Yōsen did not understand what she meant, but he assumed she wanted to repay him. The woman's head was still pressed into the dirt. Yōsen moved a few steps to the side before saying, "No... need. You get... up."
Only then did the woman raise her head. She didn't know why she had said such shameless words, but seeing the Divine Lord's face, she felt an uncontrollable urge.
It was only then that the woman realized her legs were too weak to stand. She sat awkwardly on the ground, not daring to look at Yōsen. She also noticed how disheveled she was, with torn clothes and a dusty face.
Seeing that the woman was not getting up, Yōsen did not wait for her. He had scanned the area and found no more demonic aura. The scent of her Marechi blood kept attracting his attention, even more intensely than the first Marechi he had encountered.
He swallowed, a bloodthirsty impulse raging within him. Fortunately, Yōsen's self-control was strong. After moving several meters further away from the woman, he spoke, "There are... no more demons. You should... go back soon."
"Your blood... is very special. It has a... fatal attraction... to demons. When you go back... remember to carry wisteria... with you."
"Demons don't like... the smell of wisteria... And don't come out... at night."
After speaking haltingly, Yōsen wanted to leave. It was night, and he needed to continue his journey.
Seeing that the Divine Lord was about to leave, the woman abruptly stood up and moved closer to Yōsen, reaching out to stop him. However, she stumbled and was about to fall.
Oh no! I'm going to fall!
But the Divine Lord will catch me, right?
The woman smiled foolishly, letting her body fall, seemingly fantasizing. Yōsen saw this and raised his hand.
She only felt a cold touch on her abdomen. Looking down, it wasn't the romantic scene she had imagined, but a dark sword sheath pressed against her abdomen, preventing her intimate contact with the ground. The woman looked up at Yōsen in disappointment, seeing that he didn't even spare her a glance.
Such a Divine Lord... truly handsome!
After regaining her footing, the woman wanted to grab Yōsen's clothes, but her hands were still covered in dirt, so she didn't dare to touch the Divine Lord. She simply stood in front of Yōsen and said, "Divine Lord! Thank you for saving me."
"I will repay you!"
From the beginning, this person had called him "Divine Lord." What was that? Did she know him?
With this question, Yōsen asked, "Why... do you call me Divine... Lord?"
"Do we... know each other?"
"Eh? Aren't you sent from heaven to save me?" the woman said in disbelief.
"No, I was just... passing by."
If he wasn't a divine being, then he was just an ordinary person. She had been wondering if she would incur divine wrath for blaspheming a god, but now, this immortal-like youth before her was actually just an ordinary person!
Then do I still have a chance?
"Benefactor! My name is Komatsuse. May I ask your name, Benefactor?"
"Yōsen." Yōsen initially didn't want to answer, but he felt that this woman would be persistent, so he told her his name.
"Then, Mr. Yōsen, you said that monster just now was a demon? This is the first time I've heard of demons existing," Komatsuse said with lingering fear, horrified that such terrifying creatures existed in the world.
"As long as you... do as I... say, and try not... to get injured or bleed, you should be... fine," Yōsen patiently explained.
"But Mr. Yōsen, I'm still a bit scared. Can you escort me home? I'm injured now, and don't worry, my home isn't far, just in the village at the foot of the mountain! It won't delay you too much," Komatsuse pleaded, looking at Yōsen pitifully.
Sighing, Yōsen nodded. Although there were no demons in the immediate vicinity for now, her wound was still bleeding, and there was no guarantee that demons attracted by the blood wouldn't target her again on the way back.
He also needed to interact with people more, in case he could recall something. Even if he couldn't remember, learning more was always good.
...The two walked one after another through the forest, the moonlight barely illuminating the path beneath their feet.
Komatsuse leaned on a wooden stick. Her knees were badly injured from several falls, and she might not be able to walk without the stick. She looked back at Yōsen, who was five or six meters away from her. She didn't know why he kept such a distance. Was he disgusted by her?
In her imagination, Yōsen would gently carry her on his back, taking her step by step out of the deep mountains and back home.
Imagination was beautiful, reality was cruel.
That Mr. Yōsen had no intention of carrying her!
Slowly walking with her wooden stick, sometimes stumbling, Komatsuse felt that today was both unlucky and fortunate. Although she encountered such a terrifying event, meeting such a handsome person as Mr. Yōsen made it all worthwhile!
For her, good looks equaled justice! Komatsuse had no resistance to good-looking people.
The aloof and distant Mr. Yōsen was still so handsome!
Yōsen followed Komatsuse unhurriedly, keeping some distance so that the scent of blood would be less impactful.
Suddenly, Yōsen sensed something. His gaze fixed on the front. A large group of human presences was approaching. He quickly stepped forward, pulling Komatsuse to hide in a patch of grass.
"Eh!" Startled by being pulled unexpectedly, Komatsuse gasped. When she came to her senses, she realized she was very close to Yōsen. Her face immediately flushed, and she whispered, "Mr. Yōsen, have demons appeared again?"
"No, many... humans are coming."
Humans? Komatsuse hid in the grass, cautiously peeking out half her head, looking into the distance.
First, a single torchlight appeared, followed by a whole cluster of lights.
Many people held torches, and the leader shouted, "Komatsuse! Where are you?"
It's Uncle Xi Cun! Komatsuse suddenly stood up and shouted to the crowd, "Uncle Xi Cun! I'm here!"
The leading man led a group of people to Komatsuse.
"Oh, where did you go? Your grandma said you were missing and asked everyone to help find you. She was so worried about you!"
"Is my grandma okay?!"
"She's fine, just too worried about you and a little unsteady on her feet. We've already had her lie down to rest."
"Grandma..." Komatsuse looked worried, wanting to go home quickly to check on her grandma's condition, but her own physical condition meant she couldn't walk fast... Uncle Xi Cun, seeing that Komatsuse was alright, also breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did he notice Yōsen standing silently to the side. What a sight! Such a graceful young man!
"Xiao Se, who is this?"
Komatsuse came to her senses and quickly introduced, "Uncle Xi Cun and everyone, Mr. Yōsen saved me. He brought me..."
Yōsen interrupted Komatsuse's unfinished sentence. It was better for ordinary people not to know about demons, otherwise they would live in fear every day.
"This young... lady fell... down the mountain, and I just gave... her a hand."
Komatsuse also realized that if everyone knew about the existence of such monsters, it would likely cause a huge commotion. She quickly nodded in agreement, "Yes, I accidentally fell, and Mr. Yōsen saved me."
Seeing Komatsuse's dirty and disheveled appearance, everyone believed her, told her to be more careful in the future, and prepared to head back.
Komatsuse was also anxious to go back and see her grandma. She even discarded her wooden stick and quickened her pace down the mountain, but she overestimated herself. After only a few steps, she was about to fall due to the unbearable pain from her leg wound.
"Excuse... me," Yōsen said, and with her surprised cry, he lifted Komatsuse onto his shoulder.
This was not what she had imagined!
Mr. Yōsen!