Chapter 103 Chapter 103
No matter how unwilling Hanamika was, it had no way to resist Miya Chiri's control in the village.
It quickly obeyed Gong Zhili's orders and hid in the forest behind the village.
Gojo Satoru crouched aside to watch the entire process, raised his hand to clear the tent, and yawned. Gong Zhili came over, stretched out his hand to pull him up, and said, "Didn't you say you can only come tomorrow?"
Gojo Satoru suddenly laughed, his eyes teasing.
Gong Zhili tilted his head slightly: "What?"
Gojo Satoru stretched out his voice, "I thought you called me at that time to say, 'Satoru, I need you, come quickly'?"
Gong Zhili bit her lower lip unconsciously. She rubbed her lips for a while before retorting, "It's not that pretentious."
Gojo Satoru readily admitted, "That affectation is mine. Do you really want me to come over?"
Gong Zhili turned his face away: "Yes."
Gojo Satoru walked around to the other side and leaned over to look at her. "You're so cute! You're obviously shy, but what you say is so honest."
Gong Zhili was annoyed: "So why? You have something else to do over there, right?"
Gojo Satoru put his arm around her shoulders, and the two of them slowly walked forward. He said casually, "I know you wanted me to come over. Is there any reason to refuse? And since Hanamiya is here, of course I'm the only one who can handle this kind of thing~"
Gong Zhili said happily: "Then I will make Kikufuku for you tomorrow."
The next morning, barely dawning, the sounds of Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro sparring could be heard from the courtyard. Itadori's fists whirled with the wind, while Megumi Fushiguro's jade dog darted nimbly between them. Nanako and Mimiko, who had finished their morning exercises, sat on the porch, discussing the unfamiliar, yet powerful, forest-infused aura they had sensed last night in the back mountains. Tsumiki, also finished her practice, went to the kitchen to light the fire—it was her turn to make breakfast today. Otsutsuki Yuta was eager to help, his eyes drifting to Rika Inori, who was diligently practicing basic cursed energy manipulation in the courtyard. Rika's forehead was beaded with sweat, and her expression was focused. Compared to the initial trepidation and anxiety she had displayed when she first arrived, she now possessed a stronger resolve.
Gojo Satoru yawned as he emerged from Miya Chiri's bedroom. He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching the children's activities with his usual lazy smile. "Wow, it's quite lively." He stretched, his eyes scanning each child, mentally assessing their progress.
"Gojo-nii!" Itadori was the first to notice him, immediately stopped, and ran over excitedly, "Will you train with us today?"
Gojo Satoru ruffled his spiky pink hair. "Of course! Let me see if you're slacking off." He walked to the center of the yard and stood there casually, instantly becoming everyone's focus. "Come on, come on together. Let me stretch my legs."
The children glanced at each other, then, following the pattern of years of training, dispersed in unison, forming a surrounding formation. Fushiguro Megumi's shadow spread, and the Jade Dog lowered its body, growling. Nanako and Mimiko's cursed energy intertwined, forming a simple binding technique. Itadori charged head-on, his fists packed with astonishing power. Kugisaki Nobara didn't join the fray. In a chaotic battle, someone who wasn't coordinated would only hinder them. She remembered the immense power Gojo Satoru had displayed during their first encounter, so she simply watched from the corridor. Tsugumi and Otsutsukotsu Yuta also put down their work and watched the battle intently. Rika was even more focused, trying to learn something practical from their exchange.
Gojo Satoru moves effortlessly between attacks, flicking his fingers or deflecting attacks with unlimited techniques, occasionally giving instructions out loud. If you don't listen to what he says, from a distance the scene looks like a kind older brother playing tag with the children. The children are also simple and cute, with the recklessness and roughness unique to elementary school students.
God knows, any one of the kids here would be a capable fighter!
After the melee, the children were panting, but Gojo Satoru didn't even have his clothes messed up. He clapped his hands and said, "Not bad, an improvement from last time. But why don't Nobara, Yuta, and Rika come over to train with us?"
Gojo Satoru's gaze swept over the three people in the corridor. Kugisaki Nobara crossed her arms and said directly, "Gojo-sensei, they're used to working together. If I join in, it'll just disrupt their rhythm. Besides..." She paused, her face undisguisedly serious, "I want to see your moves first."
Yuta Otsutsukota glanced awkwardly at Rika Inori beside him and whispered, "Rika is still practicing the basics. I, I'll be with her."
Rika Kimoto pursed her lips and looked up at Gojo Satoru. There was desire in her eyes, as well as a hint of stubbornness that was barely noticeable: "I... I'm not strong enough yet. Wait until I'm more proficient."
Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow, but didn't force it. Instead, he turned to Rika with a grin, "Very ambitious! I'll be looking forward to seeing your progress next time!" He then looked at Kugisaki and Otsutsuki, "Tactical observation and protecting your companions are also very important. Not bad, not bad."
He deflated the tense atmosphere with a few words and began commenting on the battle, his tone casual yet always to the point. Even the onlookers, Kugisaki and Otsutsuki, listened intently. Miya Chiri emerged carrying freshly brewed tea and a bowl of Kikufuku, and saw this very scene. She handed Gojo Satoru the tea and snacks and said to the children, "Clean up and get ready for breakfast."
The atmosphere at the breakfast table was lively, with the children still discussing their recent training. Tsumiki's miso soup and grilled fish were quickly devoured. Afterward, Miya Chiri assigned the younger children to clear the dishes while the older children worked on their homework and exercises. Only then did she get down to business with Gojo Satoru.
"I'm planning to go to Shinjuku today," Miyajiri said as she packed up the tea set. "Hana's power will help stabilize and strengthen the node barrier, especially when connecting the land power of different regions. Its natural properties may reduce the repulsion between the land nodes."
Gojo Satoru took a sip of tea and ate his snacks comfortably. "I'll go with you. Let's get Jie and Naoko too. Ask her if she's willing to come out. She's been very busy lately."
"Yes. I've already contacted Jie. He happens to be in Tokyo today dealing with the aftermath. We agreed to meet at Shinjuku Station. As for Naoko, she probably stayed up late, so no one answered the phone." Gong Zhili nodded. "By the way, let's take a look at the specific situation of Tianyuan-sama after the barrier replacement."
"Okay." Gojo Satoru agreed readily, "So, let's go now?"
Gong Zhili looked towards the back mountain, his mind moved slightly, and not long after, Hua Yu's tall figure made up of branches and flowers silently appeared at the edge of the courtyard. It still carried the dew of the forest and the fresh scent of grass and trees, but it still showed a clear sense of alienation from the surrounding houses and humans. The children looked over curiously, but after spending some time with Tuogen, they had a certain degree of acceptance of this non-human existence, so they just watched from a distance and did not approach.
"Let's go." Miya Chiri said to Hanamiya. Hanamiya didn't respond, but followed her and Gojo Satoru silently.
At a hidden entrance near Shinjuku Station, Geto was already waiting. He was wearing his high school teacher's uniform, and his demeanor was much calmer than in his youth. His narrow eyes widened slightly when he saw them, especially Hanamichi following behind him in silence.
"Is this Hanamiya? The special-grade one that appeared yesterday?" Suguru Geto's tone was inquiring. His gaze lingered on Hanamiya for a moment before turning to Miya Chiri and Gojo Satoru. "You're really quick."
"It's offered to me, so I can't refuse it." Gojo Satoru let go of Gong Zhili with a smile. "How's it going, Jie? Is everything going well here?"
"Lord Tianyuan hasn't reacted abnormally," Xia Yujie said concisely. He looked at Gong Zhili and said, "Shall we start the connection now?"
Miya Chiri nodded, and she walked to a specific location under the station. She closed her eyes, and a soft light began to emanate from her body. At her signal, Hanami walked to her side, stretched out his hand made of vines, and touched the ground.
The process of linking is not easy. Gong Zhili needs to extend her land power through the Shinjuku node to the other four already arranged barriers and establish a stable energy channel. This requires extremely delicate control and understanding and coordination of the land characteristics of different regions. Even though she has left large and small anchor points all over the country, they are not connected to each other. The role of Hanami is revealed at this moment. Its natural power is like a lubricant and adhesive, helping Gong Zhili's power to penetrate and adapt to the land veins of different areas more smoothly, especially the land in the city that has been artificially transformed beyond recognition.
Miya Chiri's forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and her face paled slightly. Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru stood guard on either side, alert for any possible interference. Gojo Satoru's six eyes constantly monitored the subtle changes in the energy flow, while Geto Suguru released several cursed spirits, specialized in vigilance and defense, and scattered them around.
Time passed bit by bit, and with Shinjuku Station as the center, invisible energy ripples spread slowly and steadily, like the roots of a plant quietly spreading deep underground, connecting the other four key nodes in the Kanto region. The lighting of each node was accompanied by a slight vibration of the earth veins, which ordinary humans could not perceive, but sensitive sorcerers or cursed spirits would be able to sense it.
When the fifth and final node was successfully connected, Gong Zhili breathed a sigh of relief and her body swayed a little. Gojo Satoru immediately reached out to support her.
"Successful?" asked Geto Suguru.
"Yeah." Gong Zhili's voice was tired, but his eyes were clear. "The five nodes have temporarily connected into a loop."
The moment the connection was completed, they all clearly felt that within the area covered by these five nodes, the free mana in the air and the power of the mana spirits that inhabited it seemed to be slightly suppressed and weakened by some invisible force. It was very weak, as if their energy was being continuously drained, but for low-level mana spirits, this weakening could affect their survival, while for stronger mana spirits, it might cause discomfort and restraint.
"The effect is showing," Geto Suguru sensed the changes around him, "The power of the cursed spirit is being absorbed by this land bit by bit."
"But this only treats the symptoms, not the root cause," Gong Zhili said, regaining his breath and standing up straight. "As long as humankind's negative emotions persist, the curse spirits won't truly disappear. The curse energy absorbed by the land will settle, potentially taking decades or even centuries to change the very nature of the land."
Gojo Satoru continued, "In the long run, this land may breed more people with cursed power or other abnormal abilities, just like some ancient sacred places."
"That will be an extremely long process," Gong Zhili said, looking down at his feet. "For individual humans, it will be almost invisible. Moreover, if we take into account the human emotions carried by the ocean and other wider areas, this change may really be insignificant."
After a moment of silence, Geto Suguru said, "But at least now, the pressure on the sorcerers in this area will be relieved. The reports from the window should soon reflect the changes in the activities of the cursed spirits."
"Let's go," Gojo Satoru patted Gong Zhili on the back, "Go back and have a good rest. You've worked hard today."
Gong Zhili nodded and prepared to return with Hua Yu. Hua Yu was very cooperative throughout the whole process and was still silent at this moment, but the natural breath emanating from it seemed to have a subtle resonance with the land that had just been connected.
After the three met, they separated again. Each of them knew what to do next - their plan was indeed being carried out step by step.
Geto Suguru looked in the direction they had disappeared, then at the ground beneath his feet, which was beginning to subtly change. His eyes were complicated. He knew this was just the beginning; no one could predict what would happen once all ten barriers were connected. But there was no doubt that the path they were on was fundamentally changing the ecology of the sorcery world. He turned and disappeared into the crowd. There was still a lot of follow-up work to be done. Damn Satoru. He had just said he would escort Chiri back to the village. He must have pushed some meetings onto him again. He still had a lot of unfinished business at school!
After returning to the village, Gong Zhili was indeed feeling deeply exhausted. Linking the five barriers was a huge consumption. She simply told Hua Yu to go back to the back mountain to rest, and was then forcibly sent back to the room by Gojo Satoru to rest.
The children were keenly aware of Miya Chiri's fatigue and consciously slowed down their movements. The children prepared dinner in the kitchen tacitly. Otsutsuki Yuta and Kimoto Rika were also quieter and more serious than usual when practicing.
Gong Zhili woke up after dinner, feeling much more refreshed. She walked out of the room and saw the children, each busy in the living room. The TV was on, the volume low, the scene serene. Seeing her awake, they smiled and came over, chattering around her as they gathered around her for dinner. The aura of the flower palace in the back mountains had completely subsided, blending seamlessly with the forest. She felt the power coursing through her body and the faint connection to the five distant barriers. She knew that this step, though only a small one in a long plan, was crucial.
Gojo Satoru appeared beside her at some point and handed her a glass of warm water: "How do you feel?"
"Much better," Gong Zhili took the cup of water and looked at the dark sky outside, "It's just the beginning."
"Well," Gojo Satoru also looked in the same direction, his eyes gentle and full of confidence, "There's still a long way to go, but I feel relieved as long as you're here."
Miyajima tilted her head slightly, taking in his chiseled profile, and hummed softly. There were many challenges ahead. Nosoko was lurking somewhere, and reforming the world of sorcery wasn't always smooth sailing. But now, standing on the land she protected, surrounded by her chosen companions and family, she didn't mind a head-on confrontation with Nosoko.
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The author has something to say: I've already worked overtime for more than half a day and will have to work overtime later (but I'll just be working at home). Fortunately, my computer was able to boot up after two or three days of rescue, and my cold is almost healed. I was really exhausted during those few days. After finishing this book, I want to write Prince of Tennis next. I heard that the story of Sword 3 is V, so I'm interested too. But how can I have time to play games when I'm working so much overtime now! (Sad cry)
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