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Takehime was completely different from Tsugikuni Michikatsu.
She was a woman whose temperament was like orchids, resilient as bamboo—could be called a model Yamato Nadeshiko.
When her husband was home, what her in-laws and those around her required of her was merely supporting her husband, teaching children, managing household affairs.
So she wore beautiful jūnihitoe daily, paid attention to her makeup, treated people kindly, carefully raised children, striving to ensure her appearance and conduct brought no shame to her husband's family.
But the husband she relied on left. The family's pillar vanished. She could no longer just stay in her own little world, living an unrestrained life.
I followed two samurai into the Tsugikuni estate. Takehime, receiving advance notice, already sat there waiting for me.
The heavy makeup on her face had been washed away, revealing that still-young face crawling with exhaustion, eyes faintly showing haggard bloodshot traces.
That jūnihitoe had been put away. She wore only a hakama convenient for movement, eyebrows finely drawn, face without any makeup.
But her straight sitting posture still radiated dignified presence, making her husband's subordinates dare not offend, respectfully bowing to her.
"You've worked hard coming from afar," Takehime said gently to me. "I heard you brought my husband's token?"
Facing Tsugikuni Michikatsu, I was arrogant. But facing this girl with gentle yet resilient temperament, I didn't dare speak carelessly. Silently handed her that jade pendant.
Takehime took it, examining carefully. Tears glistening at her eye corners, she nodded lightly. "Indeed Lord Michikatsu's personal item."
She waved to dismiss outsiders, leaving only me. Only then did she ask with anticipation, "Did Lord Michikatsu entrust you to bring any message? When will he return home?"
Speaking of which was a bit awkward. But that bastard Tsugikuni Michikatsu—clearly wouldn't return anytime soon.
I also couldn't give this girl unrealistic hope, letting her wait in vain.
So I could only steel myself to say I wasn't sent by Tsugikuni Michikatsu. I was entrusted by Uta... oh, you might not know who she is—Tsugikuni Michikatsu's brother's wife...
Takehime silently listened to me speak. As if even her eyelashes stopped trembling. Her quiet profile like a statue, yet seeming about to shatter.
After I finished, she asked softly, "That is to say, Lord Michikatsu has no plans to return home. He no longer wants to come back?"
I didn't answer. This was something only Tsugikuni Michikatsu knew.
Though I didn't understand what obsession he had with staying in the Demon Slayer Corps, before he found peace, I thought he wouldn't return.
Takehime had already gotten her answer from my silence. She bit her lower lip hard. That instant's weakness and sorrow vanished from her. Only fortitude and vivid anger remained.
"If my husband is unwilling to return home, I trouble you to convey a message for me," Takehime said coldly. "If he insists on not returning, I am but a foolish woman. Please forgive me for being unable to preserve the Tsugikuni family business!"
As if a flash of inspiration crossed my mind, I suddenly realized why people patrolled the fields at night.
"Is there going to be war soon?" I asked.
Takehime silently nodded. Didn't hide it from me either.
The Tsugikuni family had considerable assets. After all, passed down several generations. By Tsugikuni Michikatsu's generation, they already possessed vast lands and wealth.
But unfortunately, the head of household was a mentally ill fellow who refused to stay and guard the family business, come hell or high water... and his eldest son wasn't even ten yet, completely unable to replace his father in fulfilling the family head's duties.
Without their lord commanding, the subordinate samurai were also somewhat leaderless.
If Takehime hadn't quickly noticed the problem, issuing several orders in her eldest son's name, letting them know the Tsugikuni family still had a reliable heir, these samurai might have already scattered.
But besides internal troubles, there were external threats.
The Haiki clan, whose territory bordered the Tsugikuni family, also hadn't missed this opportunity when the family head was absent. Recently, samurai frequently provoked incidents at the border—clearly an ominous signal.
Takehime dispatched subordinates to patrol at night precisely to guard against the Haiki clan attacking by night.
"In the past, the Haiki clan's strength was inferior to my family's. Even if my husband wasn't present, no need to worry much," Takehime said worriedly. "But subordinates learned the Haiki clan recently gained a fierce general."
Where this fierce general came from wasn't clear yet, but he was formidably skilled—immense strength, swift as lightning, a hero who could fight a hundred alone. Most enjoyed night raids.
After gaining him, the Haiki clan's morale immediately surged. They'd been eyeing Tsugikuni territory covetously.
Moreover—
Takehime said, "Heard this samurai loves killing. News subordinates gathered says people sent to serve him often disappear for no reason. Yet the Haiki clan doesn't care at all."
I immediately fell into thought.
This person, these characteristics—sounded somewhat wrong. Too many elements aligned.
Couldn't avoid triggering that sensitive nerve of mine.
"Does he go out during the day?"
Takehime shook her head slightly, indicating her subordinates hadn't paid attention to news in this regard.
I asked her to help me investigate this samurai further... in return, I could stay to help her deal with this person.
Takehime was puzzled. Moreover, seeing my thin arms and legs, seemed somewhat doubtful.
But that I could walk this far alone, arriving safely at the Tsugikuni home, and the blade at my waist was real—she still believed people couldn't be judged by appearance. Very politely agreed to my request.
The Tsugikuni samurai were quite capable. After a day, they sent back accurate news: that samurai was called Yemonse. Rarely stepped outside half a step during daytime. On rare occasions when invited by the Haiki lord to discuss matters, he'd also wear a thick cloak, holding a black umbrella to travel.
He did this claiming he had a skin disease, couldn't see light... as for those attendants and maids who disappeared around him, whether he actually killed them, the samurai couldn't find out. They also couldn't find these missing persons' corpses.
In summary, this guy should undoubtedly be a demon.
Moreover, a very powerful demon.
Because low-level demons were affected by bloodthirsty instinct, viewing humans as food... even after satisfying their appetite, still constantly trying to hunt more people.
Mixing into crowds to disguise oneself required sufficient rationality.
From this, this demon had eaten at least a hundred people. Moreover, very likely possessed that kind of Blood Demon Art I'd seen before.
I didn't know if I could beat him. Last time encountering such a powerful demon, I'd constantly worn down the opponent's strength before the demon hunter with me seized the chance to behead him.
Fighting alone wasn't impossible. Just feared his recovery speed was faster than mine... if he felt continuing to wear me down wasn't worth it and decided to flee.
Without companions providing support, I probably couldn't stop it.
Letting such a powerful demon escape—I didn't dare imagine what faces those Hashira would show me. Wouldn't be good explaining to Ubuyashiki either.
So I still decided to write a letter, calling Yoriichi over.
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