After crossing the border defense line, we walked along this trail until we entered the main road, and we could vaguely see the outline of the town ahead.
Finally, we arrived at the town of Land of Demons in the afternoon (3pm to 5pm).
When entering the town for the first time, unlike the hustle and bustle of Konoha, a simple and peaceful atmosphere hits your face.
The road is paved with bluestone bricks. Although it is not wide, it is still clean.
There are mostly two-story buildings on both sides. Most of the houses are made of wood and stone, and there is a bell tied to the eaves, which sways slightly in the breeze.
Pedestrians were walking around, dressed in simple styles and mostly elegant colors, with a smile on their faces that Ning Xue hadn't seen in a long time.
This is a smile that lives in a comfortable environment. It is different from Land of Snow and Land of Water. The former is due to the previous living environment, while the latter is due to the social environment.
Although Konoha also has one, but... most of them also have a hint of bitterness hidden under that smile.
The sounds of hawking, chatting, and children's laughter occasionally come here, intertwining into a peaceful rhythm of life.
There is no busy traffic like Konoha, or the busyness of ninjas shuttling in front of the mission bulletin board, nor is there the chill and depression that Mist Village still reveals even after the reform.
The bustle here is urban, warm, and even sluggish with an isolation from the world. It is completely unlike a town that would appear in the Hokage world.
Ning Xue slowed down and began to look at the town.
Because when it comes to Shen time, the surrounding small shops have also started to make their own preparations.
For a time, the aroma of various foods continuously stimulated his sense of smell and taste buds.
I have been chewing dry food and dried meat for too long in Desert. These most ordinary flavors are like a gentle temptation that I can't get rid of.
Just as he was passing by a small barbecue restaurant, the window was opened, and the warm light and the aroma of meat instantly illuminated the passing Ning Xue.
The moment he was illuminated by the warm light, Ning Xue subconsciously turned his head to look.
I saw a little boy who looked to be five or six years old, holding a bunch of sizzling barbecue in his hand, smiling so hard that his eyes narrowed.
The young father beside him looked on with a smile, while the mother gently wiped the grease stains from the corners of the child's mouth with a handkerchief. The family talked and laughed, looking particularly warm.
Ning Xue, who wanted to leave quickly, suddenly stopped. When he looked at the family of three inside, what did he think of?
Is it my father's smile? Or my mother's concern?
Subconsciously, he turned his head slightly and looked behind him.
Empty.
He was the only one standing there, his shadow stretched longer and longer by the sun.
At this moment, he felt that his backpack was extremely heavy, but he still held on to the shoulder straps.
He didn't allow himself to stay too long.
After just a moment of confusion, he quickly withdrew his gaze, and the face under the mask regained its composure.
He straightened his back and lifted up the strap of his backpack.
No longer staying, no longer looking back.
Instead, continue to move towards the direction where the moon rises.
He found a hotel on the relatively quiet west side of town.
The signboard is old, but the facade is still clean.
When we walked in, the boss behind the counter was calculating the bill. When he looked up and saw his dusty appearance, he didn't ask any more questions. He took the money and handed him a copper key tied with a wooden sign.
The room was at the end of the second floor. It was very small, with only a bed, a table and a chair, and a small window facing the back alley.
But the bed is clean and hot water is available, which is enough for Ning Xue.
After packing up, he channeled his money and decided to spend it.
After taking out some money, Ning Xue went downstairs.
The streets in the evening are even more smoky than in the afternoon.
Ning Xue walked around a few times and really didn't know what to eat.
Finally, he looked at a ramen shop. Although the shop was small and could only accommodate a dozen people, it was brightly lit and steaming.
This is it.
When you open the curtain and go in, the strong smell of ramen comes out.
There were already two or three tables of customers in the store, chatting in low voices. The boss, a middle-aged man wearing a white apron and a kind face, was busy behind the counter. When he saw a customer, he raised his head and greeted him warmly.
"Welcome! Is there one? This way please."
Ning Xue sat down in the corner against the wall. He took the simple menu from the boss. There were not many types on it, just miso, barbecued pork, soy sauce, salt ramen, and a few simple side dishes.
He ordered the signature tonkotsu soy sauce ramen. After all, it didn't have seafood, and it suited his appetite.
While waiting, he took off his mask and put it aside, scanning the store without leaving a trace.
The guests at those tables seemed to be local residents. They chatted about their families and family affairs, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Is this the daily life of a small country far away from the disputes of big countries? Does it feel a bit unreal?
But soon, he shook his head and thought to himself.
No..., this is just a very small number. After all, this country is quite closed, just like the last era.
(Just like we do with North Korea.)
Soon, the noodles arrived.
In the bowl, the milky white soup is steaming alluringly, the delicious noodles are soaked in the soup, topped with two slices of barbecued pork, fried eggs, and garnished with green onions.
The presentation... is acceptable.
Ning Xue picked up the chopsticks and tasted it carefully.
Hmm... how should I put it? It feels a bit off.
Maybe it's because he's used to eating Ichiraku Ramen.
As he ate slowly, he judged in his mind.
Finally, he came to a conclusion.
Uncle Teuchi still makes it delicious.
However, this bowl of noodles also quickly dissipated the fatigue accumulated from the long journey, making me feel much better.
Just when he was about to finish eating, the chatter of several men who had just entered the table next to him floated faintly into his ears.
"... Have you heard? It just happened in the past few days."
A lowered voice said.
"What's going on? It's mysterious."
"Miko-sama! It is said that I am going to inspect Shrine of Sealing to inspect the ancient seal!"
"Really? Miko-sama rarely leaves the shrine."
"It's absolutely true! The news came out that the second uncle of my cousin's wife's distant relative is working as an errand outside the shrine.
It seems that I feel a little... well, uneasy lately, so Miko-sama needs to go and confirm the status of the seal in person."
"Hiss... Isn't there something wrong with the seal of Mōryō?"
The other person's voice was tense.
"It's possible. After all, we all know about our miko-sama's ability. But just checking it out, there shouldn't be any problem."
"But compared to these, I would like to see the miko-sama's true appearance. After all, this miko doesn't seem to like going out."
"This is... the last time the miko-sama made a public appearance, right when she just took over?"
"Yes, so the opportunity is rare.
I plan to take my kids with me to the roadside and wait there, take a look at it from a distance and take it as a blessing."
The topic soon turned back to daily trivial matters, but Ning Xue paused almost imperceptibly while holding the chopsticks.
Miko... patrolling Shrine of Sealing?
He finished the last mouthful of soup, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
After paying the money, putting on the mask again, nodding to the boss, he left the ramen shop.