Honkai Impact

They had originally planned to finalize things yesterday, but unexpectedly, Yae Ji encountered the source of the demon in the canyon. After returning home, they learned through various channels that the current shrine maiden 'Yae Ji' could mobilize the power of the spirit sword 'Sakura Fubuki', and in terms of combat strength, she could even surpass the garrison general and exorcists in the great city.

Now that he's away, let the Eightfold God Lord make the decision, so they can feel at ease.

They knew perfectly well what kind of person Yae no Kami was.

For the sake of the village's continuation, each generation of the Eightfold God Lord...

The Eightfold God Lord, who had been kneeling in the main seat, stood up, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Yae Sakura, standing to the side, had a pale face filled with terror, and sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Father"

As if ignoring Sakura's call, Yae no Kami stood up and said, "Then let Rin be the offering for the next ritual. She has been ill for a long time, and her condition has recently worsened. Doctor Ooshiro has examined her several times but has not found a good solution. If she can contribute to the village, she will surely be happy."

Yae Sakura's petite body trembled, her mind blank, utterly lost. She instinctively wanted to seek help from her older brother, only to find herself all alone.

"Sir," the old woman kneeling on the left asked, "Shouldn't the ritual be presided over by the current shrine maiden, 'Lord Ji'?"

Everyone's heart was in their throat.

Yaeji.

A true prodigy.

It was one thing for her to join a patrol team at a young age to hunt ferocious beasts in the mountains, but she also became a shrine maiden, easily slaughtering several corpse demons on her own.

These patrol teams could do that too, but what truly made them wary was that this generation of shrine maiden had also gained the recognition of the spirit sword, Cherry Blossom Blizzard, and was able to wield the power within it.

Their combat power has soared to an unbelievable level!

The patrol captain is strong enough, isn't he? He uses the first four stages of the Cherry Blossom Slash with unparalleled skill, and can fight against the wolf demon all by himself.

But what about others?

The four elites leading the patrol team all died tragically under the bear demon's claws!

Meanwhile, Yaeji, wielding the spirit blade, killed the bear demon in just a few moves.

They learned all of this through various channels using their clan's influence. No matter how much it was embellished or even more distorted, it doesn't change the fact that Yae Ji is currently the strongest fighter in Yae Village.

If the person doesn't want their sister to be sacrificed to the fox god, should they perform the sacrifice or not?

Yaeji is still a child, and everyone is afraid that she will lose her rationality and act recklessly.

Moreover, from various sources, it is known that this generation of shrine maidens dotes on her two younger sisters.

If she were to personally preside over the sacrificial ceremony

Despite the severe drought and the sweltering heat, people shivered.

The practice of shrine maidens presiding over rituals is a tradition in Yae Village.

The Eightfold God turned to the side, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Ji won't be participating this time. Sakura, you'll be presiding over tomorrow's ceremony. Make sure you're well-prepared."

"Yes, Father."

Sakura's petite body trembled violently, her two small hands clenched into fists, and finally she gripped the skirt on her thighs tightly.

All of these actions were observed by Yae no Kami.

Leave.

After Yae no Kami left, people gradually stood up and glanced at Yae Sakura.

"Do you think it's appropriate for the priestess not to preside over this ritual?"

"Go away, what nonsense are you talking about? How could we possibly discuss the priestess?"

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this. Don't you think holding the sacrificial ceremony tomorrow is too soon?"

"I think you all can't wait to get it done."

"Tsk, you can't say that. Shouldn't we at least set aside a day to properly organize and prepare our reverence for the gods?"

Seeing everyone leave, the man carefully whispered in his other ear, "It's all because of Lord Ji."

Yae Sakura had no idea how she got out of the council hall. She was completely dazed and confused, her mind a complete mess.

"What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?"

"Brother, where are you?"

"I'm going to take Rin and run away. We'll go to the mountains, no, no, we'll go to the big city."

Yae Sakura had no idea what she was thinking.

She opened the door and returned to the room, where a touch of cherry blossom color caught her eye.

"Cherry Blossom Blizzard!"

"Rin!" Yae Sakura rushed to Rin's shop and asked anxiously, "Brother's back? Where is he?"

"Cough cough~" Rin opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Sister's back. Brother said he went to the back mountain for something and will be back soon. Hey~ Brother also asked Sakura Fubuki to stay here with me. Don't you think so, Sakura Fubuki?"

“Eek~” Sakura Fubuki, half-exposed, murmured softly in response to Yae Rin.

Yae Rin's smile grew even brighter on her pale face.

Yae Sakura thought of many things in an instant.

She forced a smile and said, "I'll go to the side room to prepare some things first, and then I'll go to the back mountain to call my brother back for dinner. Rin, be a good girl, okay?"

"Uh-huh."

Yae Sakura gave her younger sister a deep look, then turned and walked towards the side room.

As Yae Sakura unfolded her small black cloth bag, she meticulously calculated the three siblings' belongings.

"Go find your brother first."

Yae Sakura ran out of the shrine.

Just then, a dark figure flashed into Rin's room.

Chapter Forty-Four: Burning with Rage

"Ah-"

Yaeji put down the shovel and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He then used a shovel to pat down the raised soil.

"Alright, Daisuke. I hope you and Ryo can meet in the Abyss and be together in the next life."

Yaeji leaned on a shovel and gazed at the nameless tombstone for a long time.

"Next time I'll bring Cherry Blossom Snowflakes and carve a few words for you."

After saying that, the shovel in Yaeji's hand disappeared instantly.

"go home."

Yaeji glanced at the sky and walked down from the back of the mountain.

Before long, he saw a familiar figure on the mountainside.

She wore the same candidate shrine maiden outfit as him, her long pink hair swaying back and forth with the running "dumpling".

"cherry?"

"elder brother?!"

In her anxiety, Yae Sakura lost her footing and stepped on a protruding hard rock.

"Clap~"

Having lost her balance and leaning backward, Yae Sakura was tightly grabbed by a small hand covered in mud.

"What's wrong?" Yae Ji asked, puzzled by her sister's unusual behavior.

Could it be that a powerful demon has broken into the village?

Upon seeing Yae Ji's puzzled expression, the young Sakura could no longer bear it, and all the helplessness she had felt in the council hall erupted in that instant.

"elder brother!"

Yae Sakura ignored the blood and dirt on Yae Ji's body and hugged him tightly, just like when she gave him the sword.

Her small hands tightly wrapped around Yaeji's slender waist, like a helpless person in a flood who has found a floating tree trunk and naturally wants to lean on it.

"Alright, alright, I'm back now, aren't I?"

Yaeji rested his chin on Sakura's beautiful pink hair and gently patted her back with his small hand. He still thought his sister was worried about him hunting monsters.

The smell of blood mixed with the dusty odor of dried mud was far from pleasant. Yet, Yae Sakura felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

After lingering for a dozen seconds, Yae Sakura stood up, her expression showing some hesitation.

She whispered, "Brother, let's go."

"Okay." Yae Ji smiled. "Let's go home."

Yaeji had only taken a few steps when a small hand grabbed her sleeve.

Turn your head.

Sakura lowered her head, her long bangs concealing the gloomy expression on her pretty face.

"I mean, let's go live in the big city. There are skilled doctors there who can definitely cure Rin's illness. Once Rin is better, we'll go together."

Yae Ji frowned, sensing something was wrong. Before his sister could finish speaking, he interrupted, "What's wrong with Rin? Has her illness worsened again?"

Recalling the events of the day, Yae Ji's small face suddenly turned sinister and terrifying.

What matters were discussed in the council hall today?

Yae Sakura released her small hand, her whole body trembling slightly. "Father has decided to use Rin as a sacrifice."

With her head lowered even further, Sakura looked like a child who had done something wrong and was waiting to be punished, her voice trembling with a hint of tears: "Father said that I should preside over this ceremony."

"Who suggested it?"