Daily Spy Life in the Detective Conan World

Chapter 687 Couple's Resemblance

"Since they're both temples, there must be quite a few tourists, right?"

Joel was somewhat tempted. She did feel that Kiyomizu-dera Temple was a bit too crowded, and being the type who didn't like socializing, she didn't particularly like crowded places.

"You two can rest assured about this. Shanneng Temple is currently closed to visitors because it will be holding its once-every-twelve-years consecration ceremony in a while."

"However, I have some connections with the abbot of Saneng Temple, so it's definitely no problem for me to go in and have some fun."

At this point, Okita Souji's smile faded. He looked around to make sure no one was watching, then leaned closer and whispered, "And there's another case that needs Natsukawa-nii's help with."

"Although I have already recommended Mr. Kogoro Mouri, I always feel that Mr. Natsukawa is more reliable."

Xia Chuan's face, which had been smiling, froze upon hearing these words.

At first, he thought the movie hadn't started yet, since he hadn't heard Kogoro Mouri mention coming to Kyoto before.

The fact that Okita Souji said this clearly indicates that Mori Kogoro has already accepted the commission and may be in Kyoto at this time.

Sure enough, Okita Souji's next words broke his defenses.

"Mr. Mori arrived at Sannoji Temple at noon today. We might be able to see them if we go there now."

Okita Souji didn't notice Natsukawa's expression and continued, "I originally planned to recommend Hattori, but he seems to be investigating the death of a friend who took good care of him, so he doesn't have time for me."

"Tch, this guy is all over me when he needs me, but now that I need his help, he's acting like this. He's totally pointless."

"But it's important, never mind."

After talking to himself for a long time, Okita Souji realized that Natsukawa was not responding.

"Xia Chuan-ge, are you even listening to me?"

"Listening."

Xia Chuan sighed and nodded, saying, "In that case, let's go take a look at Shan Neng Temple."

"Aren't you going to Jade Dragon Temple?" Joel asked quietly from the side.

Natsukawa originally planned to go to the location marked with latitude and longitude after nightfall, and then go to the brewery base. If he went to Sanonoji Temple, he might not have time.

"It's alright. I think the case Mr. Mori is investigating might also be related to the sake brewery or Shinmei Nittaro."

What are you whispering about?

Okita Souji leaned half his head over, trying to eavesdrop.

However, when the two masters were communicating, their voices were so faint that he couldn't hear them at all.

Sanno-ji Temple is located in Kyoto city and not far from where the three of them were. After taking a taxi, they arrived at Sanno-ji Temple quickly.

Compared to the bustling Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanno-ji Temple was indeed much quieter, with even the main gate closed, leaving only the left and right side gates open for passage.

With Okita Souji's face scanned, the young monk at the door did not stop them.

"Wow, Sannoji Temple looks pretty good too, Natsukawa, look!"

In the front courtyard of Sanonji Temple stands an enormous banyan tree, which seems somewhat out of place compared to the tradition of most temples in Japan that emphasize cherry blossoms. However, Buddhism does indeed have an inextricable connection with banyan trees.

"There is a banyan tree in the front yard and a cherry blossom tree in the back yard. I heard that these two trees were planted when the temple was founded. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of years have passed, and they have become towering trees."

Okita Souji introduced it with great interest.

After all, it's Kyoto, and as a local, I always feel a sense of pride when introducing it.

"The main Buddha enshrined here is the Medicine Buddha, which is said to have been brought back by Master Jianzhen when he traveled east to Japan. This case is related to this Buddha statue."

"Related to the Buddha statue?" Joel asked doubtfully. "It can't be that the Buddha statue was stolen, can it? By the way, are Buddha statues very valuable?" "Uh..."

Okita Souji's lips twitched, but he still explained seriously: "Buddha statues are not valuable, but they have certain cultural value. Just the fact that Master Jianzhen brought them back from the east is of great significance. Although some leftists do not acknowledge this, the fact is the fact."

"And Miss Joel is right, the Buddha statue has been stolen."

"It happened eight years ago."

"With the consecration ceremony just around the corner, if we cannot find the Medicine Buddha, Shanneng Temple may very well decline."

Joel's smile froze; he realized he'd opened his mouth.
She smiled sheepishly, then asked with a puzzled look, "But since it was stolen eight years ago, why was there no news at all? If the Buddha statue was really that valuable, the police should have known about it."

As a member of the police force, Joel did not directly participate in the case investigation, but she knew that this kind of case absolutely had to be taken seriously by the police. Even though she worked at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, it was impossible for her not to have heard of this case.

"Or maybe this host is just too easygoing."

After listening to Okita Souji's words, Natsukawa recalled some plot points. If he remembered correctly, it was because the abbot believed that "if fate allows, one will meet the Buddha statue again."

It's a very lame excuse, but it aligns well with Buddhist principles.

"Natsukawa guessed right. Abbot Yuanhai did indeed mean that. However, as the consecration ceremony approached, he received another anonymous letter, and the other monks in the temple became restless. That's why he reluctantly agreed to hire a detective."

"Look, that's the head monk of Shanneng Temple, Abbot Yuanhai!"

Following the direction pointed out by Okita Souji, a bald, long-browed, hunched old monk slowly walked toward the main hall.

He was dressed in a black robe and moved slowly, like a snail.

His expression was calm and still, his eyes were drooping, giving him a drowsy look.

Compared to the burly headmaster of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, who is only forty years old and spends his days playing the wooden fish and his nights lifting dumbbells, this headmaster gives off the impression of a hermit sage.

"Presiding over this event, Yuan Hai!"

"Oh, it's Okita!"

The host, Yuan Hai, turned around with a smile.

Okita Souji led the two men to the presiding officer of the mansion: "These two are my friends and detectives. I believe they can definitely crack the code."

After exchanging names, Okita Souji inquired about the situation.

"Mr. Mori is clearly a man of great wisdom, and I still believe in him. Of course, even if we don't find it, it can only be said that the connection between Sanno-ji Temple and Yakushi Nyorai Buddha has come to an end."

Abbot Yuanhai seemed to have accepted the loss of the Buddha statue with equanimity. He nodded to Xia Chuan and Yu Er with a smile, and then said, "The two of you have extraordinary bearing and look very much like a married couple."

"Oh?"

Abbot Yuanhai was the most dignified monk Xia Chuan had ever met. With a joking attitude, he asked, "Then Abbot Yuanhai, could you tell us our fortune for this year?"

Although he didn't believe in fortune telling, Xia Chuan decided to give it a try, regardless of whether it sounded good or bad, he would treat it as an interesting anecdote.

"Haha, there's no such thing as destiny in this world. The past, present, and future all depend on your own hard work."

"If that's the case, why did you just say we look like a married couple? Isn't face reading a form of fortune telling?"

Joel raised an eyebrow, sensing that this master seemed unreliable, as his words contradicted himself.

"You can think of the idea of ​​a couple looking alike as a mortise and tenon joint, where two pieces of wood are carefully carved and fit together perfectly. I say you two look alike because you both have very handsome features, a perfect match, and it has nothing to do with fortune telling."

(Ask for monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)