Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

Yukina's life continued in this regular manner.

Every day, she would go to Kokushibo's place on time to learn new words and practice writing them repeatedly.

She gradually memorized more pronunciations and characters. Although her progress was not rapid, it was steady and solid, just as she understood it, taking one step at a time.

While she was away, the puppy was given to Nakime.

At first, it was very wary. Every time Nakime appeared in the courtyard with a small bowl of food, it would tuck its tail between its legs and hide behind a pillar or cherry tree, only showing its pair of dark eyes as it nervously watched.

But with Xue Nai's comforting words and daily feeding, the puppy's wariness gradually melted away.

From observing from afar, to cautiously approaching, and then to accepting Nakime placing the food bowl not far in front of it.

Finally, he even dared to approach Nakime after she put down the food, quickly eating while secretly glancing up to observe the feeder.

Nakime made no special comment, simply completing the feeding task and then disappearing without a trace.

But from some point onward, she would occasionally put down her food bowl, stand quietly for a few seconds, glance indifferently at the little dog who was eating with its head down, and then leave.

In the Infinity Castle, besides Setsuna, the second closest demon to the puppy is Nakime.

Muzan seems to be unusually busy lately, and he rarely appears in the Infinity Castle.

Xue Na seized the rare opportunity and excitedly showed him the pair of teapots and the lotus flowers inserted in them.

"Dad, look! Uncle Gyokuko made this. He said it's a compliment to you! This big one is Dad, and the small one is Yukina! And this lotus flower is from Uncle Doma's yard. Isn't it beautiful?"

Muzan lowered his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, but he remained silent.

"Dad, don't you think this lotus flower is beautiful?"

Seeing his silence, Xue Nai couldn't help but ask, gently touching the lotus petals with her small hand.

I don't think so.

Muzan looked away, his voice indifferent.

At that moment, he felt that Yu Hu was a fool.

Not only has the amount of money handed over recently decreased, but now they even dare to send over things like this with flowers stuck in the grounds of the Doma people.

Is he provoking me?

Meanwhile, in a workshop far away in Osaka, Yu Hu, who was racking his brains for a new teapot design, suddenly had his head severed cleanly from his slender neck with a dull thud, and rolled to the ground.

Jade Pot: "...?"

Supporting himself on his forearms, the head that had rolled off the ground blinked a few times in a daze.

What happened?

He's been behaving himself lately!

He has always devoted himself to the study of art, worked hard to create new teapots, and strived to expand sales channels to earn money...

Could it be... that the pair of pots we presented to Lord Muzan last time, did the Lord find something to be dissatisfied with?

Is the design not perfect enough?

Or... is the meaning not profound enough?

No, no, no, those teapots are clearly his recent masterpiece!

Even Lady Yukina accepted it, and even added flowers...

Wait, flower arranging?

Could there be something wrong with the lotus?

Yu Hu suddenly felt a strange sense of guilt.

"Nakime, please teleport me to the Infinite Castle! I need to be next to Master!!!"

The cold voice of Nakime echoed in his mind: "My lord says he doesn't want to see you for the time being."

Huh...?

What?!

Yu Hu's forearm froze, and her eyes widened in shock.

My lord...doesn't want to see the jade pot?

He was actually refused an audience by the adults?!

A tremendous sense of injustice and sadness at being misunderstood overwhelmed the artist's heart.

"Waaaaah... My lord doesn't want to see the jade pot... Waaaaah..."

At this moment, the Blissful Religion.

The room was filled with the gentle fragrance of incense.

Doma sat gracefully on the cushion at the head of the table, gently waving a golden fan in his hand. His rainbow eyes were lowered as he gazed at the weeping believers below, a compassionate smile always on his face.

The man knelt on the cushion below, tearfully recounting his misfortunes:

"My lord, I am utterly desperate! I managed to borrow some money from you a few days ago, but then I was robbed and lost everything! My elderly parents are bedridden and we have no money for treatment. My heartless wife couldn't bear this hardship and left me the other day... How can this world be so unfair! I feel utterly hopeless..."

What a pitiful experience...

It even brought tears to his eyes...

Doma nodded slightly and began to wipe away his tears in cooperation.

but……

If he remembered correctly, when this believer came last time, didn't he say that his parents had died early and he was all alone and seeking comfort?

Why are my parents so seriously ill again this time?

Human memory is truly amazing; can life and death be altered so casually...?

Curiosity swept through him, but tears streamed down his face.

"You've worked so hard, the Church of Bliss will always be here..."

Matsui, sitting below, secretly raised his eyelids and glanced at the person above him.

Why are you saying this again...?

Annoyance flashed quickly in his eyes.

He didn't come here to hear these empty words of comfort.

Last time, he made up a tragic story, and this gullible cult leader generously gave him enough money to live a carefree life for quite some time.

Why are you only saying nice things this time?

He couldn't help but interrupt Doma's seemingly sincere but ultimately empty rhetoric, raising his voice and speaking with even more sorrow:

"My Lord! I've heard that the Blissful Sect is compassionate, and that you, my Lord, are a living bodhisattva reincarnated, who will help every sincere believer who seeks your help! Please, I beg you, help me this one more time!"

Eh...

Do we absolutely need to help now?

Doma blinked his seven-colored eyes, and the frequency of his fan movements slowed down.

But... I'm really not that hungry right now.

I just finished eating, and it hasn't been fully digested yet.

Just as he was pondering with some distress whether he should force himself to eat a little more.

boom!

A muffled thud.

Doma's head exploded on his neck like a berry.

Blood splattered on his clothes and the cushions beneath him.

But he remained seated, and the golden fan in his hand was even swaying slightly.

Matsui, who was performing with great emotion below, suddenly had all her cries and pleas stuck in her throat.

His eyes widened, his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg, and his tear-streaked face remained frozen in place, etched with sorrow.

Immediately afterwards, Muzan's warning voice rang in Doma's mind, rebuking him for his recent poor performance and for the anger he had caused by the pair of pots.

"Yes, sir, Doma understands~"

Doma responded cheerfully, agreeing readily as always, as if having his head blown off was a trivial matter.

At this moment, the flesh and blood at the broken neck began to regenerate wildly.

Almost within a few breaths, a complete head grew back.

Apart from the faint smell of blood lingering in the air, it was as if the horrifying scene had never happened.