CHAPTER 71: 64. THE LANDLORD’S SON VISITS

Sure, here’s the translated text using your guidelines:

On the morning of the 2nd, Kitahara Takashi visited Asakusa Shrine.

The paint was peeling off the torii gate located at the end of the long slope. The early summer sunlight was anything but pleasant; fortunately, there were many trees along the slope. Walking in the shade prevented being baked by the sun.

Passing through the torii gate, a wide courtyard came into view.

Kitahara Takashi’s expression suddenly turned puzzled and doubtful.

Located in the bustling Tokyo city center, it was as quiet as if... it was a ruin. Most of the buildings had collapsed, and weeds were growing everywhere.

*How could a master live in such a rundown place?*

With doubts, Kitahara Takashi walked through the weeds in the courtyard towards the offering hall.

He heard faint chirping of birds around him, and sunlight refracted dazzlingly off the eaves of a small building like glass. Under the eaves of the hall was a large space where a young man in a white kariginu was sitting on the ground, as the wind made the old weather doll under the eaves dance.

Seeing this scene, Kitahara Takashi suddenly felt at ease.

Although the courtyard was still weathered, it no longer felt abandoned.

"Master Fujiwara!"

He quickly walked to the bottom of the steps and bowed deeply.

"Come up and sit." Fujiwara Reya extended the invitation.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, shining in front of the ancient offering hall. Kitahara Takashi took off his shoes and knelt facing Fujiwara Reya.

Compared to his upright posture, Fujiwara Reya appeared very relaxed.

His right elbow rested on his right knee, his chin on his right hand, looking easygoing and amiable.

"Master, here...," Kitahara Takashi began, wanting to voice his inner thoughts.

"Have you had breakfast?" Fujiwara Reya suddenly asked.

"Uh," Kitahara Takashi shook his head, "I rushed over early in the morning and haven’t had any."

"Snow Princess!" Fujiwara Reya clapped his hands, "A guest has arrived, prepare something to serve."

A gust of cold wind suddenly swept through, and Kitahara Takashi couldn’t help but shiver. The wind rustled through the weeds in the courtyard, covering the blades with a thin layer of frost.

Countless ice crystals coagulated in the air.

In the blink of an eye, a woman as pure and beautiful as snow emerged from the ice and snow.

"... Is this a Snow Woman?" Kitahara Takashi’s eyes widened, his voice revealing uncontrollable excitement.

The Snow Woman, who had just appeared, was startled by the unfamiliar voice.

Her little ears twitched, and she hurriedly hid behind her master, her head slightly inclined, watching the strangers in the house warily.

Those beautiful, clear blue eyes gazed at Kitahara Takashi, as if telling a tale of sorrowful pasts.

"Don’t be so rude." Fujiwara Reya affectionately patted Snow Treasure’s head, pulling her back in front and introducing her to Kitahara Takashi, "Her name is Snow Princess, and she’s my Shikigami."

The Snow Woman still didn’t like strangers.

When her master pulled her to the front, her instinct was to shrink and hide in her master’s embrace.

"It’s so amazing..." Kitahara Takashi’s face flushed slightly, his eyes gleamed, "There really are Snow Women in this world, and she’s even a Shikigami. Is Master the legendary Onmyoji?"

Fujiwara Reya smiled faintly.

He didn’t answer the question, just leaned against the pillar, looking out at the courtyard with an air of detachment.

*The master doesn’t want to boast...* Kitahara Takashi admired him even more in his heart.

In actuality.

Fujiwara Reya was no Onmyoji.

Nowadays, there were very few Onmyoji in the entire Shintoism. It’s not because Onmyoji were so powerful or difficult to become, but only those who practiced the Tsuchimikado Shinto, skilled in using the power of yin-yang and the five elements, could be called Onmyoji.

Tsuchimikado Shinto was a branch of Shintoism, originating from the direct descendants of the Tsuchimikado family of Abe no Seimei.

Having weathered centuries of ups and downs, this family remained the largest force in Shintoism, overseeing the largest shrine in Japan - Meiji Shrine.

Oh.

By the way.

The previous Tsuchimikado Family Head was named Tsuchimikado Shino. She had a close personal relationship with Fujiwara Reya’s father. Before his father became the Mountain God, the two even had a daughter named Tsuchimikado Chizuko.

Unfortunately, Aunt Shino and Sister Chiko had followed his father to Takamagahara as family, and the current Tsuchimikado Shinto had little to do with Fujiwara Reya.

*In hindsight, it’s quite pitiful.*

*While the entire family happily lived in the Immortal Realm, only Fujiwara Reya took over his father’s Mountain God legacy and was forced to stay in the harsh human world.*

"Mr. Kitahara," he turned back to Kitahara Takashi and asked, "Would you like sukiyaki?"

"Yes!" Kitahara Takashi replied joyfully.

"Snow Princess," Fujiwara Reya patted Snow Woman’s icy silver hair and ordered, "Go to the kitchen and bring out the ingredients, the master wants to host the guest."

The Snow Woman cocked her head slightly.

The frost-covered eyelashes trembled slightly, as if saying "Snow Treasure can’t understand."

"..." Fujiwara Reya stooped slightly, whispering in her ear, "Just bring out the pre-prepared ingredients, and also bring a pot of sake. Please, Snow Treasure, try not to appear foolish today, or else people will think my Shikigami is a dim-witted demon!"

Whether or not the Snow Woman understood was uncertain.

However, hearing the words "dim-witted demon," she pouted pitifully and lazily floated to the backyard.

Kitahara Takashi was once again dumbfounded.

The Snow Woman’s delicate and gentle body floated lightly into the air, the ice crystals covering her gently reflecting the morning light.

"So beautiful..." Kitahara Takashi murmured as if entranced, "Pure and beautiful, with an air of melancholy, just like the legends."

"Mr. Kitahara," Fujiwara Reya asked, "Has the funeral for your brother been completed?"

"Oh, it’s done." Kitahara Takashi returned to his senses and quickly bowed in gratitude, "Thank you very much for your help, Master."

"Has the construction site resumed its schedule?"

"It’s already on the agenda and will resume after Golden Week."

"That’s good, but you need to be careful," Fujiwara Reya reminded him, "After dusk, everyone must leave the site; do not linger."

"I know. Inspector Suzuki has already reminded me," Kitahara Takashi replied, "He plans to have people monitor it at night, saying we need to be wary of the mastermind’s retaliation."

"Excellent!"

Fujiwara Reya nodded and smiled.

The Snow Woman floated back to the eaves with a clay pot and stove in hand.

After bringing things in front of her master, she floated back to the kitchen and brought out the ingredients and sake.

"Mr. Kitahara, please wait a moment."

Fujiwara Reya smiled lightly, turning on the gas stove.

The clay pot heated up as he evenly applied oil to the bottom and seared thin slices of beef briefly. Then he added sugar, soy sauce, cooking wine, and other seasonings in turn. After preparing the base broth, he put the washed vegetables in the pot, covered it, and let it simmer for a while.

During this time, the Snow Woman obediently poured two cups of sake.

Once her master closed the pot lid and had some leisure time, she immediately held a sake cup with both hands, offering it to her master’s lips.

"Thank you, Snow Princess." Fujiwara Reya took a sip of sake.

The coolness from the Snow Woman’s hands seeped through the cup into the sake, the chill penetrating deep into the marrow.

"It’s truly miraculous..." Kitahara Takashi brought the sake to his lips, but didn’t drink, only gazed in awe at the Snow Woman.

"Once you get familiar with this world, you won’t find it surprising." Fujiwara Reya leaned against the pillar, gently patting the Snow Woman nestled in his embrace, "Everything has a spirit, even a snowflake."

Snow Treasure obediently stretched out her little hand and poured another cup of sake for her master.

"Everything has a spirit..." Kitahara Takashi inquired, "Even things without life?"

"Naturally, even if they have no life, as long as enough time passes, spirits can be formed." Fujiwara Reya picked up the sake cup, leisurely bringing it to his lips, "For example, common household items like oil bottles, abacuses, and brooms are the most likely to develop spirits because they come into contact with many people."

After saying this, he sipped the sake, a faint smile gracing his lips.

It was the kind of subtle, enigmatic smile, akin to what a statue of the Buddha might show.

Kitahara Takashi didn’t fully understand.

Yet he was greatly astounded.