The night wind blows, and at first glance, the cherry blossom petals falling on the tatami look like drops of blood.

The scenery of flying bloody cherry blossoms outside the window was so eerie and gorgeous that Qi Chu was so shocked that he was speechless for a long time.

It wasn't until the little gray cat rubbed against his face that Qi Jin came back to his senses.

At this time, the will-o'-the-wisp bamboo lanterns in the room were burning with crackling sounds, indicating that the blood cherry blossoms dyed red under the moonlight had a strong evil nature.

In a flash of thought, Qi Ku clicked on the new item "Blessings from Yuzhitang's missing employees" in the item bar——

[Description of props: Auxiliary props, condensed from the regrets of missing handymen in Yuzhiyu. It can make nearby invisible ghosts appear in their true form, thus helping the user to attack more accurately]

[Would you like to confirm the use of "Blessings of Yuzhiyu's missing employees"? Yes/No]

Qi Kuu nodded "yes" without hesitation. It seemed to be just an ordinary auxiliary prop, but when used in different scenarios, its purpose is different.

In an instant, the light like flowing fireflies dispersed from the attic toward the bloody cherry blossoms outside the window. The wind gradually became louder in the courtyard, and the branches full of bloody cherry blossoms rustled down, and even the moonlight seemed to be shaken by the wind.

The branches that originally contained only burning bloody cherry blossoms suddenly appeared with countless hanging bloody corpses.

The necks of these corpses had countless overlapping bite marks, as well as a deep bone-piercing wound, which looked like the mark of a sharp blade.

The blackened blood stains condensed around the wounds, and the aerial roots spreading from the branches of the bloody cherry blossoms wrapped around the necks of the corpses. As a result, these bloody corpses were like dolls on a sunny day, hanging on the branches of the blooming red cherry blossoms and swaying in the wind.

The moonlight cast the swaying shadow of the corpse on the red wall of the building opposite, and the painful sobs came one after another, continuing to spread in the howling night wind.

The spirit bodies of these victims were trapped in the cherry blossom trees, swaying in the wind on countless pale moon nights, unable to find relief.

The little gray cat lay in Qi Qiu's arms, looking at the wonders in the courtyard with novel eyes and making a low sound.

Qi Jiu kissed its soft head: "Don't be afraid."

"Meow meow meow~" The little gray cat living here seems to have seen such a spectacle for the first time.

Obviously, judging from their wounds and state of death, these spirits swaying in the wind like sunny dolls are the victims of Miss Ikuko.

Qi Jiu had reasonable suspicion that the missing bodies were buried under the cherry blossom trees in the courtyard of Yuzhiwu.

After all, "Dead people buried under cherry blossom trees" is a widely circulated ghost story.

Moreover, the cherry tree in the atrium that turns red after bathing in the moonlight is obviously not an ordinary cherry tree. It may be a demon tree that can absorb and dissolve corpses. This also explains why these spirits are entangled and suspended on the branches by air roots.

What would happen if these spirits entangled in the cherry trees were forcibly removed?

Rather than making vague speculations, Qi Zhu was more willing to take the initiative to conduct an experiment.

He exchanged a "flying knife that can track the designated target" from the item bar. This is a one-time attack item from the newcomer's first battle gift pack. Because it is a low-level item, the damage to the target is very low. If used as

The attack is very useless, and it is much more cost-effective when used in other ways.

Qi Chu set the target on the nearest spirit body. The flying knife quickly turned into an afterimage and was thrown towards the air roots wrapped around the spirit body's neck. The blade locked on the tracking target repeatedly cut the hanging branches.

The lower air roots and the suspended spirit body swayed even more violently.

But something strange happened. The aerial root that didn't look tough kept cutting. Finally, the time limit of the flying knife ran out, but the aerial root that hung the corpse was not damaged at all.

What is actually happening?

Qi Jiu looked thoughtfully at the blood cherry blossoms outside the window. Spiritual bodies were hanging on the branches like the fruits of the cherry tree. The cherry tree absorbed the resentment of the spiritual bodies and bloomed prosperous blood cherry blossoms... Could it be that the demon tree and the spiritual body have already

Do they need special props to cut and separate them if they merge and penetrate each other?

If the corpse buried under the tree generates resentment, and the resentment turns into the fruit of the cherry tree, then the cause and effect must be cut off to release the resentment of the spirit body...

Maybe, he needs a special knife.

For example, Miss Ikuko’s unique knife behind the screen.

Because Ms. Ikuko mentioned just now that it was a knife that needed to drink blood to maintain its gorgeous luster. She probably used that knife to cut the victim's neck, so the knife became a "murder weapon" and a

This explains the "cause" of resentment in these spirits.

To cut off the connection between the spirit body and the cherry tree, it is likely that you have to use the knife that carries "karma".

The truth of the plot of the copy gradually emerged.

"Meow meow meow~"

The little gray cat nuzzled in Qi Jiu's arms, and Qi Jiu exchanged it for a box of dried fish: "Thank you for your hard work today, little guy."

"Meow!" The little gray cat's eyes lit up, and he buried his head in the can and started eating.

Qi Jiu squatted beside it and gently rubbed its little head.

The night breeze carrying the petals of the bloody cherry blossoms continuously flows into the attic. Guests come and go downstairs, and the annoying noise comes one after another.

An indescribable sense of familiarity filled Qi Gu's mind again.

Just like the pale moonlight in Tangchi in his dream, Qi Qiu had the illusion that he had been living here for many years.

Qi Jiu was a little lost in thought, back then when the plot of the dungeon had not been abandoned and that guy's character was still living in Yuzhiwu, would he be like him now, leaving the attic window open and opening a can of Cat's Favorites?

How about petting the cat while watching the blood cherry blossoms?

The guy mentioned that his data was stolen by a guy who broke in...

What does this matter have to do with yourself?

Could it be that my own existence...

"Meow meow meow~" The little gray cat who finished eating the dried fish interrupted Qi Jiu's thinking. It twisted its butt and came over to rub it, trying to make the other party relent by acting coquettishly and give him another can of dried fish.

Qi Jiu: "Hey, don't eat so much. It's not good for your health."

"Meow meow meow!" The little gray cat meowed a few times, then turned around and faced Qi Qiu with its butt.

"Okay, okay, this is the last can." Qi Chu couldn't resist, and quickly surrendered, exchanging another can of dried fish and placing it in front of the little gray cat.

After all, this little guy helped me a lot throughout the whole day.

"System teacher, can you tell me where I can earn dried fish props?" Qi Jiu looked worriedly at his only seven cans of dried fish and summoned the system to ask.

[The prop has not been detected in the current copy] The system answered honestly.

Qi Jiu thought for a while and asked again: "Can you arrange some side tasks for me to earn dried fish?"

The system has been stuck for two seconds [The system has received your request, and the system will try its best to arrange it for you, but there is no guarantee that it will be able to be arranged]

Qi Jiu smiled: "Thank you very much."

*

Before dawn the next day, a huge noise came from the first floor of Yuzhiwu, as if the door in the lobby had been kicked open by someone, followed closely by the sound of messy and rude footsteps.

The wandering girls who had just fallen asleep were all awakened, and the chaotic and noisy discussions quickly spread.

Qi Jiu poked his head out from under the quilt, and the little gray cat also poked his head out from the pillow.

Qi Jiu stroked the cat on the side of his pillow and raised his ears to listen to the noise downstairs.

Rude footsteps hurried towards Miss Ikuko's room on the second floor. From the discussion of the wandering girls, Qi Gu learned that it was not the Takahashi family who came to look for trouble today, but the Takeuchi family who came to look for the missing young master.

.

Immediately afterwards, the Takeuchi family searched every room in Izuku House. Qi Qiu, who had planned to continue sleeping, was forcibly kicked out and waited outside the door for the search.

They even went to dig up the soil under the cherry tree in the atrium, trying to find any clues about Yu Zhiwu's cover-up of the truth, but unfortunately they found nothing in the end.

This made Qi Qiu more certain of his guess: the blood cherry blossoms in the atrium could absorb and dissolve corpses in a short period of time, and even said that they were its food. Miss Ikuko's behavior of burying corpses could be seen as feeding the demon tree.

While conducting the search, the Takeuchi family also questioned everyone in Ikakuya. Because Qi Gu was a helper who had just joined the job yesterday, the other party scrawled a few questions and then stopped.

The Takeuchi family had been making trouble in Izhiwu for almost two hours before leaving. The whole Izhiwu was in panic.

"The people of the Takeuchi family have spread their word. The young master wants to see someone dead or a corpse... It seems that they believe that the disappearance of the young master is because of Ikinaya."

"Yes, I am acting so aggressively today because I am asking for an explanation."

"But...is this really related to Yu Zhiwu?"

"The devil knows, but he did meet Ikuko the night before yesterday. Many people saw it. It's useless for us to lie about it."

"Ikuko is going to be in trouble now."

"Not only Ikuko, the entire Izuku is in trouble, including you and me."

"But what should I do?"

"I hope nothing happens..."

The wandering girls were talking a lot, but the situation was not optimistic. After dinner, several vicious thugs with swords on their waists came outside Yuzhiwu. They stopped outside the door, and no customers dared to patronize Yuzhiwu.

Obviously, they were all sent by the Takeuchi family, and the thugs were being polite when they came. It was a blessing that they did not directly blockade Ikakuya on the pretext of searching.

Now everyone was really panicking. The manager of the Takahashi family was like an ant on a hot pot. As soon as the Takeuchi family left, the Takahashi family hurried over. The manager stayed in Miss Ikuko's room for almost half of the time.

For an hour, there was a dispute at the beginning and then there was gradually no movement. All the girls in Yuzhiwu tensed up their nerves and raised their ears, fearing that something unexpected would happen.

Half an hour later, the person in charge of the Takahashi family came out of Miss Ikuko's room, looking a little calmer.

"Then it's settled." The person in charge of the Takahashi family seemed to have obtained a solution to the situation from Miss Ikuko.

Miss Ikuko also put away her arrogance from yesterday and said in a meek tone: "I will be waiting for you here at six o'clock tomorrow night."

The news that Miss Ikuko invited the Takeuchi family to enjoy the night cherry blossoms tomorrow night spread quickly.

As a popular oiran, even though she is being suspected and targeted by the Takeuchi family, the other party has no definite evidence. At this time, Miss Ikuko took the initiative to lower her profile and invited the Takeuchi family to enjoy cherry blossoms and drink wine. Her sincerity was there, and she just sent thugs to guard her.

It would be too stingy for the Takeuchi family to refuse to accept the invitation in front of their store.

So even though the Takeuchi family was not very happy, due to their status and face, they still accepted Miss Ikuko's invitation.

Miss Ikuko seemed to attach great importance to this Yosakura Drinking Party, and sent people to the wine shop overnight to purchase a large amount of the best and oldest wine.

It was late at night, but the sound of wheels rolling over rocks was still constant, as cart after cart of wine was transported from the wine house to Yuzhiwu.

Everyone speculated that Miss Ikuko had offended the Takeuchi family this time and was now planning to lower her profile and use the most sincerity to try to please the other party.

People on the street talked about it——

"How many people are coming from the Takeuchi family and the Takahashi family... Isn't Miss Ikuko's carload of wine too exaggerated?"

"It can be seen that Miss Ikuko is really panicking this time and wants to host this cherry blossom viewing feast regardless of the cost."

"Ikuzhiwu certainly doesn't dare to neglect. The other party is the Takeuchi family. Even if there is something fishy about the disappearance of the young master, if you still want to continue doing business to make a living, Miss Ikuko cannot offend them."

"Don't talk about continuing the business. If this matter is not handled well, it's hard to say whether Miss Ikuko will survive."

Wine jars from the wine house were constantly being transported to Ikushi's house, but Qi Gu did not think that this was Miss Ikuko trying to turn the tide and doing her best to please the Takeuchi family.

After these few days of getting along, Qi Jiu did not think that Miss Ikuko was someone who could easily let go of her dignity, especially these aristocratic men whom she had no regard for at all;

Moreover, she did kill the young master of the Takeuchi family. This matter cannot be changed by pleasing the Takeuchi family. In any case, Miss Ikuko cannot really solve this matter.

Unless... these drinks are not used to please the Takeuchi family, but Miss Ikuko has other plans.

Qi Jiu noticed that all the alcohol that was brought in was high-alcohol. Of course, he did not forget that both Yu Zhiwu and Miss Ikuko ended up in a sea of ​​fire.

Is it possible that these high-alcohol alcohols are used for combustion? After all, alcohol is a good ignition material.

Qi Gu suddenly had an idea. Could it be that the fire that burned down Ikuma's house and caused Miss Ikuko to die in the sea of ​​​​fire, and the resentment lasted for hundreds of years, was not set by the Takeuchi family, but that Miss Ikuko planned to die with all this?

Judging from the clues he has now and Miss Ikuko's actions, Qi Qiu is more inclined to this answer.

What happened next made Qi Qiu more certain of his guess.

Before dawn the next day, Miss Yu Zi found Qi Qiu.

Miss Ikuko, who had been busy all night because of the preparations for the night cherry blossom reception, had no chance to close her eyes, and she looked extremely pale and haggard at the moment.

"Before tonight, take Xiao Hui and leave Yuzhiwu."

Saying that, Miss Yuzi handed a large amount of money to Qi Jiu: "Here are five thousand coins. Your wages for the past two days and the money for raising Xiao Hui in the future are all in it. This money is enough for you to live in the country."

Very good, I only have one request, take good care of the cats in Yuzhiwu."

Miss Ikuko tried to raise her hand to touch the little gray cat again. This time, the little gray cat wisely did not avoid it, but Miss Ikuko’s hand paused in mid-air. She hesitated for half a second. In the end, her stunned hand was still a little reluctant to let go.

The ground shrank back.

"Meow, meow, meow?" The little gray cat didn't pay much attention and turned his head to rub his head into Qi Qiu's arms.

Qi Chu was stunned and asked: "Why is Xiao Hui so important to you?"

Miss Ikuko smiled: "When I was a little girl, Xiao Hui took care of me."

Qi Jiu raised the corners of his lips and scratched the little gray cat's ears: "I didn't realize it, but you little guy is so old."

"Meow meow meow!" the little gray cat raised its tail in protest.

Miss Ikuko looked at the little gray cat and said thoughtfully: "But since I secretly drank the blood brew, it ignored me..."

Her voice became lower and lower, and finally she smiled nonchalantly: "Probably to punish me, a thief."

Qi Jiu: "Why did you entrust Xiao Hui to me?"

Miss Ikuko avoided the important and said lightly: "In the whole Yuzhiwu, the closest person to Xiao Hui is you. Apart from you, he doesn't pay attention to anyone."

"You know that's not what I mean," Qi Jiu looked at her steadily and asked straight to the point, "Are you planning to die with them?"

Miss Ikuko was slightly startled, then smiled nonchalantly: "What are you talking about? I just want to drink with them and enjoy the cherry blossoms at night. After all, they also want to give me, the oiran, face."

But Qi Gu, who has cracked the rules, knows very well that viewing cherry blossoms at night means violating the rules of Yuzhiwu.

Tomorrow night is the 15th night. On a moonlit night, go to the atrium to enjoy the night cherry blossoms. This enchanting cherry tree in full bloom is likely to attack guests who have never drank blood brew.

The trap behind Miss Ikuko's invitation is already obvious.

But since the other party didn't want to tell him, Qi Jiu didn't intend to continue asking.

"Miss Yuzi, may I take the liberty of asking you another question?" Qi Qiu said.

Miss Ikuko frowned slightly: "What do you want to ask?"
Chapter completed!