Nurarihyon was rejected.
Rejected very bluntly, very directly, even somewhat mercilessly.
But he wasn't angry; he knew that with his current empty-handed state, failing to recruit anyone was only natural.
"Alright."
He sighed, took the pipe out of his mouth, and blew the ash off it.
"Since you aren't willing now, I won't force you."
"What do you mean by 'now'?"
Kanbe Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"I mean, you will be willing in the future."
Nurarihyon's face once again showed that confident smile: "When I become the Master of All Spirits, when my Night Parade of One Hundred Demons truly takes shape, when that day comes—"
"I will come find you again."
"By then, you will know what a correct choice it is to join my team."
Kanbe Hikaru looked at him.
This guy...
Is really quite confident.
"Suit yourself."
Kanbe Hikaru couldn't be bothered to argue with him.
"Then it's a deal!"
Nurarihyon, however, seemed to have received some kind of promise, and his smile became even brighter.
"The day I become the Master of All Spirits, I will come find you again."
"By then, my Night Parade of One Hundred Demons will have hundreds of yokai, each one a top-tier powerhouse."
"When you see that scene, you will definitely join me."
"By then, you will be the second-in-command of my Night Parade of One Hundred Demons!"
"The two of us brothers, sharing the world!"
Kanbe Hikaru: Who is brothers with you?
What a buzzkill Nurarihyon, truly a buzzkill.
But regarding this, Kanbe Hikaru didn't believe it one bit.
The Nurarihyon before him seemed very confident, and he indeed had the capital for that confidence—but Kanbe Hikaru prided himself on also being a person with a 'cheat'... ahem, a yokai with a cheat.
As long as there is enough time, he will only become stronger!
"Just you wait... Oni Samurai, Kanbe Hikaru!"
With these words, the figure of the Nurarihyon standing under the midday sun suddenly began to fade and disappear like receding ink.
If it weren't for the fact that both Kanbe Hikaru and Kikyo were a yokai and human with extremely strong 'Spiritual Perception', they probably wouldn't have been able to perceive the way this guy disappeared.
Elusive and mysterious, the inherent nature of the Nurarihyon was once again fully revealed.
In the end, only the young man's voice remained echoing.
Saying: "Just you wait!"
Kanbe Hikaru stood in place, looking at the emptiness before him, with only the vegetation on both sides swaying.
"He left?"
Kikyo's voice came from the side.
"He left."
Kanbe Hikaru nodded.
"Did you never consider joining him?"
"Why would I consider it?"
Kanbe Hikaru retorted.
"Those things he mentioned, the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, the Master of All Spirits, they do sound very ambitious."
Kikyo said: "As a yokai, that might perhaps be more suitable as your destination."
Hearing this, the Oni Samurai cast a sidelong glance at the miko beside him, who seemed to be admonishing him but actually felt quite insincere.
No matter how weak it is, can it be stronger than you?
He thought to himself.
He also said: "So what?"
"I have my own things to do, no time to play some game of conquering the world with him."
"And—"
He looked at Kikyo.
"I already have companions."
Kikyo's movements paused slightly.
A glimmer of light flashed in those jet-black eyes, but only for an instant.
"Then, let's continue on our way."
She did not ask any more questions, nor did she harbor any doubt.
Kanbe Hikaru chuckled, also remaining silent.
The Hiraikotsu on his back was heavy, weighing on his shoulders, but it made him feel secure.
[ Hiraikotsu: Affection 0 (Stranger) ]
[ It is still sleeping and does not want to pay attention to you. ]
This guy is really hard to please.
Kanbe Hikaru muttered to himself in his heart.
He reached out to touch the giant boomerang on his back, feeling that fierce Demonic Qi.
"When I have time, I'll give you a good wash."
He said softly.
Hiraikotsu did not react.
But Kanbe Hikaru always felt that it didn't seem so resistant anymore?
Probably just an illusion.
The two continued walking forward.
The mountain path wound ahead, with lush trees on both sides.
Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground.
They walked for about an hour.
Kanbe Hikaru suddenly spoke up.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Rexlent
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"