From Earthbound Spirit to Tokyo Evil

"Don't rush to report it yet." He found an opportunity to say to M privately. "If you report it without clarifying the situation, if there is any change, neither of us will have a good result. In this situation, you don't want to face more pressure, right?"

"Don't worry, I won't act on my own on this point," said M. "But don't try to tell me what to do. Give me more freedom to act."

"Don't you think you are free enough now?" J couldn't help but ask. He then realized that the freedom M was talking about might have more meanings. "Okay, do whatever you want. But if I need you, you must show up with your people in time!"

"Your death won't do me any good either." M said. "Last time I did it for... Never mind. Anyway, let's act according to our own ideas and support each other in an emergency."

Akasaka continued to work hard to look for possible clues in the nearby surveillance, hoping to find the whereabouts of the three combatants.

Meanwhile, M asked Rika Inaba, who had been following him, again: "Ask your god if he knows about these things, even just a little clue."

"The God has no response." Rika Inaba tried silently for a moment and answered helplessly.

After the battle at Zoshigaya Cemetery, her confidence was greatly boosted, but her previous thinking habits still existed, making it difficult for her to refuse M's request.

Xia Chuan naturally knew a lot of things, but could he answer any of M's questions?

"Please suspend the experiment for now." He said to Kiryu Ichiryu. "Pay attention to your surroundings. If there is anything unusual, contact me immediately."

"My men just reported to me that a rumor suddenly appeared in the underworld in Tokyo." said Kiryu Kazuyu.

"What kind of rumors?"

"There is a demon sword that will find its master on its own. If a person with a weak will gets it, he will become a killer, but if a truly strong person gets it, he will become the king of the underworld." Kiryu Ichiryu said in the simplest way. "The first person to get this sword was Daito Kashiwano, but he failed. Then, the demon sword fell into a trash can and was picked up by a homeless person passing by, which led to the incident in the port area today."

The real story must be much more complicated than this, but Xia Chuan was a little surprised that people could connect two completely unrelated things in this way.

“How did this story come about?”

"I don't know. Someone told me that the story first came from a gang in Kabukicho, but I don't know who first told the story. It is said that this story, as a secret within the Yakuza, has now spread widely."

"Interesting." Xia Chuan said. People's imagination and brain-filling ability are really amazing, but could this be a smokescreen deliberately thrown by the Styx Society or Akasaka?

"Don't worry about it for now." Xia Chuan said. "Let's see what happens."

Chapter 141 Religious Corporations

As for Yui Aoki, Natsukawa naturally gave more reminders.

In particular, unless he is in unsolvable danger and cannot be contacted, Kobori should never use the Multiplication Technique to transform into a Daitengu and fight near her.

He took the opportunity to check on the progress of the trainee priestesses and quietly added some ingredients to their pets. However, as the time was still short, most of the pets were still in an ignorant state and had to be kept in cages. It seemed that it would take a long time before these priestesses could play a role.

"My Lord God, I have good news to report to you!" Just as he was about to withdraw his thoughts, Sato Kentaro said with joy on his face.

"Oh? What's the matter?"

"Our registered Kasumigawa Association has obtained the qualification of a religious corporation from the Zonglian!" said Kentaro Sato.

It is actually not difficult to apply for a religious legal person in Neon. As long as you have believers, fixed offices and missionary places, pass the inspection of the religious association, and promise to pay full fees to the religion and accept the supervision of the religious association, you can obtain the qualifications of a religious legal person.

In any case, the Zonglian is one of the most important financial sources for Akasaka's subordinates, and a large number of new religions can also bring chaos to the belief system and disperse the gathering of willpower, which is very helpful in preventing the revival of certain ancient gods. The more new religions there are, the more deceitful charlatans there are, and the easier it is for Akasaka to do his job. Therefore, various religions can be said to be numerous, as many as hundreds of thousands.

However, it was not long after all that Xiachuan issued the order, and Xiachuan Daimyojin's sect had too many things to cover up. In order to pass the inspection and supervision of the sect association, it was necessary to create a false system out of nothing and run it for a long time to cover up the real sect. Being able to complete this work in such a short time, Sato Kentaro and his subordinates were very hard-working and effective.

"Very good!" Xia Chuan immediately expressed his approval. "Make a list of not only the contributions this time, but also those in the past. List the backbones who have firm beliefs and outstanding contributions. I will personally bless them."

Kentaro Sato had not expected that this report would receive such a reward from Natsukawa. He was so overjoyed that he hurriedly passed on the good news. Naturally, the core believers below were in a state of panic, but their morale was boosted immediately.

You know, Xiachuan Daimyojin's sect is not a pseudo-religion without gods. God himself blesses them. Such glory and the benefits behind it are enough to make every believer crazy.

Xiachuan was also very satisfied. In this way, with the protection of the Xiachuan Society, general sect activities could be carried out normally without having to spend time and effort to cover them up. Many things would immediately become much simpler.

However, he later remembered to ask Kentaro Sato how much the annual missionary license fee was.

"Well... according to the 3,000 people we have reported, we need to pay a total of 450 million yen in royalties twice a year. If it is 30,000 people, we need to pay 6 billion yen in royalties."

Those guys in Akasaka are really bandits... If you calculate it this way, they need to extort more than 150,000 yen from each believer every year to break even, and this does not include the daily expenses of the cult. If you count these, if it is an ordinary new religion, they will have to cheat at least 300,000 yen from each believer every year, and when there are more people, the amount they need to cheat from each person will be even greater...

No wonder the Nomiya family seemed to be obsessed with money before. Most of the various new religions charge believers one-tenth of the shipping fee, and in addition, they have to rack their brains to sell all kinds of items, hold religious ceremonies, and sell books... It turns out that they were forced by Akasaka.

"Please rest assured, Lord God. We have made careful calculations and preparations, and the believers are willing to sincerely pay the tribute. Even if we pay 6 billion yen, it will not affect the normal operation of the sect."

Huh? Has the sect become so wealthy without my knowledge?

However, Xia Chuan understood it after a quick calculation.

After all, there are already 30,000 believers. Although they are not required to pay a tenth of their income like other religions, compared with other religions, believers will never feel any pain in paying this money. Calculated at 300,000 per person per year, there are 9 billion in revenue per year. This is because Natsukawa Daimyojin does not sell things like amulets and painted horses, and does not force believers to sell things like scriptures and dialogues.

However, this is also because most of the backbone members still have their own jobs and income and do not rely on the sect for survival, and a considerable portion of the properties used by the sect on a daily basis are donated free of charge by believers and do not need to pay rent.

Otherwise, based on the average annual income of 3 million yen in Japan, it would only be able to employ 100 full-time employees. If you add in the rent and other daily expenses, it would be impossible to survive.

But Natsukawa Daimyojin is, after all, a god with moral integrity and bottom line, and he would not do anything like blackmailing his believers. Just like Kiryu Ichiryū, he did not let Kiryu Ichiryū do many things that would end his family lineage and grandchildren, which are common for the Yakuza.

Although believers may not mind investing more of their income into the true God they believe in, he himself cannot get over that hurdle.

Moreover, he couldn't stand the fact that Akasaka took so much money from him.

Well, then, let’s just take from one place to patch up another!

Kana Nomiya immediately received the oracle and from that day on, she would continue to provide free prayer and life-saving assistance to the front-line personnel in Akasaka, but if they were non-front-line personnel or unrelated personnel, they would be charged a fee.

The fees are up to Kana Nomiya to decide, but for rituals like resuscitating a dying person, the fee must be no less than 10 million yen, and for rituals like healing a person, the fee must be no less than 2 million yen. The shrine also sells bronze mirrors that can provide limited protection from evil spirits to anyone willing to pay respect to the shrine, and the price of each mirror must not be less than 1 million yen.

"Lord Hailin, what if it exceeds this amount?" Kana Nomiya asked cautiously.

"As long as you can sell it, I'll give you a 10% commission on the excess." Natsukawa didn't feel that there was anything wrong with this, while Nomiya Kana was so overwhelmed by the huge number that she didn't notice the problem in this sentence at all.

The witch serves the gods, so when can she talk about commission?

However, Xia Chuan didn't think she could do much business. She could probably sell some bronze mirrors, but no one would come to save lives or cure diseases, at least for now.

But Kana Nomiya was already selfless in front of the money. She immediately found the unused cash box and white paper in the shrine and began to write quickly.

At this moment, a black luxury car quietly drove to the fence outside the Skeleton Shrine. An Akasaka member went up to stop the car, but saw an Akasaka department head sitting in the passenger seat.

"Minister Nakano?"

"What are you still standing there for? Get out of the way."

The car quickly drove into the fence. The Akasaka member hesitated for a moment, then called his direct superior.

"Minister Nakano just led someone into the Skeleton Shrine. Yes, I don't know their identity, I only saw the license plate."

"Mr. Nakano, is this the place you are talking about?" The car stopped in the open space in front of the torii, and the old man in the back seat asked with some doubt.

"Yes, President Ninomiya, please follow me."

Chapter 142 Offering

Before the two entered the torii, they heard a loud crow cry.

They had not noticed before that the trees on both sides of the torii were filled with crows.

Seeing them coming, they all began to flap their wings and make noises, as if they were shouting a warning to them.

Such a scene couldn't help but make the old man known as President Ninomiya feel uneasy.

"President Ninomiya, this shrine is indeed different from the others, right?" Nakano asked at this time, which made the old man wake up suddenly.

Yes, isn’t this scene before our eyes confirming what Nakano said?

The fire of hope suddenly burned again, which made him suddenly impatient and subconsciously quickened his pace.

The interior of the Torii is a completely different scene.

At first glance, it looks no different from other shrines, as it was built not long ago and most things are still new. The trees are not cultivated and built over many years like other shrines to form a unique landscape, but are growing wildly and disorderly.

But if you look a little more carefully, you can see that there are also a large number of crows on the trees on both sides of the shrine. What is even more creepy is that there are a large number of rats running around under the bushes on both sides. From time to time, you can even see some of them running quickly across the stone-paved shrine. Their huge bodies and furry bodies make people feel creepy.

What was even more disturbing was that they seemed to have no fear of people at all. When the two people passed by them, they actually stood up and stood there silently staring at them, which made people's backs cold.

"Nakano-kun?"

"It's okay, they won't hurt anyone," Nakano said.

In fact, he had only been here twice, and both times were at night and there were many people around, so he had never seen such a scene.

But in front of Ninomiya, he could only pretend to be calm: "Please, come this way."

Under such pressure, the two walked forward for dozens of meters and finally saw a young priestess wearing red hakama. It was like suddenly seeing a ray of light in the dark night, and both of them felt relieved.

"Who are you?" Nomiya Misa was actually directing other spirit rats to clean the courtyard through her rat god, but when she saw the rare guests, she immediately came forward to greet them.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the Nonomiya Shrine in the past, the Skeleton Shrine is really too remote.

In the past, she always complained about having to receive hundreds of guests every day and her throat was always sore from talking. But since she became the shrine maiden of Hailin, the only people she could see most of the time were her two younger sisters, and the only things she could talk to each other every day were the same. If this continued, she suspected that she would have social problems.

"I'm Hiroya Nakano from Akasaka." Nakano immediately took out his business card and handed it over, while introducing the old man next to him. "This is President Ninomiya of Okawa Electric, an important cooperative enterprise in Akasaka. President Ninomiya, this is Misa Nomiya, the shrine maiden of the Skeleton Shrine."

After the three of them exchanged greetings for a moment, Nomiya Misa led the two towards the main hall.

A huge rat suddenly climbed up Nomiya Misa's red hakama and quickly climbed to her shoulders, standing like a human, looking at the two of them curiously. This scene scared Ninomiya, but he soon regarded it as the mystery of the shrine in front of him, and his heart became more and more excited.

The crowd-crazy Nomiya Wakana also came over soon. In the past, what she hated most was the job of receiving guests, but now, after being taken away by M at the Mukuro Organization, this has become the situation she most looks forward to.

"Please come this way!" While guessing the purpose of the two people's visit, she excitedly led them to the main hall. Such hospitality made Nakano very happy, while Ninomiya was a little flattered.

Only Kana Nomiya still maintained the proper demeanor of a shrine maiden, quietly waiting for them in the main hall, but deep in her heart she was also full of curiosity.

After all, they are just young girls in their twenties or even teens. Although they grew up in the shrine, the living environment of the Skeleton Shrine is too lonely for them.

"Please explain your purpose, both of you." After serving tea and fruits, Nomiya Kana finally couldn't help but ask first.

Ninomiya looked at Nakano, and then said: "In fact, a month ago I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage II, and the cancer cells have spread to the surrounding organs. Although the doctor said there is still a chance for surgery, but you must know that the cure rate of this disease is very low. I am not afraid of death, but I still have unfinished business, and my family and employees..."

Nakano immediately took over the conversation: "President Ninomiya has always been an important supporter and collaborator of our Akasaka. His company, Okawa Electric, is an important supplier of EMP weapon parts. He has also given a lot of support to our various work in Akasaka. So, Nomiya Miko, I came here today to ask you to cure President Ninomiya's illness. Please!"

"Please!" Ninomiya also took a step back and bowed down. "No matter what your request is, as long as I can do it..."

"I understand." Kana Nomiya suppressed her inner ecstasy and returned the salute. No wonder Lord Hailin suddenly gave such an intention without any warning. Did he foresee their arrival a long time ago?

Although money doesn't mean much to them in their current lives, but...it's better to have it than not, right?

"Please follow me." She stood up and led President Ninomiya to the shrine in the main hall, and then said: "Mr. Ninomiya, we don't have a rule here that requires conversion to receive the blessing of the gods. However, before receiving the blessings of the gods, please pray to Hailin Daimyojin sincerely and respectfully, and tell Him your wishes."

Ninomiya did it without hesitation. At this time, Nomiya Kana had already secretly reported this matter to Natsukawa.

Opening so soon?

Xia Chuan was also a little surprised, so he simply turned his attention and briefly checked the body of the old man in front of him.

In addition to the pancreas, there are actually small amounts of cancer cells in other parts of his body, and he is even at risk of cerebral hemorrhage and myocardial infarction.

However, these are just minor problems for Xia Chuan.

There was no need for him to take action, the Katsura Dance of the priestesses was enough to solve the problem.

He was no longer interested in the matter, and after telling him about Ninomiya's physical condition, he left.

Kana Nomiya was delighted.

When Ninomiya stood up again, he saw that a money box had appeared in front of him, with the word "奉納" written in large Chinese characters on it.

"Nomiya Miko?"

"Your health problem is not just pancreatic cancer." Kana Nomiya put on a compassionate expression and told her all the symptoms that Natsukawa had told her before.

Ninomiya was a little uneasy, but Nomiya Kana suddenly smiled and said, "But these are not a problem. It's just that you have seen the situation of this shrine. The three of us sisters are powerless. If this continues, let alone the due offerings to the gods, even maintaining the situation may be difficult."

Aren't all the expenses of the shrine borne by us Akasaka?

Nakano wanted to say something, but President Ninomiya immediately asked as a matter of course: "Of course, of course. If you need me to do anything, please just tell me. As long as you can heal my body, I will do my best and serve you wholeheartedly."

"Then..." Kana Nomiya nodded with a smile, thought for a moment, took out one of the previously written papers from her sleeve and spread it in front of Ninomiya.

You need to pay... 100 million yen.

Chapter 143 Giving and Reward

One hundred million?

When Natsukawa heard the message that Nomiya Kana sent back again, he was somewhat surprised.

The standard price he set for Nomiya Kana's medical treatment was only 2 million yen.