Demon Progenitor Development Project

The main residence of Tsugukuni, where Tsugukuni Kokukatsu and Shugo conversed.

The sliding door opened wide, revealing the courtyard outside.

A gentle breeze rustles the bamboo leaves, like nature softly reciting a poem. Under the moonlight, sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows, like a flowing ink painting.

The dim light and shadows danced and flickered on the ground, adding a touch of mystery to the entire courtyard.

The conversation between the two continued.

“We’re not really a professional caravan. My wife and I came out to broaden our horizons and didn’t know anything about what happened in Ciwu.”

Facing the expectant gaze of Tsugikuni Michikatsu, Shugo, who knew the truth, said embarrassedly.

"I had no idea beforehand!"

Kokushige Tsugikuni, who had been hoping to find a breakthrough, sighed as he looked at Shugo, who seemed completely clueless and bewildered.

After thinking it over, Kokushige decided to give up.

The Fujiwara clan's power is far less than before, but it is still not something that the state can touch.

In reality, Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni did not tell Shugo the truth.

The situation was far more serious than Tsugikuni Mikatsu had described; the beast had already killed many samurai belonging to the Tsugikuni clan.

There was widespread anxiety within the family.

This time, he himself must lead the troops to boost morale.

As Yan Sheng was considering the deployment of this annihilation operation, he was about to see his guests off.

"Is the patriarch planning to kill that beast?"

"Count me in!"

Fujiwara Shugo was in high spirits, like a young boy curious about war.

Looking at the pale-faced man before him, who clearly wasn't in good health, Jiguo Yansheng fell silent and politely declined.

"This isn't some fun game, it's deadly!"

The samurai, Kokushibo, had a serious expression on his face, his brows furrowed, and his eyes fixed intently on the young man in front of him who was ignorant of his own limitations and had no sense of propriety whatsoever.

His meticulous and serious personality instantly worsened his impression of this young man.

Just then, a sharp sound rang out, like a thunderclap ripping through the sky. Without any warning, the opponent suddenly swung his fist at Jikuni Mikatsu.

Jigoku Yansheng was startled, his pupils contracting sharply. He saw an enormous fist hurtling towards him with lightning speed, growing larger and larger in his eyes.

In the blink of an eye, Ji Guoyan Sheng had no time to think and quickly raised his right arm to try to block the sudden attack.

However, the instant his arm made contact with the opponent's fist, an overwhelming force surged forth from the point of contact.

The force was so strong that it violently swung his arm away.

The servants standing to the side were all shocked and astonished at the sight.

One of the servants, filled with shock and rage, shouted at the top of his lungs, "Enemy attack! Protect the master!"

While secretly shocked by the immense power contained in his opponent's punch, Kokushige vigorously rubbed his arm, which was beginning to feel slightly numb.

At this moment, Fujiwara Shugo, who had launched the attack, calmly withdrew his right hand and put on an innocent and naive expression.

The nearby guards rushed over, drawing their swords and pointing them at Fujiwara no Shugo.

"Master, after what just happened, what do you think of my strength? I think I'm qualified, right?"

After saying that, he winked at Jiguo Yansheng.

Jiguo Yansheng: ...

After dismissing the guards, he agreed to let the other party join, but Kokugoro was eager to get rid of him.

Unexpectedly, Fujiwara Shugo suddenly asked a question.

"Um, Master, do you have any brothers?"

Shugo finally couldn't suppress his intense curiosity and mustered the courage to ask Tsugikuni Mikatsu a question.

Upon hearing this, Kokushige's figure suddenly froze, as if time had stood still.

A familiar yet distant young figure flashed through his mind like lightning.

The figure was so clear, yet it seemed as if he were looking through a hazy veil, making it difficult for him to see clearly.

Yuichi!

The name was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into the heart of Jikuni Kokusen.

He subconsciously pursed his lips, his whole body tensed, and his face instantly turned gloomy.

Before Kokushikatsu could recover from the vortex of memories and thoughts, Shugo continued, "Just a month ago, when I was out alone, I happened to meet a man. That man looked remarkably like you, Master, except that he had some strange markings on his face..."

As Shugo spoke, he observed the changes in Tsugikuni Kokusatsu's expression.

Wow, they really are related!

"What? You've actually met Yoriichi?"

Kokushikatsu could no longer remain calm. His eyes widened as he stared at Shugo in disbelief, pressing him for an answer.

You should know that after so many years, the name Yoriichi has long become a taboo among the older generation of the family and clan.

Apart from a very few people, almost no one dares to mention it lightly.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni, his twin brother born at the same time as him, has always been an unspeakable pain in the heart of Tsugikuni Michikatsu, the lord of the country, and a sharp thorn deeply rooted in his heart.

No matter how time flows or how years change, it cannot be erased.

Why did you leave?

Why give up the position of heir?

Kokushige was unwilling to accept that his years of training as a swordsman had been completely defeated by his younger brother, whom he had only met once.

His father wanted to strip him of his status as heir and give it to his younger brother, Yoriichi.

Young Kokushige felt a mixture of shame, fear, and... jealousy.

There is also the chilling feeling of facing one's father's cold-blooded side.

Shamed by losing to himself, he vowed to protect his younger brother, but after years of diligent training, he was defeated by a god-given talent.

Fearing his future, he lived in that small three-story room, relegated to the position he had once pitied, and was sent to a temple to become a monk after the age of ten.

He was jealous of Yoriichi's talent, which far surpassed his own, but he had no interest in martial arts and only wanted to play.

Yoriichi said at the time that he didn't want to practice swordsmanship or fight people with a sword; he just wanted to play sugyu with his brother.

Even today, those overly clear eyes, as calm as a lake under a clear sky, still appear in Kokushige's dreams.

On the other hand, he knew very well that Yoriichi possessed strength far superior to his own.

Even if it was his first time holding a knife!

However, Kokushige Tsugikuni was a warrior; if he couldn't beat someone, he simply couldn't.

His samurai spirit wouldn't allow him to deny it.

Back then, Jiguo Yansheng tossed and turned at night, but still prepared himself to face his fate.

But Yoriichi left.

All my mental preparation felt like hitting a cotton ball!

My heart felt empty.

They just gave up like that?

Ji Guoyan was unwilling to accept this.

For many years, Kokushikatsu had been sending people to look for Yoriichi, but to no avail.

Years later, Jiguo Yansheng still harbors an extraordinary obsession with his younger brother.

"I met him once in Kono Castle."

Shugo was surprised to see the overly excited Lord Tsugikuni.

It’s true!

That's right, that mysterious aura couldn't be from an ordinary person!

Hiiragi explained in detail how they met by chance.

“I met him at the tavern. He bought all ordinary household items and was dressed simply, so he probably lived in a nearby village.”

Based on Yoriichi's clothing at the time, Shugo speculated.

"He talked to me about his wife..."

Shugo's words, one after another, became like sharp blows, striking the splendidly dressed Lord Tsugikuni.

"What? Yoriichi got married? And to a commoner!" Tsugikuni Mikatsu found it unbelievable.

He just felt that a mere commoner could never be worthy of my brother!

Ji Guoyan Sheng's eyes were practically red with rage!

My brother deserves the best lady from a prominent family, even a famous one.

He should never be an ordinary citizen!

A vulgar and lowly village woman!

How could Yoriichi be worse than me!

He deserves better!

Jiguo Yansheng's face was contorted with rage, and a cry rang out from the depths of his heart!