99: Shinobu Kocho is blackmailing

The lights in the Japanese-style room were warm and soft, and the atmosphere of the banquet was at its peak. Due to his poor health, Ubuyashiki Kagaya left early accompanied by Lady Amane after a brief speech. Most of those seated inside were Hashira-level members and a few elite slayers; the others had separate seats in the courtyard. While the traditional seating followed a one-person-per-table rule, Lin Luo's side formed a unique scene—Kanae held a flask to pour him wine, Kanroji Mitsuri constantly served him food, and Shinobu bickered softly with Mitsuri, a subtle atmosphere flowing between them.

Slayers who were poor drinkers or minors substituted wine with tea, but Lin Luo's cup was never empty. Uzui Tengen and Rengoku Kyojuro intentionally tested his tolerance, taking turns to invite him for a drink. Lin Luo refused no one, draining every cup offered, drawing bursts of cheers from the crowd.

The moonlight was like white silk, gently enveloping the courtyard as it gradually returned to silence. As the banquet dispersed, the heavily intoxicated slayers were helped away one by one by their companions. Particularly eye-catching was Uzui Tengen, who was picked up by his three wives—a rare sight in the Demon Slayer Corps, which was mostly composed of single people. After all, before the demons were eradicated, most people set aside personal feelings for the time being.

Having been persuaded to drink many cups, Lin Luo was clearly unable to return on his own at this moment. The Butterfly Sisters supported him on either side, walking slowly toward the Butterfly Mansion under the moonlight.

"You clearly aren't a good drinker, so why force yourself like that?" Shinobu complained softly, yet her hand steadily supported his arm. "Now I have to trouble my sister and me to walk you back."

Lin Luo leaned most of his weight on Kanae's shoulder. Far from showing the slightest impatience, Kanae showed gentle concern: "Mr. Lin Luo, do you still feel unwell? Do you need to rest for a moment?"

Seeing her sister being so considerate, Shinobu couldn't help but mutter under her breath: "Sister's tenderness... is being shared so much." There was a hint of jealousy in her voice that had never been there before.

The moonlight flowed like mercury on the corridor, gently elongating the shadows of the three. As they reached the middle of the corridor, Lin Luo suddenly stumbled, and Kanae took the opportunity to help him sit down.

"My head is a bit dizzy..." Lin Luo whispered with his eyes closed, fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Shinobu was about to speak, but she saw her sister had already gently rested his head on her lap, her slender fingers tenderly massaging his temples. "Is this any better?" Kanae's voice was softer than the moonlight.

Lin Luo nodded slightly in his daze. Looking up from this angle, he could see the bright moon in the sky and Kanae's lowered, gentle eyes. The night breeze blew by, and the clear fragrance of wisteria quietly blended with the light scent from the woman's hair.

Seeing Lin Luo's brows gradually relax as he rested on her sister's lap, the corners of Shinobu's slightly pursed lips loosened a bit. She took one last look at the two of them, who looked exceptionally harmonious under the moonlight, and finally swallowed the complaint that was on the tip of her tongue, only saying softly: "I'll go prepare some warm water and a towel."

As she turned, her haori swirled lightly, and her footsteps grew distant, leaving the tranquility entirely to the two under the corridor.

Kanae's fingertips gently traced Lin Luo's eyebrows, slowly smoothing out the last trace of a frown. Under the moonlight, her smile carried a hint of helplessness but was even more full of indulgence: "Mr. Lin Luo is truly naughty."

As she lightly tapped his forehead, Lin Luo slowly opened his eyes, and the intoxication receded like a tide. What met his eyes was her smile, more moving than the moonlight.

"But hasn't Kanae... always been tolerant of my naughtiness?" he replied softly, his gaze clear as water, reflecting the moon in the sky and the person before him.

He still craved the warmth of Kanae's lap pillow and was reluctant to get up. Kanae sensed that his drunkenness had dissipated, but she did not urge him, letting time flow quietly amidst the moonlight.

The moonlight flowed silently under the corridor, and the faint scent of wisteria rippled with the wind. Kanae's fingertips still lingered in his hair, gently grooming it. His breathing had long since become steady and long, making it hard to tell if he was asleep or awake. She looked down at the figure on her lap, a shallow smile rippling in the depths of her eyes.

The night mist gradually rose, and dew dampened the grass in front of the corridor. The distant sound of the third watch could be faintly heard.

"Sister," Shinobu stood quietly by the corridor pillar holding a basin of water, her voice like a whisper, "it's time to rest."

Kanae nodded slightly but still did not disturb the person on her lap. Not until the moonlight faded and the horizon turned the color of a fish's belly did the morning light quietly arrive.

Lin Luo opened his eyes in the faint morning light and found that a thin blanket had been placed over him at some point. Kanae still maintained her sitting posture from last night, staring blankly at the waking flowers and plants in the courtyard. Noticing his movement, she turned her gaze toward him, a faint tiredness in her brows, but her smile was still gentle.

"Good morning," she greeted softly.

The morning birds began to chirp, and the new sun had risen.

Lin Luo's brow furrowed slightly, his voice full of heartache: "You should have woken me up." Saying this, he gently picked her up. "Your legs must be numb, right?"

Kanae was startled by his sudden action and let out a soft cry, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson: "Mr. Lin Luo, put me down quickly... Everyone should be waking up; we'll be seen..."

Lin Luo intentionally leaned closer, a mischievous smile rippling in his eyes: "So what if we're seen? Is Kanae unwilling?"

She shyly reached out and lightly pinched his cheek, but after catching a glimpse of figures moving near the Butterfly Mansion, she hurriedly buried her burning face in his chest, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum: "Go quickly..."

Lin Luo gently carried her into the house and was pushed out a short while later. Unexpectedly, Shinobu was leaning against the wall outside the door. Seeing him come out, she raised an eyebrow and huffed: "Look at how smug you are."

Lin Luo subconsciously touched his face, only to find that the corners of his lips were indeed turned up: "Shinobu, can't I even smile?"

"Smiling with such a beaming face," Shinobu turned her face away, "Sister really misjudged you."

Lin Luo cleared his throat and intentionally straightened his back: "Your sister's taste is naturally much better than a certain someone's. Why does someone always want to bicker with an upright person like me?"

Shinobu lightly kicked his calf: "Who's interested in bickering with you? Come with me; the Sobriety soup is still warm. Drink some to warm your stomach."

Lin Luo leaned half a step closer and smiled with a raised eyebrow: "I misspoke. Shinobu is clearly the one with the sharpest tongue but the softest heart."

Shinobu poked his forehead with her fingertip: "If you don't know how to compliment someone, don't! Drink the Sobriety soup or don't, see if I care."

Despite saying so, she still slowed her pace and led him toward the kitchen.

After having the Sobriety soup and breakfast prepared by Shinobu, Lin Luo took a walk alone in the base. This place was much more spacious than the previous dojo. Each Hashira had their own dedicated dojo, and most Disciples trained at their respective mentors' places. There were also many members at the Butterfly Mansion, most of whom were recovering from injuries and could only perform some gentle health exercises.

On the way, he met Uzui Tengen. Lin Luo didn't really want to deal with him—after all, this was a man with three wives who got along harmoniously. But Uzui hooked an arm around his shoulder and said mischievously: "Did you rest well at the Butterfly Mansion? Has your relationship with Kanae progressed?"

Lin Luo coughed lightly: "Kanae and I are perfectly innocent. Mr. Uzui, don't talk nonsense."

"Just call me Tengen," Uzui raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd take advantage of the alcohol to do something, but I didn't expect you to be so cowardly."

Lin Luo said helplessly: "Do you think Shinobu is just an ornament?"

Uzui immediately caught the opening: "See! As expected, you have designs on Kanae. Don't worry, I fully support you. The Master and his wife are also happy to see it happen."

Lin Luo quietly looked around and lowered his voice: "Since that's the case, there's something I want to ask Tengen."

"Feel free to speak; I will tell you everything I know."

Lin Luo pulled him to a corner: "I heard you have three wives... How do you usually get along with them?"

Uzui immediately showed a knowing smile: "Mr. Lin Luo truly shares my interests. Who else have you set your sights on? Is it Shinobu? Though petite, she has exquisite curves. Or is it Kanroji? She also suits you."

Lin Luo curled his lip: "Don't guess blindly; I was just asking casually."

"What do you want to ask?" Shinobu appeared behind the two with a beaming smile.

Uzui Tengen abandoned Lin Luo without hesitation, disappearing in a few leaps and bounds.

Lin Luo cursed "traitor" under his breath and had to face the smiling Shinobu alone. From the looks of it, the conversation just now had clearly been overheard. He gave two dry laughs: "Nothing, just chatting with Tengen about the taste of a hangover. It's really unpleasant."

Shinobu stepped on his instep with a beaming smile: "You playboy."

Lin Luo quietly tried to move his foot, but found it was pinned down firmly: "You've misunderstood, Shinobu. I was just asking casually; I have absolutely no intention of following his example."

Saying this only made it seem more like he was trying to cover something up.

“You should save those words to explain to my sister.” Shinobu ground her foot on his instep twice, neither too hard nor too light, before gracefully turning and walking toward the Butterfly Mansion.

Lin Luo quickly put on a flattering smile and followed closely behind her: “Shinobu, I think this kind of small matter... there's really no need to specifically tell Kanae, don't you think?”

“Oh my, oh my, there really is no need. But I heard Mr. Lin Luo has many neighbors over at his apartment, and quite a few study partners from school too. I even heard you've been chatting quite warmly with a female celebrity lately.”

Lin Luo quickly put on a flattering smile and followed closely behind her: “Shinobu, I think this kind of small matter... there's really no need to specifically tell Kanae, don't you think?”

Lin Luo suddenly felt a chill down his spine and explained with a dry laugh: "Those are all normal social interactions..."

Shinobu nodded gently, the corners of her lips curving into a gentle arc: "Mm-hmm, of course I believe Mr. Lin Luo's explanation. I just wonder... if my sister will think the same?"

Seeing her about to turn away, Lin Luo quickly grabbed her sleeve: "Wait, what do you need me to do? Just say the word."

"I'm not the kind of person who would resort to blackmail," Shinobu blinked, revealing an innocent smile.

"Of course, of course," Lin Luo followed her lead smoothly, "it's all voluntary on my part."

Shinobu's fingertip lightly touched her chin, a flash of cunning in her eyes: "Then the first requirement is—" She suddenly leaned forward, her hair swaying slightly in the morning light, "In the future, if you're going to take my sister out, you're not allowed to sneakily leave me behind, okay?"

Lin Luo looked at her with difficulty—if he were really to ask Kanae out alone, it would undoubtedly be a date. Who would intentionally bring a third wheel on a date?

Shinobu keenly furrowed her brows, her tone rising slightly: “What? You won't even agree to the first requirement?”

Lin Luo could only swallow his bitterness and nodded reluctantly.

“Are there any other conditions?” Lin Luo was almost in tears.

“I can't think of any for now; I'll save them for later.” Shinobu turned away briskly, the ends of her hair tracing a playful arc in the air.

“Then about me and Kanae...”

“Don't worry~” She looked back and smiled, placing a finger to her lips in a gesture of secrecy, “I'll cover for you properly.”