The Demon's Menu-Chapter 1163: It’s Here! (2)
They wanted to act before the branch family’s young masters arrived, breaking in and seizing the resources that belonged to the Hanakaiin Family.
As a subordinate family of the Hanakaiin Family...
He absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen.
In fact, from the moment the explosion occurred, they were the closest and the fastest to arrive.
After most of the group entered the main family’s territory for search and rescue, he immediately activated the ’Protective Barrier,’ then led the remaining clan members to stand guard here.
Just in case.
"Stay on your guard!"
"These bastards are barely holding back!"
The leader said.
"Understood!"
The rest responded in unison.
Then, their gazes shifted to the true enemy.
Likewise, those ’Inside World’ members from other major families’ subordinate clans and hidden organizations were also returning the gazes from the Hanakaiin subordinate family members.
Cold, laced with murderous intent.
A stifling tension began to arise.
The night wind that had been blowing constantly became increasingly violent at this moment.
Woo, woo-woo!
Swift, howling, and bone-chilling.
A coldness that seeped into the very marrow.
Several people shivered involuntarily.
The middle-tier and smaller family members who had been chatting earlier quickly fell silent.
One by one, they hunched their necks and began cautiously edging away.
Those from middle-tier and smaller families who had survived training outside were not fools.
They knew full well that a great battle was imminent!
And as for them?
They had no standing to participate.
Even being bystanders posed a life-threatening risk.
A slight misstep could turn them into cannon fodder.
No!
Not just cannon fodder!
Mere mortals under the feet of two colossal beasts.
They wouldn’t even be able to flee—just get crushed to death outright.
"Should we sneak away?"
Ah Guang shielded Zhinai behind him and asked.
"Uh... Wait a moment."
Zhinai instinctively nodded.
As if this were just like any other time, but in the next moment, she stopped Ah Guang, who was about to take her away.
Zhinai’s gaze turned toward the distant entrance.
Four figures entered her sight.
Some in casual home attire.
Some wearing hunting robes.
Some in hooded sweatshirts.
Although dressed differently, each of them sent a tremor through her spirit.
Her intuition, honed by the secret techniques of her clan, warned her of how terrifying these four individuals were.
Especially the man at the forefront, dressed in casual home attire with a calm expression—he exuded an unparalleled sense of dread, like a mountain looming in the darkness of night: pitch black, deep, and boundlessly vast.
The two following behind him were equally fearsome.
The one in ordinary attire seemed gentle on the surface, yet the oppressive sharpness he exuded felt as if a blade were pressed against Zhinai’s throat.
As for the one in the hoodie, a single glance from Zhinai sent chills down her spine.
She could almost hear the wails of countless tormented souls.
Hiss!
How many beings had this person slain?
Immediately, Zhinai averted her gaze and looked at the last figure.
Compared to the first three, the fourth individual seemed less terrifying but exuded a certain warmth in comparison.
The type of strong presence an ordinary person could somewhat fathom.
Simply put, a more conventional kind of strong individual.
The sort that the majority could introduce.
"Who are they?"
Ah Guang looked at the four with confusion.
"Hanakaiin Tōru, Hanakaiin Haru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and… if I’m not mistaken, the last one is Hanakaiin Ra."
Zhinai identified each of them.
When mentioning Hanakaiin Ra, Zhinai hesitated for a moment.
Because compared to the distinctive characteristics of Hanakaiin Tōru, Hanakaiin Haru, and Hanakaiin Itsuki, Hanakaiin Ra was just too plain.
"It’s over! It’s over!"
"The main family has arrived!"
"We’re completely doomed!"
Ah Guang’s face crumpled.
Most of the people around them mirrored Ah Guang’s expression.
As the four young masters of the Hanakaiin family’s branch house appeared, the faint signs of retreat in everyone’s hearts grew stronger.
However, Zhinai shook her head.
"That’s not necessarily the case,"
Zhinai said.
And as if to confirm Zhinai’s words, another figure appeared in the distant entrance.
When this figure came into view, many gasped aloud.
Especially the women, whose voices rose in pitch.
The reason?
This newcomer was simply too handsome.
So handsome it bordered on otherworldly, capable of bewitching all who beheld him.
The white hunting robe, the black hakama, and the matching hat suited him so perfectly, exuding elegance with every detail, as if crafted just for him. A paper fan gently tapped against his palm.
This aura carried a sense of leisure and refinement that was both stunning and mesmerizing.
Tsuchimikado Motoharu!
Many people called out his name.
Then, almost instinctively, they glanced at Hanakaiin Ra, who was also dressed in hunting robes.
Mmm... Plain.
A wardrobe clash isn’t scary.
But whoever looks less impressive ends up the embarrassed one.
Even Zhinai, at this point, had to reevaluate her thoughts.
"Hanakaiin Ra is truly ordinary."
These words truly echoed the sentiments of the crowd.
Hanakaiin Ra twisted his neck slightly.
Why did it feel like someone was speaking ill of him?
An illusion perhaps?
Hanakaiin Ra dismissed the thought, following closely behind Hanakaiin Tōru as they approached the subordinate families’ groups.
Those who had been confronting the Hanakaiin subordinate families quickly stepped aside.
While they dared confront the families aligned with the Hanakaiin, they wouldn’t dare face the Hanakaiin family members themselves.
They simply weren’t qualified.
And their power fell far short.
Especially with someone like Hanakaiin Tōru present.
Anyone sensible knew exactly what needed to be done.
"Master Tōru!"
The leader of the subordinate families exhaled in relief upon seeing the four Hanakaiin members approach. After bowing deeply to Hanakaiin Tōru and greeting him respectfully, he then looked to the other three.
"Master Haru, Master Itsuki, Master Ra."
All three nodded in return.
As for the favoritism shown?
They were used to it.
Hanakaiin Tōru wasn’t just someone they obeyed wholeheartedly.
He commanded the respect of the entire Hanakaiin Family as well.
Hanakaiin Tōru paid no attention to his surroundings and walked straight toward the main family’s ’Protective Barrier.’
This massive ’Protective Barrier’ didn’t just prevent outsiders from entering; it also blocked all sight and perception of what lay within.
Standing here, one could neither see nor sense anything inside.
Hanakaiin Tōru furrowed his brows slightly as if something had crossed his mind.
At this moment, Tsuchimikado Motoharu strolled over. freeweɓnovel.cøm
"Not going in to take a look?"
Tsuchimikado Motoharu asked with a smile.
Hanakaiin Tōru ignored him.
In Hanakaiin Tōru’s view, Tsuchimikado Motoharu was an exceedingly troublesome figure: ambitious, capable, and keenly self-aware. Such a person, given the right opportunity, would undoubtedly soar to great heights.
Of course, if someone could rein him in, he might become a ’pillar of order and prosperity.’
But Hanakaiin Tōru knew very well...
He lacked that ability.
He wasn’t one to manipulate others.
Nor did he feel inclined to.
Besides, he couldn’t afford distractions right now.
He had to figure out what exactly was happening.
"Tsuchimikado Motoharu, shut up!"
"Stay away from Brother Tōru!"
Hanakaiin Ra said directly.
Meanwhile, Hanakaiin Haru and Hanakaiin Itsuki, uncharacteristically, stood behind Hanakaiin Ra in a show of solidarity.
Perhaps they often bickered in ordinary times...
But when trouble arose, they united against external threats.
Such is the unspoken legacy of a large family.
"Oh dear."
"I was just trying to lend a hand."
"Right, Hachi?"
Tsuchimikado Motoharu glanced toward a spot not far behind him.
With Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s prompting, everyone abruptly realized there was someone standing there who they hadn’t noticed before.
When?
How had they arrived so silently?
The crowd’s hearts were filled with shock, prompting them to step back once again.
Komichi Hachi scanned the frightened individuals around him, then fixed a piercing gaze on Tsuchimikado Motoharu.
"Why?"
Komichi Hachi demanded.
"Why, what?"
"What are you saying? I don’t understand."
"Why don’t you offer a divination for Hanakaiin Tōru to figure out what’s going on?"
Tsuchimikado Motoharu teased with a laughing tone, playing dumb.
"You know what I’m asking!"
"I want you to tell me about..."
Komichi Hachi’s words halted abruptly as the young Onmyoji seemed to sense something, turning to look behind him—
Jason!
Jason had arrived!
