Yoyoi's family was on edge, especially when he groaned in pain, their hearts in their throats.
Inside Yoyoi, the black curse was fully restrained by Horitake's purple lightning.
The curse, unwilling to yield, attempted a third breakout but was completely blocked, sparing Yoyoi further harm.
Seeing the anxious Ubuyashiki family, Horitake exhaled, smiling:
"No need to worry. The critical step is done. What's next is tricky, but the worst-case scenario is the curse sealed within Lord Yoyoi. The situation is under control."
Relieved by Horitake's words, the family relaxed slightly.
With the curse contained, the next step was to extract it from Yoyoi's body.
This was the toughest part.
Horitake's past experiments on demons were simpler—their curses were spread throughout their bodies, easy to extract. But Yoyoi's curse was rooted in his brow, requiring delicate precision to move it.
Fortunately, Horitake's lightning control was exceptional, giving him confidence in fine operations.
Frowning in focus, Horitake began manipulating the lightning to extract the curse.
His movements were slow, meticulous.
Yoyoi endured excruciating pain, sweat from his forehead and body soaking the tatami.
The Ubuyashiki family watched, hearts pounding.
Amane wanted to wipe her husband's sweat but feared disturbing Horitake and held back.
Operating on the head, though complex, had advantages.
The mouth was nearby.
Horitake guided the curse from the brow to the mouth for Yoyoi to expel.
The short distance took little time, minimizing harm to Yoyoi.
In about ten minutes, Horitake's lightning-wrapped curse reached Yoyoi's mouth.
Now!
Sensing the moment, Horitake acted decisively!
He withdrew his sword hand, shifting to a claw grip, lightning flashing intensely, poised before Yoyoi's mouth!
Yoyoi's eyes widened. With a retch, he spat a stream of blood mixed with lightning!
The blood-tinged lightning, encasing the curse, left Yoyoi's body, flying from his mouth into Horitake's hand. He gripped it tightly!
Yoyoi's blood-spitting alarmed the family!
Amane, heedless of restraint, rushed to her husband:
"My lord, are you alright!?"
The blood, from his mouth and with Yoyoi lying flat, had choked his throat.
Yoyoi rolled to his side, propping himself up, coughing violently, each cough expelling blood!
The scene was terrifying.
But it was harmless.
Yoyoi was merely clearing the blood choking his throat, along with blood from his oral wound, making it look severe.
In truth, Yoyoi only endured brief pain and a minor mouth injury—nothing serious!
Oral bleeding was far better than internal organ bleeding.
Strictly speaking, the curse removal caused minimal damage. Horitake's effort was a resounding success!
But the family didn't know, panicking as Yoyoi coughed blood.
Amane, near tears, pleaded with Horitake:
"Horitake, my lord is coughing blood—a lot!"
Horitake, holding the lightning, calmly explained:
"It's fine. It's just oral bleeding. He choked on it. Lady Amane, please help Lord Yoyoi breathe."
"Oral bleeding?"
If it was just that, it wasn't serious.
Amane patted Yoyoi's back and chest to ease his breathing.
It was only choking. Yoyoi soon recovered.
Breathing steadied, lying on his side, Yoyoi felt his condition. Despite weakness, he burst into hearty laughter.
Unrestrained, almost wild, he laughed freely.
Horitake understood Yoyoi's emotions, finding no fault, and laughed with him.
Their laughter clued in the family.
Kiriya, excited, asked:
"The curse… it's gone!?"
Horitake nodded, smiling:
"Success! Lord Yoyoi is free of the curse!"
Amane, clutching Yoyoi, asked urgently:
"My lord! How do you feel!?"
Propped up by Amane, Yoyoi, no longer laughing but beaming, replied with relief:
"Years of gloom, gone in a moment. My body and spirit feel lighter than ever."
His words turned the family's worry to joy.
Amane exhaled deeply, tears of joy falling.
The children cheered and leapt.
Amane, ever the matriarch, didn't lose herself to joy. Calming down, she checked Yoyoi's condition.
Having cared for him for years, she had medical knowledge. Her examination confirmed Yoyoi was fine.
The only concern was the oral wound, a minor issue.
Yoyoi shared more good news, pointing to his right eye:
"My right eye, though functional, was growing blurry. Now it's perfectly clear! And my left eye, previously blind, can now sense light."
Great news!
No doctor's diagnosis matched a patient's recovery!
Yoyoi's improvement proved the curse was gone!
Overwhelmed, Amane threw herself into Yoyoi's arms:
"Wonderful, my lord!"
"Wonderful, Father!"
Yoyoi's five children joined in, laughing, crying, hugging their father.
Yoyoi, the family head, was enveloped by his wife and children, a lively scene of hugs, laughter, and tears.
It was a moving moment of triumph after hardship.
Their emotional outburst was understandable.
After a while, Yoyoi gently chided them, and the family let go. He emerged, smiling apologetically at Horitake:
"Sorry, Horitake, for the spectacle."
Horitake shook his head, unbothered, and asked:
"Lord Yoyoi, want to see the culprit that tormented you?"
The family looked over.
Horitake, holding the lightning, brought his right hand before them and slowly opened it.
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