The Entertainment District was a bustling pleasure quarter. Its streets were full of courtesans dressed to the nines, trying to lure in customers.
"My lord, you're quite the strapping man. Would you like to come relax at our establishment? The girls here just love your type."
"Haha, I'd be delighted. Back in the day, I was known as the White Dragon of the Waves. Once I've taken care of some business, I'll be sure to stop by and try your establishment out."
"Oh my, then I'll be waiting for you."
The courtesan fluttered her eyelashes and blew him a kiss, then swayed away, taking three steps for every one.
"Well, well. I had no idea you were so smooth, Mr. Suzuki Mufeng. Should I tell Sabito and the others about this strapping gentleman when we get back?"
Butterfly Kanae, disguised as a courtesan, suddenly appeared beside him like a ghost and asked with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Please don't! If Grandpa Urokodaki and the others find out I've been acting like this, I'll be lucky if I only lose a layer of skin. Besides, I'm doing this for the mission, so please let me off just this once, Big Sis Kanae."
Suzuki Mufeng pressed his palms together and begged Butterfly Kanae for mercy.
Kanae knew Suzuki Mufeng had dressed like this to investigate the Eternal Paradise Cult, but every time she saw him chatting so intimately with a courtesan, she felt a pang in her heart. She seemed to hate seeing him act like that. If only she'd been more forceful and stopped him from coming in the first place.
While she was lost in thought, Suzuki Mufeng led her through several places before finally entering a room. He got straight to the point.
"I haven't managed to gather much information about the Eternal Paradise Cult. They're all very wary. No matter how I tried to sound them out, this was all I could find out.
"First, the Eternal Paradise Cult only accepts women. Second, they target women who have lost all hope in life. Finally, the women who join the Eternal Paradise Cult never reappear."
He had tried using his Sharingan to hypnotize them and get information, but Doma was far too cautious. Anyone who knew the truth had probably already been dealt with.
"I've found out the same things you have, but I heard the Eternal Paradise Cult is looking to recruit more followers soon. It'll happen in the next few days, and they'll definitely be choosing from among the courtesans."
He knew the cult's leader, Doma, liked to eat women. He thought that perhaps he could find a woman who had already joined the cult, knock her out, and use the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as her and infiltrate the group.
That way, even if Butterfly Kanae ran into Doma, he'd have a chance to rescue her. The biggest problem was the other Upper Rank Six, Daki and Gyutaro.
Why had Doma come to the Entertainment District, where Daki was, instead of recruiting followers somewhere else? What was the purpose of having two Upper Ranks gather in one place?
While Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae were exchanging information, Doma and Daki were already in a room together.
"Doma, why aren't you staying at your Eternal Paradise Cult? What are you doing here in my Entertainment District?"
"Little Sister Daki, can't I come check on a fellow demon? Actually, Lord Muzan has a message for you: eliminate the family that possesses Sun Breathing at all costs.
"As for the rest, my followers have been dwindling lately, so I thought I'd come to you for some quality recruits, Little Sister Daki."
"How disgusting. Hurry up and get it over with, then leave. As for the family that uses Sun Breathing, I'll look for them."
"Then thank you, Little Sister Daki. I'll take you up on that."
Wearing a false smile and hiding half his face behind a folding fan, Doma slowly retreated into the darkness. Daki changed back into her Warabihime disguise. In a foul mood, she went to find a few courtesans to take her anger out on.
A few weeks passed in the blink of an eye. After returning to her disguise, Butterfly Kanae soon received an invitation from the Eternal Paradise Cult. Thanks to her natural advantages, she infiltrated the group with ease. All she needed was the right opportunity to meet its leader, Doma.
"Mufeng, I'm afraid I'll have to handle this mission alone. You investigated them too, and you have no idea where their leader is. He's always the one who contacts them. Don't worry. I can handle that demon even on my own. I'm the Flower Hashira, after all. Don't worry too much, Mufeng."
Butterfly Kanae rose onto her tiptoes and ruffled Suzuki Mufeng's hair, giving him a reassuring smile.
But, Big Sis, in the original story, you died at Doma's hands. How could anyone not worry?
"I'll be by your side when the time comes. I have a way. Just remember: if anything seems wrong, even if it means blowing your cover, run. Run at once."
Suzuki Mufeng placed both hands on Butterfly Kanae's shoulders and reminded her solemnly.
Butterfly Kanae's heart stirred. She took Suzuki Mufeng's hand and pressed his palm to her cheek, feeling his warmth.
Her gesture made Suzuki Mufeng's heart race. In his previous life, he'd been a great mage; was he finally going to lose his virginity in this life? Butterfly Kanae simply said, gently but firmly,
"I'll come back alive."
Not long after they parted, Butterfly Kanae received word that the Eternal Paradise Cult was calling its followers together. She knew the leader they had been searching for had finally shown himself.
"My lord, you're back! We girls have missed you so much."
"My lord's technique was so wonderful. I'd love to experience it again."
"Xiaoqing, you're so sneaky, getting to the front like that! Pick me first, my lord!"
Suzuki Mufeng was taken aback by the women's enthusiasm. All he'd done before was use his Sharingan's illusion to give their minds a deep massage. I, Mufeng, am a respectable man.
Among the women, Suzuki Mufeng quickly spotted his target: the woman who had joined the Eternal Paradise Cult.
"You, come with me to my room and have some fun."
Without a second thought, Suzuki Mufeng pulled the woman into his arms and carried her toward a room, leaving the other women behind, sighing with disappointment.
As soon as they entered the room, the woman looked at him with bashful eyes. A few days earlier, he had rekindled hope in her desolate heart, and that was why she hadn't gone to the Eternal Paradise Cult's gathering.
After all, everyone knew there was something wrong with that religion. Who would join such a suspicious cult unless they had truly lost all hope in life?
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to sleep for a little while."
The woman met his crimson eyes and immediately passed out. Suzuki Mufeng left a Shadow Clone behind to watch over her, then used the Transformation Technique to take on her appearance.
"With this face as my pass, and the gathering place already known, I have to set out at once."
As Suzuki Mufeng slipped out of the room and walked down the corridor, an unexpected figure appeared in front of him. Upper Rank Six, Daki, stood directly in his way.
At the same time, Butterfly Kanae had successfully met Doma, the white-haired leader of the Eternal Paradise Cult, seated in the center of the room.
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