31.ii The Golden-Hooped Rod of Compliance

After Anari had left the inn, Ritsu reached for the tiny jade staff dangling from his ear. The slight touch alone sent waves of power bubbling to the surface of the jade trinket. It was enough to make any sun clone drunk with spiritual charge. The most reliable insurance of rising in the ranks among his kin was right there in miniature form.

Ritsu snatched his hand back.

“Sweet immortal peaches, what have I done?”

Was this how things were meant to be, he wondered. Was he cursed to gain rank at the expense of losing his friends? If that was the reality, then he cared even less about climbing to the top than he did before.

Not that it mattered, Dear Traveler. Sun Ritsu may have come into possession of the most powerful spiritual artifact in history, but there was a good chance that he would never see Anari the Spider ever again.

And so, our god tale finally comes to its end. I take cash, traveler’s checks, and – whoa, whoa, whoa – what do you mean, what happens after that? The spider went back to her job. Sun Ritsu acquired his staff, made friends, got the kiss – what more could you want?

As pathetic as Sun Ritsu began, he managed to figure out how to make immortal peaches last longer. He found a way to use his staff without relying on his Immortal State. This was a full-length tale!

Cliffhanger? Cliffhanger!

Oh you better not be accusing me of leaving you – a complete imbecile – with a cliffhanger.

Great Sage, I thought you were stupid, Dear Traveler. You had me fooled. Of course there’s more to the story. But you have maxed out your coin. What’s that? Money is no matter to you and you demand more?

Fine. Fine! Put away your purse. I’ll be back to give you more of this monkey god tale in a few hours. Yes, that’s right! a few hours.

Why?

Because, Dear Traveler, all this storytelling has backed up my systems and now...

I have to poop!!!