Chapter 13 Conversation
"Yes, Yan Sheng-ge...?"
The boy's tone was uncertain, and his voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly heard by Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Watching the boy take a few more steps forward, Yoriichi stood there, frozen, without making a move.
"Brother Yansheng, didn't you leave last night?"
After asking the caravan, Shi Tou Yue planned to go back to rest. On her way back, she saw two people carrying samurai swords running very fast. Shi Tou Yue didn't know why, but she subconsciously followed them.
Just as she barely managed to catch up to the corner, Shi Touyue heard a strange roar. After hesitating for a long time, she finally decided to look over cautiously and saw a figure wearing a red haori slaying a monster that was twitching on the ground with a single stroke.
Shi Touyue immediately recognized it as the "ghost" he had encountered not long ago. As he was filled with surprise and doubt, he saw the person turn around – black curly hair with red ends, wearing earrings with a sun pattern, and that familiar face was expressionless, with eyes that seemed to be able to see right through him.
It's impossible to forget a face you saw just yesterday, but Shi Tou Yue really couldn't be sure it was Tsugikuni Iwakatsu. The same face, but a completely different aura. Shi Tou Yue couldn't understand how someone could change so drastically in just half a day, but after thinking it over, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to ask.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni hadn't expected to hear news about his brother here. He rushed forward and grabbed Tokito Etsu, his words urgent and helpless.
"Have you seen your elder brother? Where? When?"
Yoriichi's unconscious superhuman strength caused Tokito Etsu a sharp pain. He hissed in pain, and his body's resistance made Yoriichi realize what was happening.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Yoriichi quickly released his grip, gently smoothing the boy's wrinkled sleeves. He rarely lost control of his emotions like this; perhaps the fatigue from the long journey and search had left him somewhat dazed.
"You, you are Yan Sheng's younger brother."
Shi Touyue looked at the tall man in front of her and wondered if she should have come. Seeing the two people beside her covered in blood and wounds, she felt even more panicked.
"Yes, my name is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and I am the twin brother of my elder brother."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni reverted to his usual expressionless demeanor and introduced himself to Etsu Tokito.
"Lord Sun Pillar, why don't you go ahead with your work? We can handle things here."
Kiyoto and Akino exchanged a glance, and Akino stepped forward to speak to Yoriichi Tsugikuni. They just needed to wait for the Hidden Team members; Yoriichi Tsugikuni had no intention of staying any longer.
"Thank you for your hard work, what about us?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni turned to look at Tokito Etsu with an inquiring gaze, seeking his opinion and thoughts. Tokito Etsu nervously clutched his wide sleeves, glanced at the other's face, and nodded in agreement.
After saying goodbye to Kiyoto Ri and Akino, they went to a tea shop, ordered a few dishes of snacks, and sat down.
Shi Touyue looked at Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was staring at him expressionlessly without making a move, and felt an awkwardness permeating the air. He couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak first.
"Hello, my name is Shi Touyue, and I am Yan Sheng's... um, wife's younger brother."
Shi Touyue looked at the other person, trying to see how they would react, but unfortunately, they still had that detached, expressionless face.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni knew that his elder brother had a wife, and that it was a marriage of convenience, even for the head of the family; such marriages were common in large families. Yoriichi felt sorry for Kokushibo, who couldn't even choose his own marriage; his brother had really suffered too much. (No, they actually had a very good relationship.)
“Hello, Tokito Etsu. As I just introduced myself, I am my elder brother’s twin brother.” Yoriichi Tsugikuni thought for a moment and continued, “You always call your elder brother Iwakatsu-nii, so for convenience you can just call me Yoriichi-nii.”
"Huh? No, I only started calling out to him yesterday. I've only met him a few times before."
Tokito Etsu said, bewildered, that he had never been to Tsugikuni before, so he naturally assumed that Yoriichi had always been in Tsugikuni, which was why he had never met him. But he also found it strange, because he had never heard anyone mention this second prince of Tsugikuni.
"?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't react immediately, because in his eyes, Iwakatsu Tsugikuni had always been a person who valued rules very much. He thought that the improper way of addressing him was due to the way his brother's wife introduced him.
Tokito Etsu's words were a slap in the face to him; he hadn't even noticed the word "yesterday" in her reply. Sitting there, Tokito Etsu clearly sensed that Yoriichi Tsugikuni had suddenly become much more depressed. She wondered if she had said something wrong, but after thinking about it carefully, she couldn't think of anything that was wrong.
"Brother Yuanyi?"
"Nothing, you mean yesterday?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni then remembered the information he wanted to know in the words and asked directly.
"Yes, yesterday, Yan Sheng saved me from the mouth of that monster, oh, you say, a 'ghost'."
Shi Touyue felt even stranger. If they were brothers, they should know each other's whereabouts, especially since they arrived in this town at different times. But Shi Touyue didn't ask; instead, he answered seriously.
"Where is my elder brother now?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni hadn't expected that Iwakatsu would be here yesterday; he thought they'd met outside. He'd been searching for him for a long time, only to receive such important news. Seeing Yoriichi's reaction, Tokito Etsu also felt a little awkward, scratching her head sheepishly before finally speaking.
"Brother Yansheng, the shopkeeper said he left yesterday."
"I see."
Yoriichi's heart sank; he hadn't expected to miss it again. But he was still a little unwilling to give up. While eating dumplings, Touyue asked him if that familiar feeling was indeed his older brother, since that aura was somewhat similar to that of an oni.
"Could you take me to see where you're staying later?"
Did Iwakatsu leave? The answer is no.
He merely used Blood Demon Art to alter that person's memories. He confirmed the tragic truth of Yoriichi's arrival in this town the moment Yoriichi used Sun Breathing.
He had sensed the familiar, scorching heat before, but wasn't sure. Now he was certain, and he ran away at top speed, trying his best to hide himself.
Normally, Yoriichi would react very quickly, but because he was distracted by the demon and had never seen Iwakatsu in his demon form, the familiar yet uncertain feeling prevented him from searching carefully, giving Iwakatsu ample opportunity.
Iwakatsu needed to get to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters quickly to complete Mission 3; he wasn't sure what trouble might arise afterward. He just wanted to finish quickly and find a place to hide; Iwakatsu had no desire to see Yoriichi Tsugikuni at all.
Thinking this, Yan Sheng quickened his pace, running through the dense forest without any obstacles. The perspective angle was really useful; it would be even better if only he had it. This cheat-like skill made Yan Sheng feel even more insecure.
With a thought, Yan Sheng looked at the despicable map on the transparent blue screen. He was fast, and if nothing unexpected happened, he would arrive in another hour.
When it came to hiking, Iwakatsu still missed the feeling of traveling by car. The moment he saw the map overlap, Iwakatsu slowly walked towards the edge of the cliff.
With his clear vision, he could see the surrounding buildings below, a diverse and bustling complex, meticulously constructed, and shrouded in trees and lush vegetation, making it extremely safe and secluded for ordinary people.
Honestly, this place was very difficult to find. If it weren't for the clear view, Iwakatsu wouldn't have been able to confirm it. He now understood why the Demon Slayer Corps had been able to exist for so long.
Iwakatsu walked slowly forward, carefully determining a suitable spot, before leaping down. The descent of the current billowed his long hair and purple kimono, making him appear like a falling purple butterfly in the moonlight as he plummeted to the ground.
Yan Sheng watched the trees getting closer and closer below, controlled his body to rotate and maintain his balance, and lightly stepped onto the branches, standing firmly there.
Through the layers of trees, Yan Sheng spotted the Hidden Members moving about, then turned and quietly bypassed the most crowded area. Finally, he arrived in front of a large patch of wisteria.
Wisteria flowers are very harmful to demons. Demon Slayer Corps members generally plant wisteria flowers, but places with such a large number of wisteria flowers must be places under special protection.
Iwakatsu knew perfectly well the harm wisteria flowers could inflict on demons, but only on weaker demons. Without hesitation, Iwakatsu rushed forward. The wisteria petals were quite potent, causing a burning pain wherever they touched.
Passing through the wisteria grove, Iwakatsu saw the exquisite house. It was night, and most people were already asleep, but Iwakatsu noticed that Ubuyashiki Yuki was still awake.
He seemed to be waiting for something.
When Yan Sheng entered, the man was already sitting there, just as he had when Yan Sheng first met him. He poured a cup of tea, but unlike before, he had replaced the wisteria tea with chrysanthemum tea.
Ubuyashiki Yukio looked at the person before him, unfazed by the other's six eyes. He simply raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, smiling at Iwakatsu, who exuded a dangerous and cold aura, and said:
"Yansheng, have a cup of tea."
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