328. Seeing the World

The spring breeze is gentle, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at night, the moonlight is pleasant, and the courtyard is secluded and mysterious.

It should have been a perfect setting for couples to whisper sweet nothings to each other under the moon.

But in this archery training ground, Lu Ban always felt that something was wrong.

"You shot very accurately."

Lu Ban offered a compliment, but then felt that it was a bit of a waste of words. He had witnessed the power of the Head Miko, who could shoot an arrow a thousand miles away while sitting at the Wa Island Grand Shrine. Compared to that, archery now seemed like child's play.

"Thanks."

Amber glanced at Lu Ban, then stood still, bow in hand, but neither shot an arrow nor put it back.

"The core of archery lies in the mind; if the mind is not calm, one cannot hit the target."

She spoke, her tone indifferent, as if she were reciting some kind of waka poem.

"My heart was already affected before that arrow, so I won't shoot now."

"?"

Lu Ban was somewhat confused. Was this implying that his appearance had disrupted his practice?

Should I leave?

"No, it's not your fault. It's just that I'm not mature enough yet. A true priestess should be able to be single-minded and eliminate all distractions, which is to say, 'remove external things.' Only by removing external things and entering a state of unity of mind and spirit can one possibly 'see the world.'"

Amber seemed to be talking more than she had in the afternoon, perhaps because she was meeting strangers alone.

"To transcend external things? To see the world?"

Lu Ban definitely wouldn't understand these things, and he figured even legitimate mercenaries probably wouldn't understand either. Even if everyone did understand, it wouldn't hurt for him to act like a fool and ask for more information.

"The training of a shrine maiden is divided into three stages: examining oneself, eliminating external things, and seeing the world. Examining oneself means being able to feel all of one's own state through training and control oneself. Eliminating external things means being able to eliminate distracting thoughts and maintain inner peace even when there is interference from outsiders. One can remain calm even in a bustling city. Therefore, one can see the world."

When Amber spoke of these things, Lu Ban wondered if it was just his imagination, but her eyes seemed to brighten up a bit.

"Then what does it mean to see the world?"

Lu Ban continued.

"To see the world, to be able to see anything in any place in the world, at this time, one no longer uses the physical eyes, but the eyes of the heart. In this state, one is the domain of the priestess. If any place on this sea is attacked by Corrupted Ones, the purifying fire will follow."

When the priestess was mentioned, Amber's emotions became slightly more apparent.

"Then I think you can try going to crowded places when you are practicing, which may make your practice more effective."

Lu Ban suggested.

"The more people there are for this kind of self-cultivation activity, the better. Ideally, it should be in the market, watching two middle-aged women arguing and cursing each other's ancestors. You just stand there, enter a meditative state, and the training effect will definitely be very good."

"The wet market? Ancestors for eighteen generations?"

Amber looked slightly puzzled.

"You haven't left this house before, have you?"

Lu Ban recalled some novels where witches and the like mostly lived in seclusion, some of whom had never even seen the outside world.

"I have no need to go out."

That's the only explanation Amber could offer.

"Time for spiritual practice is precious and should not be wasted on pleasure."

"That's true."

Lu Ban sighed.

After all, the person standing in front of him was not just a top student or a genius, but the hope of the world was focused on her as the next Head Miko. If his strength was lacking in the slightest, it could lead to the deaths of countless people. He could not be careless.

"But this trip to Harmony Island will allow you to experience the outside world, which is quite nice."

Lu Ban joked.

"What I want to do is arrive at the Harmony Island, not just travel."

Amber spoke earnestly.

Just as the two were chatting under the moonlight, the grass near Lu Ban's feet suddenly swayed.

Almost instantly, Amber raised her bow and drew the string, and the arrow shot out, flying straight toward the clump of grass.

Ding—

The wooden arrow pierced straight into the ground with a force that even Lu Ban couldn't match. The wind stirred up by the arrow blew up the grass, revealing what lay beneath.

That was a dog.

"???"

Lu Ban looked at the dog and felt it looked somewhat familiar.

It looks almost exactly like the one I keep at home.

"Laika?"

Lu Ban tentatively called out.

"Aww!"

The dog ran over and frantically rubbed against Lu Ban's trouser leg.

"It really is you! Wait, what are you doing here?"

Lu Ban rubbed Laika's round head.

This isn't some island nation, but rather a foreign Harmony Island, a place called Hejima.

However, upon closer reflection, since Laika's true form is Hound capable of traveling through time to hunt down the Chosen of the Gods, it's entirely possible that she could follow Lu Ban's scent to reach Harmony Island.

In other words, if it was there to hunt down Lu Ban, then Lu Ban might already be dead.

"What's this?"

Amber's nostrils twitched slightly; she remained wary of Laika, the dog possessing a peculiar quality, resembling Corrupted Ones.

"It's my family's dog, named Laika."

Lu Ban explained.

"Laika?"

Amber was a little unsure about the pronunciation.

At this moment, Laika suddenly twitched its nose, looked at Amber, and then, with a thud, its four short legs quickly moved to Amber's side.

"Huh? Wait a minute!"

Before Amber could react, the fat dog came to Amber feet, rubbing affectionately against her white socks while rolling on the ground and exposing its belly.

Lu Ban was overwhelmed with mixed feelings upon seeing this scene.

If Laika were to revert to its original form at this moment, the scene would be absolutely stunning.

Amber looked at the dog rolling around begging for petting, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly squatted down and reached out to touch Laika's belly.

Soft, fluffy, and warm.

This wonderful sensation made Amber feel somewhat at ease, and she then Lu Ban's way of rubbing Laika's head, rubbing Laika's belly.

"Waaaaah—"

Laika made a comfortable sound and rolled around even more vigorously.

Suddenly, Amber stopped moving, stood up, and took two steps back.

"Sorry, I should go back now."

Picking up her bow and arrows, she bowed to Lu Ban, then hurriedly turned and left, as if driven by something.

Lu Ban felt a little confused. He patted the head of Laika, who had returned looking dejected, and looked in the direction Amber had left.

"Is there a curfew?"

As the bell rang, Lu Ban muttered something.

The following day, after a grand departure ceremony, the fleet set sail.

The island is called Sakura Island. It takes more than ten days to reach the Harmony Island by the fastest ship, and the fleet chose the safest route, which would take at least twenty days.

"Twenty days is a long time. At least ten days will pass in my life, not counting the time it will take to witness her become the Head Miko."

Lu Ban thought to himself, while also feeling somewhat fortunate.

Thank goodness I didn't buy a set of bedding online, otherwise no one would have been able to receive the package.