"I imagine you wouldn't want Sesshōmaru to learn he isn't your biological son, would you?"
At these words, Rin Getsu gave Luo Shu a peculiar look, studying him for so long that even he grew slightly unsettled.
Finally, she remarked coolly: "You're still just a child after all."
She even let out a derisive snort:
"Do you really think I'd keep such a thing from Sesshōmaru?"
Luo Shu blinked in surprise.
Rin Getsu continued calmly:
"Sesshōmaru is the perfect yokai, born from Demon Power—forged by combining the strength of all pure-blooded yokai in our Dog Tribe, with Tōga and myself as the foundation."
"That is Sesshōmaru."
"The destined ruler of the Dog Tribe."
"Did you honestly believe Tōga, myself, or the elders would conceal this from him?"
"We yokai don't harbour the same twisted malice as you humans."
Hearing this, Luo Shu simply nodded and said:
"I see. So you never hid it from Sesshōmaru from the start, yet he still considers Tōga his father and you his mother?"
'No wonder you meet the Familia's recruitment requirements.'
At this point, Luo Shu suddenly changed tack:
"What was the Dog Tribe's purpose in raising Sesshōmaru?"
Hearing this, Senhime Rin Getsu's eyes flickered with nostalgia and emotion as she replied:
"Purpose? It was merely one of Tōga's experiments."
"An attempt to advance further?" Luo Shu probed.
That was the Dog Tribe's true lifeblood. Even if she died and the clan was wiped out, it couldn't fall into the hands of outsiders.
Luo Shu smiled faintly and said to Senhime Rin Getsu:
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.
With meaningful emphasis, Luo Shu continued: "The organisation I represent already includes someone who has achieved what you dream of."
Senhime Rin Getsu's pupils contracted sharply as she stared at Luo Shu in astonishment.
Maintaining his smile, Luo Shu added:
"Demigod."
"That's what we call the next stage beyond Great Yokai."
"Beings who've grasped divine authority and truly transcended mortality."
Senhime Rin Getsu studied Luo Shu's face intently:
"You... aren't from this world, are you?"
"Clever."
Luo Shu applauded lightly before smiling at her:
"So, shall we continue negotiations?"
Senhime Rin Getsu neither agreed nor refused.
She simply scrutinised Luo Shu's expression, verifying his honesty before asking:
"What are your terms?"
"Just the Dog Tribe's complete allegiance?"
She couldn't fathom a Demigod's true power, but she knew exactly how formidable Tōga had been.
At his peak, Tōga's Demon Form stretched 1,500 metres long. His slightest movements could trigger earthquakes, and ordinary Great Yokai couldn't withstand three exchanges with him.
If Luo Shu's organisation truly possessed such a being, the core issue wasn't whether the Dog Tribe would submit, but whether they'd face annihilation.
Luo Shu responded with an enigmatic smile:
"The clan's allegiance is foundational. Beyond that... you personally must accept my constraints."
Frowning, Senhime Rin Getsu gave him a peculiar look:
"You little devil. Don't tell me you're another heretic like Tōga?"
"What?" Luo Shu blinked in genuine confusion.
Calmly, she explained:
"Playing dumb? No matter. Humans who fancy yokai, yokai who love humans - I've seen plenty over the years. I just never expected someone would set their sights on me."
Her gaze remained steady as she continued:
"So the terms are: the Dog Tribe's allegiance plus my hand in marriage, in exchange for advanced knowledge?"
"Would the secret of Demigod ascension be exclusively mine, or could Sesshōmaru also learn it?"
When she mentioned marriage, Luo Shu's eyelid twitched, but he bypassed the implication to answer:
"The method can be shared. Success, however, isn't guaranteed."
"I understand."
Senhime Rin Getsu sighed deeply at his response. "Even someone like me? That's truly an offer one can't refuse."
After becoming a Great Yokai, she had long seen no path forward. She'd assumed this was her lot in life, yet unexpectedly, new possibilities emerged. This genuinely surprised Senhime Rin Getsu.
Luo Shu frowned slightly at this point and explained:
"It's not 'even someone like you'. Among existing methods for cultivating Demigods, someone of your standing actually has higher chances of success than Sesshōmaru."
"Hmm?" This left Senhime Rin Getsu momentarily bewildered.
Her success rate was higher than Sesshōmaru's? Could it be that women had some innate advantage in ascending to Demigod status?
At this thought, she couldn't help but glance at Luo Shu and ask with a frown:
"Human, what's your name?"
"Luo Shu."
"Luo Shu, is it? I'll remember that name." Senhime Rin Getsu exhaled slowly.
"What an honour."
Luo Shu replied casually before materialising a contract scroll from thin air:
"The specific terms are these: We provide you and Sesshōmaru with viable methods to break through to Demigod status. In return, the Dog Tribe pledges loyalty to me as vassals. Any objections?"
Senhime Rin Getsu observed the brown parchment scroll that had appeared in Luo Shu's hand, merely narrowing her eyes as she studied him:
"You could have simply taken it by force."
"Forced fruits taste bitter."
Luo Shu responded with a smile, adding:
"Besides, how do you know our cooperation won't prove more profitable than plunder?"
As he spoke, Luo Shu handed the contract to Senhime Rin Getsu while remarking:
"After signing, you'll understand more - including why I consider your success rate higher than Sesshōmaru's."
"Oh? Now that is truly something to anticipate."
Senhime Rin Getsu gave Luo Shu another glance before accepting the contract. After scanning its contents, she signed her name with Demon Power.