The Demon's Menu-Chapter 1083: Unexpected

Jason looked at the strawman in his hand as text began to appear before his eyes.

[Strawman: A farmer witnessed his secret love getting married and, in despair, withered away in the rice field before her house, transforming into a strawman. Worshiped by the surrounding villagers for a bountiful harvest, he gained a faint strength. Year after year, his consciousness awoke once more. He saw the village plunged into warfare, saw the woman he once adored protecting her child from harm, saw the long sword thrusting towards her. Without the slightest hesitation, he placed himself before her, blocked all for her, eradicated the invading soldiers for her, and fell in the fields. He looked up at the sky of his memories as the ritual gradually vanished without a trace; Effect: The wearer can block a fatal attack once.]

(Note 1: Love can give birth to miracles, but it’s not worth demeaning oneself.)

(Note 2: Love can give birth to miracles, so, is it worth demeaning oneself?)

...

"A strawman like this?"

"It must taste really good."

That’s what Jason thought.

For others, a [Strawman] that can block a fatal attack once would certainly be a treasure.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have appeared on the Hanakaiin Itsuki.

But for ’Uniquely Talented’ and ’Immortal’ Jason,

Such an ability was indeed just like chicken ribs, tasteless yet a pity to discard.

Far less satisfying than eating it.

After all, the scent of the [Strawman] had long informed Jason that it was food far surpassing 3 fullness points.

"After you park the car, come to my room."

Jason said as he got out and headed towards Tongshou Temple.

He couldn’t wait to eat the [Strawman] now.

Watching Jason’s retreating figure, Hui Lijing quickly reversed into the garage to park.

Master Tongshou Temple and He Tai stood aside waiting.

"Is he always so solitary?"

The wandering Onmyoji inquired.

"Most of the time, yes."

"Who in the world is not like that?"

"Though it seems in groups, eventually, one walks alone at the end."

The old Monk of Tongshou Temple said with his hands clasped together, then couldn’t help but sigh.

This sigh was somewhat spontaneous.

More so, it was a habit of Master Tongshou Temple.

To fit the image of ’Master Tongshou Temple’, he tried his best to conform to the image of a high monk.

Naturally, some of his words also became profound and inscrutable.

It’s a pity that he didn’t understand those inscrutable sayings.

He could only choose some of his own insights to share.

"Are you speaking of the end of life again?"

The wandering Onmyoji asked respectfully.

"Not just the end of life, but from the moment a person is born, he is an individual, and then, step by step, moves towards death. One has to bear this process alone."

"Neither parents, lovers, nor children can take their place."

"It’s difficult, but one must endure."

"Therefore, many people say — life is good, but I’ll not come again in the next life."

The old Monk sighed.

He thought of his parents, his once-wife, and his children.

But the more he thought, the lonelier he became.

Because they were already gone.

"But there are also beautiful things, right?"

The wandering Onmyoji retorted.

It’s hard to imagine someone who mingles in the shadowy corners of the ’Inside World’ believing in the goodness of humanity.

But that’s the reality.

The wandering Onmyoji considered himself not a good person, even admitting to being a bad one, but never a wicked person.

Because he still had his own bottom line.

So, he believed in the goodness of humanity.

Even if such goodness is rare, very rare.

"Yes, there is!"

"Right here."

The old Monk admitted candidly.

He then pointed to his chest.

Although his parents, wife, and children had long passed away, the memories in his heart remained beautiful.

Or rather, it was precisely because of such loss that this beauty was all the more precious.

He would never forget.

He couldn’t possibly forget.

Because, after getting used to ’loneliness’, this was his only solace.

It was also the driving force for him to keep going.

People, after all, need reasons and excuses to press on.

Master Tongshou Temple, who considered himself a mortal, was no exception.

Even more so, he believed he needed more.

After all, this mortal was also a falsely eminent Monk who took up the robes halfway through his life.

The wandering Onmyoji looked at Master Tongshou Temple.

He always felt there was a different kind of aura emanating from the Master before him.

But what exactly was it?

He couldn’t quite articulate.

Is this what being a Master is?

The wandering Onmyoji touched his own chest, a vague epiphany beginning to form.

The old Monk looked at the wandering Onmyoji’s expression, without any commentary.

He was used to it.

He didn’t know when it started, but people who conversed with him always showed such expressions.

Then, they became more grateful towards him.

Though unsure of what had happened, it must be a good thing, right?

Hui Lijing, who had finished parking, looked at the old Monk and the wandering Onmyoji standing on the side, completely ignoring them, and hurried towards the Tongshou Temple.

Her mind was totally focused on the knowledge she was about to learn.

Slurp.

Like slurping noodles, Jason ate the [Strawman] in his hand.

When his tongue touched the [Strawman], the binding straw rope melted directly, turning the strawman, which could be chewed in hand, into something as slurp-able as noodles.

And quite chewy, too.

Even a little springy.