I have an infinite number of shikigami-Chapter 313 - 132. The Killing Intent of the Black Lily_3

Then, Mrs. Tanemura straightened her back, and her chest was concealed.

The afternoon sunlight illuminated her cheeks, making them appear exceptionally pale compared to before. Her skin was almost bloodless, as if all her energy had been drained. Tiny wrinkles emerged on her delicate nose. She cast a weary glance at the window before lowering her head, as if sinking into the depths of a murky abyss.

Afterwards, the maid left the tearoom, brushing past the two stunned individuals.

Kasahara Fumi shifted her gaze and stared at Fujiwara Reya. She was about to leave and take a walk outside to digest what she had just seen, but Fujiwara Reya stopped her, saying, "Let’s go in together." She felt a bit embarrassed, her cheeks reddening. Nevertheless, she obediently followed Fujiwara Reya back into the tearoom, kneeling down with her eyes lowered, her downcast eyebrows looking beautiful.

"I’m sorry for making you laugh." Mrs. Tanemura took out a thick towel and carefully wiped the sweat off her face. She then closed her eyes as if in meditation. The hem of her black mourning dress was lifted, exposing her fair-skinned thigh on the crimson carpet. After a moment, she said, "My husband and my three-month-old child passed away together. Without doing this, the swelling and pain is unbearable."

After she spoke, Mrs. Tanemura’s complexion still seemed a bit uncomfortable. Her mouth trembled uncontrollably, and her brows furrowed, disrupting the original harmony and balance of her face.

If someone dares to do it openly, they don’t fear exposing their flaws. Fujiwara Reya didn’t dwell on this matter and asked bluntly, "Is the yellow jade still here? I need to take it all back, at the price you bought it for."

"Of course, I haven’t used a single gram," Mrs. Tanemura said, cupping the black tea bowl in her palms, and called out, "Shizuka, please bring the yellow jade."

Soon, the maid brought in a wooden box, placed it on the table, and then retreated.

The wind blew, lifting the curtains. Mrs. Tanemura adjusted her bangs and placed her hand on the box, continuing, "It weighs a total of 3,806 grams, amounting to 418 million yen."

"I’ll transfer the money to you later." Fujiwara Reya reached out to take the wooden box.

"No, I only accept cash," Mrs. Tanemura shook her head, refusing.

Fujiwara Reya frowned and remained silent.

Who would carry over 400 million in cash on them?

"Let’s take a look first," Kasahara Fumi suggested.

Mrs. Tanemura hesitated slightly but eventually opened the wooden box.

Inside the box were thumb-sized pieces of yellow jade, each emitting a delicate, warm luster. It was undoubtedly yellow jade. Besides, there was a green silk pouch with something inside.

An ominous aura seeped out from the silk pouch.

Out of professional sensitivity, Kasahara Fumi pointed at the pouch, "What is that?"

Fujiwara Reya’s gaze was also drawn to it.

"It’s an amulet," Mrs. Tanemura confessed.

"Did you get it from a temple?" Fujiwara Reya asked.

"No, it’s been passed down within the family. You could say it’s my alter ego," Mrs. Tanemura explained with a slightly weary smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "It’s a bit of a mysterious story. But it’s long, and telling it now would be exhausting."

Kasahara Fumi reached out directly, saying, "Let me take a look."

"Please treat it with care..." Mrs. Tanemura reluctantly opened the pouch and took out its contents.

A mask.

Kasahara Fumi held the mask in her palm, observing it intently. Fujiwara Reya also looked over.

It was a mask with distinct feminine features. The lips were painted, and the area between the eyes and eyebrows was gracefully arched, like an elegant new moon, exuding a youthful beauty.

"This is a Noh mask," Mrs. Tanemura explained from the side.

Noh drama is Japan’s traditional theater, utilizing scripts from traditional Japanese literature and featuring masks, costumes, props, and dance in its performances. Fujiwara Reya rarely engaged with Noh drama, so he couldn’t see anything peculiar about the mask.

"Do you understand?" he asked Kasahara Fumi.

"Not really..." Kasahara Fumi shook her head, "It’s like Japan’s three scenic views. Though I know they’re in Japan, I’ve never seen them myself."

"Is it because you didn’t have time, or what?"

"I just never thought of going."

"I’ll accompany you."

"Hmm... Eh?"

Kasahara Fumi glared angrily at Fujiwara Reya, who was ever flirtatious, then lowered her head to look at the mask, as if not wanting to engage with him.

"No, that’s not right. When appreciating a Noh mask, you need to raise your hands a bit," Mrs. Tanemura said from the opposite side. "You should lift it, letting the eyes of the mask face down, to appreciate its beauty..."

Kasahara Fumi followed her instructions, lifting the mask for a closer look.

As the mask appeared directly above her sight, the ghostly pale skin in her eyes softened into a delicate haze, as if the youthful glow of a young girl’s complexion was rising from the mask, making it seem alive.

"Wow! It’s incredibly realistic."

Kasahara Fumi gasped.

"When the mask’s eyes face down, the beauty appears sorrowful, with a melancholic expression; when the eyes face up, the beauty shines, with a bright expression," Mrs. Tanemura explained, almost luring, "Rock it back and forth, and it mirrors the ebb and flow of emotions. Miss, you can try it."

Kasahara Fumi placed the mask below her sightline again.

Bringing her face within ten centimeters of the mask, she felt as if a living woman was smiling at her. It was a beautiful, pure smile, untainted by any blemish.

"It really looks like a living person, doesn’t it?" she muttered, "Like a young maiden."

"Take a closer look; it’s a young girl," Mrs. Tanemura said. "According to the elders in my family, the original model for this mask was a deity, symbolizing eternal youth."