Chapter 150 A-088- Tianshen Eye

The Talent A-088 – *Tiantong Yan* (Heavenly Eye) is rare and powerful, a mystical type of prophetic ability.

But it doesn't offer much of a combat boost.

At least, not in its recorded initial awakenings.

Suren knew from the ancient texts he had read that the Yamahide region had inherited this "bloodline limit."

It was said that these eyes could see where all beings in the Six Paths died and where they were reborn.

But those who possessed this ability were destined for a tragic fate from birth.

Because once those eyes opened, they could see the scenes of others' deaths. And these were inevitable future events, impossible to change.

So, they would repeatedly see the deaths of their family and friends. Fate gave them the chance to see the future, but they couldn't change it; those images would eventually become reality. That was the most helpless feeling.

Therefore, people who awakened this talent were usually seen as ominous "bringers of death."

The young *koto* player before him wasn't blind; she simply didn't want to use those eyes to see a world that felt like a "horror movie" to her.

Suren frowned as he watched her approach, a bad feeling rising within him.

…

Chihiro seemed to recognize the special nature of these eyes as well, smiling slightly as she asked, "So, you have something to say to me?"

The young *koto* player looked sad, as if she blamed herself for being the source of misfortune. "I know you're looking for my grandfather, but he passed away two years ago."

"Your grandfather?"

Hearing this, Chihiro suddenly realized something and asked, "Are you the granddaughter of the Sword Saint, Akutagawa Ryuichi?"

The girl nodded. "My grandfather found me."

Revealing her identity would bring her a lot of trouble.

Chihiro listened, a look of realization dawning on her face as she murmured, "No wonder there's swordsmanship in your *koto* music…"

But at the same time, her face revealed a deep regret. "So, Akutagawa-sensei has already passed away… What a shame."

The young *koto* player seemed unsure of how to phrase her words so as not to be disliked. Just like in the village, she had been feared, ignored, rejected, and driven away because she had foreseen the villagers' deaths…

She stammered, "I don't know how I can help you. But… but… this is for you."

As she spoke, the young *koto* player clumsily took apart the pegs of her *shamisen*, then disassembled the entire instrument, revealing a small carving knife and a piece of white silk inside. "This is the *koto* my grandfather carved for me. He once said that if I met a good person, I should give it away. I…"

Chihiro's pupils shrank as she saw the carving knife. "The secret teachings of the Akutagawa Ich刀-ryu (One-Cut Style)!"

The more she examined it, the more she felt the sharp, piercing swordsmanship emanating from the ancient carving knife.

The small figures drawn on the white silk were clearly a highly skilled sword technique.

Chihiro took a deep breath, her spirited face unable to hide her delight. "You're giving it to me?"

The young *koto* player nodded. "Yes."

Her expression was somewhat flustered, as if she didn't know how to explain her actions if questioned closely. "I don't know if I can help you, but you're good people. I… this is all I can do."

Hearing this, Chihiro suddenly understood something.

She smiled calmly. "You foresaw my death?"

"I… I…"

Hearing this, the young *koto* player couldn't hide her panic. Was she going to be hated again…?

But to her surprise, the female swordsman before her asked again in a very calm tone, "I'm also curious, how will I die?"

The young *koto* player hesitated for a moment before saying with great difficulty, "I saw… you… you are in a fire…"

Suren hadn't said a word throughout.

But hearing this, his mood suddenly shifted.

Chihiro-姐 (older sister) will die?

Although he knew that this was everyone's inevitable end, being told in advance made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

Moreover, he was well aware that the death scenes foreseen by the legendary Talent A-088 – *Tiantong Yan* (Heavenly Eye) were destined to happen.

In other words, Chihiro would die in an accident? (Chihiro won't die; there's an interesting plot coming up.)

The two people beside him were more or less emotionally affected, but Chihiro, the person involved, raised an eyebrow imperceptibly when she heard this.

Her face showed no sadness or surprise, as if she took her own life and death lightly.

Such was the fate of a Rakshasa woman.

She looked at the little girl's uneasy expression and smiled magnanimously, as if to comfort her, asking only, "At that time… did I have any regrets?"

"No."

The young *koto* player shook her head, her lifeless eyes looking at the person before her, and replied, "I saw you smiling as you turned back in the flames."

Hearing this, Chihiro's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "That's good then."

As if seeing the ending of her life as she had imagined it, nothing else seemed to matter.

She looked at the young girl before her and asked, "Will you be my disciple?"

The young *koto* player understood her meaning and shook her head. "No. This is my own destiny. No one else can change it."

Chihiro shrugged, as if seeing a reflection of herself, and said nothing more.

She turned to Suren, who was slightly distracted, and called out, "Let's go."

"Yeah."

Suren nodded.

He glanced at the girl again, hesitating, as if he felt he should say something, but didn't know what to say.

The young *koto* player had already closed her eyes. "Sir… you are the Lord of the Underworld. I cannot see your future."

…

The two walked out of the alley side by side.

Suren looked at the snow on the ground, and out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Chihiro beside him.

It was as if he was seeing her seriously for the first time; her spirited face still held that carefree, frivolous smile.

Chihiro naturally noticed his gaze and complained, "Hey… why are you staring at me?"

Suren shrugged and didn't reply.

In that instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

How can a person not die?

Suren suddenly felt that this might be the meaning of researching the three ultimate subjects of alchemy: to unravel the meaning of life?

There is no eternal substance in the world.

One day, family will die, friends will die, and I will die…

From the moment all things in the world are born, they are destined to reach an end.

And that end is "death"?

Is death really the end?

He vaguely felt a sense of enlightenment.

Suren's understanding of the "laws of death" far surpassed that of ordinary people. At this moment, it was as if quicksand was slipping through his fingers, and he seemed to have sensed something new.

Just as a series of thoughts flashed through his mind, suddenly an arm casually draped over his shoulder, and then he was pulled forcefully against her body.

As intimate as usual.

Suren only felt his head sink deeply into a soft sensation, and then he was punched, and he heard Chihiro's dissatisfied grumbling in his ear, "What are you thinking about!"

Chihiro was half a head shorter than Suren, and such an intimate action forced Suren to bend over. His neck was locked and he couldn't break free, so he simply squatted down and lifted Chihiro up in his arms.

Before, Chihiro had always been in the upper hand in countless shoulder-to-shoulder encounters, but this time Suren took the initiative.

Suddenly, her body was lifted into the air, and Chihiro was greatly surprised and unable to break free. "Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing, kid? Put me down!"

"Hahaha…"

Suren suddenly laughed.

Ignoring Chihiro's struggles, he ran wildly through the alley.

Suren's physical fitness was not bad; even carrying a person, he was as light as a swallow, running and leaping, finding the highest house nearby, and climbing directly onto the roof. Only then did he put Chihiro down.

At this moment, it was completely dark, and the huge city of Edo was filled with orange lights, and the starry sky above was dazzling.

The scenery was beautiful.

Chihiro was carried onto the roof, her eyes dim. She had originally wanted to beat Suren up, but looking at the scene before her, her eyes gradually became blurred. "Oh, this place has a pretty good view."

Suren smiled.

The two sat side by side on the ridge of the roof, looking at the worldly atmosphere of the city.

The Fei River divided Edo into two areas, north and south. The north city was brighter, where the residences of the wealthy class were mostly located. The south city was darker, where the poor people gathered. Sparkling lights floated on the river, which were river lanterns released by residents to pray to the gods. Some Kongming lanterns also floated in the sky, looking like fireflies because they were far away.

Recently, many dead people from the *Yomi* (underworld) had appeared in the city, and there were more people worshiping.

At the end of the horizon was a large mountain, its shadow hazy.

It was one of the three sacred mountains of the Yamahide region, "Hakujitsu Shinzan" (White Day Sacred Mountain). Even at night, one could see its towering mountain range and the snow-capped peaks.

The magnificent palace complex built against the mountain with white walls and green tile roofs was the imperial residence where the Divine Garment Imperial Family lived.

The two remained silent for a long time, their eyes reflecting the scenery of the city.

Suddenly, a paper crane flew through the sky.

Chihiro reached out and caught the paper crane, saying, "Miko-sama (Miss Miko) is here."

Suren looked down and saw several figures approaching quickly.

Several guards stayed below, and a figure in white clothes darted up to the roof. Looking closely, it was Miko in disguise as a man.

When Miko saw the two sitting on the ridge of the roof, she sat down next to Chihiro without any restraint and exclaimed, "Oh… Chihiro-姐 (older sister) and Suren-sensei (teacher) have found a place with a very good view."

Chihiro pursed her lips and said, "He found it."

As she spoke, she hooked her arm around Miko's shoulder and said presumptuously, "Miko-sama (Miss Miko), Suren-kun (boy) wants to stay with you for a few days. Are you willing?"

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere instantly became strange.

Suren was dumbfounded.

The meaning was there, but the way Chihiro said it made it sound wrong.

Fortunately, Miko had become very familiar with them these days. Hearing Chihiro's words, she automatically filtered out the teasing and immediately understood the meaning. "Suren-sensei (teacher) wants to stay at the imperial residence for a few days?"

She showed the enthusiastic smile of a hospitable host and answered her own question, "Of course you can!"

"Yeah."

Suren also nodded and said his thoughts, "I want to stay in the imperial library for a few days to look at the Yamahide books. I don't know if it's convenient for Miko-sama (Miss Miko)."

"Of course it's convenient."

Miko said happily, "There are indeed many secret books in the library. Suren-sensei (teacher) likes to study so much, you certainly won't be disappointed."

The two were no longer strangers, and Suren was not overly polite, smiling, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Miko didn't take it seriously. "It's no trouble at all."

Chihiro, as if feeling that her mission was completed, muttered, "Then you can chat slowly, I won't keep you company."

Hearing this, Miko looked at Chihiro in surprise, "Chihiro-姐 (older sister), aren't you going?"

Chihiro was not one to stay idle, and said with a bored look, "There are so many rules in the imperial residence, what's the point? I don't want to be locked up there."

As she spoke, she stood up and jumped down without looking back. "Okay, you guys have a good chat, I'll go first!"

Looking again, in the blink of an eye, she had disappeared into the alley.

Suren: "…"

Miko: "…"

The two on the roof looked at each other, both with dumbfounded expressions.

Miko got up and bowed slightly, "Suren-sensei (teacher), let's go."

…

Suren followed Miko to the imperial residence at the foot of "Hakujitsu Shinzan" (White Day Sacred Mountain).

As expected of an imperial princess, she had many guards around her in Edo. Along the way, with various guards in the open and hidden, Suren also noticed many masters.

Suren simply wanted to find a place to do his research undisturbed and read books, so he naturally didn't want to meet any imperial bigwigs. Those formalities and useless socializing were completely less meaningful to him than doing two more alchemy experiments.

Miko also knew his thoughts, so she didn't notify anyone else. She led Suren across the moat and into the palace surrounded by white walls.

The two quietly entered the imperial residence.

The area of the palace complex was not very large, with an outer garden and an imperial garden. The imperial garden was where the imperial family lived, heavily guarded, and it was troublesome to enter for worship, so Suren didn't want to go. He was going to the library in the eastern outer garden, which was a four-story building with the same green tile roof.

After entering the imperial palace, some of the guards dispersed.

Miko's identity was very special; she was not only an imperial princess but also a *Saiou* (High Priestess), and had great power.

No one came to question her about bringing a stranger into the palace.

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

The two passed through a garden with a blue lotus pond and a large number of cherry blossom trees. Using some method, the garden was in full bloom, a charming scene of spring.

The buildings in the imperial residence had carved beams and painted pillars, making the wooden building craftsmanship to the extreme, which was pleasing to the eye.

Miko led Suren along the stone slabs in the garden, pointing to the building next to the library and saying, "That is the imperial treasure house…"

"Oh?"

Suren looked at the building that looked like a museum, and casually glanced over to see a set of famous Sengoku armor displayed in a glass cabinet. The imperial collection was naturally extremely luxurious, and it gathered almost all the top secret treasures of the Yamahide region.

The two walked and chatted.

Suren also briefly told Miko some of his understanding, such as industry and social development.

The current situation in the Yamahide region was very complicated, and it was a general trend.

But the society of technological civil rights and the theocratic society had certain conflicts, and he didn't say much, just reminding her as a friend.

Miko probably knew the situation better than him.

As they chatted, the two walked into the library.

…

The building was very dry, and whale oil lamps were hung on the beams, making it bright even at night.

The two turned a corner in the corridor, and what came into view was a dense collection of various books.

Miko introduced, "The first floor has some books collected from the people; the second floor has some unique and rare books; the third floor has various secret techniques, ninjutsu, and onmyodo; the fourth floor is the imperial secret collection. Going to the fourth floor requires a special decree from my father, because many books about the gods are not allowed to be read by people outside the Divine Garment Clan."

As she spoke, she smiled slightly. "However, if Suren-sensei (teacher) wants to go up, I will be in the palace these few days, so I can accompany you to take a look."

Suren listened and responded, "Then I'll have to trouble Miko-sama (Miss Miko). I just want to understand some things about the Yamahide region. If there are too sensitive books, I don't need to read them."

Being personally brought by a princess to visit the imperial collection was already a great honor, and he would not take it too far.

Besides, there were so many books on the lower three floors, and it would probably take many years to read them all.

Listening, Miko smiled slightly. The two were very familiar with this way of getting along, and neither would embarrass the other.

She walked and introduced, "Unfortunately, the library was burned, and many books were lost."

Suren was a little surprised and asked, "This place was burned?"

There were many masters in the imperial palace. Even if there was a fire, wouldn't they be able to put it out in minutes with "water escape ninjutsu"?

"Yes, it is burned almost every one or two hundred years."

Miko said, and seemed to know what Suren was wondering, and added, "In fact, not all of them are accidents. Some fires are the will of the gods. Some of the content of the text will offend the dignity of the gods, or should not be spread, so naturally they cannot be left in the world."

"Oh."

Suren listened with a look of understanding.

At the same time, he also thought of what Mr. Kagami said before, that some knowledge of humans would be erased and shielded by the upper gods. Was this seeing an example?

The two didn't stay on the first floor for long, and climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor.

This floor had many unique and manuscripts, which could not be bought even as copied versions.

Suren's eyes were like lightning, quickly scanning the labels on the bookshelves. His eyesight and brain development were extremely high, and he knew roughly what books there were at a glance.

He saw something and was a little puzzled. "Miko-sama (Miss Miko), are there any manuscripts by the great writer Fujiwara Hayato?"

"Of course there are."

Miko clapped her hands.

At this time, someone in the pavilion immediately responded, "Reporting to Her Highness Princess, Fujiwara Hayato's manuscript was borrowed by Military Minister Hojo Kazuo two days ago. There is only a copy from the ninth year of Taiwa in the library. In the west thirteenth cabinet."

Listening, Miko nodded, "Okay. You can go."

Suren was not surprised, because he had just scanned that the bookshelf with the "Fujiwara Hayato" label was empty.

He suddenly thought of Katyusha's grandmother; that old woman had a lot of energy. Someone in the Divine Garment Imperial Library had taken things out for her in advance.

Suren didn't say much.

Manuscripts and copied versions were no different to him.

At this time, he remembered what the bookstore owner had said and asked, "By the way, does Miko-sama (Miss Miko) know Senso-ji Temple? I heard that Mr. Fujiwara finally practiced in that temple?"

Miko nodded. "Of course I know. The history of Senso-ji Temple is even earlier than Edo… It is said that the 'Yamata no Orochi (Eight-Forked Serpent)' is sealed there."

Suren asked, "Yamata no Orochi (Eight-Forked Serpent)? Does that kind of monster in myths and legends really exist?"

This was a solid mythological creature, and calculating the time, it was a monster from the same era as Amaterasu (sun goddess). Although he asked this, he also felt that it was probably not there.

"It is said that it exists."

Miko replied with a sweet smile, paused, and explained euphemistically, "The monks are guarding it. I am a Shinto shrine maiden, so I don't know very well."

Yamahide not only had Shintoism but also Buddhist temples. These were two belief systems that had little interaction with each other.

"Oh."

Suren didn't ask more questions.

But his thoughts also flew, why would Mr. Fujiwara choose to practice in Senso-ji Temple?

Unknowingly, the two walked to the third floor.

There were many fewer books on the third floor, but there were many scrolls, steles, and vellum papers with obvious energy fluctuations. There were also various ninja family crests, family crests of various major families, and martial arts school logos, covering almost all eras of the Yamahide region. Ninjutsu, swordsmanship, Shinto secret techniques, onmyodo, forbidden secret techniques…

Just looking at the labels, Suren felt dizzy.

Above was the most mysterious fourth floor of the library.

Even on the stairs, Suren saw various restrictions.

Although Suren knew that the books upstairs involved some taboos, he also wanted to visit and increase his knowledge.

He asked, "Miko-sama (Miss Miko), can I visit upstairs?"

Miko understood his meaning and nodded happily. "Of course."

Toc, toc, toc…

The two walked up the stairs.

With Miko leading the way, the restrictions were not triggered.

Walking up, the space was not too large, and the collection was not too much.

Suren saw that various black and white cloth curtains with the cherry blossom family crest of the Divine Garment Clan were hung everywhere on the fourth floor, as well as some sacrificial totems of Amaterasu (sun goddess).

Suren obviously felt an indescribable will in most of the collections here.

This was the power of the gods.

Very strong.

The foundation of the Divine Garment Clan was also very extraordinary.

Miko introduced, "These are all items inherited from our Divine Garment Clan. The 'Three Sacred Treasures', Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Sword of Gathering Clouds), Yasakani no Magatama (Eight Shaku Jewel), and Yata no Kagami (Eight Hand Mirror), were once enshrined here. Unfortunately, they were lost in the war later…"

"Oh…"

Suren also felt that he had really gained knowledge. This was the first time he had seen so many "Shinto objects".

Having gained knowledge, he didn't want to offend.

After staying for a while, he originally wanted to go down.

But at this moment, just as his eyes scanned, he looked at the colored murals on the wall, his heart gave a light sigh, and his eyes focused on the past.

The mural depicted the situation of the "Black Sun Grand Festival".

The content was also the legend Suren had heard: Amaterasu (sun goddess) left in anger, and a black sun appeared in the sky. People held a grand sacrificial ceremony.

And the core content of the story was the process of the Miko sacrifice.

Not an ordinary Miko, judging by her clothing, it was a *Saiou* (High Priestess)!

The Miko in the mural was dancing on a fallen wooden barrel, her upper body bare, her breasts exposed, her clothes hanging down to her private parts, causing the gods watching to cheer.

The style of painting was very realistic, as if people were seeing a real person like a movie scene. It was as if the music of the *Kagura* (Shinto ceremonial music and dance) was ringing in his ears, and the dance was like a fairy dancing.

However, looking at the Miko's attire, Suren unconsciously thought of Miko's appearance in Miko clothing. She and the person in the painting really had 90% similarity in temperament and appearance.

Seeing this, Suren also realized that the orthodox *Kagura* (Shinto ceremonial music and dance) required taking off clothes?

Although there were no evil thoughts, his thoughts could not help but think of some other things.

Miko naturally noticed Suren's gaze, a touch of blush flashed across her cheeks, and explained, "This is the '*Kagura (Shinto ceremonial music and dance)*', a dance to worship the gods that every generation of *Saiou* (High Priestess) must be familiar with."

She seemed to have thought of something else, paused, and added, "This dance is only for the gods to see. It will only be in the shrine altar, and others will not be able to see it. Those *Kagura (Shinto ceremonial music and dance)* outside have been simplified…"

Suren showed understanding. "I see."

He also felt that it was really right to come here; he had greatly increased his knowledge.

This Miko was friendly enough.

Without her, Suren would not have the opportunity to come into contact with so many top secrets of the Yamahide country.

…

The two stayed for a while and walked down to the third floor.

Miko knew that Suren had many secrets that would be troublesome if outsiders knew about them, so she ordered the guards in the library to leave the building.

Before long, there were only two people in the huge library.

Miko was also preparing for the Grand Festival, so she would be staying in the imperial residence these few days to burn incense, bathe, and abstain from meat. She said that she lived in the attic not far from the library and could come over if she was notified of anything.

Suren didn't think anything would happen.

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

He had too many things to do.

As soon as Miko left, Suren released the Eight-Armed Spider Spear implantation, and countless threads pulled out the books he was interested in.

Reading hundreds of lines at a glance and reading several books at a time.

Suren absorbed the knowledge in the library like a whale.