Demon Progenitor Development Project

After returning home, Shugo handed over the official documents to Fujiwara no Hokuke, the head of the family and the regent, and then went to spar with his martial arts master before returning to his room to rest.

Shugo looked like a mannequin with its bones removed, his whole body limp like clothing as he leaned back on the homemade sofa in a Ge You-style reclining position. His black hair, still damp from his bath, was slightly steamy.

Ren Guang was used to his young master's lazy behavior. After carefully tidying up the documents on the desk, he looked at his young master and advised him.

"Young master, you need to dry your hair, or it will give you a headache."

Hiiragi responded but didn't move.

Ren Guang had no choice but to fetch a steamer and carefully dry the young master's hair, while asking the question that had been bothering him.

"Young Master, why are you treating Ubuyashiki the Great Prince like this today?"

"Don't you think he's cute?" Shugo said matter-of-factly.

"Small and soft, about the size of a palm, like a swallowed dessert, pitiful yet adorable, like a kitten, you want to hold it in your arms and pet it." Shugo uttered these wild words.

Seeing Muzan in his human childhood for the first time, Shugo genuinely found this sensitive and awkward child quite adorable.

Or rather, protecting offspring is a biological instinct, and humans have a natural tolerance for their young.

Otherwise, why would there be such terrible creatures as bratty kids in the world?

As he spoke, Shugo grabbed the calico cat that had run in, hugged it to his chest and rubbed it, his face full of the joy of a cat lover.

Ren Guang's expression froze. "That's just your personal opinion, isn't it?"

The child was pale and sickly; it was impossible to praise him.

And what are you saying, young master!

Down it in one gulp! Young master, you're not a man-eating monster, and the young master of the Ubuyashiki family isn't some kind of snack!

"How's your calligraphy practice going? If you're running out of paper and ink, just say so."

Li felt a warmth in her heart and smiled, "There's still more than half left."

A close attendant like him, chosen from the bottom ranks, wouldn't have this kind of learning opportunity. Generally speaking, the close attendants of the heirs of large families like the Fujiwara Kita family should be descendants of some ally.

Unfortunately, Shugo didn't meet the right time; his allies' offspring were either too old or too young to be his eldest son.

The eldest son, being the heir, is unlikely to be sent here, and a little kid is even less likely to be sent here.

Why did you send it here?

To have the heir of the Fujiwara Kita family work as a nanny?

That's why it has evolved into this state.

Shugo simply trained Jinko instead of waiting for someone else; for him, trust was far more important than so-called noble status.

"Rinko, do you want to be a steward?" Shugo asked casually. He wanted to train Renko so that even after he became a demon, he could still rely on Renko, the all-around chief steward.

Renguang's expression froze for a moment, then he gave a wry smile. Having assisted Shugo in handling documents, he knew very well what a clerk was.

The term "bianguan" refers to administrative officials.

With only a hundred nobles and courtiers in Kyoto, it was naturally impossible for them to govern the entire country. Therefore, the nobles and courtiers chose to decentralize power, only being responsible for the power to assess merits and demerits, that is, the power to appoint officials, and to manage administrative officials headed by the census taker.

"I am merely a servant; I cannot hold office," Ren Guang said calmly.

Even the lowest-ranking official is a nobleman with a surname and clan, not a commoner like him with only a given name.

“You have the ability, you can remember everything you see, and you are more competent than those people for the job, so why can’t you do it?” Shugo said nonchalantly.

Ren Guang still shook his head and refused. He knew that the power of the Fujiwara Hoku family could do it, but there was no need. He was not lacking anything now, and he might not be able to maintain the same level of politeness as Fujiwara Shugo, even towards insignificant servants, as those nobles who always looked down on others.

Furthermore, if a servant were to become an official, it would inevitably bring criticism upon the young master, which would be detrimental to him.

Hiiragi sighed regretfully, saying that the Ishido Gold Mine and Sami Silver Mine needed to be developed by trustworthy people.

Don't forget, Little Life is known as Treasure Island, and there are plenty of precious metals here.

After Ren Guang finished organizing the documents, he brought out some new-style snacks and fruit drinks.

Shugo squinted his eyes happily as he ate the sweets that he had the kitchen replicate—they were all his hard work.

"Oh, right, prepare some medicinal herbs and items for a three-year-old and send them to the burial house. Also, go to the craftsman to pick up the toys I ordered." Shugo took a bite of the soft, chewy sweet and gave a few instructions.

Ren Guang silently agreed, and his attention to the child named Ning Ning increased even more.

*

Shugo then chose a day when he had few tasks to visit Muzan.

The changes are truly remarkable.

Shugo didn't say anything about the almost completely renovated bedroom, and strode into the inner room.

Early June in summer, the sun is blazing.

There was no ice placed in the inner room to cool off the heat.

Muzan peeked out from the inner room, blinking his eyes like a cat observing humans, his gaze carrying a faint resistance, and he was not friendly towards people.

When the servants brought over the ice basin, Shugo waved his hand to indicate that it should be taken away, because Muzan's weak and cold constitution meant he couldn't use ice.

Muzan picked up the bowl and gulped down the medicine in one go. He then quickly popped a piece of candied fruit into his mouth, the bitterness spreading from the tip of his tongue, causing Muzan's small face to scrunch up.

A snow-white sugar ball sprinkled with sugar was offered to Muzan's lips.

The sweet aroma of the candy made Muzan unconsciously open his mouth.

Ouch!

So sweet! Much sweeter than candied fruit!

In Kyoto, where resources are not plentiful, sweets are quite a rare treat.

Muzan's eyes lit up, and he crunched on the candy.

Hiiragi picked the person up and sat them down at the table.

There were many snacks on the table that Muzan had never seen before.

The cat is getting restless.

No child is immune to greed!

Hiiragi began his enjoyable feeding journey.

Muzan's cheeks were bulging out, making him look like a little hamster.

Really delicious.

Compared to this, the candied fruit at home isn't sweet at all!

Sweets make children happy, and their eyes crinkle into crescent moons.

After wiping the crumbs from Muzan's mouth, Shugo quickly devoured the rest of the snacks in a few bites, as Muzan's physical condition did not allow him to eat more.

Muzan watched longingly as Shugo devoured the sweets in a few bites, his eyes filled with desire, but he still didn't reach out for any.

"Children shouldn't eat too much, but adults can." Shugo admired Muzan's expression, a sly smile playing on his lips.

Muzan, unhappy, tried to get out of Shugo's arms.

"If you eat too much, you'll get indigestion, and your stomach will hurt a lot, like there are worms crawling inside." Shugo poked the child's soft belly, deliberately trying to scare him.

Insects! Fear flashed in Muzan's eyes as he looked away from the empty dessert plate.

Ren Guang, who was watching from the side, twitched his lips slightly, looking at the childish young master who was scaring children.

They began to converse in a harmonious atmosphere.

"Want to play a game?" Shugo asked, looking at the dejected Muzan.

"I can't play."

Dejected because he couldn't get any snacks, Muzan was too weak to run or even walk much; he would get sick if he was exposed to the wind for too long.

It's too hot today, so he can't go out.

His peers, instructed by their parents, did not play with him. Those of lower status dared not, fearing he would blame them if something went wrong, while those of higher status disdained him, thinking he might transmit his illness. No one wanted to associate with him.

Normally, he was always alone, and the 'girl' in the scarlet dress only showed envy for her peers who played freely.

"There are also games that don't move."

Hiiragi then spoke and gave instructions.

Muzan was looking curiously at the toys that Shugo had brought.

A thin template with grids drawn on it and four different colored chess pieces.

Hiiragi smiled and began to explain how to play Ludo.

Modern man Shugo naturally has many games in his mind. Having gained experience from interacting with his younger siblings, he easily makes the children's eyes light up and completely immerse them in the game.

Shugo also managed to clear his mind, and both the big and little ones had a great time.

Muzan Neko's face was flushed, clearly showing that she was happy.

The two had a good time and enjoyed themselves.