Chapter 662 Medical Examination
At the mid-mountain, a magnificent complex of black tiles and white walls cast a majestic shadow under the sunlight. Gold-plated flame dragons were coiled around the vermilion door posts, and deep red flames burned eternally in two stone lanterns. Beneath the “Yanxin” plaque hanging at the entrance, the figures of three young people had already appeared at the doors of this mansion. Satō Shin’ichi stood before the huge black lacquered door, gazing up at the flame wind chimes hanging under the porch, and unconsciously swallowed. He reached out and grabbed Kusakabe Sakura’s sleeve as she was about to push the door open.
“Sister Sakura, isn’t it a bit too hasty for us to go see Grandpa Hongmaru directly like this…”
Kusakabe Sakura turned her head, sparks from her hair tips scattering with the movement. She tilted her head and sized up the two of them, “What’s the rush? Grandpa already knew you were coming. I’ve already explained everything to Grandpa, and he agreed too, because of what you said.” She then added, “And Shin’ichi, did you specifically bring Kazumi here to solve her psychic problems?”
Shin’ichi pointed at Kazumi again, a hint of confusion flashing in his vermilion eyes. “Well… I mean…”
Kusakabe Sakura’s current speaking style made the young boy somewhat difficult to respond to. After a pause, Satō Shin’ichi organized his thoughts and spoke again.
“Accepting the [Seed of Fire]… shouldn’t we prepare for it first? And Kazumi only found out about this today, I’m worried she’s not ready yet…”
“My original plan was to rest at Mu’s place for a bit today, and I would come to find Grandpa Hongmaru myself to scout out the situation, and then bring Kazumi tomorrow. I didn’t expect you, Sister Sakura, to come directly to the dojo to find us…”
Satō Shin’ichi’s string of words caused Kusakabe Sakura’s face to show a strange expression. She stared at the blond young man before her for a long time, and then burst into laughter.
“Hahahahahahahahaha—”
“How come you’ve suddenly become so nagging like an old mother? Where did the Satō Shin’ichi who used to grab me and challenge me to a fight go?” Kusakabe Sakura’s mockery made Satō Shin’ichi’s face flush crimson, as if burned by flames. He flusteredly waved his hands to explain, “I-I just… I’m a bit worried because it concerns Kazumi! And shouldn’t awakening one’s abilities be more rigorous? If something were to happen…”
Kusakabe Sakura waved her hand, her sleeve creating a gust of hot wind carrying the scent of cherry blossoms, “Don’t worry, don’t worry~” She deliberately drew out her tone and condensed a small flame on her fingertip, waving it in front of Shin’ichi’s nose. “I won’t let your beloved girlfriend have any problems.”
“Sister Sakura!” Shin’ichi anxiously reached out to grab the flame, but Kusakabe Sakura put away her playful expression and explained seriously, “The principle of the Seed of Fire is that Grandpa injects special power into the body. With Grandpa’s mastery of power, there will absolutely be no problems.” She pointed to the flame crest faintly visible on her forehead, “Even if she can’t awaken, it can be retracted in time.” “Can you rest assured now?”
Satō Shin’ichi seemed to want to say something more, but at this moment, Kazumi, standing beside the young boy, spoke first.
“I trust Shin’ichi. Since he brought me here,” the black-haired girl quietly looked at the two people before her, her jet-black eyes filled with nothing but calmness.
“Perhaps only Satō Shin’ichi, with his girlfriend filter, would understand a girl’s reaction like this? Because she’s not ready, you’re worried, aren’t you?” Kazumi’s eyes lit up.
“Ahhh, I can’t stand you two!” Kusakabe Sakura exaggeratedly rubbed her arms, as if about to shake off goosebumps. “Hurry up and go in! Grandpa hates waiting the most.” She pushed open the heavy black lacquered door with a majestic creak.
As the door opened, a wave of heat washed over them. In the center of the courtyard, there were straight bluestone paths. At the end of the bluestone paths, a tall man in a black haori stood like a javelin at the entrance. He was about forty years old, with a face as sharp as a knife, across which lay a ferocious burn scar, stretching diagonally from his left forehead to his left jaw. His short black hair stood on end, gleaming with a cold, metallic luster in the sunlight. The most striking feature was his pair of crimson eyes—as if magma flowed within them, the light from which caused skin to sting even when looking directly.
“Young lady.” The man’s voice sounded like sandpaper rubbing, low and hoarse as if burned. As he slightly nodded, a small patch of burned skin was exposed on his neck, where wrinkled, flickering flames could be seen.
Kusakabe Sakura hopped forward, “Uncle Yan, I’ve brought friends to see Grandpa~” she pointed to the two behind her, “This is Satō Shin’ichi, and his…”
“I know.” The man called Uncle Yan interrupted, his eyes suddenly erupting with a dazzling scarlet light, enveloping the three like searchlights. The light was almost tangible, causing a slight burning sensation on their skin as it swept past, and even the air distorted due to the high temperature.
Shin’ichi instinctively shielded Kazumi but saw that when the red light hit his body, it was like hitting an invisible wall, forming transparent refractive ripples on his body surface. Uncle Yan frowned, and the red light in his eyes naturally intensified, enveloping Shin’ichi entirely like tangible flames. This time, the light finally penetrated Shin’ichi’s body with difficulty, but the scanning process clearly became sluggish and slow. Only after it had completely passed through the young boy’s body did it completely dissipate.
When it was Kusakabe Sakura’s turn, the flame crest on her forehead automatically appeared, intermingling with the red light and emitting fine sparks. When the red light swept over Kazumi, the beam passed through the girl’s body smoothly as if passing through ordinary air. The black-haired girl stood still, not even her eyelashes trembling. Uncle Yan let the red light scan from the tips of her hair to her toes, and the entire process showed no abnormalities.
After the red light in Uncle Yan’s eyes completely dissipated, he slightly nodded, his voice still low and hoarse, “The master is in the Yanxin Pavilion.”
Kusakabe Sakura was about to lead the two inside when Uncle Yan suddenly grabbed her arm. The burn scar on the man’s shoulder… His gaze fell on Kazumi, “Young lady.”
“What is it, Uncle Yan?” Sakura turned back in confusion.
Uncle Yan’s gaze didn’t leave Kazumi, “If your friend is not a psychic,” he paused, the veins on his burn scar twitching slightly, “I suggest that after today’s visit, she go to the hospital for an examination.”
Shin’ichi immediately tensed up upon hearing this, “What do you mean? Is there something wrong with Kazumi’s body?”
Uncle Yan raised his finger and pointed to his own neck, “Her body temperature is significantly lower than normal, perhaps caused by some kind of disease.” He then pointed to the position on his left neck, “And there’s a small lump here, which also needs to be diagnosed at the hospital to see if it’s benign.”
“Of course, it’s just a suggestion.” The man’s eyelids drooped slightly, and with that, he turned and walked towards the depths of the courtyard. His black haori fluttered in the heatwave and soon disappeared around the corner.
