The Demon’s Menu

After Kojiruyu Hachi was discovered, they had always been the center of attention.

The Kojiyu Family, one of the Four Great Onmyoji families, was far more mysterious compared to the Tsuchimikado, Hanakaiin Court, and Kusakabe families.

Not to mention ordinary people—even members of the ’Inside World’ rarely got to meet them.

Adding to this was the fact that the Kojiyu Family specialized in ’divination,’ which attracted increasingly intense gazes.

Those gazes carried both inquiry and greed.

Especially the latter.

It was almost tangible.

Yet they were each carefully hidden in silence.

But in reality?

And in certain respects, the situation was the same.

Because the people around them were all the same.

They all bore the same gaze.

They all had the same expression.

Like a snow-covered landscape, as though nothing had occurred.

Hanakaiin Tōru, Hanakaiin Haru, and Hanakaiin Itsuki noticed this but acted as though nothing had happened.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu noticed this too but acted as though nothing had happened.

Even Kojiruyu Hachi noticed it and acted as though nothing had happened.

Because they were used to it.

So, when a gaze that was truly different appeared, it stood out unmistakably.

As the focal point of all eyes, Kojiruyu Hachi shifted their attention toward Jason.

And everyone’s gaze shifted along, landing on Jason.

Jason strode forward.

His eyes swept over everyone indifferently and then rested on the giant protective barrier, carrying an air of contemplation.

Different!

Different!

It was like the abrupt call of truth exposed in ’The Emperor’s New Clothes.’

The surrounding people frowned one after another.

Members of subordinate families quietly retreated.

Mid-sized family clans covertly spat in contempt.

The smaller clans looked on in shock.

"What’s happening?"

Hui Lijing was utterly baffled.

How did their arrival immediately become the focus of everyone’s attention?

Jason had zipped up his pants, hadn’t he?

The perplexed female detective, unable to observe any apparent abnormalities despite her sharp instincts, simply followed behind Jason, her conscience clear.

As for Hu Qiandai?

The young lady of the ’Uesugi Family’ showed no signs of faltering.

Her upbringing and the extra memories in her mind had long since guided her in knowing what to do.

Although the stares of those around her seemed peculiar, they were far less intimidating compared to the ones she’d faced on the battlefield.

Thus, Hu Qiandai not only calmly surveyed the surroundings but maintained a polite smile.

This made the onlookers involuntarily sigh in admiration.

Truly worthy of the title ’Sword Saint’?

Even the assistant by their side appeared so composed and transcendent.

The news that Hui Lijing was Jason’s assistant could not be concealed.

Although Hu Qiandai hailed from the ’Uesugi Family,’ the family’s decline had entirely separated them from the ’Inside World.’ Conveniently, Hu Qiandai still carried ’Himezuru Ichimonji.’

The long sword, which immediately appeared incredibly valuable, caused people walking alongside the ’Sword Saint’ to instinctively think of one thing: a sword-bearer maid.

Yet after closely inspecting ’Himezuru Ichimonji,’ many people’s gazes once again revealed vile greed.

Although it had briefly dissipated earlier, it would not scatter forever.

Much like the ebb and flow of tides, it returned cyclically—that was its essence.

Because this was human nature.

Humanity had both its brilliance.

And its deeply ingrained flaws.

Especially the latter, which, once rooted, spread rapidly.

Hu Qiandai sensed this change.

Her sharp eyes swept toward several of the most intense gazes among them.

"Ah!"

"Ah—ah!"

"My eyes!"

Several agonized screams erupted from within the mid-sized family clans as four individuals toppled to the ground.

They clutched their eyes, writhing in agony, as crimson fluid spilled through the gaps between their fingers.

The surrounding crowd looked at Hu Qiandai in horror.

Hu Qiandai responded with a smile.

She even bowed slightly before calmly catching up to Jason’s stride.

Whether it was due to her upbringing or those memories acquired in her mind, everything clearly instructed her: while upholding ’morality,’ one must also learn resilience and other virtues, but one principle must be kept in mind above all: never ignore malice!

When malice arises—

Cut it down!

Of course, Hu Qiandai hadn’t yet reached the point where she would draw her sword outright.

But the eye-sword technique was still viable.

Jason could keenly sense Hu Qiandai’s actions.

Yet he showed no concern.

If others did not offend him, he would not offend others. If others did offend him, they would face annihilation.

The habits developed in ’Nightless City’ had already conditioned Jason to disregard such trivial matters—even his steps didn’t falter.

So, as Jason and his two companions forged ahead, their wake was accompanied by anguished cries and retreating crowds.

This included even the minor clans who had once received Jason’s ’help.’

They glanced at Jason with looks of uncertainty.

It seemed… not quite as they had imagined?

Wasn’t he previously the righteous and selfless ’Sword Saint’?

Why had he now become the cold and ruthless ’Sword Saint’?

"Zhinai, he doesn’t seem to be quite what you imagined, does he?"

Ah Guang muttered quietly.

"Hmm, it does seem a bit different."

"Let’s wait and observe for a moment."

Zhinai also felt perplexed.

The story didn’t seem to be matching expectations.

Wasn’t the purpose to ’subjugate’?

Why had a conflict arisen?

Even if there was the conflict just now, Jason should have stepped in to diffuse it promptly—perhaps with one or two rebukes directed at Hu Qiandai, which would have undoubtedly optimized the outcome.

But now?

He simply ignored it.

This...

Zhinai couldn’t make sense of it.