Chapter 49: Hunter [49]: The Wealth of the Ubuyashiki Family
At this moment, Lin Jiu was sitting cross-legged opposite Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Beside Kagaya was his wife. Lin Jiu had been invited over as soon as he returned to headquarters.
"For the first time in a hundred years, an Upper Moon demon has been killed! Even Muzan Kibutsuji himself probably wouldn't believe it," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a smile, clearly in a very good mood.
"No worries. There will be a second time soon," Lin Jiu replied confidently. He wasn't satisfied with just killing one Upper Moon demon. He still had nearly ten days of free time and planned to kill as many as he could.
"I heard from Shinobu that you're reserved about those two youngsters?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed to be inquiring about Nezuko.
"You've already investigated everything, so there's no need to ask me."
Lin Jiu took a sip of tea and said.
"I heard from Urokodaki that Tanjiro's demonized sister is very special, not needing to eat humans or drink blood to survive," Kagaya Ubuyashiki remarked with a smile.
"Perhaps... By the way, what's the story behind Lady Ubuyashiki's priestly family?"
Lin Jiu glanced at the silver-haired Amane Ubuyashiki and asked casually.
"Mr. Red, you know a bit about the priestly family?"
Amane Ubuyashiki smiled as she sat next to Kagaya.
"I've just heard it's related to the Onmyoji of the Heian period. I'm curious, where did all those powerful Onmyoji go?"
Lin Jiu asked, even though he had a rough guess. It was nothing more than the passage of time.
"Our priestly family is indeed related to the Onmyoji, but we do not belong to the Onmyoji Bureau. During that era, we were responsible for ritual work and didn't have methods to exorcise demons."
Amane said openly.
At this point, Kagaya Ubuyashiki added, "Our family, compared to the priestly family, has a closer relationship with the Onmyoji. At that time, a branch of our family was responsible for divination in the Onmyoji Bureau."
No wonder these two families were extraordinary! Being responsible for rituals might sound insignificant, but even in the current Taisho period, rituals were considered significant, let alone during the era when monsters roamed rampant.
If the priestly family symbolized symbolic strength, then the Ubuyashiki family was genuinely powerful. Nobility, without a doubt, they were nobles!
In the Demon Slayer world, reality had elements of monsters and demons. Especially during the Heian period, the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of a Hundred Demons) led to the revival of Onmyoji families. The Onmyoji Bureau was an officially recognized institution responsible for handling monster incidents. The presence of a branch of the Ubuyashiki family in the bureau indicated their strength.
Presently, the Ubuyashiki family lived a life of luxury without needing to work. The Demon Slayer Corps was a large civilian organization, and the Ubuyashiki family had never mistreated any of its members, always maintaining a clear system of rewards and punishments. This demonstrated their wealth!
Most importantly, they held significant power. The Ubuyashiki family controlled ironworking rights. From the original work, it is clear that the Demon Slayer Corps was established during the Heian period, needing swords, and was also a private armed force. During the Heian period, the emperor was merely a puppet, with the real rulers being the shoguns.
Under the military rule of the shoguns, possessing ironworking and forging techniques, along with a private armed force specializing in hunting demons, showed the influence of the Ubuyashiki family!
Given this, Lin Jiu was curious about one thing: "Why didn't you find a group of Onmyoji to deal with Muzan Kibutsuji?"
"We are also puzzled. According to records, during the time of Abe no Seimei, there was a revival of Onmyoji, but it's unclear why Muzan Kibutsuji survived."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki admitted frankly.
"Truly worthy of your reputation! Scoundrel boss..."
Although Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words seemed to lack a clear reason, the underlying meaning was evident.
Considering the historical context, the sudden revival of Onmyoji during the Heian period was likely due to the widespread presence of monsters, the Hyakki Yagyo!
The Onmyoji Bureau was extremely busy, with powerful monsters everywhere. Even if the Ubuyashiki family influenced the bureau, the newly transformed Muzan Kibutsuji, who was both cowardly and cunning, was not a priority for the Onmyoji Bureau.
If not for the wealth and status of the Ubuyashiki family, the priests wouldn't have come to their aid. The presence of priests indicated they were telling the family that they didn't have the resources to deal with the curse fully and that the family would have to find a way to handle such a minor demon themselves.
Moreover, the Ubuyashiki family's curse, linked to the birth of a demon, would likely amuse the rulers. However, given their wealth, status, and ironworking capabilities, the ruling shogun wouldn't want to risk the family going mad due to the curse. The stability established by the shogun would be jeopardized.
Ensuring the continuation of the Ubuyashiki family while consuming their ironworking and armed capabilities on Muzan Kibutsuji was a strategy to maintain stability while keeping this power at bay. Even if the Onmyoji had time to deal with it, they might have been stopped by the rulers.
This further highlighted the strength of the Ubuyashiki family. Even in such circumstances, they had gathered a large amount of explosives in the current era!
The subsequent situation could be inferred: the Onmyoji had either been nearly wiped out by the monsters, leading to the loss of their legacy or had been purged once their usefulness ended.
From this perspective, the scoundrel boss wasn't entirely useless! At least his cowardice allowed him to live relatively comfortably.
Lin Jiu believed the first possibility was more likely. He looked at the Kasugai Crow in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's arms. The only surviving creatures with yokai blood were those like this crow, capable of human speech but not very powerful.
"To be honest, our family's initial goal was simply to kill Muzan Kibutsuji and lift the curse. Over time, we realized the catastrophic impact this fiend has on people... leading to the emergence of brave warriors like the Hashira."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said frankly.
Lin Jiu didn't express his opinion. Kagaya Ubuyashiki wasn't wrong, and their realization had come over nearly a hundred years. Even now, they still hadn't fully grasped the extent of it.
Otherwise, there would have been no need to force Yoriichi Tsugikuni away a few hundred years ago.
[Side Mission: Secret of the Priests (Completed)]
Difficulty Level: lv.3
Mission Description: Why did the Onmyoji, who flourished during the Heian period, decline, and what is the connection to the priestly family?
Mission Information: Obtain this information from relevant personnel.
Mission Deadline: Before the main mission ends.
Mission Reward: 5000 Paradise Coins, 1 Attribute Point.
(Accept/Decline to complete the mission.)
=========
After choosing to complete the mission, Lin Jiu was now only interested in one thing among the hidden information: the Demon Slayer Corps' contribution exchange point! There would be surprises! The combined wealth of the Ubuyashiki family and part of the priestly family was unimaginable.
"Back to the main topic, I also believe that the existence of Tanjiro and Nezuko brings more benefits than harm. There's some news you might find interesting: a group of uncontrollable demons has appeared in the mountains near the Kamado family's home."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently.
Lin Jiu always knew that the person in front of him was a ruthless individual, willing to die with his wife and children to lower Muzan Kibutsuji's guard!
This was also why Lin Jiu trusted him greatly. Because Lin Jiu could kill an Upper Moon demon, reducing Kibutsuji Muzan's minions, he was someone Kagaya could fully support in demon slaying without losing combat strength!
The clamor of the world is all for profit, and the hustle and bustle of the world is all for profit! Here, "profit" doesn't necessarily mean monetary gain but rather the fulfillment of one's goals. The only thing Kagaya needed to judge was whether Lin Jiu would side with Muzan Kibutsuji!
"Since we want to protect them, we should go out and inform the Hashira. Those guys won't tolerate it..."
Lin Jiu said. Amane helped Kagaya up and let their children support him as they went out.
...
"Is this the boy who carries a demon with him? Things are getting interesting..."
Sanemi Shinazugawa said, holding the box containing Nezuko, arriving late.
Mitsuri Kanroji: "Mr. Shinazugawa has more scars on his body; it's handsome!"
Seeing Sanemi bringing the box, the smile on Shinobu's face disappeared, and she said coldly, "Mr. Shinazugawa, please don't act without permission..."
Mitsuri: "It's rare to see Shinobu angry; it's so cool~"
Sanemi put down the box and grasped the hilt of his sword: "The Demon Slayer Corps must exterminate evil demons!"
The person who often "deals with" someone, Tengen Uzui, stepped in to dissuade him: "Red might come to talk to you..."
Sanemi gave a cold smile: "Hahaha, it's nothing! It's a common occurrence~"
Shinobu: "It might get serious~"
Sanemi: "Hahaha... Let's wait and see what Oyakata-sama says!"
Mitsuri: "Mr. Shinazugawa's conceding look is so cute... I'm so excited to see Mr. Red soon~"
"Oyakata-sama is here!"
Supported by his daughters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki walked out and greeted everyone: "Hello, everyone. The weather is nice today; it must be sunny. I'm so happy to hold the semi-annual Hashira meeting without any staff changes."
"Seeing Oyakata-sama in good health, I'm extremely gratified. I wish the Oyakata-sama much happiness, prosperity, and eternal health!" said Shinazugawa Sanemi, who looked quite mad but showed great respect to Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"I wanted to greet him too... Where is Mr. Red?"
Mitsuri looked around but didn't see anyone else.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone