Demon Progenitor Development Project

The two chatted for a while, and seeing that Muzan looked tired, Shugo considerately stopped the conversation.

"Brother!" The former Agu, now Fujiwara no Yorimichi, rushed in without any semblance of courtesy.

Muzan's expression immediately changed, revealing hostility.

"Brother, look! What I've done." Fujiwara no Yorimichi didn't linger on Muzan at all, holding up a strangely shaped wooden frame with a smug expression.

Seeing this, Shugo glanced at his younger brother in surprise.

When he was a child, one of the gifts he gave him was an exquisite Luban lock imported from the Tang Dynasty. From then on, Agu became fascinated by this thing and often studied it.

It seems they've achieved something.

Hiiragi thought to himself, but his face showed a serious expression.

“Lai Tong, I am still seeing guests. It would be very impolite for you to barge in at this time.”

As he spoke, Shugo gave Muzan an apologetic smile.

“I barged in before too, and you didn’t say anything, brother,” Lai Tong retorted, pursing his lips.

“I was alone at the time, and I was resting. It wouldn’t be good for you to have such a rude reputation if it got out. Let it go today. Yueyan is someone you grew up with, so he’s not an outsider.” Shugo explained carefully, a hint of helplessness on his face.

Muzan tightened his grip on the white jade cup, and his breath hitched.

He said I'm not a child and can't be willful, but Agu is several years older than me!

This guy can still barge in without being reprimanded.

Why can't he be allowed to act impulsively just once? Muzan felt that all the words he had used to convince himself to back down were a joke.

The petty Muzan suppressed his emotions and gave a fake smile to the detestable Agu, while secretly gritting his teeth in his heart.

Shugo had always acted this way towards him before.

For some reason, Muzan felt as if something of his had been stolen.

Shugo, who had raised Muzan for several years, never expected Muzan to be so sensitive and thoughtful, completely unaware that he was in a chaotic situation.

Shugo beckoned to his younger brother to sit down, and the servants promptly brought out tea and snacks.

Agu presented the wooden frame as if it were a treasure.

Shugo looked at the wooden frame; the tightly joined mortise and tenon structure showed that Agu had indeed learned something.

“Impressive. I’m not an expert in this area. Let me find some books for you.” Shugo praised generously.

“Alright! Brother, you must come and see.” Fujiwara no Yorimichi laughed heartily.

The intimate atmosphere between the two made Muzan extremely uncomfortable.

They are brothers, so it's only natural for them to do this. He is ultimately an outsider; his surname is Ubuyashiki.

To this day, Muzan has never called Fujiwara Shugo "brother" like Agu has.

After packing up the gifts, Renguang returned from his private storehouse and saw this scene.

He twitched his lips sharply.

Seeing his master so relaxed and carefree in this atmosphere, Ren Guang couldn't help but complain in his heart.

My lord, don't you remember that these two are enemies?

Before and after, Ren Guang respectfully presented these precious gems, silks, and medicinal herbs.

Fujiwara no Yorimichi could no longer maintain his composure.

Muzan's lips curled up slightly.

"The Gion Festival is coming soon. Brother, let's go participate in the equestrian archery performance then," Fujiwara no Yorimichi said with a grin.

"You just want to show off." Shugo rubbed his younger brother's forehead. "We'll talk about that when you can beat me in a martial arts competition."

Fujiwara no Yorimichi's eyes widened, and his face immediately fell. "When can I go then?!"

He knew perfectly well how strong his older brother was; he was always the one who got beaten up.

Shugo shook his head. "Let's talk about it after you pass the archery test. I don't want you to embarrass the Fujiwara Kita family."

Muzan couldn't join the conversation.

Horse archery was irrelevant to his frail health.

Suddenly a hand touched his shoulder.

"Moreover, the plague is rampant lately, so you two should stay home as much as possible and avoid crowded places."

Shugo's expression was stern, and his tone of voice became more forceful.

“But brother, aren’t you going to play a deity at the Gion Festival? You still have to go out.” Fujiwara no Yorimichi rudely broke the serious atmosphere.

The Gion Festival, the grandest summer festival, is held at Yasaka Shrine to pray for blessings and ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.

"During the Gion Festival, you two should stay out of the way. My health is much better than yours, you two who are always getting sick." Shugo gave his stupid younger brother a good whack on the head and said irritably.

He, Fujiwara Shugo, has trained for many years and can practice swordsmanship shirtless even in winter without any problem.

Thinking of the series of disputes surrounding the Gion Festival, Shugo gave a special instruction.

"There's been a lot of infighting in the palace lately, so you all need to be careful, especially Yueyan. Be extra careful with your daily life, including your food, clothing, and shelter..." With Muzan's body, if he gets the plague, he won't survive. Just stuff him in a coffin and carry him away.

I've raised them for so many years, if it all falls apart at the last minute, I'll be heartbroken.

Watching Shugo chatter on like a male mother, Muzan's eyelashes trembled slightly, his heart fluttered, and a smile appeared on his lips.

Fujiwara no Yorimichi (with a stiff expression): ...This guy has gained the upper hand again.

*

Gion Festival, Yasaka Shrine.

A noblewoman wearing a veiled hat and a brightly colored twelve-layered kimono, piled high with jewelry, making her look dazzling.

"Princess Ruyue, is it really alright to do this?" the maid asked timidly.

With the plague raging, the princess has secretly left the palace and plans to meet with Prince Hiiragi of the Fujiwara Hokuke family. If this gets out, the princess will lose all her reputation.

Princess Kisaragi was unfazed by the maid's fear and instead showed great interest.

"This lady is simply going to see what my future husband is like."

Fujiwara no Shugo is handsome (I saw his portrait), politically astute, and has gained the approval of many important figures in Kyoto (I heard this from my brother, the Emperor). Most importantly, he is over twenty years old and still unmarried, and none of his attendants are women. He is very chaste and self-disciplined. I heard he likes men? (Rumors in Kyoto).

Even those who follow the Tao still get married.

Princess Kisaragi didn't care about Shuuga's sexual orientation; there were plenty of nobles who were bisexual, and they still needed to have children.

Ancient people had a lot of fun, especially a people who were known for having few moral boundaries.

Kisaragi-hime came out this time to meet Fujiwara no Shugo, as she already knew that the palace planned to betroth her to this future regent.

Her brother was already eager to send her away.

Kisaragi-hime curled her lips into a sarcastic smile.

Ha, if it weren't for your age and family background, it's hard to say who would become the emperor!