Late at night, Yugong Shrine.
A tea room filled with smoky smoke.
At the tea table, Yugong Xiong sat upright, Gūji Ema poured tea with trembling hands, not daring to make a sound, because the woman sitting opposite him was the current head of the Kanzaki Clan!
Her long silver hair was tied into a high ponytail, with tassels swaying slightly on the sides. Her red eyes were full of aloofness and coldness. She wore a red and white shrine maiden dress, which was both beautiful and coldly sharp.
"Head of the Yugong family, I express my sincerest apologies for the harm my younger brother, Yingzang, has caused to the Yugong Family. Our Kanzaki Clan will provide appropriate compensation and take full responsibility for this matter."
The head of the Kanzaki family bowed slightly.
"This is absolutely unacceptable." Yugong Xiong hurriedly bowed his head and waved his hands. "Our Yugong Family is the one who should apologize the most. Not only did we fail to protect Young Master Kanzaki, but we also caused him to suffer an undeserved disaster."
The head of the Kanzaki family raised his head and said, "I admire the magnanimity of the Yugong family head and feel ashamed of my own inferiority. I believe that under your leadership, the Yugong Family will achieve new glory."
Yugong Xiong out a long sigh of relief, "Thank you for your kind words."
The head of the Kanzaki family squinted and said, " Madam Gūji."
"Yes, head of the Kanzaki family." Gūji Ema was startled, knowing that the silver-haired, red-eyed woman before her was not just the current head of the Kanzaki Clan, but also had another extraordinary identity.
The head of the Kanzaki family slowly closed his eyes, then opened his blood-red eyes and said, "From now on, I will not speak to you in the name of the Kanzaki Clan, but in the name of the Japan Shrine Alliance, the highest priest, and the head priest."
"I... I understand, Your Majesty."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Gūji Ema's forehead. She knew that the Shrine Alliance governed all shrines in Japan, and its highest priest (Jinshu) could directly appoint the heads of local shrines.
For example, the head of Yugong Shrine, like herself, is appointed by the highest priest, the shrine master, who is the earthly incarnation of the Japan creator goddess, and is the human representative of [ Izanami ].
The head of the Kanzaki family coldly replied, "Using the guise of a shrine maiden marrying a god to package this evil culture of human sacrifice, which should have disappeared into the annals of history, you, as the head of the Yugong Shrine, bear direct responsibility."
Sweating Gūji Ema and said in a trembling voice, "I am willing to accept any punishment that the Divine Lord may bestow."
The head of the Kanzaki family coldly stated, "Given the negative international impact of this incident, I am severing your position as company head as punishment. You will then be prosecuted for intentional homicide in cooperation with the judicial authorities."
"Intentional homicide?" Gūji Ema looked up, her face filled with fear. If convicted, she would be sentenced to life imprisonment without probation, given the serious international repercussions of the incident.
"Honey, could you please say a few words for me? Honey, please help me out for the sake of our marriage?"
Yugong Xiong showed a struggle, but then, as if he had made up his mind, he forcefully shook off Gūji Ema's arm.
"What's wrong, darling?" Gūji Ema panicked. "Did I do something wrong and make you angry?"
Yugong Xiong clenched his fists, his voice trembling as he said, " Ema, when we were at the hospital, Youjing told me everything."
"What... what did he say?" Gūji Ema a panic.
Veins bulged on Yugong Xiong's forehead, and he growled with bloodshot eyes, "You were the one who drugged Zhaoyan, causing her to lose her Zhaoyan to a strange man and disqualify her from inheriting the position of club leader."
"I didn't mean to," Gūji Ema burst into tears. "My dear, I was just blinded by greed, and I just loved you too much."
"Your words disgust me." Yugong Xiong was trembling with anger. He had been married to Gūji Ema for twenty years, and only today did he see her vicious heart.
The woman he loved was Yugong Youjing's mother, Yugong Zhaoyan. Because of this, he always treated Yugong Youjing as his own son, since she was the only bloodline left in the world by Yugong Zhaoyan.
With Gūji Ema pleaded, "My dear, please help me for Nishang's sake!"
"Why didn't you say you'd do it for Liuli's sake?" Yugong Xiong furious. " Nishang is your own son, but isn't Liuli your own daughter?"
Gūji Ema's lips trembled as she said, "My dear, Liuli... Liuli is a shrine maiden, the reincarnation of Yugong Hu after a hundred years. She is destined to go to the divine realm to reunite with the Yousu Fox God."
"You're still lying even now!" Yugong Xiong said angrily. "Why were you in such a hurry to make Liuli commit suicide? Wasn't it because you were afraid she would threaten your position as president of Yugong Company?"
Gūji Ema trembled.
According to the rules of the Shrine Alliance, when a shrine maiden turns eighteen, she automatically inherits the shrine and is then confirmed by the highest priest of the Shrine Alliance to become the new generation's head of the shrine.
"My dear, everything I've done is for the revival of the family; I've never thought of myself."
"Still trying to deny it, you vicious woman! Twenty years ago, in order to seize the position of club leader, you plotted to frame your sister, Yugong Zhaoyan. Twenty years later, to keep the position of club leader, you didn't hesitate to kill your daughter, Yugong Liuli!"
Yugong Xiong heartbroken. "You are not worthy to be the mother of Nishang and Liuli!"
Gūji Ema collapsed to the ground, her face pale and weak.
Yugong Xiong lowered his head, his fist trembling as he addressed the table. "Head of the Kanzaki family, oh no, Lord Shinto, the Yugong Family firmly obeys the Shrine Alliance's decision. Please help me take this sinner away."
"Good."
The head of the Kanzaki family clapped his hands.
Two detectives dressed as Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department officers entered, one on each side, and helped the disheveled Gūji Ema towards the door.
"Darling, you can't do this to me, darling..."
The wailing faded into the distance and disappeared.
Yugong Xiong looked up, tears welling in his eyes, and forced a smile, saying, "I've often wondered who Liuli took after, after all, she's so kind and strong. Only today did I realize that she took after Zhaoyan."
" Yugong Lady Zhaoyan?" The head of the Kanzaki family recalled a gentle, beautiful woman with purple hair and red eyes, and sighed softly, "She was indeed a strong and kind woman, but unfortunately, beautiful women have always had tragic fates."
Yugong Xiong bowed deeply, saying, "I apologize for the embarrassing situation."
The head of the Kanzaki family waved his hand. "No need for formalities. I'm not here just to deal with my younger brother Yingzang and your wife Gūji Zhaoyan's affairs, but also for another matter."
Yugong Xiong asked, "What is it?"
The head of the Kanzaki family said calmly, "After deliberation by the Shrine Alliance, it has been decided that your daughter, Yugong Liuli, will become the highest-ranking person in charge of the Yugong Shrine, the new head of the shrine, and will manage the million believers in Kyoto who worship the Yousu Fox God."
"That's a good thing." Yugong Xiong's smile returned.
The head of the Kanzaki family narrowed his eyes and said, "But there's a condition: she must marry a Huaxia man and change her nationality to Huaxia."
Yugong Xiong's smile froze. "What do you mean?"
The head of the Kanzaki family smiled and said, "It means that the man who stole the bride, Su Hang Yousu Fox God, is going to marry your daughter, Yugong Liuli."
"Are you kidding me?" Yugong Xiong laughed angrily. "My daughter, Liuli, is already married to the Yousu Fox God. You want me to marry her off to that man who stormed Yugong Shrine and caused chaos in Kyoto?"
The head of the Kanzaki family looked up and asked, "Is there a problem?"
"I cannot agree to that. I, Yugong Xiong, am utterly loyal to the Yousu Fox God and would never commit such a blasphemous act," Yugong Xiong said coldly, arms crossed. "Only the Yousu Fox God can be my daughter's husband!"
"You need to understand one thing," the Kanzaki family head said, using both threats and inducements, "The potential benefits your daughter's marriage to Su Hang will bring to your Yugong Family far exceed the elusive thousand tons of gold that Yousu Fox God."
Yugong Xiong was stunned.
"Furthermore—" the head of the Kanzaki family said, picking up his teacup, "Your daughter marrying Su Hang is a step up for her. Don't underestimate him just because he's an ordinary game streamer; his background is far more powerful than you can imagine."
Amamiya Yu asked doubtfully, "What is his background?"
The head of the Kanzaki family said in a deep voice, "You should have secretly investigated an elderly man named [ Su Zhou ], right?"
Yugong Xiong was stunned. "Old Master Su?"
The head of the Kanzaki family, known for his outrageous statement, declared, " Su Hang is Su Zhou's grandson!"
Yugong Xiong's pupils dilated in shock. "What?"