Chapter 515: Using Housefly Blood to Break the Seal


    Chiba took us to the chamber behind the main hall where they stored the offerings. This warehouse was neatly arranged. A strong smellfilledthe entire ce.Exquisite costumes, small drums, fans,and other items were neatly stacked on the bamboo shelf.


    She went deep into the warehouse until she reached a red wooden cab. She brought her palms togetherand prayedfor a short moment before pulling the drawer.


    Inside the drawer was awooden box with copper handles on each side. It looked old. She took out the box.We recognized that the box was tied with a red rope and a few tatteredKsitigarbhaTalismans. I was surprised. Where did you get these talismans?


    These talismans were from my grandmothers time.At that time, therewas a ghost that troubled this box. A master from Chinacameand subdued it. He was the one that left these talismans.


    There were different waysof drawingaKsitigarbhaTalisman.Differentpeoplewould perform the same set of moves differently. I checked the talismans and found familiar traces of my grandpa.


    Could it be my grandpa? But my grandpa had never been to Japan. Perhaps it was someone else from the Zhang family in Jiangbei.


    Can I look inside the box? I asked.


    Yes, you can. Chiba nodded.


    I moved the box in front of me. The seal on the box looked interesting. It was a hexagonal seal formation,and theKsitigarbhaTalismans reinforced the seal.Itwas a masterpiececreated byan expert. However, the talismans werentintactand the red rope was torn. The sealhad beenbroken.


    Have you kept this drawer locked the entire time? I asked.


    Only the Kannushi and I have the key of this cab, answered Chiba.


    Chuyi found a small broom and swept away a small pile of dead houseflies.


    Chiba lookedstartled. What happened?


    I checked the bottom of the box and found a hole there. Then, I pinched a flyand broughtit under my nose to take a sniff. It smelled of blood.


    Chuyi and I exchanged looks. Weunderstoodthe cause. Someoneruinedthis box deliberately!


    I exined to Chiba, These flies were fed crow blood, so they allhavethick Yin energy. Someone drilled a hole at the bottom of this box and put them into the box. The seal itselfhasthick Yang energy.SinceYin and Yangopposeeach other, the houseflies would instinctively break the seal.Although a fly isnt strong, many flies could nibble the seal and break it in the end.


    It was also a smart idea. I had a feeling that the trouble-maker was familiar with Chinese magic techniques.


    Chiba didnt understand the teachings of Yin and Yang. She blinkedand asked,Whatwillhappen if the seal is broken?


    The ghost or monster sealed insidewillescape.


    Mr. Zhang, can you seal it again?


    I shook my head. You cant take back the water you sshed away. The thing inside has escaped. Theres no meaningin sealingthis box again.By the way, can we open this box to check?


    Yes! Chiba untied the red rope and opened the box.


    My eyes brightened. A fox statue was carefully put inside the box. It wasprotected byyers of silk.


    Still,I was puzzled. Miss Chiba, we sawa simrstatue this evening. It was put on a float during the parade.However, this onehas a thickyer of dust. It seemsit has beenlocked for quite a long time.


    Chiba just smiled. Ah, the statue that we use for the festival every year is just a copy. We asked a master tocreateit. The real statue is precious, so even a low-rank Miko isnt eligible to seeit.


    I wanted to pick it up to observe.


    Hold on, Im going to get you a pair of gloves, said Chiba.


    This fox statue was made of pure silver. It felt so heavy. The surface was oxidizedand hada dark color. Chuyi and I wore glovesandcarefully lifted the statue andcedit on the silk cloth. The statue had the shape of a squatting fox withpointyears. It looked a littlenky, like a dog. At the same time, the statue was cast beautifully, with realistic fur.


    It wasnt a normal item.After all,items forged underanEmperors rulewould often have something else inside when they were cast. For example, it could beagreat monks relic, the Emperors blood, or even monster bones.


    However, therewasnt even awisp ofYin energy. It was strikingly differentfromthe copy I saw in the evening.Back then, Ifeltthreatened.


    Why did they make these ces empty? Chuyi pointed at the foxs eyes.


    The Silver Fox-samas sockets are empty all the time, arent they? Chiba didnt get it.


    No, there should be two eyeballs, said Chuyi.


    I dont know. Ive seen Silver Fox-sama three times, andI have never seen the eyes. Chiba was puzzled.


    I made a guess.We encountered a fox spirit that turned into ateenageboy wearing white clothes in Osaka.Earlier, we met the little foxy girl. Are they this Silver Foxs eyes?


    If so, the fox statue we saw this evening during the festival was the little girl. Shehadattachedherself tothat statue,which madeus think that it was an otherworldly item. Shealso saw me givethe oden chef aKsitigarbhaTalisman. Sheter took it from his food cartandtrickedusintoingto this shrine. Ididntunderstand why she had to do that. Itdidnt seem advantageousfor her.


    I told Chuyi my assumption. He answered, Perhaps she wants us to help Miss Chiba here?


    In other words, that boys assisting bad people. The little girl wants him toe back, but shes not strong enough.Soshedid thosethings tobringus here.But that white-clothed boy is in Osaka...Should we reallygoback there?The Yamaguchigroupmay be still looking for us.


    Jiulin, who do you thinkbroke this seal? asked Chuyi.


    That boy? I got it now. You mean, he willeback here?


    Chuyi nodded.


    Chiba didnt understand, soI briefed her about the situation we had encountered in Osaka and what the little girldidthis evening.After listeningto me, Chiba covered her mouth in surprise. You mean, they are the incarnations of our Fox Immortal?


    I think so, I told Chiba. I dont want to hide it from you, but myjobis to deal with otherworldly items.


    What are theseotherworldly items you speak of?


    I exined to herwhatotherworldly items were. Afterward, Chiba said, Its pretty good then. Mr. Zhang, please help our shrine. I will tell the Kannushi to repay you!


    Our price is high, though! I smiled.


    Chiba frownedand said in a serious tone,We dont havemanyproperties in the shrine. Mr. Zhang, I hope youllgive us a reasonable price


    Seeing her face,Icouldn''t bear to tellher the rules of my business,that we were supposed to take awaythe otherworldly item after thecase was solved.


    However, the thing in front of us wasanationaltreasure. Chiba couldntmake this decisionand the Kannushi of this shrine would never agree.


    I shot Chuyi a nceand askedfor his idea. He gave me a faint answer.We ept this case.


    I thought it was a good deed to maintainagood rtionship between the two countries.


    Thatsgreat! Chiba wasdelighted. Thank you, thank you, Mr. ZhangandMr. Chuyi!


    At thismoment, Yin Xinyue called me.Brother Zhang, why arent you back yet?


    Inoticedit was 11:00 PM already. We bid Chiba farewend left.