After a drive that lasted just over an hour, they finally reached the third shrine out of the five they needed to visit. Unlike the previous shrines, this one was much easier to access. The path leading to it was well-maintained, and the walk was short, taking only a few minutes. They noted with some relief that the snow had significantly lessened in this area. It was not completely gone, but the accumulation on the ground and the amount still falling from the sky had notably decreased.
Despite the improvement, there was still enough snow to warrant caution while driving. Xinyi, her voice tinged with nervousness, remarked, "I'm starting to believe there might be something to this. It's too much of a coincidence…"
Yasushi remained silent as they approached the shrine. The area appeared to be in good condition, with no obvious damage or disturbances, but he was determined to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure everything was in order. Jingliu and Xinyi chatted quietly among themselves as they followed him, while Yinhaie stayed by Yasushi's side. Together, they carefully examined the shrine and its surroundings, searching for any irregularities or signs that might indicate something unusual.
Jingliu and Xinyi waited by the shrine, chatting while they examined the surroundings for anything unusual. Yasushi and Yinhaie moved further away, continuing their search. They soon stumbled upon something odd: buried under a layer of snow and scattered leaves was an item that had clearly been set on fire.
Yasushi carefully pulled it out and inspected it. It was either a photo or a drawing of the goddess, one of the many depictions that had been burned at the shrine. He continued to sift through the charred debris and found more fragments of photos and drawings of the goddess, along with some pieces of fabric from the shrine.
"Whoever did this either really dislikes the goddess or is just looking to stir up trouble," Yasushi said, a hint of frustration in his voice. He turned to Yinhaie and added, "When we get back, please find out who is responsible for this. I want to know who's behind this and why."
Yinhaie gave a nod of agreement, her expression serious. "We'll review the footage from our security cameras throughout the city. How would you like us to handle this shrine now?"
Yasushi took a moment to consider their options before responding. "Let's return the items to their proper places or positions on the shrine. Anything beyond that, we'll need to clean up and replace at a later time. This is the best we can manage for now," he instructed. Yinhaie agreed with the plan, and they set to work.
They briefed Jingliu and Xinyi on their findings, and the two women immediately joined in to assist. The damage at this shrine was less extensive compared to the previous one, so it didn't take long for them to restore it to a decent condition.
Xinyi, after a quick assessment, remarked, "So, that makes two shrines completed. This one wasn't as severe — just some burned photos and drawings. They also tore up some decorations, but it was less destructive than the last one." She stifled a yawn as she spoke.
Yasushi glanced at her and asked, "Are you feeling tired? If so, you can rest in the car while we finish up here."
Xinyi shook her head firmly, determination in her eyes. "No, I'm fine. I want to be involved! Let's keep moving; we can't afford to waste any more time!"
Yasushi let out a brief chuckle at Xinyi's enthusiasm but nodded in agreement. They completed another thorough inspection of the shrine, finding nothing further out of place before setting off towards the next one.
The drive took another thirty minutes, and as they approached the next shrine, they were met with an unexpected obstacle. The shrine was completely blocked, not by conventional barriers but by a combination of fallen trees and thick snow. The path to the shrine was a fifteen-minute walk from the entrance, which was situated at the southwestern edge of the city.
"This is problematic," Yasushi said, surveying the obstructed area with growing frustration. He scanned the surroundings for an alternate route, but every direction was blocked.
After pausing to consider their options, Yasushi turned to his companions. "Here's the plan: I'll take one person with me to see if we can find a way around or clear a path. The remaining two should head to the fourth shrine. Once we've sorted this one, we can all meet up at the final shrine together. We should split up for efficiency. Our phones are still operational, so keep in touch through the group chat and update us on your progress."
"I'll come with you," Jingliu declared, stepping forward. Yasushi nodded in agreement.
"I'll leave the fourth shrine to you. If you run into any trouble, just shoot me a text," Yasushi instructed before Xinyi and Yinhaie left, their departure marked by reluctance.
As the car drove away, Yasushi turned to his girlfriend. "Help me move those tables over here. I'm planning to lift you onto the roof, then I'll join you, and we'll figure out the rest from up there. We have no idea what's waiting for us on the other side or how we'll make our way back, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Jingliu nodded in agreement. They set to work immediately. After brushing the snow off a table, they moved it into position. With Yasushi's assistance, Jingliu climbed onto the table and then up onto the roof of the low building. Yasushi followed, using his strength to scale the height with Jingliu's help. Once they were both on the roof, Yasushi pulled Jingliu into a quick embrace and flashed her a grin.
"Sorry about this," Yasushi said, his voice laced with an edge of apology. Without further hesitation, he heaved Jingliu up and onto the massive snowbank that obstructed their path. Jingliu let out a startled cry as she landed on top of the snow, but she managed to stay put. Yasushi, not one to miss a beat, scrambled up the snowbank with relative ease and joined her. Jingliu, however, was far from impressed by his methods.
"That wasn't really necessary. I thought I was going to fall," Jingliu complained, her expression clearly showing her displeasure with the risky maneuver.
"My bad… Anyway," Yasushi said, shifting his gaze to their surroundings. He noticed that just beyond the snowbank was a short drop to the ground, cushioned by a thick layer of snow. "Let's move. I'll go down first. When I say go, just jump towards me and I'll catch you."
Before Jingliu had a chance to respond, Yasushi took a deep breath and leaped down from the snowbank. His landing was softened by the snow, which cushioned the impact. He spun around and extended his arms, waiting for Jingliu to follow. Though hesitant, Jingliu took a moment to gather her courage and, after a brief pause, jumped down as well. Yasushi's arms closed around her just in time, ensuring that she landed safely.
"Are you okay?" Yasushi asked, his voice filled with genuine concern as he glanced over at Jingliu.
Jingliu exhaled deeply and met his gaze. "You're far too reckless for your own good," she said, her tone carrying a mix of irritation and exasperation. Yasushi chuckled at her response, a light-hearted sound that broke the tension, and continued walking, holding her hand gently.
They soon found the path and began their trek along it. Just like with the second shrine, the snow proved to be deep and dense, making their progress slow and cumbersome. Despite the challenge, they pressed on, their resolve unshaken. After about ten minutes of navigating through the snow, they finally reached the shrine.
"That's unexpected," Yasushi muttered as he surveyed the shrine. Aside from being buried under a thick layer of snow, it seemed largely intact. "It doesn't look like it's been tampered with. But let's take a closer look to make sure."
Jingliu nodded in agreement, and they began inspecting the shrine more thoroughly. They examined every detail and looked around their surroundings, but after a few minutes of careful observation, they found nothing that indicated any significant issues.
"You don't think they missed this one, do you?" Jingliu asked, her voice tinged with both surprise and a hint of concern as she looked around the shrine, noting its seemingly untouched state.
Yasushi pulled out his phone and started searching for a photo of this particular shrine on the internet. After a few moments of scrolling and swiping, he found an image and began to compare it with their current surroundings. Despite his efforts, he couldn't spot any noticeable differences or alterations. "I doubt it. It really looks like nothing has been changed here," Yasushi replied, his tone thoughtful. "But let's check one more thing…"
He made his way back to the shrine, climbing the few steps that led to a door positioned off to the side. Yasushi grasped the handle, giving it a few experimental shakes before it swung open with a creak. He stepped into the small room beyond, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the interior. A deep sigh escaped him, carrying with it a mix of resignation and frustration.
"I had a feeling, but I hoped I was wrong," he muttered to himself, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment. He exhaled heavily, the sound echoing his unease.
Jingliu leaned around Yasushi's shoulder and gasped as her eyes fell upon the scene before them. "W-why would someone do this?" she stammered, visibly shaken and deeply disturbed by the sight.
Spread out in front of them were several carcasses of dead animals. A rabbit, a stray cat, and a bird lay among the debris. The grisly display was even worse than it first appeared; the animals were in a state of disarray, their bodies barely intact. Blood and dismembered parts were scattered across the floor, creating a scene of utter horror and neglect.
"Someone with a severe mental disorder is the first thing that comes to mind," Yasushi said, his voice heavy with grim realization. "But this seems so random. Could it be someone from a mental health facility who managed to escape? Though, to my knowledge, there aren't any nearby…"
Jingliu shook her head, offering her own perspective. "Even if there isn't a mental health facility in the immediate area, that doesn't mean there aren't individuals with serious mental health issues in our city. Some might have concealed their struggles and appeared to live 'normal' lives, or perhaps they attempted to mimic what they thought normalcy was."
Yasushi let out a weary sigh and said, "Let's push this to the back of our minds for now and get this mess cleaned up. Thankfully, Yinhaie brought gloves with her."
He fished a pair of gloves from his pocket and handed them to Jingliu, who quickly put them on. "Wrap some cloth around your nose and mouth. It's best to be cautious with this situation," he advised.
Jingliu nodded and used her scarf to cover her nose and mouth, pulling it tightly. Yasushi followed suit, wrapping his own scarf around his face. With their makeshift protection in place, they began the grim task of cleaning up.
The work was both revolting and unsettling. Jingliu had never handled the remains of dead animals before, while Yasushi had some experience. The memories of his past life lingered, filled with images he would never forget. Although he had not taken human lives, he had witnessed plenty of death, particularly among animals, due to his past associations. Many of the people he had been connected with had been involved in the killing of animals, a fact that had left a lasting impact on him.
Without any bags or containers available, Yasushi and Jingliu decided to place the carcasses in a corner of the shrine, intending to dispose of them properly later. Yasushi planned to send a text to Yinhaie once they finished moving the remains, asking if another staff member could bring them the necessary bags.
They worked quickly, driven by the need to complete the task as soon as possible. The pungent stench and the bloodstains inside the shrine made their task even more unpleasant, but they pressed on. The shrine's interior was too grimy for a thorough cleaning with the tools they had on hand, so after about thirty minutes, they finished their grim work.
Yasushi had already sent a message and received a brief but reassuring reply. A few staff members were nearby and would soon bring the necessary items. As they waited, the howling blizzard outside created a constant roar, making their task even more daunting. After a short wait of six minutes, the sound of approaching footsteps cut through the blizzard's noise. When they turned to look, they saw two butlers running towards them through the storm, their figures barely visible against the swirling snow.
"Lady Jingliu, Lord Yasushi, we've brought the supplies," the two butlers said, their breaths coming in visible puffs as they spoke, clearly exhausted from their run through the blizzard.
Yasushi nodded, acknowledging their effort. "Rest for now, but stay out here. The shrine is filled with dead animals, and the stench is going to be unbearable. We'll handle the rest."
The butlers began to speak up, but Yasushi cut them off with a firm shake of his head. "As I said, we appreciate your help. Take a break, and once you're feeling better, you can assist us if needed." Reluctantly, they agreed, stepping back to catch their breath.
Yasushi and Jingliu returned to their grim task, moving in and out of the shrine with efficiency. They carried the remains to a designated spot, covering them with a layer of snow and leaves to help mask the odor and keep them from the harsh elements. Once this was done, they planned to come back later to bury the remains properly, hoping that the blizzard would have eased by then.
After a few minutes of catching their breath, the butlers joined Yasushi and Jingliu, significantly speeding up their progress. With their combined efforts, the task was completed in another thirty minutes.
"Great job, everyone," Yasushi said, as he and Jingliu, along with the two butlers, took a well-earned break on the shrine's steps. Exhausted, they sighed deeply, their faces etched with fatigue.
Yasushi moved away from the group and made a call to Yinhaie, who answered promptly. "Hey, how are things going on your end?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"We've encountered the same situation here," Yinhaie replied through the phone. "We're following the same steps you suggested in your message. I wouldn't have thought to check inside, so thank you for the tip."
"It was just a guess based on what I've read in similar scenarios," Yasushi said. "Anyway, are you all finished, or do you need more time?" He glanced back at Jingliu and the two butlers, who were engaged in quiet conversation, their faces showing relief at the completion of the task.
"Yes, we've finished up here. We can come pick you up now," Yinhaie responded.
From the background, Xinyi's voice chimed in excitedly, "We've also got food since we're near a 24-hour shop!" The enthusiasm in her voice made Yasushi chuckle softly.
"Great, we'll be here waiting. Thanks a lot," Yasushi said, and after exchanging brief goodbyes, he ended the call.
Returning to the group, Yasushi informed them about the current situation. He reassured them that it was perfectly fine for them to relax for now. Given that Yinhaie's team was still about an hour away due to the considerable distance between the fourth shrine and their current location, there was ample time to unwind before they would need to resume their activities and go to the final shrine.