The hundred servings of barbecue were quickly devoured. Under the astonished gaze of the restaurant staff, Ye Zi paid the bill and left the barbecue restaurant with Guy. They walked side by side through the streets, where the bright lights of the evening were beginning to reveal the city's prosperity.
As they strolled, Ye Zi's gaze remained fixed ahead, while Guy was distracted by the bustling crowd and the glamorous shops.
Their pace was quick, and soon they returned to the inn. At this point, Moko and the others had finished their hot springs bath and returned to their room, satisfied.
Even though the immediate danger seemed to have passed, vigilance was still necessary. Therefore, Moko, Kotoe, and Kurenai stayed in one room, while Ye Zi and Guy occupied the adjacent room.
After returning to the inn, Ye Zi first retracted the shadow clone he had left behind. According to the feedback, Moko's sister seemed to have abandoned the idea of attacking Muko. During the time Ye Zi and Guy were away, Moko's sister had made no move.
Night fell…
Guy quickly fell asleep.
Ye Zi, who usually required less sleep, had been taking the night watch since accepting the mission. Tonight, he walked out to the eaves of the building under the moonlight and sat, gazing at the moon in the night sky.
Sometimes, he would stare at the moon and think of another world with the same moon.
"You're here after all," a faint female voice suddenly came from behind.
Ye Zi didn't turn around, his eyes fixed on the moon. He had sensed Moko's presence as soon as she stepped out of the window. To be honest, after Moko's noticeable change, he had hoped to avoid further interactions with her.
Unlike the cautious approach last time, Moko now walked confidently on the steep roof, seemingly unafraid of slipping. She soon joined Ye Zi, sitting down next to him and leaning against his broad, solid shoulder. This time, she wore a coat, so she was not bothered by the night wind.
"I want to try something," Moko said, pressing closely against Ye Zi's arm. Her lack of concern for propriety made her words seem somewhat ambiguous.
Feeling the full contact from her arm, Ye Zi remained unmoved, continuing to stare at the moon in silence.
"I want to try things I never thought of before, things that once seemed impossible," Moko continued.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zi's expression remained cold. He glanced at the ample chest pressed against his arm, contemplating whether to push Moko away. Considering the potential consequences, he chose to remain silent.
"I don't want to marry the so-called future daimyo!"
"I am the direct heir of the Kumokawa family, yet I have no say in the matter."
"I am not free."
Listening to Moko's string of complaints, Ye Zi hid his impatience.
"Hey, I want to pay with my body. What now?" Moko suddenly said something surprising.
Ye Zi looked at her charming face, frowning. "You're playing with fire."
After all, he was a man, and he wouldn't reject normal physiological needs. If Moko continued to provoke him, he might end up giving in.
The title of the future daimyo's fiancée alone was enough to stir a man's desires.
"I've never done this before, so I want to try it now," Moko said frankly, meeting Ye Zi's gaze. Previously, she wouldn't have acted this way, but now that she had made up her mind, she was determined to do things she knew she shouldn't.
What would it be like if she didn't marry as the perfect bride to the future daimyo? It would surely be very interesting.
As she imagined it, Moko suddenly smiled. The thrill of such a wild thought was indescribable.
Ye Zi gently pushed Moko away and said calmly, "You can find many others, but I am definitely not one of them."
With that, he stood up. The night breeze was cool and somewhat refreshing.
"Go back and rest. We'll reach Kyoto tomorrow, and then my mission will be complete," Ye Zi looked down at the surprised Moko.
"Am I not young enough? Not beautiful enough? Not attractive enough?" Moko's voice was soft and gentle, but her gaze was sharp.
Ye Zi remained silent.
"Or maybe you're not a man?" Moko said coldly.
Ye Zi's eyes were calm. He suddenly reached out, cupped Moko's delicate, smooth chin, and leaned in close, maintaining a few centimeters of distance between their faces.
"I just have no interest in you," he said, slightly pressing on her chin.
In that moment, Moko's gaze felt like a sharp knife, cutting into Ye Zi's body.
"Rest now."
With that parting shot, Ye Zi turned and walked away.
Watching Ye Zi's departing figure, Moko's expression was slightly darkened, but she couldn't quite bring herself to feel angry.
After leaving the troublesome woman, Ye Zi returned to his room.
Guy was sleeping soundly. Ye Zi didn't make an effort to be quiet, yet he couldn't wake Guy.
The next day, after the ninth squad had rested and replenished their supplies, they set out again, leaving behind the hot spring town of Feather City and heading towards Kyoto.
As time passed, Kyoto grew closer. Despite not having seen any sign of the assassin, Ye Zi remained vigilant.
As the sun set once more, the journey was peaceful. With the sun dipping below the horizon, the vast silhouette of Kyoto came into view.
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