The group walked for a long time before finally reaching their destination, a castle perched on the mountainside. As soon as they stepped into the castle, Retsu keenly sensed that the entire place was shrouded in a dense evil energy.
At such close range, he could clearly perceive that Naraku's demonic aura was within this castle.
[At this point, I hope the readers will remember our domain name. This Taiwan novel-chasing tool is incredibly smooth.]
Kikyo stepped out of the sedan chair and exchanged a solemn look with Retsu; clearly, she had also sensed the dense evil energy in the surroundings.
Seeing Retsu's calm and composed manner, Kikyo felt relieved and silently followed the retainer deeper into the castle.
After a period of being nourished by Chakra, the soul within Kikyo's body had fully recovered. Aside from this clay body, her spiritual power had returned to its peak state.
Moreover, with Retsu by her side, there was absolutely no need for concern.
"Halt! No one is allowed to enter!"
Soon, the group arrived outside the castle lord's bedroom. Just as the retainer was about to lead Kikyo inside, two guards immediately stepped forward to block them, their expressions stern and unyielding.
Looking at the guards, the retainer explained, "I have brought the priestess who can cure Lord Kagewaki."
"But the Master said no one is allowed in!" The guards remained firm, blocking the door with no intention of letting them pass.
Kikyo looked at the stalemate and decided to ignore it, stepping past the guards and walking straight toward the room.
"Hey!" The two guards immediately drew their swords to stop Kikyo.
At that moment, Retsu, following behind Kikyo, suddenly looked back. The crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan flashed in his eyes.
The moment the two guards met his gaze, their bodies stiffened. The vigilance and anger in their eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a hollow blankness.
They mechanically retreated to the door like two statues, completely ignoring Kikyo and Retsu as they pushed open the door and entered.
Kikyo glanced back at Retsu. Seeing his smug, eyebrow-raising expression, she couldn't help but purse her lips. Saying nothing, she walked to the inner part of the bedroom and gently lifted the curtain to enter.
Inside the bedroom, Naraku, lying on the bed, had already sensed the disturbance.
The voices of the guards outside had suddenly ceased, replaced by the sound of two distinct footsteps slowly approaching, making his heart race with alarm.
He hurriedly rose to be on guard, ready to escape immediately if there was danger.
His body had been heavily wounded by Kagome's Demon-Slaying Arrow, and he was currently at his weakest.
Just then, the curtain was lifted, and a figure he would never forget appeared before him.
Naraku's movements froze instantly. He immediately suppressed all his demonic aura, not daring to make a single move.
Looking at the priestess walking in, he asked tentatively, "What is your name?"
"My name is Kikyo." Kikyo didn't realize the man was Naraku, but she found his body very strange, almost like a corpse's. She knelt beside him and replied calmly.
Confirming the woman was the Kikyo who died fifty years ago, Naraku's heart tightened. He looked past Kikyo at the man standing behind her with his arms crossed.
Although this man's appearance was different from the corpse-like look he had seen before, that familiar face and the fan crest on his clothing...
...made him instantly recognize that this was Retsu, the one who had killed his puppet before.
Facing two people who could easily kill him, Naraku dared not act rashly. He continued to play the part of a weak patient, asking hoarsely, "Miss Kikyo, my illness... is there a cure?"
"I need to examine you. Excuse me." Kikyo reached out and placed her slender fingers on Naraku's wrist.
Feeling the cool touch, Naraku's body stiffened, terrified that Kikyo would realize his identity and use her purification power to erase him.
To his relief, Kikyo withdrew her hand after a moment, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, I am powerless to help with your illness."
Naraku was about to ask them to leave when Kikyo's voice made him tense up again: "Retsu, do you have a way?"
Naraku looked up and saw Kikyo standing by Retsu, asking for his opinion.
Retsu's answer made his heart hang in suspense again. "I'm not sure. Let me check first."
Naraku wanted to refuse, but when he met Retsu's searching eyes, the refusal became: "Then... I'll trouble you."
"You're welcome." Retsu looked at the acting Naraku and smiled faintly.
He walked to Naraku and, under his nervous gaze, also placed a hand on his wrist.
After a moment, Retsu withdrew his hand and shook his head regretfully. "Sorry, I am also powerless."
Naraku saw Retsu step back to Kikyo's side and gave a fake, weak smile. "It's fine. Thank you both for coming."
He then called out, "Guards, escort Miss Kikyo out."
"Lord, I am truly sorry. Farewell." When the guards entered, Kikyo bowed and left, with Retsu following silently.
Outside, the retainer asked anxiously, "How is it, Miss Kikyo? How is my master's condition?"
"I'm sorry, I am helpless in this matter," Kikyo replied sincerely.
The retainer sighed. "I see... I knew it was serious, but I didn't expect even you to be unable to help."
"I am but an ordinary priestess, I am sorry," Kikyo said with a bow. "I shall take my leave."
Hearing Kikyo say she was an "ordinary priestess" so seriously, Retsu curled his lip. An "ordinary priestess" who kills demons in one shot, sure.
The retainer said, "It's okay. Thank you for coming. I'll have soldiers escort you back."
"No need, we can manage on our own. There is no need to trouble you further," Kikyo declined.
The retainer was surprised but agreed. "If you say so, I won't insist."
Retsu found it strange that Kikyo wasn't detained like in the original story.
But then he realized Naraku was afraid. He knew that if he kept Kikyo, she might not fight, but Retsu certainly would.
From the retainer's attitude, it was clear Naraku had given him specific orders.
Soon, they were escorted out of the castle by samurai.
They walked side by side toward the temple.
After a long silence, Kikyo asked, "Did you leave a mark just now?"
Retsu smiled. "Of course. When you asked me to check on him, I knew that's what you wanted."
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