The next day.
Tohno Family.
Tohno Makihisa sat cross-legged in the main seat, chain-smoking cigarettes. The ashtray was already piled high with butts, but the man had no intention of stopping.
The room was now filled with choking smoke, yet no windows were opened for ventilation, as this was where the Tohno Family secretly discussed matters, and confidentiality was the highest priority.
"...Father, do you have any other instructions?"
Tohno Akiba maintained her kneeling posture, wearing a kimono with cherry blossom patterns, and politely called out.
She had intended to wait for her father to speak, but after reporting last night's situation, her father had been chain-smoking, lost in thought, and had not responded for a long time.
If it were just being ignored, it would have been fine; having been specifically trained in etiquette, she could certainly maintain an elegant sitting posture for a long time while waiting. However, the continuously increasing concentration of smoke in the room made her feel very uncomfortable.
"Hmm..."
Tohno Makihisa paused slightly. Noticing his daughter's discomfort, he extinguished the cigarette in his hand and then showed a benevolent father's smile.
"Akiha, do you dislike going to Big Sister Touko's house? What do you think of her?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Tohno Akiba pondered for a moment, recalling what happened last night. Aside from being held like a doll by Big Sister Touko and sleeping for a night, she basically had no unpleasant experiences.
So, she honestly spoke her thoughts.
"Big Sister Touko's house is very warm. As for her personality, she's not bad, just very fond of teasing people."
Yes, these were all her current thoughts. She held no ill will towards Aozaki Touko, who had taken her yesterday. However, because Big Sister Touko seemed to harbor ill intentions towards the Tohno Family, she couldn't hold good feelings for her either.
"...Is that so? I understand."
Tohno Makihisa nodded slightly, then said in a calm tone, "From now on, whenever you want to visit Aozaki Touko, your lessons can be suspended, and the family will send a dedicated car to take you there."
With that, he waved his hand at his daughter, then pulled out another cigarette and smoked in silence, as if exhaling the emotions contained within his heart through the smoke.
"Then, Father, Akiha will take her leave."
Tohno Akiba bowed, then respectfully exited the room, gently closing the door behind her.
Tohno Makihisa saw all of this. His eyes suddenly flashed with fierce light, which was then suppressed by bitter helplessness.
Although he didn't know much about the mysterious side of things, he did have some understanding of the Aozaki Family in Misaki City. He knew that the Aozaki Family had an extremely powerful Aozaki Grandfather, and Aozaki Touko was his successor, with power far beneath his.
In other words, this family's strength far surpassed their Tohno Family, possessing the ability to destroy their clan at any time.
This was also the reason he could only endure and not act. After all, Aozaki Touko alone possessed the power to suppress the entire Tohno Family. If they were to face Aozaki Touko and Aozaki Grandfather simultaneously, wouldn't their clan be doomed?
Moreover, he didn't know what methods those Magicians had. It was hard to say whether some insidious methods would work, and if they failed, their family would face utter destruction.
In short, they were in a dilemma.
"What exactly does that woman want?"
Tohno Makihisa's face grew agitated, veins bulging on his face like wriggling maggots.
"Does she want to kidnap a successor to threaten me, or is she planning to kill me after my Reversal Impulse awakens, and then control Akiha to take over our Tohno Family!?"
He continuously analyzed Aozaki Touko's motives, and finally realized that this woman's calculations were truly profound, intending to subtly swallow the Tohno Family's power and assets.
"Hehehehahaha, unfortunately, I've already found a way to suppress the Reversal Impulse. It's impossible to seize the Tohno Family through Akiha!"
Saying this, he quickly walked out of the room and got into the car heading to the Wujing Family.
Their clan's Reversal Impulse was a fatal flaw, but if they had the power of the Wujing Family, one of the Four Great Demon Exorcist Families, then it would be an entirely different matter.
The Wujing Family possessed the superpower of sensory ability, capable of transferring their physical strength to others through bodily fluid exchange, thereby achieving replenishment or enhancement effects.
And this ability was what Tohno Makihisa had always dreamed of, because this ability could suppress their clan's demon blood, which meant it could suppress the Reversal Impulse... a dilapidated shrine.
"...I'm very sorry, Kohaku and Hisui were sold in the morning."
A middle-aged man with a scoundrelly look on his face said with a truly regretful tone, "You came too late, only a few hours too late."
"Didn't we already agree on a price?"
Tohno Makihisa said with a gloomy face.
"I couldn't help it. As their uncle, I also hoped Kohaku and Hisui would have a better future, so I made a temporary decision."
The scoundrelly man picked his ear, showing a disdainful expression.
"A scumbag like you, would you have such kindness?"
Tohno Makihisa said bluntly.
"Of course I do."
The scoundrelly man pulled out a bank card from his pocket, showing an extremely excited expression: "Do you know how much money that person gave me? This card has a full seventy million Japanese Yen, many times more than what you offered."
"With such a rich person, Kohaku and Hisui will naturally live much happier lives."
He spoke as if it were a matter of course, and even looked at Tohno Makihisa with contempt, as if despising the man for having offered so little before.
"Hahahahaahahahahahaha"
Suddenly, Tohno Makihisa let out a bizarre laugh, then grabbed the scoundrelly man's neck, tore it fiercely, and hot blood immediately gushed out. The man was then torn into countless pieces.
"Bastard!!!!"