Demon Progenitor Development Project

The tiny Muzan curled up uncomfortably, his nostrils filled with the strong smell of medicine. Touching the Buddhist prayer beads hanging on his wrist, he could also smell a delicate and elegant fragrance when he got closer.

Although the fragrance is faint, it is distinct from the medicinal smell and does not blend in with it at all.

An annoying adult who says strange things.

This was Kibutsuji Muzan's first impression of Fujiwara Shugo.

Muzan touched the prayer beads again. This was the first time he had received a gift. This thing seemed very rare. He vaguely remembered the undisguised surprise of the people around him when the master of Shuuga gave it to him.

A strange adult who likes to bully him.

Muzan, who reluctantly removed the word "dislike," labeled Shuuga.

The dark medicine in the pot was bubbling and steaming.

The old servant brought out the medicine and used a fan to cool it down.

Muzan silently swallowed the bitter medicine. He had been drinking this bitter medicine every day since he was a child, and he was used to it.

Having experienced illness before, Muzan knew that he would probably have to stay in bed and rest for the next few days.

*

Inside the bedroom of the head of the Ubuyashiki family.

Outside the hall, the summer scenery was magnificent, with the blazing sun and the heat penetrating everywhere.

Ubuyashiki Eishi, the head of the Ubuyashiki family, looked up and carefully examined the heir of the Fujiwara Kita family. A shadow covered him, and he felt a strong sense of oppression.

This was not their first meeting; Eiji Ubuyashiki had also seen him from afar at regular palace banquets.

He was tall and imposing, with a bright and handsome appearance, clear eyes and sparse eyebrows. He was already seven feet tall at the age of twelve or thirteen.

However, Ubuyashiki Eiji, a five-foot-tall man, felt the pressure of his height.

He even had to look up to meet Fujiwara Shugo's gaze; otherwise, he always had the illusion that he was the junior.

Ubuyashiki Eiji maintained a social smile on his face, but inwardly he thought to himself, "What did this Fujiwara prince eat to grow up like this? He's only thirteen years old. If he grows up, he'll probably be nine feet tall (about 2 meters tall; by the way, the average height of a child in ancient times was 1.5 meters)."

The two first exchanged views on official business for a while.

After finishing this round of Tai Chi, Ubuyashiki Eiji finally steered the conversation to his frail and sickly eldest son.

Shugo promptly showed an apologetic expression, "It was because I was playing around with Nene and we went too far that Nene got sick."

Ubuyashiki Eiji repeatedly said "No, no," and let out a wry laugh.

“My son is not in good health, and he often gets fevers and colds. It’s not your fault.”

"But why have you come today..." Ubuyashiki Eiji's face showed a perfectly timed look of doubt and hesitation.

“Nene is very cute. Master Kiyohara’s dying wish was for me to take good care of her,” Shugo said with a smile, without saying much more.

He did see her and say some things before he died. As for what she said, since no one was listening, she could say whatever she wanted.

Kiyohara Shikibu-daijo (Prime Minister) recently passed away at the age of 81, which can be considered a happy death.

"Master?" Ubuyashiki Eiji exclaimed in surprise.

"I am really not good at waka poetry, so I often ask Kiyohara Shikibu-saijo for advice," Shugo said modestly.

Ubuyashiki Hideshi pondered that his father-in-law was indeed quite accomplished in literature; had he become his apprentice?

And take care of him?

If anyone should be taking care of someone, shouldn't it be his father-in-law's son? Or the grandson born to his married daughter?

So that's an excuse?

Ubuyashiki Eiji's mind was filled with various thoughts, but his face showed an expression of agreement as he talked about some of Muzan's daily life.

The conversation couldn't last more than a few minutes.

He didn't really know much about the son he had abandoned.

Seeing this, Hiiragi didn't say much, only that he would come to visit often.

After Fujiwara Shugo left, Ubuyashiki Eiji personally took charge of his eldest son's living arrangements, raising his treatment to the same level as his own.

He then questioned the old servant who came from the Kiyohara residence in detail.

"What a coincidence!" Ubuyashiki Eishi asked upon hearing about what happened when Muzan was born.

This is excellent, as it will also make it easier for him to establish a connection with the Fujiwara Kita family.

Not long after, Shugo sent a large quantity of medicinal herbs, fine fabrics, and gemstones as an apology.

This made the head of the Ubuyashiki family even more motivated to work.

Muzan was sick for several days before the old doctor announced that he could walk again.

Muzan couldn't wait to get out; he disliked staying in the courtyard filled with the smell of medicine.

But before Muchan could happily go out, his father called him away.

Muzan: Damn it!

Kibutsuji Muzan, the boy who still calls himself Nene by his childhood name, has no desire to interact with adults.

Those tall, imposing adults who seem to block out the sky are a bit scary.

He always looked at him with an expression that made him very uncomfortable, and said things that made him uncomfortable in a mock sigh.

'How pitiful, she won't live long...'

'That's right, that's right. Although he's the young master we're supposed to serve, his health...'

Especially the man called Father, whose dark eyes made him uncomfortable.

The things they said were also strange.

"What a pity, she's not a girl." And with that physique, I wonder if she'll even live to be ten.

The head of the Ubuyashiki family stared at his sickly eldest son, who was excessively handsome, and felt a pang of regret.

If it's a girl, she can get married as long as she lives to be over ten years old.

A boy who is destined not to grow up is less valuable than a girl.

The thoughts and concerns of adults are irrelevant to children who are unaware of the ways of the world.

Muzan stood in the unfamiliar bedchamber he had never been to before, maintaining his kneeling posture, suppressing the urge to leave, and obediently listening to his father speak.

"Remember to get along well with Fujiwara-kun and try to please him." Ubuyashiki Eiji carefully instructed his son, and then planned to mend their relationship.

The head of the Ubuyashiki family, with a loving smile, wanted to get close to his eldest son, but Muzan didn't give him much face. His attitude was not warm enough, and he seemed quite timid, which made the head of the Ubuyashiki family frown.

Muzan disliked spending time with his so-called father.

The head of the Ubuyashiki family, who was the father, didn't say anything. There was no reason for a father to lower himself to cater to his son. He just thought that this son needed to be properly taught so that he wouldn't develop a cowardly nature.

A young nobleman like Fujiwara no Shugo, renowned in Kyoto for his bravery, would not be interested.

Having received approval, Muzan quickly left and returned to his bedchamber, his heart filled with resentment.

That annoying Fujiwara Shugo!

My father actually told me to please him!

What are you trying to please!

He said he'd come often, just to beat me up! Recalling the cause of this illness, Wu Mian unhappily buried himself in the soft blankets.