He lowered his head, as if lost in thought.
In just a few days, his respected father, Mr. Jing, had passed away.
Now, he also faces a life-or-death choice.
After untying the others' ropes, Hikaru, like a walking corpse, was pushed and shoved out of the room.
Finally, only Megumi remained in the room.
He bowed to a point in the air and began to speak.
"Senior Master, I'm entrusting the task of arresting civilians to you."
"Um."
A real voice suddenly came from the empty corner and answered.
"Muzan told me long ago to capture more humans and take them back with me."
"In that case, I'm relieved."
He bowed again, and only after the real person's voice had disappeared did Hui raise his head.
The family matters were all prepared, but he had other things to do.
"Next, it's time for that Brain Eater to make his appearance."
He muttered something to himself, then turned and walked out of the room.
On the other side, the Shinri Family, led by Hikaru, also arrived at the entrance of the Hyakuya Family's house.
"Halt! Who are you?!"
Even from a great distance, the guards at the gate spotted them and issued a warning.
"We are from the Shinri Family. If you have any problems, please ask Hyakuya Clan Head for help."
One of them shouted, his voice humble and pleading.
"Please, we haven't eaten or drunk anything for days, please let us in!"
Looking at the Shinri Family members who resembled refugees, the guard couldn't help but feel a pang of pity, and his face showed some hesitation.
"Let them in."
At this moment, Hyakuya Inowa appeared at the door and spoke to the guard.
"I know one of them, and his identity is not a problem."
"I see."
Nodding, the guards sent someone to fetch some food and water, which they then gave to the Shenli people.
Most people disregarded saving face and sat cross-legged on the ground to eat.
Only Shinri Kōjin sat there motionless.
"Arrange rooms for these people, and don't forget to inform Ryūfū Clan Head."
Walking quickly forward, Inawa looked at Hikari, whose face was covered in dirt, and asked in surprise.
"Light People, how did you all become like this?"
"A hundred rains bring harmony to the rice fields."
Hearing someone calling his name, Hikaru looked up and looked over.
A faint light flickered in his dazed eyes; he seemed to be pondering something.
"I'll take this person back with me."
Seeing the strange light, Hyakuya Inowa took him back to his room.
I moistened a towel with warm water, wiped his face, and poured him a glass of water.
"What happened to the Shinri Family? Where is Chief Megumi? Are you all the only ones left?!"
When Shinri Keito was mentioned, Hikaru's expression instantly became complicated.
The clenched teeth kept grinding together, making a crunching sound.
Inawa noticed his hesitation but did not press him; he simply waited quietly.
After a long time, Guangren suddenly slapped himself.
"Smack!"
"What are you doing?!"
Hikaru's manipulation startled Inawa, who quickly stood up to check if he was alright.
"No need, I'm fine."
He grabbed Ina's arm and raised his head, staring intently at him.
His bloodshot eyes flashed with various lights, and Inawa even sensed a hint of pleading and relief.
"Hyakuya Inowa, you once said that we were friends, right?"
"Of course, so is there anything I can help you with?"
"Have."
Nodding vigorously, Guangren ripped open his tattered clothes, revealing his scarred chest.
He pressed his fingers to his heart, his gaze sincere yet pleading.
"Then please, kill me."
Chapter 552 Awakening
Upon hearing this request, Hyakuya Inowa was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened in disbelief.
"What did you say? Why are you joking now?"
"I'm not joking."
With a low and slow voice, Shinri Kōjin shook his head slightly and let out a long sigh.
"I would feel more at ease dying at your hands than at the hands of those guys."
Under Ina's puzzled gaze, he revealed that the Shinri Family had turned into demons and were planning to attack Hyakua.
After hearing this, the former's pupils instantly contracted to the size of pinholes.
He covered his forehead with one hand, sat down with his hands on the table, and kept shaking his head.
"Let me think for a moment, I don't quite understand what you mean."
"There's nothing to say!"
Upon seeing Hyakuya Inowa's appearance, Shinri Kōjin felt a surge of anger, grabbed the other man by the collar, and shouted.
"Kill me, and then kill my clansmen, and only then will your Hyakuya Family have a chance to survive!"
I have lost the will to continue living.
If, at the very last moment of my life, I can see my only friend alive, perhaps that would be a kind of redemption for myself.
Inawa wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by screams coming from outside.
Upon hearing the scream, Hikaru immediately released Ina's hand and quickly walked out of the room.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw one of his clansmen holding a knife, stabbing it viciously into the body of another member of the Hyakuya Family.
"It was them. They attacked the Baiyu tribe."
Similar situations are occurring frequently not far away.
He ran back into the room and shoved Inawa's Katana into his hand.
"Hurry up, or it will be too late! Those ghosts will attack as soon as they hear the screams!"
"Then why can't you fight them with us?"
Inawa, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, looking directly at Hikaru.
"Isn't it good to be alive?"
I am not qualified.
Gritting his teeth, Hikaru turned his head away, seemingly unable to look at Inawa.
Whether you are qualified or not is not determined by me; it is something you earned yourself.
With that, Inawa placed the knife in Hikaru's hand.
"I trust you."
Looking at the knife in his hand, Hikaru's hand trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions.
Suddenly, a violent explosion was heard outside.
Immediately following this were even louder roars and wild laughter.
"Charge! Charge! Capture the Hyakuya Family! Eat them!"
The demonized tribesmen, who had been hiding behind the light people, finally appeared and launched an attack filled with malice.
With their immortal bodies and the immense power granted by their Blood Demon Art, they charged straight in and quickly arrived near the room.
One of the ghosts sensed the presence of the Light Man, grinned, and kicked open the door with a bang.
After seeing the two people inside, his smile deepened.
"Hikari, why haven't you cut off his head yet?"
He licked his lips, but his gaze remained fixed on Ina.
Sensing the malicious gaze, Inako prepared for battle.
"Is he the ghost you were talking about?"
"Yes, in his eyes, humans are nothing but food."
"That's right."
With a cold laugh, the ghost activated its power, its arm twisting and turning into the shape of a drill.
"I'll give you one last chance. Kill the person next to you, or I'll kill you too."
He was already somewhat dissatisfied with Huiren's actions, and if given the chance, he wouldn't mind killing Guangren as well.
Consuming one of the former heirs of the Shinri Family was an immense pleasure for him, both psychologically and physically.
"Good."
Seemingly having figured everything out, Shinri Kōjin responded, then drew his sword and pointed the tip at Inawa.
Looking at the cold light in front of him, Daohe showed no surprise or fear.
The ghost not far away saw this scene and was somewhat displeased, but still urged him to hurry up and take action.
The next second, the light figure moved.
He turned around and rushed straight towards the door.
He raised his Katana high and then slashed at the demon's neck.
Faced with this sudden slash, the ghost's expression changed drastically, and he quickly jumped backward.
"Pfft"
Despite his speed, he was caught off guard and had his throat slashed by the knife.
"Shinri Kōjin, do you want to die?!"
Clutching his neck, the ghost grimaced in pain as he stalled for time to heal his injuries.
"Since you have no intention of becoming a member of the Shinri Family, then die!"
Without answering the other party's question, Shinri Kōjin simply gripped the knife firmly in his hand.
"Exterminate the evil spirits."
Upon seeing this, Inawa smiled again.