White.
An uncomfortable white.
The smell of disinfectant permeated the air.
"You need to rest well, otherwise, your body won't be able to bear it."
By the hospital bed, a woman with long black hair stood. Although her makeup was exquisite, it couldn't hide her inner exhaustion.
"I'll come to see you as soon as possible this afternoon."
After saying that, she silently picked up the report on the bedside table, intending to turn and leave.
But.
"Sister, I heard you… asked for 500,000 as a betrothal gift during your blind date, right?"
On the hospital bed, the thin young man asked, his calm voice containing tenderness, yet revealing a hint of dead silence.
"Like this, Sister… you won't be able to get married."
"…"
The woman stopped her steps to leave, stood still for a moment, then put one hand on her hip and turned back to the young man on the bed, saying with dissatisfaction:
"Am I, such a great beauty, asking for too much with 500,000 as a betrothal gift?"
"Even a great beauty depreciates."
The young man gently shook his head. Just as the woman was about to show an displeased expression, he suddenly said, as if joking:
"If only I… could die."
His gentle voice was like a warm sun, but the content was so dark, like a sun about to dim.
Perhaps, wanting to die was not a joke.
"…"
The woman glared at her brother on the bed, then tossed her black hair, saying in a tone that was both scolding and comforting.
"Don't talk nonsense. After you have the surgery, you'll be able to live like a normal person. So, give me your will to live… to the fullest, understand?!"
With that, she walked to the bed and kissed her brother's cheek.
"By then, you'll be able to live a brilliant and wonderful life by your own will."
"...Ah, I understand."
The young man gently touched the cheek that had been kissed, then chuckled and said:
"If Sister can't get married, then… when I'm better, I'll reluctantly marry you, Sister."
"There are plenty of people who want to marry me." The woman pouted slightly in dissatisfaction, then smiled boldly, "However, if I really can't get married, don't go back on your word today."
"Ha… so you're not very confident, are you?"
The young man chuckled softly.
The woman, however, just glared at her younger brother, then waved her hand and turned to leave, a light remark drifting back.
"I'll send bitter gourd porridge over this afternoon. Be prepared!"
"…"
Hearing this, the young man's mouth twitched. He watched the woman's retreating figure, then closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Some time later.
"…Bal, what's wrong?"
A worried voice came. Bal's brows furrowed, and he woke from his sleep, then found a comfortable, soft sensation behind his head and Kikyo's beautiful face above him.
This… was a beautiful girl's lap pillow.
"No… just a bit… of a toothache."
A hint of melancholy flashed in Bal's beautiful eyes as she recalled her older sister from her previous life, but she quickly noticed the abnormality in her tone.
Hmm… a bit of a lisp when speaking.
However, this was only natural.
Anyone missing three teeth would be like this.
"Kikyo, how long does it take for a youkai's teeth to grow back?"
Tears of sadness welled in her eyes as she asked Kikyo, feeling utterly despondent, as if the colors of the world had dimmed.
"…I… I'm not sure either." Kikyo looked at the girl's pitiful appearance, instinctively turned her head, and pressed her lips together to suppress a laugh. "If you feel ugly, then just wear a mask for now."
With that, she took out a white fox mask.
Seeing this, Bal got up and took the mask, putting it on her face without hesitation, and decided not to take it off unless she was eating.
However, she soon noticed some abnormalities about herself.
Then.
"The mask… can hide your demonic power." Kikyo's soft voice came. "As long as Bal wears the mask, others will find it difficult to perceive your strength. Wearing it can make you safer."
For ordinary weak youkai, it would be impossible to discern Bal's strength, just like the Hundred Ghosts under Bal's command.
However, if she encountered a strong opponent… her true strength would be perceived.
Therefore, to prevent Bal's weakness from being exposed, hiding Bal's demonic energy was the best option.
Perhaps, even powerful youkai, seeing Bal's temperament and appearance, would be intimidated and not act rashly.
They would even treat Bal politely.
"Is this mask… Totosai's?" Bal gently stroked the mask, finding it smooth and delicate to the touch. "It feels really powerful!"
She was very satisfied with the ability to hide her demonic energy, so no one would discover that she was a weak youkai.
Moreover, she would find an opportunity later… to dye her hair black.
Perhaps then, she could naturally integrate into human society.
"For Bal, it's most suitable for now." Kikyo nodded gently, then spoke again, "However, Bal should also learn to restrain her demonic energy. This is also an important part of cultivation."
"…So, Kikyo… will teach me how to train?"
Nodding slightly in understanding, Bal suddenly raised her hand and touched the mask on her cheek, finding her voice still a bit off-key.
So, she gently pursed her lips and slowed her voice.
"How should I train then?"
Her calm, unhurried voice now exuded a detached coolness, and combined with the white fox mask, it conveyed an unreadable, mysterious aura.
Of course, this mystery could only be maintained in front of unfamiliar people.
"Perception of danger." Kikyo explained softly, "Under normal circumstances, facing a powerful youkai, there's no way to successfully escape. Therefore, anticipating and detecting to avoid is more important."
At this point, she gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear with her slender hand.
"Moreover, training perception is also very useful for combat. The timing of an attack and predicting enemy attacks are all greatly helped."
"Hmm… I understand."
Bal nodded slightly, her voice as cool as smoke. Her indifferent appearance made her seem like an immortal fairy untouched by the mortal world.
However, it was a pity that she was forced to be cool and ethereal like a fairy.
*
On the other side.
In Maple Village.
"…"
Little Kaede knelt on the tatami mat. Her petite body was clad in a slightly oversized miko outfit, and she looked at the Deer-head Monster opposite her with surprise.
"You want me to… contact Lord Bal?"
"Since you are Lord Bal's miko, you can certainly contact Lord Bal. This is the natural connection between a miko and a deity."
The Deer-head Monster nodded slightly, picked up the teacup on the low table, took a small sip, and continued to explain calmly.
"After all, we… also have work to report."
"…" Little Kaede was silent for a moment, then nodded gently, "I can try, but whether it will succeed… I don't know."
With that, she gently closed her eyes and began to pray.
Then, a familiar voice came.
"Ow… that hurts!"