"You've certainly caused quite a commotion."
The suddenly appearing Kuesu Jingūji hovered mid-air, holding a black-covered book in her hands, her expression half-smiling as she surveyed the bone-strewn battlefield.
"Who are you?" Sesshōmaru gripped Tessaiga, his cold gaze fixed on the woman who had appeared out of nowhere, clearly ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
Meanwhile, after observing Kuesu Jingūji for a moment, Luo Shu's eyes narrowed slightly as he said:
"I remember you—Kuesu Jingūji. Are you planning to interfere in our fight?"
With Sesshōmaru having obtained Tessaiga and his power greatly enhanced, the sudden appearance of Kuesu Jingūji—who was likely more foe than friend—posed a significant risk.
On their side, Chisato Nishikigi was still manageable, but Takina Inoue's stamina was likely exhausted. The only one truly capable of fighting was Luo Shu himself, drastically increasing the danger.
Moreover, Tenseiga had already been secured, and Senhime Rin Getsu was under his control. In this situation, Sesshōmaru was essentially a trapped rat—Tessaiga was merely being stored with him temporarily. Given this, Luo Shu knew there was no need to continue fighting under unfavourable conditions.
After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Luo Shu immediately decided to retreat, discreetly signalling Chisato Nishikigi.
At that moment, spotting Kuesu Jingūji, Shirayuki Hotogi in the distance froze, calling out uncertainly:
"Kuesu... chan?"
Hearing this, Kuesu Jingūji turned her head and smiled at Shirayuki Hotogi:
"It's been over three years, hasn't it, Shirayuki?"
"The last time we met was three years ago, at your birthday party, if I recall."
Hearing this, Shirayuki Hotogi immediately confirmed that the person before her was indeed Kuesu Jingūji:
"So it really is you, but how did your hair turn silver-white?"
Shirayuki asked instinctively, then suddenly realised something, her expression turning unnatural:
"Wait, why would the Onmyou Agency ask you to come support me?"
Kuesu Jingūji, however, replied with complete composure:
"Obviously, because the only spatial sorcerers in all of Japan are me and that Natsuki Minamiya, and the only one who could reach you in time was me."
A foreboding feeling rose in Shirayuki's heart as she stiffly asked:
"Kuesu-chan, aside from opening the passage, you didn't... do anything else, right?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Kuesu Jingūji looked at Shirayuki strangely:
"Did you really think that I, the Witch of Knowledge, would do nothing when faced with special regions like the Underworld and Netherworld?"
"I feel somewhat underestimated by you..."
"Well, showing you this should make things clear."
As she spoke, Kuesu Jingūji flicked her wrist, revealing an enormous dark blue gemstone in her palm.
Before Shirayuki could react, Sesshōmaru's pupils constricted: "That's... a Meidō Stone?"
"Shouldn't that only exist in the deepest parts of the Underworld?"
At that moment, Jaken came rushing in on his cloud, carrying a diamond-encrusted skull, and shouted:
"Lord Sesshōmaru, disaster has struck!!"
"An intruder broke into the Underworld, stole the Meidō Stone, wounded the Underworld's ruler, and now the entire Underworld is in chaos!!"
"Not only that, but the tomb guardian Hōsengki was also injured and had his core stolen, and that despicable enemy even took my Nintōjō - utterly deranged..."
Halfway through his tirade, Jaken suddenly noticed Kuesu Jingūji's presence, his already green face turning even greener.
Why was the culprit standing right here?!
"Lord Sesshōmaru, this silver-haired woman is responsible for everything! It's her!"
"Underworld in chaos?" Seeing Jaken's accusation, Sesshōmaru immediately understood the gravity of the situation.
Nearly all passages to Tōga's tomb in the Netherworld required traversing the Underworld. If it descended into chaos, the passages would likely collapse under the assault of the dead.
At that point, everyone would be trapped in the Underworld until death.
Hearing this news, Luo Shu instantly realised who the true culprit was.
He gave Kuesu Jingūji a strange look, his expression odd as he said:
"So, what exactly brings you here? Wait, this body of yours... is it a Familiar clone?"
Through the lens of misfortune, Luo Shu didn't see Kuesu Jingūji, but rather an incredibly fragile strand of hair.
"You can actually see through my spell?" Kuesu Jingūji looked at Luo Shu with some surprise, then narrowed her eyes, studying him curiously.
Her observation revealed that Luo Shu's current body seemed to be composed of indigo mist.
Yet moments ago, it had clearly been his real form.
Realising this, Kuesu Jingūji turned her head and saw that all the SDS members had been replaced by indigo mist.
In the distance, a faint trace of Demon Power was rapidly retreating - was that Senhime Rin Getsu?
Had it not been for the power of her forbidden Abyss Artefact, the Book of Truth, which was mixed within her hair, she herself wouldn't have detected Luo Shu's disguise.
'This level of illusion is impressive... this man...'
'Though deliberately pointing out my body is a clone makes him quite the troublemaker.'
With this thought, Kuesu Jingūji said meaningfully:
"I came here simply to warn you - if you don't flee now, you'll be staying here permanently."
Hearing this, Jaken's face immediately turned green, while Yomi Isayama paled.
"I knew it... she's always like this..." Shirayuki Hotogi murmured as if deeply affected. "Every time we encounter her, even the most common situation turns into a life-or-death chase."
Understanding Kuesu Jingūji spoke the truth, Sesshōmaru gritted his teeth, glanced at Senhime Rin Getsu beneath Luo Shu, then shot Luo Shu a sharp look that seemed to carry a warning.
Then Sesshōmaru turned and rushed towards Jaken:
"Jaken, we're leaving!"
"Yes, Lord Sesshōmaru!" Jaken immediately manipulated the cloud, following Sesshōmaru as they fled towards the passage.
Unsurprised by Sesshōmaru's decision, Kuesu Jingūji turned to Yomi Isayama and Shirayuki Hotogi:
"You two, come with me. The passage my main body left won't hold much longer."
Shirayuki Hotogi wore an exceptionally helpless expression:
"But... Tessaiga... never mind, we'll have to plan for it another time."
She then turned and bowed to Luo Shu:
"Anyway, I apologise for this incident. And if possible, please leave quickly."
Luo Shu gave her a peculiar look:
"Now you're apologising to me?"
Shirayuki Hotogi smiled bitterly. Despite having taken hostile actions, she bore little actual animosity towards Luo Shu and the others.
Ultimately, it was just work - each serving their own master, nothing more.
Seeing Shirayuki Hotogi's apology, Kuesu Jingūji couldn't help but say:
"Don't wait, Hotogi. The person before you has probably already returned to the human world."
"Eh?" Shirayuki Hotogi froze, then watched as the Luo Shu opposite her gradually faded, dissolving into indigo mist that dispersed into the surroundings.
"This... when did this happen?"
Shirayuki Hotogi now fully understood that the Luo Shu before her was merely a decoy.
But when exactly had he slipped away?
Meanwhile, an equally stunned Yomi Isayama turned her head to discover that the SDS members, including even Inuyasha, had all transformed into clusters of indigo mist.
"This..."
Yomi Isayama was utterly bewildered.
At that moment, Kuesu Jingūji, beside her, glanced at the dying, unconscious Noriyuki Izuna on the ground, then transmitted a message via technique to Yomi Isayama:
'You have no further use for this man, do you?'
Hearing this, Yomi Isayama looked at Shirayuki Hotogi before replying indifferently through the same method:
'No, I don't. Why, do you want him?'
'Well, I just happen to be short of a puppet to monitor the Countermeasures Office.'
Kuesu Jingūji snapped her fingers, and several white bones rose from the ground, lifting Noriyuki Izuna. Then, with an amused expression, she said to Yomi Isayama:
'I assume you wouldn't want to report this to Ayame, would you?'
Yomi Isayama immediately grasped the nature of this transaction.
She would tolerate Kuesu Jingūji planting a spy in the Countermeasures Office, while Kuesu Jingūji would tacitly approve of her role in Noriyuki Izuna's demise.
Thinking this, Yomi Isayama suddenly asked:
'I've heard the process of creating a human puppet is particularly cruel to the raw material?'
Kuesu Jingūji's smile deepened with implication as she replied:
'I understand. I'll do my best to heal Mr. Izuna!'
'Your absolute best?' Yomi Isayama pressed.
This was the first time Kuesu Jingūji had encountered such a ruthless woman. After giving Yomi Isayama a surprised glance, she promptly said:
'I'll try my utmost.'