Beastmen Love-Chapter 203: Shinkou

Astri calls Kenzou to talk in the room. They sit next to the window, and she sighs thinking carefully of what she should do without calling attention to her.

"I know how to make salt." She affirms and he gasps in shock.

"You said you were a Pegasus, not a mermaid." He says, impressed.

"You don’t have to be a merman to make salt. The fact is that I can make salt and get the gems for the ship or boat. But how far is the sea from here?"

"A day from here.. But you will be known for this. A female with knowledge and selling salt will call attention from everyone. Even from the shogun.. Or even the Emperor."

"It’s true. I don’t want to be known. So, can you sell it for me? No, it will call attention to you somehow, too." She asks, and answers herself realizing that no matter who sells it will call attention to them.

"What if you ask a merchant to sell it?" He asks.

"We need to sell to several merchants to not call attention to us. But we will have to come up with a story. Do you know someone who provides to merchants?"

"Well.. There’s the one I sell the lines of silk to. He’s not an actual provider, but he knows all merchants and knows how to sell to them in a good price."

"Great. Tomorrow we will go talk to him."

"Erm.. He’s an Ookitsune. Is that a problem?" He asks.

"A fox? Is that a problem?"

"Well.. Foxes are known for being tricky. I don’t care if he’s tricky as long he doesn’t trick me and sell my things. I use my gems to buy things I can’t make on my own here, mostly for clothing and rice."

"I don’t mind who he is, too. I’ll know if he’s trustful or not. I can’t read people’s minds anymore, but I can read their character very well without reading minds." She says.

"All right.. I’ll take you to him tomorrow."

"Thank you for the help, Kenzou."

He smiles and nods. He leaves her to sleep, and sleeps nearby somehow to keep guarding her. Before falling asleep he checks on her, and she’s asleep soundly. He’s still impressed that a Goddess simply appeared in his life. A Goddess that looks fragile and petite, but he can sense that she’s way more than she looks like.

Kenzou feels that there’s a meaning for Nature to make her appear to him. He knows that he needs to help her to achieve what she needs.

On the next day, they have breakfast after she taught him how to cook. When they’re done, they start to talk to the village together. The Spirit Tree Shrine lies on a small plateau just above the village Hinokishi.

Hinokishi is located across gentle hills, with thatched-roof homes and winding paths bordered by stone lanterns. Astri curiously looks at the area, it feels calm, seeing that they’re very clean.

They cross a beautiful curve bridge made of stone and wood. She sees that the river goes up the hills to the Spirit Tree Shrine, and it’s the main river that feeds the whole village and the people keep it clean. She sees that upfront there are a wide production of rice made that is also fed by the river, but by redirecting part of the river to the plantation.

Keeping walking on the main street, some males started to look at Astri be impressed by her beauty.

"Well.. I was worried you would call males attention." Kenzou looks around, serious to the males around.

"You must be respected and strong to keep them away." She says.

"I have 11 marks, but they respect me because only few are chosen to be Shrine Guardians."

"I imagine. Even if I’m not complete, if you know what I mean, I can sense your energy is very reliable and perfect to take care of a sacred place." She smiles.

"I feel honored to hear that from you." He answers.

In his mind, being praised by a Goddess is the best praise he could ever get. He can see that she’s not looking at the males as if she was in look for new spouses, she’s looking around with curiosity.

"This village has night activities for having lanterns on the streets?" She asks.

"Some days throughout the year there are festivals that is done to give opportunities of merchants sell to other villages and be seen by the Shogun. Females also take opportunity of finding spouses of other areas. But every night some of these lanterns are lighted up to make it easier for the patrols to guard the village." He answers.

"I understand. I love the idea of festivals. I would love to see it one day. The next festival is far?" She asks.

"No. The next festival will be in 8 days, on the next full moon. It will be the Flower Festival. The one everyone likes the most."

"Nice. I will come and check it out for sure."

They pass a female wearing a purple kimono, and she uses it in a very provocative way; opening it and exposing her shoulders and making a deep cleavage, and a deep cut on her right leg. She wears a big hairpin on her long black hair in a tight bun.

Several males are walking with her, and when she looks at Astri she got impressed at first. She notices that unmated males are looking at Astri more than to her. Astri and this female has similar skin color, but the female is a bit taller, fatter, and she has mono-lid eyes and short forehead.

Astri ignored the female, knowing that looking back it’s the same as challenging them and that is the last thing she wants. Other females that appear also look at Astri not liking her presence, and that’s not something new to Astri. Females are always hostile towards Astri.

They keep on walking, until Astri sees a tall and red torii gates with black roof. There’s a statue of a dragon on top of it, but it’s not the type of dragon Astri ever saw. It’s a long dragon without wings and long whiskers and horns on it’s head.

"What dragon is that?" She asks, pointing at the statue.

"It’s the Shogun. He’s a Mizuryuu, a water dragon." Kenzou answers.

"Oh.. Is he a good Shogun for having a statue of him?"

"Yes. He’s a good Shogun. I must say that he’s the best of all. He’s descendant of the Mizu Clan, the ones that are known for keeping the water spirits happy."

"I see. Interesting."

"We’re here."

Astri looks to where Kenzou is looking at sees a male standing behind a wooden box, counting gems on his little pouch. He’s very tall, around 6’4", but has a graceful stance even though he’s counting money. Hi silky white or silver hair with subtle gold undertones flows past his shoulders and stops at his waist.

His skin is pale, porcelain-like, his eyes are sharp and golden yellow. He wears layered kimono-style robes in moonlight blue and silver, he leaves it a bit open exposing a toned chest. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Excuse me?" Astri calls for him.

"Sorry, female. I’m not looking for a spouse." He answers not looking at her, and happily counting his gems.

"Do you want more gems?" She asks and he chuckles.

"Do you want to pay me to be your spouse? No, thank you. Now leave me alone and look after another dumb male for you."

He still didn’t look at her. She rolls her eyes, but smiles too, seeing that he might be good for the business she’s looking after.

"I apologize for his behavior, milady. He’s always like that." Kenzou says to Astri.

The Ookitsune recognizes Kenzou’s voice and looks at him, then finally sees Astri with him.

"Lord Kenzou! It’s been sometime I don’t see you."

"Shinkou. We came to talk to you. Can you come with us to the Spirit Shrine? We have an offer to you." Kenzou asks.

"Offer? Can you ask here as usual?" Shinkou asks confused.

"No. It’s very private."

Shinkou looks at Astri and she raises her hands like showing she’s up to nothing.

"It’s not for becoming my spouse. I’m not in look after spouses either." She chuckles.

"Are you saying you don’t a male? All females want males." Shinkou snorts.

"Might be true to some females, but I’m here for business. Will you want the opportunity to have more of those gems or not?" She asks, with a challenging smile.

She already understood that he is the definition of composed elegance. He pretends to be untouchable just keep on having the life he loves to have. He’s very sure of himself but also has wears an invisible shield because probably had a lot bullying for being a fox and he used that for his own gain. Making him a merchant who only cares about money.