"She seems to be hiding many secrets."
A gap opened in the air, and Yakumo Yukari's upper body appeared. Her exquisite face was thoughtful as she watched the direction the young girl had left.
She felt that the young girl's displayed condition seemed as if she was being watched and favored by a god; whether it was her resurrection or her producing what seemed like future food, it all appeared to be a divine gift.
Of course, this could also be the young girl's… innate special ability.
But no matter what, her curiosity about the young girl grew increasingly intense.
She wanted to part the mist hiding the young girl.
And thus, see the true self the young girl concealed.
Of course, she had no immediate plans to use violence to uncover the young girl's secrets, especially if a god was protecting the young girl.
That could lead to a conflict with an enemy of unknown strength.
Moreover, acting recklessly with power was not what a Youkai Sage would do, let alone bullying the young girl… which was quite interesting.
She wanted to bully her a few more times.
On the other side.
The young girl, Baal, continued to walk towards her destination, her wooden clogs making sounds as they stepped on the thick fallen leaves. The towering trees around them almost obscured the sky, and only occasional slivers of moonlight managed to filter through the gaps in the leaves to the ground.
However, the scattered moonlight was somewhat unusual.
"Moonlight… why is it a bit red?"
The young girl's continuous forward steps halted. She looked up at the crescent moon in the sky with some confusion, noticing that the pure white moon was tinged with a hint of blood red.
It emitted an eerie and ominous feeling.
How to describe this feeling? It was as if this forest had become a demonic realm, with some terrifying monster emerging from the darkness, ready to hunt unsuspecting people.
The cold night air was like dry ice.
Suddenly injected into her veins, freezing her entire body.
"..."
The young girl was silent for a moment, then immediately changed direction, intending to leave this dangerous place.
Although she didn't know what would happen.
But, running away… should be the right thing to do.
However.
Just as the young girl turned around, she found an One-Eyed Monster standing behind her, over two meters tall, with green skin and a terrifyingly large single eye.
This Youkai extended a long tongue, and its exposed teeth were exceptionally sharp and pointed, looking extremely dangerous and cruel at a glance.
Perhaps it ate several beautiful young girls every day to satisfy its hunger.
(Oh no!)
The young girl's heart tightened, and she prepared to fight for her life.
Of course, if there was an opportunity, she would immediately escape.
The One-Eyed Monster silently watched the young girl who had suddenly turned around, her face cold and filled with killing intent, and its own heart tensed, not daring to move.
There was another well-known rule in this world.
That is, Youkai whose appearance is closer to humans generally aren't weak, and if they are exceptionally beautiful.
Then their strength might be absurdly powerful.
"Um… I'm just passing by. I wanted to go see Yuki Onna-sama ascend to the capital. Are you also going to see Yuki Onna-sama ascend to the capital, honored one?"
He asked somewhat cautiously, his expression a bit apprehensive, hoping this young girl wasn't… going to kill him just because she didn't like him.
As for reasons for dislike, did walking the same path as the young girl count?
Or perhaps it was simply because he was ugly.
"Yes, that's right." The young girl nodded coolly. "I'm here to see Yuki Onna ascend to the capital."
She had no idea who Yuki Onna was, but since this terrifying Youkai thought so, she would go along with the One-Eyed Monster's words.
As long as she could make the One-Eyed Monster leave, it would be fine.
"..."
The One-Eyed Monster breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the young girl probably wouldn't kill him, as she probably wouldn't bother to kill a small Youkai like him.
"Honored one, would you like to go together?"
He forced a polite smile, but inwardly, he desperately wanted the young girl to leave quickly. It would be troublesome if she changed her mind and wanted to kill him.
Of course, he wasn't worried that the young girl would agree.
Powerful Youkai wouldn't bother walking with weaker ones. Next, the young girl would probably glance at him disdainfully and then leave.
And he would be able to survive this ordeal… with his quick wit.
"..."
The young girl silently looked at the One-Eyed Monster's fierce smile, her expression as if saying, 'If you dare refuse, you're dead.'
"Hmm, alright."
She nodded expressionlessly.
What the hell, she actually agreed?!
The One-Eyed Monster's single eye widened in disbelief. Shouldn't this young girl have been aloof and disdainful, glancing at him and then leaving without a word?
However, since the young girl had accepted the invitation, he couldn't go back on it. Otherwise, if the young girl felt she was being toyed with.
It wouldn't be good if she just slapped him to death.
"..."
The One-Eyed Monster could only force a smile, slightly bowing as he led the way for the young girl, speaking enthusiastically to the young girl behind him.
"With Yuki Onna-sama's revival, she is about to enter the capital and become the Lord of Youkai. This is an honor countless Youkai dream of."
"..."
The young girl looked at the One-Eyed Monster leading the way, biting her lip slightly in fear, suppressing her fear as she replied to the Youkai in front.
"Ah… that's truly impressive."
She responded as calmly as possible.
Silently contemplating whether to shamelessly launch a sneak attack.
And directly take out the One-Eyed Monster in front of her.
"Yes, if only Yuki Onna-sama could take a liking to me and recruit me as a retainer," the One-Eyed Monster's voice conveyed longing and reluctance, "Unfortunately, I'm just an ordinary Youkai, without a powerful racial bloodline, and not very bright. It's impossible for me to be taken in as a retainer by Yuki Onna-sama."
"The value of life needs to be given by oneself," the young girl replied calmly. "Other people's evaluations and lives are merely references for oneself. Living your own life well is enough."
"...Your words are truly pleasant to hear, Honored One." The One-Eyed Monster turned his head, looking at the young girl's cold and beautiful face. "Just like a young lady from a human noble family."
"I am not some young lady." The young girl shook her head, her voice calm as she replied, "That is my attitude towards life, and there's nothing special about it."
"...Honored One, that is already very remarkable." The One-Eyed Monster said with some emotion, "Most Youkai live aimlessly by instinct. To have one's own life philosophy is truly enviable."
He replied with some sincerity.
"If you were a Youkai like yourself, Honored One, Yuki Onna-sama would surely be delighted to accept you into her retainers."
"..."
The young girl merely nodded lightly. By this point, she had also realized that the One-Eyed Monster didn't seem to have any intention of harming her.
It seemed she might have overthought things earlier.
A moment later.
The girl and the One-Eyed Monster arrived at a rock wall, from which they could look down and see a winding path through the mountains.
"My Lord, they're here! They're here!"
The One-Eyed Monster watched the gradually brightening firelight at the end of the winding, dragon-like road, slowly spreading and illuminating the cold mountain path.
The moon in the sky also turned even redder.
"..."
The girl followed his gaze and saw that the light source was a series of lantern-shaped Youkai, and illuminated by their glow were countless bizarre Youkai.
Those countless converging Youkai must be what is known as the Hyakki Yagyō.
"...My Lord, do you see that carriage?" The One-Eyed Monster suddenly pointed in the distance, his voice filled with reverence and longing, "Inside is Yuki Onna, the Lord of Youkai!"
"..."
The girl slightly adjusted her gaze, and what entered her sight was a carriage like a mansion, pulled by eight massive Youkai, surrounded by a large number of terrifying Youkai guards.