Chương 67: A Walk Through a Harmonious Hidden Village

They stepped through the shimmering veil and into a hidden sanctuary. The air was calm, smelling of damp earth and cypress. Around them, humans and yookai lived together in a harmony that felt a world away from the conflicts of the mainland. Galan watched a young woman in a pink kimono hang laundry, laughing as a small fox pounced on a fallen peg. He saw an old man meticulously pruning a bonsai tree while a kodama tree spirit nodded in silent approval from a branch above.

He saw kappa hauling water barrels, rewarded with fresh cucumbers from a grateful human cook. In a small training hall, a human teacher patiently corrected the stance of a young, frustrated oni who was struggling to hold a wooden practice sword. They're teaching a strength fighter to use swords? Galan wondered. His mindcast revealed the purpose: a cultural exchange, a way to bridge the gap between their peoples. Oh. Here I thought they were sabotaging him. Got too many of those running around.

He looked up and saw two two-tailed cat people called nekomata lounging on a rooftop, purring as they watched the peaceful chaos below.

"Wow," he said, impressed.

"Didn't expect to see them living together like this."

"It is called 'Different Bodies, Same Heart,'" Zensuke's mind-voice echoed.

"The idea that those who look different may share the same spirit."

"You expect me to believe that ideology keeps them in harmony all the time?" Galan smirked.

"No, of course not. Conflicts occur. It is our duty as leaders to resolve them for the benefit of all."

"Heh. Just like me, then."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just got some experience in that." This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Although hard to believe, he does show some sense of critical thinking, Zensuke thought. Perhaps he is the son of an important person to never face any consequences for his actions. Galan was unamused. This puffball serious right now?

"If you truly have mastery of ruling others," Zensuke sent, a hint of challenge in his tone,"then I expect great things from your handling of the locals to help with your investigation."

"Thanks for the confidence, Teacher Zensuke," Galan said.

"I won't disappoint." They arrived at an unassuming, light-brown walled residence nestled in a bamboo grove.

"Nice hideout, Teacher," Galan said.

"Real stealthy."

"The best sanctuary is one that hides in plain sight," Zensuke replied, a note of pride in his mind-voice.

"Now, if we are to find the truth, we must have implicit trust. That means being truthful and avoiding unnecessary friction."

"Yeah," Galan agreed, rubbing the back of his head.

"But let's do the 'truthful' part with a side of matcha. It'll take a while."

"Of course," Zensuke said, a hint of a challenge in his mind-voice.

"But you will be the one to serve it. Do you know how?"

"Eh, I've read some books." Galan shrugged.

"Boil water, clean bowl, scoop powder, pour, whisk, turn, slurp. Not that hard." Zensuke sighed. He certainly is a foreigner. But that will have to do. The gate swung open into a masterfully designed courtyard. A massive, crimson-leafed maple tree stood as its heart, surrounded by meticulously raked white sand and moss-covered stones. A gentle, rhythmic clack from a bamboo deer-scarer echoed in the quiet night. Beneath a dark pond, massive, ghost-white koi drifted like ancient spirits.

"So... where's the tea house?" Galan asked. Zensuke stopped.

"Were you expecting a dedicated building? One nestled in the garden, away from the main residence?"

"Yeah." Galan nodded.

"I do not have such a building."

"Why not?"

"Because my 'guests' consist mostly of agents and informants. We do not have the luxury of ritual when danger is close. Thus, building such a structure would only invite unnecessary attention." Oh, right. He's one of those secret spymaster kinda guy, Galan thought.

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Then let us not waste any more time." They reached the front of the house, a large two-story structure built in a naturalist style with raw wooden pillars and glowing paper screens that blurred the line between a house and the wild.