Chapter 1164: Book 12: Chapter 103: Murasaki-hime

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As dawn broke, the street sprang back to life. Markets opened, stalls bustled with activity, and it seemed as though another ordinary day was about to unfold.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby, breaking the calm of the morning.

From a distance, a group of fierce and powerful demons marched in two rigid lines. Demon swordsmen clad in tattered pelts, snarling ogre with monstrous faces, blue-skinned demons, and shadowy figures with hollow yet hypnotic eyes moved in unison. The air vibrated with their grunts, a low rumble of raw power.

Their presence exuded a strength far beyond that of ordinary demons.

The sheer menace radiating from the group caused other demons to shrink back, clearing a path in fear.

Amid the demonic crowd was a colossal white dog, its body etched with divine flame markings that radiated a chilling aura. The beast pulled a carriage, its presence awe-inspiring and terrifying. Whatever—or whoever—was inside the carriage remained a mystery.

Trailing the giant dog were a host of eerie figures—six-tailed fox demons, sly cat demons, and the fearsome Firewheel, their eyes burning with malice.

These demons were at the Big Dipper Stage, a respectable rank in Hyakki Street. Individually, they might not have been overwhelming, but in such numbers—close to a hundred strong—they were a force no one would dare provoke.

Inside the carriage, Lily exhaled softly. Through the sheer, translucent curtains, she observed the passing scenery with calm detachment.

Outside, demonic figures shuffled and snarled, yet the interior of the carriage remained a serene, silent haven.

It had been nearly a month since Lily arrived in Hyakki Street, and in that time, she had learned its rules well. She traveled at night, engaging in battles and subduing powerful demons willing to surrender. By day, she advanced down the street with her growing army of loyal demons. Few dared to challenge her now—be they demon or wandering vagrants.

Those who sought to fight her could only do so after midnight, as combat was forbidden during the day. With each passing day, Lily’s swordsmanship grew sharper, making the once formidable demons seem increasingly insignificant. Recently, she even felt a creeping sense of boredom—there were no opponents left who could truly test her.

Lily sighed as she reflected on the desperation and peril she had faced upon first entering Hyakki Street. Her mastery of swordsmanship, immense strength, and understanding of the rules had brought her to a turning point. Hyakki Street, once an insurmountable challenge, no longer seemed so impenetrable.

Yet, despite her progress, she still hadn’t reached the end of the street.

A sense of helplessness gnawed at her.

Lily wasn’t afraid to travel at night, and during the day, her demon followers cleared a path for her without resistance. Yet, her goal remained out of reach—her destiny had not yet appeared. With no other choice but to press forward, she carefully observed her surroundings, searching for anything unusual that might reveal her path.

By this point, Lily’s army of demons had become one of the ruling forces of Hyakki Street.

“I heard the master of the Lunar Sakura Demons killed the Hundred Sword Demons single-handedly,” muttered an old demon, crouching beside a market stall. He and others watched Lily’s procession with wary curiosity.

The term “Lunar Sakura Demons” came from the sigil displayed on Lily’s Hachiwan, which tied her to the Cherry Blossom Valley. It wasn’t an official name, but one coined by the observing demons. Most doubted that the group was led by the woman rumored to sit inside the carriage.

Even if whispers claimed a woman was in that carriage, who would dare challenge the master of such a fearsome demon army? And what horrors might await them after midnight?

“I heard she killed Yanari Onijimaru with a single strike!”

“What? That arrogant Lord Yanari? He’s dead too?”

“I heard she eats ten demon hearts every night!”

“How terrifying! Even if she’s as beautiful as a goddess, no one would dare provoke her!”

The rumors grew more exaggerated with each retelling. Lily paid no attention to her growing infamy. The darker the rumors, the smoother her journey through Hyakki Street became.

On the thirty-sixth day of her journey through Hyakki Street, Lily continued her advance.

At noon, Lily remained in her Hachiwan carriage, and moved forward with her demon army as usual.

Amid the crowd of demons parting to make way, two female warriors with sorrowful yet dignified faces stood out.

“Young lady, I heard the Master of Lunar Sakura is a woman. Why not ask for her help?” said a petite warrior with short hair. Despite her small stature, her demeanor was that of a mature and experienced woman.

The taller of the two, though addressed as “young lady,” had the presence of a seasoned warrior. Her long, naturally curly brunette hair framed a face marred by caution and fear.

“Trust her just because she’s a woman? Look at her—leading a horde of demons and making a spectacle of herself. Who knows what methods she uses to control those foul subordinates? If we join her, she might force us to serve her demon lieutenants!”

This warrior was none other than Murasaki-hime, once the victor of the Hundred Maidens centuries ago. She had triumphed over countless formidable opponents but had since become trapped in Hyakki Street, her pride and hope withering away in the endless struggle.

After centuries of hardship, her instinct to doubt and fear had become second nature.

“But young lady, if we continue like this, will we ever escape? Even if that woman is as bad as you say, could she really be worse than what we endure now?”

Murasaki-hime fell into deep thought. Her servant was right—if they were deceived, it would be like jumping from the fire into the frying pan. But what if this was an opportunity?

Resolving herself, she clenched her teeth and nodded, her chest rising and falling with tension.

Seeing her resolve, the servant sprang forward, running straight toward Hachiwan to block its path.

The carriage, already moving at a leisurely pace, came to a halt without delay.

“Master of the Lunar Sakura Demons, I beg you—please help my young lady!” The servant dropped to her knees, kowtowing fervently.

Several powerful demon swordsmen at the front turned to face her.

“Who do you think you are? How dare you block the road?”

“Looking to die? Move!”

The swordsmen stepped forward to drag her away, but paused as they took note of her appearance, their expressions turning lustful. Yet they restrained themselves. Bound by Hyakki Street’s rules as slaves under Lily’s command, they couldn’t act freely without severe consequences.

Resentful of their subservience to Lily, a woman, the demons sought an outlet for their frustration. They were seconds away from using force against the kneeling servant.

As powerful beings, a physical altercation wouldn’t be considered breaking the rules—it was not the same as killing.

The woman had deliberately blocked the path of Hyakki Street’s new ruler, making her actions an obvious provocation. If the demons punished her, it would be justified under the rules of Hyakki Street.

Just as the demons reached to drag the servant away, a calm yet commanding voice echoed from within the carriage.

"Stop." The curtains of the Hachiwan carriage parted, revealing Lily seated gracefully within. Her voice carried a quiet authority. “Who are you, and why do you block my path?”

Seeing another woman trapped in Hyakki Street, Lily refused to let the demons bully her.

“Master of the Lunar Sakura Demons! I beg you, please save my young lady!” the maidservant cried out, her voice trembling with desperation.

“There is no need to rush. Speak clearly—what is happening, and where is your young lady?” Lily asked calmly.

The servant turned toward the shadows and frantically gestured to Murasaki-hime, urging her to come forward.

After a moment of hesitation, Murasaki-hime stepped forward and approached Hachiwan. When she saw the occupant—a woman younger and far more beautiful than herself—her heart sank with bitter disappointment.

Once, she had been exceptional—a celebrated warrior who had won the Night Parade of a Hundred Maidens, rising as one of Yomi’s brightest stars. But that glory had been left behind centuries ago when she entered Hyakki Street. Now, she lived as the proprietress of a demon casino, enduring daily harassment and abuse. Even the slightest mistake invited brutal punishment at the hands of the demoness who owned the place.

Fortunately, the casino’s owner was a demoness rather than a male demon. Had it been otherwise, her fate might have been far worse.

Yes, this woman before her was young, beautiful, and now a ruler of Hyakki Street. No one dared oppose her as she moved freely, doing as she pleased. Her youth and beauty were a sharp contrast to Murasaki-hime’s faded glory, a contrast that stung deeply.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lily sensed Murasaki-hime’s emotions and sighed inwardly. She wished to help other women, but she refused to extend a hand to anyone insincere.

Lily’s expression remained calm as she asked, “You are her young lady? What exactly do you want?”

Murasaki-hime flinched at Lily’s distant tone. Her pride stung, she shook her head. “Nothing.”

Turning to leave, Murasaki-hime was stopped by her servant, who clung to her arm. “Young lady! Don’t walk away. This sister is strong and beautiful—she can help us! We’ve come this far. We can’t back down now!”

Lily frowned slightly, feeling conflicted. Her reputation was now enough to make Hyakki Street tremble. If someone could block her path and leave without consequence, it might invite trouble from others in the future.

“You, Murasaki-hime. If you truly need my help, then speak clearly. Or are you simply here to mock me?” Lily’s tone turned sharp.

At Lily’s words, several demons stepped forward, their faces dark with menace. “Old woman! Who do you think our Lady is? You think you can stop her without reason and walk away? Give a convincing answer, or you’ll never leave!” one demon snarled.

Murasaki-hime hesitated, realizing she had overstepped. Turning back, she bowed slightly. “Indeed, I need your help. Please… help me, Your Grace. It’s just…”

“Wait,” Lily interrupted, her voice cool as she looked down from the carriage. “Murasaki-hime, is this how you ask someone for help?”

“Young lady, we’re already at the brink. After so many years, why not lower yourself just this once?” the servant pleaded, her voice soft but insistent.

Murasaki-hime felt a wave of hopelessness wash over her, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The black mole beside her elegant lips, a mark of her mature beauty, only seemed to highlight the indignity of the moment. A once-proud woman, she now had no choice but to kneel before a girl much younger than herself, in full view of the watching crowd.

Slowly, Murasaki-hime bent her knees, the weight of her pride pressing heavily on her. She knelt obediently before Lily, her head lowered in silent submission.

“Master of the Lunar Sakura Demons… please rescue me!” Murasaki-hime pleaded, her voice trembling with humiliation as she bowed her head deeply, unable to meet Lily’s gaze.

“Just call me Lynne,” Lily replied, her voice cool and detached, as though entirely unmoved by the older woman’s plea.