Chapter 42 The Fate Between Humans and Demons

The relationship between the two grew stronger. As a demon with an ageless appearance, [Han Zhou] couldn't stay in that city indefinitely. After the battle situation stabilized, [Han Zhou] made up an excuse and left.

Before leaving, she also chose a rather good successor. It was the little boy who, many years ago, volunteered to be a soldier for [Hanzhou].

On the day she left, she planned to leave quietly without saying goodbye to anyone. But... Feng Qingyuan seemed to have guessed [Han Zhou]'s plans, and intercepted her on her way out.

Feng Qingyuan held a jade flute in his hand, his arms crossed, looking at Han Zhou with an air of accusation.

"I knew you were going to leave without saying goodbye! Ha! Good thing I had the foresight."

What brings you here?

"I've come to give you a gift," Feng Qingyuan said, brandishing the jade flute in his hand and looking at [Hanzhou] with great pride. "I put in a lot of effort to get this."

Looking at the jade flute in her hand, [Han Zhou] looked up at Feng Qingyuan and said, "You noticed, didn't you?"

"Hmm? You said you're not human? I already knew that." Feng Qingyuan waved his hand casually, seemingly unconcerned about [Han Zhou's] true identity.

So, will you come back?

"...Yes, it will."

Feng Qingyuan thought [Hanzhou] would return soon, but the perception of time differs between humans and demons. Fifty years passed in the end, and the once spirited Feng Qingyuan had grown old.

His once black hair had turned completely white, his face was covered in wrinkles, and his posture had become somewhat hunched. When Han Zhou returned, he saw Feng Qingyuan lying ill in bed.

The atmosphere was somewhat silent.

"Aren't you a doctor? Why are you bedridden?" [Han Zhou] mocked, his concealed inhuman features no longer needing to be hidden.

Feng Qingyuan looked at the beautiful fox ears adorned with the blue earrings he had given her, a smile spreading across his face as he completely disregarded Han Zhou's mockery.

"Doctors don't treat patients."

"...Do you have any unfulfilled wishes?" This was the first time [Hanzhou] had made a promise to a human.

Feng Qingyuan looked at the eight tails behind [Hanzhou] and for some reason thought of a folk tale. Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and her tone was gentle.

"I hope you can grow a ninth tail."

What?

[Han Zhou] was stunned. The moment Feng Qingyuan finished speaking, the shape of a ninth tail immediately began to appear behind her, and finally slowly solidified.

"How...how did you know?"

"Haha, I didn't expect the legend of the nine-tailed fox to be true. I'm so happy I could help you." Feng Qingyuan laboriously raised his hand, and [Hanzhou] grasped it.

"After I die, bury me under the peach tree we planted together. The view from there is quite nice."

"You certainly know how to pick a location."

[Han Zhou] looked at the person before him, a smile playing on his lips, and slowly closed his eyes, his life force fading away. The hand he held had gradually grown cold and stiff.

Humanity is truly like a fleeting flower, beautiful yet short-lived.

Finally, [Hanzhou] managed to bury Feng Qingyuan's remains under that small peach tree. Back then, the peach tree wasn't as flourishing as it is now; it was just a tiny sapling. Only after enduring a thousand years of wind and rain could it grow to such a size.

The memory faded, and they returned to the peach tree. The stark contrast left the spirit somewhat dazed.

"After Feng Qingyuan died, I traveled around and occasionally formed connections with some humans. That's my past," Han Zhou said, his tone mocking as he looked at the many people who still seemed stunned.

"Is my story boring? Why do you always seem so distracted?"

"No, no! It's just that I didn't know how to react for a moment," Ran Toushirou explained in a panic.

Throughout that long period, I repeatedly experienced encounters, acquaintances, and partings. Those people with whom I shared a connection would eventually turn to dust, disappearing into the river of time.

"The past is like smoke and clouds, you don't need to worry about my past."

She had been through so much, some of which she herself might not even remember. Through her interactions with Feng Qingyuan, Han Zhou learned why the conditions for the ninth tail were so stringent.

To cultivate a ninth tail, one must form a connection with humans, constantly observing and gaining insight in the process. One must change prejudices against humans and embrace the differences between humans and other races; only in this way can one become a god.

——

After the picnic, Kanshu took the tsukumogami back to his home. It was a separate, self-contained space, even larger than the main citadel. Various kinds of fine tea were grown on the back mountain.

The architecture here is different from the Honmaru; there are pavilions and towers everywhere. Every corner might reveal a different view; it's even more beautiful than the Honmaru.

"My lord! Can we come and visit often in the future?" Namazuo asked, holding a flower he had picked from somewhere.

A flower identical to the one in Namazuo's hand was pinned to Honebami's head, clearly indicating who was responsible.

"Hmm... coming over occasionally shouldn't be a problem. Once I've resolved the political issues, we'll live here from now on."

"Yay! There are so many fun things here!" Namazuo excitedly dragged his brother around.

Ichigo Hitofuri gave Kanshu a helpless smile, then quickly chased after them. While the tsukumogami were wandering around, Kanshu led a few helpful individuals to the back mountain to pick tea leaves.

"My lord, could I have some of this tea?"

Mikazuki smiled and asked the person beside him, "This old man seems to have gotten a hat from somewhere and is wearing it."

You won't be left out.

Many members of the citadel enjoy tea, but the type of tea she possesses is produced in relatively small quantities. Her tea plantation is vast, and she cultivates a wide variety of teas. Everyone receives a tin, but which type... that's another matter.

"Master, what is this?"

A small red mark appeared on Higekiri's fingertip, and an anxious Hizamaru followed beside him.

"My brother saw something strange and touched it; he never expected this to happen."

Han Zhou leaned closer for a look and patted Xi Wan's shoulder.

"Don't worry, it's nothing. We just ran into some cochineal insects. Did you see any cacti?"

The Genji brothers nodded. Higekiri had touched the cactus because he noticed the dense, grayish-white stuff on it.

She hasn't been back for a long time. Did cochineal worms actually grow on that little piece of cactus?

"These insects aren't poisonous, and when crushed, they produce vibrant colors—they're natural pigments. The Song Fairy would probably like them. Are there many cacti in that area?"

“There are a lot, a lot of these… bugs too,” Higekiri said, waving his fingertips.

"Go find Kasen, Samonji, and Date-gumi. Take them to the cactus; I need them to collect some cochineal insects for me."

Han Zhou glanced at the tea leaves in his hand; he had picked enough and it was time to call it a day.