All lights used for lighting have been extinguished in Hei Chiyo's home.

Hirachiyo was lying in a corner of his home, and the quilt made of bearskin that covered him was rising and falling in a very rhythmic manner.

He is sleeping soundly now - that's how it should be.

Hirachiyo, who was supposed to be sleeping soundly, suddenly opened his eyes, then lifted up the bearskin quilt covering his body and stood up.

He first looked around nervously, and after confirming that there was no one else around, he tiptoed towards the room that was located in the east north corner of the hall and was surrounded by wooden boards.

After gently opening the simple sliding door, Hirachiyo stepped into the room.

Then--

"Xuanzhi."

Ping Chiyo said slowly.

"A strange young warrior came today. He threatened to look for you and your master."

Hei Chiyo told everything that happened today in a concise and concise manner.

"Although I don't know what the disease is that the young warrior wants you and your master to treat, I think you should avoid it for the time being."

"...I actually really want to see what kind of disease the young warrior wants me and my master to treat."

"Xuanzhi, you should ignore that young samurai." Hirachiyo said sternly, "Who knows if they really came to see you and your master for medical treatment? You should just listen to me and hide for now.

"

"...Do you want me to hide first...Then where is the best place for me to hide?"

"Hide in the nearby mountains first." Hirachiyo replied without hesitation, "I will bring you back after the young samurai and his people have left."

"...Do you plan to deal with that young warrior while I'm hiding?"

"Yeah. That's what I mean." Hiraichiyo grinned, "I'm quite confident in my acting skills. I will always play dumb and pretend that I don't know who Xuan Zhen is, so you...

…”

After Hiraichiyo said this, he could no longer say the rest of his words.

Because——a male voice came from behind him, interrupting his words.

"...Hey...what...are you...doing?"

Hiraichiyo's pupils shrank suddenly, then he quickly turned around and looked behind him.

Behind him, Ogata and Atachi, who should be sleeping in his clinic, stood.

Ogata and Omachi, who were standing side by side, were now looking at him with wide-eyed expressions of shock.

And there was still a faint... fear in the eyes of the couple.

Looking at the two Ogatas who appeared behind him at some unknown time, Hirachiyo was stunned for a moment, and then with a ferocious expression on his face, like a hen protecting her young, he opened his arms and blocked the two Ogatas and the room behind him.

between.

"Xuanzhen! Go quickly! I'll buy you some time!"

"...Okay, okay!"

Neither Ogata nor Omachi moved.

They all just continued to look at Hirachiyo silently with eyes that were shocked and slightly fearful.

"I said……"

Ogata subconsciously raised his left hand and placed it on the Daishiten on his left waist.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"What's Xuanzhi, what's 'leave quickly'?"

"Aren't you the only one in this room...from beginning to end?"

"………………Eh?" Ping Qianye's expression was stagnant.

He twisted his stiff neck and looked behind him.

Behind him, there was no one.

There were no windows, no secret doors, nothing in this room that was wrapped tightly with wooden boards.

At this moment, only Hirachiyo was standing in this empty room.

*******

*******

Today is another big chapter of 7,000 words. I humbly ask for some monthly votes (Leopard Head Crying.jpg)

The style of this chapter suddenly changes to that of a horror novel.
Chapter completed!