Tokyo: The life of a literary giant begins with home self-defense!

Chapter 73: Who is the legitimate son of the family?

If the road to power has an end, then the vine family crest drooping in the dark night is the one that goes the furthest.

With external relatives interfering in government affairs, the once "eternal dynasty" became a puppet in their hands.

At the end of the long stairs, an old man is climbing up.

He is about sixty years old, with gray hair on his temples.

In front of him was the chief of the Nichiren sect, and behind him followed many people from the main and branch families.

No strangers allowed, the Buddha bows his head.

Although it was already the 21st century, Ryukawa Tetsu could still see the Sekkan politics that had lasted for thousands of years.

"This was the most powerful family at the time. Even the so-called divinely ordained emperor had to bow down before them."

When the old man reached the top of the mountain, Longchuan Che thought so in his heart.

"Long time no see, Miss Takeda."

At this time, all 108 bells symbolizing the old year had rung, and the gate of the temple was open in front of Kujo Fujitaka.

He stood quietly on the top of the mountain, unable to tell whether he came because the temple was open, or the temple gate opened because he came.

The winter night wind pressed down the weeds on both sides, and Ryukawa Toru saw Natsuko Imamura wearing a kimono behind the old man.

The girl seemed a little confused as to why he was here and raised an eyebrow at him.

The old man's voice echoed in front of the temple, and behind him were many people who were eager to come forward and pay their respects.

The monks were maintaining order with sweat on their foreheads, but the old man was still chatting there leisurely.

Takeda Maki could pay to walk in front of everyone, but the old man standing there quietly blocked the road behind like a mountain.

"Mr. Kujo."

Although she responded to the other party as if she were an acquaintance, Longchuan Che saw that the arrogant woman was tightly grasping the corner of her coat.

The veins on the back of her white jade-like hand bulged, as if she was trying hard to restrain something.

"Long time no see, I didn't expect to see you here."

Takeda Shinki exhaled softly, Kujo Fujitaka nodded, and then stretched out his hand towards the temple.

"Let's go together if we meet."

Neither the temple's chief priest nor Takeda Shinki had any objections.

The reef that was blocking the flow of people began to move, and Ryukawa Toru and his companions mixed in with the Kujo family who came to pay homage and entered Kuonji Temple.

"Tetsu-kun, Akane-chan."

As soon as he stepped into the temple gate, a figure bumped into Longchuan Tetsu's arm.

Long Chuan Che turned his head and saw the pair of starry eyes. His expression was stunned for two seconds.

The Jiuyuan Temple is magnificent, surrounded by green mountains and clear waters.

The temple is a solemn black, embellished with gold and red.

Ryuukawa Toru squeezed in the middle of the Kujo family and looked at the girl who was holding his arm.

"You came alone?"

The one who greeted him and held his hand was Songzhi Muzi.

The girl greeted Takeda Akane with a smile, then tightened her grip.

"Of course. Since you didn't look for me, I had no choice but to come with Xia Zi."

From what he said, he came in the Kujo family car, and his annoying brother and family members were not with him. Longchuan Tetsu thought about it and didn't ask why he was not with his family.

On the day of family gathering, we should go out and celebrate the New Year with friends.

The house must be very quiet now.

Enter the temple, wash your hands and receive the lottery ticket.

The first bell of the New Year was rung by the old man and the master of the law.

The pilgrims were crowded with people wearing kimonos.

Suddenly, I had the illusion of returning to the Heian period.

Ryukawa Toru stood behind the Kujo family and Takeda Maki and rang the bell for a simple worship.

"Do you want to go back? Or go shopping some more?"

The girl blinked and looked at him. Takeda Shinki and the others were chatting with the old man in front, and Takeda Akane had gone somewhere to have fun. At this time, the girl was holding Longchuan Toru's hand in his pocket, which seemed to be the most intimate action besides the last time she wore a scarf.

Longchuan Che squeezed the girl's hot palm and pointed to the back of the temple.

"I'm going there, you."

"I'm with you!"

The girl raised her free hand and spoke very eagerly.

There is sandalwood and bells ringing.

The girl's voice was so high-pitched that the people around her smiled at her.

"Hurry up and go."

The girl stuck out her tongue in embarrassment and pushed Longchuan Che's back towards the back of the temple.

He pushed his way through the surging crowd and passed by the side of the main hall.

Jiuyuan Temple is very grand.

The entire temple is painted with dragons and gold.

Inside the main hall, which is 32 meters wide and 51 meters deep, Kujo Fujitaka and Imamura Natsuko were chatting with the two Takeda sisters.

Takeda Maki had a forced smile on her face, while Takeda Takako looked nervous.

The old man stood under the black dragon inlaid with 23500 gold foils with a gentle expression.

Longchuan Che glanced at the main hall where only four people were, and pulled Songzhi Muzi towards the back mountain of the temple.

"What a filial child."

In the main hall where sutras are usually chanted and Buddhist lectures are given, the Three Treasures are enshrined on top and chairs for listening to the lectures are placed below.

Kujo Fujitaka looked at Ryukawa Toru passing by the main hall, gathered his sleeves and said with some emotion.

The old man was afraid of the cold and huddled in his seat like a tiny creature.

Natsuko Imamura borrowed a cloak from the master and covered the old man with it, then sat quietly aside, focusing her eyes on her nose and her nose on her heart.

Takako Takeda looked embarrassed and somewhat at a loss as she sat in her chair.

The empty hall was solemn and dignified. The woman did not dare to look into the old man's eyes. Takeda Shinki said coldly:

"Visiting my mother every New Year is a sign of filial piety."

The air outside the hall was filled with the scent of incense. The old man looked at the solemn and magnificent hall and pounded his legs.

"Yes, that's the only advantage I have, which is filial piety."

Old man Jiujo spoke in a lamenting tone, his eyes fixed on the black dragon drawn by Kayama Matazo.

This black dragon inlaid with gold foil overlooks everything overhead, just like the Kujo family once did.

"I went to see him once two years ago."

The old man spoke in a flat tone, and upon hearing his words, Takeda Takako's body subconsciously trembled.

Three years ago, Longchuan Che, she could still point at the other person's nose and curse.

Takeda Shinki frowned at her sister's useless performance, then sighed and squeezed her hand as if to comfort her.

The warmth on her palm slightly relaxed Takeda Takako's stiff body. The old man from the Kujo family watched all this and continued as if he was telling a story:
"Two years ago, I was sixteen, which used to be considered an adult."

In ancient Japan, people became adults at the age of sixteen. The old man frowned as if he was a little puzzled.

"Why would you be so humble in front of a powerless woman?"

Two years ago, by the lake in the mountains.

It was also a winter with heavy snow.

Long Chuan Che, who had not collected enough firewood, stood in the snow with his head down, and in front of him was a woman with an arrogant look.

Kujo Fujitaka straightened up and looked at Takeda Takako who was shaking uncontrollably.

"Can you tell me about the legitimate descendants of my Kujo family?"

The old man leaned forward, and in the solemn palace, the golden black dragon above his head seemed to be asking questions along with him.

“Why is it this color?”

(End of this chapter)