Chapter 3: Classic Anime, Bilbe Black?
The night was deep.
Shino sat cross-legged on the tatami mat. His monk's robe was loose, concealing the outline of his muscular body.
He closed his eyes tightly and softly chanted the [Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra].
"Om Mani Padme Hum..."
Every syllable was like a thundering Buddhist chant, vibrating the air in the room and cleansing his own soul.
The forehead bone rosary beads in his hand emitted a faint glow, complementing the golden light faintly emerging around his body.
Unlike the daytime clamor, the quiet of the night was more suitable for cultivation.
Shino could clearly feel a warm current slowly flowing through his body as he chanted the mantra, nourishing every inch of his flesh and washing every bone.
This power was pure and sacred, allowing him to immerse himself in it and forget the passage of time.
He did not feel tired.
On the contrary, the more he cultivated, the more excited his spirit became, feeling full of vitality like a dry sponge soaked in clear water.
In his previous life, although he was a fake monk, he was still captivated by those Immortal Cultivation stories.
Who, deep down, does not dream of roaming the world with a sword and achieving immortal ascension?
Although he was now walking the path of Esoteric Buddhism, there was no doubt that this was also a path leading to the transcendental.
This filled him with excitement about the future.
A sleepless night passed.
When the first ray of dawn pierced through the paper-pasted window lattice and fell into the room, Shino slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, feeling refreshed and with his five senses sharpened.
Examining himself again, he appeared increasingly solemn and dignified.
Between his brows was an indescribable aura of holiness. His face was calm, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned in a faint, compassionate smile.
From his appearance, he looked exactly like a Venerable Monk who had attained the Dao, inspiring respect in all who saw him.
However, as his gaze swept across the room, his brow furrowed slightly.
The air seemed to be permeated with a faint trace of black qi.
The black qi was ethereal and unstable, like ink blooming in a wash painting, appearing as if it were both present and absent.
He focused his gaze again, but the black qi vanished as if it had been a mere illusion.
But Shino knew it was not an illusion.
After a night of cultivation, his perception far exceeded that of ordinary people. He would not have hallucinations without reason.
There was something wrong with this world.
He recalled the plot of the adult anime "Mistreated Bride."
The Takayanagi Family seemed to have always been involved in religious activities.
He vaguely remembered that the plot hinted that the Takayanagi Family was performing some kind of sacrificial ritual.
A sacrifice?
Shino's heart tightened.
Combined with that fleeting black qi in the air, he faintly sensed that this world might be more complex and dangerous than it appeared on the surface.
Meanwhile, at the apartment stairwell,
Several men in cheap suits with dyed yellow hair gathered together, discussing something in low voices.
They were local thugs, drifting on the fringes of society and making a living through shady dealings.
"Boss, is that monk really okay?"
A man with sharp features and a monkey-like face rubbed his hands, his eyes darting around uncertainly.
The one called Boss was a stout man with a fleshy face. He held a cigarette in his mouth and took a deep drag.
"Don't worry. I've already looked into it. That guy is an undocumented resident who appeared out of nowhere without any identification."
"Even if someone like him disappears, nobody will care."
The burly man exhaled a cloud of smoke, a sinister grin appearing on his face.
"Tie him up and sell him to the underground black market. We can get a lot of money for him."
"A young monk with such fair skin and tender flesh will definitely be popular."
"Hehehe..."
The thugs let out lewd laughs, as if they could already see the crisp bills in their hands.
"Boss is brilliant!"
The monkey-faced man flattered him obsequiously.
"Once it's done, I'll treat Boss to some women at the club!"
"Scram!"
The burly man laughed and cursed, kicking him lightly, but his face was full of pride.
"Let's get the job done first!"
"Send the young monk's photo to the President and see what he says."
The burly man ordered.
A subordinate immediately took out a phone, found a photo, and sent it.
The photo showed Shino wearing his monk's robe, looking solemn and dignified.
On the other side, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair was lying in a chair at his home, looking completely unrefined.
He was the President the thugs spoke of, the leader of their small gang.
The President received the photo sent by his subordinate, his gaze falling on Shino's face.
He waved his hand, dismissing the subordinates around him.
Only he remained in the cluttered office.
The President picked up the phone on the desk and dialed a number.
The phone rang a few times before being answered.
A seductive female voice came through the receiver, tinged with a hint of laziness and arrogance.
"Who is it?"
The President immediately adopted a respectful tone, bowing slightly as if the person on the other end were standing right in front of him.
"Lady, it's me, Inukai."
"Inukai? What is it?"
The woman's tone remained cold, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
"It's like this, Lady... I have some new goods."
Inukai said cautiously, his tone carrying a hint of flattery.
"New goods?"
The female voice seemed to gain some interest, her tone rising slightly.
"What is it?"
Inukai hurriedly sent Shino's photo over via mobile phone.
"You'll know once you see it, Lady. It's definitely a top-tier tribute."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
After a long while, the female voice spoke again, carrying a trace of imperceptible excitement.
"Not bad. Indeed fine goods."
"Inukai, you did well this time."
"Thank you for the praise, Lady! It is my honor to serve you!"
Inukai's voice trembled with excitement.
"Lady, about this tribute... when should I send it to you?"
"No rush."
The female voice said flatly.
"Keep him with you for now. I will notify you when I need him."
"Yes! Yes! I will follow all of your instructions!"
Inukai kept bowing toward the phone, his tone incredibly respectful.
"Also, Inukai."
The female voice suddenly said.
"How is the matter I instructed you to handle last time coming along?"
Inukai's body stiffened, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.
"I... I am stepping up the process. There will be news soon."
"It better be."
The female voice became icy, carrying a hint of threat.
"My patience is limited. If you disappoint me again, you know the consequences."
...
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