The Demon's Menu-Chapter 980: How Should One Properly Express Apologies? (2)

To this, Tsuchimikado Motoharu was not surprised.

The rumored ’Tongshou Temple’ was a rather peculiar monastery.

Each of its masters was not born of ’Tongshou Temple’ itself, but was chosen by the previous master through a series of tests to become the new master of ’Tongshou Temple.’

His lord was undoubtedly the previous Tongshou Temple’s target for the trials.

Now?

He had naturally passed.

There were naturally many more matters to discuss.

Including but not limited to succession.

This was good news.

Thinking this, Tsuchimikado Motoharu turned his head to look at Hui Lijing and Ryosuke.

"There’s some time left before dawn."

"Do the two of you need to rest or have some refreshments?"

Tsuchimikado Motoharu smiled cordially, making his already handsome face even more striking.

This made Ryosuke feel even more surreal.

Why is it that enemies from before can now sit down and have tea together?

Is this the ’Mystical Side’?

But...

Something crossed Ryosuke’s mind, and he hesitated slightly.

"Yan Xia and Ichiro Sakajo..."

"It wasn’t me."

"I didn’t make a move."

"Even though they got what they deserved."

Tsuchimikado Motoharu flatly denied it.

Looking at the handsome man before him, Ryosuke frowned deeply.

Perhaps it was as the other had said, the other party had not made a move.

But it was surely under the other’s guidance.

But what if he knew?

Let alone whether there was evidence.

Judging from the courtyard where the other resided, just that pine tree was worth ten years of his salary, such wealth...

Hah.

Ryosuke chuckled softly.

"I won’t need any refreshments."

"I’m particular about my bed, and I can’t sleep in a strange place."

"I’ll take my leave then."

Having said that, Ryosuke walked towards the outside of the courtyard.

Waiting there, a servant had already been expecting him for some time.

Following the servant, Ryosuke exited the courtyard building, refused the servant’s offer to accompany him further, and strode forward.

He didn’t even glance back at the courtyard behind him.

He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to hold back and would say something excessive.

After all, he was not alone.

He had a sister to support.

If he died, his sister... would not survive.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Indeed, I am no different from those bastards.

Ryosuke sneered at himself.

And then—

Slap!

He fiercely slapped himself.

"That really hurts."

Ryosuke murmured and then finally looked around.

"Have I already reached the top of the mountain?"

"Do I have to walk back?"

Ryosuke somewhat regretted turning down the servant just now.

But still, without looking back, he walked down the mountain path against the wind.

...

"I’d like to have some hot tea."

"And, are there any bean daifuku?"

Hui Lijing didn’t have Ryosuke’s hesitations.

She immediately stated what she wanted to eat at the moment.

"Of course."

Tsuchimikado Motoharu immediately gestured with his hand.

In less than a minute, a small tea table appeared in front of Hui Lijing.

On it were three bean daifuku, served in a delicate bowl, while the hot tea was prepared by a tea master upon request.

The whole process was pleasing to the eye.

Yet Hui Lijing’s gaze was not fixed on this, but she intermittently glanced towards Jason and the old Monks of Tongshou Temple, even though she was usually very observant and alert, for some reason she couldn’t hear any of their conversation.

With such a distance, that shouldn’t be the case.

"It’s a type of secret technique."

"A little trick, really."

"However, for someone like the... Tongshou Temple Monk to cultivate to such a degree, it is quite rare."

Tsuchimikado Motoharu saw Hui Lijing’s confusion and explained to her.

But in referring to the old Monk of Tongshou Temple, he dropped the title Master and stuck with the original name—this was because he did not know the Monk’s real name, otherwise he should be addressing him by his given name at such a time.

In Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s view, only his lord deserved to be called ’Master of Tongshou Temple.’

"So that’s how it is!"

Hui Lijing’s eyes lit up once more.

She was full of curiosity about that world.

The curiosity grows even stronger now.

Especially when looking at Jason’s interaction with the old Monk of Tongshou Temple, she can’t help but wish to take Jason’s place.

To inherit the legacy of Tongshou Temple.

Then, to express her gratitude to the old Monk.

Afterward, the old Monk presents her with the true secret technique in face of her sincere gratitude.

Tears of appreciation stream down her face as she thanks him repeatedly.

Later, relying on this secret technique, she rises rapidly to prominence, but due to her shallow foundation, she suffers a severe ambush attack. The old Monk reappears to save her life, and immediately transfers his power to her for a full cycle of sixty years.

But after transferring his power, the old Monk passes away.

She begins her revenge!

Quickly, after the success of her revenge, she becomes the true number one under the heavens.

And moreover, she dominates an era and becomes a true legend.

How wonderful that would be!

Hui Lijing sighs.

But in reality —

"I’m sorry."

"I am deeply sorry."

"Please forgive me."

In a corner, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple apologizes three times in a row.

Then, without waiting for Jason to say anything, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple takes the initiative to say.

"I am willing to compensate!"

"How will you compensate?"

Jason looks displeased at the old Monk who tries to shift the burden onto him.

He doesn’t know what has happened, but if the old Monk before him doesn’t offer a reasonable explanation, he doesn’t mind letting the other party experience the fragrance of the soil that comes after being deeply buried.

"Like I just said."

"Everything of the Tongshou Temple is yours."

"Including but not limited to the legacy, artifacts, etc."

The old Monk of Tongshou Temple says, filled with regret.

He is well aware that his recent selfishness could bring danger to Jason.

But!

He really had no other choice!

He didn’t want to die!

He’s been wanting to hand over ’Tongshou Temple’ for a long time.

But the struggle to hold on until now was due to the fear of bequeathing it to the unworthy.

He was afraid of letting down the faux Monk.

So, he gritted his teeth and persevered, not wanting to casually give away ’Tongshou Temple’!

Until he met Jason just now.

First, Jason is very powerful.

He can’t gauge how strong, but at least stronger than him, and stronger than Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

He may not count for much.

But Tsuchimikado Motoharu does have quite a reputation.

Yet facing Jason, Tsuchimikado Motoharu doesn’t even dare to resist.

This says enough.

Handing over ’Tongshou Temple’ to him, at the very least, could ensure self-preservation.

Second, character.

To stand up without hesitation and cover their retreat in the face of a ’ghost’ pursuit is already commendable.

Then, offering help without hesitation in response to his and Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s ’bet’ made him appreciate the courage and kindness in Jason.

Maybe he doesn’t talk much.

But his heart is passionate.

Those who are cold on the outside but warm on the inside are generally not bad people.

Third, identity.

He has heard of Jason’s identity as an ’Exorcist’.

Originally from the ’Mystical Side’, there’s no need to adapt to the ’Mystical Side’.

The chances of survival greatly increase.

It really couldn’t get any better.

Good strength, good character, and adaptability, this is the ’successor’ he has been looking for.

So, at the first chance, he shifts the burden.

And having shifted the burden, naturally, there should be compensation.

Not just everything inside ’Tongshou Temple’.

In the eyes of the old Monk of Tongshou Temple, that is something Jason deserves since everything inside ’Tongshou Temple’ should rightfully belong to Jason once he inherits it.

Therefore, he must express his apologies in his own way.

Should he teach secret techniques as compensation?

That is also a given.

The faux Monk did the same back in his days.

What about teaching to use artifacts?

The same reasoning applies.

But putting all that aside, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple realizes he doesn’t have much else to offer.

After much thought, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple comes up with an idea.

When he was wandering in the past, he often used this method to express gratitude.

It’s just... that was when he was wandering.

Now, things are different.

But lacking any better ideas in the short term, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple has no choice but to opt for this method.

Sigh!

After taking a deep breath, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple, with a nervous and utterly ashamed tone, says —

"Alternatively... may I invite you to dinner?"