batteries he needed.

His spirits lifted slightly; he said to Four Directions Huixue at his side, "Huiye Witch, please wait here for a moment. I'll be out shortly after I buy some things."

"Not at all," said Four Directions Huixue, her small head bowing politely.

"Please don't mind me, Beichuan Mage, take your time to choose what you need."

"..." Beichuan Si.

Hearing these words, Beichuan Si looked deeply at Four Directions Huixue.

Indeed... the aura she gave off had changed.

Beichuan Si responded and then turned to enter the sporting goods store to start selecting what he needed.

This outdoor sports store's merchandise... honestly, was quite sparse.

Some items were simply basic outdoor backpacks, tents, charcoal for fire-starting, and lamps for lighting and heating.

Aside from these sports items, the shop also carried various odds and ends like insect-catching nets and boxes.

Rather than a sports store, it felt more like a general store.

But upon reflection, finding an outdoor goods store in such a remote and sparse village...

That in itself was quite an amazing feat.

Beichuan Si purchased the batteries and after looking around to find nothing else of interest, walked out of the sports store.

But he stopped just as he walked out.

At the entrance of a village sports store, it was common for local mascot charms that represented specialities to be displayed.

These mascot charms included food items and small trinkets, all marketed to attract tourists.

And in Nara,

the most famous local charm was, unsurprisingly, only one thing—

Deer.

The item in front of Four Directions Huixue was undoubtedly such a mascot charm.

It was a Nara Deer Hairpin wrapped in simple plastic.

The tan deer head was rendered in a cartoonish fashion, looking quite adorable.

Four Directions Huixue knew.

These were just marketing tactics employed by the shop to attract tourists.

But even so, she was still captivated by the novelty and cuteness of the cartoon-shaped Nara deer.

Truthfully, while the Nara deer might seem adorable to Four Directions Huixue, to high school girls living in Tokyo, it would probably be regarded as tacky, childish, and cheap.

There'd be no issue collecting it as a trinket.

But to wear it...

That simply wasn't feasible.

But for Four Directions Huixue, it was different.

Although she was not free from the control of the Four Directions family

and did not have freedom,

being able to quietly admire something she liked...

was also a form of enjoyment for her.

Yet, this tranquility too was short-lived.

A voice came from behind.

The content was simple; it was just calling her name.

"Huixue-sama."

This call, which had Four Directions Huixue about to reach out and touch the little ornament, brought her back to reality.

It wasn't just a call.

It was a reminder from the other.

A reminder of her status.

A reminder of what she ought to do.

A reminder of her mission.

What good would touching the hairpin do?

She couldn't wear it, couldn't buy it.

That was all there was to it.

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