Ryomen Sukuna?
Me?
Jianxia was so startled by the other man's words that he forgot to put Fat Worm away, leaving it dangling below him.
Meanwhile, he quickly processed what the man had said, trying to make sense of it.
Two seconds later, he figured out the reason.
Most likely, the Zenin Clan in Heian-kyo wanted to curry favor with Sukuna or form an alliance with him, so they had sent an envoy to find him.
He had no idea how the man had mistaken him for Sukuna, but the situation clearly worked in Jianxia's favor.
And since the man was an enemy, Jianxia had no need to concern himself with morals.
"You're holding your head too high."
Jianxia swept back the hair over his forehead, fixing it into place with cursed energy.
Then the Long, Thin Cursed Spirit beside him unleashed an utterly terrifying wave of cursed energy pressure.
The Zenin envoy dropped to his knees with a thud.
Sweat covered his head, and he even slowed his breathing.
"I... I'm terribly sorry!!"
Hatred welled up in his heart.
Hatred for himself, and regret that he had taken the initiative to speak to Sukuna.
Especially while Sukuna was displaying his purple, thunderous style.
Even though he had known before setting out that his chances of survival were slim, actually facing someone so much stronger than him left the envoy unable to muster even the slightest thought of resistance.
If a random cursed spirit under his command was this powerful, the man himself could only be more terrifyingly strong.
The envoy lay prostrate on the ground, barely able to see the tip of that purple display.
A chill crept into his heart.
Everyone said Sukuna did whatever he pleased. Surely he wouldn't do something even more horrifying than killing him?
Surely not...
Watching the envoy flatten himself against the ground, frightened by the borrowed might of his bluff, Jianxia quietly withdrew Fat Worm into the black substance.
"What's your name?"
Jianxia, playing Sukuna, lowered his voice as he recalled everything he knew about him.
The envoy said nervously, "M... my name is Zenin Wu Yan. I'm a Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer of the Zenin Clan!"
"I only asked for your name. Who asked for your position?"
Jianxia's tone brimmed with impatience, and then Banquet of Fated Remnants unleashed its own powerful pressure.
Zenin Wu Yan held his breath, terrified that he might lose his life the very next second.
Still, his answer gave Jianxia a little more confidence.
He might not be able to fool a Grade 1 or Special Grade Sorcerer, but intimidating a mere Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer was easy enough for Jianxia.
Start by putting him in his place and keep firm control of the conversation-that was Jianxia's plan.
After a brief silence, Jianxia said, "From now on, you answer only what I ask. Understood?"
"U... understood."
Zenin Wu Yan remained prostrate, all five points of his body pressed to the ground, and dared not say anything unnecessary.
Seeing that the man had become obedient, Jianxia decided to get straight to the point.
"What did you come to me for?"
"Lord Shinichi Zenin, the head of the Zenin Clan, wishes to form an alliance with Lord Sukuna to fight Shinji Zenin, an enemy of the court."
This time, Zenin Wu Yan answered Jianxia's question smoothly, then fell silent again.
He had no idea when he might offend this tyrant.
Jianxia rubbed his chin. The man's purpose was exactly what he had guessed.
But why come to Mutsu to seek an alliance with Sukuna?
"How did you know I was here?"
Jianxia chose a somewhat vague way to phrase his question.
"Our clan head possesses the knowledge to create cursed corpses. He once sent them to the vicinity of Mutsu Province to gather intelligence on the enemy of the court, and in the process, they discovered traces of Lord Sukuna."
"Are you saying I was being followed?"
Zenin Wu Yan's heart lurched, and he hurriedly replied, "N... no! Our clan head did not deliberately follow Lord Sukuna. That information came to him by chance!"
Jianxia grew interested. He hadn't expected them to actually have something.
"What did you see?"
Seeing that the man wasn't pursuing the matter, Zenin Wu Yan let out a long breath. He had finally managed to save his own skin.
"Our clan head's cursed corpses found several bodies cut in half near Hiraizumi in Mutsu Province. It resembled Lord Sukuna's rumored ability... I don't know much more than that."
Jianxia really didn't know about this, but judging by when he had picked up Uraume, he might actually have narrowly missed Sukuna.
Still, that did not affect Jianxia's next move.
"If you've come to seek an alliance with me, where's your offering? If you don't have one, I'll kill you."
"I do, I do! I have one, Lord Sukuna."
Hearing that the man intended to kill him, Zenin Wu Yan's will to survive made him forget about staying prostrate, and he removed the long sword at his waist.
He lifted the sheathed sword in both hands, then bowed his head and knelt respectfully before Jianxia, as though presenting a treasure.
"This is a Special Grade Cursed Tool our clan head commissioned from a swordsmith. The blade is named Evening Mist. As long as you pour cursed energy into it, every swing is guaranteed to strike the enemy."
Jianxia's eyes widened slightly. He took the sword from Zenin Wu Yan, gripped its hilt with his right hand, and drew it halfway from its sheath.
The blue-green blade reflected silver light in the sun. Jianxia tried pouring cursed energy into it, and a gleam of blue appeared along its edge.
Then a cold flash swept past, and several strands of hair fell from Zenin Wu Yan's forehead.
It was so fast that even he, a Grade 3 Jujutsu Sorcerer, failed to react.
"A fine sword. I'll take it. Get up. Stop kneeling."
Jianxia accepted the sure-hit blade that should have belonged to Sukuna without a shred of guilt, and his mood soared.
After kneeling for nearly ten minutes, Zenin Wu Yan rose shakily to his feet, his gaze still fixed on the ground.
He had never realized that simply surviving could bring such happiness.
Had the King of Curses not still been standing before him, Zenin Wu Yan would have nearly burst into tears.
"Lord Sukuna... then, about the alliance...?"
Since the man was in such a good mood, Zenin Wu Yan decided to strike while the iron was hot and complete the mission that had brought him here.
Zenin Wu Yan had already made up his mind: whether Sukuna agreed or not, he would leave immediately and return to Heian-kyo.
"An alliance? Oh, right. I almost forgot what we were here for."
Jianxia hung the sword from his belt. He wasn't carrying many weapons, so there was no need to use Fat Worm for now.
Since I've taken their gift, I ought to give them something in return, right?
Even Boss Xu had at least built a gate before putting on his empty-fort bluff. I should at least offer some reassurance.
"I agree to an alliance with you. However, I have already made a binding vow with Shinji Zenin."
Jianxia wasn't lying about that. He had indeed made a binding vow with Shinji.
"But I have a plan for that. I'll just need your assistance."
Zenin Wu Yan swallowed. As a jujutsu sorcerer of the Zenin Clan, even if he was only Grade 3, his basic training was sound.
He nodded, indicating that he was willing to follow Jianxia's orders.
Then Jianxia narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "I've already gained Shinji Zenin's trust. I cannot violate the binding vow, but I can take you into his residence."
"Once there, with me vouching for you, you can pretend to join him. While gaining Shinji Zenin's trust, you can also contact Heian-kyo through carrier pigeons and pass along intelligence."
Jianxia's plan seemed flawless. Zenin Wu Yan couldn't find a single problem with it.
Looking into those clear eyes, utterly devoid of suspicion, Jianxia couldn't help flashing the same toothy grin as Sukuna.
This guy might not even be as smart as Megumi Zenin.
Before you continue