The Shrine Maiden's Rights

Cursing the system clearly wouldn't resolve the situation at hand; escaping this place would naturally depend on Chen's own efforts.

After a simple observation of his surroundings, Chen quickly discovered that although he and Shion had been buried alive, they were fortunately still near the surface.

Consequently, Chen channeled his chakra directly into his Asauchi, manifesting it into a blade-like aura to pierce through the layer of soil above.

"Finally out. I really thought we were going to die in there."

Shion looked like someone who had just survived a catastrophe; the expression of someone waiting for death from a moment ago had long since vanished.

"This time, it was my fault for dragging you into this. Are you alright?"

Being buried alive was likely the system's doing, though Chen couldn't tell if this was an intervention by the system or Yomi's final resort.

If it were the latter, it would be fine, but if it were the former, that would be far from a good thing.

"If anything, it was me who dragged you into this. Their target was supposed to be me. Thank you."

Shion turned her head; perhaps because she had nearly stepped into death, there was a subtle change in her heart.

"It's nothing. This is my mission. If you aren't injured, let's continue. We need to reach the Shrine as soon as possible."

"Wait, take off your clothes."

Hearing this, Chen froze, a look of astonishment on his face, as if to say, 'That's a bit too bold, isn't it?'

"What are you thinking? The wound on your back needs to be treated, otherwise... otherwise, what if you get blood all over me?"

No matter how one listened to Shion's reasoning, it sounded like an excuse, but Chen didn't intend to call her out on it. After all, the wound did indeed need treatment.

Removing his top, Shion stepped forward to dress Chen's wound.

Chen was indifferent to such things, but Shion's face was flushed red, and there was no telling what she was thinking.

Once the wound was bandaged, Chen resumed carrying Shion on his back, heading toward the Shrine.

Although Yomi had escaped, he was severely injured and would likely need years to recover, and no one else would care about the business of the Shrine Maiden.

Therefore, the remainder of the journey was smooth, and Chen and Shion soon arrived at the cave.

"Thank you."

Although they hadn't entered yet, Shion could already feel a familiar and gentle aura.

Clearly, just as Chen had said, a sliver of her mother Miroku's consciousness remained here.

"Let's go."

"Wait..."

Shion had just wanted to say that there was a barrier here and ordinary people couldn't enter, but to her surprise, Chen walked into the cave without the slightest obstruction.

Seeing this, Shion said nothing more and followed behind Chen into the cave.

"Damn Shrine Maiden, I'm going to kill you!"

As soon as Shion entered, she heard an angry roar, which frightened her into hiding behind Chen, while Chen remained completely calm.

"Moryo, right? Stop posturing here. Without a soul or power, relying only on a sliver of consciousness left in a shell, you can't even launch an attack. Who are you trying to scare?"

Although Chen was slightly surprised to see Moryo appear, he could tell at a glance that the creature was merely a paper tiger.

What's more, this was the place of sealing; Shion's mother, Miroku, had died right here.

Moryo and the Shrine Maiden were originally one; although Miroku had merged back with Moryo, Chen believed that her instinct to protect her daughter must still exist.

In such a situation, even if Moryo had power, he couldn't possibly harm Shion.

"You damn brat!"

Stung by Chen's words, Moryo became even more enraged, while Chen pulled Shion out from behind him.

"Look closely at this thing. It looks scary, but that's all it is—just scary. There's nothing to be afraid of. Your power as a Shrine Maiden is greater than your mother's. When this thing crawls out again, you can avenge your mother and give it a good beating. Once you've vented your anger, seal it away. Whenever you're in a bad mood, let it out, beat it up again, and seal it back up. In short, this thing is your personal punching bag from now on."

Hearing Chen's words, both Shion and Moryo were left in a state of shock.

"Brat, do you think she can seal me?"

Moryo spoke with disdain, yet Chen ignored him entirely; after all, why bother responding to a phantom-like existence?

"Go and take your mother's relic."

Pulling Shion along, he arrived at the very center of the seal, where the bell used to restrict Shion's power was located.

As a Shrine Maiden, Shion's power surpassed her mother's, but she was still too young and had no way to control her own strength.

If this power were allowed to grow unchecked, it would only bring danger to Shion, which is why Shion's mother placed a seal on her power before she passed away.

This bell is the most important key.

Shion picked up the bell, and the next second, a kind figure appeared.

"Mother!"

Seeing the woman appear, Shion burst into tears instantly. At her age, she should be clinging to her mother, yet they were separated by life and death. Seeing her again now, even if it were only an apparition, she could not control her emotions.

"You two talk; I'll wait for you outside."

Chen said as he turned and walked away. He had only followed her inside out of concern for potential danger, and it was clearly inappropriate for him to disturb this mother and daughter now.

A long time later, Shion walked out with red-rimmed eyes, holding the memento her mother had left behind.

"Let's go, let's head back."

"Wait, I have a question."

"Which ninja village do you belong to?"

"Why ask that? Which village I belong to has nothing to do with you."

Chen ignored Shion's words. Although he was thinking of establishing his own power in the Land of Demons, his partner for cooperation should have been the Daimyo Mansion.

"I want you to stay as my guard. I can send people to your ninja village. Given the situation in the Land of Demons, it wouldn't be a problem even if you were a ninja from one of the Five Great Ninja Villages."

Shion spoke with a serious and earnest expression.

"You shouldn't make such promises lightly. Even if you are willing, the lord of the Land of Demons might not agree."

"No. The Land of Demons is different from other countries; the power of the Shrine Maiden is supreme. Even the lord is merely a figurehead. As long as you are willing, I can make you the lord of the Land of Demons."

Hearing this, Chen was stunned. Although he knew the status of the Shrine Maiden was unique in the Land of Demons, he never expected Shion's authority to be so vast that she could influence the lord.

"Why should I believe you? You are just a four-year-old girl. If you said your mother had such influence, I would believe it, but you... I don't think Kurai Seiichi would be willing to relinquish his power."

"Regardless of whether he is willing, as long as I speak, he has no possibility of resistance. Whether it is the Daimyo Mansion or the guards and soldiers elsewhere, they are absolutely loyal to the Shrine Maiden. From the moment they become guards, they are branded with a mark of loyalty to the Shrine Maiden. In necessary situations, they will even die in the Shrine Maiden's stead."

After a moment of hesitation, Shion revealed a secret belonging to the Land of Demons and the Shrine Maiden.