Chapter 26: The blue snake at the shrine

Chapter 26 The Blue Snake of the Shrine
At the end of the year, a faint mist shrouded the hills.
Here is the hill next to the city. From here, you can see the brightly lit city, immersed in a cheerful atmosphere, in sharp contrast with the tranquility here, like a world away.
Due to the rain just a few days ago, the forest was filled with cold moisture, and the high spaces at night were clear.
"Snee." Qiong shivered while holding his shoulders.
"It doesn't matter, Qiong." Ye You took off his black scarf and wrapped it around his sister's slender neck. This is the birthday gift that Qiong gave last year when Ye You celebrated his birthday.
"Well, it doesn't matter, go ahead."
Qiong wore a kimono that was not suitable for walking on the forest path, and clutching the scarf worn by his brother, he felt warm in his heart, and swayed his thin body to move on.
Ye You couldn't help but think back to the way Qiong was excited before leaving.
The child has been in poor health since he was a child, and he couldn't help being weak.
Usually, except for the way to and from school, she basically never goes out, because that is too harsh for her physical load.
Moreover, Qiong itself is Xijing's character. Compared to outdoor activities, she prefers to stay at home.
If her hobbies are games and anime, then she is a standard otaku just like Neet Ji.
But today I have to take myself to a shrine on a hill outside the city.
Although a little worried about Qiong's body, Ye You didn't want to sweep away his sister's interest.
"Dome."
Ye You called to Qiong, "I will carry you on my back."
"Huh? No, no."
Qiong stopped and refused.
"Uh, why?"
Ye You was confused.
If it was before, Qiong clamored and said that he couldn't walk, and had to memorize it by himself before he asked him.
Today is uncharacteristically.
"...Because it won't work."
Qiong whispered, but now Ye You's five senses are more than the usual number of people, and he still hears clearly.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing. You're so long-winded that you don't need to memorize it."
Qiong first turned around, then puffed his face, angrily said.
Uh... why are you angry...
"Okay, okay, I get it. Didn't you say you want to watch the fireworks on the top of the mountain? It's still early to 12 o'clock, let's go slowly."
Ye You said helplessly.
"Hmm..." Qiong nodded lightly, then sneaked a glance at Ye You.
After the rain, the forest trails in winter are extremely cold and wet, with dark trees and grass swaying, and the sides of the stone steps are covered with traces of moss. Quiet as if there were only two of them left in the world.
"Qiu, is there really a shrine here?"
Ye You took Qiong's soft little hand and stepped on the stone steps, a cold and smooth touch from his fingertips.
No wonder Ye You asked, the shrine on New Year's Eve can be described as the busiest day.
The lights are festooned, the lights are dazzling, and the voices are full.
And let alone the excitement here, there is not even the slightest scent of people.
"Well, it's at the end of this stone step." Qiong said with certainty, "A few of my classmates have been here, and Keiya said that when I passed by here, I saw the torii gate far away."
In other words, Qiong himself is not sure yet.
In this case, shouldn't it be better to come during the day?
But considering Qiong's mobility, Ye You could only smile.
"Can you hold on? Would you like to take a break?" Ye You asked.
"No, it should be almost here. They said that it is only forty minutes to go up the mountain, and we have all walked for an hour."
Others’ forty minutes is a far cry from yours.
Ye You sighed inwardly.
He is not tired. The body that has been exercising for many years, and Yonglin's medicine to cleanse the bones and bones, is no longer comparable to ordinary people.
Ye You was only worried about Qiong, afraid that she would harm her health because of her persistence.
"Is that shrine really effective?"
Qiong was probably a rumor heard among girls, but Ye You felt that it was something similar to urban legends.
It was ostentatiously proclaimed by some people who were in the mood of ‘If this is the case’.
Because if there is truly a miraculous shrine, it will surely flourish.
Ah, I can't say that. Ye You remembered the Hakurei Shrine in Gensokyo.
"Huh... here it is."
Turning the corner of the woods, the two finally saw the horizon wider than the stone steps, and the torii that was not very tall.
"And the lights?"
Walking into the torii gate, Ye You saw six stone lanterns glowing in blue on the walkway less than 10 meters away.
"It's actually a cyan light? Is the shrine still equipped with neon lights?" Ye You tut was surprised.
In this small area, there is only a main hall about four meters high, facing the torii gate, next to the dilapidated coin hall and worship hall.
But all the buildings were dark with lights, and there was obviously no one there.
Coupled with the gloomy cyan lights, it looks like they have entered a spiritual zone.
But now Ye You, who has enabled the vision and constructed the magic circuit, is not afraid of the gloomy and dirty things.
At the moment, Qiong Man appeared to be relaxed and satisfied, and he didn't even think about that. And staying by Ye You's side, she has the courage to face any difficulties.
Qiong let go of Ye You's hand, first went to the pool in front of the shrine to wash his hands with a long-handled wooden spoon, then went to the shrine worship hall on both sides of the roof, and threw some change into the charity box with wooden bars. Pat your hands a few times and pray together.
Then she shook the thick hemp rope of the worship hall, and the wind chimes swayed in the night sky with a crisp sound.
Ye You kept watching by her side, and when Ye Yougang was about to ask her what she was praying for, Qiong exclaimed.
He rushed behind Ye You, clutched his arm tightly, and pointed a finger at the box from behind.
"Then, there..."
Ye You looked around and found that there was actually a small green snake nest there.
"what?"
What made Ye You make a suspicious sound was not why snakes appeared in winter, but Ye You felt faint fluctuations in his body.
Although this wave of fluctuation is different from his own magic power, it obviously belongs to the category of unconsciousness.
The whole body of the little snake is light green, and the curve of its body is not as fierce as other snakes. It actually gives a soft feeling. At the same time, there are two faintly arched bones at the corners of its head, which not only does not appear to be a violation, but also makes this little snake more delicate.
It leaned against the outside of the box, shrank into a ball, but headed towards the mouth of the box, probably trying to climb in, but failed.
The little snake seemed to perceive someone, and slowly opened his closed eyes. The golden pupils lost their original color and dimmed.
It looked dying, very pitiful.
"You, it seems to be dying." Qiong couldn't bear to say.
"Aren't you most afraid of snakes and insects?"
"This... is cute, so don't be afraid." After seeing the appearance, Qiong came out from behind Ye You.
"Is there a way to save it?"
"Probably... yes."
Now that Qiong said so, Ye You took out a white pill from the chat room.
This is what Kaguya wanted to exchange for dimension value to upload Yonglin's medicine.
Listening to the introduction, this medicine is a simplified version of Ye You's previous use of the secret medicine for cleaning the bones and bones. It is more than enough to restore the body.
It's just that Ye You didn't dare to use it because there were too many ingredients in it.
But there were strange fluctuations in this little snake, and Hui Ye also said that the medicine Yonglin refined was not originally intended for human consumption.
So, maybe it is just right for it.
Ye You stepped forward and pinched the snake's chin, curled his fingers, and shot the white object into the snake's mouth.
The next moment, the little snake burst into a blue light.
Ye You was startled, and quickly protected Qiong behind him, condensing the Rune in his hand.
When Ye You looked over there again, the snake was no longer there.