Whether Such a Life Exists (End)

If Nagato Tsuruko could return safely, she would take over as the miko of Waseda Shrine. After Nagato Tsuruko had quietly left, Waseda Miko had carefully prepared for the succession ceremony, leaving no detail unattended. Dog God Inuyasha had already shifted back and forth between stone statue and manifested form four times that morning. Each time, he came to the main hall, glanced at Waseda Miko, and left. It was only on the fifth time that Waseda Miko said, "Inuyasha, go to the cave and bring back some water from the pool."

"You prepared so thoroughly. Looks like you're confident that brat will come back safely." Inuyasha leaned against the doorway without immediately leaving.

Waseda Miko said softly, "If she returns safely, these preparations will come in handy. If she doesn't, they can serve as preparations for next time. Either way, it's better to be prepared than not."

"This trial is too difficult!" Inuyasha frowned. "I've fought Red-Robed Monk before. You know that even I wasn't his match. If he hadn't injured me back then, you wouldn't have been able to subdue me so easily. Sending that brat to deal with him is no different from sending her to her death!"

"You've always resented me for making you a Dog God. Now that your contract has been transferred to Tsuruko, if something happens to her, the contract will automatically be dissolved and you'll regain your freedom. Isn't that convenient? If she returns safely, you should be the one feeling upset." Waseda Miko glanced at Inuyasha again.

"Of course!" Inuyasha walked out of the main hall without looking back.

This divine wind possessed an extremely strange power. Zhui Feng and Mo Xiaofei had not only failed to break free; they had instead been carried a considerable distance away, and the wind