On the hillside
Lu Ren looked at Yakumo Yukari and spoke his true thoughts without concealment.
"I appreciate your kindness."
"But my life is mine to decide."
Lu Ren spoke calmly.
He had his own ideas.
He had already merged with the [Youkai Bloodline], he had already surpassed humanity!
Perhaps… it was the special nature of the [Gap Youkai (Youkai of Boundaries)] race.
That left Lu Ren stuck in the narrow space between human and Yokai.
One step to the left, he was human.
One step to the right, he was a Yokai.
This flexible identity allowed him to enjoy the benefits of both sides simultaneously.
Living with humans without worrying about his identity being exposed.
Likewise… he was also like a Yokai, powerful and eternally young!
…"Since that's the case, I won't interfere anymore…"
"After all…"
"Never mind, just pretend I didn't say anything."
Perhaps with her heart's knot untied, Yakumo Yukari's smile seemed more genuine.
"Let's change the subject."
"Yukari…"
"You're well-traveled and knowledgeable, help me look at this."
Considering Tamamo-no-Mae's feelings, Lu Ren simply switched to a more pleasant topic.
He opened a rift and took out a medicine pot from inside.
The lid opened.
A jade-white, spherical pill was revealed before the two great Yokai!
Yakumo Yukari looked at the pill in the pot, a few more traces of playfulness appearing at the corners of her upturned mouth.
"Did you [take] it from Eientei?"
Yakumo Yukari asked Lu Ren with a smile, specifically emphasizing the word [take].
"That… you don't need to worry about."
"In short…"
"Can you help me identify what kind of pill this is?"
Lu Ren continued to press.
From Yakumo Yukari's demeanor, she must know the type of this pill!
After all… the [Sage of the Moon] who refined this pill had an extraordinary relationship with Yakumo Yukari.
"How should I put it…"
"This is a special medicine that can heal all illnesses."
"Including the disease called [death] in the eyes of Yokai."
Yakumo Yukari laughed self-deprecatingly.
Then… she took out an identical medicine pot from inside the Gap.
The lid opened… inside, an identical pill was stored.
"When we first met, I considered many questions about you."
"When I came to my senses, I already had this elixir of immortality in my hand."
"Here, it's for you…"
Yakumo Yukari closed the lid and stuffed the medicine pot into Lu Ren's arms.
Combined with her earlier use of [take], this was quite interesting.
"Then I'll accept it."
Lu Ren stored the two medicine pots in his system backpack, which only he could open.
From the moment he merged with the [Youkai Bloodline], he no longer needed such things.
But just because he didn't need it, didn't mean others didn't… After accepting the elixir of immortality, Yakumo Yukari glanced at Tamamo-no-Mae.
Then… she surprisingly pulled out a guitar case from the Gap!
"Aren't you going to practice guitar?"
"Look…"
"What I've prepared for you!"
Yakumo Yukari teased him mischievously.
Just like a bad older sister sending her younger brother to an interest class!
"You really are something..."
Lu Ren took the guitar and looked at Tamamo-no-Mae, who was trembling with anger.
"Let's go..."
"Back to the tent, time to practice guitar..."
Lu Ren called out to Tamamo-no-Mae, who unenthusiastically walked towards the tent on the slope.
Yakumo Yukari watched the person and the fox leave, then stretched her waist languidly.
She slept twelve hours a day and usually became active late at night.
This was a typical Yokai schedule.
Daytime... for her, was equivalent to staying up late... Since the dangerous situation had been resolved, she should go back to sleep...
On the other side... inside the forest... Two girls who could see Yokai were leisurely strolling through the woods.
Suddenly... Miko looked at a tree in shock and complained to the girl beside her.
"Reiko, Reiko!"
"Why are there apples all over the maple tree?!"
Miko raised her hand, pointing to a branch of a maple tree, her voice full of disbelief.
"Maybe... it's a grafted variety."
"Hahahaha..."
Reiko tidied her hair, telling a small lie half-heartedly.
"But the problem is!"
"There are still supermarket labels on them!"
Miko pointed to an apple, mercilessly exposing the lie.
"Ah, this..."
"Look! That tree is covered in grapes!"
"Ah hahahaha, those must be tree grapes then."
"They look sweet, let's pick some to take back."
To ease the awkwardness, Reiko had no choice but to change the subject, pointing to a nearby maple tree.
"But the problem is!"
"Grapes are vines!"
"There's no variety that grows in bunches nailed to a tree!"
"And... the colors aren't even consistent, put some effort into it!"
Miko covered her face with her hands, blocking her eyes; she couldn't bear to look anymore.
Apples or grapes... these things must have been arranged by someone.
Their purpose must be to please someone!
Perhaps it was a coincidence... Miko saw an incredible scene through her fingers!
At this moment... behind the tree Reiko had run towards, a giant Yokai was squatting!
That Yokai was six meters tall, with dozens of long, thin black arms growing from its back!
It had a basic humanoid shape... but... its eyes and mouth... were cruelly sewn shut, making it look extremely terrifying!
...Almost the moment she saw it, Miko cried out in panic!
"Reiko!"
"Don't go over there!"