The Demon’s Menu
Chapter 1068: The Infighting that Prohibits Infighting

Frivolous, arrogant, and laced with mockery.

Such words are truly detestable.

Hanakaiin Haru was no exception.

As Hanakaiin Ue spoke, the young man’s face from the Hanakaiin family turned completely sullen.

"Do you know what you’re saying?"

"This is something I gave away."

Hanakaiin Haru said in a deep voice.

"Yes, you did give it away."

"Naturally, it has nothing to do with you anymore."

"Then... what if I go ’retrieve’ it? What’s wrong with that?"

Hanakaiin Ue prolonged his tone.

Absolute sophistry, but Hanakaiin Ue acted as if it were natural.

Even his expression was full of aggression.

Provocation!

Naked provocation!

Hanakaiin Haru clearly understood why Hanakaiin Ue was doing this.

The other party wanted to enrage him.

Make him strike.

It didn’t actually require a real fight; even an indication of intent or a mere gesture would suffice.

Because the Hanakaiin family prohibits ’infighting’!

A family that relies on sub-families to continually compete, striving to reside in the main house, prohibits infighting.

Anyone seeing this for the first time would laugh.

But upon closer examination, the intricacies become apparent.

A red line!

The ancestor who initially established this rule left the entire family with a red line.

Or, one could even say, ’shackles’.

Shackles that prevent everything from going off the rails, losing control.

Perhaps not everyone will adhere to it.

But on the surface, everyone complies.

Hanakaiin Haru and Hanakaiin Ue both abide by this ancestral command.

So, Hanakaiin Haru did not act.

Therefore, Hanakaiin Ue was aggressively provoking.

Verbal provocations do not count as ’infighting’.

This is also one of the rules that later generations have figured out.

Watching Hanakaiin Haru, who stood his ground without moving, Hanakaiin Ue narrowed his eyes with a smirk, his ridicule continuing unabated.

"Want to know who took your place?"

"If I tell you, it would probably shock you."

"But, I won’t tell you."

"You can go ask for yourself."

"It’s best if you do it in person."

As Hanakaiin Ue spoke, his gaze drifted towards Jason.

The implication was all too clear.

As soon as Hanakaiin Haru left, he would act to seize what he wanted.

"Jason, would you accompany me to the Hanakaiin family’s residence?"

"Of course, the rest of you as well."

Hanakaiin Haru turned to ask Jason, Miss Sagaraso, and Master Tongshou Temple, Ryosuke, Urashima.

Miss Sagaraso nodded immediately.

Master Tongshou Temple Monk brought his hands together in prayer without expressing any opinion.

Ryosuke and Urashima exchanged a glance and nodded.

Jason?

His gaze never lingered on the immediate surroundings; instead, he covertly scanned the area.

In the shadows, there were two malicious gazes.

One was faint and elusive.

The other was sharp as a knife, seemingly aiming to carve a piece of flesh from his body.

Surveillant and accomplice?

Jason silently speculated.

The forbearing attitude of Hanakaiin Haru and the relentless provocations from Hanakaiin Ue were enough for Jason to make an educated guess.

There must be a rule in the Hanakaiin family that forbids clan members from fighting each other.

Otherwise, they would have already come to blows.

However, the presence of the surveillant changed everything.

Why would a surveillant appear here?

Or rather, how could the surveillant know that a fight resembling infighting could very likely break out here?

Foreknowledge?

Impossible.

Even among Onmyoji families, such precision doesn’t exist.

It can only be... a setup.

Someone had laid a trap in advance, waiting for Hanakaiin Haru to fall into it.

And, to be on the safe side, an accomplice appeared.

This was an accomplice capable of compelling Hanakaiin Haru to ’act.’

Once Hanakaiin Haru made a move,

The surveillant would inevitably intervene.

And then?

Everything goes without saying.

Hanakaiin Haru would not only lose his eligibility to head the main house

But could even end up a prisoner at the steps of the throne.

Realizing this, Jason also gave Hanakaiin Haru a nod.

But his gaze continued to sweep over Hanakaiin Ue and the concealed dark corners.

He was waiting.

He believed the other party would not so easily give up.

And in fact, things turned out to be even better than Jason had expected—

"Alright, please follow me, everyone."

Hanakaiin Haru said, turning to invite everyone to leave.

"Heh heh, Hanakaiin Haru, are you colluding with outsiders to force a palace coup in the family?"

"With none other than the famous Master Tongshou Temple!"

Hanakaiin Ue sneered.

Hanakaiin Haru abruptly turned around, glaring fiercely at Hanakaiin Ue.

Hanakaiin Haru was certain that Hanakaiin Ue had backers!

Given Hanakaiin Ue’s usual behavior, it was utterly impossible for him to say such murderous and heart-stabbing words.

Who is it?

Hanakaiin Tōru?

Hanakaiin Itsuki?

Hanakaiin Ra?

Hanakaiin Haru pondered.

With each name he considered, Hanakaiin Haru silently shook his head.

He knew his sub-family brothers well.

None of them fit the current behavior of Hanakaiin Ue.

From seizing the initiative to targeting weaknesses and then muddying the waters, these aren’t tactics his ’brothers’ could come up with.

Could it be...

An outsider?!

Damn!

How could I have not realized!

When I was targeted for assassination, I should have thought of it.

And I even thought it was a ’daring try’ from some guy!

I’ve been duped!

Hanakaiin Haru had a sudden epiphany.

The opponent’s scheme against him had already begun, and it was a chain of connected plots.

Starting with the rocket attack at the ’Luminous Diner’.

Initially, he thought it was a risk taken in disregard of the ancestral teachings, even with a sense of desperation.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.