Chapter 78. Teacher, Help! (Third Update)

The vengeful spirit was torn apart by the bullets infused with spiritual power, shattering into fragments. It dissolved into a mournful cry, then finally faded away.

After breaking the monster suit, Qiao Qiao did not let down his guard. Instead, he emptied all the spiritual water from the armor on his right hand, then lit a soul-calming incense stick from his bag. His phone played the sound of Kagura bells. Enveloped in smoke, sacred music echoed through the air, lending the entire film set an aura of sanctity and solemnity for a moment. Everyone watching felt a bit dazed.

Unlike the exorcisms they'd heard about, this time the vengeful spirit had actually parasitized the monster suit, allowing everyone to witness the suit moving, attacking, and spewing fire, all without anyone inside. In an instant, the crowd truly realized: the supernatural was right beside them. The impact was immense.

After Qiao Qiao finished cleansing the set, he went elsewhere in the company to conduct further inspections. Meticulous and careful, that was Qiao Qiao’s approach to his work. An hour later, Eiji Onodera nervously watched as Qiao Qiao emerged from his collection room.

"Hmm, it seems this vengeful spirit has been completely eliminated," Qiao Qiao declared.

"R-really?" Eiji Onodera glanced furtively at the collection room, terrified that Qiao Qiao’s final verdict would be, "These suits are contaminated beyond saving." Fortunately, nothing had been ruined.

"Don’t worry. If any issues arise in the future, you can contact me on Line or report my name at the Shinjuku branch of the Exorcist Association," Qiao Qiao assured, carefully handling the aftercare. He then cast another look at the performance area. Some suits had been damaged during the exorcism, and Qiao Qiao observed a three-second moment of silence for their sacrifice.

Luckily, Eiji Onodera was always diligent about protecting his assets, paying hefty insurance premiums every year. The loss of those few suits was insignificant.

"By the way, Master, we filmed your exorcism earlier. Would it be alright if we edited it for later screening...?" Eiji Onodera inquired.

"No problem," Qiao Qiao replied, not one to be unreasonable. After all, his face wasn’t shown; the film would undoubtedly feature the children's ultra-battle hero.

Once his payment was settled, Qiao Qiao rode his small scooter away from Tokyo Prototype Film Company.

Shortly after Qiao Qiao’s departure—

Eiji Onodera stared excitedly at the footage captured on his computer. Compared to the removal of the vengeful spirit, this video was even more valuable! The monster’s natural performance, the authenticity of its attacks far beyond any special effects, and the ultra-battle hero’s ever-changing tactics and reversals. This surpassed tokusatsu—no, this was real combat!

In short, this precious footage was immediately handed over to the editing team. Later, it became the battle sequence for the summer special episode of "Ultra Battle Hero," telling the story of the hero fighting and subduing monsters from other worlds. The daring plot, outstanding visuals, and the hero’s clean, decisive combat style earned the special episode rave reviews. Toy companies reached out directly to Tokyo Prototype Film, asking for suit data to launch toys immediately. Tokyo Prototype Film profited handsomely and briefly joined the ranks of top tokusatsu studios.

But all this had nothing to do with Qiao Qiao. That evening, he took his two million yen, bought premium wagyu and assorted vegetables at the supermarket, then went home and enjoyed a beef hotpot with Suzuka to celebrate.

With just two weeks before final exams, Qiao Qiao tidied up, completed his daily routines, and kept studying. Around eleven o’clock, his phone vibrated.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Several Line messages in succession. Qiao Qiao checked, seeing they were all from Ariko Asano.

[Ariko☆Kira]: Teacher, help!
[Ariko☆Kira]: There’s a huge problem at the shrine, please contact the Tokyo Exorcist Association!
[Ariko☆Kira]: Also Meiji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Onmyoji Bureau… please get in touch with those places!

“?”

Qiao Qiao stared at the messages from Ariko Asano, lost in thought.

......

Monday.

For once, Qiao Qiao took a day off. In fact, after receiving Ariko Asano’s Line message the night before, he immediately went out and headed to the Shinjuku branch of the Exorcist Association. Miss Sakura wasn’t on duty, but Qiao Qiao explained the situation to the receptionist.

That night, after contacting Atsuta Shrine, the Tokyo Exorcist Association had a general grasp of the situation.

It must be said—

This was a true crisis.

Around one in the morning, Qiao Qiao saw many people arriving at the reception hall—onmyoji, priests and shrine maidens from other shrines, even a few monks. However, familiar faces like Masaharu Ii or Mikoto Hoshikawa were absent.

After some exchanges, Qiao Qiao discovered that not all of them had been summoned by the Exorcist Association; some, like him, had received messages from friends at Atsuta Shrine. Yet they all shared the same predicament: they knew something had happened at Atsuta, but not the specifics.

After more than an hour of discussion, at two in the morning, the Exorcist Association and the Onmyoji Bureau reached a consensus: select elite exorcists from Tokyo, Kyoto, and elsewhere to go to Nagoya, where Atsuta Shrine was located, to assist in resolving the issue.

Normally, given his experience, Qiao Qiao wouldn’t have to go. But he applied to join nonetheless. Though exams were important, the shrine maiden Asano was in trouble; as her teacher, even in name only, Qiao Qiao felt obliged to help. That was his resolve as a teacher.

Of course, many exorcists were requesting to help. Initially, Qiao Qiao was not chosen. But when word spread about his close relationship with the owner of the Midnight Diner, his application was unexpectedly approved.

Thus, Qiao Qiao took three days off and boarded a late-night Shinkansen bound for Nagoya. This train had been specially added for the incident. The carriage was full of exorcists—even the driver was apparently a spiritually gifted staff member.

Sitting by the window, gazing at Tokyo’s nightscape, Qiao Qiao felt no trace of sleepiness.

“This time you’ve really lucked out,” said a man in blue and white hunting robes, who sat down beside him. Turning to look, Qiao Qiao recognized him: Masato Kōtokui.

“Kōtokui-san, you’re here too,” Qiao Qiao greeted, then asked in confusion, “What do you mean by ‘lucked out’?”

Everyone on this train was a renowned exorcist from Tokyo; Qiao Qiao felt his main purpose was to check on Shrine Maiden Asano, not to exorcise, so what was this ‘luck’ about?

“Heh, I just found out myself,” Masato Kōtokui smiled. “Atsuta Shrine’s Kusanagi Sword—has disappeared.”