Hunter [60]: Art is Explosion

Lin Jiu thought back to his younger days (first year of high school), when, in that still sacred campus untainted by money, his outstanding looks attracted quite a few girls.

However, he had rejected them all without hesitation. At that time, Lin Jiu could barely manage his own life, let alone handle a girlfriend. Birthdays required gifts, Valentine's Day required gifts, the Festival required gifts, the New Year required gifts... every holiday demanded a gift. It was almost to the point where even the Economic Festival would require a gift.

How could Lin Jiu possibly bear such a burden? Unexpectedly, after rejecting a few girls, some petty-minded individual or perhaps a displeased boy started spreading rumors that he didn't like girls.

Back then, except for those who knew his situation, many people found the rumors reasonable.

What a joke! How could he not like girls? If he wasn't afraid of catching something bad or enduring unbearable pain, he would've considered finding a rich woman already.

Sighing, he collected his thoughts. He was still in the derivative world; it wasn't the time to think about such nonsense.

One of Uzui Tengen's wives spoke up, "Although we are all ninjas, we are very weak and cannot protect others. We can't help you, and we're truly sorry."

Lin Jiu couldn't immediately remember her name and casually replied, "It's fine. Just help Tengen evacuate the crowd tomorrow."

Uzui Tengen heard that Lin Jiu didn't intend for him to participate in the battle and wasn't surprised, nodding in agreement.

"Not even Tengen-sama needs to join the fight?" one of Uzui Tengen's wives asked on his behalf.

"Yes, if all goes well, there won't be much fighting."

Lin Jiu thought for a moment and said.

Uzui Tengen, thinking about the topic of evacuating the crowd, recalled the scene when Oyakata-sama specifically instructed him before departure.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki had said, "Tengen, if you are acting with Red in the bustling areas, the task of protecting humans will fall to you."

Uzui Tengen, gripping his sword hilt, replied, "Although my strength is slightly inferior to Red's, I can still fight."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head, "It's not that I don't trust a Hashira's strength, but Red doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people. That's why you need to protect them."

"Understood," Uzui Tengen nodded. It was well known among the Hashira that Red didn't kill demons to protect ordinary people. As for why he killed demons, they didn't know and didn't care.

They certainly couldn't go and question him for killing so many Twelve Kizuki without reason.

Such foolishness had already occurred once hundreds of years ago. Kagaya Ubuyashiki knew better than to repeat that mistake.

Previous battles involving Lin Jiu had taken place in villages or remote areas, where the population density was low and had little impact on ordinary people.

This time was different; the fight was to take place in the bustling entertainment district. The commotion would be unlike before. Thinking of this, Uzui Tengen reminded, "Although killing an Upper Moon demon is important, it's broad daylight, and we must be mindful of the crowd."

"The entertainment district is more crowded at night."

Lin Jiu replied calmly. He might not know much, but he understood that such places were lively at night.

"Mr. Red is right. The peak hours for crowds are generally from late afternoon to midnight," Suma nodded in agreement. She, being in charge of gathering information, was well aware of the busiest times.

'You don't look like someone who frequents the entertainment district. How do you know so much?'

Uzui Tengen thought but didn't voice. Such words didn't suit his image as the God of Festivals.

Hinatsuru handed Lin Jiu a simple map, showing the room where Warabihime was located in the Kyogoku House. With the target identified, she no longer needed to risk her life to investigate, and just mapping out the interior of the Kyogoku House was sufficient.

"Your explosive fighting style is quite dazzling. Give me a few bombs to try tomorrow."

Lin Jiu thought for a moment and suggested using Uzui Tengen's bombs to blow off the roof faster.

"Hahaha, you think it's dazzling too? And... Please call me the God of Festivals!"

Uzui Tengen, knowing how tough an Upper Moon demon could be, generously gave Lin Jiu over a dozen specially made bombs.

These palm-sized bombs were convenient to carry. Uzui Tengen could easily carry dozens when going out. Any more would pose a risk of explosions.

After resting for a night, the following morning, under a clear blue sky, Lin Jiu headed straight for the Kyogoku House. Uzui Tengen and his three wives kept a certain distance from Lin Jiu, ready to evacuate the crowd if a battle broke out.

Though it was daytime, the legal entertainment district never lacked visitors. Lin Jiu didn't rush into action; instead, he first approached the hostess and asked, "Is your oiran Warabihime here?"

"Sir, our oiran isn't someone you can meet just because you want to."

The proprietress saw that the person asking was good-looking enough to be an oiran with some makeup, but that strange gaze made her not dare to look for too long.

Lin Jiu frowned. He was already being so kind, and [Dawn] was kept in the storage space. Why was this proprietress still talking so timidly?

"What's up? Just answer whether she's here or not."

Lin Jiu felt he couldn't show a good face to these people. The proprietress, who mingled in such places, had seen all kinds of people and was most afraid of the tough ones.

"She is here. But I still can't let you..."

The proprietress felt that even calling her husband wouldn't hold the situation. The aura of the person in front of her was too strong; he must be extraordinary.

Confirming the information, Lin Jiu was about to take action but suddenly remembered that the proprietress had already suspected Warabihime's identity for a long time in the original story and would eventually die miserably.

He walked to the side and called softly to the pondering proprietress, waving her over.

The proprietress was puzzled, wondering why this man had moved aside. Seeing that he had something to say, she cautiously approached.

"Have you never suspected anything about your oiran, Warabihime?"

Lin Jiu emphasized the word "oiran," and seeing the proprietress's face change, he was sure that at this point, she had already harbored suspicions but had never voiced them.

Later on, when Warabihime's behavior became increasingly excessive, she finally confronted her. This proprietress had a sharp sense but was a bit foolish. Knowing that the other party wasn't human, she still dared to point it out to her face.

"Who exactly are you?"

The proprietress asked in a low voice, her face serious, disregarding Lin Jiu's imposing presence.

"Demon Slayer Corps. As the name implies, we kill demons. Help me confirm that Warabihime is indeed in the house. Then find a chance to quietly gather the others outside. Leave the rest to me, and remember to stay calm and not give anything away. I only kill demons; saving people isn't my responsibility."

The proprietress had no doubts about Lin Jiu's final warning, taking a few deep breaths to calm herself.

"What should I do?"

Although the proprietress barely regained her composure, she was still clueless about what to do.

Lin Jiu's mouth twitched, sighing as he whispered, "Like this..."

"Everyone! Ladies and gentlemen! To thank you for your support of our Kyogoku House, we are holding a small senryu contest. The winner will have the chance to meet our oiran!"

The proprietress instructed two girls to gather the people.

"What's going on?"

The boss noticed the commotion and came over to inquire.

"We're holding a small event. Look at how enthusiastic everyone is!"

The proprietress replied stiffly. The guests were indeed excited; who wouldn't want to see the oiran's beauty?

"Seems like it. But did you discuss this with Warabihime?"

The boss nodded, seeing the enthusiastic scene.

"You host for a while; I'll go talk to her."

The proprietress knew Warabihime wouldn't agree but just needed to confirm if she was in the house.

She came to the northernmost shady house, the only one in Kyogoku House that didn't get sunlight during the day. Feeling the chill as she approached, the proprietress was more certain that Warabihime had a problem.

Knocking on the door but not entering to avoid any mishap, she asked from outside, "Warabihime, we have a small event at Kyogoku House, and the winner can meet you. Please cooperate."

"No way! How could my beauty be so cheap? Don't even think about it! The commotion outside is meaningless!"

As expected, Warabihime flatly refused.

In her eyes, her beauty was priceless. How could she easily meet anyone? Did they think they could make a scene and get away with it?

"Alright..."

The proprietress turned and left helplessly.

Leaning against a pillar, Lin Jiu watched the guests and girls making senryu poems.

Uzui Tengen and his four companions walked in, puzzled by the scene.

Just as Lin Jiu was about to briefly explain the situation, he saw the proprietress come out and nod at him, indicating that the person was in the house. He immediately stood up straight, [Dawn] appearing in his hand!

"Ah! What's he doing with that sword?"

Someone looked at Lin Jiu holding the weapon in terror.

It's a sword!

Lin Jiu glared at the person and sped towards the northern house. The boss was held back by the proprietress, allowing Lin Jiu to rush past.

"Art is Explosion!"

Lin Jiu exerted force and threw two bombs, causing them to explode on impact. While Uzui Tengen used slashes to detonate his bombs, Lin Jiu used force to make the bombs explode on collision.