Theshrine maiden, or miko,saidsomething in Japanese. Of course, we didn’t understand. She spoke again. This time, shespoke in rough Chinese. “What are you doing here? Why did youtrespass here?”

“Oh, you can speak Chinese?” I was amazed.

“I’veread ancient Chinese books, soI’velearnedthegrammara bit.”

Although thismiko could speak Chinese, her grammarwas indeedweird.Sheraisedher broomstick againandboldly said,“Answer me!”

“We are after a little fox spirit. She stole our passports. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him.” I pointed at Chuyi.

Themiko skeptically assessed us. “You’re after a little fox? You’relying!”

“Then whywould weinvadethis place at midnight like this? Is there something good to steal in this shrine?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “We don’t have any foxes here!”

I wanted to laugh when I heard her talk, butI refrainedas it wasn’tpolite.Chinese wasreally hard to study. Itwas good enoughthat we could communicate.

“This is Inari Shrine, where fox immortals are worshipped, right?”

Themiko sneered.“Then, is there always a Bodhisattva in Bodhisattva temples in China?”

Chuyi explained, “I’m a Daoist priest from Mitu Temple in Hong Kong. That little fox tried to guide us here. She should haveapurpose. Can you take us for a tour inside? We willnotcause any trouble.”

The miko frownedand asked,“How about you?”

“I’m amerchantof otherworldly items. Idon’t thinkyou’veheardofthis profession.”

Themiko didn’t understand what otherworldlyitemswere, but she knew the word merchant. “Whyisa merchanttravelingwith a Daoist priest?”

“In short, we are co-workers. It’s similar to the Onmyoji in Japan.”She didn’t quite understand,but she put her broomstick aside. “All right, I can take you in. But if we don’t find your passports, I’ll call the police to arrest you.”

“Okay!” I nodded.

Themiko guidedus. We walkedalong the mountain path, and although she was wearing a hakamawith a long, loose sleeved kimono robe, Inoticed thatshe had agood physique. Shehad a good body andcurves. Of course, I wasn’t a pervert that had bad thoughts toward a shrine maiden.

The mountain path was long and steep. There weremany red toriiand lanterns that hung on them. However, the light from the lanternswasn'tbright enough.We were lucky thatthere wasa full moon tonight.

The woods alongside the mountain path were pitch-black.We occasionallyheard squeaking sounds from the night birds. There were many stone foxes of various sizes, with thebiggest around half the size of an adult. They had ahumanoid shape and woreancient clothes. They brought theirpalms togetherand squinted theireyes as if they were smiling. It would be eerie to walk here alone at night.

After walking for a while, the space in front of us expanded and became bright. A redwooden gatethat read‘Inari Shrine’stood on two cement supports, and two foxes sat on top of it. They helda bunch of rice ears intheirmouths.

Themikoledus through the great gate. The yard inside was spacious with pretty and clean tiles.There werebigand lushtreesthat were neatly alignedwith the rocksand springs, as well assome red Tang Dynasty styled structures. They looked new, but I knew theywerebuilt quite a long time ago.

I suddenlyfelt like I had traveled backto the Tang Dynasty. It was a nice place to shootanancient drama. I heard that Shu Qi shot some of herassassin movie scenes in Kyoto.

I noticed thegeomancyof this place. Everything was arranged meticulously.Anexpertmust havehelped make this place.After all, this place wasatop tiershrine in Japan.

Themiko haltedand turnedto face us. “Where are your passports? I will take you there to get them. You can’t roam around this place.”

I thought themiko wanted to trouble us. If she didn’t let us search, howwouldwe know where our passports were?

Chuyi said, “Ican sensethe monster aura. It should be there.” He raised his fingersand pointed inthedirection of the main hall.

Themiko looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”

Chuyi nodded.

“All right, I’lltakeyou there,” said themiko.

We needed to take offourshoesbefore enteringthe main hall. There was a statue with a red coat enshrined in the main hall. Although the statue had a human form, its face had the features of a fox. “Miss, is that Tamamo no Mae?”

“No, many Chinese tourists have asked me that question. Ididn'tknow how to cry.”“Ithinkyoumeant ‘Ididn’tknow whether tolaugh orcry,’” I corrected her.

Indeed, our passportswereon the altar. I picked them up and checked them. There were five passports, and somethingwasplacedunderneath them. It wasaKsitigarbhaTalisman!

ThisKsitigarbhaTalisman wasstuck onto apiece of wood. Themiko gasped, looking at the talisman in my hand with wide eyes.Chuyi and I exchanged looks.

This talisman was the one I had given to the oden chef. The fox spirit couldn’thave touchedit since she was a monster. Thatwaswhy she had pried up the wooden piece to get the talisman. The little fox had tried her best to usher us here. Irealizedthere was moreto thisstory.

Themiko asked, “Does this talisman belong to you too?”

Themiko had been vigilant the entiretimeshe had accompanied usand didn’t look that friendly.Ionly wantedto return to the hotel to rest. However, I gave her a nod. “Yeah, I drew this talisman.”

“You can draw this kind oftalisman?” She looked stunned.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She brought her palms togetherand asked in an honest voice, “Could you please give me a few?”

She then explained shyly,“These days,strange things have been happeningin the shrine. We often hear strange noises at night, just as if someonewasthrowing bricks at the walls. Some people here have even seen a headless samurai walking on the mountain trail.Severalmikos wereterrified. Last month, we saw a burning headflyaround the yard, too.”

Mikoswerejust shrine maidens and theycouldn’tsubdue ghosts or monsters. Somemiko did have sacred powers. However, it came with their bloodline. This kind of inheritance had been long lost in the history of Onmyojis.

Themiko said embarrassedly, “My grandmother was a famousmiko in Kyoto in her time. Butinmy generation, we don’t have a bit of magic power...”

“Excuse me, how should I address you?” I asked.

“My name is Chiba Rin.”

Chuyi and I also told her our names.

“Miss Chiba, how do you know about this talisman?”

“Because we also have thisKsitigarbhaTalisman!” Themiko said with bright eyes.magic

I was surprised. Themiko knew of the power of the talisman and sheknew itsname. This girl did havesomeknowledge.

“Please follow me. I want to show you something.” Themikomadean inviting gesture.

My mind shook.Another business casehas cometo my door!