After leaving the Ancestral Hall, Qingyun saw Miroku standing calmly outside, and conflicting emotions filled his eyes. The mental illusion had been far too real. He and Miroku had lived as husband and wife for hundreds of years within it. Although the scenes kept repeating, he had gradually grown accustomed to having her by his side.
But none of it had been real. If Miroku had retained those memories, Qingyun might have taken her back to Konoha. Yet she knew nothing of what had happened, and he could not selfishly force her to stay with him. Besides, Kushina was still waiting for him to return to Konoha.
Neither Miroku nor Qingyun spoke, each lost in thought. The Divine Condor circled above Qingyun's head, watching the silent pair in confusion. Still, he was clever enough to realize that something had happened between them and did not interrupt their thoughts.
Meanwhile, with Chimei gone, the many puppets throughout the Land of Demons lost the power sustaining them and crumbled into rubble across the ground.
Although Tengcun Inoue had not accompanied Qingyun to the Ancestral Hall, he had not gone far. After they parted, he had found a safe place to watch what was happening. When the puppets collapsed into rubble, he knew that Chimei's rampage had been brought to an end.
Worried about Miroku's safety, Tengcun Inoue rushed toward the Ancestral Hall the moment he saw the puppets disappear.
Before long, Tengcun Inoue reached the Ancestral Hall. Seeing Miroku standing outside unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he looked in puzzlement at the silent Miroku and Qingyun. They had clearly destroyed Chimei, so why did neither seem remotely happy? Instead, both looked melancholy.
Tengcun Inoue's arrival roused Miroku and Qingyun from their thoughts. They exchanged a glance, then immediately looked