Crossover: A Different Inuyasha

Even a half-demon, at the very least, has the word "demon" in its name.

Demons represent power and survival, and lifespans of hundreds of years!

In the Eastern Kingdom, demons and humans coexist!

Inuyasha descended the steps, where stone lanterns were arranged symmetrically in the open space between the torii gates.

Landscape trees line both sides of the stone steps.

On the left is a gnarled pine tree with needles that gleam dark green in the morning light; on the right is a row of ginkgo trees, whose leaves have not yet turned completely yellow, but whose edges are already tinged with a pale gold.

The shadows of the trees, swayed by the wind, fell onto the stone steps, spreading out in fragments.

A few steps further up, you'll reach the approach to the shrine's main entrance, where a huge bronze incense burner stands in the center.

There are cherry trees on both sides of the incense burner. Even though they are no longer in bloom at this time of year, their leaves are a bright green in the light, like two open green umbrellas.

The roofs of the main hall and the worship hall are covered with newly fired gray tiles, and the copper bells on the eaves sway gently in the wind, making a clear and delicate sound.

Inuyasha stepped onto the steps of the main hall.

The paper door of the main hall was half-open, and the morning light slanted in through the crack.

He stood outside the threshold, not in a hurry to step inside, his gaze fixed on the scene inside the hall.

Dozens of young witches were kneeling on the floor in the center of the hall, dressed in white robes and scarlet trousers, their hair neatly combed, their posture upright.

They ranged in age from about seven or eight to thirteen or fourteen, and were natural spiritual beings selected from all over the Eastern Kingdom in recent years.

A fine horse is common, but a discerning eye is rare.

Just like the despicable Naraku, many shrine maidens who haven't grown up are killed by demons in their innocent youth.

Some of the young witches came from farming families, some from artisan families, and some were descendants of surviving nobles.

"The morning sun shines brightly, and all things receive its grace."

"When the wind and rain are timely, the five grains will be plentiful."

"May the revealed God protect my divine kingdom;"

"Humans and demons alike are revered, each finding its own way to live."

"A pure heart, like crystal, reflects one's true nature."

"Strive for progress day and night, and live up to this life."

"Respectfully follow the will of God and act among men."

With this heart, I wish to protect the peace of this land.

With their eyes closed and hands clasped together, they followed the familiar voice ahead, reciting the final syllables of their morning prayers.

These young shrine maidens will be the foundation of Ruri Shrine's future, and the first new branches to grow in the Eastern Shinto system.

'They're so cute! Should we send one to Sesshomaru?'

Inuyasha thought of Sesshomaru, who had come every year to attend the reunion night and whose cold demeanor had taken on a human touch, and his mind wandered for a moment.

Then his gaze passed over the drooping heads and landed on the figure directly in front of him.

Feng sat facing the palace gate, on the high platform at the innermost part of the main hall.

The shrine maiden's robes were neatly folded, and the pleats of her scarlet hakama were as straight as if cut by a knife. Only two stray strands of hair fell from her temples.

The marks left on her by four years are not obvious, but they are everywhere.

Her figure has become fuller, the lines of her shoulders and neck are more relaxed, and the once clear and sharp quality in her eyes has been polished by time into a layer of warm glaze.

Like a rough stone that has been washed by the river hundreds of times, revealing its jade-like base color.

Living environment influences one's temperament, and upbringing influences one's physical condition.

She sat upright on the high platform, facing the morning light that slanted in through the doors and windows, as if the light had cleansed her from the inside out.

It possesses both the warmth of everyday life and a serene purity that makes one hesitant to approach.

Inuyasha suddenly remembered Kikyo.

He hadn't thought about that face for a long time, but at this moment, when he saw Feng, a string buried deep in his heart was plucked.

When Kikyo stood under the corridor of the shrine, she was also bathed in a light that shone upon her—a divine aura that was both awe-inspiring and captivating.

But the maple tree before me is different from the bellflower.

The spirit of the bellflower is solitary.

Like the snow on a mountaintop that never melts, so pure that one dares not touch it.

The divine quality of maple is warm, like the thin mist that permeates the fields at sunrise, crisp yet carrying the scent of damp earth, making one want to get closer and closer.

Inuyasha leaned against the door frame, and Kaede also saw the silver-haired half-demon. Kaede slightly raised her chin and looked at him as if she had seen XX.

Disdain, helplessness, and love.

After finishing his morning prayers, Feng closed the scripture scroll, nodded slightly, and made no further arrangements.

The squad leader then stood up.

They were three older shrine maidens, around thirteen or fourteen years old, whose expressions already showed a certain maturity and competence.

They stood up and clapped their hands twice to signal the children in the back to follow.

The little witches rose one by one from the floor, the hems of their white robes and crimson trousers brushing against the floor with a soft rustling sound.

Dozens of figures filed out and walked along the corridor of the main hall toward the entrance.

The squad leader, seeing Inuyasha at the door, straightened up, clasped his hands in front of him, and bowed respectfully.

Upon seeing this, the little witches behind them bowed one after another, like wheat waves bent by the wind.

Dozens of clear, crisp children's voices converged into a bright greeting in the morning breeze.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Everyone should be good."

Inuyasha smiled, revealing his bright white teeth, and waved at them, his tone carrying a smile that made people unconsciously relax.

"Naughty people get a spanking."

Some of the little witches immediately smiled, and a few of the younger ones secretly raised their heads to steal a glance at him before quickly lowering their heads again, their ear tips turning a faint red.

The class monitor blushed slightly, turned to the side and gestured for the group behind him to "follow," then led the group to continue down the steps.

There are no male servants in the shrine; all the affairs, big and small, are handled by the female staff.

Once the young shrine maidens grow up, they are assigned to various places to serve as tentacles extending from the shrine in all directions.

To become the eyes and ears that the people of Dongguo can see, touch, and trust in their daily lives.

They do not interfere in government affairs, nor do they overstep their authority to interfere. They simply record, observe, and listen quietly, occasionally relaying voices that should not be forgotten back to Ruri Shrine.

After all, everyone makes mistakes.

The priestesses, whose values ​​were shaped and nurtured at the shrine, were the first locks that Inuyasha placed on officials throughout the eastern lands.

In time, the officials will realize that there are gods above them and eyes around them; if they want to become local tyrants, it all depends on how many lives they have.

Inuyasha straightened up, stretched, and walked in with a smile, meeting the gaze of the priestess inside the sanctuary.

Maple's first words were, "Inuyasha, news has come that there are foreign sorcerers and priestesses causing trouble within our territory."

"That's not difficult."

Inuyasha sat beside Kaede and said nonchalantly, "Let the mages fight the mages, and the priestesses fight the priestesses."

Chapter 66 Fine Clothing

"Then let's do it your way."

Kaede did not refute Inuyasha's opinion.

This method of using barbarians to control barbarians may not be the most brilliant or effective decision at present, but it is quite useful and quick to show results.

When the majority opposes, the minority will waver. After wavering, they will try to win over and divide the minority, unite the majority, and suppress the minority.

Then continue to divide and win them over, using facts to peel away their thoughts of confrontation layer by layer.

The remaining die-hards can no longer be judged using normal human reasoning.

They are just hypocrites in human skin, their hearts steeped in hatred, turning them into something else entirely. Just find a suitable reason to kill them.

This process sounds simple and straightforward, but in practice, it requires judgment and control at the time. Too much force will cause a backlash, while too little will lead to sluggishness.

But in this chaotic Warring States period, with its many warlords and rampant evil, everyone is trying to find a safe place to eat on the edge of a knife.

Whoever brings peace is a god.

Just like Madara Uchiha brought the Uchiha clan to Konoha, but when he left, not a single Uchiha was willing to continue wandering with him.

The reason is the same.

People may argue heatedly about their ideas, but they will never easily leave a roof over their heads where their wives and children can sleep peacefully.

The Eastern Kingdom is a paradise in this world.

Outsiders who are exorcists either choose to join the human race and strengthen its power, in case the demons one day turn their backs and turn against humanity.

Those who are more cautious choose to wait and see, and watch over and help each other with the humans inside the Eastern Kingdom.

While observing, they searched for another possibility for the coexistence of humans and transgender people.

In this world, those who run around in all directions and still survive are not many true brutes.

Only a very small number of anti-demon elements, such as those whose entire family was eaten alive by monsters, would attack upon meeting someone.

Their hatred burns to the bone, leaving no room for persuasion.

Inuyasha didn't criticize these people too much, he simply gave orders—

If you encounter this, there's no need for lengthy persuasion; just deal with it cleanly and decisively.

Putting yourself in others' shoes, hatred cannot be resolved with simple reasoning; it can only be dulled by time or covered by deeper wounds.

Before that, neither he nor Feng would let a few red-hot pebbles burn through the bowl that Dongguo had just made.

"Don't worry, it's the same old rule: grant them a painless death."

Seeing that the priestess's expression had darkened slightly, Inuyasha reached out and pulled her into his arms.

They've been married for a long time, and Feng struggled symbolically for a moment before nestling in the man's arms.

"This temple was built just for you, and you're getting more and more adept at using it."

Feng's voice was muffled by the man's clothes as he added, "...You're not allowed to have any wicked thoughts about the children."

Am I that kind of beast?

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and tugged at the riddle, bringing the conversation back on track.

"Wasn't your original intention to eliminate the hatred between humans and demons in this generation?"

"That was our original intention."

Feng nudged his chest with his head, then raised his head slightly to gaze at the half-demon's profile. "Liuli's manifest divine path is—the gods are not in heaven, but on earth."

"Good weather is a god, abundant harvests are a god, and children growing up safely are also a god."

"People don't worship gods who are high above them; they worship people who can lead them to a better life."

This is the core doctrine of Ruri Shrine, which confuses the concepts of humans and gods.

Or perhaps it can be said that those who carry firewood for the masses are gods in the world.

"Hunger makes people grow fangs, but happiness and abundance teach people to take a step back."

"As long as we have enough food and broaden our horizons, many problems can be easily solved."

The shrine maiden's cherry-colored lips opened and closed repeatedly, glistening with the morning light.

Inuyasha's gaze unconsciously lingered on them, and Feng, with his sharp eyes, immediately sensed that familiar, dangerous aura.

The shrine maiden, who still had things to attend to that day, calmly stepped out of his embrace.