I Save The World In A Doomsday Text Game

Chapter 222-3: Dragon Embryo Yokai Art, Ishiyama Shrine (3)

[Having finished explaining the Dragon Embryo, the Calamity Mage spoke with earnest concern, imploring you never again to take such reckless risks. If anything happened to you, these little yokai who had only just glimpsed hope would fall into despair once more…]

[You had no choice but to deflect the subject, asking instead if there were any other places worth visiting in the city.]

[The Calamity Mage fell silent for a long time before finally saying outright that it needed to resume its devotions to the Dragon God, and requested that Lord Dragon Heir return to the guesthouse to rest early…]

[You looked toward the main hall doors. Noon sunlight poured through the paper screens, filling the hall with brightness, it was midday…]

[You waved farewell to the Calamity Mage and departed the hall.]

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll just ask the Night Escort Dog myself and find out.”

The Night Escort Dog was responsible for the temple’s daily purchases and often went into the city to run errands. Asking the little dog might actually be more reliable than asking the Calamity Mage.

[You returned to the temple courtyard. Now, would you heed the Calamity Mage’s advice and rest in the guesthouse, or stroll around the temple for a while?]

[You stepped forward. The Dignitary Bull Demon was still overseeing the young yokai’s training. When it saw you, its expression turned solemn. Then it carefully asked if Lord Dragon Heir wished to study some humble yokai arts. Though the techniques it knew were not particularly powerful, they were quite useful in their own ways…]

[As it spoke, the Bull Demon scratched the horn atop its head and glanced at the sweating trainees. Clearly, it felt it was a little improper for someone of your exalted status to train alongside these young yokai.][It lowered its voice, saying that if Lord Dragon Heir was interested in learning, you could come to its quarters at midnight. It would teach you everything it knew without holding back a single bit.]

[You took your leave of the Bull Demon and continued strolling. Before long, you saw the Night Escort Dog at the temple gate.]

[It was gathering up its belongings and shouldering a small bundle, clearly preparing to head down the mountain again.]

[The Night Escort Dog bowed deeply to you, explaining that in its haste to rush back earlier, it had forgotten to buy the incense, so it needed to make another trip down to retrieve it.]

[You asked the Night Escort Dog if there were any places worth visiting in the city.]

[Its furry ears twitched, and it pulled you into a secluded corner.]

[Its eyes sparkled brightly as it declared that you had asked exactly the right person!]

[Besides the Underground Arena, which was especially entertaining, there was also a place called the Idyllic Pleasure Quarter.]

[It said that this place was like a paradise on earth, worthy of the name ‘Idyllic.’ If only its transformation arts were more advanced, it would definitely go there to bring honor to all yokai!]

[Given your transformation arts, it reckoned there would be no problem visiting the Idyllic Pleasure Quarter and was about to give you the exact location…]

“…”

Lin Xun’s mouth twitched. If the Night Escort Dog were already able to fully transform into human shape, he’d have handed over the Pleasure Quarter Proprietor’s Token and let the little dog see it for himself.

[You stated bluntly that you’d already sampled the delights of the Idyllic Pleasure Quarter and asked if there were any other places…]

[The Night Escort Dog’s gaze shifted from awe to outright worship. It scratched its ears and thought for a long while before shaking its head.]

[As far as it knew, there weren’t really any other ‘fun’ places in the city, but there was a location outside the city.]

[It was a neglected little mountain shrine with few worshippers, called ‘Ishiyama Shrine.’]

[Ishiyama Shrine was dedicated to the new gods, and ordinary yokai avoided it at all costs. But Lord Dragon Heir’s draconic might was unmatched, since you could annihilate the Otaki Clan with a flick of your hand, conquering one small Ishiyama Shrine would be no trouble at all…]

[The Night Escort Dog offered to guide you there personally, but you shook your head and gestured for it to just give you the location so you could go alone.]

[Its ears drooped immediately, but it reluctantly described the shrine’s whereabouts…]

[You have learned the precise location of Ishiyama Shrine!]

[Would you like to go to Ishiyama Shrine?]

[You and the Night Escort Dog descended the mountain together. As it looked back at you with pitiful eyes, you waved farewell and parted ways…]

Lin Xun switched to the Master Instructor shell to travel to Ishiyama Shrine.

In broad daylight, there were still occasional passersby on the roads, summoning the Three-Headed Lion for travel would have caused quite a scene.

Fortunately, the samurai warhorse he’d seized earlier was still hidden at the foot of the mountain. Controlling the Master Instructor, he mounted the horse and set out.

[…]

[You arrived at the location the Night Escort Dog had described. Before you rose a modest mountain.]

[You knew Ishiyama Shrine was situated atop this hill.]

[You followed the stone steps of the mountain path upward, passing a few people who had come to worship.]

[Strangely, nearly all of these pilgrims were young women, which left you a little puzzled.]

[Climbing halfway up the slope, you came to a tall, bright-red torii gate spanning the path.]

[Stepping past the torii would mean entering the shrine’s domain. But what really drew your attention wasn’t the gate itself.]

[Next to the torii stood a stone lantern, around which seven or eight young women were gathered, whispering among themselves.]

[You strode forward and saw that a notice had been pasted onto the lantern. The black characters on white paper were exceptionally clear, Recruiting Shrine Maidens!]

Lin Xun narrowed his eyes.

Among his shells, he still had the discarded failed shrine maiden (courtesan) shell, perhaps it could prove useful here.