Tokyo Gods Only Want Beautiful Priestesses

Gejing Liuli remained steadfast in her stance, unwavering in her convictions.

"Sigh, isn't what I did a form of punishment for her?"

Turning them into toys for the shrine to enjoy—isn't that a form of punishment?

However, this sophistry had no effect on Ge Jing Liuli, who had witnessed the two's banquet, and she insisted on taking back her mirror no matter what.

The shrine revealed a triumphant smile and vanished into hell in an instant. Kagome Ruri stomped her foot angrily and chased after it into the mortal world.

Chapter 256 Bait

Is the matter resolved?

The many gods and Buddhas who were still uneasy about the calamity of the Yamata no Orochi were suddenly given a message from Hell.

In the blink of an eye, some people had just received news of the Yamata no Orochi's resurrection when they were told that it had already been defeated.

That's incredibly fast, and why is the news coming from Hell? Could it be that Jizo (the God of War) defeated Orochi?

However, after someone with a keen interest visited and inquired, the full story came to light.

However, after learning about it, the gods and Buddhas became even more puzzled.

Jingu helped Yamata no Orochi revive, but then quickly destroyed it after its resurrection.

What is the purpose of such behavior? Is he trying to obtain something from the live Yamata no Orochi? Or is it simply to find someone to fight?

Or perhaps... it's to establish authority? Or maybe it's to pave the way for future actions?

It's normal to have such a conjecture. Although they hold power in the present world, the three noble sons all live in seclusion and never appear in public. It's very difficult to surpass someone who never reappears.

If the shrine wants to elevate its status to the point of suppressing the long-standing Amaterasu myth, then aside from the issue of power, the key question is whether it can produce convincing results.

If the Three Noble Sons cannot be found, then the Yamata no Orochi, which once served as a stepping stone for Susanoo, seems to be a good alternative.

However, these are just speculations by some people. There are many different opinions and explanations regarding what the shrine actually wants to do.

Even if there are individual gods and Buddhas who truly understand the shrine, the truth they reveal may not be accepted by others.

Inside the Izumo Taisha Shrine, Okuninushi, who had sensed the demise of the Yamata no Orochi, also breathed a sigh of relief.

The Ame-no-Murakumo sword was destroyed, the Yamata no Orochi's physical body was completely destroyed, and even Ibuki was reduced to a mere soul.

Perhaps at this moment, the Great Goddess of the Nation has truly emerged from the past, but there is not much joy on her face; instead, her expression is complicated.

"Oh...Ibuki...Ibukiyama Daimyojin..."

He tapped his fingers on the withered wooden tabletop and called out Ibuki's name with a sigh.

When you completely sever ties with the past, these memories come rushing back all at once, making you acutely aware of the passage of time.

It wasn't just his own that was severed, but also Ibuki's. Ōkuninushi wasn't indifferent to that child either.

She even felt some regret, regretting that she hadn't paid attention to the condition of the remaining remains. If she had brought her back from the beginning and raised her as a spirit, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way.

When Ibuki approached her, Ōkuninushi knew that this child didn't need her at all.

Her life, her destiny, had long since embarked on its own path, and no longer needed her parents' interference.

Just as mature animal cubs must leave their parents, when Ōkuninushi met Ibuki, she was already the infamous demon Shuten-dōji.

She has her own companions and subordinates, her own life and considerations. At this point, her own existence would only bring her pain.

But just like the red thread that connects people, fate isn't determined by a few words of explanation.

Things that can be cut off by making excuses.

Even if she doesn't admit it, Ibuki will still be caught in a struggle between two opposing stances, not to mention the later appearance of Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

If it weren't for her and Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Ibuki would probably have lived a carefree life as the great demon Shuten-dōji, and as the leader of the oni clan.

They either die a quick death at the hands of the demon slayers, or they accept living alongside humans.

However, no matter what, it's better than wandering and suffering because of one's inherent position and so-called meaning.

After such a cathartic outburst, she finally put an end to all the entanglements, concerns, and pain she had felt before. Perhaps she can finally let go of those things now.

The Great God sighed, looked up at the sky, and didn't notice at all that the silhouette of another woman was emerging in the shadows under the sunlight.

The woman who was observing the expression of the Great God through the gaps in light and shadow also sighed softly.

This is what's known as the conflict between parents and children, where each side views the other from its own perspective.

The Great God of the Nguyen Empire wanted to give Ibuki freedom, but Ibuki longed for recognition, even if it would plunge her into anxiety.

Common family conflicts often stem from parents' excessive control and lack of freedom when children are young, and from carrying the burden of their parents' actions as adults.

The Great God of the Nguyen Kingdom did not want to burden Ibuki with old stories and the burdens of the past, using the vague connection of bloodline as a pretext, but instead overlooked the child's inner desire for recognition and acceptance.

However, one thing is not fully explained: it wasn't just Ōkuninushi and Ibuki who severed ties with the past, but also she who was hidden in the gap.

Goodbye, the one who made my life possible. Although you never knew me, I will use the name Yakumo to commemorate the bond between us.

The Great God, also known as the God of Fate, connects people with threads.

In one of her waka poems, Yakumo refers to Izumo, the land where she was born.

The tiny, dust-like gap between light and shadow closed, and the Great God remained unaware that his every move was being spied on.

Regardless of what the Great God Okuni thinks, discussions about this matter have never ceased.

However, the matter has been resolved, and it no longer affects them. The discussion about this matter is just out of curiosity.

As for who started this incident? They don't care about that question, since no one would be so foolish as to go to the shrine to demand someone back, except for a certain Enma.

Even knowing that she seems to have stepped into the trap of the shrine, Kajō Ruri grits her teeth and insists on stepping onto it, adhering to her own principles.

We cannot stand idly by and watch others bend the law for personal gain, not only for the sake of the principles of hell, but also to vent the torment of endless overtime work.

Kagome Ruri's eyes were fixed on the shrine, wanting to rush forward and snatch it, but she couldn't get close to the shrine.

Jingu played with the mirror in his hand and discovered that he could put his fingers into the mirror and touch Ibuki, who was still asleep.

"Have you had enough fun, Lord Jingu? Please don't make things difficult for me, hand her over to me."

Finding that her eye contact tactic was completely ineffective, Kagome Ruri had no choice but to continue speaking, trying to ask the shrine for it.

But her response was still a rejection.

"No, no, no. You can have anything else you want, but asking me for people is impossible."

Jingu shook his finger, as if teasing a child, and waved the mirror in front of Kajō Ruri.

"Besides, this thing is the bait I used to lure you in, why would I possibly give it to you?"

Chapter 257 Negotiation

Fishing is an activity that requires skill.

Preparations beforehand, including luring the fish and selecting appropriate bait and fishing line.

Just like many people complain about hooks being too straight and bait being too salty, do fish completely not sense the danger when food falls from the sky? Why do they still bite the hook?

Because of a greedy appetite, because of the confidence that one can stop eating even if tempted, because of the instinct born from every drop of blood in one's body.

The same applies to people. Even if they know it's dangerous, they are willing to try it for various reasons, and they have a vague confidence that they can get out of it.

In the end, they can only become fish caught in a net, trapped and dying in the well-woven snare.

The same applies to Ge Jing Liuli now, except that it's not because of confidence, but because she has no choice but to do it.

So even though she knew that the shrine was just using this as bait to lure her, she had to do it.

Just like a donkey fishing for a carrot, it keeps chasing after the carrot right in front of it.

However, Gejing Liuli still had some awareness of being caught in the net, but only a little.

"What would it take for you to hand her over to me?"

Kajō Ruri, on the contrary, calmed down and spoke face-to-face with the Shrine, while the girls who knew the Shrine's character and what he was going to do listened in from outside.

The judge's sacrifice—that's an interesting plot, even if it's not an investigator in a tight-fitting suspender suit.

Inside the room, the shrine maiden did not answer Kajō Ruri's question. The silent silence was like a weight being added to her heart until she could no longer bear it.

"If your only goal is women, then I can take your place. Consider it a transaction."

Gejing Liuli took a deep breath, perhaps because she was already mentally prepared.

"Hand I over to judge Ibuki, and then I can be your lover. It will be a private affair, not involving official duties."

After Ge Jing Liuli uttered those words with an icy expression, a burst of laughter came from outside, causing her face to change slightly.

"Damn! How could she be so frank about it?"

Chiyo couldn't help but swear; her face had been burning red when she told Jingu these things.

"Hmph, wasn't I right? You'd better hand over your good fortune tonight!"

Kaguya and Chiyo just made a bet about whether Kagome Ruri could honestly talk about this kind of flesh-for-sex transaction.

However, as it turns out, Kaguya was the better choice. She knew these seemingly kind but actually wicked little bitches much better.

The demons of hell are all outwardly kind but inwardly wicked.

Of course, this statement describes their nature, not their behavior.

Judging from their behavior alone, they are definitely orderly good, and they are even willing to sacrifice their lives to maintain the stability and rules of hell.

But from another perspective, these guys are torture maniacs who enjoy torturing others, perverts who get excited at the sight of blood and entrails, and who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even if it's based on principles.

Therefore, Kaguya knew from the beginning that Kagome Ruri's seemingly rigid and pure appearance was just an illusion, concealing her ruthless nature.

Sacrificing oneself for others is a noble virtue, but if he...

To be able to easily give up one's life solely for something one is committed to is to be callous.

However, the original intention and education of Hell have addressed this issue well. When faced with problems, they can only choose to sacrifice themselves and the prison guards, who are not considered human beings in their eyes.

However, no matter how much the two people outside made a fuss, it didn't disturb Gejing Liuli inside. She remained calm and waited for the shrine's reply.

"Sorry, these girls just like to act like this all the time, there's nothing I can do about it."

Instead of answering her previous question, she apologized to Kagura and the others for their rudeness.