Tokyo Prefecture, Asakusa.
The heavy soundproof door closed silently behind them, completely cutting off the musty smell of the bookstore above.
The scene in the underground laboratory made Mr. Cheng Mo's eyes flicker.
Even Himura Ruri, who had been keeping her head down, couldn't help but secretly glance up, her pupils slightly dilating in shock.
The sight here far exceeded her imagination; it was even more... strange and advanced than the medical room at the Butterfly Mansion.
The space was vast, with rows of glassware and precise instruments, gleaming with metallic luster, neatly arranged.
Some vessels were connected by tubes of varying thickness, with liquids of different colors flowing inside.
An antique-looking but clearly modified microscope sat on the central experimental bench, with a constant temperature incubator nearby... and even a mechanical calculator powered by complex gears and springs.
Mr. Cheng Mo could tell at a glance that the concepts behind many of the devices here had already surpassed the technological framework of the Taisho era.
In some aspects, it even touched upon the level of the 1930s and 1940s.
This was clearly the result of Tamayo's centuries of continuous research and the accumulation of knowledge using demon abilities.
"The conditions are rudimentary; I hope Mr. Cheng Mo doesn't find them too lacking," Tamayo's gentle voice sounded, as she noticed Mr. Cheng Mo's gaze on the equipment.
"Far beyond its time," Mr. Cheng Mo honestly evaluated.
"Especially the execution of the sterile concept and these custom instruments; the Butterfly Mansion doesn't even come close."
Upon receiving the acknowledgment, a faint, reserved smile appeared on Tamayo's lips: "Living for a long time always brings some conveniences. Some equipment blueprints and core components were brought from overseas by some... old friends who have long passed away, which I slowly modified and assembled myself. Others were custom-made after acquiring materials through special methods."
At this moment, Yushiro had already very reluctantly helped Mr. Cheng Mo carefully place the heavy crystal statue into an observation room separated by reinforced glass.
Inside, there were not only stabilizing devices but also complex piping and sensors connected to the statue's base.
"So, you two are just going to squat here?" Yushiro closed the observation room door, turned around, and crossed his arms.
His handsome face showed undisguised vigilance and disgust, his gaze sweeping mainly between Mr. Cheng Mo and Himura Ruri.
"This isn't a hotel, and Lady Tamayo needs quiet!"
His hostility was almost palpable, causing Himura Ruri to instinctively shrink further behind Mr. Cheng Mo, her small hand clutching his clothes.
"Yushiro," Tamayo's voice deepened slightly, carrying a hint of authority.
"Mr. Cheng Mo is our important collaborator, and Miss Himura is an important observation subject and family member. Do not be rude."
"But, Lady Tamayo! They..." Yushiro grew anxious, his face full of accusations like "they are of unknown origin and very dangerous."
"No 'buts'," Tamayo interrupted him, her gaze becoming serious.
"The research requires their continuous participation and observation. Frequent outings would increase the risk of exposure, posing a threat to all of us. Them staying here is the optimal choice. This matter is settled."
Her tone was calm and absolute.
Yushiro looked as if he had been choked, his face turning crimson.
He finally glared fiercely at Mr. Cheng Mo, then lowered his head unwillingly: "...Yes, Lady Tamayo."
But the "unwelcome" aura emanating from him did not diminish in the slightest.
Mr. Cheng Mo was not surprised by this; his original plan had indeed been overridden by Tamayo's reasonable considerations.
He looked at Tamayo and said, "I originally intended to find lodging nearby for convenience, but since Madam believes staying here is safer, then we shall impose. As for daily necessities..."
"There are still a few empty rooms. Though simple, daily necessities are complete," Tamayo interjected, her tone returning to its usual gentleness.
"I will have Yushiro prepare them. As for food..." She glanced at Himura Ruri.
"Human food needs to be prepared separately; I will arrange it."
"Thank you," Mr. Cheng Mo nodded, then looked down at the nervous Himura Ruri and simply said, "We'll stay here."
The girl quickly nodded, softly saying, "Okay, I'll listen to Mr. Cheng Mo."
For her, as long as she could be with Mr. Cheng Mo, anywhere was fine.
Although Yushiro was scary, and Lady Tamayo was a bit intimidating... with Mr. Cheng Mo here, she felt at ease.
With the arrangements tentatively made, Tamayo's instincts as a researcher immediately took over.
She almost eagerly walked to the control panel outside the observation room, which had many gauges and knobs.
"Mr. Cheng Mo, let's begin. Yushiro, record the initial data," Tamayo's voice carried a hint of suppressed excitement.
"I want to first detect the energy spectrum and internal activity of Mr. Himura's crystallized state."
Mr. Cheng Mo naturally had no objection.
He led Ruri to a chair in the corner of the laboratory that wouldn't obstruct work: "You sit here and just watch. I'll call you when I need you."
"Okay, okay!" Ruri immediately sat up straight, hands on her lap, trying to make herself inconspicuous.
Mr. Cheng Mo walked over to Tamayo's side.
Tamayo had already begun operating the instruments; several probes in the observation room emitted a faint glow, aimed at the crystal statue.
The needles on the gauges began to tremble slightly.
"The energy field is stable, its intensity is slowly increasing, and there's an extremely subtle periodic flow internally... incredible," Tamayo muttered to herself while observing, and Yushiro immediately took out a notebook and quickly recorded.
"Using only external instruments, the precision isn't enough," Mr. Cheng Mo said, a faint golden light silently swirling in his eyes.
"His internal structure is not entirely solid; there are channels similar to biological fluid slowly transporting energy, originating three centimeters to the right of the heart's position, and the intensity..."
Tamayo suddenly turned to look at Mr. Cheng Mo, an astonishing brilliance erupting in her purple eyes: "You can see inside?!"
"Rough energy flow and structure, yes," Mr. Cheng Mo calmly replied.
"Details require concentration."
The microscopic observation ability of the Eye of Truth showed its immense value at this moment, compensating for the instruments' inability to see through energy.
"That's amazing... This is simply..." Tamayo was so excited she could barely contain herself. She immediately brought over drawing paper and a pen.
"Mr. Cheng Mo, please describe the direction and details of the energy channels you see!"
The two quickly immersed themselves in the research.
Mr. Cheng Mo, using modern medical terminology and systematic experimental design ideas, proposed testing suggestions:
"We need to quantitatively analyze the potential resonance reaction between the energy and Ruri's blood samples..."
"I suggest setting up a control group and attempting to stimulate the crystal's reaction with Hantengu's tissue extract..."
Tamayo, drawing on centuries of experience and a deep understanding of demon blood, offered her own opinions:
"The concentration of demon blood stimulation must be strictly controlled, otherwise it could cause irreversible deterioration... I can prepare reagents of different gradients..."