Demon Progenitor Development Project

Chapter 131 The Death of Kojiro

The third day of the third lunar month is an auspicious day for marriage.

Ishida Shijun's wedding was scheduled for this day, at the Fujiwara residence.

This was the first time that Rengoku Kojiro had openly stepped into the Fujiwara family's gate; previously, he had always climbed over the wall to get in.

Over the years, the defenses of key locations at the Fujiwara residence have been exceptionally tight ever since he was first discovered, with guards stationed almost at all times, forcing Kojiro to give up.

We should first scout out other areas. The Fujiwara family's territory is too large to be so heavily guarded in all locations.

Kojiro only reduced the surveillance after it had been weakened, but he still didn't find anything wrong.

Kojiro, who defected from the rebels, was under close surveillance for over a year before the level of supervision was gradually relaxed.

Kojiro could only focus his gaze on the head of the family's study and bedroom.

The day before the wedding, Kojiro disguised himself and easily infiltrated the Fujiwara residence. He crouched behind a pillar, circling the guards and patiently waiting for his chance.

One by one, the three guards who were standing at the door of the study left.

Kojiro had already found out.

One person used croton oil, which caused the other person to have diarrhea and have to go to the toilet.

If someone is getting older and has just found a lover, they will inevitably go to the place if that lover gets into trouble.

The remaining one, who is always lazy, is completely insignificant.

And so, Kojiro successfully sneaked into the study and began to slowly peruse the books.

Having worked as a secret agent for many years, Kojiro had successfully accumulated experience. He would check for anything amiss in the cracks under the door, the bottom of the door, and other small details, and he would also note down the furnishings in the room and whether anything was scattered on the floor.

Carefully avoiding these traps, Kojiro made a surprising discovery this time.

Transport the goods from Narita Sake Brewery to Night Bar and deliver them to that person.

An envoy will arrive tomorrow night; please receive him with care.

The two slips of paper were written in a messy, illegible hand, and the wording was very impolite, which could be described as condescending and bossy.

Most importantly, this is the study of the Fujiwara family head, so this arrogant note could only be for the other party.

Who could command someone as powerful as the head of the Fujiwara family?

Without a doubt, it could only be that Ghost King.

After noting down the address, Kojiro restored everything and quietly left.

It seems he'll have to investigate tomorrow. Kojiro is worried that the Fujiwara family head will quickly destroy any traces, and it's also unknown how long the messenger will stay.

He originally did not plan to investigate the Fujiwara family tomorrow. He was on the guest list, and if someone broke in or something went missing, he would definitely be a suspect.

The risk is too great.

But now we have no choice but to take this risk.

Kojiro silently apologized to Ishida Shijun. Regardless of the outcome, Shijun would inevitably be disliked by the Fujiwara family, who would then take their anger out on him, thinking that it was because of this kid's wedding that someone was able to sneak in.

Thinking of the faint guilt that Shizuku felt when facing him, Kojiro sighed.

What Kojiro didn't expect was what would happen after he left.

Wisps of black mist drifted silently into the study.

The black mist materialized into the shape of an arm, pulled out the paper strip hidden within, clenched the black mist hand into a fist, wrapped it up, and after a moment, loosened the fist, the paper strip had disappeared.

*

The Fujiwara residence was brightly lit the following night.

In a meticulously decorated courtyard, preparations are underway for a wedding in the traditional Japanese style.

Red and white paper strips intertwine to form beautiful patterns, stretching from the high lintel to the ground, like a colorful ribbon.

A gentle breeze rustled the paper ribbons, making a crisp, melodious sound. The cherry blossoms in the courtyard were in full bloom, their pink petals falling like snow, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Guests dressed in gorgeous kimonos arrived one after another, smiling and chatting softly, their words full of blessings.

The groom wore a black patterned blouse and a tall euk hat, looking dignified and handsome.

The bride wore a snow-white kimono, with exquisite makeup and a headdress symbolizing good fortune, looking as beautiful and charming as a fairy descending to earth.

As the groom Shizumi Ishida's swordsmanship instructor, Kojiro Rengoku was also present to offer his blessings.

After that, Kojiro Rengoku reduced his presence and stopped talking to people.

Kojiro's identity meant that not many people would approach him. He was frequently approached by people with the surname Fujiwara, which is the same principle as "the rich have distant relatives even in the deep mountains, while the poor are ignored even in the bustling city."

This suited Kojiro's wishes perfectly.

After drinking a few cups of wine, Kojiro stopped a man who looked like a servant, asked him where the restroom was, and then left.

No one at the scene noticed that someone had left the wedding banquet.

The wedding banquet was held in the front yard, but Kojiro avoided the crowd and sneaked into the Fujiwara family's back courtyard.

The front yard was bustling with activity, with many servants working there. The back yard was much less crowded, which made things easier for Kojiro.

Kojiro was walking on the pebble path, his eyes scanning his surroundings and his ears perked up, listening to the sounds around him.

It was the first time Kojiro had done this in broad daylight, and he was a little nervous.

The extremely faint, almost inaudible voice entered Kojiro's ears like a ghost.

A melodious and charming female voice asked, "How did that matter go?"

Kojiro felt a sudden jolt, and an inexplicable sense of vigilance instantly welled up in his heart.

He moved like a tiger with the gait of a cat, silently and cautiously approaching the source of the sound. Each step was as light as a feather, as if afraid of making the slightest noise to attract the other party's attention.

When they were close enough, Kojiro slowly peeked out and looked at the two of them from a distance.

A man and a woman; the woman was dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with jewels, while the man was young and his clothes were embroidered with the Fujiwara family crest.

A slightly immature young male voice responded, "Reporting to you, sir, it has been taken care of..."

However, the already faint and low voice seemed to be carried away by a gentle breeze, growing farther and farther away until it disappeared into the vast night.

Without the slightest hesitation, Kojiro followed the receding voices like a shadow, his figure nimbly weaving through the darkness, blending perfectly with the surrounding environment, as if he himself were a part of this dark night.

In that instant, Kojiro suddenly felt short of breath, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping his throat.

It was pitch black all around, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, but he could clearly feel something trying to strangle him.

A wisp of extremely fine, almost imperceptible black mist, like a treacherous and cunning venomous snake, silently coiled around his neck.

how come?

Kojiro clearly sensed that there was no one behind him.

Out of instinct, Kojiro reached out with both hands to grab the object that looked like a "rope," but his hands passed right through the black mist and he couldn't grab anything!

Kojiro's heart pounded. He activated his breathing technique and delivered a powerful kick backward, attempting to knock over the person behind him who was trying to strangle him.

He kicked at nothing again.

Upon realizing this, Kojiro instantly understood: it was a demon; only a demon's Blood Demon Art could have such an effect.

However, the Demon Slayer Corps actually lacks experience in dealing with demons, and even Kojiro, who has earned the title of Flame Pillar, lacks experience in dealing with various blood demon arts.

How do you kill a ghost that you can't touch or reach?

As darkness enveloped his vision, Kojiro's face gradually turned pale and bloodless.

The severe lack of oxygen made him feel his thinking gradually become sluggish, as if he were sinking into a bottomless quagmire, and the more he struggled, the deeper he sank.

Every breath felt so difficult and painful, yet the wisp of black mist clung tightly to his neck, refusing to loosen its grip even slightly.

Kojiro's consciousness gradually faded, and he fell into darkness.