There is a small room inside the shrine, which can be used to keep out the wind and snow.

I stared at the burning fire in front of me, and for the first time I had the desire to worship a god. I put down the sleeping Ibuki, opened the door myself, and came to the shrine.

I stood there for a while, but my mind was still full of the story that Lian, the dragon, told me.

A story about Xixia's short life.

Xixia, a girl who lived at the foot of Qijiao Mountain, discovered the current shrine when she went up the mountain one day. Although she didn't know which god was enshrined here, she still insisted on cleaning the shrine and bringing tributes. Still one day, she

Met a blind girl.

As if destined, Xixia learned from this girl about the God of Wind who saved the village in the flood. Of course, she also learned about the God of Wind who gradually lost his followers as time went by. Xixia decided to

Together with that girl, we became followers of the God of Wind.

Unlike that girl, Xixia could see monsters and gods. So, one day, she found the god sitting under the tree. The god was extremely weak, and even if Xixia wanted to help him, she was helpless.

In order to appease Xixia, the god told her that he liked talking to her. Xixia was very happy, but what she didn't expect was that the god was already struggling just to support and talk to her.

Finally one day, the monsters on the beach made trouble. Xixia also found that the god was missing.

In order to search for the gods, she met Gu Longhuo and searched for the gods with him. Finally, at the seaside, she rescued the gods who tried their best to fight the sea monster.

Everyone in the village fled, but Xixia was unwilling to leave this gentle god. So, as a human, she witnessed the process of the god turning into a monster. But it was only such a short process, and Xixia...

Waves struck by siren's evil wave hit the beach.

A human girl named Xixia died in front of the god who became a monster.

"What a gentle god and gentle person..." I reached out and touched the hand-washing pool that had not been visited for a long time, and used my demonic power to guide the spring water to fill the entire pool again.

After cleaning my hands and mouth, I came to the shrine.

After being occupied by Xixia's story, the sadness in my heart gradually amplified. What I began to miss was Aye and Axi. Where would they be now? Are they looking for me everywhere?

But, after all, they don't believe me, and maybe they don't care where I am...

Bend down, clap your hands...

"I originally didn't have any special wish." I clasped my hands and said, "Because I know that God is very busy and will not be able to take care of my wish. But now, I want to make a wish."

Even if the gods here have long since left, no matter how hard I call, I still can’t get a response...

"I just hope my brother can be safe."

At least don't die in front of me...

In the silent snowy night, only the quiet wind was blowing, and snowflakes fell on my kimono one by one. Sure enough, there was no response from the gods...

"...Otherwise, let's forget it. Onii-sama, Seimei, and Minamoto Yorimitsu, we always don't know what dangers we will encounter. It would be too much to leave it to the gods even if I can't guarantee it.

.”

The wind around me suddenly became lighter.

"Then make another wish."

Ichimura's voice came from beside me. I was startled, but I saw Ichimura with ghost horns, his hair turned blue, and even the dragon also turned blue.

I am so familiar with this cyan color, and I feel somewhat at ease inexplicably.

So, I changed back to the human form Minamoto Zizi: "Let's forget it. But... hasn't Lord Ichimuroren gone back? Why..."

He looked at me with his green eyes and said, "I didn't know that so many years have passed, but this place still seems to be the same as before."

!!!!

I couldn't help but open my eyes wide: "You... you are that god?!"

"...You haven't said your wish yet." Ichimokulian changed back to his original appearance, tilting his head but not looking at me.

What is my current wish?

"... I really want to see them." I lowered my eyes and said, "Although I know that they don't believe me. I don't believe that they will be anxious for me, but I still can't help but fantasize... that they will indulge me.

...will come to me..."

As I spoke, my voice became softer.

"As expected, this kind of thing is still too difficult. Still, still..." I was a little flustered, but turned to him and said, "Please send me back to Heianjing."

One of the lowered eyes raised: "I am no longer a god now. Although I am not as powerful as a god, I can still do this little thing."

"But..." I was worried about what sacrifices this once extremely gentle god would make, "No, you really only need..."

"It doesn't matter." Ichimuro unbuttoned his coat and put it on me, "I can still do this now."

I watched him put on my coat: "But they may not come to me... If so..."

"They are coming." Ichimuro said, "Follow me and I will take you to find them."

"Really? Thank you very much, Kami-sama...Ah, I'm sorry, Ichimuro-sama."

"Don't be so nervous." Ichimokulian smiled, "As long as I can help you."

As he said that, Ichimokulian gestured for me to follow him. When walking next to Ichimokulian, the wind and snow around me was always lighter than in other places.

"Are you always so gentle?" I asked suddenly.

Ichimulian smiled: "The wind may not always be gentle."

"But, this guy keeps saying that no matter what happens, I will protect everyone..." Long added.

Ichimokuren was a little helpless: "It looks like it's going to snow heavily, so we'd better hurry up."

My heart, at that time, seemed to have another god living in it. I had never believed in gods before, but when I met Yamata-no-Orochi and Ichimeren, I chose to believe it.

Maybe not all gods will ignore their calls. There will still be gods who will respond.

One eye led me through the forest covered with snow, and finally came to a river that was not yet frozen, and a small wooden bridge on the river.

"After crossing this river, you can see your brothers." Ichimokuren stopped not far from the wooden bridge and said, "Go."

I handed the coat back to him and bowed to him: "Thank you very much."

"I wish I could help you." Ichimuro responded to me.

"Can I still come to you in the spring? I mean, with everyone." I raised my head and asked him.

Ichimokulian seemed to have never thought about this and looked a little surprised: "Of course, but you have to be careful on the way here. After all, it seems that it is not very safe during this period. If necessary, you can let the wind bring the news.

I will receive it."

I was speechless for a moment. I just asked out of curiosity, and I didn’t necessarily want to come.

"And..." Ichimulian hesitated.

"What?...It doesn't matter, just tell me, I won't be angry."

"Although I don't know anything else about you, as for your family, I think they are people who will never abandon you." Ichimokulian smiled somewhat self-deprecatingly, "I'm sorry, after all, I am no longer a god.

There’s no way to know too much about humans…”

I stepped forward and held his hand. In the cold wind of winter night, his hand was still so warm. In the lantern held by Fenglong, there seemed to be a crack in the once extremely cold heart.

"But, in my heart, you will always be a god. Whether it is the God of Wind or Ichimokulian."

This is my sincere words. I want to hold on to this rare warmth. If possible, I really hope to never let go.

But in that case, gods are no longer gods. Gods protect human beings. If I take possession of it privately like this, I may lose the warmth I should have.

"Happy New Year, Lord Kami." I said with a smile.

"Azi! Azi!"

Before I finished speaking, Aye's clear voice came from behind me.

"They are here to pick you up." Ichimuro gently held my hand, and then gently pushed me towards him, "I told you, it is impossible for your family to abandon you."

I was stunned for a moment, then turned around and ran into an embrace with cold wind and snowflakes. However, what followed was his warmth.

The warmth in my hands disappeared without knowing when.

I was hugged tightly by him, but I could still see Axi standing not far away, and there were several servants of Genji beside me. The little bits of fire seemed to have passed through the endless darkness and came to me without hesitation.

around.

Am I still trapped there? Have all the doubts and sadness in my heart been melted away by such thoughtfulness?

I have no idea.

It is precisely because we don’t know that we are afraid, afraid that what is now within our reach will be lost again.

I finally raised my hand and hugged him: "Happy New Year, brother."

Aye was stunned for a while, and then let me go.

Looking at his blue hair covered with snowflakes, I reached out and patted him.

He held my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry... I said that to you today."

I shook my head gently: "I should say sorry to my brother."

"No..." Aye hurriedly unbuttoned his coat, wrapped it around me and said, "I'm just afraid of losing you again, so..."
To be continued...