"Well now."
Ye Xing regarded Miko with genuine surprise.
"You actually share my thoughts?"
"What else?"
"I expected you to say 'Though Onimaru Kunitsuna is magnificent, outright theft is criminal—we must find another way.'"
Miko sighed wearily.
"It's a national treasure. What alternatives exist beyond stealing it?"
Studying her with amusement, Ye Xing chuckled.
"And you've no objections?"
"Obviously."
Miko's golden eyes gleamed—no longer clouded by the confusion of suppressing her true nature.
"Onimaru Kunitsuna, a spiritual object powerful enough to let ordinary men slay evil spirits, wastes its potential gathering dust in a glass case."
"Only in our hands—used to exorcise more evil spirits and save more lives—will its true value be realised."
Nodding thoughtfully, Ye Xing murmured:
"You've grown, Miko."
A faint smile touched Miko's lips.
"Well, I was taught by Kyoto's foremost exorcist, wasn't I?"
"Ah, don't say that."
Ye Xing waved a modest hand.
"Your development is at most ninety-five per cent my merit. The remaining five per cent is your own effort."
Miko rolled her eyes—so she only rated five per cent?
Before she could retort, Ye Xing's expression sobered, delivering an unexpected gravity:
"Then tell me—what's your current perspective regarding my actions during the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident?"
As Ye Xing's words fell, the air in the activity room seemed to grow heavier in that instant.
Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten.
For the members of the Society, this was a topic everyone tacitly understood yet remained tight-lipped about, as if it had been completely forgotten.
Even Yuigahama Yui, the least sharp-minded and often seemingly naive among them, knew what Ye Xing had done during that incident.
Murder.
Evil spirits, though born from deceased humans, were undeniably natural enemies that could never coexist with the living.
Even a great demon like Tamamo-no-Mae, capable of independent thought, harboured deep-rooted malice towards humanity in her bloodline.
The Society's operational principles—or rather, the principles set by Ye Xing—were entirely based on this premise.
Any evil spirit that gained the power to interfere with human lives should be eradicated.
But what about humans who committed heinous crimes?
Those kidnappers, though influenced by evil spirits to commit such atrocities, were ultimately not possessed but merely manipulated—still human after all.
The Society members didn't know how to confront the fact that Ye Xing had killed people.
Or perhaps, they chose not to confront it, deliberately forgetting this matter.
Hearing Ye Xing's question now, Miko Yotsuya remained silent for a long while before softly replying, "Even if they were humans manipulated by evil spirits... I don't think I could bring myself to kill them directly."
Then she raised her head, meeting Ye Xing's gaze squarely. "But you saved all the innocent people in Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten. That outcome is enough. As for the methods used during the process... while I wouldn't do such things myself, I'll support you."
Ye Xing smiled. "What about the debate between justice of outcome and justice of procedure? What's your take?"
Miko blinked in confusion before shaking her head. "Outcome? Procedure? I don't understand these terms."
Before Ye Xing could explain, a faint smile touched her lips as she murmured, "But I believe justice is simply justice. Protecting innocent people who, like I once was, face danger with no choice but to endure helplessness and despair —that's why I joined the Society. That's what I most want to do."
"Good. That's enough then."
Hearing Miko Yotsuya's response, Ye Xing nodded noncommittally.
He thought to himself that she had indeed grown.
And grown considerably at that.
From the naive high school girl he'd first met - who, though well-intentioned, had acted recklessly and nearly turned from plaintiff to defendant on that train incident - to someone who now clearly understood her goals and was becoming proficient in exorcism.
At this realisation, Ye Xing couldn't help but feel privately moved.
If every member of the Society could be like Miko Yotsuya - needing only slight guidance to fully clarify their true intentions - then their forces against evil spirits wouldn't be limited to just himself and Miko.
...
When all members had gathered in the clubroom, Miko Yotsuya informed everyone about the upcoming exhibition of the famous sword Onimaru Kunitsuna in Kyoto City.
Neither Rio Futaba nor Yui Yuigahama had any objections.
As Miko had said, keeping Onimaru Kunitsuna locked in a glass display case would be a criminal waste.
Such a powerful spiritual object should naturally be used to slay evil spirits.
Waste not, want not.
Mai Sakurajima sat listlessly by the window, chin propped on one hand, her long legs clad in black tights swinging idly - she looked thoroughly bored out of her mind.
Currently, Ye Xing was the only person in the world who could interact with her.
During these Society meetings, Mai always felt particularly lonely observing from the sidelines.
The discussions everyone was having seemed so interesting.
She wanted to join in, too.
"Onimaru Kunitsuna..."
After hearing Miko's explanation, Rio Futaba frowned slightly and looked at Ye Xing.
"Your plan still involves using a Gate?"
"Correct."
By Friday after school this week, Hachishaku-sama's power would complete its seven-day cooldown period.
This situation differed from the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident.
It was unlikely a Gate would spontaneously appear in the exhibition hall.
Ye Xing planned first to enter the Reverse World through an existing Gate, reach the exhibition hall within that realm, then use Hachishaku-sama's power to open a new Gate directly into the real-world exhibition hall.
This process would leave no traceable evidence.
To ordinary observers, Ye Xing would simply appear inside the exhibition hall.
Unless the Metropolitan Police Department had already narrowed their suspect list to him and implemented round-the-clock surveillance to verify his alibi during the operation time, there would be no way to trace him.
"Hmm... I don't see any issues with other aspects."
Rio tapped the desk lightly with a ballpoint pen as she spoke thoughtfully.
"But timing is a concern."
While Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya didn't understand, Ye Xing immediately grasped Rio's meaning.
"You're referring to both the time window for appearing in the exhibition hall, and whether two hours is sufficient to complete the entire process - traversing the Reverse World to reach the exhibition hall, retrieving Onimaru Kunitsuna, and returning by the same route?"
"Exactly."
Rio nodded, adjusting her glasses as she sipped freshly brewed coffee before beginning her analysis.
"Although the Metropolitan Police Department consists only of ordinary people, they are still the Metropolitan Police Department after all. We shouldn't underestimate their investigative capabilities."
"Last time, the period when Ye Xing appeared at Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten was during the twilight hour."
"If we choose the twilight hour again this time, once might be a coincidence, but twice would likely reveal a pattern to the Metropolitan Police Department."
"After all, the concept of twilight hour is quite a widespread supernatural legend within Japan."
"It would naturally be best if we could prevent the Metropolitan Police Department from discovering this pattern."
"So I suggest choosing dawn this time, between five and seven - what we call the Human Hour."
At this point, Rio Futaba paused slightly to catch her breath before continuing her analysis.
"Additionally, due to the recent rapid increase in crime rates in Kyoto City, the Metropolitan Police Department has already deployed elite reinforcements from various cities."
"Under these circumstances, an exhibition featuring a national treasure like Onimaru Kunitsuna will undoubtedly have far greater security measures than a normal exhibition."
"For our plan to succeed smoothly, we must consider numerous factors: the strength and alertness of security personnel, the exhibition hall's alarm trigger mechanisms, methods to bypass the display case's bulletproof glass, and even the possibility of facing an armed response team."
"Moreover, at some exhibitions, the genuine artefact is actually stored in a metal vault, while the display case contains a flawless replica. We'll need to prepare methods to verify whether it's the real Onimaru Kunitsuna."
Rio noticed that after she finished speaking, Yui Yuigahama and Miko Yotsuya were staring at her with expressions as if they'd seen Tamamo-no-Mae herself. Frowning slightly, she asked:
"What's wrong? Is there a problem with what I said?"
"Fu...Futaba..."
Yui Yuigahama, utterly astonished, voiced her genuine admiration.
"You just heard about this and already thought of all these preparations? Your thinking speed is incredible!"
Miko nodded in deep agreement.
"Yes, thank goodness you're on our side."
When Rio Futaba first accepted Ye Xing's invitation to join the Society, Miko had assumed it was just another eccentric joining their group.
But after witnessing Rio's analyses during various incidents - especially after she learned the truth about the Reverse World - Miko finally understood.
This seemingly aloof science girl...
Was just like Ye Xing - another extraordinary talent!
It was rather embarrassing to admit.
Even as a psychic, Miko had only considered how to enter the exhibition hall, retrieve Onimaru Kunitsuna and leave.
Things like bulletproof glass, armed response teams, the Metropolitan Police Department noticing temporal patterns, or the display potentially being a replica - none of these had even crossed her mind.
Miko was still on the first floor.
Rio had already ascended to who-knows-how-many floors above.
As everyone began discussing the specific plan, Yui Yuigahama maintained her smile, though her eyes dimmed slightly.
Compared to Miko Yotsuya, a psychic who gathered everyone in the club, and Ye Xing, who secretly protected Kyoto City, as well as the genius Rio Futaba, whose analytical skills and meticulousness far surpassed those of an ordinary high schooler...
She...
Was far too ordinary.
Recently, the frequency of Gate appearances had been decreasing.
Moreover, with spring exams approaching, fewer students were coming to Yui Yuigahama with supernatural case requests.
In this Society composed of what normal people would consider geniuses, could someone as ordinary as herself truly contribute?
Would she... still be needed?
Would there still be a place for her in the Society's future?
In Yui Yuigahama's worldview, maintaining friendship required effort.
She'd originally believed that even as an ordinary person, she could still do her best to contribute to the Society.
But with recent events, that insecurity in her heart had resurfaced.
If this continued...
She'd be left behind.
...
After the discussion, the operation was scheduled for the spring break after exams.
The exact date would depend on team leader Ye Xing's arrangements.
Miko Yotsuya would also participate in the plan to retrieve Onimaru Kunitsuna.
Rio Futaba specifically warned them not to underestimate the Metropolitan Police Department's capabilities and methods.
After all, they had the entire country backing them.
As for intelligence gathering about the exhibition site, Rio decided to handle it herself.
No phones, no online searches—avoiding any possibility of the police tracing their steps.
This was different from the Kyoto Municipal Kindergarten incident.
Onimaru Kunitsuna was a national treasure sword that attracted nationwide attention in Japan; they had to be extremely cautious.
...
After school, Ye Xing went to his usual gym.
Since he wasn't planning to visit the Reverse World for now, this was a good opportunity to train.
His goal wasn't to increase raw strength, explosive power, or stamina.
The fastest way to enhance physical abilities was by devouring evil spirits.
Gym training was about adapting to and controlling his rapidly improving physical capabilities.
Only the power you could fully control counted as power.
What you couldn't control was just dead weight.
Mai Sakurajima didn't follow him inside, choosing to wander nearby instead.
During her acting career, she'd occasionally jog to build stamina for certain roles.
But Mai herself had little interest in fitness.
Besides, with nobody able to see her, a gym full of people moving equipment around was an accident waiting to happen.
Better to wait outside.
Originally, Mai was supposed to stay at Ye Xing's place only on weekends.
Today being Monday, she should have returned home.
Of course, Ye Xing wasn't stupid.
If Mai didn't mention leaving, why bring it up? Playing dumb wasn't hard.
Having a former national idol actress as a senior at home was quite the view.
"Shizuka-chan and Mafuyu Kirisu... aren't here today."
Ye Xing, now dressed in workout clothes, scanned the gym but didn't spot either of the two teachers he'd expected to see.
Of course, it made sense—they couldn't possibly come every day.
"Hey there, brother, you finally showed up!"
A burly man with thick arms and a simple, honest face hurried over as soon as he noticed Ye Xing, who hadn't been seen in the gym for a long time.
"You wouldn't believe it, but we've got a real beast here today."
"A beast?"
Ye Xing thought to himself, 'After seeing me do sets with 200kg bench presses, this guy still calls someone else a beast? Must be something serious.'
"Where is he?"
"Look, right over there."
Following the man's pointing finger, Ye Xing saw a white-haired man with a buzz cut and sharply defined muscles performing squats.
The barbell was loaded with multiple plates of the heaviest weights on each side, bending the bar itself under the strain.
Yet the man appeared completely at ease, not even wearing a waist support or knee wraps, showing no signs of strain whatsoever.
"How much weight is that?"
"Four hundred kilos."
"Impressive."
Ye Xing thought to himself that maxing out at four hundred kilos versus doing sets with four hundred kilos were entirely different concepts.
Still slightly below his current level, but undoubtedly formidable.
However...
Seeing the man's pitch-black eyes, with no whites visible, only eerie white pupils at their centres, Ye Xing found this unsurprising.
Wu Hei, from the world of Kengan Ashura.
A genius of the Wu Clan whose generations made assassination their profession, bearing the title of Forbidden Descendant.
Among Kengan Ashura's fighters with monstrous physical capabilities, Wu Hei stood as one of the elite - after all, he was strong enough to participate in the Kengan matches.
Though Ye Xing had heard rumours about these fighters and guessed this world incorporated elements from Kengan Ashura, this was his first time encountering a genuine combat athlete in the flesh.
Why would Wu Hei appear here?
Could it be related to Onimaru Kunitsuna's exhibition in Kyoto?
"Alright then."
Ye Xing patted the burly man's shoulder with a smile.
"I'll go change in the locker room first, be back shortly."
"Sure thing."
After Ye Xing entered the locker room, Wu Hei - who'd been mid-squat - suddenly revealed a flash of manic excitement in his eyes and dropped the barbell from his shoulders.
Boom!
Even with thick padding on the floor, the sudden impact made the entire gym tremble.
...
Locker room.
Having just changed into workout clothes, Ye Xing was about to head out when the door swung open.
Wu Hei stepped inside slowly, his face twisted in a deranged grin.
Click.
He locked the locker room door behind him, staring directly into Ye Xing's eyes. Those abnormal black sclera with white pupils shone with near-mad excitement.
"You're the one they say has exceptional physical abilities?"