Blush dusted Sakura Momo's cheeks.
She let Fang Zuo's finger trace circles on the plump curve of her thigh.
The man's spiritual aura excited her more intensely than any drug could.
Biting her lower lip, she continued:
"Tokyo's Kanda Matsuri festival approaches. Onmyoji families from all over Japan will gather."
"The Sakura family likely hopes to secure you as their ally."
Fang Zuo chuckled: "Sounds like King Arthur gathering knights at his Round Table."
"Nani?" Sakura Momo tilted her head in confusion. "Ah, look at this."
She retrieved a stack of A4 papers photocopied with maps from her bag.
"The opening text of the 'Black Bible' was deciphered. It details a summoning ritual from the period of the Holy Son."
"The script below marks locations across Tokyo. I checked – they're all crime scenes."
"The first image corresponds to a Western star chart. Overlaying it with the crime sites yielded nothing."
"Seidoji Temple's Master Kouichi also found no anomalies."
Fang Zuo took the papers.
He smiled faintly. How could they understand this?
The Zhenggin Stars and the Fangling Stars.
The conflict was fully formed.
Only the Guardian Stars and the Pivotal Light remained.
Indeed, those behind the Black Bible had ties to Shenzhou.
Casually picking up a pen, he sketched a few strokes.
"Here. Cross-reference this with the Tokyo map. Find these exact points. Likely the next crime site. I'm clocking out."
"Going where?" Sakura Momo asked, curious.
"Kabukicho, Shinjuku. Relaxation."
Ignoring her cute pout, Fang Zuo stretched lazily and walked out.
Elsewhere in Tokyo, within a high-rise building.
A middle-aged man entered a room, bowing deeply to an elderly man whose right arm was heavily bandaged. "Father, everything was given to him as you instructed. But he seemed utterly dismissive."
The elder nodded slowly. "With his power? You'd be ten times more arrogant."
"What should we do next?"
"Wait. Just wait," the elder said. "Tokyo isn't short of fools. Many families are brash and overconfident."
"Someone this powerful, yet low-key? They'll charge at him like idiots and break their skulls."
"Find Sakura Momo. Rebuild that bridge. Start with her."
"Hai!"
Night had fully settled.
Fang Zuo hailed a taxi to Kabukicho.
Traffic crawled, thick and sluggish.
To conserve his Nascent Soul's spiritual power, Fang Zuo turned his gaze inward, meditating. Restraint. Otherwise, one punch would've cleared this jam instantly.
He disembarked near Okubo Park.
At the street corner bordering Kabukicho.
It teemed with young women soliciting customers.
Even disguised half-human, half-monster hybrids were present.
Anything was available for the right price.
Shooing away several haggling, lecherous bald men elicited disgusted sighs.
The girls' gazes locked onto Fang Zuo with renewed intensity, eager for a transaction.
Those old, stingy perverts were quick and cheap.
A young, well-dressed office worker like him? They usually paid well.
Several approached him directly. Rejection made their smiles vanish instantly.
"Excuse me?" A blonde "girl" spoke in a startlingly deep baritone. "Sir, I noticed you turned down several women. Perhaps a man suits you better?"
Fang Zuo: "..."
"Sumimasen." A delicate voice cut in. A stunning beauty with snow-white hair approached. Miniature white cat ears perched atop her head. She wore matching white cat-paw gloves and a frilly white maid outfit. "Sir, care to visit our board game café? Coffee, karaoke, even dance performances!" A flier appeared in her gloved hand.
Her face was adorably round, large eyes blinking innocently. She gave a playful shake, making the bell at her neck jingle. Her fluffy white tail swished behind her. Utterly charming.
The white maid dress strained against prominent curves.
Beneath her short skirt, semi-transparent white stockings encased shapely thighs. Twin white bows adorned her plump, pale legs. She wore chunky-heeled Mary Janes; the buckles shaped like cute cats.
Fang Zuo scanned the menu.
Prices listed for every activity: companionship, coffee, singing, various entertainments.
"Any... unlisted services?" Fang Zuo flipped through the pages, then returned the menu to the white-stockinged catgirl.
A flicker of disdain crossed the catgirl's big eyes, vanishing instantly.
"Hai! Lewd services?" She placed both paws coyly between her breasts, easily squeezing out a deep, snowy cleavage valley. She blinked rapidly, an angelic smile blooming. "Very expensive, sir~"
"I'm quite wealthy." Fang Zuo patted his wallet meaningfully, then quickly slipped it back inside. Only a few bills inside. Forgot to get more cash from them.
His real reason for being here? Releasing his divine sense near the Xinrong Building, he'd felt a powerful aura nearby.
An aura originating from Shenzhou.
An artifact.
This catgirl carried traces of its presence.
Catching the glimpse of the seemingly thick wallet, the catgirl's tail perked up with delight.
Her fluffy tail gave an enthusiastic swish. Even the cat-ear clips on her head seemed to quiver.
"Hai! Please follow me, sir~!"
She bounced ahead on tiptoes, leading the way in rapid, dainty steps.
Fang Zuo followed, hands in pockets, amusement flickering in his eyes as he watched her twitching tail and ears.
He'd known instantly.
White fur. Real.
Those weren't props.
A tiny, pitifully weak half-blood. Which parent had been the cat-demon?
If she was representative of their experimental products, then by strength standards – a catastrophic failure.
He trailed the beautiful girl around a corner to a small, glittering shop pulsating with neon lights.
"Onee-chan! A customer!" the catgirl yelled brightly.
Another catgirl, her perfect double, emerged from behind the counter.
She was chewing vigorously. Her plump cheeks were smeared with snow-white frosting.
She wore a black maid outfit and sheer black stockings. Black cat ears. A black tail. Identical in face and form – save for color.
No, slight differences.
The white-clad sister (younger?) boasted prominent curves. The black-clad sister (elder?) possessed truly magnificent hips, stretching her maid skirt almost beyond capacity. Both petite, both with adorable round faces.
"Hmph! Onee-chan! You ate my strawberry shortcake while I was gone!" The younger catgirl (in white) planted her gloved paws on her hips, pouting fiercely. "You promised we'd share!"
"Ehhh~ Imouto? Back so soon?" The elder catgirl swallowed hard, bits of cake clinging to her lips. She peeked out. "Oh! A guest? Konnichiwa!"
"What about the cake? Did you leave me any?" Imouto (white) forgot Fang Zuo entirely, darting towards the counter.
"Guest, please sit! Sumimasen!" Onee-chan (black) finally managed to gulp the mouthful down.
"Aah! Onee-chan! You ate it all! I'm mad!" Imouto (white) stomped back out, her face a picture of sorrow.
Suddenly spotting frosting at the corner of Onee-chan's mouth, her eyes lit up.
She lunged at her sister, grabbing her. Her little finger reached out, intent on wiping the cream away.
"Ehh?!" Onee-chan wasn't having it. A gloved hand shot out to intercept her little sister's finger. Instead of wiping, she guided it closer – and licked the frosting off Imouto's fingertip.