Chapter 237: A Strategy Against Natsuba Genryū
Natsuba Yosuke’s head fell to the ground and rolled several times.
A fountain of blood sprayed high into the air.
Natsuba Yosuke lay stiffly on the ground, his headless body twitching a few times before falling completely still.
His life signs had completely disappeared.
To this, Natsuba Hanae’s face was unprecedentedly calm. The originally faint smile on Natsuba Hanae’s lips had also completely vanished.
For her three elder brothers, Natsuba Hanae felt no pity at all.
Honestly, Natsuba Hanae had let Natsuba Yosuke die too quickly this time.
Natsuba Hanae hadn’t used the Sanctuary Flame to torture Natsuba Yosuke at all.
It was just the Sanctuary Flame burning a single one of Natsuba Yosuke’s fingers, a minor punishment.
It was far from the torment Natsuba Kouryu had endured, being tortured by the Sanctuary Flame and finally burned to death.
Natsuba Hanae had always been a person who believed in an eye for an eye, and in punishing evil with evil, and she would always repay it a hundredfold.
And next, it was Natsuba Genryū’s turn, the source of all this.
Of course, Natsuba Hanae knew the true source was Susanoo, but revenge had to be taken step by step.
If Natsuba Hanae were to eliminate everything too cleanly, then there would be no fun at all.
However, Natsuba Hanae would not let the current Natsuba Genryū be unharmed.
Natsuba Hanae had said she would take it step by step, but she hadn’t said she would let Natsuba Genryū go now.
However, Natsuba Genryū was clearly carrying Susanoo’s divine artifact. And when he went out, he always took a secret route, and the people he brought were his own adopted loyalists.
Natsuba Hanae simply couldn’t track Natsuba Genryū.
And if Natsuba Hanae had attacked Natsuba Genryū just as he had left the main residence…
With his divine artifact and his own powerful combat strength, it was highly likely that Natsuba Genryū would return to the main residence, and it would be impossible to kill him in a short time.
Moreover, normally…
A peak god was the most powerful individual in this world.
Compared to them, a god surely had some extraordinary means.
For example, Yamata no Orochi.
Although Yamata no Orochi had been killed by Susanoo, with his own curse ability, Yamata no Orochi had actually been reborn through Susanoo’s limbs.
This method was simply against the rules.
Even Natsuba Hanae couldn’t understand it.
And the divine artifact left by Susanoo would surely have some of these unpredictable means. If the divine artifact had a killing move against someone below Natsuba Hanae’s level, that would be bad.
Although Natsuba Hanae wouldn’t die, and she also had some trump cards, it was certain that she would be injured to a certain extent.
So, before Natsuba Hanae’s strength reached the peak god level, and before she had a certain understanding of the peak god realm…
Natsuba Hanae did not want to formally engage with Susanoo.
After all, Susanoo was a peak god who could kill a peak god. In the peak god level, his combat power was also absolutely at the top.
Although Natsuba Hanae had destroyed both of Susanoo’s hands…
But Natsuba Hanae didn’t know if Susanoo had any other means.
Even more so, even if both his hands were destroyed, the Susanoo on the spot had used his own divine artifact to kill Yamata no Orochi. But now, Susanoo had two divine artifacts.
Natsuba Hanae didn’t know how Susanoo’s injuries from the battle with Yamata no Orochi were. If Susanoo had fully recovered, his combat power would not have decreased, but would have even increased.
So, before Natsuba Hanae reached the peak god level, she tried to avoid a formal battle with Susanoo as much as possible.
But if Natsuba Hanae really encountered Susanoo, she would not be afraid of battle. Natsuba Hanae had a few trump cards, and she could first test him, to get a rough idea of his combat power, and to gather intelligence.
With the devouring attribute of the Sanctuary Flame, Natsuba Hanae’s growth speed could not be calculated by normal rank promotions.
The stronger the enemy Natsuba Hanae devoured, the stronger she would become.
Although Natsuba Hanae’s divinity was currently saturated, promotion was not solely dependent on divinity. Natsuba Hanae could also rely on other powers, and fuse them with divinity to achieve the goal of promotion.
Regarding how to face Susanoo, Natsuba Hanae already had a plan in mind.
Of course, that was a plan for later.
But now, what Natsuba Hanae wanted to do was to let Natsuba Genryū suffer a little, an insignificant torment.
Since Natsuba Hanae couldn’t cause Natsuba Genryū physical harm…
Then changing it to a spiritual one would be fine, right?
Thinking of this, Natsuba Hanae’s originally expressionless face once again showed a gentle (and joyful) smile.
Compared to playing with the C-rank, and the insignificant Natsuba Yosuke, how could he compare to Natsuba Genryū?
Thinking of this, Natsuba Hanae already had a rough outline of a plan in her mind.
When it came to teasing, Natsuba Hanae was a professional.
Especially when the target was a direct descendant of the Natsuba family, Natsuba Hanae’s inspiration would soar.
Natsuba Hanae’s red, glass-like beautiful eyes looked at Natsuba Yosuke’s head, and a brilliant crimson color flashed.
A crimson color instantly wrapped around Natsuba Yosuke’s head.
And it floated towards Natsuba Hanae.
Until it was suspended above Natsuba Hanae’s right hand.
Then, Natsuba Hanae said softly to Mizuō Morishige,
“Wrap up Natsuba Yosuke’s head and make it a gift box.”
“Arrange for a member of the Mizuō branch you dislike to deliver this package to Natsuba Genryū.”
“And say that this is a unique and impressive gift from his second daughter.”
Natsuba Hanae didn’t hide that she was the one who sent it.
Because only if Natsuba Genryū knew it was from Natsuba Hanae could she proceed with the next step of her plan.
Natsuba Hanae didn’t know what kind of expression Natsuba Genryū would have when he found out that all three of his sons were dead, and then came to her.
Natsuba Hanae was really looking forward to it.
Not to mention, when Natsuba Genryū prepared to kill Natsuba Hanae, but found that she was an even more powerful existence than him, what kind of expression would he have?
Every time Natsuba Hanae thought of this, she felt a kind of happy emotion.
However, to avoid trouble…
It was still simpler and easier to first lure Natsuba Genryū out of the main residence and kill him.
However, after Natsuba Genryū had gotten old, he had basically not left the main residence, and had only gone out a little more frequently recently.
But even so, once Natsuba Genryū went out, he also hid all his tracks.
And for Natsuba Hanae to try and track Natsuba Genryū by implanting the Sanctuary Flame was also impossible. Natsuba Genryū’s ability, “Human Weapon,” although it was an ability to turn various parts of his body into weapons…
This, from the side, also reflected that Natsuba Genryū had an extremely strong control over his own body.
Otherwise, in his old age, Natsuba Genryū wouldn’t have been able to develop a method of suppressing his own strength to suppress his old injuries.
And with this extreme body control, even if Natsuba Hanae’s current rank was exceptionally high, the essence of the Sanctuary Flame’s devouring of life force could not be changed.
Even if Natsuba Hanae did her best to lower the pain of the Sanctuary Flame, and even made it painless, the effect of devouring life force would be minimal.
Just for a chance to use the Sanctuary Flame to track Natsuba Genryū.
But Natsuba Genryū would also feel that his already meager life force was strangely disappearing, and his heart would be on guard.
And once Natsuba Genryū was on guard, in the future, he would probably not go out just to show his importance.
Everything would probably be delegated to others.
After all, Natsuba Genryū himself knew that he was the cornerstone of the current Natsuba conglomerate.
No matter who was missing, it couldn’t be Natsuba Genryū.
For this, not to mention death, but even a single bit of combat power loss was a great loss for the Natsuba conglomerate.
Of course, the three sons, although they couldn’t be considered the current cornerstone, could definitely be considered the future cornerstone.
Of course, Natsuba Hanae could also send a daughter who was good at hiding, for example, Kuchiki Mei.
However…
Kuchiki Mei’s rank was clearly lower than Natsuba Genryū’s. And Natsuba Genryū was very sensitive to killing intent. When Natsuba Hanae’s daughters were staring at Natsuba Genryū alone…
They would surely reveal some killing intent, and that would be easily captured by Natsuba Genryū, thus exposing their tracks.
So, the plan to lure the snake out of its hole still needed some thought.
No matter what, for Natsuba Hanae to disguise herself as Natsuba Rinrei and lure Natsuba Genryū out was still too difficult.
Natsuba Hanae looked down. Natsuba Hanae couldn’t even see her own toes.
In a sense, to be flat like Natsuba Rinrei was also a rare talent.
What?!
This talent was because of Natsuba Hanae’s intervention?
Natsuba Hanae didn’t know about this at all, and it had never happened!
And Mizuō Morishige, hearing Natsuba Hanae’s words…
Mizuō Morishige’s heart immediately had a candidate.
In reality, the Mizuō branch was not a solid block. Besides Mizuō Morishige, who followed the thousand-year-old agreement and was only loyal to the Natsuba name, a “legitimist”…
There were naturally a few members of the Mizuō branch who didn’t think this way.
And these members, those with low status, had already been secretly killed by Mizuō Morishige. And a high-status one, who was only a step away from becoming a senior steward, Mizuō Ja, had already entered Natsuba Genryū’s sight.
And had gained a certain degree of Natsuba Genryū’s recognition. Mizuō Ja’s strength was also considerable. At twenty-seven, he had reached mid-B-rank.
If Mizuō Ja were to be “disappeared” rashly…
Natsuba Genryū would very likely investigate, and if he were to dig up some clues, it would not be good.
And this move of Natsuba Hanae’s was clearly to divert the disaster.
Although Natsuba Genryū usually wouldn’t get angry and was very rational…
But when Natsuba Genryū knew that his last hope, his last son, had also died because of this, and the Natsuba conglomerate had lost all its heirs, he would surely be furious.
Then…
The person before Natsuba Genryū would be in great danger.
However, Mizuō Morishige also had his doubts.
Why would the Second Miss report the Second Miss’s own name?
In that case, after Natsuba Genryū was furious, he would probably deduce something.
And Natsuba Genryū would also understand that Natsuba Yosuke’s death had an inseparable relationship with Natsuba Hanae.
However, a subordinate could not question and speak out. That would undoubtedly be the stupidest way.
Moreover, everything the Second Miss was doing now had a deeper meaning, something Mizuō Morishige couldn’t understand.
Since the Second Miss wanted to do it, then he would do it.
And to be able to eliminate the opposition was probably a reward from the Second Miss for stopping Natsuba Yosuke.
After all, even if Mizuō Morishige hadn’t stopped Natsuba Yosuke, in reality, Chikari Tanishi could have stopped him.
So Mizuō Morishige’s contribution was not great at all, and was only so little.
To be able to get such a reward…
Was already quite good.
However, Mizuō Morishige was ultimately a little disappointed. To forcibly reach A-rank, the speed of cultivating on his own was really too slow.
Even if Mizuō Morishige were to exchange this reward for a few days of a normal A-rank’s cultivation speed, he would be extremely willing.
After all, Mizuō Morishige was very afraid of death. Lifespan was everything to him.
And with this ability, the higher the rank, the longer the lifespan.
In this, even an A-rank supernatural user, according to the normal old age, would reach one hundred and fifty. The current Mizuō Morishige’s lifespan was close to two hundred.
But Mizuō Morishige felt this was still not enough. Mizuō Morishige wanted more.
So Mizuō Morishige thought of raising his rank. And after Natsuba Hanae had given Mizuō Morishige the reward of A-rank, he was ecstatic.
His loyalty had soared.
It had to be said that the current Natsuba Hanae had accurately grasped Mizuō Morishige’s lifeline.
Because if Mizuō Morishige were to rebel against Natsuba Hanae, not to mention continuing to cultivate normally, his current two-hundred-year lifespan, as long as Natsuba Hanae willed it, would instantly return to zero.
No matter how far away he was, as long as Natsuba Hanae detonated the divinity that had helped Mizuō Morishige advance to A-rank, Mizuō Morishige would immediately die.
Mizuō Morishige had naturally vaguely sensed this.
But so what? Mizuō Morishige couldn’t choose. It was better to go all the way.
Moreover, in this period of getting along, Mizuō Morishige really felt that Natsuba Hanae was a more worthy object of loyalty.
Disappointed as he was…
Mizuō Morishige still lowered his head and bowed, and said,
“As you wish, Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.”
Hearing this, Natsuba Hanae nodded.
For this Mizuō Morishige, whose life was in Natsuba Hanae’s grasp, she was also quite satisfied. Mizuō Morishige had done a lot for her.
And although Mizuō Morishige’s appearance was honest and loyal, inside, he was extremely cunning.
For example, when Mizuō Morishige was at the Natsuba main residence, he had always called Natsuba Hanae “Second Miss,” and outside the main residence, where they were all her own people, he had called Natsuba Hanae “Master of Summer Harvest Mountain.”
It was all to say something that would make Natsuba Hanae as comfortable as possible, and Mizuō Morishige was also very attentive to the occasion.
And what made Natsuba Hanae most interested was…
That Mizuō Morishige had called Natsuba Hanae “Master of Summer Harvest Mountain” when Natsuba Yosuke had been present just now.
In Natsuba Hanae’s own view, this was by no means a mistake, but was deliberately done.
A person of this character, using him would probably have a considerable effect.
Thinking of this, Natsuba Hanae pursed her lips slightly and continued,
“Morishige, if you can do this well…”
“At that time, I can raise your rank a little.”
The moment Mizuō Morishige heard this…
And without caring about the bloodstains on Natsuba Yosuke, Mizuō Morishige immediately took the head. On his honest and loyal face, his two thick eyebrows seemed to be about to transform into a great goose and flap their wings, his eyebrows flying with joy.
And Mizuō Morishige immediately said with a firm and sincere voice,
“I’ll do it right away. It will definitely be a success.”
“Master of Summer Harvest Mountain, I’ll go first.”
With Natsuba Hanae’s slight nod, Mizuō Morishige, who had always walked like a tortoise, actually started to run and charged into the main residence.
Seeing this, Natsuba Hanae pursed her lips slightly and said nothing.
And casually used the Sanctuary Flame to burn Natsuba Yosuke’s body clean, without leaving any blood.
And prepared to return to the main residence as well.
However, just then…
A wisp of a purple-tinged consciousness, like a belief, latched onto the bubble of Natsuba Hanae’s divinity. And in a young and tender voice, it transmitted a sentence to her.
“Mom, Mom.”
“I’m about to find Yamata no Orochi!”
