Chapter 1018: Chapter 34 Goo!_2

You don’t have to worry about the fuel tank exploding.

Under the most recent bombing.

The fuel tank has already exploded.

At the same time, there are no survivors within the convoy.

Although he had already guessed this outcome, when it actually happened, Ryosuke’s face still turned ugly.

He was still hoping that some would survive.

After all, it was an extreme measure to use rocket-propelled grenades in an urban area.

Those targeted must certainly be significant figures.

It would be quite normal for one or two ‘Mystical Side’ individuals to be present around such important personalities.

Ordinary people might not survive.

But the ‘Mystical Side’ individuals have a considerably higher chance of making it through.

However…

“Even ‘Mystical Side’ individuals can’t withstand rocket-propelled grenades?”

Ryosuke muttered to himself.

“Technology advances, and times evolve.”

“When firearms and cannons appeared, certain things had already quietly changed.”

“Justice only exists beneath the muzzle of a gun.”

“Truth lies within range.”

“It may seem laughable, but it is a reality–in the Silver District, the division of the ‘Mystical Side’ into the Inner World and the Present World, and even other names, is precisely because of the advent of gunpowder.”

“Its emergence gave ordinary people the legitimacy to be taken seriously for the first time.”

The old Monk from Tongshou Temple muttered softly.

Complex emotions flickered in his eyes.

As someone who became a monk mid-life, he truly welcomed the advent of gunpowder, just as he mentioned, it changed the entire era.

But as a former successor of the Tongshou Temple, possessing enviable ‘Mystical Side’ powers, he also longed for that era when mysticism reigned supreme.

Indeed, I am just a person filled with indecision!

The old Monk from Tongshou Temple chastised himself in his heart.

Then, he once again began reciting the Heart Sutra.

Hui Lijing, meanwhile, stood carefully by Jason’s side, surveying their surroundings.

Her instincts as a female warrior told her that danger had not yet passed.

Jason’s gaze had already locked onto several locations before Hui Lijing did.

Standing in front of the wreckage of five vehicles, Jason’s hand involuntarily touched the handle of the Broad Blade Cleaver tucked in his backpack.

Wait?

That wasn’t Jason’s style.

He preferred to take the initiative.

However, just as Jason prepared to take action, the people at those locations quickly departed.

Hmm?

Jason’s perception caused him to look towards the other side of the road.

There, several vehicles were speeding towards him.

As those vehicles halted, a young man dashed out of a car.

Upon seeing this young man, the old Monk from Tongshou Temple immediately grabbed Ryosuke, pulling him to retreat to Jason’s side.

“What’s wrong?”

Ryosuke didn’t resist.

The fact that the old Monk was willing to come with him, Ryosuke accepted this friend.

And with friends, Ryosuke–a pretentious middle-aged man–believes unconditionally.

“People from the Hanakaiin Family.”

The old Monk from Tongshou Temple murmured quietly.

“Hanakaiin?”

“Hiss!”

“The four major Onmyoji clans?”

Ryosuke was taken aback and inhaled sharply.

Although it was his first day at his new job in ‘Zero Section,’ and he hadn’t gotten around to learning any serious information, he did know about the ‘four major Onmyoji families.’

Because… Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

Therefore, Ryosuke was well aware of what being one of the ‘four major Onmyoji families,’ the Hanakaiin Family, signified.

Immediately, Ryosuke kept silent.

His eyes, however, carried a look of worry.

With the presence of the Hanakaiin Family, the deceased here were naturally people from the Hanakaiin Family or individuals with a very close relationship. Otherwise, the Hanakaiin Family’s people wouldn’t have arrived at the scene so quickly.

Trouble!

Although the Hanakaiin Family is not as overbearing as the Tsuchimikado Family.

But they are not easy to deal with either.

Or rather, in the information Ryosuke had access to, none of the ‘four major Onmyoji families’ were agreeable.

And now, they were at the scene of death of someone closely related to the other party.

Naturally, the other party could harbor resentment towards them.

Even with his ‘Zero Section’ status, that wouldn’t be of much help.

If it were just him involved, Ryosuke wouldn’t mind.

After all, he was a lone figure.

With no one to care about.

But he didn’t want to see the involvement of Jason, the Tongshou Temple, or Hui Lijing.

What to do?

Ryosuke frowningly began to think.

“Don’t worry.”

“It’s alright.”

Master Tongshou Temple comforted Ryosuke softly.

It was just instinct, a habit.

Ever since he became the Master of Tongshou Temple, the old monk had grown used to comforting others in this way.

And each time, things would always turn out fine without any real danger.

Those who were comforted by the old monk would immediately look at him with eyes full of reverence.

By the time the old monk realized this, it was already too late.

He was treated as a true Master.

Just like now.

As the words left his mouth, the old monk felt a bit of regret.

But there is no medicine for regret in this world.

He could only tough it out.

Even when faced with the sharp gaze of the young man from the Hanakaiin Family, he just had to tough it out.

Of course, the old monk’s way of toughing it out was different from ordinary people.

He pressed his hands together in prayer and chanted softly.

He used habitual actions to cover up his panic.

At the time he became the Master of Tongshou Temple, the old monk truly was afraid he would give himself away.

So, his past experience of mingling in the streets came in handy.

He had devised a habitual action to mask his nervousness.

And for a monk, what could be more monastic than pressing hands together in prayer?

The answer was nothing.

Thus, Master Tongshou Temple began his continuous practice.

Standing in the hall of Buddha, smelling the sandalwood incense, and chanting the sutras.

In his heart, he visualized being held at gunpoint, being held at knifepoint, and so on.

At first, his chanting was trembling.

It was from fear.

But later, it became more and more stable.

Now, the old monk could even handle real-life situations with ease.

After accumulating over a decade of daily practice, this habitual action had truly become ingrained in his marrow.

Or rather, it had been branded into his soul.

Even, it resulted in some special changes.

Now, as the old monk pressed his hands together and chanted softly, anyone who saw him would feel at peace, as if the sound of the morning bell and the evening drum were ringing in their ears, or as if Zen music had appeared.

Ryosuke instantly calmed down.

The young man from the Hanakaiin Family was also taken aback.

Then, he scrutinized the old monk carefully.

After about a second or two, surprise appeared in his eyes.

“Excuse me, are you the Master of Tongshou Temple?”

The young man asked.

“I’m just a monk of Tongshou Temple.”

“The Master has passed onto someone else.”

The old monk replied with his hands pressed together.

Someone else?

Tongshou Temple has found a new successor?

The young man from the Hanakaiin Family thought rapidly, his gaze involuntarily shifted toward Jason, Hui Lijing, and Ryosuke.

Since Tongshou Temple had a successor, the person who stayed by the side of the former Master Tongshou Temple was very likely the successor.

First, Hui Lijing was excluded.

Although Tongshou Temple did not have strict rules, it was improbable for a woman to become the successor.

Next, Ryosuke was excluded.

Ryosuke was a man, but he didn’t seem the part.

His attire and current posture seemed more like a police officer’s, not someone from the Mystical Side.

The successor to Tongshou Temple must be somebody from the Mystical Side.

There was no doubt about it.

Lastly, the young man from the Hanakaiin Family turned his gaze towards Jason.

Tall and strong.

His aura was restrained.

His eyes calm.

His face indifferent.

This must be the new successor of Tongshou Temple!

The young man was certain.

Then, his eyes moved up to the top of Jason’s head.

No bald head?

Has he not taken the tonsure yet?

Thinking this, the young man hurriedly paid his respects to the old monk of Tongshou Temple.

“I have seen the Master.”

The young man bowed to the old monk, then greeted Jason with a bow.

“I have seen the new successor of Tongshou Temple.”

The old monk replied with his hands pressed together as a reciprocated gesture.

Jason, however, was staring intently at the young man, with saliva rapidly secreting and his stomach making a long rumble–

Gurgle!