The words "Cursed Spring" felt very fitting to Hikigaya.
Although he didn't think the person who gave him directions could enter a place like this, since the na ca from their mouth, clearly soone had been here before—otherwise, they wouldn't be able to co up with such an apt na.
Hikigaya, having mastered the essence of the waters usurped from Osiris, observed that although these hot springs appeared only a centiter apart, their water quality was entirely different. More accurately, these springs had already been contaminated.
Because the water quality in this place was extrely unique, Hikigaya could sense that the water flowing deep within the earth was exceptionally pure and contained divine power. When untainted, it could likely dispel misfortune and even resolve small curses.
But the spring water inside the hot springs was now infused with cursed energy—very dense cursed energy. If soone were to bathe in it...
Damn, the more he analyzed it, the more disturbingly familiar it felt!?
Wait, shit—is this Ranma!?
Tch! Totally underestimated this world's sense of humor. Damn thing still isn't done playing around! And now it's diving into transformation thes too!
Zaimokuza how many cross-over do you need in this fanfiction???
That martial arts style in Ranma really does line up shockingly well with this world's take on Chinese martial arts though.
Should he finish up with Phoenix Mountain and go find the Joketsuzoku next? On second thought, maybe not—seems like aside from Shampoo, they're all tomboys.
Wait a sec, why did he just go ahead and assu this was Ranma?
Lost deep in thought, Hikigaya didn't notice a burly man in green military fatigues co up behind him. The man had a simple, honest face, and beside him was a little girl with two huge braids tied on top of her head.
"Papa, look! There's soone here! A real person!"
"Yeah, looks like a real person."
A dark pound sign appeared on Hikigaya's forehead.
Yes, he was spacing out. Yes, he was distracted—but he could still hear when people talked!
What the hell do you an "a real person"? Co over here and say that again!
Wait a second—there are people here!?
Hikigaya turned around and saw the two people behind him.
One glance told him everything.
These were just normal people.
That didn't make sense. How could regular people get in here? Although the gravity above the cursed spring was the most intense, the gravity across the whole village was still above normal levels—ordinary folks shouldn't be able to handle it even if they made it in.
"Hello," the honest-faced man walked up excitedly. "Are you here as a tourist?"
Honestly, Hikigaya had co with a tourist mindset, but...
Wait a damn minute—how are regular people even touring this place?
"Haven't seen a person in ages. Oh right, you are a person, right?" The burly man apparently didn't know the aning of "asking for a beating" and actually asked that out loud.
"Uncle, are you looking for a fight? I get it, you must be a hidden martial arts master, huh? Fine, I'll take you on. Let's duel." Hikigaya's face darkened, and he started rolling up his sleeves.
"Stupid Papa, of course this guest is a person!" The little girl jumped in to save the situation—though her thod was a bit violent: a flying kick that sent the burly man soaring.
While flying, the uncle actually made a delicate orchid-hand pose...
Damn, that's the classic "kicked away" move straight out of Ranma!
Hikigaya felt despair didn't even begin to describe how he felt about "Zaimokuza" indiscriminate tastes.
"Hello, guest!" The little girl quickly ran up to him, nervously rubbing her hands. "This is the Cursed Spring Village. My na's Pu Lanmu. That idiot earlier was my father. Please don't mind him. We're tour guides here! Do you need anything?"
Damn, that's your dad and you kicked him like that without a second thought...
Also—this place actually has tour guides!? What kind of insane company hasn't gone bankrupt yet!?
"Ahem... If you're a tour guide, that makes things easy." Hikigaya cleared his throat. "I want to go to Phoenix Mountain."
A leaf drifted by (don't ask where it ca from), and silence fell...
"You sure know how to joke, mister." The girl rubbed her face as if trying to wipe away the awkwardness.
"I'm not joking." Hikigaya grinned with a creepy uncle smile and looked past the girl to the uncle who was climbing back up.
The once honest-faced uncle was now pale as a ghost.
"You're not really here for sightseeing, are you?" the uncle said with a bitter smile.
"Do people actually tour this place?" Hikigaya shot back.
"How rude! We get lots of tourists every year!" the girl puffed up indignantly—but then her face blushed. Guess her skin wasn't thick enough.
"Alright, Lanmu, you head back first. Make extra at tonight—we've got a rare guest." The uncle patted the girl's head, then gestured for Hikigaya to follow. "Phoenix Mountain is still a long way off. Why not eat sothing here first?"
"Then I'll take you up on that." Hikigaya nodded. It was clear this uncle understood him.
Too much nonsense and no real answers—he couldn't take it anymore.
Following the duo, who clearly hadn't had a custor in ages, Hikigaya walked to a small house.
The house looked pretty old and had a rustic feel. A plaque hung on the door with the Chinese characters for "Information Office."
Thank goodness he could read...
Inside, the place wasn't much to look at. Simple furniture gave the vibe of a 1960s–70s setting—a bit rundown, honestly.
The girl disappeared into another room, while Hikigaya and the uncle sat at a table in the middle.
"So ti ago, folks from Phoenix Mountain ca down. Scared the crap out of , to be honest. It was my first ti seeing that clan." The uncle took a gulp of water. "You're not an ordinary person either—only martial artists can get into this place."
"Just treat as one." Hikigaya replied. "I just want to check out Phoenix Mountain."
"Don't lie, guest. You ca for that matter, didn't you?"
"What matter? I just arrived in this country, I don't know."
"Huh? But you don't sound like a foreigner." The uncle was surprised but quickly brushed it off. "Doesn't matter. Things are chaotic on Phoenix Mountain now. Those people looked less like they were coming down... and more like they were fleeing. But they returned a few days ago—and brought outsiders with them."
"Oh?" Hikigaya was finally interested—finally sothing useful.
"And soon, this place might get abandoned," the uncle sighed. "Guess I'll be unemployed too…"
Wait wait, he was just dropping plot bombs and now it's back to small talk!?
Before Hikigaya could complain, the uncle leaned in with a mysterious expression.
"Guest, there's a god on Phoenix Mountain now."
Nani? Switching genres again to xianxia? (if you don't know Wuxia is a novel about martial arts, Xianxia is more about immortality and fantasy with martial arts)
Don't push , uncle—I'll go feral and scare even myself!
"Alright, let's eat first... my darling daughter! Where's the at!?"
"at your damn ghost!" Hikigaya finally lost it, slamd the table, and yelled, "Stop talking in fragnts!"
"Huh? But I already finished my story?" The uncle looked puzzled. "Also, the at's really good—I haven't had at in ages."
"..." Hikigaya took three deep breaths.
He held it in!
"Then I won't disturb your al anymore. You guys must be struggling. Just tell the way."
Seeing the uncle about to start rambling again, he quickly added:
"I'll treat you to a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast later!"
"Oh wow, how could I accept—wait, but it's true, there really is a god. We all saw it. The sky turned so red. Even the Phoenix King couldn't pull that off."
At this point, the uncle looked deadly serious.
"Guest, I really think you shouldn't go. That's a god. Even worse than the Phoenix Clan. No human can defy it—only the legendary God-Human might stand a chance."
Hikigaya smiled.
Because in Chinese tradition, a "God-Human" ans "god slayer."
This uncle talked all over the place, but Hikigaya had a strong suspicion that whatever had disrupted Phoenix Mountain was related to his line of work.
Otherwise, it didn't make sense for that clan—so reclusive they seed like shut-ins—to suddenly co to Japan. They'd always avoided any contact with the outside world.
Thinking of this made it impossible for Hikigaya to sit still and wait. Whatever Ranma-esque stuff was going on, it had nothing to do with him.
That battle with Voban had shaken him out of his peaceful state again—his strength still wasn't enough.
Boredom, at its core, was just frustration over a lack of progress.
This world had seven God slayers—people fought for pride, and so did God slayers.
If this was real, Voban was probably clutching his stomach in fury right about now.
"Uncle, don't worry too much. Just tell the way. The outsiders they brought—one of them might be my friend."
"Ah... I see." The uncle's face turned solemn. "In that case, be very careful. The Phoenix Clan attacks outsiders on sight."
"Don't worry, uncle. I'm not that easy to kill." Hikigaya confidently patted the uncle's shoulder. "Just get ready for that big feast."
"That's good then." The uncle nodded repeatedly, looking relieved. "I just didn't want you to die and leave with no feast..."
"Damn it! That's it—I really can't hold back anymore. Let's go! Outside! One-on-one!"
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