Having anticipated the possibility of an on-the-spot contract during his visit, Luo Shu had brought the contract with him.
This contract was a product of a Demigod Rank Abyss Artefact under the SDS's control.
The terms could be customised—all clauses were negotiable except for the penalty: breaking the agreement would result in the soul being devoured by that Demigod Rank Abyss Artefact.
The contract terms were quickly drafted, mostly outlining consequences for breaches by either party.
After signing, Luo Shu left a folder as a gift before departing with Hagoromo Gitsune.
Once Luo Shu had left, Nurarihyon finally relaxed, slipping his hands into his kimono sleeves and shooting a glance at his seemingly useless son:
"Had enough fun, you useless brat?"
"Calling your son, who sacrificed his image to probe the enemy, 'useless'—how heartless of you, old man!"
Nura Rihan pulled out his pipe, lit the tobacco, took a drag, and exhaled.
"Sacrificed?" Nurarihyon raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Looked to me like you were enjoying yourself quite a bit just now!"
"Well, there was some genuine emotion mixed in."
Nura Rihan took another puff, blowing out a few white smoke rings, then narrowed his eyes:
"Hagoromo Gitsune's behaviour was... odd."
Nurarihyon didn't deny it, instead frowning:
"You noticed it too?"
Although he had been opposing Hagoromo Gitsune for over four hundred years, Nurarihyon wasn't actually the main force against her.
The true mainstay was Nura Rihan, who had been suppressing the Hagoromo Group's counterattacks since the Edo period.
Thus, within the Nura Clan, it was actually the Second Head Nura Rihan who truly understood Hagoromo Gitsune and Nue, while Nurarihyon's knowledge was rather limited.
Even so, Nurarihyon had noticed something off about Hagoromo Gitsune.
Nura Rihan puffed on his pipe, narrowing his eyes as he remarked:
"It seems Hagoromo Gitsune has developed different thoughts about Nue—at the very least, she doesn't dote on him as much as before."
Although Hagoromo Gitsune had reacted strongly to his criticism of her son, based on Nura Rihan's understanding, her reaction should have been even fiercer.
"I initially thought things would escalate to drawn blades. I was even planning to test how much of her power Hagoromo Gitsune still retains."
Nura Rihan grinned, showing not a shred of guilt for deliberately provoking conflict.
After all, to him, dealing with Nue and dealing with Hagoromo Gitsune were practically the same.
The former meant killing an enemy who had always opposed him, while the latter meant killing the mother who could birth said enemy, crushing the threat in its embryonic stage.
So when you thought about it, there really wasn't any difference.
"That fox is much calmer than before." Nurarihyon picked up the folder Luo Shu had left on the table, shaking it lightly. "Of course, it might also be because Director Luo was present."
"That man?"
Nura Rihan's lips curled, his expression faintly uneasy.
"I could tell—he definitely has some thoughts about Hagoromo Gitsune."
Hearing this, Nurarihyon shot his son a sidelong glance and quipped:
"With that damn fox's looks, if she really tried to seduce a man, no one could resist her, could they?"
"I know." Nura Rihan's tone was deeply aggrieved.
He didn't particularly care who Hagoromo Gitsune got involved with—but couldn't she at least not use his late wife's body?!
They were all yokai experiencing life for the first time—how could anyone be so vicious?
Just as Nura Rihan was stewing in frustration, Nurarihyon suddenly asked:
"Who do you think would have the upper hand if it came to a real fight?"
Nura Rihan knew full well that Nurarihyon was referring to himself and Luo Shu. After a moment of serious consideration, he replied:
"Barring any surprises, my experience in life-or-death combat would give me the edge. Judging by his demeanour, that Director hasn't undergone much lethal combat training."
"But in a fight to the death... I wouldn't be confident."
Nura Rihan's expression turned grave as he continued:
"From the moment we met until now, I still can't determine whether the man sitting before me is an illusion or the real person."
"That man is just like us Nura Clan members—exceptionally skilled in illusion techniques!"
Nurarihyon didn't refute this, as he too had noticed something off about Luo Shu's presence earlier.
As a master of illusions, Nurarihyon recognised the sensation of being ensnared by one, especially since he could tell the illusion cast on him wasn't particularly sophisticated.
But that was precisely the problem.
How had a moderately strong illusion managed to trap both of them—two Nura Clan veterans highly proficient in illusions?
It made no logical sense.
To be yokai specialised in illusions, yet fall victim to someone else's crude technique...This was as nonsensical as a level 50 Charizard being severely injured by a level 12 Charmander's Ember attack.
There was only one possible explanation.
Luo Shu's illusion technique was simply more advanced than theirs. But because he came for negotiations, he held back and deliberately used rudimentary illusions as a subtle warning.
That had to be the only possibility.
"A master more skilled than us Nura Clan in illusions yet lacking in martial arts? Quite the specialist," Rihan Nura muttered before turning to his father. "By the way, old man, what's that in your hand?"
Nurarihyon casually flipped through the documents. "Just some investigation reports on certain parasites within the clan."
"Oh?" Rihan immediately understood Luo Shu's intention in leaving these behind. "Seems Director Luo has already prepared our casualty list for us!"
Putting on an act with Hagoromo Gitsune for Nue's benefit couldn't be done without sacrifices. These documents clearly indicated who in the Nura Clan could be...expendable.
"Quite meticulous of him," Rihan remarked, stroking his chin.
"Nonsense. This is just twisting the knife," Nurarihyon sighed, handing the files to his son after seeing familiar names. "You handle this. This old man can't bear to."
Understanding his father's meaning, Rihan nodded.
"...Understood, old man."
Waving him off, Nurarihyon paused at the doorway with his back turned. "At least make it quick for them."
The only sound left in the parlour was the rustling of papers as Rihan silently reviewed the documents.
...
Outside Nura Clan headquarters.
With a definitive click of the closing door.
Luo Shu and Hagoromo Gitsune sat in the front seats of the car, completely silent.