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"Gaia!"
His voice created ripples on the calm sea surface, and the light condensed into a figure.
I couldn't see his face, but I was stunned by the beauty that could not be described in words. It was as if everything beautiful in the world came from him. There was no doubt that he was God.
"Is this your kingdom? Am I dead?"
If people can really stay in such a country forever after death, then death is really not a scary thing.
It was peaceful and far away, without any pain. I looked up at the sea of souls in the mountains, trying to see the people in my memory. But the surface of the quiet sea was clear and nothing could be seen.
"You're not dead, and she's not here."
"Not here?" Shanzhong was a little anxious. He didn't care about his situation. He just wanted to see her again, even if it was just once. Just like Gaia had promised him.
"Do you really want to see me again? No matter what?"
"Yes, no matter what the cost!" Yamanaka said firmly.
"You are still standing still, but Maya has started a new journey."
Yamanaka couldn't understand the meaning of that sentence.
Then it all happened suddenly:
Like a silver mirror shattering, with a moment of weightlessness, Shanzhong realized that he was falling. All around him was a void, and what he saw was a blue planet. He was falling towards the earth in the boundless sky.
Fall, and fall again.
If this were reality, he would have been torn apart by the atmosphere. But this was just a dream, and in the mountains, there was no thought or idea, and the ground was getting closer and closer in a dreamlike state.
Then the next moment, he stepped on the ground with both feet. All around him was white. White walls, white ceiling.
Shan looked around blankly, but luckily he was able to regain consciousness, which was clearer than he thought. He found that this was a hospital, with a sign of Fushan Hospital hanging outside, and he was in a corridor of the hospital.
At this moment, a cry was heard from across the wall. It was the first cry of a new life coming into the world.
I saw it in the mountains. It was a wrinkled little baby, not cute, like a little old man. After the umbilical cord was cut, the doctor held it in his palm. All babies born in amniotic fluid are like this.
It was so ugly, but the sense of déjà vu and the thrill at that moment made Shan's heart tremble.
"Maya?"
He remembered Gaia's words - she had started a new journey, while he was still stuck in the same place.
So, that was really Maya?
When a life dies, there will be no more identical souls, but the newborn baby does have some fragments of Maya's soul.
With his back against the wall, he slowly slid down the mountain. He didn't know whether he should be happy for his new life or sad for himself. He was filled with mixed emotions and felt empty inside.
Shan Zhong wanted to cry, but found that he couldn't. Maybe it was because he was in a dream, or maybe it was because his tear glands in the real world had been burned.
He lost the ability to cry.
Then, Shan Zhong felt a warm hand caressing his eyes, which was a little stinging and a little cool.
"Why do you do so much for me, Gaia? Someone like me is not worth it at all."
Rude, impulsive, and easily angered, Yamanaka knows that he is not a good person at all. He is always self-centered, but he can't even protect Maya.
"Why do you always find faults in yourself? Will punishing yourself like this make you feel better? Yamanaka, you have saved many people and protected the earth from the Yawa people. You are much better than you think."
Self-blame doesn't make you feel good, and punishing yourself will only make you sink deeper.
"Whatever sins you think you have committed, in the name of this planet, I forgive them."
When the morning light came in from the window, Shanzhong opened his eyes. The familiar room was his dormitory.
On the sofa next to him, Konno was taking a nap. He stayed here all night because he was worried about Yamanaka. Ben was still snoring, but the slight sound of Yamanaka getting up immediately woke him up.
"Yama, are you awake?"
"Well, the weather is really nice today." Looking out the window in the mountains, the sky was as clear as glass.
"Indeed... No, Yamanaka, are your eyes okay?!"
"Didn't I tell you that you'll be fine after a good night's sleep?"
He did say that, but that's totally unscientific! Konno found it hard to believe, but Yamanaka could see it.
In fact, what he said last night was indeed self-abandonment in the mountains, but now, he has more important things to do than this.
He put on his clothes, went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth casually, and walked out without even bothering to wash his face.
"Where are you going, Yamanaka?"
"Fushan Hospital."
Hospital? He should go to the hospital, but why Fukuyama Hospital? Konno didn't understand.
"Wait a minute in the mountains. I'll drive you there."
"No, I'll take a taxi myself. You should have a good rest."
The taxi stopped in front of Fushan Hospital. Before the car stopped, Yamanaka opened the door hastily. He took out cash and gave it to the driver, and got out of the car without waiting for the change.
Fushan Hospital was exactly the same as in his dream. Yamanaka walked through the gate and headed toward the corridor in his dream.
But he was soon stopped.
"Sir, this is the obstetrics and gynecology department. If you are not a family member, you cannot go in."
Obstetrics and gynecology? Yes, this is the obstetrics and gynecology department. He is not a family member, and the people inside have no relationship with him in any way, either by blood or by law.
Yamanaka stood blankly at the door. When the nurse was hesitating whether to call the security guard, a baby bed was pushed past the glass in the door. At a glance, Yamanaka was sure at that moment.
"Was that baby born today?" he asked the nurse at the door.
"what?"
"It's the child who just passed away. I'm a friend of his family. The birth of a new life is always worth celebrating, isn't it?"
The nurse stared at him for a while, trying to confirm whether he was a suspicious person, until Yamanaka took out his TAC team ID.
"Ah, it's Team TAC!"
It doesn't matter anymore.
"The child was born last night. You may not know that the heavy snow last night caused a power outage in the hospital. Fortunately, the monster was destroyed in time, and the power was restored before the backup power was exhausted. Thanks to your TAC team, mother and child are safe."
"Really? The one that was born last night...wait, you said mother and child?"
"Yes, he is a handsome boy."
Shan Zhong's expression was a little strange for a moment, but he was relieved soon. The new journey, the past was just a passing cloud, and he was the real fool to stay where he was.
"She was born last night and her birthday is Christmas. She must be an angel-like child, right?"
"Who says it's not true? But every child born into the world is an angel coming down to earth."
Just as he and Maya had promised, he would marry, have children, build a happy family, and grow old together in the future.
So, you must be happy too, angel who has come to this world.
Walking out of the hospital, the fresh air filled his nose. Shanzhong felt that he had really left the past behind, and every step would usher in a new life.
Chapter 194: Riyao’s Demon-Breaking Festival
When we got off the plane, Izumo Yuuen Airport was very lively with lights and decorations. There were obviously many more tourists at the airport than when Lingya came last time.
“Most of these people are here to participate in Hatsumode.”
Reimu said with some pride.
She told Priest Tsugeki that she was going to pick up Reiya, but in fact she was just touring Tokyo for two days. They only agreed to meet at the airport before leaving and came to Izumo together.
"How's Tokyo?"
Ling also asked this, and Reimu found it difficult to answer for a moment.
The city was bustling with people and cars. Tokyo and Izumo were two completely different worlds. In two days, she and Tsuge went to the famous Tokyo Tower and looked out over the entire city. They also went to Shibuya and Ginza to experience the commercial atmosphere of a big city.
But Reimu found that she missed home. The prosperity and bustle did not belong to her. After only two days, she began to miss her relatives and friends, the plants and trees in the shrine, and even Toumori Sanae. It was incredible.
As expected, this is my home. After walking across the airport bridge, even the air feels much fresher. The familiar taste of soba noodles, a specialty of Izumo.
I have always wanted to go to Tokyo and see the bustling city. But in a strange city, no place belongs to me, and the feeling of being detached is not pleasant.
"I still like Izumo after all."
Reimu finally said this.
"Well, your own home is always best."
There is no point in comparing any city with your hometown.
"But Reimu, you said that these tourists are going to Izumo Taisha to participate in the Hatsumode?"
There are too many people at the airport. Although it is not as crowded as Tokyo Airport, Ling also remembers that the last time she came to Izumo, there were far fewer tourists when the plane landed. It's New Year's Day, shouldn't everyone stay at home?
"There are other shrines in Izumo that receive Hatsumode from residents in the surrounding areas, but the most famous one is of course our Izumo Taisha Shrine."
Izumo Shrine is also called the Marriage Shrine, and is mostly used for marriage. Because of its long history, it is well-known in Japan. Most tourists who come to Izumo specifically come for Izumo Shrine. After all, even the decoration of the airport specialty store is designed to look like the roof of Izumo Taisha Shrine.
However, looking at the bustling crowd, Reimu was also a little surprised.
“There have been a lot of people in previous years, but this year it seems to be especially crowded.”
Why? It couldn't be because of her, right? Ling felt a little guilty, she was just a new witch.
There were too many tourists, so the tour bus to Izumo Shrine was a bit crowded. They caught their flight early in the morning, and it was already dark when they arrived at the shrine.
It's time for dinner at the shrine.
"Hey, we're having Sukiyaki today. Is it specially prepared for me?"
As soon as she entered the kitchen, she smelled the rich aroma of beef and the unique sweetness of sukiyaki sauce. Reimu sat down at the table without any hesitation, without saying hello.
It feels great to come home from a long trip and be greeted by sukiyaki.
"Go wash your hands!" Lord Boli tapped the table with his fingers. Since he had been informed that he would be back today, Lord Boli was not surprised.
"Besides, this is a welcoming party for the Oshima Miko. You just happened to be there."
"Ah, what an exaggeration! Your daughter who traveled to Tokyo has returned home, and she doesn't miss me? I miss you very much, Dad."
Lord Boli was startled, and Reimu's words made him blush a little, and he didn't know how to respond for a moment. Reimu wouldn't say such words on weekdays, but he missed home these two days, and his emotions were a little out of control when he stepped into the house.