The delegation from Kaizan University to Tokyo consists of about 15 people, which means that at least 15 identical flight tickets need to be booked.
Professor Yan Zhigui, a reclusive scholar, once again took a hands-off approach, unaware of the hardships involved. He thought booking a flight back to China from Tokyo was as easy as taking a domestic flight from Haishan. However, Duanmu Ci wasn't entirely without options. Others might not be able to do it, but as one of the six newly appointed major clans in the Rare Club's management committee, the Duanmu family head certainly had some influence.
So with the help of members of the Rare Club, the head of the Duanmu family spent a lot of money to book the entire first class. When Yan Zhigui saw these tickets, he was a little resentful, thinking that the young people didn't know how to spend money and only knew how to enjoy themselves. He even asked if these tickets could be downgraded and refunded so that everyone could sit in economy class.
Duanmu Ci had no choice but to explain that it was a promotional event by Japan Airlines to thank Chinese tourists for their strong support over the years, and that he had just happened to catch it, providing proof such as the bill. Duanmu Ci had indeed only paid the price for economy class. Yan Zhigui, after seeing the bill, went from anger to delight, thinking the young man was capable and had done a great job! He, an old man, had never flown first class in his entire life, not even business class; this time he had finally gotten the chance to experience it.
The delegation consisted of only 15 people, excluding Wei Yue, but Duanmu Ci paid extra to book 16 plane tickets. This was because there was one more person outside the delegation who would be traveling back to Haishan with them.
Chiba Akishino Palace.
...
...
Duanmu Ci's flight was scheduled to depart at 12:00 noon, so he and Wei Yue arrived at Yinianwen Shrine early in the morning, preparing to leave with another passenger.
Today, Ichinenbun Shrine remains deserted, with only a few scattered worshippers writing ema (votive plaques) at tables under the eaves. The long Shinto path is deserted, the wooden torii gates still stand silently, and the white-robed priests serve the gods in the main hall.
Duanmu Ci and Wei Yue easily made their way through the grove to the rear hall. The screen in the rear hall had been changed, but it was still covered with plain white silk. As Duanmu Ci walked over, he saw Qianye Qiuxiaogong sitting in the corner of the hall, her arms wrapped around her knees, looking at the scenery outside the hall, occasionally looking up at the white birds flying by. An ancient long sword was placed at the hem of her skirt.
"Junior Sister".
"Miss Akishino."
The two greeted each other, and then Wei Yue turned to Duanmu Ci and said, "Duanmu-jun, you're too kind. From now on, just call her Qiuxiaogong directly; there's no need to add honorifics."
Duanmu Ci nodded, "I'll leave the rest to Yuan-jun."
Wei Yue gave Qiu Xiaogong a look that said, "Leave everything to me," then quietly walked over and squatted down beside her, saying, "Junior Sister, before our teacher left, he entrusted you to Duanmu Jun, asking you to go to China with him. Be good, okay?"
"No." Akishino shook her head, two long, scarlet ribbons swaying back and forth in her hair, like drifting fiery clouds.
Wei Yue continued to persuade her, "This was personally instructed by the teacher. Aren't you the one who listens to the teacher the most? Why aren't you listening this time? A disobedient junior sister is naughty."
"No." Akishino Miyako continued to shake her head, the two scarlet ribbons in her hair swaying even more beautifully.
"If you don't behave, Junior Sister, then your senior brother won't come to see you again next time!" Wei Yue threatened fiercely. "I'll never like Qiu Xiaogong again!"
The girl remained silent this time, neither shaking her head nor indicating any intention to agree.
Wei Yue was somewhat helpless. He had said all the right things, tried all the tricks he could. He had even used what he considered the "maximum threat," but it still didn't work. What to do? He couldn't just tie the person up with a rope and put them on the plane, could he? Wei Yue was willing to bet that if he dared to do that, the flight attendant would definitely come after him...
Duanmu Ci watched the whole thing from behind. Feeling that Wei Yue seemed as "unreliable" as ever, he decided to try it himself.
He slowly walked over, and when he was about a meter away from Qiu Xiaogong, the girl suddenly leaped up, her red and white sleeves fluttering in the air, the ancient scabbard fell to the ground, and a straight, cold blade was close to Duanmu Ci's neck, about to sever his throat!
Duanmu Ci calmly dodged, then lightly extended two fingers to precisely pinch the blade, and smiled gently, "Not bad cultivation."
The girl's eyes seemed to scan the area for a moment before she immediately sheathed her long sword. Then, she lunged forward, her crimson hair ribbon fluttering in the air behind her. When she was still a foot away from her target, a long sword suddenly pierced through her sleeve at a mysterious angle, its blade aimed straight at her heart.
Duanmu Ci immediately took two steps back, then smiled at Wei Yue and said, "I only realized today that persuading people also requires skill; one careless move can cost you your life."
The girl didn't give him time to speak. Her long sword slashed down, whistling through the air. Duanmu Ci slapped the blade with his palm, then pressed himself against the girl, almost nose to nose. He looked directly into her eyes and smiled, "Miss Qiuxiaogong, have you had enough fun?" His warm breath brushed against the girl's neck.
The girl seemed unaccustomed to being so close to people, and hurriedly took two steps back. Then she picked up the scabbard, inserted the long sword back into the scabbard, and sat down in the corner of the hall with her arms wrapped around her knees, saying nothing. She looked up at the sky, where a flock of white birds flew by.
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