Ye Ming smiled and nodded, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Of course, it's true. You look really cute when you eat."
He wasn't joking. To people of this era, Kanroji Mitsuri's way of eating might not be considered elegant or refined, especially when compared to noblewomen. But to Ye Ming, a time traveler, it was like watching a tiny hamster stuffing its cheeks—undeniably adorable.
Kanroji Mitsuri lowered her head, gripping the hem of her clothes with both hands. She didn't know what to say. It felt as if a herd of deer was rampaging in her heart, filling her with an overwhelming mix of joy and shyness.
A woman watching from the side smiled warmly, her expression full of nostalgia. "You young people are so beautiful together."
Mitsuri glanced up at Ye Ming, her emerald-green eyes shimmering. "Ye Ming… you're really kind."
---
As the sky darkened, the woman clapped her hands together. "It's getting late. You two should rest. I'll prepare your rooms."
A short while later, she led them to their quarters—clean and cozy rooms with neatly arranged futons. Ye Ming and Mitsuri each entered their respective rooms and, exhausted from the day's events, slept soundly.
---
The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, Ye Ming and Mitsuri awoke and packed their belongings.
They had received a mission.
Ye Ming decided to accompany Mitsuri on this mission, and the moment she heard the news, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Without hesitation, they set off together. Their destination lay deep within a mountainous region.
According to the intelligence provided by the hidden members, there was more than one demon lurking in those mountains.
By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, dusk had settled. The air was thick with the eerie silence that often preceded the appearance of demons.
Mitsuri took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. I can do this.
"Ye Ming-kun, let's go up the mountain," she said with determination.
"Alright," Ye Ming replied, his six eyes flashing at the same time.
Mitsuri, who had been watching him closely, gasped. "Eh? Ye Ming-kun, your eyes can glow?"
Ye Ming chuckled. "I've already explained this to Kanae and the others."
"Wow, that's so cool!" Mitsuri leaned in curiously, reaching out to touch him—only to find her hand passing right through his form. "Ah! I can't touch you!"
She giggled, marveling at his ability.
But the moment of fascination faded as they stepped deeper into the forest.
A strange sensation crept over Ye Ming, though he couldn't quite place what was wrong.
The two of them moved cautiously, their footsteps rustling against fallen leaves. The stillness of the forest was unsettling—too quiet, as if the entire mountain was holding its breath. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting fragmented patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
A distant owl hooted, its cry sudden and jarring in the silence. Mitsuri tightened her grip on her Nichirin sword, her heartbeat quickening.
Ye Ming's six eyes flickered as he scanned the surroundings, alert for any anomalies.
And then, he stopped.
Mitsuri, walking just behind him, was caught off guard and bumped into his shoulder.
"Ah! Sorry, Ye Ming-kun!" she whispered hurriedly before noticing his serious expression. Her own face tensed.
"Did you find something?"
Ye Ming didn't answer right away. Instead, he smirked and, in a swift motion, unsheathed his Nichirin sword.
With a fluid strike, he swung at the towering tree beside them.
"Flower Breathing – First Form: Fragrant Breeze!"
The blade left a shimmering blue arc in the air.
A second later, the massive tree split cleanly in two, crashing to the ground with a thunderous boom.
Mitsuri's eyes widened in shock—because instead of wood, the severed trunk bled. And then, before their eyes, the bloody remains dissolved into ash, vanishing into the night.
Farther into the darkness, a hidden demon cursed under his breath.
"Damn it... How can this human be so perceptive?"
His red eyes gleamed, fixed on Ye Ming and Mitsuri. His grotesque face twisted with malice, sharp claws scraping against the ground, producing a grating sound.
Engraved in one of his eyes were two words:
"Lower Three."
He glanced at the three demons beside him and barked an order.
"You three, deal with them."
Though reluctant, the lesser demons dared not disobey the command of a Twelve Kizuki member. With a snarl, they darted toward Ye Ming and Mitsuri.
Ye Ming smirked. A good trick. Most wouldn't have noticed.
But unfortunately for them, his Six Eyes rendered their deception useless.
Turning slightly, he murmured to Mitsuri, "Be ready. The demons know we're here."
Mitsuri nodded firmly, fingers tightening around her sword hilt. Though her heart pounded, there was no hesitation in her eyes—only determination.
---
They pressed forward, reaching the mountainside when Ye Ming's keen senses picked up the rapid approach of three demons.
"Mitsuri, they're coming. Get ready," he warned.
A sharp inhalation—Ye Ming's breathing deepened, and his blood surged as oxygen flooded his muscles. His target was locked.
One would die first.
Cursed energy flared around his limbs like ghostly flames. Mitsuri, unaware of its existence, could only sense the sudden, overwhelming pressure radiating from him.
"Flower Breathing – Fourth Form: Crimson Petals Dance!"
With a burst of speed, Ye Ming launched himself forward. The ground beneath him cracked, and the surrounding foliage parted as if sliced by an invisible blade.
Before the demons could react, Ye Ming was already upon them.
His blade flashed.
Swish, swish, swish!
The demon in the center didn't even have time to scream before it was diced into eight pieces.
Not a single drop of blood stained Ye Ming's clothes.
The remaining two demons panicked.
"It's a Hashira! Run!"
One of them turned and bolted without hesitation, convinced that only a Hashira could possess such terrifying strength. His sole thought was to escape—to get as far away as possible.
But it was a futile hope.
"Mitsuri!"
Ye Ming called out.
At his command, a pink blur shot forward. Mitsuri Kanroji had already leaped into action.
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