Detective Conan: The Ultimate Growth Space

They were startled by the sudden sound.

Looking back, they saw an old monk wearing a straw raincoat behind them.

However, his appearance was somewhat unusual, and combined with the night, it was actually a little frightening.

Seeing that they remained silent, the old monk angrily said, "Are you from a newspaper or a television station? Please leave. This is not a place for worldly people like you."

Zhiyong looked at the old monk speechlessly and said, "Have you ever seen any newspaper or TV station come to interview us, with children in tow? We came here for lodging because our car had a flat tire and we're stranded. If you don't want us, then leave."

The old monk, who had been looking angry, immediately calmed down after hearing Zhiyong's words.

The speed at which he changed his expression impressed Zhiyong greatly.

The old monk said happily, "You've come to stay overnight? That's wonderful! I thought you were reporters here to cover the trip."

Xiao Lan asked curiously, "An interview? What do they want to interview me about?"

The old monk smiled and said, "It's nothing, just a small matter. If you want to stay overnight, including dinner and the tour fee, it will be 10,000 per adult and 8,000 per child."

Kogoro Mouri exclaimed in surprise, "What? Ten thousand yen?"

The old monk's face turned cold upon hearing this, and he said, "It's alright if you don't stay. Just walk down the mountain."

Kogoro Mori quickly replied, "We didn't say we couldn't stay."

Upon hearing this, the old monk shouted inside, "Come out, all of you! It's rare to have guests seeking lodging."

Kogoro Mouri then said, "We didn't say we wanted to stay here."

Upon hearing this, the old monk's face turned cold again, and he said, "I'm not trying to scare you, but on this rainy night, you'd better stay here, otherwise you'll run into that guy."

Xiaolan asked nervously, "Are there any bears around here?"

The old monk sneered, "A bear is not such a cute animal." Then, he said mysteriously, "An ancient monster that likes rain and darkness and specializes in eating human souls is the Mist Tengu."

It was as if even Heaven was cooperating with the old monk.

At that moment, lightning flashed across the sky, making the old monk's words seem even more terrifying.

Xiao Lan exclaimed in fright, "Ah, the Mist Tengu!"

Xiaolan had no idea what a Mist Tengu was, but she was terrified of it.

Xiaolan scared herself unnecessarily.

……

Chapter 72 Spending the Night at Shanni Temple

The old monk hurriedly added, "No, no, you should forget what I just said."

The more the old monk tried to be mysterious, the more frightened Xiaolan became.

A series of footsteps sounded, and four more young monks came running.

The old monk quickly changed the subject, saying, "Let me introduce you. These four are monks who practice in this temple."

He pointed to one of them, a monk with a resolute face, and said, "This is the one who has been practicing the longest among the four, and his name is Kuan Nian."

He then pointed to a somewhat overweight monk and said, "Although he has a big appetite, he is an excellent cook. His dish is called Tun Nian."

Then, pointing to a monk with dark skin, he said, "This is Mu Nian. He is very skilled with his hands, and all the carpentry work in the temple is done by him."

He then pointed to a very refined-looking monk and said, "This is a monk who just arrived this year, named Xiunian."

After introducing the others, he added, "Finally, I am the abbot of this temple, Ten'ei."

Tianyong then said to the four monks, "Tun Nian and Mu Nian, you two go and prepare dinner. Kuan Nian and Xiu Nian, take the guests to visit the temple."

Kogoro Mouri took out his wallet, looked at it, and said, "Sigh, I'm out of money for drinks again this month."

Zhiyong smiled slightly and said, "Uncle, don't worry, let me pay this time."

"I can't accept that, it's already cost you a lot of money," Kogoro Mouri said somewhat embarrassedly.

Zhi Yong smiled slightly and said, "It's alright, we're all on the same side, it doesn't matter who pays."

In fact, Kogoro Mouri has always believed that Tomoyuki was pursuing Ran.

His intelligence and courage made Kogoro Mouri find him agreeable.

At least if I had to choose between Chiyuki and Shinichi Kudo.

Kogoro Mouri would definitely choose Tomohisa as his son-in-law, so he doesn't object to Tomohisa spending money.

However, he still finds it hard to accept if Xiaolan were to start dating Zhiyong now.

This might just be a case of a doting father who gets anxious and insecure about his daughter's future dating and marriage.

Shanni Temple is not very large.

However, though small, the sparrow is complete in every way, and its environment is also uniquely blessed with beautiful scenery.

The Buddha statues here are carved very lifelike.

Although the observation cost some money.

However, today we not only appreciated the beauty of nature, but also visited this temple, which was quite a good experience.

Of course, receiving ghosts was also a source of great joy for Zhiyong.

In island nations, monks actually lead quite comfortable lives.

Most of them are very wealthy, and they don't prohibit eating meat or drinking alcohol; marriage and having children are also allowed.

In many temples in island nations, the tradition can be passed down from father to son, generation after generation.

As long as one doesn't mess things up, inheriting a temple is generally more enjoyable than inheriting a company.

Because there is never a shortage of believers, temples rarely go bankrupt or close down.

Kuan Nian has a cheerful personality. He introduced us to the sights in various places and cracked jokes from time to time.

Xiu Nian remained silent the entire way.

Finally, during the visit to the last waterfall.

Conan saw a room with a lock on the door and went inside by himself.

Conan's behavior is extremely disliked.

Everyone has some privacy, but Conan enjoys exploring other people's privacy.

On the bright side, he possesses the curiosity of a detective.

If viewed negatively, Conan is a perverted otaku.

If Conan were still like Shinichi Kudo, his behavior would probably get him beaten to a pulp.

Kuan Nian rushed over and said, "Little friend, you can't go in here."

Kogoro Mouri followed him in and asked, "Master, what is this room used for?"

At this moment, for some reason, Kuan Nian, who had been talking non-stop the whole way, suddenly fell silent.

Xiu Nian, who had been silent until now, answered from the side: "This is a room for meditation. I heard that monks who broke the precepts in the past would be locked up here to reflect on their mistakes."

Upon hearing this, Kogoro Mouri said, "I see. No wonder it's so sturdy. And it's covered in a thick layer of paint."

Conan pointed to a corner and said, "Why is the color here different from the rest of the place?"

Xiu Nian calmly said, "I heard that this place was damaged in an incident, and these are the marks left by Senior Brother Mu Nian when he repaired it." She then turned to Kuan Nian and said, "Am I right, Senior Brother Kuan Nian?"

Kuan Nian remained standing there, without saying a word.

Kogoro Mouri asked, puzzled, "What incident?"

Xiu Nian said, "This happened before I came. I don't know the details, but I heard that it was something like the Mist Tengu..."

Upon entering the room, Kuan Nian, who had remained silent until now, spoke up loudly, "Xiu Nian, isn't there a rule in the temple that no one can mention that matter? How could you forget?"

Xiu Nian said disappointedly, "I'm sorry."

Zhiyong only remembered the younger brother of the monk who died in the temple two years ago.

But I forgot the other person's name.

Now, seeing Xiu Nian's expression, Zhi Yong understood.

That younger brother is Xiu Nian.

At this moment, Xiaolan noticed the atmosphere was getting a bit tense, so she changed the subject and asked, "What's that sound?"

Kuan Nian said, "That's the sound of a waterfall. I'll take you to see it."

The waterfall here flows right next to this room, and the view from the edge of the waterfall is absolutely stunning.

Xiao Lan exclaimed happily, "How amazing! The waterfall is right in front of us, and after artificial treatment, the water flows here."

Kuan Nian warned, "You must be very careful. This is a slatted floor, and it would be very dangerous if you slip."

Looking at the water flowing down the waterfall, Xiaolan exclaimed in surprise, "Look, there are cherry blossom petals in the water!"

Kuan Nian explained, "These are the petals that drifted down the river after the cherry blossoms on the mountain fell."

The scenery here is indeed very beautiful. The waterfall water is filled with cherry blossom petals, making this place even more breathtaking.

This is especially true for a little girl like Xiaolan.

She loved the scenery here.

I reckon she'd love to stay here for a while if she could.

Dinner at the temple was very plentiful.

During meals, Conan transforms into a curious child.

"I've been really curious about this ever since, what is a Fog Tengu?"

Conan's question surprised the young monks.

"Little friend, where did you hear that from?" Kuan Nian asked in confusion.

Abbot Tenyō could only explain, "I'm sorry, I accidentally said it just now."

“Master, you…” Kuan Nian was very surprised.