“Jiagui, check the bread in the oven, it might be ready soon. Don't let the bread get too old.”
“Knead this dough a little softer. Don't let me ruin the reputation of the Shenmu family's century-old shop.”
“Why is it you again, you little pet? Get out of the bakery!”
“Meow woof!”
Bai Qing, with her snow-white fur, ran out of the kitchen with a freshly baked bread in her mouth. She found a quiet place, lay down on the ground, and enjoyed her lunch.
The bakery was crowded with customers. This shop, which had been open for over a hundred years, still had some reputation. Not only locals from Kyoto, but also many foreigners came to visit.
This book is first published on 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞 on the whole network.
After eating and drinking her fill, Bai Qing found a sunny windowsill, climbed onto a chair, and contentedly watched the various customers in the shop.
The white-haired people from North Winter Country were said to be born warriors. It was rare to see them in the Overseas Country.
The blonde Western Europeans were more common in the Overseas Country, after all, the Overseas Country was still being led around on a dog leash.
Just as she was happily identifying people from different countries, the light from the bakery door was blocked by a figure.
It wasn't until he walked into the shop that the sunlight shone in again, allowing people to see his appearance clearly.
The other person was a domestic person, but whether it was his appearance or temperament, few could compare. And around his neck was a fox. When Bai Qing looked over, she felt a splitting headache.
She couldn't see the information of this white-haired fox, which surprised her greatly. After all, after testing her abilities these days, Bai Qing knew how heaven-defying her ability was. Even for animals that should exist in reality, she could clearly know their information.
How strange? Bai Qing thought to herself. Perhaps it was an illusion, but she seemed to see the white fox glance at her.
That person bought bread and asked the clerk for a cup of fresh, warm milk. He found a place not too far or too close to Bai Qing and sat down.
His eyes were like dark black gems, making it impossible to see the bottom. His fair skin shone with a crystal-clear luster in the sunlight, always causing people to fall into it involuntarily.
Perhaps noticing a certain little animal was secretly watching him, the young man looked at Bai Qing and smiled. He tore off a piece of bread from his hand and called out to her softly.
“Tsk, you think you can get a pet like that? You're too naive.” Bai Qing disdained, but after hesitating for a moment, she still gracefully walked up to the young man and took the piece of bread from his hand.
“Oh, it's quite delicious.”
Feeling a large hand gently stroking her fur, Bai Qing leaned against the young man very familiarly.
She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she always felt very comfortable around this young man.
“S-sorry. Could you give Xiaobai back to me?” A girl's timid voice came, and Bai Qing knew it was Shenben Jiagui, that idiot.
There was a reason why this idiot shrine maiden was so soft-hearted. She was clumsy and slow to learn things.
Even making bread required many instructions before she could slowly master it.
This time, if it weren't for her secretly guiding her, this girl might have been kicked out by the bakery owner.
“Is this your pet?” The young man's gentle voice sounded, like a warm fire in the cold winter, very much in line with Bai Qing's initial imagination.
“Yes…” Shenben Jiagui pursed her lips and looked at the young man, her eyes revealing a bit of pleading.
Xiaobai and grandma were all she had left.
“Your pet.” The young man gently pinched Bai Qing's neck and handed it to the girl. He saw Bai Qing staring at him with wide eyes, as if accusing him of his bad behavior.
“Meow woof!” Bai Qing cried out.
“Xiaobai, no, you can't beat him.” The little girl hugged the cat tightly, rubbing her soft fur against Bai Qing and said softly.
“Meow meow meow!” Bai Qing cried a few times, and even stretched out her paw to pat the girl's face.
“I know, but, not next time.”
Watching the interaction between the little girl and the cat, the young man found it interesting. He looked at the scenery outside the street, drank the milk in one gulp, and left the bakery with his hands behind his back.
“She is the White Marsh child we're looking for, isn't she?” The young man said to himself. The white fox on his neck wagged its tail and swept it across his neck.
“Then let's observe for a while. I think that girl likes her quite a bit too.” The young man smiled, then disappeared into the crowd.
“Three, at least three grilled fish to make up for my wounded heart.” In the kitchen, Bai Qing followed behind Shenben Jiagui, crying out. Like a little follower, she went wherever Bai Qing went.
“But, only this time, Xiaobai.” Shenben Jiagui was a little helpless. “You can't eat any more, you're getting fat.”
“Nonsense, how can a cutie's fat be called fat? Okay, that's also a problem, then reduce it by one and make it two.”
Shenben Jiagui rubbed her forehead. She didn't quite understand how Xiaobai, who claimed to be a sacred beast, had degenerated into a glutton. It gave her the feeling of being scammed. This sacred beast wouldn't be fake, would it?
“You must be doubting my identity as a sacred beast.” Bai Qing climbed onto the girl's shoulder and looked at her, saying.
This was an ability that Bai Qing had discovered herself during this period, the ability to communicate with people through telepathy. Shenben Jiagui was frightened by this, but after experiencing the demon god incident, she accepted the fact that Xiaobai could talk.
“I didn't.”
“You did!”
“……”
“Hurry up and explain, I'll forgive you!”
……
It wasn't until very late that Shenben Jiagui walked out of the bakery, rubbing her sore arms.
“We should go home, be careful on the road since it's so late.” Bai Qing said.
“Yeah.” Shenben Jiagui nodded.
She held Bai Qing in her arms and quickly walked towards home.
The place where the shrine was built belonged to the old city, which was a bit of a distance from the bakery.
The old city, full of dirty puddles, was not as clean as the new city.
There were no bright street lights here, no wide stone roads, and no night patrols.
Muddy puddles could be seen everywhere on the ground. If you accidentally stepped into one, you would be covered in mud, making it troublesome to clean.
Also, be careful of the landmines placed under the corners. There were too many people in the old city who urinated and defecated everywhere. Not all people from the Overseas Country were civilized. This place was actually a microcosm of the world.
Shenben Jiagui carried Bai Qing through a series of quiet alleys. The occasional lights from the residents' houses brought her a little courage to continue moving forward.
The night became more and more intense, and the fog gradually spread.
The streets and alleys were like ink splashed heavily, like a terrifying abyss waiting for guests.
Quiet, quiet, still quiet.
Only the girl's hurried footsteps echoed.
A certain coldness in the air gradually attacked, enveloping the little girl's body like a shadow.
“Xiaobai, do you feel a little cold?” Shenben Jiagui shivered, her legs and feet trembling a little.
The hairs on her skin stood up, and goosebumps appeared all over her body as if she had been electrocuted.
She seemed to feel something spying on her.
“Something's definitely wrong, there might be something strange.” Bai Qing's voice was serious, and her eyes looked around.
“Then, then what do we do?” Shenben Jiagui asked in a panic.
She hugged Bai Qing tightly. This pet, who claimed to be a sacred beast, was her only sense of security now.
“We might have already been targeted by it. If there's a chance to run later, run quickly.” Bai Qing narrowed her eyes and looked at the thick fog not far away.
A small monster gradually emerged from the thick fog, its six legs clinging to the ground as it crawled towards Shenben Jiagui.
“Six-legged demon.” Bai Qing said calmly, looking at the approaching monster.
