Amane had already persisted in observing here for several days, but even using her Breathing Style, she could not perceive anything.
"(It's so full of a fishy stench that it's completely undetectable. Work is supposed to resume here tomorrow.)"
Guards patrolled the area during the day, and only at night could Amane take the opportunity to sneak in.
A truck drove in, and Amane immediately hid behind a container, sticking her head out to observe.
Turning on a flashlight, the man was frantically searching through things, acting in a great rush.
"(He's wearing a work uniform, so he must be a delivery driver. I'd better leave. It wouldn't be good if I get caught,)"
"Found it! No, I have to get out of here and destroy it."
A wet hand crawled up from the coastline behind the man, its limbs like an eel, while the man remained completely unaware of the approaching danger.
It slithered smoothly right behind the man, extending its sharp claws to strike, but the man suddenly ran back to his truck without noticing what was behind him.
Because the man suddenly bolted, the demon's claws missed him. The demon slid around to the front of the truck, intending to smash the glass and kill the man, but the man suddenly started the truck and knocked the demon flying.
"Did I just hit something and send it flying? Whatever, never mind."
The demon was sent flying into the sea, where it started cursing foully.
Late at night outside a prison gate, a transport vehicle carrying prisoners was leaving. A prison guard was taking headcount, and the warden walked out, glanced dismissively at the prisoners before leaving.
Returning to his office, he hammered his fists on the desk in a rage, turning to look at a dark silhouette by the window.
"Have you found the whereabouts of the Blue Spider Lily, Zero-no-Gen?"
"Lord Muzan, on April 24th, the person who knows about the Blue Spider Lily will leave this city."
"I will capture him myself then."
"When did I ever give you the ability to make your own judgments? I never trust your competence."
Zero-no-Gen was too terrified to move or raise his head.
"On April 24th, I will strike personally. You just need to take care of those pesky ants that get in my way."
"And another thing! They will definitely leave here during the day. I am giving you time now to pick a few helpers."
"For now, go back and continue monitoring that person's activities. Make sure he doesn't escape."
"Yes."
After Zero-no-Gen withdrew, Muzan clutched his chest, beating the floor in agonizing pain.
"A millennium has already passed! The slash marks left on my cells by that blade are still burning me unceasingly. Even after changing bodies, it refuses to let me go."
"Tsugikuni Yoriichi!"
In the morning, Luojing Port returned to its usual bustling work.
"Have you found any leads from your investigation?"
"No, I've investigated for many days and still haven't found any trace of a demon."
"Why don't you blend in and work there for a few days to ask around."
Although reluctant, Amane accepted the task. Using connections, she managed to slip inside, hiding her Nichirin Blade once again.
The people working here were mostly middle-aged, and their job was to haul seafood. The seafood was transported from various places, some even shipped from abroad.
"How did someone as puny as you get in? Never mind, go use the pushcart to haul that batch of cargo."
"A lightweight like you probably can't even push it. Those crates of shellfish are very heavy."
Amane gave the cart a push, moving it effortlessly without breaking a sweat. (She had trained by pulling two truck tires up a mountain.)
"Fine, seeing as you're so capable, I have nothing more to say."
On her way back after delivering the cargo, she caught sight of the truck driver from that night.
The truck driver was waiting for goods to be loaded onto his truck before departing. He leaned against the truck, his gaze fixed on a photograph in his hand.
She then asked the middle-aged man beside her to find out more.
"You mean Shiquan? He's not doing well at all right now."
"His child came down with a serious illness, and now he's borrowing money everywhere, losing his entire home in the process."
"This illness came out of nowhere. Shiquan had lent money to some people before, and he originally wanted to collect the debt from them, but those two people ended up dying."
"I really don't know how to describe such bad luck."
"Alright, enough chatting, let's get back to work."
At dusk, Amane and Qinxiu stood on the pier.
"Well? Did you find anything out?"
"No, but I'd like to borrow the money you gave me yesterday."
"Have you made up your mind?"
Night had fallen, and a truck drove in. Shiquan stepped out, utterly exhausted from driving all day.
Amane had been waiting here for a long time. Shiquan glanced at Amane and recognized her as the new hire from today.
"Why haven't you gone home yet? Are you on the night shift? That shouldn't be right, the night shift was supposed to be cancelled."
"Mr. Shiquan, I heard that your child has fallen gravely ill, so I thought this money might help you."
"Why would you help me? We don't even know each other well."
"Besides, even if I borrow this money, I won't be able to pay it back. Why are you doing this?"
"I heard about your situation, so I came to help. Life is what matters most; you don't need to pay this money back, just take it."
Tears of emotion welled up in Shiquan's eyes as he accepted the money from Amane.
"Thank you! Thank you so much."
"It just so happens to be my little girl's birthday today, you should come along too. She loves cake the most."
"I'm very sorry, I have more important work to attend to and cannot attend your child's birthday."
"Then I respect your choice. My little girl will definitely be very happy when she hears about this. Thank you."
After Amane left, Shiquan got into his truck, looked at the money in his hand and the birthday cake in the passenger seat, wiped away his tears, and started the engine.
As he turned the wheel to leave the port, he saw a figure standing ahead. Turning on the truck's headlights, he saw a monster with a human body and a fish tail standing right before him.
Terrified, Shiquan was startled by the monster in front of him and immediately stepped on the gas, crashing the truck straight into it.
The monster slithered smoothly up to the truck window, smashed the glass, and dragged Shiquan out.
"You got lucky letting you escape last time, but this time I've got you for sure."
He then knocked Shiquan unconscious with his fish tail, preparing to drag him into the sea.
"Water Breathing - Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Like a giant hammer striking down viciously, the attack instantly severed the demon's fish tail, rescuing Shiquan.
Shiquan was already unconscious; Amane hoisted him onto her back and ran.
"Damn it! That was my prey!"
Amane hid Shiquan safely, then stepped out to face the foul demon.
"You killed those two people, didn't you! You're unforgivable."
"You mean those two fools? They fell right in and became my dinner, as if I was supposed to drag them ashore."
"Besides, they were already dead by the time I ate them, so those two idiots weren't killed by me. If I remember correctly that day, those two were actually thrown into the sea by the very fellow you just rescued."
"Their meat tasted awful anyway—smelling of smoke and alcohol, completely unpalatable."
"Enough! I don't want to listen to your nonsense. Do you really expect me to believe what you're saying?"
"(Water Breathing - First Form: Water Surface Slash)"
The Fish Demon smoothly evaded the attack and lashed out at Amane with its fish tail.
Amane immediately used her Nichirin Blade to block, but was still knocked back several meters.
"(This creature's body flows too fast, and its strength is immense. It won't be easy to deal with.)"
The Fish Demon slid toward Amane and brought its fish tail crashing down. Amane dodged, only to see a huge crater smashed into the ground.
"(Water Breathing - Third Form: Flowing Dance)"
Every single slash of the Nichirin Blade successfully struck the Fish Demon, but they failed to deal any significant damage.
"Heeheehee, your attacks can't cut through my scales. I am indestructible."
"No matter how you attack, you won't be able to cause me any harm. I advise you to give up; maybe I'll even let you keep one arm."
Amane began to run, her speed gradually increasing.
"What is this guy doing?"
A slash came hurtling toward the Fish Demon, which managed to block it, followed immediately by a continuous barrage of strikes.
"(Water Breathing - Tenth Form: Constant Flow!)"
A water dragon materialized before the Fish Demon, eager to devour the foul demon whole.
The Nichirin Blade slashed at the Fish Demon like a raging water dragon. Amane looked back at the Fish Demon.
Only a few scales had been sheared off. This was already Amane's strongest strike.
"You! I'm going to eat you."
The Fish Demon slithered forward, opening its sharp claws to slash at Amane. Amane had nowhere left to run.
Just as the claws were about to strike, a crimson Nichirin Blade intercepted and blocked the attack.