"A lot of things happened, huh?"
Fumonshichi repeated sarcastically before sidling up to Luo Shu, draping an arm around his neck and whispering:
"Coach, teach me your ways?"
"If it's for a beauty like that, I'd be willing too!"
Luo Shu gave the overly familiar Fumonshichi an exasperated look.
'Since when was I your coach?'
He brushed off Fumonshichi's arm and shot him a glance:
"Stop fooling around. That woman and Tōga were only married in name."
"Eh?" Fumonshichi's eyes widened in shock. "A virgin widow?"
"Damn!!! You high-ranking folks really know how to play!"
No sooner had he spoken than Senhime Rin Getsu shot him an icy glare, while Yukari Oikawa spat in disgust, her expression darkening.
After all, Yuki-onna, like herself—capable of asexual reproduction—technically fell under Fumonshichi's crude "virgin widow" category too.
Hearing this, Luo Shu's face twitched uncontrollably.
Brother, are you deliberately dancing through a minefield? Aren't you afraid of getting blown up?
Meanwhile, having ascended the steps, Kikyo studied Senhime Rin Getsu briefly. After confirming the earlier Demon Power disturbance originated from her, she lost interest and turned back to Luo Shu:
"Are Miss Nishikigi and Miss Inoue currently in the Western Country?"
"Yes." Luo Shu nodded before explaining, "They're there organising the Dog Tribe's resources for relocation."
"I see."
Comprehension dawned on Kikyo's face as she realised the Dog Tribe had likely pledged allegiance to Luo Shu.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be preparing their entire clan for migration.
'So even the Dog Tribe believes this era is doomed and must relocate outside...'
Though she had resolved to use her own worth to ensure Luo Shu would take Kaede's Village residents when leaving this Abyss, when the moment came, Kikyo couldn't muster her courage.
Compared to the Dog Tribe—a race where every member was a warrior, powerful enough to rule the Western Country—could her individual value truly convince Luo Shu to protect the entire Kaede's Village?
For once, Kikyo lacked confidence.
Meanwhile, after Kikyo's inquiry, Yukari Oikawa also asked:
"So, has the SDS already obtained Tessaiga?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu glanced at Yukari Oikawa before nodding:
"It's secured."
He offered this casual explanation without elaboration, as his relationship with Yukari Oikawa wasn't at the level where he could disclose everything.
Though confidentiality prevented full disclosure, Luo Shu remembered their assistance in guarding the Netherworld passage. For him, such minor favours were best settled early; he worried unpaid debts might bring future complications.
"Thank you both for guarding the Netherworld this time."
"After we leave the Abyss, I'll compile some knowledge-based acquisitions from the Dog Tribe for your selection."
"Oh? Director Luo, that's rather formal of you. As allies, mutual assistance should be expected."
Fumonshichi raised an eyebrow, grinning as he addressed Luo Shu. Yet despite his words, he didn't outright refuse the offer.
After all, wasn't the very purpose of Japan's major organisations deploying personnel to explore the Abyss the acquisition of its varied resources? While knowledge couldn't match unique Abyss Artefacts, it remained an exceptionally valuable resource. No one could guarantee the Abyss wouldn't contain advanced technologies or insights that might elevate the powers of major factions.
Similarly, Yukari Oikawa didn't decline Luo Shu's proposal. Compared to the Metropolitan Police Department's Bujin-shū, the yokai organisation, the Nura Clan, could better utilise the Dog Tribe's knowledge.
Seeing both intended to acknowledge this minor debt, Luo Shu felt relieved. He glanced at the sacred tree before turning back to Kikyo:
"You seem to have something to tell me?"
Kikyo started slightly, paused, then nodded. Understanding his earlier intuition had been correct, Luo Shu excused himself from Yukari Oikawa and Fumonshichi before leading Kikyo into the shrine's inner courtyard.
Once they'd disappeared from view, Fumonshichi stretched lazily and addressed Yukari Oikawa:
"With our assistance concluded and this Abyss's basic situation understood, isn't it time for free exploration?"
"Care to collaborate, Yuki-onna? We could split any findings fifty-fifty."
Yukari Oikawa responded with a cold laugh: "The kind of cooperation where one betrays the other, you mean?"
"Ah, I anticipated that response."
Fumonshichi shrugged helplessly before turning away with a wave:
"Then we'll meet upon return. Give Director Luo my farewells."
With that, his figure vanished from the courtyard. Yukari Oikawa narrowed her eyes at the silhouette speeding towards Kaede's Village but remained silent...
At that moment, Senhime Rin Getsu, who had been standing alone nearby, approached and gazed at the Yuki-onna before her with slight surprise:
"A Great Yokai from the outside world?"
Hearing this, Yukari Oikawa turned around, looked at Rin Getsu, and covered her mouth as she spoke:
"Care to exchange a few words?"
"Certainly!"
...
Inside Kikyo's Shrine.
In the tatami-floored room, Luo Shu and Kikyo sat facing each other across a low table set with tea utensils.
Luo Shu sat upright before the table, lifting his head to watch Kikyo as she deftly prepared the tea, her sleeves rolled up to reveal her fair wrists. After a pause, he spoke:
"During my recent visit to the Dog Tribe, I obtained some unexpected information from Senhime Rin Getsu."
Kikyo's hands stilled momentarily at Luo Shu's words, seemingly surprised that he would bring up serious matters. But the hesitation vanished quickly as she resumed her task, her voice calm and composed:
"What information would that be?"
Luo Shu kept his eyes on the low table as he replied evenly:
"Before his death, Tōga of the Dog Tribe sealed the Demon Sword So'unga and placed it in the Bone-Eating Well of Musashi Province."
At this revelation, Kikyo froze.
The shrine maiden's normally serene and elegant face momentarily blanked with shock.
To Luo Shu, her expression resembled that of someone waking up to find themselves sleeping atop a pile of explosives—utterly bewildered by the situation.
After that brief moment of stunned silence, Kikyo finally regained her composure. Her expression shifted from horrified realisation to anger, before finally settling into complete impassivity.
It was the kind of expression that silently declared, 'I'll remember this grudge.'