The Demon’s Menu

At the very last moment, though she didn’t see clearly what lay deep inside, merely catching a blurred glimpse was enough to tell her that place was the true essence of ’Death.’

It wasn’t because of the souls saturating the death.

It was because of ’Death’ itself.

It was the end of ’Life.’

"Yes, alright, thank you."

Hu Qiandai responded gently.

Not perfunctorily, but sincerely.

Yet Hu Qiandai had no intention of backing down, because if Jason entered, she would undoubtedly follow him inside.

Zhinai wanted to say something else, but a sharp pain in her eyes turned the words on her lips into a cry of agony.

Ah Guang asked nervously.

"I’m fine."

"Take me to the side of that ’Sword Saint.’"

Zhinai said.

In this lady’s view, only Jason could stop all of this now.

Although her reasoning was tenuous, Zhinai hoped Jason would agree.

"Alright."

Ah Guang carefully supported Zhinai as they walked over.

Step by cautious step.

As the two moved, Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s gaze turned toward Xiaolu Youfeng.

"Youfeng, don’t you intend to divine the situation?"

Tsuchimikado Motoharu asked.

"It’s already so obvious."

"There’s no need to divine."

Xiaolu Youfeng replied bluntly.

Merely a desperate retaliatory attempt after an unavoidable change of plans.

As long as he didn’t step into the trap, he would be safe.

With such premises, why waste energy on divination?

Moreover, there was someone far more important worth divining about.

Unconsciously, Xiaolu Youfeng looked over at Jason.

And as Xiaolu Youfeng looked toward Jason, Hanakaiin Itsuki and Hanakaiin Haru’s gazes also shifted toward Xiaolu Youfeng, warning glints flashing in their eyes—though Xiaolu Youfeng might not be as infamous as Hanakaiin Itsuki, his reputation was far from stellar. Strange and unsociable were almost compliments in his case, and being a hermit was nearly a form of praise.

He conducted experiments that made people uncomfortable.

Experiments that unsettled even the ’Inside World.’

For ordinary people, he was utterly intolerable.

For someone like himself to stare at their friend, anyone would be on guard.

Especially Hanakaiin Itsuki.

"What are you looking at?"

"Look again, and I’ll take you out."

Hanakaiin Itsuki said rudely.

The ’Inside World’ had its rules, but strength was always the ultimate measure of value.

Ignoring Hanakaiin Itsuki, Xiaolu Youfeng retreated to the side.

No arguments with the ignorant!

This was Xiaolu Youfeng’s mantra.

The brief dialogue did not affect Tsuchimikado Motoharu in the slightest.

He stepped up toward Hanakaiin Tōru.

"Aren’t you planning to do something?"

"Or..."

"Are you already fully prepared?"

Tsuchimikado Motoharu probed, his gaze fixed firmly on Hanakaiin Tōru’s chessboard.

But the chessboard was empty.

There was nothing on it.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu naturally saw nothing.

Yet, Tsuchimikado Motoharu did not give up.

Regarding Hanakaiin Tōru, Tsuchimikado Motoharu was extremely cautious.

In fact, up until this moment, Tsuchimikado Motoharu still suspected that all of this—right here and now—might be orchestrated by Hanakaiin Tōru and that Hanakaiin Family Head, or perhaps it was entirely Hanakaiin Tōru’s handiwork.

Of course, it was only suspicion.

Not baseless jealousy or unwarranted doubts.

It was the intuitive suspicion that an Onmyoji ought to have.

"Stay away from Tōru-nii, you fox-like creep."

Hanakaiin Ra snapped at Tsuchimikado Motoharu.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu smiled faintly, then prepared to approach Jason.

Though the connection with his lord was concealed before others, such concealment never meant a lack of communication.

On the contrary, with a ’Sword Saint’ present here, it would be far too strange if he didn’t attempt to interact.

However, before Tsuchimikado Motoharu could speak, Zhinai had already moved in front of Jason.

Thud!

Zhinai pulled Ah Guang down to kneel.

"Please save us!"

Zhinai said.

This action left Hui Lijing and Hu Qiandai, who stood beside Jason, stunned. The two ladies immediately stepped aside, leaving only Jason standing still, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Facing Jason’s narrowed eyes, Zhinai did not falter. She spoke immediately.

"Inside lies the incubation of ’Death’!"

"Once ’Death’ is fully born..."

"We—and even the entire Kinki region—will be finished!"

"You are the only one who can stop all this!"

"Please!"

"Save everyone!"

Zhinai said as she bowed down, her forehead striking the ground.

Thump, thump.

Seeing his friend in this state, Ah Guang hesitated no longer. Not only did he repeatedly bow, but he also took out his backpack, pulling out cola, potato chips, shrimp crackers and other snacks to offer to Jason.

"Sword Saint, please accept these."

"They’re my most valuable possessions."

"If it’s not enough, I’ll bring more for you."

"Please save everyone."

Ah Guang said loudly.

Zhinai’s face was filled with despair.

Although she knew her friend’s mind sometimes didn’t function well, she never imagined that at a crucial moment like this, her friend would offer cola, chips, shrimp crackers, and other snacks as bargaining chips.

This—this was outright disrespect!

It was an insult to the ’Sword Saint’!

Not to mention asking him to lend aid; it’s likely... we’ll be slashed instead, right?

Thinking about this, Zhinai silently sighed.

She did not blame her friend.

Ultimately, this was her responsibility to consider.

Now, she hadn’t considered it.

By extension, the fault lay with her.

And she was willing to admit her mistake.

Even if... she was unwilling to accept it.