14. Its a ploy after all

"Gyutarou?" Ye Xinghan raised his eyebrow, and carefully observed the boy in front of him.

The characteristics of this boy really similar to the 'Gyutarou' he knew.

The Sixth Upper Moon, from the Demon Slayer anime. Using sickles as his main weapon. And his name itself was very Japanese.

It was highly improbable to gave Japanese name in this world, because the naming sense of this world was heavily influenced by mainland China.

Then, this raised a different question. This world isn't exclusive to Tales of Demons and Gods or is it just coincidence?

'Learn, adapt, overcome' Ye Xinghan mulled internally.

"Its a unique name. Hope we make a good acquaintance." Ye Xinghan smiled and approached Gyutarou.

Ye Xinghan got closer and closer towards Gyutarou. But suddenly, Gyutarou slashed him with his sickle.


It was fortunate that Ye Xinghan always paid attention to every small movements of the boy. Gyutarou was noticeably uncomfortable when getting approached, but tried to hide it the best he could.

As Gyutarou swung the sickles towards his neck, Ye Xinghan easily dodged it. And he appeared backwards instantly for about 3 meters from Gyutarou.

"Aren't you too rude? We just know each other and you suddenly tried to kill me. Aren't you afraid of the consequences?" Ye Xinghan shook his head and sighed helplessly.

"Nobles are nothing good. You think our life as worthless, you guys trampled common people as you wish. Creating rules and regulation just for the sake of your belly.

How many people died because of your amusement? And how many people will suffer in the future because of your so called Justice?

As for the consequences of killing you? Like hell I care!! Dead men tell no tales." Gyutarou hysterically shouted and rushed to attack with his sickles.

This time, Ye Xinghan only stood in silence and even stretched his neck.

Gyutarou saw the chance, his eyes glinted with madness, and he immediately goes for instant kill, trying to decapitate his opponent's head.

But the scene he expected didn't happen. Instead the sickle passed through the neck effortlessly, as if he sliced nothing.

Gyutarou shocked and he forgot to move for a moment.

"You are blinded by hatred" Ye Xinghan said while staring Gyutarou's eyes.

Gyutarou woke up from his stupor, and decided to strike again. Maybe the earlier scene was his hallucination.

But, the same thing happen again. Still he decided to strike as quick as possible.

Head
Body
Arms
Leg
Abdomen
Neck
Face

He striked at every possible angles but all of them were useless. Everytime he striked, it passed through easily, the only difference was that he saw a glimpse of light on the sickle that passing through Ye Xinghan's body.

At first, Gyutarou only confused and bewildered, but now it turned into fear. Fear of the unknown.

Before long, he collapsed because exhaustion. He looked up to Ye Xinghan and said

"Why... my attack didn't even scratch you?"

"Not even the City Lord could land a hit on me. Much less you.

I told you that I will help you reach a new height." Ye Xinghan smiled relaxedly.

"*snort* Still trying to deceive me with petty trick of yours. Maybe the you in front of me is just an illusion. Your real body are somewhere else." Gyutarou said mockingly.

"Is that so? Then prepare yourself." Ye Xinghan laughed. He channeled a tiny amount of Light Devil Fruit to his right sole. And he quickly did an hurricane kick.

The kick hit Gyutarou at his upper arm, and threw him like a rocket for about 20 meters before crashed towards a tree.

*BANG*

"AAARGGHHH.. Cough cough cough" Gyutarou crouched and coughed out some saliva. His body hurts a lot but the kick didn't really injure his internal organ.

"Ah, we're even now. Hahahaha..." Gyutarou looked up, and saw Ye Xinghan already stand in front of him.

Ye Xinghan wait patiently while Gyutarou trying to recover. And before long, Gyutarou stood up while leaning on a tree. He looked a lot more relaxed than before.

"You seems to put your guard down. You are not afraid that I will kill you?" Ye Xinghan asked.

"If you want to kill me, I don't even have a chance to resist. So, why bother to make a futile resistance.

Beside, I know you won't kill me." Gyutarou replied.

"Yup yup that's true." Ye Xinghan agreed and nodded his head, he continued "That means you will follow me?"

"I refuse" Gyutarou reject him without hesitation.

"Why?"

"Not telling you."

Ye Xinghan twitched his eyes. He considered to beat this brat until he submit, but finally decided not to do so. What he need is true loyalty, not solely based on fear and coercion.

"Sigh.. Alright, if you change your mind, you can contact me anytime."

"I know you are the one who helped me earlier at the market. I will repay you somehow, I promise.

But sorry, I have my own reason to not follow a noble." Gyutarou bowed towards Ye Xinghan.

"Forget it. Life is long, and everyone has their own consideration
By the way, I found it weird for the accident today. The guards should've let you go because you already returned the things you stole." Ye Xinghan rubbed his chin while analysing inside his head.

"Today is not my day, even my friend betrayed me. That's why I got caught while stealing" Gyutarou sadly said.

"I think this is not a coincidence. First your friend betrayed you, and then the guards trying to restrain you. Do you even have precious thing on you?" Ye Xinghan asked.

"What precious thing? As you know yourself, I live in the bottom of society. What could I have to be considered precious? All this time, I just live with...."

Ye Xinghan saw Gyutarou stopped talking and widen his eyes. There was deep fear and worry inside his eyes.

"Hey, what happened?" Ye Xinghan asked and shook Gyutarou's body.

Suddenly, Gyutarou pushed Ye Xinghan and running towards the city frantically.

He run as if his life depended on it.

"What the hell? HEY WAIT!!" Ye Xinghan quickly followed Gyutarou

======

The running went for several minutes until they arrived at the slum of the city. Gyutarou & Ye Xinghan jumped from the roof one by one and finally they stopped at the southernmost area of slum.

It was just a tiny rundown house.

People seldom passed this place because this is the dirtiest place in the city.

But now there were 4 people outside the house, each of them showing a wicked smile.

The door already opened and Ye Xinghan could hear the screaming of a girl.

"I have a request." Gyutarou who kept silent since earlier, spoke first.

"What is it?" Ye Xinghan replied

"As long as you save one person inside my house.
I will give you anything you want.
Be it loyalty, or even my life. I will give it to you as long as you save someone."

"Who?"

Gyutarou immediately rushed towards the house, but Ye Xinghan clearly heard what he said

"My little sister."