Chapter 235: A Detailed Explanation
The path of a shrine maiden was also one of ascending ranks.
After finishing basic training, one would be considered of the Chokkai upon successfully reciting incantations with precision. This was the most elementary level.
From there, one could rise to the Seikai, qualifying as a provisional Guuji—a head shrine priestess. Unlike the Chokkai, training at the Seikai was far more grueling. One had to abide by countless ascetic disciplines and purification rites.
Beyond the Seikai lay the Meikai.
To attain this rank, one must reach a state known as "Tenchi Meisa"—a condition of being attuned to the natural laws of heaven and earth, able to perceive the divine and understand the affairs of the world with piercing clarity.
Those who entered this state would often be granted a Vision, and their lifespan would significantly lengthen.
And beyond that... was the Joukai.
Within the Grand Narukami Shrine, only the Guuji may hold the Joukai. There was, and always had been, only one such priestess at a time. Yet, compared to the Meikai, the Joukai was more symbolic than anything. It carried honor, not necessarily power.
And the one who currently held that title—the strongest Joukai in existence—was none other than Yae Miko.
But what truly merited attention… was the Meikai.
Tenchi Meisa—the ability to perceive the laws of nature and fate itself. In simple terms… Yae Miko now possessed a quasi-prophetic ability to foresee fortunes and disasters.
Granted, it wasn't as precise as those astrologers who could pinpoint someone's destiny, but it was enough for Yae Miko to always remain prepared, no matter the situation.
Yet, when she faced him… none of it worked.
She couldn't foresee his actions. Couldn't decipher his thoughts. Couldn't measure his depth.
It was as though he existed outside the cycle, unbound by heaven and earth, untouched by the five elements.
Yae Miko couldn't help but feel curious.
To her knowledge, all beings were bound by the laws of Celestia—their fates reflected in the constellations above.
So how... did this man escape their grasp?
Lying face-down on the bath platform, Bai Luo looked completely at ease.
Yae Miko quietly raised her hand.
Pink fur gradually sprouted from her fingers, and sharp claws extended from her paw pads.
She dragged her claws along Bai Luo's spine, making goosebumps ripple across his back.
If she applied just a little more force—just one clean swipe—this man would never see another sunrise.
But…
"Sigh…"
In the end, she let it go.
By the time her hand came to rest, her fox claws had turned back into ordinary human fingers.
It had been a long time since she'd given someone a back rub like this.
The last time was back when she was still with Lady Saiguu.
Back then, she was just a warm little fox used as a hand-warmer.
Trying so desperately to prove herself, she had grabbed a towel that was honestly too big for her at the time—still in her beast form—and attempted to scrub Lady Saiguu's back.
But she ended up shoved into the washtub instead.
Very ungracefully.
Later, she even secretly practiced on her own, hoping for another chance.
But Lady Saiguu tricked her with promises of endless fried tofu, and before she realized it, she had been promoted to Guuji and shipped off to the Grand Shrine.
She never came back after that.
She had only told her, "Once you become Guuji, you'll have all the fried tofu you could ever eat."
What she didn't mention was how she'd have to wear elaborate shrine robes to every festival, and that even going out to play would mean sneaking out like a criminal.
Adults… always lie.
"Speaking of which, doesn't Yae Publishing House have a column called That's Life?"
Feeling the tension behind him ease, Bai Luo's voice returned to a more relaxed tone.
Truth be told, when he felt her claws trace down his back, he had braced himself.
He even prepped for emergency quantum phase shift.
"Indeed we do. Is there something you'd like to say about it… 'Ausbilder-dono'?"
This time, Yae Miko no longer spoke in the tone of 'Kuroda'.
That claw swipe wasn't just for show. It was a test.
Had Bai Luo turned around in confusion, it would have meant he truly didn't recognize her.
But he hadn't reacted at all—not even a twitch.
Which meant... he probably already knew who she was.
He just hadn't said it out loud.
At this point, both of them more or less understood the other's true identity—but neither had dropped the act just yet.
"Well then, would Mr. Kuroda mind… if we added another column to that magazine?"
Bai Luo turned over and looked at the woman before him—still in her Kuroda disguise—with clear amusement in his eyes. He gestured for her to continue.
"That's Life is under Lady Yae's direct oversight. I don't have the authority to add anything."
Tossing the towel into the wooden basin beside her, Yae Miko's rejection wasn't just toward the new column.
She was also rejecting his unspoken request to continue their little "massage."
If they both already knew each other's cards, then why was she still keeping up the act?
"Oh~ but I think this new column might just pique Lady Yae's interest. Who knows, she might even promote Mr. Kuroda again because of it."
Just like her nimble leaps, the curiosity of a fox was something impossible to suppress.
And Bai Luo knew that fact very well. In fact, he was counting on it. He knew exactly how to bait a fox.
Had it been anyone else saying such a thing, Yae Miko would've scoffed and waved them off without a second thought.
But when the one saying it was Bai Luo...
That was a different story.
It wasn't because he was a Fatui Harbinger. It wasn't about power or position.
It was because he was Bai Luo.
Even if today was their first face-to-face meeting, she had already done her homework on this so-called "Ausbilder."
In truth… they were kindred spirits—both seekers of amusement, both masters of stirring up chaos for fun.
And if Bai Luo said she'd be interested, then odds were... she probably would be.
Of course, she was also aware that he might just be making up excuses to keep toying with her.
Because honestly… that's exactly the kind of thing she would do too.
Even so, curiosity got the better of her. She picked up the towel from the wooden basin again.
"Talk."
"You've heard of the canine general over on Watatsumi Island, right?"
As she resumed wiping his back—not scrubbing, just lightly brushing the towel across his skin—Bai Luo began his story.
To be honest, it was clear that Yae Miko had probably never done this sort of thing before. Her technique was amateur at best.
But that wasn't the point.
It was the act itself that made it worthwhile.
Just as he'd said earlier.
You can find amusement anywhere. But a fox like this, in a setting like this? That's a rare treat.
"You mean that pup, Gorou?"
Given Yae Miko's age, calling him a "pup" wasn't exactly wrong.
Still, she was curious. Why bring up Gorou now?
Come to think of it, there had been whispers of the Fatui having some kind of dealings with the resistance...
Wait—don't tell me he laid hands on that mutt?
"Nowadays, you can call her Miss Hina."
"..."
Yae Miko's expression began to twist into something… complicated.
She had investigated that canine general herself.
A bonafide male.
And yet Bai Luo had just casually referred to him as "Miss Hina."
This wasn't just a story.
This sounded like a mess.
"A column for That's Life, huh... Are you thinking of publishing a tell-all about Miss Hina's secret life?"
She had to admit: Bai Luo was very good at baiting foxes.
Just that one name—"Miss Hina"—and she was already hooked. Her mind had started running wild with the possibilities.
In her imagination, entire narratives were already unfolding.
"So… why don't you come over to my place later?"
Bai Luo's voice was as casual as ever.
"I've got something fun to show you."
. . . . .
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