Mechanical Alchemist-Chapter 327 - 326: Is the Kagura Dance About Taking Off Clothes?

"[Talent A-088-Heavenly Eyes]This talent is very rare, very powerful, and belongs to the mystical series of prophetic abilities."

However, it doesn’t enhance combat strength.

At least, the recorded initial awakenings are like this.

Su Lun knew from the texts he had read before that in Mountain Hermit, this lineage of "Bloodline Limits" was passed down.

It’s said that these eyes could see where beings of the six realms die and where they are reincarnated.

But the bearers of this ability were destined for a tragic fate from birth.

For once those eyes were opened, they could see the scenes of others’ deaths, which were future events that would definitely occur and could not be changed.

Therefore, they would time and again see the death scenes of relatives and friends nearby. Fate gave them the opportunity to see the future clearly, yet they couldn’t change it, which was the most powerless part.

Therefore, those who awakened this talent were usually regarded as "Ominous People" who brought death.

This was similar to the death heralding bird Su Lun had contracted with.

The qin master girl in front of him wasn’t blind; she just didn’t want to use those eyes to see this world, which she felt was like a "horror movie."

Su Lun frowned as he saw her seeking him out, having a bad premonition.

....

Qian Tiao seemed to recognize the special nature of these eyes as well and asked with a slight smile, "So, have you got something to tell me?"

The qin master girl’s face was very sad, as if telling her was to bring misfortune to people, "I know you’re looking for my grandfather. But he passed away two years ago."

"Your grandfather?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Tiao suddenly realized something and asked, "Are you the granddaughter of ’Sword Saint’ Akutagawa Ryuichi?"

The girl nodded, "I was picked up by my grandfather."

This identity, once revealed, would bring her lots of trouble.

Listening to this, Qian Tiao revealed a sudden understanding and murmured: "No wonder there’s Sword Intent in your music..."

But at the same time, her face also showed deep regret, "Mr. Akutagawa has passed away, huh, that’s unfortunate."

The qin master girl seemed unsure of how to organize her words so that they wouldn’t make people dislike her, just like once in the village where her predictions of the villagers’ deaths eventually made everyone fear, isolate, ostracize, and drive her away...

She stammered, "I don’t know how I can help you. But... but... take this."

With that, the qin master girl hastily disassembled the pegs of her shamisen and then dismantled the whole instrument, revealing a small carving knife and a piece of thin silk inside: "This is a musical instrument my grandfather carved for me. He once said, if I ever encounter a good person, to give it away. I..."

Qian Tiao, seeing that carving knife, her pupils abruptly narrowed: "The secret transmission of the Akutagawa Ittoryu!"

The more she examined, the sharper the Sword Intent she could feel from that ancient carving knife.

The little figures drawn on that white silk were indeed an extremely sophisticated swordsmanship technique.

Qian Tiao took a deep breath, her spirited face unable to hide her delight, "For me?"

The qin master girl nodded, "Yes."

Her expression was somewhat panicked, seemingly unsure how to explain her actions in case someone delved deeply, "I don’t know if this can help you. But you are good people. That’s all I can do."

Hearing this, Qian Tiao suddenly understood something.

She smiled slightly, "You saw my death?"

"I.. I..."

Hearing this, the qin master girl tried to hide her panic, afraid of being disliked again...

But to her surprise, the female swordsman in front asked in a calm voice, "I’m also curious, how will I die?"

The qin master girl hesitated for a moment before speaking with difficulty, "I saw that you... you in a raging fire..."

Su Lun, who had been silent all along, suddenly felt a stir at these words.

Qian Tiao will die?

Even though he knew that death was the eventual path for everyone, being prematurely mentioned always felt uncomfortably surreal.

Moreover, he was well aware that the deaths foreseen by [Talent A-088-Heavenly Eyes] were bound to occur.

Did that mean Qian Tiao would die in an accident? (Qian Tiao won’t die; there’s an interesting plot to follow)

Both bystanders were more or less emotionally perturbed, but only Qian Tiao, upon hearing this, casually raised her eyebrows.

Her face showed no sadness, not much surprise either, as if she viewed her own life and death very lightly.

Such was the fate of a Rakshasa Woman.

Seeing the girl’s anxious demeanor, she smiled reassuringly and asked, "And at that time... did I have any regrets?"

"Not at all."

The qin master girl shook her head, her lifeless eyes looking at the woman in front of her as she responded, "I saw you... turn back and smile amidst the flames."

Listening to this, Qian Tiao’s mouth turned up slightly in satisfaction, "That’s good then."

As if foreseeing the envisioned end made everything else unimportant.

She looked at the girl in front of her and asked, "Do you want to become my apprentice?"

The qin master girl shook her head, "No. This is my own fate. It cannot be changed by others."

Qian Tiao shrugged, seeming to see her own reflection, and did not say much more.

She turned and called out to the slightly distracted Su Lun, "Let’s go."

"Yes."

Su Lun nodded.

He glanced back at the girl, hesitating to speak, feeling like he should say something but not knowing what to say.

The Qin Master had already closed her eyes. "Sir... you are already the master of the underworld, I cannot see your future."

....

The two walked side by side out of the alley.

Su Lun looked at the snow on the ground, his gaze flickering again to Chitatsu by his side.

It was as if he was seriously looking at her for the first time, her face full of heroic spirits, still carrying that carefree and humorous smile.

Chitatsu, of course, noticed this gaze and complained, "Hey hey hey... why are you always looking at me?"

Su Lun shrugged his shoulders and didn’t respond to her.

In that instant, many thoughts went through his mind.

How could one avoid dying?

Su Lun suddenly felt, was this the meaning behind studying the three ultimate challenges of alchemy, to unlock the meaning of life?

There is no eternal matter in the world.

Someday, relatives will die, friends will die, I will die...

Since their birth, all things in this world were destined to reach an endpoint.

And is this endpoint "death"?

Is death really the end?

He vaguely felt an understanding stir within him.

Su Lun’s comprehension of the "laws of death" far surpassed ordinary people. At this moment, it was as if grains of sand were passing between his fingers, and he seemed to have realized something new.

Just as these thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind, suddenly a very familiar arm slung over his shoulder and pulled hard against his body.

As intimate as usual.

Su Lun only felt his head sinking into a soft sensation, as though he was punched, accompanied by Chitatsu’s grumbling voice next to his ear, "What are you thinking about!"

Chitatsu was half a head shorter than Su Lun.

Their close actions forced Su Lun to bend over, his neck locked and unable to break free, so he simply squatted down and then hoisted Chitatsu around the waist and lifted her up.

In countless previous instances of friendly shoulder claps, Chitatsu had the upper hand, but this time Su Lun turned the tables.

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Suddenly lifted into the air, Chitatsu was greatly surprised and unable to break free. "Hey hey hey, what are you doing, put me down!"

"Hahaha..."

Laughing heartily, Su Lun ignored her struggles and started to dash through the alley.

His physical fitness was not too shabby. Even carrying a person, he was light as a swallow, running and leaping, he found the highest building nearby and directly climbed up the roof. Finally, he put Chitatsu down.

By now it had completely darkened, and the great Edo Castle was awash in orange light, with a starry sky overhead.

Chitatsu, carried onto the rooftop, gazed out distantly. Initially planning to give Su Lun a good beating, she was gradually captivated by the scenery, remarking, "Yo, this place actually has a nice view."

Su Lun smiled.

The two then sat side by side on the ridge of the roof, looking out at the human fireworks in the city.

The Fei River divided Edo Castle into north and south. Little stars twinkled on the river—these were river lanterns residents released to pray to the deities. In the sky, there were some sky lanterns too, which, from afar, appeared like fireflies.

Lately, many spirits from the underworld had appeared in the city, and the number of worshippers had also increased.

At the edge of their view loomed a large mountain, its outline misty.

That was one of the three great mountains of Mountain Hermit, the "Sunlit Divine Mountain." Even at night, one could see the grand mountain profile and the snowy peaks.

The structures built along the mountain, with white walls and green-tiled roofs, were the royal palaces where the Shinfuku royal family resided.

The two sat without speaking for a long while, their eyes reflecting the scenes of the city.

Suddenly, a paper crane flew through the sky.

Chitatsu caught the paper crane, and said, "Princess is coming."

Su Lun looked down and indeed saw several figures quickly approaching.

A few guards stayed below while a figure in white clothes leapt onto the roof. On a closer look, it turned out to be Princess Shinfuku, disguised as a man.

Seeing the two sitting on the ridge, Princess joined them without hesitation, "Eh... Chitatsu and Mr. Su Lun have found a place with quite the view."

Chitatsu pursed her lips and said, "Su Lun found it."

She continued, hooking her arm over Princess’ shoulder and speaking on Su Lun’s behalf, "Princess, Su Lun would like to stay with you for a few days. He is asking if you would be willing."

With these words, the atmosphere suddenly turned a bit awkward.

Su Lun looked at her, caught between laughter and tears.

Although that was the meaning, when the words came from Chitatsu’s mouth, they somehow felt odd.

Fortunately, the Princess had grown quite familiar with them over these days, and hearing Chitatsu’s words, she glossed over the teasing and quickly grasped the meaning, "Mr. Su Lun wants to stay at the palace for a few days?"

She revealed a warm, welcoming smile and answered her own question, "Of course, you can!"

"Hmm."

Su Lun also nodded and expressed his thought, "I’d like to stay in the royal library for a few days and look through the Mountain Hermit’s archives. I wonder if that would be convenient for you, Princess."

"Of course, it’s convenient."

Princess happily said, "The library indeed contains many secret scriptures. Mr. Su Lun, you who love research, will definitely not be disappointed."

The group, no longer strangers, saw Su Lun not being overly polite as he smiled, "Then I’ll be imposing on you."

Princess dismissed the notion, "It’s no trouble at all."

Chitatsu, feeling as if her role was now complete, grumbled, "Then you two can keep chatting, I won’t accompany you."

Hearing this, the Princess looked at Chitatsu, surprised, "Aren’t you coming, Chitatsu?"

Qian Jiao was restless and said disinterestedly, "The palace has so many rules; what’s the fun in that? I certainly don’t want to be confined there."

With that, she stood up, leaped down without looking back, and said, "Alright, you two have a good chat, I’m off!"

When they looked again, in the blink of an eye, she had already disappeared into the alley.

Su Lun: "..."

Princess: "..."

The two people on the roof looked at each other, both showing a wry smile.

The Princess stood up and bowed slightly, "Mr. Su Lun, let’s go then."

...

Su Lun followed the Princess to the palace at the foot of the Sunlit Divine Mountain.

As expected of a princess, there were many guards around her in Edo Castle. Along the way, Su Lun also noticed many masters among the various overt guards and covert sentries.

Su Lun just wanted to find a quiet place to focus on his research and read. Naturally, he didn’t want to meet any high-ranking royal figures. All those red tapes and unnecessary socializing held no more value to him than conducting two additional alchemical experiments.

The Princess knew his thoughts, so she didn’t notify anyone else and led Su Lun across the moat and into the palace, enclosed by white walls.

The two silently entered the palace.

The palace complex was not small, comprising an outer garden and an inner garden. The inner garden, where the royals lived, was heavily guarded, and visiting it was a hassle Su Lun did not want. He wanted to go to the library in the eastern outer garden, which was a four-story building with a green-tiled roof as well.

Upon entering the palace, the guards dispersed a bit.

The Princess’s status was special, not only as a princess but also as a Sai-ō, and her authority was significant.

Bringing someone into the palace went unquestioned.

She acted like a diligent little tour guide, introducing her own home.

They walked through a garden with a blue lotus pond and many cherry trees. Somehow, the flowers were in full bloom, creating a captivating scene brimming with the essence of spring.

The architectural wonders of the palace, from elaborately carved beams to painted eaves, and the craftsmanship of the wooden structures, were a pleasure to behold.

The Princess led Su Lun on the stone path in the garden, pointing to the building next to the library and said, "That is the royal treasury..."

"Oh?"

Su Lun looked at the small building resembling a museum, and casually observed, he saw a set of famous armor from the Warring States period enshrined in a glass case. The royal collection was naturally extraordinary, gathering almost all the top treasures of the Mountain Hermit.

While walking, they talked.

Su Lun also shared some of his insights with the Princess, such as industry and social development. The situation in Mountain Hermit was complicated, and it was also the general trend.

But there was a conflict between the technological society and the theocratic society, so he didn’t say much, just casually reminded her as a friend.

The Princess perhaps knew the situation even better than him.

As they talked, they walked into the library.

The inside was very dry, with whale oil lamps hanging from the beams, illuminating the space brightly even at night.

They turned a corner in the corridor, and before them was a dense array of various books.

The Princess explained, "The first floor has some books collected from the people; the second floor holds various rare and unique editions; the third floor contains various Secret Techniques, Ninjutsu, and Onmyō-dō; the fourth floor is reserved for royal secret scriptures. Going up to the fourth floor requires a decree from my father, the Emperor, because many scriptures about the deities are not allowed to be read by anyone outside of the Shinfuku lineage."

Smiling slightly, she added, "However, if Mr. Su Lun wishes to go up there, I will be in the palace these days and can accompany you."

Su Lun listened and responded, "Then I have to trouble Princess. I just want to learn some about Mountain Hermit, and there’s no need to look at overly sensitive scriptures."

Being brought by the illustrious princess to visit the royal collection was an honor indeed, and he wasn’t about to push his luck.

Moreover, with so many books on these three floors, just trying to read through all of them would take many years.

Listening to this, the Princess smiled slightly; they were both familiar with this way of interacting.

She continued, "Sadly, the library was burned, losing many of its books."

Su Lun was also somewhat surprised, "This place was burned?"

There were many masters in the palace, and even if a fire broke out, using a ’Water Release Ninjutsu’ to extinguish it in minutes—how could it have continued burning?

"Yes, almost every one or two hundred years, it’s been burned down," she said, seemingly aware of what Su Lun found strange, and added, "Actually, not all of them were accidents, some fires were the will of the deities. Some texts offended the dignity of the deities, or should not be spread among people, so they naturally cannot be left in the world."

"Oh."

Su Lun listened with a dawning expression of enlightenment.

At the same time, he thought of what Mr. Jing had said before, that certain knowledge within humanity would be erased or blocked by higher deities. Was this an example?

They did not linger on the first floor, and walked up to the second floor on the wooden staircase.

This floor contained many unique and manuscript books, which couldn’t even be bought as copies elsewhere.

Su Lun’s gaze zapped across the labels on the bookshelves. His eyesight and cognitive abilities were extremely high, allowing him to understand what kinds of books were there almost at a glance.

He saw something and was slightly puzzled, "Miss Princess, do you have manuscripts by the great writer Fujiwara Hayato?"

"Of course," she responded.

The Princess clapped her hands.

Immediately, someone in the loft replied, "Her Royal Highness Princess, Fujiwara Hayato’s manuscripts were borrowed two days ago by the Chief Military Minister, Houjo Kazuo. In the library, we only have a copy from Taihe 9. It’s in cabinet West 13."

The Princess listened and nodded, "Okay, you may leave."

Su Lun listened without surprise since he had just noticed that the bookshelf labeled ’Fujiwara Hayato’ was empty.

He suddenly thought of Katyusha’s grandmother, that old lady’s influence was really significant. They even arranged to have items taken out of the Shinfuku Royal Library for her.

Su Lun didn’t say much. Whether it was manuscripts or copies, it made no difference to him.

Then, remembering what the old bookstore owner had said, he asked, "By the way, Miss Princess, do you know about Senso-ji? I heard that Mr. Fujiwara eventually retired there to lead a monastic life."

Her Royal Highness Princess nodded, "Of course, I know. The history of Asakusa Temple predates even Edo Castle... It is said that the ’Yamata no Orochi’ is sealed there."

Su Lun asked, "Yamata no Orochi? Does that mythological creature really exist?"

Although he asked that, he was dealing with a mythical creature. Counting the time, it was a monster from the era of Amaterasu Omikami, most likely nonexistent.

"It is said to exist," she replied with a sweet smile, pausing for a moment before delicately explaining, "It is the monks who are guarding it. I am a Shinto Shrine Maiden, not very clear about it."

Mountain Hermit not only had Shinto but also Buddhist temples; these were two belief systems with little intersection.

"Oh."

Su Lun did not ask further.

But his thoughts whirled, why would Mr. Fujiwara choose to train at Asakusa Temple?

Before they knew it, the two had walked up to the third floor.

The third floor had fewer books, but many more scrolls, steles, and beast skins showing obvious energy fluctuations. There were also various ninja family crests, major family crests, and martial arts school symbols, covering nearly every era of Mountain Hermit. Ninjutsu, swordsmanship, Shinto secret techniques, Onmyodo, forbidden secret techniques...

Just looking at those labels made Su Lun feel dizzy.

Upstairs was the most mysterious fourth floor of the library.

Even on the stairs, Su Lun saw various prohibitions.

Though Su Lun knew that the books upstairs involved some taboos, he still wanted to visit and expand his knowledge.

He asked, "Princess, may I visit upstairs?"

Understanding his intent, the Princess happily nodded, "Of course."

Thump, thump, thump...

The two of them walked up the stairs.

With the Princess leading, none of the prohibitions were triggered.

Upon ascending, the space was not too large, and there weren’t too many collections.

Su Lun looked around the fourth floor with black and white curtains hanging everywhere, enticing those wearing the Shinfuku family crest, and also some sacrificial totems of Amaterasu Omikami.

With most of these collections, Su Lun distinctly felt an indescribable will.

It was the power of the gods.

The Princess explained, "These are all items inherited by our Shinfuku family, once enshrined with the ’Three Divine Artifacts’: The Kusanagi Sword, Yasakani no Magatama, and Yata Mirror. Unfortunately, they were lost in the wars later..."

"Oh..."

Su Lun felt truly enlightened, seeing so many "Objects of Shinto" for the first time.

Having seen and learned, he did not want to offend.

After pausing briefly, he was just thinking of going down.

But at that moment, his gaze swept across the colorful mural on the wall. He quietly exclaimed and focused his attention on it.

The mural depicted the "Black Sun Grand Festival."

The content was a legend he had heard before, where Amaterasu Omikami left in anger, and a black sun appeared in the sky, leading people to conduct a grand sacrificial ceremony.

And the core content was about the Shinto shrine maiden’s sacrificial process.

It wasn’t just any maiden, judging by her attire, she was a Saiō!

The mural showed the maiden dancing atop a fallen barrel, her upper body completely uncovered, her chest exposed, her garment hanging down to her private area, drawing cheers from the surrounding gods.

The painting style was so vivid, it was as if one were looking at a real-life movie scene. It seemed as if celestial music was playing by his ears, the dance movements as if performed by a heavenly being.

However, looking at that maiden’s attire, Su Lun unconsciously thought of what the Princess’s shrine maiden attire looked like, noting a ninety percent similarity in demeanor and appearance.

Moreover, he just realized that the traditional Kagura dance involved disrobing?

Although he harbored no impure thoughts, his mind inevitably wandered a bit.

The Princess, noticing Su Lun’s gaze, blushed slightly and explained, "This is the ’Kagura Dance,’ a ritual dance that every Saiō must be familiar with."

She seemed to recall something else, paused, and added, "This dance is performed for the gods to see. It takes place only inside the shrine altar, invisible to others. The Kagura dances outside are all simplified versions..."

Su Lun expressed his realization, "I see."

He felt that coming here was indeed worthwhile, as his knowledge greatly expanded.

The Princess was a good friend indeed.

Without her, Su Lun would not have had the opportunity to access so many secrets of Mountain Hermit.

...

After a moment, the two walked down to the third floor.

The Princess knew Su Lun had many secrets that would be troublesome if known by outsiders, so she had instructed the guards in the library to leave the building.

Soon, the vast library was left with just the two of them.

The Princess also had to prepare for the grand festival and thus would stay in the imperial residence for the next few days for incense burning, bathing, and purification. She was staying in a loft not far from the library, and could easily be reached if needed.

Su Lun felt that nothing much would happen.

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At least before the Black Sun Grand Festival, he planned to stay in the library.

He had too much to do.

Once the Princess left, Su Lun unleashed the Octopus Spear Prosthetics, and countless threads pulled out the books he was interested in.

Reading a hundred lines at a glance, he flipped through several books at once.

Su Lun absorbed the knowledge in the library like a ravenous beast.