The Demon’s Menu
Chapter 1071: The Other Courtyard. The Beginning (2)

So, he joined ’Blossom Cherry’ to gain Strength.

It was the same with cooperating with Hanakaiin Ra.

What he was after was the ’Secret Scroll’.

This was a scroll that recorded various Yin Yang arts.

Although there were no overly profound or unique Yin Yang arts, just some ordinary, basic ones, for him, it was still a significant temptation.

After all, in ’Blossom Cherry’, obtaining similar knowledge was extremely difficult.

’Blossom Cherry’ offered knowledge and Strength.

But only the first time was free.

Afterward, if you wanted to learn and obtain more, you had to continuously establish merits and accumulate them to a certain level.

And with his method, accumulating merits?

That was simply impossible.

The merits from charging into battle were the highest.

Therefore, joining the action group was the fastest way to acquire merits.

But the action group’s mortality rate made him hesitate.

He believed he had a better way.

In fact, there was.

He chose what suited him better.

Cooperating with certain forces from ’Inside World’.

Either in exchange for intelligence or to handle certain matters.

More importantly, this was one of the very reasons ’Blossom Cherry’ existed.

He wasn’t breaking any rules.

At most... he was just taking a little advantage.

And now?

Yamashita planned to keep doing this.

Thinking of this, Yamashita picked up the phone.

"Hello, Onodera, come to my office."

After finishing the sentence, without giving Onodera a chance to refuse, Yamashita hung up the phone.

He knew well what kind of person Onodera was.

Not just fearing death and loving life, but also a person who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Such a person, he kept him around for times like these, didn’t he?

To take the blame for him.

To take risks for him.

Even if something goes wrong, given the other person’s character, no one would speak up.

Truly, there couldn’t be a better candidate.

Knock, knock knock!

"Come in."

Onodera entered the room with a humble smile, pushing the door open.

"What can I do for you, Chief Yamashita?"

Onodera asked softly.

And deep down, Onodera had already cursed Yamashita thoroughly.

That phone call with no chance for questioning, he had received too many times.

Each time, there were never good outcomes.

This time?

He believed it would be no exception.

Indeed, immediately, Onodera’s face fell.

"I need you to make a trip to the Hanakaiin Family’s separate residence."

"Don’t ask why; there’s something there you need to bring back."

"And don’t look at what’s inside."

"Go now."

Yamashita, still giving Onodera no room to question, dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Click!

Once Onodera left, Yamashita immediately locked the door behind him.

Then, he strode toward the office’s adjacent closet.

He pulled open the door of the closet and stepped inside.

It was a secret door.

On one side of the secret door was Yamashita’s office.

On the other side was a hidden chamber.

Inside the chamber, there were plenty of weapons, gold, and more so, disguises, wigs, and so on.

After proficiently disguising himself, Yamashita had transformed from a tall middle-aged man into a stooped, white-haired old man.

He turned and headed toward the ’exit’ of the secret chamber.

A ’window’ that, from the outside, appeared to blend seamlessly with the surrounding wall.

He pushed open the window.

And then...

Yamashita jumped out.

The height of six floors did not cause any harm to Yamashita.

He landed as lightly as a feather.

Utilizing the darkness, he quickly disappeared toward the Hanakaiin Family’s separate residence.

Of course, he wasn’t following Onodera.

He was quite confident in his handling of Onodera.

Even if unwilling, Onodera would do it.

There certainly would be some trickery involved.

But all within an acceptable range.

He was going to meet another collaborator.

Hanakaiin Itsuki!

Or rather...

This was his true collaborator.

...

"A detached residence?"

Miss Sagaraso was somewhat slow to react after hearing Hanakaiin Haru’s destination.

"The Hanakaiin is a large family."

"Not only on the island, but they also have quite a lot of properties overseas."

"Therefore, there are detached residences in each place."

"After all, compared to hotels, a detached residence is much more convenient."

"However, there are fewer of them overseas compared to on the island."

Hanakaiin Haru explained.

"The island? Overseas?"

Miss Sagaraso was stunned.

Her brain cells were having trouble grasping just how extensive the properties Hanakaiin Haru mentioned were.

But they must be huge.

The kind that sounds impressive just by listening.

If that’s the case...

"Are the chefs at the detached residence very skillful?"

Miss Sagaraso’s focus was still on food.

Jason, sitting on the side, also sat up straight.

He was very interested in this question as well.

"They are more skillful than most chefs."

"But compared to true top chefs, there’s still a gap."

"We’ve tried to recruit those top chefs, but... it’s too difficult."

"Like Master Jūrō, for example."

Hanakaiin Haru said with a wry smile.

"Jūrō?"

Miss Sagaraso was unfamiliar with the name.

"He’s the owner of ’Glowing Culinary Pavilion’, and a true top chef—in our family records, there was a chef among Master Jūrs ancestors who could make demons retreat with just his ’cooking’."

"Although the records are not very detailed, that ’cooking’ flavor... must be really good."

Slurp.

Gulp.

As she listened to Hanakaiin Haru’s introduction, Miss Sagaraso had already begun to salivate. It was only when drool started to trickle over her lips that this carefree girl suddenly inhaled sharply, sucking the saliva back in.

However, the sound of swallowing was not from Miss Sagaraso.

It was Jason.

The ’Soul Summoning Gourd’ at his waist had been continuously emitting the scent of ’food’.

For Jason, this was an ordeal in itself.

Now, hearing what Hanakaiin Haru had to say, the feeling of torment immediately doubled.

Even Jason felt unbearably uncomfortable.

"Are we close to the detached residence?"

Jason asked.

"Almost there."

Hanakaiin Haru replied.

Seeing the impatient look of the two collaborators, Hanakaiin Haru couldn’t help but show a smile on his face.

Why did he decide to host a banquet at the detached residence to invite Jason and Miss Sagaraso?

Wasn’t it to show respect?

The expressions of the two responded to his respect.

That made Hanakaiin Haru satisfied.

Although their focus may be somewhat off.

But what does that matter?

As long as they eat well, that is enough.

Although both of them had a strong appetite, with the financial power of the Hanakaiin Family, Hanakaiin Haru had no worries at all.

He believed he could satisfy their appetites.

The car continued to drive.

About ten minutes later, it turned into a quiet alley.

Twenty meters into the alley, the surroundings changed completely.

The once-backward city in Jason’s view now became a quiet courtyard.

Stone-paved ground with scattered pebbles.

Lush arhat pine trees, beautifully spread out.

Black tiles, cleverly jointed to create pieces, white walls, spotless.

It had the charm of ancient architecture from Jason’s hometown.

But it wasn’t quite the same.

In certain areas, it always lacked some essence.

"Here we are."

As Hanakaiin Haru said this, the car stopped. The young man was the first to push open the car door, inviting Jason and company with the demeanor of a host, and began to introduce them.

"This detached residence has been here for a hundred years."

"So, it maintains some measures."

"The ’Barrier’ created by Yin-Yang arts outside will make those who are uninvited leave on their own."

"Don’t worry, Miss Hui Lijing and Mr. He Tai, I will have my servants take special care of you."

Hanakaiin Haru said, leading Jason and company toward the inside of the courtyard.

The main gate of the courtyard was a pair of wooden double doors without door studs but assembled from thick square timbers, each door being two meters wide. When the two were put together, it looked like the gate of a small city.

Moreover, even though it had been beautified, Jason could still see marks of axe chops on it.

Clearly, the true purpose of this gate far surpassed what most people could imagine.

"In the chaotic times of the past, defensive measures were a necessity."

"However, now they’re needless."

"The world is now in a state of peace."

Hanakaiin Haru confidently declared.

Then—

Boom!