Chapter 58: Young Miss Shanhua Offers Herself to Warm the Bed

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Having already been bestowed the name Tsuya Copper Mountain, the former leader of the demon-exorcising village, he steeled his heart at once. For his own future, for the futures of his daughter and son, and even for the entire Demon-Exorcising Village, which would one day become the Demon-Exorcising Office.

Carefully, he withdrew a tightly wrapped cloth bundle from within his garments.

After bowing deeply once more to the ground, Tsuya Copper Mountain solemnly placed the cloth bundle onto the tray held by the attendant who had approached.

A treasure, perhaps?

Gazing at Tsuya Copper Mountain’s grave demeanor, then at the bundle placed before him, Hojo Akitoki’s thoughts stirred.

Could it be a fragment of the Shikon Jewel?

He recalled that in the original timeline, there was a scene within the Demon-Exorcising Village, where Coral had accidentally obtained a fragment from a centipede demon while out on a mission.

But due to his intervention, it seemed that moment had yet to arrive.

Still, relying solely on the original texts was folly—how could the world of Inuyasha and the original timeline be exactly the same?

Only official titles and surnames were shared...

He reached out slowly to unwrap the cloth bundle, revealing on the tray the fragment of the Shikon Jewel, its impure glow unmistakable.

A smile appeared on Hojo Akitoki’s face, while Tsuya Copper Mountain, holding his breath beneath, silently rejoiced.

This was a sure bet!

One must understand that the bestowed name and official rank, indifferent as they seemed to Hojo Akitoki, in the reality of this ancient Eastern Japan, represented a tremendous leap in social status for Tsuya Copper Mountain.

Frankly speaking, only now could he declare himself a human being to the outside world, no longer a mere beast of burden in human form.

Previously, though his martial prowess was unmatched by ordinary samurai, Tsuya Copper Mountain still had to bow respectfully and bury his face in the dust upon encountering a samurai on the streets—someone he could crush with a single hand.

He was, in effect, the scorned lowborn that later generations would mock.

"Much appreciated," Hojo Akitoki nodded again, folding the cloth bundle, signaling the attendant to take the fragment away.

No one present voiced any objection.

Not even Hitomi, who was preparing to use her own Shikon Jewel fragment to set up a barrier—she already possessed one piece.

Moreover, as a vassal, the blessings and favors of one’s lord were sovereign grace.

If the lord declined to bestow, how could a subject presume to demand?

As for this newly named Tsuya Copper Mountain...

Hitomi and Yunya regarded him and the members of the Demon-Exorcising Office with newfound respect.

They had once thought him merely a mortal with some martial skill, but he had slain a demon possessing a fragment of the Shikon Jewel.

As a mid-level combatant and even a supplementary force on the battlefield, he was more than adequate.

Just as they contemplated how to collaborate as comrades in the future, Tsuya Copper Mountain raised his head and spoke once more.

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“My humble self has learned of Lord Hojo Akitoki’s grand ambition to rid the world of demons for all the people.”

“This noble aspiration is deeply admired, yet the lord’s personal safety must be paramount!”

“I, unworthy as I am, have a young daughter, Coral, one of the finest exorcists within our Demon-Exorcising Office.”

“May I humbly beseech the lord to allow my daughter to serve by his side; it would be the greatest blessing she could hope to receive in her lifetime!”

“Hiss,” some underestimated this man.

Tsuya Copper Mountain’s words drew sharp intakes of breath from many within the hall, most notably from Akechi Mitsuhide, whose gaze grew strange.

Staring at Tsuya Copper Mountain’s earnest, loyal expression and his desire to offer his daughter, Mitsuhide found himself unable to discern if the man was friend or foe.

But one thing was certain—this man was a formidable adversary.

With that thought, Mitsuhide, Hitomi, and Yunya naturally looked upon the kneeling young girl beside Tsuya Copper Mountain, whose face briefly flashed with surprise—her name was Coral.

To be frank, Coral, born to a family of demon exorcists, was quite beautiful.

Her physique was balanced and vigorous, honed by years of demon hunting.

Tall and slender, with tea-colored eyes and always adorned with pink eyeshadow.

Her lustrous black hair shone like silk...

Mitsuhide nodded silently. In his personal judgment, if Tsuya Copper Mountain bore no improper intentions, Coral serving as Lord Hojo Akitoki’s personal attendant and companion was acceptable.

Hitomi’s thoughts fluttered, her eyes giving a slight twitch.

Yunya, a high monk, privately harbored an unutterable curse.

“Sister,”

Compared to the schemers present, Coral’s eleven-year-old younger brother, Kohaku, seemed innocent.

Before coming here, his father had never mentioned sending his sister away.

Caught off guard, Kohaku’s face brimmed with reluctance, but Coral remained composed.

Hearing her brother’s words, she quickly pulled him aside, then cast a barely perceptible glance toward her father’s back and the surrounding exorcists.

In that single look, Coral understood—her father and their companions would not allow her to refuse.

As long as Lord Hojo Akitoki agreed, even if by force, the villagers and her father would bind her and send her along.

With a resigned sigh, Coral turned toward Hojo Akitoki.

Her only small comfort was that his character and appearance were not the kind she despised.

“Thank you for your loyalty. I shall gratefully accept,”

Faced with Tsuya Copper Mountain’s goodwill and Coral’s natural affection, what could Hojo Akitoki say?

Refuse?

How could he refuse the earnest intentions of his subordinates?

Without hesitation, Hojo Akitoki nodded in agreement.

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Seeing Lord Hojo Akitoki’s consent, Tsuya Copper Mountain was overjoyed, behaving as if he had received an immense boon.

He and his former villagers, now members of the Demon-Exorcising Office, bowed repeatedly.

Unanimously, they all shared one thought:

From now on, we shall have our voices by the lord’s pillow!

If the Hojo family prospered, their own wealth and their children’s futures would be secured!

“All right, and who is that one over there?”

Having accepted Coral without a second thought, Hojo Akitoki now turned his attention to Coral’s younger brother, Kohaku.

“This is my son,”

Seeing Hojo Akitoki’s interest in his son, Tsuya Copper Mountain gritted his teeth but admitted it was not impossible to consider.

Many daimyo had handsome young attendants; if Kohaku could become one of Hojo Akitoki’s retainers, it would be a tremendous honor.

“Kohaku, is he ready for the battlefield?”

Having taken Coral, Hojo Akitoki suddenly wished to offer some compensation to Gohi’s side.

Also, this was an opportunity to assign a spy.

When they parted, he had invited Gohi, but for reasons unknown, she had declined.

He understood well the wisdom of knowing when to quit.

He had not pushed further, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor, but he could not allow Gohi’s faction to grow wild.

The kite’s string represented by Gohi must always be firmly held in his hand!

“Yes!” Kohaku nodded repeatedly.

Not to mention Tsuya Copper Mountain’s own plan to have the eleven-year-old Kohaku engage in demon hunting, Hojo Akitoki’s question implied there must be readiness.

Furthermore, Kohaku would one day inherit leadership of the Demon-Exorcising Office.

If he achieved no merit, would the other retainers not grumble?

“Mitsuhide, arrange for Kohaku to represent me,”

“To go to Maple Village, to Gohi,”

Smiling faintly, Hojo Akitoki instructed Mitsuhide to make the arrangements.

“Yes,”

Bowing in acknowledgment, Mitsuhide beckoned Kohaku closer.

With everyone’s duties assigned, Hojo Akitoki did not linger for a meal.

He promptly dismissed them, as they were in their prime and eager to work.

For Hojo Akitoki had another visitor to receive—one who must not be met in public.

Watching Hitomi and the others depart, Hojo Akitoki rose and signaled the attendant to lead the way.

They went to meet the Black Shrine Maiden appointed by Mitsuhide, a priestess who had lived many years, concurrent with Kikyo.

What new surprise might she bring?