Book 5: Chapter 8: News from Sister Uesugi

Lily knew tea ceremonies, flower arrangement, painting and calligraphy seemed to have no affiliation with combat, but in reality, the disciplines have the effect of improving a warriors mental realm. During mortal combat, a warriors mental realm is critical to the battle. The mental realm can evolve into a creative concept, and that concept becomes a domain.

Lilys Sakura Blizzard is one such domain, the effects have an enormous direct impact upon her combat. The art of tea ceremonies and painting greatly contributed towards her domain. Only by ceaselessly increasing ones perception of the greater world can you understand the various mysteries of nature, such as flowers, flowing water, or wind and the rain, complicated yet simple looking phenomenons.

Of course, Lilys natural talent and perception played a major role. However to comprehend a domain, one needs various insights and opportunities. Calming activities like tea ceremonies provide a good environment for enlightenment, ones state of mind influences the chance of domain comprehension.

Lily never considered tea ceremonies or paintings to have any effect on soul resilience either.

The first time Lily ever heard of soul resilience was during her previous battle. Different people have natural differences in mind and soul strengths, but when facing a soul attack there are almost no defensive measures, most endure with spirit and will. Lily relied upon the soul attribute of the Phantom Sword to defeat the Carp Spirit and Sakanoue no Tamuramura whose power far surpa.s.ses her own.

If Lily faced a soul attack, she too would have no method to deal with it. This led her to wonder, if in the future she encountered an expert capable of soul attacks, how should she counter it? Soul attacks ignore all spiritual and physical resistance, shouldnt there be a method to counter this weakness?

In the Heian dynasty, there are indeed methods to increase soul resilience, however the methods are too profound, Lily had previously never encountered them. Today, she met Masakado who introduced her to the method of improving ones soul resilience.

Only how was she to use tea ceremonies, painting and the precious grade 10 wooden comb to improve? It would not be too suitable for Lily to ask at the moment, it seems like she would only be able to slowly explore the methods herself.

Lynne. Masakado looked at her sternly, I loath betrayal the most, can I trust your words today?

With a level voice, Lily replied Lynne would not dare lie to you.

Masakados piercing eyes examined her only to find her as serene as water, her eyes without any fear or concealment. He gave a reluctant nod, Um, thats fine then, I also think you would not lie to me, but if one day I find that you have deceived me, I will show you no mercy.

Understood, if Lynne has uttered any lies, I will accept the punishment.

She had faced enough danger that her mental state was beyond normal, she faced Masakado without hesitance. At this moment several different monks and demons came over to toast, so Masakado ended their conversation there.

The striped cat also came over, Sister Lily, lets dance.

The mood in the pub stirred again, Lily was also overjoyed to escape Masakado and made her excuses to dance with the little ones.

During the dance, there was a tiny chubby kid who rubbed her thigh. Lily looked indifferent, however her heart was filled with rage. What a little daredevil, taking advantage of her while Masakado was present. Feeling the kid stick to her, she turned around and stared at him, eyes full of frost, however he returned an innocent smile with a hidden purpose.

The chubby kid walked to a hidden alcove sneaking looks at her with each step. Feeling a hint in his glances, Lily followed and in that dark hallway, the little kid turned and waited for Lily.

You Why were you so indecent?

The chubby boy didnt vocally respond, but a mysterious smile appeared on his face as he walked into the alcove, Lily followed.

Turning with a smile, the chubby boy whispered Kagami Lily!

Lilys eyes narrowed as she grabbed her blade, How did you recognize me?

Tsk tsk tsk, you dont need to be so fierce little lady, if I wanted to expose you I couldve just reported to Taira no Masakado, you would not have a chance to silence me. I know youre very strong, you could snuff me in an instant. The chubby boy s.h.i.+vered in exaggeration.

What do you want? Lily asked in a cold voice.

With a puff of white smoke, the chubby boy transformed into a fat racc.o.o.n complete with a leaf on the head.

A racc.o.o.n? Lily was startled.

Hehe, sister Lily, Im called Yuuta, though this is our first time meeting, youre just as that sister described. I think in this Heian dynasty there would not be a second woman like you, so I dared to gamble. As expected you are Kagami Lily.

That sister, who is she? Lily heart trembled in antic.i.p.ation

Little lady, youre that Land of Snows Uesugi Reis girlfriend arent you? Yuuta snickered.

Ah? What, what girlfriend? blus.h.i.+ng red, Lily ran over, lifted a foot out of her clogs and stomped down on Yuutas shoulder. You have news on Uesugi Rei?

Owe!, dont stomp on me, youre totally exposed but your legs really look good

Shut it, answer quickly!

Ill talk, Ill talk, in the capital I was attacked by a group of drunk samurai, almost died but Uesugi Rei rescued me. I wanted to repay her, but she said the only thing she needed help with was contacting her girlfriend. A tall big breasted beauty called Kagami Lily, if you arrive in Heian-kyo I was to deliver a message. Half of the racc.o.o.ns face had been tread into distortion by her white foot.

Sister Uesugi wants to send a message to me? Whats the message? Lily urged.

Let me up and Ill tell you, I dont have this fetish, even if its your beautiful foot I still wont like it. The racc.o.o.ns face was red and his eyes squeezed into slits as he twisted under her foot.

Lily lifted her foot, Hmph, I think you mean you like it.

The chubby racc.o.o.n rolled to the side and stood up and replaced the leaf onto his head and with a bang of white smoke, the racc.o.o.n became that tall glamorous silver-haired Uesugi Rei.

Lilys eyes narrowed, only

That Sister Uesugi may look just like Uesugi Rei however two extra round ears rested on the head, and behind the black short skirt lay a furry fluffy racc.o.o.n tail, it was so ridiculous Lily couldnt make an expression.

Uesugi Rei said. Rac.o.o.n Yuuta acted out Uesugis att.i.tude: Tell Lily, dont come looking for me at the Tanba province, I may not know what sort of existence Shuten Doji may be, but Ill be careful. Tell her not to worry and protect herself! If she insists on finding me, then the moment we meet again is the moment I take her virginity. If her heart is truly ready, then feel free to travel thousands of miles to surrender herself to me1

Ah!?? Lily turned scarlet in embarra.s.sment and ire.

You perverted racc.o.o.n, how dare you speak such nonsense! With one foot Lily punted him back to his original form, it was like a fat meatball ping-ponging around the room.

ArghhhMercy! Im speaking the truth, if there are any lies you can kill me! Either way, I was rescued by Sister Uesugi, if her woman kills me, that can count as my repayment.

Shut up! Whos her woman? Lily slammed a foot down on Yuutas chubby form.

Only Lily felt that Yuutas words werent too fake. That he could transform into Uesugi Reis form meant that at least he had met her, and those words they could have really been uttered by sister Uesugi.

Fine, Ill believe you. But, if I find out you tricked me, I wont spare you!

Come on, sister, Im really speaking the truth! You dont have to discipline me, I really wont like it.

Disgusting! Lily cursed, put on her sandals and walked to the doorway but stopped, but thank you.

She tossed over two gold coins, Take these, and go buy some snacks.

Thank you little lady, thank you sister Lily! The racc.o.o.n grabbed the coins and whispered: But I wont be buying snacks, Ill go to the entertainment district and play with a few geishas!

I say, do you really want to die? Lilys eyes turned sharp and looming.

Ahhh, its a joke! Im joking! By the way, the side door leads to the yard, sister should depart early to avoid trouble. Yuuta spoke as he pulled open a small door.

Lily nodded Ill be in the Heian-kyo for a while, if sister Uesugi sends news, find me immediately. Therell be a reward, I think you should be able to locate me.

The racc.o.o.n seemed to love gold coins, his eyes s.h.i.+ned with antic.i.p.ation Thank you sister!

Lily didnt give her farewells to Masakado, she walked into the desolate courtyard ignoring the few drunk misbehaving demons and cut across the yard leaving from the rear.

Walking into the streets, she accelerated her steps while inspecting the surroundings for trackers and snapped open her sakura parasol. Only then did she return to Suzaku avenue.

Lily discovered dawn was approaching. The distant Heian palace seemed to be enveloped in the suns glow.

Sister Uesugi Though sister Uesugi might have left those words, Lily couldnt help but fear for her but if she really traveled to find her, what if Sister Uesugi really fulfilled her threatIf its Sister Uesugi she might really do it.

Sister Uesugi why does it feel like you dont want me to find you?

Robinxen: Pffffffffffffftttt. oh man what a waste of a drink Since when was Rei so bold?!