Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

It was late at night, and the moonlight was pale.

A dark shadow landed in the courtyard of the Ubuyashiki family's residence.

Muzan stood in the shadows under the corridor, dressed in an exquisite dark kimono, his figure still tall and slender.

The body, which was once so weak that it was difficult to even sit up, is now filled with unprecedented strength.

But he's very annoyed right now.

That quack doctor claimed he could cure him, but instead turned him into this monster who can only live in darkness.

The book says that blue spider lilies are needed.

But where are those flowers? He asked so many people, but not a single one knew!

A flash of violence crossed his eyes.

He needs information, he needs clues. Perhaps there's something in the Ubuyashiki family's collection of books?

With this in mind, he returned to this place he had long loathed.

As I passed the front yard, I heard a murmur of conversation.

The two servants on night watch hid behind the pillars and didn't notice his arrival at all.

"It's such a tragedy. How could a perfectly normal person turn into such a monster?"

"I heard that Madam Huixiang couldn't bear this and that's why she committed suicide."

"Isn't Miss Yukina the most pitiful one? To have such a father."

Muzan stopped walking and turned towards the direction from which the sound came.

"That child probably won't live much longer. He's always been in poor health, and now he's so sick, and nobody's taking care of him."

"If you ask me, it's better to get rid of her sooner rather than later. Anyway, no one will care about her..."

"Exactly. It's better for him to die sooner so everyone can have some peace and quiet. We really hope he doesn't end up like that ghost, eating people everywhere..."

Muzan narrowed his eyes.

He was like that once too, lying on his sickbed, listening to people outside the door talking in the same tone.

"Young Master is probably not going to make it." "It's better to be free sooner." "Living is just suffering."

His parents, those so-called relatives, arranged for him to marry one wife after another.

It wasn't for him, but for the sake of the Ubuyashiki family bloodline. No one asked him if he was in pain, if he was afraid, or if he was gripped by the fear of death every night.

They just want a healthy heir.

As for him? It would be better if he died sooner rather than later.

Now, they're talking about that child too.

Even if he dislikes it, it's still his child.

The child who had the same eyes as him.

A murderous intent surged into his heart.

The next second, a scream pierced the night sky.

When Muzan released his grip, the two servants' bodies lay limp on the ground, their necks snapped, their faces still bearing the lingering terror of their deaths.

The smell of blood filled the air.

Muzan licked his lips, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

He couldn't even be bothered to eat with these people.

Just then, a coughing sound came from behind.

Very light, very weak, intermittent.

Muzan frowned slightly.

Judging from that cough, that child won't live much longer.

He originally intended to turn around and leave immediately.

What does it matter to him if a human child is dying, even if they are related to him by blood?

His immediate priority is to find clues about the blue spider lily, not this kind of pointless concern.

But his feet didn't move.

The servants' words echoed in my ears again; they all wanted Yukina dead.

Just like they want him dead now.

The more he thought about it, the more his rebellious nature was aroused.

Ok.

Don't you all want her dead? Don't you all think she shouldn't be alive?

Then I'll make sure she lives.

Since this world can't tolerate us, and since everyone wants us to disappear, then we will insist on existing.

To exist forever as a monster, with a cursed life.

The thought lingered in his heart, bringing him pleasure.

Muzan turned around and walked in the direction from which the coughing sound came.

He arrived at the courtyard.

It was more dilapidated than he had imagined; the door was ajar and there were no lights.

Muzan pushed open the door.

There were no maids or guards in the room, only Yukina curled up in the corner under the covers.

The moonlight shone on her face; her breathing was shallow, her chest barely rising and falling, only the occasional cough causing her frail body to tremble. Even in her slumber, her brows were tightly furrowed.

Muzan walked to the bedside and looked down at Yukina.

As if sensing something in her sleep, Yukina's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

In the dim light, a pair of magenta eyes met another pair of magenta eyes.

Yukina froze for a few seconds, her consciousness still struggling in a daze. The discomfort in her body blurred her vision, but she recognized those eyes.

"Father?"

Her voice was very soft and so weak that it was almost inaudible.

Muzan did not respond.

He simply reached out and touched Yukina's burning forehead with his fingertips.

Yukina flinched slightly from his cold touch, but soon, as if she had confirmed something, a smile appeared on her small face.

"It really is Father..."

As she spoke, she struggled to raise her arm, trying to grasp his hand, but it fell limply to the side halfway through.

Muzan looked at the drooping little hand, at the faint light in those eyes, and felt an even stronger sense of pleasure in his chest.

Correct.

That's it.

They wanted her dead more and more.

The more you live, the more you need to survive.

Muzan bent down, wrapped Yukina's small body in the blanket, and picked her up.

It's very light.

The child in her arms coughed violently from the movement, curling up unconsciously and snuggling closer to Muzan's cold embrace.

She was searching for warmth, but only touched a colder place.

Muzan glanced down at her, turned around, walked out of the room, and into the moonlight.

Yukina breathed weakly in his arms, her eyes half-open and half-closed, her consciousness floating in a daze.

"Father," she murmured, "where...are we going..."

Muzan did not answer.

He simply carried her through the courtyard, over the wall, and disappeared into the thick darkness of the night.

The wind was cold, but Xue Nai was wrapped in a blanket by him, with only her small face showing.

She looked up at Muzan's cold profile, feeling no fear, only peace of mind.

Her father came and took her away.

Her father did not abandon her.