Chapter 62 "No need to call me Young Master."...

A demon suddenly launched an attack on the swordsmith village.

But they were destined to pick the worst time; tonight, the swordsmith village happens to possess its strongest fighting force in recent times.

The Demon Slayer Corps members at the Pillar level alone include the Water Pillar Giyu Tomioka, the Cloud Pillar Ichiro Tokito, the Mist Pillar Muichiro Tokito, and the Love Pillar Mitsuri Kanroji...

Now, having received guidance from Yoriichi Nichijou, the founder of the Breathing Technique, they have undergone a complete transformation compared to the past, and their strength has naturally increased significantly.

Therefore, while protecting the villagers, eliminating Upper Moon Four and Upper Moon Five, who were attacking the village, was only a matter of time; they were destined to never return.

"…………"

With Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kokushibo's skill levels, they grasped the general situation of the village in just a few seconds, but their states of mind were completely different.

The former compared the strength of the demons and the village pillars, and was somewhat relieved after anticipating the outcome; the latter didn't care much at all; and Aori was completely unaware of what was happening outside.

She was perched on Yoriichi's shoulder, her vision severely obstructed, and even the slightest movement would make her panic.

She asked anxiously, "What's wrong? What's wrong?"

She was the one who was most confused about the situation at that moment.

000: [Don't worry, it's nothing.]

Sensing the girl's unease, Yoriichi Tsugikuni gently patted her thin back in his arms again, meeting Kokushibo's gaze without flinching as his anger grew increasingly intense.

With the sound of water flowing and the up-and-down swaying of her body, Aori was brought ashore by Yoriichi Tsugikuni and placed on the flat, clean ground next to her.

This almost overlapped with a scene from the past, except that the protagonists back then were Kokushibo and her, and on that rainy night, Upper Moon was embracing her in a similar posture.

A few random fragments flashed through Azhi's mind. She did not resist and let herself be taken ashore. Then she suddenly grabbed the yukata at her chest.

She was always worried that she would accidentally expose herself.

Azhi cautiously peeked out half her head, looking at them like a small animal, her soft black hair sticking wetly to her snow-white cheeks.

She frowned, pursed her lips, and her face was pale from fright. The large clothes belonging to someone else completely covered her, not even her feet were visible.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni remained kneeling on one knee. Although his deep-set face showed no obvious expression, his extremely gentle eyes still gave him away.

He spoke softly, as if speaking to the person he cherished most, "Don't be afraid, it's alright."

Azhi stumbled in, stunned. The girl now resembled a mermaid who had come ashore, beautiful yet pitiful, deserving to be embraced and cherished, completely out of place with the Upper Moon demon exuding a sharp aura.

An atmosphere that can make you feel suffocated.

This brought Kokushibo directly to the threshold of exploding.

He took a small step forward, no longer able to tolerate Yoriichi Tsugikuni. His cold face and six eyes were brewing a bloody storm.

Without a moment to waste any more words, the instant Yoriichi turned around, he and Kokushibo quickly created a distance between themselves that Ori couldn't even see clearly, a distance that would keep them out of her reach.

They made the same choice, very much in sync.

Even though Yoriichi Tsugikuni really didn't want to fight his older brother, he could only pick up the spare sword he had been using for the time being and fight against Kokushibo who was launching an attack.

The sword gleaming with flames and the sword bathed in moonlight clashed head-on, instantly scattering countless sparks and producing a tremendous sound, creating a powerful visual and auditory impact.

Azhi couldn't actually see their moves clearly, but she could see more and more sparks in mid-air and hear the increasingly frequent buzzing of the blades.

Seemingly looking for an opportunity, the swordsmen slowed their movements slightly, gripping their blades, their long, dark red hair disheveled by the fierce wind.

Suddenly, as if sensing an impending danger, Azhi, who was outside the battlefield, trembled violently, as if an invisible hand had gripped her heart.

She braced herself on the ground with one hand, as if trying to stand up, staring blankly in the direction of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kokushibo, her brows furrowed with anxiety: "S-Stop fighting!"

Azhi didn't know why she felt this strange sensation, but her uncontrollable tears suddenly filled her eyes and quickly wet her cheeks.

This time, however, she was unable to stop Kokushibo and Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

Azhi choked back tears and asked, "What should we do?"

000 felt a headache coming on when she saw the girl crying: "It's okay... just wait until they finish fighting. They can't kill each other anyway."

One has the strength but doesn't want to kill the other, while the other hasn't honed his skills enough and just happens to be unable to kill the other. They will leave when the sun rises. This is the sad truth.

After a moment, it added: "[Staying here is the best option for everyone.]"

Firstly, compared to other places, this place is the safest, as it is not affected by other demons. Secondly, no matter who A-Zhi goes to now, that person will attract Kokushibo's hatred.

Although it doesn't really matter anymore.

Azhi should have followed 000's instructions, just like every time before, without having to rack her brains to think, since it had explained it so clearly.

Perhaps it was the lingering emotions from earlier that made Azhi ask 000 for the first time about the deeper meaning hidden beneath her words.

Her eyes were brimming with tears. After catching her breath a few times, she finally asked, "Are you... hiding something from me?"

Although she spoke in a questioning tone, Azhi actually had a vague sense of certainty in her heart.

000 froze for a moment: 【Really? Probably not!】

Azhi clenched her fingers, her usually nasal voice unusually firm, yet still soft: 【You do!】

[It's strange that Kokushibo knows me, and even Yoriichi Tsugikuni knows me!]

As she said this, she suddenly remembered something suspicious: "[Also, about that ghost we met in Yoshiwara, you told me to pretend I didn't know him...]"

She was referring to Muzan Kibutsuji. That time, it was indeed a major loophole left by 000. Now, even if Aori is very thick-skinned, she can't ignore the various anomalies that have occurred during this period.

000: Damn, how did he suddenly become so smart?

It tried to interrupt: "You must be mistaken; it's all an illusion."

Ah Zhi thought about it for a moment, feeling wronged, and her tears flowed even more fiercely: "I'm not mistaken, you...you do have it!"

She cried so hard that she even hiccuped, her nose was red, and her thin eyelids swelled up in no time, as if she were accusing 000 of a heartless man.

Azhi: [It's not my imagination...]

A-Zhi: [You're lying to me.]

000: [...]

God have mercy, 000 is about to kneel.

It was immediately defeated by the girl's tears, and somewhat dejected: "I did hide some things from you, but it was the result of considering all aspects."

Before starting the next task, the system center stipulates that the host's memories of the previous task must be erased, not for any other reason than to protect the host.

Unlike machines, humans are overburdened by too many memories, which can lead to inappropriate decisions. Azhi is even more special.

Her second mission didn't involve changing the world, and it even involved the target of the previous mission, making it even more necessary to erase her memories.

It seems that for Azhi, having no memories is not a relief, but rather an added burden.

The girl pursed her lips and remained silent, but her expression said it all; there was no way to hide it anymore. 000 suddenly sighed: "Are you sure you want to know?"

Although they advocate erasing memories to free the host from all trouble, they will not stop the host if the host suddenly remembers something during a subsequent task and strongly requests to restore that memory.

Ultimately, they are a legitimate system.

"I want to know." Azhi paused for only a second, then her eyes filled with boundless courage. She blinked away the tears on her eyelashes, still somewhat worried. "Is it okay?"

000 sighed again: "Of course… sigh, wait, I know what to do!"

As Azhi was concentrating on listening to 000's solution, an irresistible dizziness swept over her in the next second.

Not far away, the anxious human and ghost saw the girl, her strength completely gone, with tear stains still on her cheeks, slump softly to the side on the ground.

Azhi has become that little girl doing the mission again, which just happens to connect with the previous dream, only this time the content is clearer than ever before.

********

Her hands were much rougher than hers, a little scratchy, but they had a burning heat. Almost the instant she held them, Azhi couldn't bear to let go.

Yoriichi's hands weren't particularly large, but they could still easily encircle Ori's entire hand, his warm fingertips resting against her palm.

It was warm and cozy, like a hand warmer in winter. And because of the dark environment, the only thing Aori could rely on was Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

The distance wasn't far, but with their small steps, it still took them a while.

Azhi suddenly spoke, a hint of curiosity flashing in her clear black and white eyes: "Um, are you called 000?"

Before I could get an answer, the girl asked again: "Will you do missions with me from now on?"

000 remembers that the question Azhi is asking now was already explained in great detail at the beginning, even using the easiest-to-understand language.

So, she was so silent at the time because she hadn't realized what was happening yet!

However, 000 couldn't bear to be harsh on its little host, so it slightly revised its language: "[You're the one who needs to do the task; I'll only provide a little assistance.]"

Azhi blinked and said obediently, "Okay."

He was stunned, unsure if he had understood.

000 has some doubts.

Aori followed closely behind Yoriichi Tsugikuni, her tightly furrowed brows relaxing, revealing a touch of innocence. She mentally tapped the system, thinking, "[But he's such a good person!]"

With just a kind gesture, he easily believed Yoriichi Tsugikuni, whom he was meeting for the first time.

In a sense, that's true. The system knows more information; it knows that Yoriichi Tsugikuni is an impeccable good person in every way.

But... isn't making that judgment a bit too hasty?

Although the mission is progressing smoothly so far, the system, while somewhat exhausted, is also a little relieved: [I'll take a short nap. Good luck.]

Entering a new world consumes energy, which the system typically recovers through hibernation.

Before leaving, 000 added a final reminder: "During this time, focus on building a good relationship with Yoriichi Tsugikuni, then find a suitable opportunity to complete the mission."

Azhi nodded obediently: "I understand."

She pursed her lips, and only when she could no longer hear any sound did she confirm that the system had indeed gone into hibernation. Although she did not stop it, she still couldn't help feeling a little disappointed after the system left.

—She should be able to complete the mission smoothly even if she's alone, right?

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was very perceptive in noticing the girl's emotional change, because the cold little hand in his palm suddenly clenched.

He didn't turn around, but slowed his pace even more. In the silent darkness, he listened to A-Zhi's breathing and moved forward slowly.

She was supposed to be a waitress, but Azhi really had no experience. She could only follow the boy in front of her into the cramped room that resembled a warehouse.

Just like its dilapidated exterior, there was nothing inside either. The interior space was also very small; it felt cramped with only two people standing there.

Perhaps it was the brief time they spent together that made her lower her guard. Once inside the house, the girl followed Yoriichi Tsugikuni clumsily around like a clingy little hamster.

She followed him wherever he went, and soon she became a little dizzy and disoriented.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni had to stop Ori from following him around like a little shadow. He led Ori to sit down, since the small room was not big enough for two people to walk around in.

As Aori cautiously peered around in the dark, she kept an eye on Yoriichi's actions. The boy skillfully lit the candle, instantly dispelling the darkness in the space.

Therefore, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's image was clearly exposed before our eyes. Apart from a strange birthmark on his forehead, he seemed no different from an ordinary person.

Ah Zhi thought silently, but those calm red pupils seemed to carry a unique power, seemingly without any ripples, yet able to soothe people's emotions with ease.

Suddenly remembering her "identity" and her mission, Azhi hesitated for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Is there anything I can do?"

She asked a very silly question, one that was completely out of place for her.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was stunned for a few seconds, but even if he was really in a daze, no one could tell from his expressionless face.

Her slender, white fingers, slightly cooler than his, met his gaze, as if longing for his warmth, and the girl gripped his hand tighter.

In fact, he should have let go after turning on the light, since Yoriichi's initial intention was simply to prevent Ori from falling.

“…”

Yoriichi Tsugikuni hesitated whether or not to let go of his hand.

There was no response.

Azhi tilted her head, her lips curving into a questioning smile. She carefully considered the system's instructions, then tentatively and hesitantly offered a smile: "...Young Master?"

She learned it from the person in charge; she didn't really know how to build a good relationship with the people she was tasked with, so she just smiled and everything was fine.

The burning candlelight danced in the air, then swayed precariously in the wind that seemed to come from nowhere.

Yoriichi could clearly see the two dimples next to Aori's slightly upturned lips, as if they were filled with honey. Her porcelain-white face seemed to be draped in a dreamy veil in the flickering candlelight.

I felt so sweet all over.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was somewhat resistant to this title. He slowly lowered his eyes and shook his head after a moment.

Azhi was clearly a little dazed after her first attempt to please someone ended in failure. She had never experienced this kind of frustration before, and her dark eyes widened even more.

Does this mean... I'm being disliked?

She stood there, lost in thought. Because Yoriichi Tsugikuni hadn't shown any obvious resistance, Aori couldn't discern his true emotions, and she couldn't help but start to overthink.

He immediately became listless, like a withered blade of grass, about to die at any moment. Yoriichi Tsugikuni had never seen such a frail creature before.

If the kitten he found, after its initial wary phase, regained its energy and ran around happily as long as it was given enough food.

But Azhi obviously has to take care of her feelings and can't treat her like she treats a kitten; she has to be more careful.

Yoriichi gazed silently at the small girl in front of him, her soft hand still in his. The two stared at each other for a few seconds.

When Ji Guoyuan spoke, his tone was flat and indifferent: "There's no need to call me young master."

After a brief moment of confusion, Aori suddenly understood what Yoriichi Tsugikuni was trying to say.

For some unknown reason, she lowered her voice, as if she had secretly done something terrible: "So what should I call you?"

What should it be called?

Yoriichi Tsugikuni was somewhat troubled. He slowly frowned, not being very good at handling such situations, but he didn't dislike this unfamiliar yet wonderful experience.

Realizing that she wasn't disliked, Aori felt relieved. She instantly let go of her earlier worries and, quite incongruously, said, "Let's call him Yoriichi."

Aori made her decision on her own, a smile spreading across her face, revealing her pearly white teeth. She repeated it softly a few times, as if getting used to the new name: "Yoriichi, Yoriichi, Yoriichi..."

Perhaps it's a case of the chick's nest, but Yoriichi Tsugikuni is the first person to show kindness to Aori when she arrives in this unfamiliar place.

Aori is subconsciously very naive, and Yoriichi's current behavior has undoubtedly brought them closer together.

He repeated it over and over again. Although his voice was very low, you could tell what he was saying just by looking at his lip movements.

Ji Guoyuan suddenly thought of his mother, whom he always remembered as dignified and gentle.

She rarely expressed her emotions directly, but when she called him, her tone was always loving and tender, and only her mother would call him that.

Now, there's another person who calls him that, and their words are filled with joy, not disgust.

The little girl then said, "My name is Azhi."

—A-Zhi.

His heart was gently touched. Yoriichi Tsugikuni pressed the name to the tip of his tongue, looked down at the hair hanging above Aori's head, and silently traced it in his mind many times.

He didn't even realize that the corners of his lips had pursed slightly, though it was barely noticeable.

This feeling only lasted a few minutes before Yoriichi Tsugikuni encountered another problem: he could make a nest for the kitten with clothes, but he couldn't treat Ori in the same way.

Yoriichi took out a thinner blanket and spread it out. Aori followed his example and squatted down on the ground. She obediently pressed down one corner of the blanket and then helped to put the thicker one on top.

Then there were no more blankets, which meant that the two of them would have to sleep under the only blanket. However, this was not a big problem in the face of the cold.

It was already very late at night.

Ji Guoyuan handed the only pillow to Azhi, and once the girl had curled up under the covers, he blew out the candle and quietly lay down in his place.

The moon gradually rose higher, time slowly passed, and everything remained peaceful.

"Thank you, Yoriichi."

Azhi's chin was under the covers, with only her eyes showing. She was a little sleepy, and her voice became increasingly faint through the blankets, but it was still clear enough to be heard in the quiet room.

Without any warning, he said this word of thanks.

Although Azhi is a bit slow-witted and easily fooled, all the things they've done together, both in the past and now, are enough for her to prove her previous judgment.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni is a good person.

Now, Azhi is fully aware of how difficult her situation is.

When the steward was assigning tasks, it seemed that he didn't consider arranging accommodations for her at all, as if he assumed that A-Zhi would leave on her own, thus saving him the trouble of finding an excuse to get rid of the extra maids.

Oori came for Yoriichi Tsugikuni, so how could she leave so easily?

And since Yoriichi was willing to take her in as a homeless person, she was determined to fulfill Yoriichi's wish... With this thought in mind, Aori slowly closed her eyes.

Yoriichi slowly opened his eyes. He had his back to Ori, but he knew that the girl was already asleep.

His mother, pitying his young age and lack of care, and unable to constantly look after this child considered unlucky, sent people to look after him.

But without exception, all of these people could not endure the harsh environment and left due to their own personalities.

Some dared not speak to him, and more often treated him with mocking looks or words. Yoriichi Tsugikuni never spoke to them.

As for A-Zhi... I don't know why she came here, but she'll probably leave soon!

Thinking of this, Yoriichi Tsugikuni felt a slight ripple in his heart. He was confused, and for the first time in a long time, he understood what his mother meant by troubles, but he didn't understand what was troubling him.

After a long while, she calmly closed her eyes again.

Let's wait a while. When that time comes, she will naturally leave, and then everything will return to normal.

As Yoriichi Tsugikuni thought this, those vague and incomprehensible unfamiliar feelings that had sprouted deep within his heart vanished in an instant, like smoke.

-----------------------

Author's Note: The Warring States arc has begun! Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants between 2023-06-28 20:07:25 and 2023-07-01 23:14:50!

Thank you to the little angel who threw the grenade: seven and a half and one;

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Seemingly an old friend 32 bottles; Warm wine and gentle verses 19 bottles; September wine 10 bottles; Meow meow meow meow meow meow, 36191659, Seven and a half, Granvitt, and Xici 1 bottle;

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!