A Man's Understanding (Not referring to PS5 signal receivers.)

The death of Gagi was swift and painless. The panic of the people came and went just as quickly, so fast that the little boy hadn't even had the chance to summon his courage.

However, seeing the way his eyes glowed as he stared at Zhou Hong's muscles, and his stern command when the monster appeared, it was clear he had been deeply captivated by Zhou Hong's dashing performance.

He would likely develop in that direction in the future, and the courage to protect his younger sister was merely buried deep within his heart; it was only a matter of time before it erupted.

The day was still young. Since they were already out, there was no way they were going back to train, and as for the computer games of this era, Zhou Hong couldn't muster the slightest interest in those pixelated titles.

With nothing better to do, he filled the trunk with a mountain of food and gifts, then had Hibiki Gousuke drive toward Yanino Street.

Because they were in Hibiki Gousuke's small personal car rather than one of the GUTS vehicles, the speed felt somewhat sluggish.

By the time they reached Yanino Street, the sun had already dipped halfway behind the mountains. The clouds in the sky were rendered in shades of red, and the shimmering water reflected a dazzling luster under the gentle caress of the breeze.

The view grew increasingly vast. The low-rise buildings of Yanino Street had been mostly demolished, and after so much time, the construction site had reverted to the appearance of a wilderness.

Yet, in the end, no one in Yanino Street was as nostalgic as Grandma; everyone had signed the contracts.

Although the earth had been disturbed, the air was exceptionally fresh. The scent of midsummer drifted over with the swaying lotuses in the pond, and small fish and shrimp could be seen swimming in the clear creek.

"The air here is nice, and the scenery is great. I never expected you to know about a place like this, Ah-Hong." Hibiki Gousuke drove the car, his gaze lingering on the scenery to the side. "When I get old, I'm going to build a wooden house here and live."

"This place is going to be developed into an environmental protection zone in the future. There will be a 2000 yen entrance fee for everyone who enters."

A "?" appeared over Hibiki Gousuke's head.

Inside his tiny car, it was difficult for Zhou Hong to stretch his arms, but after bumping into the windshield, he still managed to complete a sweeping gesture.

"What do you mean by that?"

"From here to that mountain peak over there, it's all mine, and I'm the one who sets the fees." Zhou Hong said, his face expressionless as he spoke like a capitalist.

"2000 yen just to enter? You're extorting people!" Hibiki Gousuke couldn't help but slam on the brakes.

"Extortion doesn't make money this fast." A smile hooked the corner of Zhou Hong's mouth. "Uncle Li and I are planning to lease the mountain over there as well. If you butter me up a bit more, it wouldn't be impossible to save a spot for your retirement."

"But if you don't get on good terms with the original inhabitants here, I suspect you'd be having your funeral right after you move in."

The scorching sun had been blocked by the mountains, and the shadow of darkness covered Zhou Hong's face, causing Hibiki Gousuke to shiver involuntarily.

"Hey, are there those things here too?!" Hibiki Gousuke's voice had changed, and he kept his foot pressed hard on the brake.

A strange sound suddenly came from the back seat. Hibiki Gousuke could swear to the heavens that he hadn't put anything in the back.

A chilling, ghostly coldness suddenly crept into his collar, making Hibiki Gousuke's scalp tingle.

His neck turned with the difficulty of a rusted gear, and his gaze caught sight of an old man wearing tattered white clothes in the rearview mirror.

The old man noticed his gaze and bared his ghastly white teeth at him in the mirror.

Hibiki Gousuke's fists tightened.

To prevent Hibiki Gousuke from attacking and getting countered, Zhou Hong softly introduced, "Behind you is the great yokai—Obiko, the manager of this place."

"Captain, you haven't met him yet, have you? Only GUTS and the Director know of Obiko's existence."

Hibiki Gousuke felt quite helpless, yet also somewhat touched. "Is it really okay to tell me such classified information?"

Zhou Hong shrugged his muscles nonchalantly. "It's not a big problem. If another GUTS team is formed, I think you'd be capable of being the captain."

The phrasing was a bit convoluted, but it was indeed the truth.

Once this current batch of GUTS members retired, the formation of Super GUTS would indeed be led by Hibiki Gousuke as captain.

"I'm quite happy to hear you say that." Hibiki Gousuke kept a straight face. "But can you not scare me next time? I don't want to pass away while I'm still young."

Zhou Hong laughed and replied that he would next time.

"Ah-Hong, you're late. Little Li has already left," Obiko said with a smile.

Well, to the thousand-year-old Obiko, Uncle Li was indeed "Little Li."

Zhou Hong waved his hand and squeezed out of the small car. "Is everyone living comfortably?"

Obiko flashed into existence in front of Zhou Hong and nodded his bald head. "Everyone in this area is very grateful to you. Some of the little ones were hoping they could be of help to you."

Zhou Hong shook his head, signaling it wasn't necessary.

As for those little yokai he could knock out with a single punch, Zhou Hong felt they couldn't help at all.

He slapped his forehead and hurriedly opened the trunk. "I brought some food. Obiko, take this to the little ones."

The bright moon reflected a cold, clear luster. Under the moonlight, the grass began to sway, and the lake rippled.

A pure white fox was the first to poke its head out. Its jet-black eyes, full of charm, brightened significantly when they noticed Zhou Hong.

It let out a joyful cry, and like a white shadow, the White Fox circled around Zhou Hong's pillar-like legs.

"Little one, you always cling to me so I can't walk." Zhou Hong grabbed the White Fox by the scruff of its neck and pulled it into his arms.

The little fox stuck out its pink tongue and gently licked Zhou Hong's muscle-bound cheek.

This physique perfectly ruined the tender scene.

This little yokai belonged to the type that couldn't speak yet; it could only grow larger or smaller, and even when it grew to its largest, it was only the size of a person—which Zhou Hong noted was just a single punch away from defeat.

And this type of yokai was the most common in Yanino Street.

Although Hibiki Gousuke was a rough man, seeing this scene, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

The commotion in the grass and the pond grew increasingly intense.

"Captain, we need to go!" Zhou Hong urged hurriedly; he had no desire to be surrounded and left unable to escape.

Hibiki Gousuke gave White Fox one last stroke before starting up his small vehicle.

"A group of minor yokai live here, just like White Fox. Their requirements are simple: a secure nest to sleep in and enough food to fill their bellies."

"These are yokai capable of coexisting with humans. From now on, I'll have to rely on you, Captain Hibiki, to look after them."

Hibiki Gousuke drove at high speed, nodding slightly as he listened to Zhou Hong's voice, though he did not ask where Zhou Hong would be at that time, nor any such questions.

"Bang!"

The car slammed into something pitch-black, sending the dark shadow flying and skidding a long distance across the road.