The Demon’s Menu

Greed!

Unparalleled, as if made tangible—greed!

Like sharp knives, at this moment, it pierces out from the eyes of everyone around!

The vassal families are like this.

The mid-tier families are like this.

The small clans are like this too.

In the dark night, these gazes resemble those of ravenous wolves.

With a strange glint, they send chills deep into one’s heart.

"Everyone, calm down!"

"It’s all a trap!"

Hanakaiin Ra turned around, shouting loudly.

But it was useless.

The greedy gleam in those people’s eyes did not fade; instead, it grew tinged with malice.

This touch of malice made Hanakaiin Ra’s scalp tingle.

"I’m doing this for your own good..."

"It’s pointless."

Hanakaiin Ra continued trying to explain, but no one was willing to listen. The malice in their eyes only deepened. Hanakaiin Ra instinctively wanted to keep talking, but he was stopped by Hanakaiin Tōru.

"They know it’s a trap."

"But they’re still willing to gamble for what’s inside."

"Even if it means staking their lives—they’d rather die trying."

Hanakaiin Tōru lightly patted his younger brother’s shoulder.

Hanakaiin Ra opened his mouth.

In the end, he said nothing.

The young onmyoji’s eyes were filled with utter incomprehension.

A life—there is only one!

Why not cherish it?

Other ways could be found!

Although Hanakaiin Ra had dabbled in some tricks and schemes, in most people’s eyes, his "schemes" were akin to children playing pretend.

At best, equivalent to the level of a kindergartener.

With such a foundation, Hanakaiin Ra couldn’t begin to understand what all of this meant to the people around him.

"The opportunity is right in front of us—how could we stay calm? How could we not take the gamble?"

Hanakaiin Itsuki sneered.

And then, the onmyoji simply stepped aside, clearing the path leading directly to the territory.

Hanakaiin Haru did the same.

For Hanakaiin Haru, self-preservation was paramount.

And Hanakaiin Tōru?

Without moving his feet, he turned his body slightly and sat cross-legged on the ground.

"Tōru-Sama?"

The leader of one of the vassal families looked at Hanakaiin Tōru in confusion, unable to grasp his intentions.

"Let them pass."

Hanakaiin Tōru said this, raising a hand.

A chessboard materialized out of thin air before him. Gesturing again, a square stone flew toward him, landing in front of him. The chessboard slowly settled onto the stone.

Hanakaiin Tōru’s eyes were fixed tightly on the board.

But there were no pieces.

Not a single one.

"Tōru-Nii, now’s not the time to be playing chess!"

Hanakaiin Ra quickly ran over and said.

Meanwhile, the others could no longer hold themselves back.

The first to move were those from the mid-tier families. Exchanging glances, they swarmed toward the main territory of the Hanakaiin Family.

Next came the small clans.

Seeing the mid-tiers make their move, they followed suit.

Surprisingly, the vassal families didn’t move.

The people from these vassal families all looked toward Tsuchimikado Motoharu, waiting for his command.

"May my people enter?"

Tsuchimikado Motoharu asked Hanakaiin Tōru with utmost politeness.

"Hmm."

Hanakaiin Tōru nodded.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu smiled, then waved his hand.

Immediately, the members of the vassal families began rushing inside.

In the blink of an eye, the clearing before them was left with only a few heirs from the Hanakaiin branch families, the vassal family members, Tsuchimikado Motoharu, Jason and his two companions, Zhinai and Ah Guang.

"Aren’t we going?"

Ah Guang asked quietly.

"That place is filled with death."

"Nothing else."

"Only death!"

Zhinai’s expression was more solemn than ever as her gaze fixed on the distant territory of the Hanakaiin Family. Through the perception granted by her secret technique, the Hanakaiin territory, already shrouded in darkness, appeared even more bottomless.

It wasn’t just darkness.

There were also wails.

The kind of wails unique to specters and the Undead.

Sharp, piercing, and unending.

In Zhinai’s "vision," translucent figures and skeletal samurai rose from the ground, their rage-filled cries aimed at the living, surging toward those who had just entered the territory.

Like a tide.

Unstoppable and overwhelming.

Zhinai’s body trembled uncontrollably.

It wasn’t because of the specters and Undead.

It was because, in the darkness, there was...

"Ah!"

Zhinai suddenly cried out in pain, clutching her eyes tightly.

"Zhinai, Zhinai, are you okay?"

Ah Guang was panicked, at a complete loss.

It was his first time witnessing his friend suffering like this because of her "perception."

"She’s fine."

"She just needs to rest."

"However, she’d better not use her ’spiritual sight’ again anytime soon—or she risks going blind."

Hu Qiandai quickly walked over, examined Zhinai’s eyes briefly, and stated calmly.

He had no ulterior motives.

For Hu Qiandai, this was purely out of "duty."

"Thank you, thank you."

Ah Guang bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

He couldn’t even fathom what he’d do if something happened to his friend here.

He had long grown used to relying on Zhinai, following her instructions.

Hu Qiandai gave a small nod, then turned to leave, but at that moment, Zhinai, leaning against Ah Guang, stood up.

"Wait!"

"Please, whatever you do—do not enter!"

"If you go in, you will die!"

Zhinai cried out loudly.