We should blunt our sharp points and unravel the complications of things; we should attemper our brightness and bring ourselves into an agreement with the obscurity of others.
- Dao De Jing, Chapter 4

...

The situation aboard the cargo boat was peaceful yet somber. In the largest unused space of the deck, Sagami Minami laid up helplessly, her entire body reddened from fever and drenched in sweat.

Hachiman sat beside her. His body was covered in healing patches. A herb bath would be better, but not only Hachiman wasn't good at mixing herb, but the situation also makes it difficult.

Hachiman knew that... whatever technique Sagami used, there would be a dangerous risk. He was expecting permanent damage or a shortened lifespan, but to a wandering cultivator... even a temporary dose of high fever can be a death sentence.

The only reason why Sagami was confident enough to use it was that she had a company that will tend to her when she fell sick.

She's a cunning one, but still... to trust her own life to someone she barely knew, and a bunch of strangers? It was a great gamble, regardless.

"Spring... pill..." She opened her eyes and asked. "Three"

"Here." Hachiman lifted her head and gently dropped a spring water concentrate pill in her mouth. These pills didn't take long to melt inside and gave her the much-needed refreshment.

Hachiman dropped two more pills right after that while making sure she didn't choke.

She drank like a horse, but Hachiman doesn't have the heart to say that outright. A cultivator falling into sickness like this was a rarity unless it was some kind of magical disease and curse.

"Is there something I can help?" Saika offered, it was a sincere concern, and honest guilt was drawn all over his pretty face.

"Give me the Spirit water vial!" Hachiman said.

Her fever dropped down quickly after she took the tenth pill and two bottles of Spirit water vial.

Perhaps this is the reason why she carried Spirit water droplet with her. Hachiman concluded. It's weird for a Yang-centered fire cultivator to know so much about the Yin element, but apparently, it was for her purpose.

She regained full consciousness in two hours flat.

"That was an exceptionally light fever." She remarked with a wry smile.

Hachiman looked at her as if she was crazy!

"What light fever? Any higher than that, and I can cook on your forehead." Hachiman told her bluntly. "You're lucky that there's someone close by."

That cares, anyway. Any other person and she might be robbed clean of her possessions, perhaps worse, someone might rob her dignity and even life.

"Luck has nothing to do with it." She said confidently. "I had been holding back for so long. Do you know how satisfying it was to go all out? That will show them."

Can't relate. Hachiman always picks the shortest possible path to his goal, after all. Daoism taught him that frugality is a treasure. Hachiman considered that wasting effort is against the Dao.

Still, there was the indisputable fact that Sagami held against a Core Formation-level Demon Beast on her own. Of course, she's prideful. An eighteen-year-old girl to accomplish that, beyond a wicked genius, she's downright Godly!

Hachiman was aware that Sagami considered him as gullible. Well, she's not wrong, per se...

She knew very well that he couldn't let a helpless woman alone and took advantage of his kindness.

Cunning wench.

Yet, Hachiman can't say he hated her. For one to survive this cruel and unjust world, one either needs to be cunning or unshakably principled.

Compared to many cultivators Hachiman met in his journey, Sagami Minami is a righteous person.

Beyond minor resentment, he could only feel amazed by her shamelessness. Hachiman thought he had seen everything, but Sagami Minami was a madness incarnate!

No wonder his Master told him. Women who walked on the path of cultivation are dangerously exciting to travel with!

However, as a natural loner, Hachiman couldn't help but get mental exhaustion just being with her, let alone getting involved with her schemes!

Getting closer to her? He'll die young!

The sooner they separate, the better. But for the moment, Hachiman thought that traveling alone was too dangerous even for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Going with her, it was the right call. The region surrounding Mihama seemed to grow more dangerous every day. Perhaps this is why his Master mentioned calamity approaching the people of Yamato.

Being a lone wanderer would be a death sentence. At the very least, he can enjoy his peace once he reached home.

The Confucians came to visit and express their gratitude.

"I can't truly express our thanks to Sister Sagami."

It's damn near impossible to get a Confucian to bow so low to a woman, and yet they did.

"What's there to thank me for?"

"We owed you too much." Saika blushed.

"Oh, don't worry, there's something you can do to pay." Sagami grinned.

The Confucians already dislike where this is going.

...

"Ahhh, that's the stuff."

Sagami was sitting in a cylindrical wooden bathtub. It was tall enough that it only exposed her face as she sits inside. Meanwhile, Saika and Ranka sat cross-legged as they put their hands on the bathtub and channel their water and Yin Ki into the water, respectively.

Their faces were completely red.

Hachiman couldn't only think it was an unenviable position they have. Sagami Minami was truly merciless!

"You should try this too. It should be good for your cultivation." Minami teased him.

"Woman, your face so thick I can make fifth-grade armor of your skin!" Hachiman remarked bluntly. "Was it necessary to have such a lavish bath?"

This kind of service is pretty common in the high-level establishment around the Chiba region. Low-level civilian cultivators using their Ki as part of therapeutic massages or baths.

Hachiman tried them once but ended up leaving in shame due to a misunderstanding involving extra services. That is, he thought extravagant services were something more innocuous and not outright prostitution.

He felt like whatever left of his innocence died that day. Most men would be fine with such an offer, but not him.

"If you guys wanted me to recover to peak condition, you better do it." Sagami pointed.

However, Sagami's action this time gave Hachiman a clue.

It seemed that Hachiman began to understand what kind of technique that Sagami used. It was a technique that burns vital Yin energy inside her. Which is why she ends up with a fever and requires so much blessed water to recover.

By using her vital Yin energy, she can boost her Yang element fire beyond the limit of a Foundation Establishment, gaining strength equal to a Core Formation expert.

She turned her own body into a Human Cauldron*.

However, vital energy... there wasn't much of it available within the human body, even among high-level cultivators. That's why she can only use the technique for a short time while burning her Yin reserve.

Depleting inherent energy can be dangerous, if not downright fatal to the cultivator. That's why, in Daoism, using Human Cauldron is a grave sin, just like the creation of Blood Slave.

Even so, Sagami Minami remains righteous and pure because she made an earnest sacrifice of herself, rather than sacrificing someone else to pursue her goal.

It's hard to replenish vital energy through the use of pills or other unrefined sources, so the person-to-person transfer is the only possible method to do it efficiently.

It was about one hour later that she told the two young men to stop. They immediately left post haste, both tired and humiliated.

"Eyes away, I'm putting on my clothes!" Sagami told Hachiman. "If you peek, I cannot guarantee you have anything left to pay!"

"Where does that confidence come from?" Hachiman snorted and turned around.

"Right, you don't even have the spine to touch me when we shared a room back in Inage." Sagami squeezed her eyes. "Are you perhaps a eunuch?"

"My family jewels are attached and functional, thank you very much!" Hachiman replied with a solid deadpan.

Sagami couldn't help but feel annoyed. On the one hand, she was just teasing him, nothing more than that. On the other hand, his response made her pride as a young woman a bit hurt.

Still, at the very least, he's trustworthy.

There's no one more dependable than a man who dares to risk his own life to shield a stranger.

She couldn't ask for more. That would be too shameless even for her standard.

...

The travel itself didn't take a long time compared to walking, and after the first attack, the subsequent intrusion by Demon Beasts was minor and disorganized.

They've arrived in less than 12 hours since departure.

At the port of Konakadai, a seemingly high ranked Confucian Master approached them when they hopped off the boat. He was incredibly handsome, which attracted quite a bit of stares from the women around.

Assuming his appearance was pure and unaltered, he should be around thirty years old or younger.

"Us disciplines greets Third Brother!" They immediately kowtowed with respect.

"We managed to accomplish our mission and retrieved the artifact!" Saika reported.

"I was a little worried when I received your message, but not only the mission is a success, you all came unharmed."

"About that, Third Brother..." Saika looked at Hachiman and Sagami. "We truly owed our success to them."

"Ah." The so-called 'Third Brother' noticed. "So young, and yet so strong."

"The treasure container was leaking potent gold energy, so we were ambushed by many Demon Beast, including a juvenile Hasha. But these two drove them all." Ranka also explained.

"The container is... leaking?"

Strange, this would merit further investigation, but for now, it's time for pleasantries.

"If I may introduce myself, my name is Mishiro Ohji. My fellow brothers called me Third Brother of Konakadai School of Confucian." He introduced himself without hesitating. "May I know the name of our savior here?"

"Hikigaya Hachiman, Daoist."

"Sagami Minami, Ying-Yang School."

"On behalf of our school, I should thank you. I there's anything we can help-"

"That's fine. We'll go on our ways." Sagami cut him off. "Let's go."

It was discourteous, but Sagami made it clear that she doesn't want any association with the Confucians beyond the sheer necessity due to circumstances.

Hachiman felt no animosity toward them, so he bowed apologetically. "I appreciate the offer, but no need to humor lowly wanderers such as us."

"Brother Hikigaya being too generous!" Ohji told him. "We Confucians don't leave any debt unpaid."

As men of the Courts, Confucians have a sense of pride. Being indebted to anyone is a sin, especially immaterial debt. However, Hachiman had no intention to honor that principle of theirs.

Because he frankly doesn't give a damn.

"If you must, then please pay more attention to Brother Totsuka. His talent is immense." Hachiman grinned. "If heavens wills it, then this won't be the last time."

Too bad about it, but such is the fate of a wandering cultivator. Getting attached will only hurt you more when you separate. Hachiman trod this path of his own will.

As he looked at the red-haired Elementalist, Hachiman realized. His travel with her will come to an end soon. Whichever route they take next, they're only one small town away from Mihama.

"So, do you have any plans after this?" Sagami asked him. "Should we take a rest or keep moving?"

"You decide. I have the feeling that my choices as of late were cursed." He told her with a resigned voice. He suggested coming to this town after all, and they end up having to fend off a high-level demon beast!

She eyed him. "You say that like I'm any luckier than you. You just don't want to bear the responsibility, right?"

"Correct!" He told her shamelessly.

"Then let's get some job, I'm not short of money, but any little earnings may help in future endeavors."

Hah! To work is to lose! So far, Hachiman can survive mostly through sheer luck and looting. Occasionally he accepts people's gifts or gets work on his travel.

Though money is nice, he's no beggar. Yet, he wouldn't call himself a hard worker either.

"Pick a good one." He agreed.


CHAPTER 04 - IN FOR A PENNY...


They decided to go to a tavern, the biggest one in the town. In places like this, business and connections thrive like weeds. If one's looking for a good job, then going to the tavern is the best way to do it!

However, they didn't bother to enter. Instead, the notice board just outside the tavern for open requests.

There were tons of cultivators of all profession gathering, of all ages and sexes, there were a few foundation-level cultivators too, just not as young as Hachiman or Sagami.

"Anything interesting?"

"Define interesting?" Hachiman mumbled. "You want quick work or an extended contract?"

"How about this?" Sagami pointed. "A nearby Doso shrine is requesting cultivators to guard the ritual of summoning."

"Doso Shrine?"

The worship of Dosojin -the road ancestor gods- is one of the more widespread Shinto beliefs in the region. Doso Shrine exists pretty much in every town, small or big. Particularly large cities like Mihama can have three or four shrines.

It was said that Dosojin responsible to ensure the safety of travelers, pilgrims, and villagers. it was also said that Dosojin wards off pandemics and evil spirits.

The ritual of summoning is not particularly common among Shinto believers, because they consider it disrespectful and only done in an emergency.

For Shinto believers, the ritual of summoning is a desperate plea of help.

"Looks like the Shinto shrine is aware of the sudden increase of dangers as of recently..." Sagami told him with a grave face. "So they wanted to summon a Guardian Beast?"

But looking at Hachiman being calm as Zen, she realized something. "You knew something didn't you?"

"My master told me there's an incoming calamity..." Hachiman said. "I'm clueless as you do about the details though, my Master is pretty cryptic."

"Incoming calamity, huh."

It was said that top-level Cultivators can perceive the changes not just in their surrounding, but also imbalances in a region. Onmyoujis are valued the most precisely because they studied the art of divination, expanding their spiritual awareness.

"Your Master said nothing at all?"

"Master guessed it wouldn't be the end of the world."

"Worthless!"

Hachiman couldn't help but agree. There's such a thing as a gradient of the apocalypse, after all! It can be anywhere from a village being massacred, to the entire region set on fire!

So they decided to pick the job since it has relatively decent pay and headed for the outskirt of the city where the shrine is located, near a major road intersection.

"Hmm?" Hachiman noticed something. "This area is warded off."

"Huh, you have a good awareness of seal arts!" Sagami remarked. "What kind of seal is that I wonder."

"No. It's not an actual seal." Hachiman told her. "Shinto Shrine is sacred ground, those who have evil intent against the Shrine or its worshipper will be banished."

"Really? Doubt it."

As someone from the school of Naturalist, Sagami Minami naturally skeptical of such a mythical take of religion. Yin-Yang School could be said to be the oldest philosophy of science in the western continental Empire and brought to the land of Yamato.

However, Shintoism is the oldest religion to born indigenously since humans came to this continent. Though their influence on the various regional governments wasn't as high as the Onmyodo, Shintoism remains the most popular religion among the peasantries.

To the average citizen, a high ranking Miko is no different than a nobility.

The two religious philosophies held roughly equal power balance, just like the divided strength between the people and the government. In the divided land of Yamato, the strength of the government is limited but strong enough to regulate the people in the city to enforce law and order. But not much beyond that.

Hachiman grinned. "The larger the shrine, the stronger the ward. Even so, we human beings born to this earth and defy heaven just by surviving."

Human beings are born weak, yet, they dare to challenge demons and gods.

"In other words, a sufficiently powerful cultivator can ignore the effect of Shrine's holy ground." Sagami finally connected the dots.

"Ignore, no, resist, yes."

Neither Hachiman nor Sagami have evil intent toward the Shrine and that's why they were completely unaffected by the Shrine ward.

"Maybe that's why there's so few who want to take this job." Sagami laughed. "Too many sinners in this city."

Hachiman still can't believe that this woman doesn't even have a sliver bit of darkness in her heart despite her spiteful nature.

Still, he shouldn't be surprised.

After all, people who bully and shamed him back then, they were also righteous people. Heaven judged good and evil according to its standard, Earth shaped the living world and the creatures roaming it, but humans walked free to write their law and custom.

In this cruel and unjust world, strength and resolve decide everything. As long as one bow to the will of Heaven, one can be as cruel and heartless as they want.

The first emperor of the Western Continent, Qin Shi Huang, tried to go against the Heaven itself and perished like a chump.

And us people of Yamato is the proof of his pointless pursuit. Hachiman chuckled.

"But if they have wards here, why would they be so afraid of getting interrupted to hire cultivators?" Sagami pointed. "Their priest and Mikos** are well trained in the arts of fighting."

"If it's an important ritual, it would take a massive amount of manpower to conduct. This would leave their defense thinned." Hachiman pointed.

"Then who would you suppose would be a threat to them?" Sagami further inquired. "From the point of common people, the safety of the road is good for everyone."

"Incorrect!" Hachiman told her. "Bandits can use increasing chaos to blend in, unscrupulous businessmen reaping profits from inflation and limited supplies, and last but not least, evil sect reliant on demonic powers. They had every reason to make sure the road is unsafe and free from the protection of Shinto gods."

Sagami raised her hand to protest but lowered it. "I'd call that a bit of a reach, but then again, nothing under the Heaven escape the grubby hands."

Sagami Minami was well aware of the sheer length of depravity that evil men can commit.

"The Shinto sect of Dosojin must have realized that and took contingencies, ahead of time. And when nothing happened, it's not much of a loss for them to pay a bunch of Cultivators for a single night." Hachiman concluded. "You can't organize a sect this massive without possessing that much wisdom."

For the first time in their almost week-long journey, Sagami felt that the wise and sharp Hachiman was pretty attractive. And it disgusted her.

She originally thought that Hachiman was a kindhearted simpleton who masked it with aloof appearance. She had a suspicion, but this conversation reveals that it wasn't the case!

"Are you sure you're not a Confucian?"

"Don't look down on Daoism, you wench!"

Hachiman's family had roots in Buddhism but no way he would tell her that. Buddhism only came to Yamato some 100 years ago, which is why their influence is fairly limited.

...

They politely greeted the old Priestess when they finished climbing the stairs to the Shrine gate. Though she aged considerably, traces of beauty can still be seen on her face.

She likely used to be a stunning woman in her youth.

"I was kind of afraid no one will take the job. Yet so many righteous prodigies came. It must be fate."

"Is there someone else already?" Sagami asked.

"Well, my granddaughter came to take the load, even though she originally a free spirit who prefers earthly life." The Miko showed unabashed happiness. "But otherwise, you're the only volunteer who came to aid us."

Haha, volunteer.

It's common for such an important position to be passed across the family. It must be surprising to see someone formerly detached from the Shrine to take up the slack, even if it's temporary. It's like Heaven itself shines a light on you.

Hachiman helped in his Buddhist Grandpa's temple before, after all. And he swore that was the one time he became the preferred son in his entire life.

"You're also the same age, so I sincerely hope this can be the beginning of a lifelong friendship."

"We are?"

"Granma, we finished the preparation over here. Eh?"

"Isn't that... Yui?"

"Sagamin!"

Hachiman saw the presence of a young Miko in white Hakama who rushed into Sagami with excitement. Hands intertwined, it was clear that they were pretty close before.

"How many years since the Academy? Three or four?" The Miko jumped excitedly, which reminded Hachiman of pet animals meeting her owner after a long separation. But saying that would be rude...

"Four, you didn't attend the third year." Sagami clenched her teeth, annoyed. "Almost thought you gave up cultivating, to be honest."

"You can say I tried many things in the past few years." The Miko blushed and grinned. "But in the end, I came here anyway. So you become an Onmyoji, huh?"

"Nah. I'm part of the orthodox Yin-Yang school. I worked as an alchemist, before!" Sagami said with a proud smile. "Recently a bit burned out on medical research so I decided to travel and hone my Martial Arts further."

Huh. So she was an alchemist before? That explains why.

"Oh my, is this lady your friend, Yui?" The Priestess asked.

"We were in the same cultivation school before." The Miko nodded. "Sagami Minami."

"I see, I see. This is truly fate." The Priestess nodded in approval as she clapped and prayed. "Dosojin-sama blessed us with this reunion."

"Anyway." The young Miko looked at Hachiman. "...Lovers?"

"No." Hachiman and Sagami replied simultaneously, with disgust on their face.

"Hikigaya Hachiman, Daoist." He introduced himself. "We just happen to travel together because we're heading to Mihama."

"Yuigahama Yui. I'm this Shrine's Priestess' granddaughter and will be the leader of this ceremony, pleased to meet you."

So young, yet she became the lead? Must be someone talented. As Hachiman looked down from the direction of her face, she's talented in other areas too!

Hachiman at this point is well aware that he's very frustrated. Of course, he's no longer a kid and will not let it show... not that he was open about it as a kid either!

"There's a lot to talk about, but to put it short, we'll lend our hand and guard this ceremony!" Sagami told her. "Since it's for you, I'll put twice the effort!"

"What can I do to repay that?" Yui sighed.

"A bit of money and the details of your adventurous life." Sagami shamelessly asked, wiggling her finger suggestively.

Hachiman doesn't know if they were aware of it, but regardless he felt that there was some kind of lingering tension in the way they speak, even though they appear close and friendly.

It was as if they desperately clawed through a barrier separating them. Perhaps they didn't split on a good note? He doesn't know.

"Ano, brother Hikigaya, have we met before?" Yui suddenly asked.

Hachiman was sure that was an innocent question, so he tried to remember if they ever met before, but he was drawing a blank.

"Not that I recall... but I travel a lot so maybe we have?" Hachiman told her. "So, when do we start?"

"Tomorrow night. Feel free to use the guest room, I'll cook some delicious food for you two as well!"

"I thought they would ban you from the Kitchen?" Sagami bluntly pointed. She distinctly remembered how awful Yui's cooking was and frightened by the prospect.

"How cruel!" Yui balked with a reddened face.

"Lady Sagami don't need to worry." The Priestess chuckled. "At least her cooking is edible now."

Now Hachiman actually MORE worried.


* Human Cauldron is a term in Daoist internal alchemy, referring to the human body as a refining vessel. Sometimes related to Dual Cultivation (Daoist Sex practice) but not always the case.
** In Shinto, a Miko (巫女) is a shrine maiden or a supplementary priestess. Miko was once seen as shamans but are understood in modern Japanese culture to be an institutionalized role in daily shrine life, trained to perform tasks, ranging from sacred cleansing to performing the sacred Kagura dance.