Chapter 77: There is a Heaven Above Heaven [1] A Moment of Freedom (1, No 2…
That was probably a lifetime ago.
Tsurumaru Kuninaga lay carefree on the roof, gazing at the moon. The cicadas of early summer chirped one after another, and the fallen cherry blossoms acted as silent knights at night, guarding the sleeping antiquities.
Below him, a nimble, light-colored figure passed through the window frame. The moonlight shone from afar behind him, replacing the candlelight and lamplight, casting a clear and graceful figure in the room.
[“Yo! I’ve got a surprise for you!”
In Honmaru, the god of the moonlight who was favored by the moonlight climbed out of the window with the soft and kind human beings, rebelling and seeking excitement in the peaceful and comfortable days. They used the palms of their hands to dispel hesitation, forgetting to look ahead and behind, and squandering time and spiritual power to their heart's content...]
Tsurumaru Kuninaga was still looking at the moon.
[“I will keep these for myself and will never show them to anyone else!” The white-haired young man made repeated assurances before he managed to save the precious photos from his master.
This is no longer the silent Honmaru. The lights are dim and the conversation between the two people can be heard sporadically in the houses that are no longer prosperous. Taking the lord shopping secretly without telling his colleagues will make the boring scenery more interesting.]
He eventually stored these photographs in a cabinet in his room, along with other memorabilia. Just as birds collect beautiful beads and feathers, he also liked to bring precious things back to his nest.
Tsurumaru Kuninaga's crossed legs shook, and under the eaves, two figures had overlapped.
The human was sleepy. After his excitement faded, the fatigue in his muscles could no longer be concealed, and sleepiness easily defeated the weak young man.
[“How can you hug and cuddle?”
"What does it matter? No one saw it anyway..."
On the cobblestone road, Fusangshen walked steadily. The sleeping human on his back placed all his trust in him, but he disliked the hair blocking his face, so he secretly put the hair in his mouth...]
Tsurumaru Kuninaga, who was lying bored, turned over. His movement made quite a noise on the roof, but it did not alarm the Tsukumogami in the house at all.
That's the next one, right?
After changing into a comfortable position, Tsurumaru Kuninaga thought lazily.
[The curtains swelled softly in the night wind. A young man in thin clothes sleeping on the bed looked peaceful, as if he was having a fascinating dream.
"Crane, my heart longs for it..."
…
The sound of the hem of his clothes being blown by the wind was heard, and the figure who broke through the window left as if fleeing in panic. No matter how much silver light the bright moonlight cast on his white hair, it could not hide the panic revealed in his messy steps.
Just one word of nonsense, and this Fusangshen's heart beat like a drum, and the vibration of his chest was deafening.]
In the field constructed with enormous cursed energy, as the undisputed master, Tsurumaru Kuninaga stretched lazily and placed his palm on his heart.
One second, two seconds...
He seemed a little lost, his dark golden pupils looked in the direction where Tsurumaru Kuninaga disappeared, then he stood up and greeted the uninvited guest.
"I didn't know you actually let the lord take risks!" Yakiri Hasebe frowned, "It's bad enough that there was no one to protect him in Wanwu, but you made him so tired that he fell asleep! During that time, the lord spent a lot of spiritual energy every day forging swords. You haven't seen how weak he was when he first took office. I warned you again and again, but you haven't experienced the panic of loss, so you can't empathize with him..."
Tsurumaru Kuninaga raised his hands and begged for mercy: "Well, I was wrong, I was wrong! Hasebe, stop nagging!"
Facing Tsurumaru Kuninaga's usual playful attitude, Yasakiri Hasebe frowned: "What's wrong with you? Since you are not seriously injured, why don't you return to the lord? And what's the point of creating these illusions?"
His previous speculation was correct. The Nine Squares had entered this area before and had come out safe and sound. It was indeed marked by the invisible. With the help of the young man, the area that he had been unable to enter for many times finally accepted him. This time, the step he took allowed him to be included in the unfamiliar space.
After separating from the young sorcerer, he explored around alone and finally found Tsurumaru Kuninaga near the castle tower which had the same structure as Honmaru!
Tsurumaru Kuninaga avoided the main point: "Hasebe has a lot of questions. He is indeed the most talkative one in Honmaru..."
"Answer me!"
"Well, these are useless. I just can't figure out something. But it has nothing to do with you..."
"Tsuru! Maru!" Yakiri Hasebe was furious!
He held the hilt of the knife at his waist and angrily scolded Tsurumaru Kuninaga who was making jokes: "The lord is unconscious now, and you, a sinner who failed to protect him, are wasting your days here. How dare you laugh here?"
The figure opposite froze.
"As his attendant, why didn't you fight to the death until the very end? It's better to have a broken sword than to be in a state of being neither human nor ghost now. Why do you deserve that?"
Yakiri Hasebe violently twisted his shoulders and grabbed his wrists: "Come with me to see him!"
Being pulled so hard that he staggered, Tsurumaru Kuninaga obediently followed Yakiri Hasebe out of the Honmaru. When he saw that they were passing by the pavilion where the Shinsengumi usually drank tea, Yakiri Hasebe stopped.
…
[This is the most ordinary scene, the elegant Shinsengumi and two or three tea friends are sitting together drinking tea, the lively little short knife pounces on him from a distance, relying on its size to hug him and act like a spoiled child. The tiger playing at his feet knocks over the teacup, making a mess, but only gets a few light reprimands, and the black-haired young man's eyebrows are filled with smiles.]
Yakiri Hasebe passed by with official documents in his arms and had seen such a relaxed smile countless times.
But he had never seen the smile that followed.
[On a cool summer night, strolling in the dimly lit area, fireworks exploding above your head. While others are looking up, secretly exchange a kiss with the person next to you.
Holding hands while walking on the street, sharing a box of ordinary food, talking about interesting topics and smiling at each other...
The empty house was just a place to stay. When they were alone, they could finally kiss each other without restraint. Every sudden hug would make the shy human Shinsengumi's ears red.
They used their spiritual powers as an excuse to soak in the warm love, and the love between adults and the millennium-old mourning god was like the static electricity of dry fingers touching and colliding, crackling...]
This is the love between Tsurumaru Kuninaga and Shirasuga. No one has ever seen the loving gaze of the Shinsengumi except Tsurumaru Kuninaga who has everything.
Yasuke Hasebe froze in place.
After a while he asked, "Why do you let me see these?"
"You want me to go see the Shinsengumi, but I don't want to go." Tsurumaru said.
He had escaped from Hasebe's hands without knowing when, and asked curiously in his ear: "What are you thinking about now?"
Yakiri Hasebe knew something was wrong. Why couldn't he move his legs? Why couldn't he look away?
The cursed energy similar to that of Tsurumaru Kuninaga was surging silently, and a ball of depressed energy gathered in his chest, eroding his brain.
In front of him, the delighted [Tsurumaru Kuninaga] happily kissed the juice on the [Shinsenger's] hand, but no one touched the peeled orange...
Seeing such an illusion, seeing such a Shinsengumi who never showed himself in front of others and indulged Tsurumaru Kuninaga in his advances time and time again, seeing him being coaxed by Tsurumaru Kuninaga into doing some shameful actions, and resisting but finally letting himself go...
The sharp blade was softened and soaked by human body temperature, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga used this weapon that was blunt to the point of curling to open the heart of the gentle and distant Shinsengumi little by little, and entered and occupied it openly, obtaining everything that other Tsukumogami dared not think about or ask for!
What is he thinking? What is he angry about?
Is this anger?
How could he, how could he?
The sword was already unsheathed, and Yasakiri Hasebe's eyes were red as he yelled at Tsurumaru Kuninaga: "Why are you showing me these!"
Why, Tsurumaru Kuninaga, how dare you!
This lucky person got everything, but he showed it to others so disrespectfully, with a completely nonchalant attitude, revealing his lord's feelings to others like a joke!
What are you doing? Sharing selflessly for fun?
"I understand," Tsurumaru Kuninaga stared at him solemnly with his dark golden eyes, with a smile that did not reach his eyes. Yakiri Hasebe felt that it was the first time he had seen such a terrifying Tsurumaru Kuninaga.
"You're jealous."
The white-haired young man looked at the scene that had been repeated countless times without feeling - this was the third-person perspective he created with his domain, as a lullaby to sleep at night. After all, he was tired of the immersive interaction from the first-person perspective.
"It's another unimaginable feeling... Please, Hasebe, let me learn it!"
"As an apology, let me give you a taste of it."
*
[Yakiri Hasebe never forgot why he came here, but he was trapped in a body.
He tried to break free, but a pair of familiar arms came up from behind and hugged his neck. Then he felt pressure from behind his body. His arms bent backwards showed that he was carrying the weight of another person.
"How can it be proper for two men, both healthy and without any injuries, to hug each other?" The familiar voice had a tone he had never heard before, which sounded like a reproach but not entirely.
The surroundings transformed into thousands of familiar houses. Under the dim light, he walked forward step by step, carrying the whole world on his shoulders.
This is……
The stiff fingers tightly grasped the human's kicking legs. After a long while, the hoarse voice finally vibrated: "My lord, please... let me walk for you..."
The hair falling on his neck paused for a moment, and the Shinsengumi on his back seemed to be frightened by the bitter voice of Yasaki Hasebe, but he considerately did not ask, but just stopped struggling on his toes.
"Please! Please... let me do something for you..."
The frail human fell asleep on his solid back, his warm breath hitting his neck, and his hard armor was almost melted by the exhaled air, turning into a pool of water, extinguishing the burning fire in his heart.]
The [Rage] of Yasukiri Hasebe disappeared.
[Amid the grand fireworks of the summer festival, by the quiet river, Yasaki Hasebe handed three things in his palm to the young man: "My lord, this is my second gift to you."
What is the first thing?
Yakiri Hasebe was not aware of the inappropriateness of his memory. At this moment, all external things were fleeting to him. It was as if the gate of hell had been opened. The person standing at the entrance of the blazing fire knew nothing and just said what was in his heart: "I hope you can accept it, not only the gift, but also..."
Shirasu Chuan in front of him looked panicked, as if he would faint at any moment, and turned his back to him, wanting to flee. Yakiri Hasebe's knees softened, and he knelt heavily!
"My lord, please calm down! I, I won't mention it again! Please rest assured!" The pain of self-indulgence swept through his body. In order to show his determination, he endured the pain of suffocation and threw the hairpin and comb in his hands into the river as a self-punishment. When the jade ring was about to be thrown away, his hand was held by another hand.
"Don't throw it away, I'll consider it..." The helpless yet gentle voice disappeared into the air as the illusion changed.]
The resentment that had been weighing down Hasebe disappeared.
…
Then there was the kiss after the twists and turns, which was very "Yakiri Hasebe-style" - the action of blocking the voice of the Shinsengumi while loudly saying "Please forgive my treason", the satisfaction after helping the other party to seize spiritual power again and again, and the pain of trying to protect him with all his strength but being unable to do anything...
…
Everything about Tsurumaru, everything that Tsurumaru and Shirasu Gawa had experienced, Hasebe witnessed it all as an insider in this realm where the concept of time was abandoned and the special cursed spirits were isolated from the world...
[Desires] are satisfied, [cravings] are indulged, it doesn’t matter if you push too far, it’s okay to coax a little for some little thoughts...
Everything is like soaking in warm water. The skin can feel the slightly hot temperature, which is not harmful but comfortable enough to make the soul tremble! The love is as smooth as a hot spring egg, and it does not even need to be chewed. It flows into the body along the esophagus. Wherever it passes, it is as warm and cool as drinking nectar. The extreme of dying without regrets is the feeling of near death...
Tsurumaru Kuninaga watched from the sidelines, and in the illusion, Yakiri Hasebe replaced everything for him.
This is what he constructed, and it is exactly what he wanted to see.
Since personal experience cannot awaken the deep forgotten emotions, we should try various methods!
He had analyzed all the events in his memory that might have caused him to "fall in love" with the Shinsengumi, breaking them down one by one and experiencing them again and again.
He thought: Since he fell in love with Shirasu Chuan because of these experiences the first time, then even if the feelings were forgotten, if he experienced it again, he would definitely open the cold and hard "heart" of the weapon to him without hesitation.
If he couldn't fall in love with that person a second time...
So, is it that the blazing emotions in his memory are nothing but the inescapable connection between the Fusangshen and his master in the contract? Is it a piece of rubbish that is so fake that it is like being smeared by a pencil or erased by an eraser, and is completely artificially controlled by the government of time?
He actually knew it very well, but he still didn't want to believe it. He would rather deceive himself and review their meeting, getting along, and falling in love again and again...
He probably hoped that everything was real.
He should want to love him.
Tsurumaru Kuninaga saw Yakiri Hasebe collapse and roar. In the illusion, Shiruseikawa was strangled by the blue-haired cursed spirit and his life was hanging by a thread. The katana tsukumogami standing there in his place burst into tears like a beast that had been pushed to its limit...
The white-haired "Half-fu Sangami" raised his hand blankly again and pressed it on his heart.
Seeing this, are you jealous? Are you in pain? Do you feel loved?
Why is this place still empty?
*
People have souls.
The game panel clearly stated that Bai Qichuan's condition was [Soul Damaged]. There was no detailed introduction, so Jiang Jiu had put it aside.
He entered Tsurumaru Kuninaga's territory as a nine-square formation, and thought that he would be led to his real body like last time. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered this place called "Heaven in the Sky", he, as a first-level sorcerer, was forced to go offline.
Jiang Jiu confirmed again and again that Jiu Fangzhen was not in immediate danger of life before he had time to check what had happened.
The process of the boss Bai Qichuan's transformation from a "spiritual skeleton" to a human has not yet been completed. The progress bar shows 79/100, and it is unknown what the behavior of the Nine Square Array triggered to affect Bai Qichuan. The content that had been updated in his character file a long time ago seemed to be reminding the players of something. Some texts were unprecedentedly marked in red and bold!
"He has love and soul connection with his lover."
"He was timid but bravely opened his heart and shared his sorrow and joy with his lover."
"He lost his title as the Shinsengumi, and his soul is wandering without a home."
The texts that players had read for the first time but didn't take seriously are now showing their presence. These red characters seem to be telling players that although the character Shirosukawa is sleeping, there are still abnormal states waiting for players to explore!
Why can a disconnected identity still trigger the plot?
Soul harmony and sharing of joy and sorrow are the achievements gained by Shirasuga and Tsurumaru Kuninaga when they are in partner status.
What does "a wandering soul" mean?
Jiang Jiu tried to possess Bai Qichuan in the [Sleeping] state. In theory, a character who lost consciousness could not be controlled. He had figured out this rule a long time ago, so he didn't waste any effort after he turned back into a human and closed his eyes. But the game couldn't give such an obvious hint without any operation!
There must be some room for maneuver!
He tried to log in for the first time, and failed.
The second time, failed.
The third time...successful.
…
The boundless joy, anger, sorrow and happiness like the sea drowned him, as if the emotions stored in his sleeping body were about to pour out in one breath!
The soul is wandering and helpless - because Shirasuka's soul has achieved the [Soul Harmony] with Tsurumaru Kuninaga, when it is damaged, the missing fragment has been embedded in the gap of the other party's soul and follows him!
But not in a sober manner.
That wandering soul, thinking it was wandering stiffly, was actually imprisoned in Tsurumaru Kuninaga's territory, with a completely new identity, forced to play a role that was "itself" but not entirely itself!
He was clearly in the play, but he also knew everything outside the play.
He harbors the most genuine emotions, but in a lonely and empty fantasy world, he repeatedly plays out the love, hate and separation that even the play owner does not believe...
When Tsurumaru Kuninaga is tired, the illusion of the field will have a restful gap. This incomplete soul will sort out its few memories, search every frame, adjust the most restored appearance, and show the most ardent sincerity to the lover.
Because if he doesn't, he will panic!
Because except in the play, he will never see Tsurumaru Kuninaga's gentle expression again!
Because after the spiritual power contract was broken, he could only see the barren wilderness in the emotions conveyed by the soul connection! Every beat of the dry heart did not convey the emotions of spring breeze, but confusion, suspicion and boredom!
"Shirasugawa" doesn't understand!
What happened to Tsurumaru?
Did fighting a real person scare him, and did he forget how to express emotions?
A small, incomplete soul, possessing all the bright and beautiful qualities of Bai Suchuan, but unable to do anything, can only embrace the other with a shallow love:
It doesn't matter! When the main body wakes up, with [Sharing Joy and Sorrow], Tsurumaru is so smart that he will be able to learn it quickly!
Until Yakiri Hasebe came in and disrupted the illusion that had lasted for many days, and the person acting opposite "Shirasu River" was replaced by someone else...
…
After waking up, Yakiri Hasebe asked for the third time: "Why did you let me watch this?"
Tsurumaru Kuninaga remained silent for a long time, and in the midst of infinite confusion and emptiness, he gave an answer that he himself was not sure of:
"Because after I got rid of the contract, I don't seem to love him?"
After saying this, Tsurumaru Kuninaga felt as if he had eaten unripe fruit, and the bitterness made his tongue numb.
He still couldn't be sure, but that seemed to be the case.
The hole in his chest was getting bigger and bigger, but he didn't notice it and smiled: "So, if you care about him so much, I won't delay the Shinsengumi."
"Shirasugawa" collapsed.
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