Facing The Fair Lady's swift attack,
Mu Yang didn't even move.
He allowed the flaming whip to lash toward him.
Then, something bizarre happened.
The whip didn't hit.
Not because The Fair Lady missed—
But because it simply couldn't land, as if striking an illusion.
She tried several more attacks, but none connected.
"?"
The Fair Lady was puzzled.
When she first entered, she had observed this person.
His strength seemed mediocre.
His attire resembled that of a Liyue native.
His aura, however, was more like a deathly assassin.
She had assumed he was one of the Kanjou Commission's subordinates, here to report to Hiiragi Shinsuke.
But now, it seemed more complicated than that.
How could someone of his level evade her attacks?
And what was with this eerie feeling?
However, The Fair Lady noticed that the red-clad man hadn't even glanced at her once.
His gaze was fixed on Hiiragi Shinsuke.
"He seems to be here for you. Handle it yourself."
The Fair Lady retracted her flaming whip and resumed her seated posture, ready to watch the show.
Hiiragi Shinsuke panicked. "M-My lady, this..."
But The Fair Lady remained silent, merely observing.
Forcing a smile, Hiiragi Shinsuke asked,
"Might I ask who you are?"
Truly a cunning old fox.
If even The Fair Lady didn't want to provoke this person, he certainly wouldn't put on his Kanjou Commissioner act.
With his frail old bones, he'd collapse before the guards could even arrive.
Lowering his stance was the right move.
Mu Yang spoke. "You don't recognize me?"
His voice was altered—
Like the whispers of an ancient god,
Enough to make one's skin crawl.
Hiiragi Shinsuke was in that exact state.
Chills ran down his spine as he shook his head frantically.
"I am the 'Swordsman Slayer'..."
Mu Yang drifted closer to Hiiragi Shinsuke.
He pulled out a small knife, twirling it with practiced flair.
If this were a circus act, it would be breathtaking.
But Hiiragi Shinsuke was in no mood to appreciate it.
Terrified, he stumbled and fell to the ground.
"The Swordsman Slayer... Wasn't that entity already exorcised by the Grand Narukami Shrine?"
Mu Yang flicked the knife, sending it whizzing past the old man's side—intentionally missing him.
"I have you to thank for that. If not for you spreading rumors that the 'Swordsman Slayer' still roams Ritou..."
"How could I have regained my strength?"
Now The Fair Lady understood.
Exorcising spirits was usually the shrine maidens' job.
No wonder conventional attacks had no effect.
So this was one of Inazuma's great demons.
And it seemed this particular entity had revived by feeding on the fear of Ritou's people.
She turned to Hiiragi Shinsuke. "Why would you spread such rumors?"
Desperate to win her favor—or at least save his own life—Hiiragi Shinsuke explained:
"It was all for your plan!"
He had heard from The Fair Lady that Lumine was coming to Ritou.
And her orders were clear: keep Lumine trapped on the island for as long as possible.
Reviewing Lumine's records, Hiiragi Shinsuke knew she was the helpful type.
If the people of Ritou were terrified of a "Swordsman Slayer" haunting their nights,
She would never stand idly by.
So he suppressed the news that the "Swordsman Slayer" had already been exorcised.
His plan was to use this fabricated threat to stall Lumine.
Sending her on a wild goose chase for a nonexistent monster—
That was the real delaying tactic.
And it fit her identity as a heroic adventurer.
Who knew she'd actually agree to his absurd request?
Seven hundred and nine letters!
Mu Yang burst into laughter.
A laugh so unsettling that neither Hiiragi Shinsuke nor The Fair Lady ever wanted to hear it again.
It was nauseating.
"So it was the golden-haired traveler who saved my life..."
Mu Yang paced the room—yet left no footsteps.
"Tell me... shouldn't I repay this kindness?"
The Fair Lady raised an eyebrow. "Demons follow human customs now?"
Mu Yang leaned in. "I do..."
Then, addressing the trembling Hiiragi Shinsuke on the floor:
"Stand up."
Though reluctant, Hiiragi Shinsuke scrambled to his feet, using the wall for support.
"Pick up your sword."
Before the words even settled, Mu Yang had already flashed into the courtyard.
Hiiragi Shinsuke glanced at The Fair Lady—but she was clearly just here for the spectacle.
She had no intention of intervening.
Resigned, Hiiragi Shinsuke grabbed his sword and stepped into the courtyard.
He desperately wanted to scream for help.
But at this distance, with this demon's speed—
He'd be dead before the word left his lips.
Could he really count on the Shogunate's soldiers or The Fair Lady to save him?
She had already tried—and failed—to stop this thing.
"Don't be nervous. 'Slayer' is just the shrine maidens' label. I merely enjoy testing blades..."
"Block one strike from me, and I'll spare you."
"R-Really?"
Seeing Mu Yang nod,
Hiiragi Shinsuke felt a flicker of confidence.
Though aged, he had fought his way up in his youth.
One strike shouldn't be a problem.
Hiiragi Shinsuke drew his sword and took his stance opposite Mu Yang.
The eerie laughter echoed again.
Hiiragi Shinsuke steeled himself, shutting out the distraction.
Then—Mu Yang's red sleeve flicked.
Hiiragi Shinsuke blinked.
Suddenly, a faint sting pricked his neck.
He looked down—and his eyes widened in horror.
The icy grip of death crawled up his spine.
A small knife!
The very one the demon had been toying with earlier—now pressed against his throat!
The blade had already nicked his skin.
A fraction deeper, and he'd be dead.
One strike.
Not only had he failed to block it—he hadn't even seen it coming.
Mu Yang withdrew the knife.
Only then did Hiiragi Shinsuke dare to swallow.
Touching his neck, his voice trembled.
"I've lost... Thank you... for sparing me..."
Again, that bone-chilling laughter.
"You're too weak. I won't kill you... But you'll do two things for me."
"Name them! I'll do anything!"
Hiiragi Shinsuke just wanted this nightmare gone.
Then he'd summon the Grand Narukami Shrine's protection.
Mu Yang spoke. "Let my savior pass..."
"Allow her to leave Ritou. But don't mention me."
Hiiragi Shinsuke hesitated, glancing at The Fair Lady inside.
Mu Yang drifted to her side.
"Do you wish to stop me from repaying my debt...?"
As he spoke, his head twisted at a grotesque 90-degree angle.
The Fair Lady turned away in disgust.
She'd seen her share of horrors—
But this? This was physically revolting.
"Let her go. She's no real threat anyway."
The Fair Lady had no desire to make an enemy of this abomination.
Unfathomable, untouchable—why invite trouble?
She never expected the Kanjou Commission to stall the Traveler for long.
Hiiragi Shinsuke agreed.
"And the second task?"
"Deliver those seven hundred and nine letters... yourself."
"Wha—?"
"If I find you delegated this..."
Another knife whizzed past the old man's face.
Hiiragi Shinsuke dropped to his knees in gratitude.
Before leaving, Mu Yang decided to add one last thorn in The Fair Lady's side.
"Know why I didn't test my blade on you?"
The Fair Lady crossed her arms. "Hah. You doubt you'd win?"
Mu Yang dissolved into crimson mist, swirling around her.
His voice grew even more distorted.
"Because death looms over you... I don't bargain with corpses..."
With that, the mist dispersed—
Leaving only maniacal laughter echoing through the courtyard.
"Kekekeke..."