I transformed into a demonic spider lily.

Feng was the first to bring this up.

Xueji and Biyanhua, who were playing chess, both stopped abruptly. Xueji chuckled awkwardly, put his hands together apologetically, and said, "I'm sorry! I'm not very good at using that stove."

"Don't look at me, I've never cooked for anyone before. If you don't mind eating raw food, I can go to the forest and get you some rabbit or venison."

"The other shore flower said without changing its expression."

"Never mind, I'll go by myself," Feng said.

A person who looks like an adult, and another who looks like they're about to become an adult, actually made a child under twelve years old cook for her?! Are they even human?!

"It's a pity I'm not human, otherwise I would definitely, absolutely help you." The spider lily patted Maple's shoulder lightly, giving him a "please believe me" look.

Feng sensed something was amiss; he felt the other party wasn't trustworthy.

But she couldn't find a reason to refute it.

It's perfectly normal for monsters not to be able to cook.

So, Feng went to the stove, and then the other shore flower couldn't help but laugh out loud. Xue Lu, who was sitting opposite her, had no idea what she was laughing at.

The two continued playing chess. Because one person was missing, Yukiji was still playing the eighth game against Higanbana despite losing seven consecutive games. However, the opponent's hand suddenly stopped above the chessboard.

Could it be that they don't know where they dropped it?

Xueji suddenly had a feeling that she had to win.

"I'm sorry, but we'll have to close this game for now."

The chess piece slipped naturally from her fingertips. Higanbana looked out the window, and Yukiji turned to look with her, but found nothing.

Could it be that they knew they were going to lose, so they decided not to play?

...That's so insidious!

Then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside.

It was a large-scale event, with at least a hundred people involved.

Chapter Seventy-One: Bandits, Rakshasa Demons

……

Hundreds of figures on horseback stopped on a hillside not far away. The man in the lead wore an eye patch over his right eye, but it couldn't hide the scar that ran from his forehead down to his ear. He sat on his horse and looked down at the village below.

"Phew~ Boss Rakshasa! Our luck today is absolutely amazing. We ran into a bunch of deserters early this morning, saying they encountered monsters. Hahaha, they deserved to have met them. We don't have that 'fortune' to meet them. But to be fair, their weapons and armor are much better than ours. They feel much thicker when we wear them."

A man with a pointed face and monkey-like features rode a horse and approached the leader, who was called "Rakshasa Demon." He held a naginata in his hand, and many others around him also possessed the same weapon, which they had obviously stolen from a deserter.

And their armor—wearing armor on the outside but tattered clothes underneath—was quite incongruous, with traces of blood on the armor.

This statement alone is enough to reveal their identity. In this era where even human life is worthless, there is only one profession that can move so recklessly on the edge of various battlefields without ever getting deeply involved...

That's a robber.

The surrounding daimyo were all engaged in chaotic battles for territory, so no bandit-suppressing forces ever emerged, which fueled the bandit culture.

What if you don't have weapons? Rob them!

What if you don't have armor? Grab it!

What if you don't have horses? Rob them!

Once they had all three things, what would they do next? They would rob again! From grain and rice wine to gold, silver, and treasure, they would eat what they had grabbed and then burn everything to the ground.

They were like a swarm of locusts, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake, for their advance was unimpeded by the fact that the able-bodied men had all been conscripted into the army, leaving only women and children behind in these villages.

The leader of this band of bandits, "Rakshasa Demon," was once a minor leader under a daimyo. However, he was nearly killed in battle after his eye was slashed. He then deserted and, relying on his leadership skills as a former leader, recruited a large number of deserters to form a considerable bandit force. They committed almost every kind of evil deed imaginable.

Rakshasa, whose real name is Kansuke, is an extremely ordinary name. However, his scarred face truly resembles that of a demon.

Ignoring the gossip of the bandit beside him, Rakshasa Oni Kansuke narrowed his remaining eye, surveyed the village below the hillside, and, finding no significant threat in the vicinity, drew his katana, pointed it downwards, and shouted, "Men, charge with me!"

"Duck rush!"

The bandits raised their weapons and shouted in agreement.

Hundreds of bandits rode down the hillside on horseback. The sound of their hooves mingled together, creating a powerful and imposing scene. Even from a distance, one could feel the ground trembling slightly, and the dust and sand billowing around them, accompanied by the howling wind.

"...Robbers! Robbers are coming! Quickly go back to the village and warn everyone!" The men who were farming in the fields outside the village noticed the menacing robbers and grabbed their farm tools to fight them. They also sent a fast young man back to tell everyone to run away quickly.

The villagers had long heard of the bandits' notorious reputation. They knew that the bandits were not only after they had stolen things, but also that during the robbery they were unleashing all the worst aspects of human nature that were hidden deep inside.

"Hahahaha..."

The bandits burst into laughter, for the more nervous and frightened the villagers appeared, the more renowned and ruthless their reputations were.

Suddenly, Rakshasa no Kansuke raised a hand, signaling the surrounding bandits to stop and be quiet. They saw a woman standing under a tree by the roadside ahead. Her appearance was extraordinary, and the slight upturn of her lips suddenly attracted their attention. Their hearts beat faster and faster, as if out of control.

He wanted to have her, he wanted to possess her.

This is an allure that ordinary people cannot resist.

Once your gaze is fixed on something, you can never look away.

The other shore flower's eyes were contemptuous, and the smile on her lips was a sarcastic mockery. She slightly raised her chin, revealing her snow-white neck, and immediately two bandits could not hold back and rushed forward.

However, before the two bandits could even touch the body of the spider lily, two white talismans suddenly blocked her path, repelling the bandits. Xue Lu stepped forward and questioned the bandits before her, "What do you guys want to do?!"

"Ho~ You can even use talismans?"

Seeing this, the spider lily was also slightly surprised.

"Hehehe, I learned this from the shrine maiden Kikyo. It's not very useful for dealing with monsters, but it's fine for self-defense."

Turning his head, Xuelu explained.

The two bandits suddenly cried out in pain, which brought Rakshasa Oni Kansuke back to his senses. He said, "I never expected that such an ordinary village would have two such beautiful women. It seems that my luck is not bad today."

"Miss Yukiji, and... uh, please leave here quickly. Lady Kikyo has been kind to us, so we must not let anything happen to you. We'll hold them off for you!"

The group of men from the village rushed over, but when they looked at the spider lily, their voices suddenly faltered. Since no one knew her name, they could only ignore the problem for the time being and protect her and Xuelu behind them.

There were only about a dozen people.

what's the point?

The red spider lily thought to itself.

"...Sister Hua!" It was a familiar voice again, and Feng ran over with his bow and arrows in his arms.

Seeing this, the spider lily looked at the snow road in astonishment.

Xuelu also stared blankly at the spider lily.

Spider Lily: Didn't you let her stay at home properly?

Yukiji: I thought you had already told her.

Clearly, they had all forgotten about Feng.

“You go and take care of that child. You’d better block her view, because I think what you’re about to see will keep her from sleeping for days.”

The red spider lily spoke as if issuing a command.

"I see."

Xueji subconsciously nodded slightly, then walked up to Feng, hugged her tightly, and pressed her head into her chest.

"It's so hard, ah, no, it's so dark!" Whether it was a slip of the tongue or he accidentally spoke the truth, Feng was "hug-killed" by Xueji.

"Troublesome and boring."

The red spider lily murmured.

Immediately, she impatiently pushed aside the villagers on both sides and stood in front of the Rakshasa demon. She extended her left little finger and slowly placed it on her right wrist. "I bled too much today, so I'll bleed a little less this time."

"Men, charge!"

Rakshasa Oni Kansuke raised his long sword.

"Well!"

A group of bandits echoed the call.

Pulling on the reins, they charged forward, intending to kill the villagers behind the spider lily. But amidst the chaotic scene, the sound of a water droplet falling onto a stone silenced everyone present.

Using less than 10% of the demon's blood, the "Sea of ​​Blood Flowers" can unleash one-fifth of its power. Although it still consumes one daily use opportunity, it doesn't matter. I suppose I won't need to use it a second time today.

The crimson sea of ​​flowers spread outwards, but it was no longer the blood-red of before; instead, it appeared somewhat ethereal. Yet, the curse upon life remained unchanged.

Seventy percent of the bandits present were judged to be on their own turn by Hua Hai, as they were already on horseback preparing to kill.

Fresh blood gushed from his chest.

They are like clusters of crimson flowers.

It blooms on them.

"It is truly beautiful like never before."

The smell of blood excites monsters.

Especially since this blood is human.

This was the first time the red spider lily had smelled this fragrance.

Although I had smelled the blood of the bellflower before, its scent was slightly sweet, while theirs was purely fishy and foul, but the blood was the most vibrant in color.

"A monster!"

The bandits cried out in terror.

Chapter 72 Monsters Should Be Feared by Humans

……

The fear humans have of monsters is many times more terrifying than standing on the edge of a cliff and facing the possibility of falling at any moment.

Because they are not on the same level at all.

Her stunningly beautiful face appeared as a grotesque demon in the eyes of Rakshasa Oni Kansuke, and the moment the blood blossomed around her seemed to evoke the scene of the underworld on the other side of the river of death. His right hand, gripping the long sword, trembled uncontrollably.

"A monster! That woman is a monster!"