Chapter 50: Kyoto Flower District
Zen'in Naobito looked at the miserable state of his son, a flash of helplessness and disappointment crossing his eyes, but more than that, a deep wariness of Toho Hiroshi's strength.
He sighed and cupped his hands toward Toho Hiroshi, saying, "My son is undisciplined and has offended you; I ask for your forgiveness."
Toho Hiroshi withdrew his gaze, as if he had only done something trivial.
He took one last look at the members of the Zenin Family present, especially lingering on the direction of the Zen'in sisters, and gave a slight nod as a farewell.
The next moment, ripples appeared in the space before him, and his figure quietly disappeared as if melting into water, leaving no trace behind.
Only the members of the Zenin Family remained, still immersed in the immense shock and fear brought by that single glance, unable to regain their composure for a long time.
In the air, that chilling, heart-palpitating pressure seemed to still linger.
Zen'in Naobito watched the spot where Toho Hiroshi had vanished, stroked his beard, and with a gleam in his eyes, whispered to himself, "The era... is truly about to change."
As for Maki, she gazed at the empty space ahead, biting her lip tightly as a new, firm goal quietly took root in her heart.
...
Kyoto, Gion Flower District.
As the lights began to twinkle, the ancient streets were illuminated by warm-colored lanterns and neon signs, the air filled with the scents of cosmetics, sake, and faint aromas of food.
Melodious music intertwined with the laughter of tourists, creating an atmosphere as prosperous and illusory as an Ukiyo-e painting.
However, beneath this prosperity, an unusual, cold residue of Cursed Energy flowed faintly, like oil seeping from sewage.
Ordinary people could not perceive it, but to Jujutsu Sorcerers, it was as obvious as a lighthouse in the night.
Two blocks away, on the second floor of a slightly old teahouse.
"Tsk, this Cursed Energy residue... it's sticky and uncomfortable, like the scent of rotting flowers mixed with the smell of old bloodstains."
With her long white hair and tall, curvaceous figure, Mei Mei frowned slightly, wearing an improved kimono suitable for movement, her fingertips lightly tapping against her expensive Cursed Tool—a giant axe.
Her crow shikigami was circling above the Flower District, sharing its vision.
"And the range is still expanding!"
Beside her, Utahime, wearing her hair in twin tails with a livelier but nervous air, interjected. She held several talismans in her hand, vigilantly sensing her surroundings, "The Window's observation was correct; the core of this power has definitely reached Special Grade. Honestly, why do these troublesome matters always fall on us... and in a place like this, of all places."
The two of them had been assigned by The Higher-Ups to investigate the frequent "strange incidents" in the Flower District—many tourists and shop staff had mysteriously fainted, waking up listless, with blurred memories, and all bearing the same strange Cursed Energy residue.
Preliminary judgment linked it to the Special Grade imaginary vengeful spirit—the incarnation of Tamamo-no-Mae.
"Complaining won't help, Utahime."
Mei Mei's tone was calm, carrying a hint of commercial calculation, "Exorcising a Special Grade comes with quite a generous reward. I just didn't expect the target this time to be so 'cunning'; its Cursed Energy trajectory seems to be constantly moving, making it difficult to lock onto a specific location..."
Just then, Mei Mei's crow shikigami let out a warning screech.
"Hmm?"
Mei Mei's expression tightened, "There is a powerful source of Cursed Energy approaching rapidly... This feeling... is it Suguru Geto?"
Almost simultaneously, the sound of unhurried footsteps came from the teahouse's wooden staircase.
Creak—
The sliding door was pushed open, and Suguru Geto, in his Jujutsu High uniform with that signature lock of hair on his forehead, appeared at the entrance.
His complexion was slightly paler than usual, and deep within his eyes lay a trace of unshakeable exhaustion and gloom, yet the corners of his mouth still held that gentle, mask-like smile.
"Senior Mei Mei, Senior Utahime, good evening."
Suguru Geto greeted them politely, "It seems we have received the same mission."
"Suguru?"
Utahime was somewhat surprised, "Why are you here too? And alone? Where are Satoru Gojo and Toho?"
She subconsciously looked behind Suguru Geto.
"Satoru and Hao have their own things to attend to."
Suguru Geto smiled without explaining further, his gaze turning to the eerie Cursed Energy permeating outside the window, "The situation seems trickier than anticipated. Do you two seniors have any findings?"
Mei Mei scrutinized Suguru Geto, keenly sensing that something was off about his state, but she did not point it out, simply sharing the intelligence in a professional manner: "The target is very cunning; it is constantly shifting, seemingly attaching itself to different 'vessels.' Currently, it is speculated that it feeds on human negative emotions such as lust, jealousy, and vanity, and is adept at creating illusions. The victims were all drained of significant vitality and mental energy while in a state of extreme pleasure or indulgence."
She paused and added, "Based on the residue analysis and the consistency with legends, it can basically be confirmed as the 'incarnation of Tamamo-no-Mae.' Regarding its background, we have found some interesting records..."
"Legend has it that a thousand years ago, a white-faced, golden-furred nine-tailed fox demon transformed into the stunning beauty 'Tamamo-no-Mae,' gaining the favor of the Retired Emperor Toba. Her seduction led to chaos in the imperial court and the Emperor's severe illness. Eventually, she was exposed by the ancient Jujutsu Sorcerer Abe no Yasuchika, fled to Nasuno, was hunted down by the dispatched punitive force, and her Cursed Energy and resentment transformed into the'Sessho-seki' (Killing Stone)."
However, the legend did not end there.
"A wisp of Tamamo-no-Mae's soul and her extremely reluctant resentment were not completely sealed into the Sessho-seki, but drifted to the Kyoto Flower District, the most prosperous place at the time, where human desires were most intense."
"For hundreds of years, it has lurked here, constantly absorbing the complex lust, the pain of unrequited longing, the resentment of being abandoned, vanity, and jealousy produced by geishas, courtesans, and patrons... These abundant negative emotions became its best food and breeding ground."
"It is no longer a complete human, but a Special Grade imaginary vengeful spirit born from the combination of countless human dark desires and the ancient fox demon's resentment—the 'incarnation of Tamamo-no-Mae'."
"It has no fixed form and can attach itself to any individual filled with strong desires, weaving illusions that best satisfy their cravings, and then devour their soul and life force in the midst of extreme pleasure. It is both an ancient demon from legend and a crystallization of human desires, making it extremely difficult to eradicate."
"That is roughly the situation."
Mei Mei concluded, "Tamamo-no-Mae's abilities are very troublesome, especially in a place like this where human desires are complex and dense; it is practically its home field."
Suguru Geto listened silently, his eyes becoming increasingly deep and dark.
Absorbing negative emotions, the crystallization of human desires...
This way of existence seemed to confirm some of the increasingly dark thoughts within his heart.
He subconsciously clenched his fist.
"Since that is the case, it is even more necessary to exorcise it as soon as possible."
Suguru Geto's voice still sounded calm, "Although its Cursed Energy residue is moving, the general area should be within these few Flower District streets. How about we search separately and use Cursed Energy to force it to reveal its form?"
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