Chapter 1159: Book 12: Chapter 99: Lily Causing Trouble

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Lily feigned drunkenness, though she was entirely clear-headed. ‘Combat is forbidden on Hyakki Street, isn’t it? So what could you possibly do if I stir up trouble?’

At that moment, Lily resolved to exploit the rules rather than break them outright.

She intended to test the limits of these rules. Previously, she had fought demons in the brothel without consequence—perhaps because that establishment wasn’t technically part of Hyakki Street.

Yet here, Lily found herself unable to refuse Yanari’s requests, proving she remained within the jurisdiction of Hyakki Street.

But what would happen if someone else initiated the fight?

First, the instigator would face punishment for breaking the rules, perhaps even summoning the black-and-white demonic spirits. Second, if Lily defended herself, she wouldn’t be in violation of the rules.

Thus, Lily maintained her act of drunkenness, deliberately causing trouble to provoke the demons and create chaos. She wanted to see how the rules would respond.

If the demons made unreasonable demands, Yanari would likely intervene. After all, the rules dictated that demons couldn’t cause direct harm. What was the worst that could happen to her in such a scenario?

It couldn’t possibly be worse than staying alone with Yanari.

“What’s wrong? Let’s drink!” Lily raised her cup to her lips, though she didn’t drink. Turning her attention to a nearby demon, she frowned and slurred, “Hey, you! Get lost—you’re annoying me just by being here!”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Huh?” The hulking demon’s face twisted with fury.

This demon was a well-known powerhouse on Hyakki Street, commanding fear and respect. Even other demons avoided him, let alone women.

The demon slammed his massive fist onto the table, reducing it to splinters. “What did you just say?”

The commotion immediately drew the attention of every demon in the room.

Lily had risen from her seat before the table broke, placing a steady hand on the shoulder of the female samurai. “This warrior clearly doesn’t want to drink with you. She can’t refuse, but I can.”

The towering demon rose to his full height, nearly twice as tall as Lily. Unbothered by the low ceiling designed to accommodate demons, he bent down and reached for her. Lily, however, deftly spun out of his grasp.

“What’s the matter? You want to fight?” Lily taunted, a defiant smirk on her lips. She had already resolved to defend herself if he struck first, ensuring she wouldn’t be the one breaking the rules.

Veins bulged on the demon’s forehead as he struggled to maintain control, clearly wary of breaking the rules. Then, his expression shifted as his gaze swept over Lily’s seemingly drunken form. “If you’re so bold as to interfere, then you can drink with me instead.”

A strange sensation coursed through Lily’s body, compelling her to agree to the demon’s demand. The arcane power that governed Hyakki Street was as perplexing as it was oppressive.

Still, she said, “You want me to drink with you? Fine. Let’s do it.”

Lily’s slender fingers curled around the cup as she reached for it.

“Well? Do you need me to fill your cup too?”

“Looks like you’re catching on. Maybe you even like me, beautiful?” the demon leered, a lustful grin spreading across his face.

A resounding thud echoed through the establishment as Yanari smashed a thick wooden pillar with a single palm strike, splintering it into pieces.

Yanari strode forward, his towering figure imposing. “Who do you think you are?” he demanded, his voice booming. “Take back your request—now!”

The bald demon, significantly larger than Yanari, turned slowly, his expression indifferent. Clearly hailing from some far-off region, he didn’t recognize Yanari. “Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to me like that?”

The bald demon’s muscles rippled and swelled ominously as he squared his stance. Yanari, unflinching, held his ground. Despite the tension, neither dared make a move, constrained by the rules forbidding combat during the day.

“Miss Lynne is my companion. How dare you disrespect her!” Yanari’s voice dripped with fury, his large eyes narrowing. “If it weren’t daytime, I’d make sure you understood that Hyakki Street doesn’t belong to bottom-tier demons like you!”

“Do you really think you’d still be breathing if we could fight now?” the bald demon sneered. “You’ve got only a few hours left to enjoy that arrogance of yours!” With a casual wave of his hand, several intimidating demons from his group rose from their seats, glaring menacingly.

“These lackeys? Are you trying to intimidate me?” Yanari scoffed, his voice brimming with disdain. “Where do you lot even come from? Clearly, you don’t know who I am.” His eyes burned with raw killing intent.

“Ha! Where I come from, a city-bred vagrant like you wouldn’t rank higher than a stray dog!” the bald demon spat.

Bound by the no-combat rule, the two resorted to a vicious war of words, hurling insults back and forth.

“In that case,” Yanari growled, his tone dark, “I’ll see you on the street after midnight. You’re not going to run, are you?”

“Fine! By then, you’ll be nothing but a corpse!”

Yanari was feared across Hyakki Street, rarely meeting a foe who could challenge him. This wasn’t the first time he had stirred up trouble—or taken a life in this very establishment. His lips curled into a confident, dangerous smile.

However, these out-of-town demons seemed oblivious to Yanari’s reputation. Lily couldn’t sense their power and had no way of predicting who might emerge victorious. But did that even matter in the grand scheme of things?

Yanari turned to Lily, his tone softening. “Miss Lynne, did this hideous demon harm you?”

As Yanari reached for her hand, Lily subtly pulled it away, swaying slightly as though still tipsy. “I’m fine,” she murmured. “I just couldn’t bear to watch that poor woman being harassed by such an ugly demon. I’m sorry for causing you trouble, Brother Yanari.”

Yanari groaned internally. ‘This woman! She downed an entire bottle of my drugged wine—I was so close to getting what I wanted. But instead, she’s too drunk and just caused me more trouble1!’

Still, Yanari had to maintain the façade of a gallant protector before someone as stunning as Lily. Like most men with hidden agendas, he wasn’t about to squander such a golden opportunity. To him, Lily was already his.

It was in Yanari’s nature to flaunt his strength publicly. Even though he knew Lily had stirred up the trouble, he couldn’t back down from the opportunity to defend her.

“I’ll deal with you later!” Yanari barked, grabbing Lily’s arm. “Let’s head back and finish our drinks.”

“Leaving so soon? Trying to sneak away?” The bald demon sneered, his lustful gaze fixed on Lily. He wasn’t about to let Yanari take her out of his sight.

“Hmph, fine. I’ll wait.” Yanari turned sharply and walked to an empty table nearby. Two smaller demons scattered hurriedly, vacating their seats as he sat down, exuding confidence.

For the next two hours, tension hung thick in the air as both sides maintained their standoff. While some demons continued drinking, most watched the escalating conflict from the corners of their eyes. A few slipped away quietly, unwilling to be caught in a potential fight.

The hour of midnight crept closer.

“Let’s take this outside,” Yanari said, his voice cold. “Don’t ruin this place—I’d like to drink here again.”

“Fine! Let’s settle this outside.” The bald demon rose and marched out of the winehouse, flanked by his group of lackeys.

“Lynne, are you okay?” Yanari glanced at Lily, noting her unsteady posture. Worried she might slip away, he firmly led her out into the street.

“Lynne, stay right here and watch me!” Yanari called out, eager to flaunt his strength despite the lingering effects of the drug he had given her.

Lily nodded faintly, leaning against a pillar at the entrance of the winehouse. Midnight hadn’t struck yet, and though her head still spun slightly, her steady circulation of Charm Intent over the past two hours had dulled the effects of the drug.

The eerie sound of bamboo chimes suddenly filled the air, signaling the arrival of midnight.

Lanterns lining the street dimmed one by one, casting an ominous stillness over the area. Many demons scurried to find hiding places—inside the winehouse, on rooftops, or behind windows—content to spectate from a safe distance. As long as they didn’t step onto the street, they were untouchable.

“The hour has come,” Yanari declared, gripping his sword tightly. “Prepare to die!”

“You’re the one who’ll die tonight!” the bald demon snarled. “And when you’re gone, your woman will be mine. She’s worth a hundred of that other one!” He sneered, indifferent to the female samurai’s escape amidst the earlier chaos.

“Attack!” the bald demon roared, leading his lackeys as they unsheathed their weapons and lunged at Yanari.

Yanari’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he broke into a manic laugh, unsheathing his straight sword with a chilling metallic rasp.

Lily’s eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold. ‘Those demons are no match for Yanari,’ she realized.

As expected, a brutal massacre ensued. Yanari tore through his opponents one by one, sustaining only minor injuries in return.

With a single, devastating slash, Yanari cleaved the bald demon in two. Blood sprayed across the walls of the winehouse, painting them in crimson streaks.

“Hmph, pathetic fools. How dare you challenge me?” Yanari scoffed, his muscular arms and broad back marred with wounds that quickly healed, leaving faint scars behind.

Yanari turned to the gathered onlookers—demons peering from windows and shadows. Raising his bloodied blade high, he bellowed, “Listen well! Anyone who lays a finger on Lynne will meet the same fate!”

The crowd of demons fell silent, their expressions frozen in fear as none dared to speak.

Lily clapped slowly, her applause echoing through the tense air as she approached him. “Brother Yanari, thank you so much,” she said, her voice sweet yet enigmatic.

Yanari’s eyes glimmered with expectation as he looked at Lily. Surely, after witnessing his display of power and consuming the drugged wine, she would be smitten. “It’s nothing,” he said with feigned humility. “They’re just trash. How dare they even look at my wom—ah, my friend. Lynne, the streets are far too dangerous now. Let me escort you back to the winehouse.”

Escort her into the winehouse? Lily doubted he intended to stop at just that.

From the moment Lily drank the wine, she had seen through Yanari’s façade. He was nothing more than a hypocritical demon wrapped in a mask of honor.

“Thank you for your kindness, Brother Yanari, but I have urgent matters to attend to,” Lily said, her tone polite yet resolute. “I’m truly grateful for your company this morning, but as you’ve said, my journey ahead will be fraught with dangers. I shouldn’t trouble you further. Let’s part ways here.”

“What?” Yanari’s face twisted in disbelief. Hadn’t she drunk the wine? How could she even think about leaving, especially after he had shed blood for her?

“Miss Lynne, the night is far too dangerous. Please, come back to the winehouse with me. I’ll escort you safely in the morning,” Yanari urged, stepping closer and reaching for her hand.

“There’s no need,” Lily replied calmly, sidestepping his outstretched hand with practiced ease.

Yanari’s frown deepened. “Lynne, listen to me. You have no idea how dangerous it is out there! You can’t possibly go alone.”

Lily lowered her gaze, her voice calm but cutting. “Enough, Brother Yanari. Why keep up this act any longer?”

“What are you implying?” Yanari asked, his tone wavering slightly.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you slipped into that wine,” Lily said sharply, raising her head to meet his eyes with a piercing gaze2.