"In Yoshiwara, courtesans have been disappearing without a trace, and the Demon Slayer Corps suspects a demon is at work."
"Oh?" Fang Hao narrowed his eyes. "Is it this mission? I think it's Upper Moon Six, right? Isn't this the mission of the Sound Hashira's wife? Is it another butterfly effect?"
Fang Hao decisively accepted the mission, not because he wanted to go to Yoshiwara, but mainly because he wanted to seek justice for the courtesans—no, for the people. Fang Hao thought with a righteous expression.
"Boss, wrap up that guitar for me," Fang Hao said, casually pointing to a guitar.
After paying, Fang Hao decisively took out the guitar and put his nichirin blade and Demon Slayer Corps uniform into the guitar case.
After a quick makeover, the image of a pleasure-seeking young master was freshly created.
Yoshiwara, also known as "Yoshiwara Yukaku," or Yoshiwara Brothel. This was a famous red-light district in the island nation. During the Edo period (1603-1868), it was approved by the shogunate to operate, becoming a legal red-light district.
During the Taisho period, Yoshiwara was at its most prosperous. This entire flower district had countless large and small streets and alleys, and hundreds of brothels of varying sizes.
The flow of people here was also particularly large. Fang Hao couldn't help but wonder if Tanjiro came here, would he be too scared to enter?
Large numbers of yujo (prostitutes) and servants, as well as pleasure-seeking customers, packed the streets and alleys. Guests in luxurious clothing, scantily clad yujo, sounds of teasing, soliciting, cursing, and the pervasive scent of cosmetics made Yoshiwara seem even more prosperous than Tokyo.
Fang Hao slowly walked into the flower district with his guitar case on his back. Although his attire was no different from these visitors, his appearance, figure, unique temperament, and the guitar case on his back still made him seem out of place.
Fang Hao knew he couldn't blend into this kind of setting and didn't try to hide it. As he walked forward, he didn't forget to look around; he was quite curious about the place.
"Young man, come sit down, there's something pretty to see," a woman in lavish clothes called from upstairs, waving to Fang Hao.
"Come here, this way."
"Ah, this… is your 'sitting down' legitimate?" Fang Hao didn't respond, but his thoughts raced. "But this soliciting method… at least someone should just grab my arm and lead me into a room."
Fang Hao had no idea about the demon hidden here, as there were simply too many brothels. Although he knew it was a courtesan, he couldn't recall the name.
"The demon's aura is too faint, hazy. I'll have to search one by one."
A courtesan never referred to just one person; almost every slightly larger brothel had its own courtesan. However, the fame of the courtesans meant that people here were generally familiar with most of them.
The most crucial point was that the Upper Moon Six's sister disguised herself as a courtesan here, changing her identity every few years, but all those names had one commonality: they all contained the character 'Hime' (Ji).
Soon, Fang Hao simply asked around and locked onto his target: the courtesan named Warabi Hime.
"Miss Warabi Hime? Miss Warabi Hime is the most popular courtesan in the pleasure district! Some men even faint on the spot after seeing Miss Warabi Hime's beauty, how pitiful!"
This was how the passerby Fang Hao questioned described Warabi Hime.
Fang Hao didn't rush to the shop where Warabi Hime was. Instead, he quietly observed his surroundings, sighing inwardly, "The more prosperous a place, the darker it is. Even if I slay the demon lurking here, will the darkness here lessen by half? Demons eat people, but so do humans."
He merely sighed. This was the tragedy of an era, something an individual couldn't change, especially in this period where, although individuals had some strength, they couldn't stand against the tide of the times.
"Forget it, why think so much? I'll just kill my demon and leave." However, Fang Hao vaguely remembered that Muzan and Akaza appeared in Yoshiwara in the Kimetsu Castle Arc of demon slayer. What if he really ran into them…
Fang Hao was very confident in his Thunder Breathing, especially since his sword techniques could no longer be described by "forms." If he had to categorize them, dozens, even hundreds, would be no problem. At this point, every movement he made could be considered a sword technique, surpassing his previous six major sword techniques. But he also had great trust in the strength of Muzan and Akaza…
Fang Hao walked into the shop where Warabi Hime was located.
As soon as he entered, he was drawn to the person on the stage.
The woman on stage wore a vibrant kimono, her long black hair styled into an intricate bun adorned with six hairpins, exuding a strong sense of allure. The audience below watched her without blinking from the moment she appeared; some even dropped their wine cups without noticing.
Fang Hao casually handed some money to the approaching attendant and asked, "Does Miss Warabi Hime have time recently? I'd like to speak with Miss Warabi Hime alone."
"Sir," the attendant's face showed a hint of difficulty, "Miss Warabi Hime is currently meeting with a distinguished guest. I don't know if she…"
Is it Muzan? Fang Hao frowned slightly. It's also possible she's just toying with her prey. He thought, "When the soldiers come, block them; when the water comes, cover it with earth."
"No matter, go ask. I have time." Fang Hao admired the singing and dancing of the woman on stage—no, to be precise, the female demon. "I've never seen a scene like this."
He found a random spot to sit down and continued to admire, "The audience below is quite fortunate; Upper Moon Six's performance is truly excellent. It's just easy to lose one's life…"
"Hmm?" Fang Hao was surprised to find that ever since he entered, Warabi Hime's gaze had swept over him several times. "I must have been discovered. That's right, I don't have any techniques to hide my strength."
In the original work, although he couldn't remember who said it, Fang Hao remembered that Hashiras could be distinguished by stronger demons. "After all, those of us who have mastered Total Concentration Breathing: Constant have a significant difference in physical ability compared to ordinary humans and regular Demon Slayer Corps members."
However, Fang Hao couldn't watch for long. Warabi Hime on stage soon left, and the people below showed no dissatisfaction, only gazing reluctantly at Warabi Hime's receding figure.
"Sir, Miss Warabi Hime is very pleased with you and invites you to return tomorrow," the attendant said respectfully, bowing his head to Fang Hao.
If she were a normal courtesan, I'd be very happy to hear that! Fang Hao secretly pouted.
"Well done," he said, casually tipping the attendant again before turning to leave. He was quite pleased to have a definite time, or being attacked at night would also be fine. In any case, he couldn't make a move in public. After all, though it sounds absurd, after several centuries, the Demon Slayer Corps is still not a formal official organization.
"You should give people some money! If things can't be done, it's definitely because there isn't enough money. You need to add more money!" Fang Hao remembered that the Kagaya Ubuyashiki family was very wealthy.
On the other side, Warabi Hime, or rather, Daki's expression was very strange. Her attendants at this moment only dared to follow far behind her; they wouldn't dare approach her at this time.
Outside the window, a full moon hung high, and the moonlight shining in cast shadows on Daki's face, making her face appear particularly grim.
"That person, that power… Is it a Hashira? I will offer this achievement to Lord Muzan!" Daki's smile grew increasingly eerie.