Demon Progenitor Development Project

Yasaka Shrine.

The chariots built by the various feudal states have already been delivered to Shinsen-en Garden in Kyoto.

The actor playing the deity is ready to depart from Yasaka Shrine and head to the Miyashido to exorcise evil spirits.

Shugo Fujiwara, dressed in a solemn and sacred divine attire, turned left and right, feeling the texture of his new skin.

"Do you really think all this trouble can drive away the plague?" Shugo asked the person next to him with a smile.

The shrine attendants beside him smiled obsequiously and flattered this Fujiwara-sama.

"Councilor Fujiwara will surely succeed in eradicating the plague."

Fujiwara Shugo scoffed. He proposed simple measures such as cleaning the passageways in Heian-kyo and not drinking unboiled water, but they were all rejected. Instead, he was asked to replace the chief priest as the god who performed the exorcism.

It is said that he was in good health (never got sick or asked for leave after starting work), and had enough luck (he was able to raise a child who was destined to die young; the children of the Fujiwara Kita family were much healthier than other noble children), and so on.

The Ping family and the Tachibana family even joined forces to lift him up.

As the saying goes, "A tall tree catches the wind." The Fujiwara Kita family has been in power for many years, and with the recent struggle for interests, it has long been the object of many people's jealousy. It is now in a state of great prosperity and flourishing.

The plague is now raging in various domains, and Heian-kyo has long been locked down. Corpses are being carried out every day, and even some nobles have contracted the plague. Almost every household is staying indoors.

This year's Gion Festival was extremely quiet.

Shugo rode in the divine chariot and led a group of chariots in a procession through Heian-kyo along the predetermined route.

He had already sent men with guards dressed in protective suits and disinfected with strong liquor to drive away any unstable elements along the route.

As he walked through certain streets, smelling the faint stench of decay in the air, Shugo silently switched his breathing from automatic to manual, a dark cloud rising in his heart.

The vehicle was parked in front of the Imperial Traveller's Residence, and according to procedure, it should stay there for a week.

Hiiragi met an unexpected person here.

"What are you doing here?" Shugo stared in astonishment at the familiar person in front of him.

The emotion quickly turned into anger.

“I…” Muzan’s beautiful face immediately scrunched up.

"Didn't I tell you not to come? You're playing with your health!"

Muzan felt a little wronged after being scolded so harshly.

He wanted to share the hardships with the other party!

He's worried about you too!

"Do you know how many corpses have been carried out recently? Do you want to get sick too?!" Facing the disobedient 'brat', Shugo couldn't hide his anger and said in a low voice.

After venting his anger, Shugo calmed down and, looking at Muzan's pale face, softened his voice and offered a few words of comfort.

"Alright, I know you did this for me, but your coming here only makes me more worried. You're frail, you absolutely mustn't get sick again."

Shugo thought about his arrangements. He had already sent people to clean up the Goryokudo before, but with Muzan's actions, he had to thoroughly check it again.

"Rinko, take some men and check again carefully." Shugo rubbed his forehead wearily. "Also, Tsukihiko, you need to disinfect yourself."

A bewildered Muzan: Disinfection? ? What's that?

Ren Guang responded and went, then brought over garlic juice and strong liquor.

Muzan's expression gradually turned to horror. What was this strange smell?! And they were going to smear it all over his body!

I can't go out and see anyone like this.

He smelled strange, and Muzan's expression was foul, as if his father had died.

Having also been disinfected, Shugo, attended by his servants, removed his elaborate clothes, changed into casual attire, and knelt at the table.

Muzan, reeking of garlic and alcohol, sat down angrily.

Looking at Muzan, who remained silent for a long time, Shugo took the initiative to create an opening and coaxed him in a low voice.

"Thank you for coming to keep me company. I'm happy to help, but it's not safe here. I'll take you back sometime."

After thinking about it again, Shugo decided not to let Muzanbai go through the ordeal.

"Since you're here, why don't I do it for you too..."

Muzan didn't listen to him and instead interrupted him.

"What do you mean by 'it's unsafe'?"

Hiiragi paused, pondered for a moment, and then recounted the background and consequences of this political struggle.

Muzan remained silent.

He seems to have really caused trouble.

Fujiwara no Shugo, however, had his mind elsewhere. This matter was no longer a secret; it was common knowledge in official circles. How could the head of the Ubuyashiki family, as the young councilor, not know about it? Yet Muzan, as the eldest son, was unaware of it.

Moreover, he sent people to keep an eye on Muzan, so how could he not have received the news?

Ubuyashiki… Fujiwara Shugo’s eyes darkened; there was a lot going on behind the scenes.

"How did you get here? How many people did you bring?" Shugo asked again in detail.

Muzan vaguely realized something and obediently answered all the questions.

Sure enough, that old guy was behind it; Shugo's expression darkened.

However, it's also inappropriate to speak ill of one's father to one's son.

"You should pay more attention to the situation in the future." After hesitating for a moment, Shugo still gave a subtle reminder.

"It's Ubuyashiki Eiji." Muzan frowned, addressing him by his full name with great disrespect.

He really doesn't pay attention to the situation in North Korea, firstly because he's not interested, and secondly because his health doesn't allow it.

Hiiragi's eye twitched. He called his own father by his name and in such a tone. Luckily, the servants surrounding him were all from the Fujiwara Kita family.

"Don't talk like that. It will damage your reputation if word gets out. At least save face." Politics is all hypocrisy.

Muzan snorted, indicating that he understood.

He's not stupid; he knows what to say in what situation. It's just that he's always been unrestrained in front of Shugo.

Seeing Shugo dismiss the servants and even pull him up, Muzan was utterly bewildered.

"What are you doing?" Muzan shouted, half ashamed and half astonished.

They picked the person up to check their weight and then sniffed them closely.

Ignoring the pungent smell of garlic, Shugo didn't answer for a moment, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Realgar, cinnabar...

All of them are medicinal substances with strong and dry properties.

"Tsukihiko, where did that fragrance on you come from?" Shugo's face was ashen, his demeanor more solemn than ever before.

"Fragrance? Is there a difference?" Muzan hadn't paid much attention to these things and asked somewhat blankly.

In ancient times, it was both an elegant and common practice for nobles to use incense. Muzan would also use incense to mask the bitter smell of medicine on his body.

Shugo's lips twitched. If he hadn't specifically studied medicine and knew how to identify medicinal herbs, he probably would have been fooled.

Studying medicine is not a respectable thing for someone of his status.

He did it discreetly, and the head of the Fujiwara family turned a blind eye to his eldest son's hobby, helping to cover it up.

"Don't use it anymore. I'll send you some incense, but make sure it's not from Renguang... After that, find an excuse for you to come back and stay temporarily," Shugo said calmly.

Muzan remained silent, his expression gradually changing, seemingly incredulous, and he didn't seem to have any objection to Muzan's return.

Unbeknownst to the two, a crack had been quietly opened in an inconspicuous window. The round, almond-shaped eyes watched the two men's extremely intimate posture, various thoughts flashing through them, and the burning gaze focused on Muzan.

Hiraga survived the Gion Festival without any major incidents.

After the Gion Festival, the plague gradually subsided. A certain feudal state presented the Emperor with a physician who had contributed to the control of the plague, and this physician was recommended to join the Imperial Pharmacy.