Blinded by rage, Muzan was now convinced that Hantengu had betrayed him!
Even if he calmed down later and wanted to reconsider, he could no longer access the dying memories of those two demons.
In Infinity Castle, the furious Muzan raged wildly—smashing, destroying, venting in terrifying frenzy.
Fortunately, this time Nakime escaped his wrath.
Having dodged disaster, Nakime silently chanted Amitabha in relief.
After the outburst, Muzan panted heavily. Anger subsided, temporary calm and some intelligence returned.
His first reaction upon cooling down wasn't to scrutinize the events, but to suspect his subordinates.
This harsh, ungrateful being couldn't help his surging paranoia.
Hantengu—one of his most loyal—had rebelled so unexpectedly, so suddenly. If even he could betray, what about the others!?
This dangerous thought took deep root in Muzan's mind.
Suspicious, Muzan immediately used his curses to remotely check his subordinates' states.
First: Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
Kokushibo was in Infinity Castle, outwardly calm but inwardly furious—furious precisely because of Hantengu's betrayal.
He had resolved to slay the traitor no matter what!
Sensing this, Muzan felt somewhat reassured.
Next: Upper Rank Two, Doma.
Doma was in his Eternal Paradise Faith, devouring humans and amusing himself as usual.
Muzan never liked this emotionless one much, but his strength was useful, so he tolerated it.
Doma remained the same—no true loyalty, but no signs of betrayal either.
Then: Upper Rank Three, Akaza.
Akaza, recovering in Infinity Castle, was extremely irritable.
The cause unclear—partly Hantengu's betrayal, partly frustration that his wounds prevented him from going out to kill the traitor.
In any case, Akaza remained loyal, no betrayal evident.
Upper Rank Four Hantengu had betrayed—uncontactable.
Upper Rank Five Gyokko long dead, position still vacant.
Muzan checked Upper Rank Six: Daki and Gyutaro siblings.
Hidden in the entertainment district, focused only on tonight's meal—who and what kind of human.
Their loyalty had always been solid—no betrayal.
Then Nakime, his secretary—her loyalty must be reliable!
Checking her, Muzan grew irritated.
Her mind was filled with relief: grateful Lord Muzan hadn't implicated or vented on her this time.
Seeing this, Muzan fumed inwardly: Wait a bit—I'll vent on you! Beat you half-paralyzed! See if you dare complain again!
Still, her loyalty was fine—no trace of betrayal.
After Upper Ranks, he checked the Lower Ranks.
Few of the six Lower Moons remained.
They were adequately loyal—too afraid to betray.
But Lower Ranks? Disposable tools. Loyalty mattered little.
Muzan stopped paying them attention.
Surveying all, his key subordinates seemed fine—no intent to betray, emotions relatively stable.
But could this reassure Muzan?
No!
Days before betraying, Hantengu had seemed utterly loyal too. Who could predict such sudden rebellion!
Though unclear why, betrayal was betrayal—unforgivable!
Muzan's paranoia remained high:
Even his most loyal could suddenly turn for some reason! The others weren't impossible either!
They seemed loyal now, but perhaps mere facade.
He must... constantly monitor the Upper Ranks closely—watch for strange mindset shifts, any hint of betrayal, even the slightest!
If another betrayal occurred, he would show no mercy!
With his vile nature, Muzan resolved ruthlessly.
Decision made, he sought Nakime—to vent on her.
Yes, this scum boss had developed a vile habit: bad mood meant beating his secretary.
Poor Nakime, thinking she'd escaped, soon endured brutal abuse!
Wails, pleas, blows echoed endlessly through Infinity Castle.
Kokushibo and Akaza heard her suffering, both feeling some pity.
Akaza, even as a demon, never harmed women—so he felt unease and distaste toward Muzan's casual beatings.
Kokushibo, self-proclaimed steadfast warrior, followed bushido—never bullying weak females. He too found it distasteful.
Unbeknownst to them, the second phase of Horitake's sowing of discord had quietly succeeded.
Phase one: convince Muzan of Hantengu's betrayal.
Phase two: make harsh, ungrateful Muzan suspect his subordinates.
Thus, constant suspicion, surveillance, oppression would create faint cracks between Muzan and the Upper Ranks.
Since Muzan controlled their lives via curses, cracks between master and servants seemed harmless.
But with Muzan's personality?
Once a crack appeared, it wouldn't heal—only widen!
Over time, as it grew, Horitake's plan would autonomously advance to phase three!
Phase three: turn Muzan and Upper Ranks against each other—hostile, confrontational, complete rupture!
Horitake estimated reaching phase three would be difficult.
But no matter—as long as it progressed toward it, it benefited them!
Muzan would grow ever more distrustful, demons unable to unite, overall strength gradually weakened—making them easier to defeat.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"