Anxia Tsutako

The little girl fed Giyu food and water, her movements gentle and her gaze exceptionally tender. She even thoughtfully wiped his mouth, which reminded Giyu of his sister.

His parents had passed away early, and when he was young, his sister had taken care of him just like this.

"After I let you go, don't come back. Fish Scale Village is very dangerous. Even if you know how to use a sword, it's useless."

"Also, can I ask you to remember my name? I'm going to die anyway."

"If someone outside the village remembers me, it would be like I've seen the outside world."

The little girl tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with expectation. She looked directly at Giyu Tomioka. Her clear eyes held no trace of fear of death; instead, they showed a faint sense of relief.

Hearing her words, Giyu felt a stir. Is this what it means to go out and explore?

However, on second thought, he felt something was off, so he asked foolishly, "Why do you have to die? Do you have a terminal illness?"

"I know a friend whose blood can cure all diseases. You should try it if you get the chance."

Upon hearing this, the little girl let out a chuckle. She thought the young man was a bit silly but definitely a kind person.

"Then thank you!"

"Oh, right, my name is Anxia Niaozi!"

Anxia smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She was happy to have met this young man who seemed difficult to get along with.

"Remember my name, okay!"

"I'll let you go tomorrow night."

Knowing the girl's name, Giyu fell silent. He lowered his head, clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling slightly, and his breathing grew heavy. Each breath was accompanied by a deep sigh.

His normally calm heart was stirred. He thought he had let go, but Tsutako was also the name of his deceased sister.

Hiruma, who was eavesdropping on the rooftop, was stunned. So this is the girl's name.

And what was Giyu thinking, saying his blood could cure all diseases?

Suddenly, Hiruma had a flash of inspiration. He clapped his hands and exclaimed excitedly.

"Oh, wow!"

The one who tied the bell must untie it, and here I am!

Listening to Anxia Niaozi's tone, he could basically conclude that the girl must have something to do with the demon in the village, especially since she was willing to die for Giyu.

Clearly, she had seen the horror of the demon and believed that a mere young boy with a sword couldn't deal with that monster.

For an ordinary person, this thought was normal.

So, the next step was to wait and see. The demon would naturally appear.

"I'm a genius! Call me Sherlock Holmes!"

In his excitement, he dislodged a roof tile, which also drew the attention of Giyu and Tsutako.

"Meow, meow, meow~"

In his haste, Hiruma mimicked cat sounds vividly. Fortunately, he managed to get away with it.

Inadvertently, he caught a glimpse of a white ghostly figure in the distant bushes. Because he was on the rooftop, the figure didn't notice him.

He quickly lowered his body, trying his best to conceal his presence. Although he couldn't see clearly, he could judge its shape from its silhouette.

Fish head, human body.

Giyu had encountered it before, and so had he.

A clone of the demon.

Is that thing monitoring the dilapidated temple?

Seeing this, Hiruma's lips curved upwards. It seemed he wouldn't need Anxia Niaozi to find the hidden Lower Rank demon.

Heh heh heh!

Let me see it, and you're out of luck. My promotion quota.

Hiruma could hardly suppress his upturned lips. He didn't believe the clone wouldn't return to the main body.

And so, the demon watched the dilapidated temple, Hiruma watched the demon, like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

However, the demon's next move stunned Hiruma. It threw a stone towards the entrance of the dilapidated temple, with no other purpose than to wake up the villagers guarding the gate.

After doing this, it self-destructed, turning into a pool of milky white blood.

What the heck!

It just self-destructed so cleanly?

Isn't it supposed to go home to its mom?

With the clone self-destructing, Hiruma's plan was ruined. Life was truly unpredictable, like intestines wrapped around each other.

The villagers guarding the gate woke up. Seeing the temple gate half-open, they hurriedly got to their feet.

"Did that kid escape?"

"He shouldn't have!"

"It's better to take a look. After all, there aren't many outsiders, and we've finally caught a sacrifice."

Anxia Niaozi in the temple panicked. If she was discovered, she wouldn't be able to save Giyu.

Just then, the door opened, but it was Hiruma standing at the entrance.

After each receiving a sneak attack hand blade to the back, the two villagers safely returned to dreamland.

"Hiruma!" Seeing Hiruma arrive, Giyu knew he wouldn't have to wait until tomorrow night. He could leave now, and he was very happy.

"Got it!"

"You let the villagers catch you? What a noob!"

Hiruma righted the villagers and swaggered into the temple. He bowed slightly to the stunned Tsutako and said politely, "Miss Anxia Niaozi, I am Tendo Hiruma. Thank you for the meal."

"Since you intended to let Giyu escape, why did you try to hide it from me?"

Anxia clenched the hem of her clothes. She hadn't expected Mr. Traveler to follow her. Concealment was only for his own good. What use would one or two people be against such a monster?

She couldn't possibly let them go to their deaths.

"You guys should hurry and leave!"

Without further explanation, she ran out of the dilapidated temple without looking back.

Hiruma didn't stop her, as everyone had their own difficulties.

All he could do was kill that demon.

"Hiruma, untie me!" Looking at Anxia Niaozi, who had run off, Giyu remained as calm as ever, saying faintly.

"Wait for me!" Hiruma drew his sword, only cutting the ropes and not touching the chains.

"There are still chains!" Giyu looked at Hiruma in confusion. Cutting the chains wasn't difficult for them.

"It won't work. That demon is too cautious and refuses to show itself. We have to go find it," Hiruma said slowly, sharing what he had seen and heard with Giyu.

After listening, Giyu nodded and said, "So, the fish-headed, human-bodied one was indeed a clone."

He looked at Hiruma and asked, "What do we do next?"

"Wait and see!" Hiruma picked up the rope on the ground and walked towards Giyu with a smile.

"What are you doing?"

"Restoring the scene. Don't worry, my technique is very good, and you'll be able to break free later."

"You'll be in the dark, and I'll be in the light. That's all."

"Okay!"

Giyu nodded. A moment later, he was tied up like a caterpillar again, but this time he held the knot in his hand, and it would come undone with a tug.

"The girl will come to save you tomorrow night. Remember to tell her our plan." After tidying up the scene, Hiruma walked out of the dilapidated temple and instructed, "I'm going to find a sword for you, you idiot."

As soon as he took a step, he turned back and whispered a few words in Giyu's ear.

"Isn't this a bit much?"

Hiruma patted Giyu on the shoulder and said carelessly, "It's a small problem. I don't care about those things."

"Alright then, do whatever you want."

Before closing the temple door, he stared at Giyu with a gossip-filled expression and asked with a grin, "What do you think of that girl?"

Giyu was stunned for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth and said, "She's a good person. Very kind."