Chapter 223: Are You Jealous?

**Why was there a third voice here, and a male one at that?**

Oiran Uzui's mind was filled with confusion.

The Tokiwaya was one of the top establishments in Yoshiwara. Its management was strict, akin to the inner sanctum of a shogun's palace. Men were rarely seen inside, as most of the physical labor was handled by women.

Especially in the oiran's chambers, men were almost never seen before her debut. Otherwise, her reputation would be tarnished, and her admirers would abandon her. An oiran without admirers was no oiran at all.

The appearance of a man in her room was a serious matter.

Uzui noticed the change in Kanae Kocho's expression.

From vigilance to relaxation, and then a smile appeared on her face.

Could it be someone Kanae knew?

Recalling the man's earlier words, Oiran Uzui realized he had come for Kanae.

"You're back?"

Her tone was unusually relaxed. Uzui took the opportunity to observe the man who had suddenly appeared. He was of above-average appearance, with skin even fairer than a woman's. What was most striking was his aura.

His subtle movements were unremarkable, yet he exuded a charm that was almost otherworldly, like a legendary spirit, captivating at first glance.

"Why are you dressed so... plain?"

"Is that all you care about, Li-san? After three years apart, shouldn't we talk about something more meaningful?" Kanae Kocho said.

She recognized him. Three years had passed, and she had grown taller, her figure more developed. Yet, he seemed unchanged, just as he had been in the past.

Li Mo replied, "I was just worried you might have disfigured yourself."

"And what if I had? What would it matter to you?"

Yes, what would it matter?

Li Mo smiled. "I'd feel heartbroken."

Kanae Kocho laughed along with him. "That's a good line."

Their laughter wasn't loud, but it would surely carry outside the room.

Uzui watched their exchange, feeling her presence diminish. She decided to assert herself. "Please keep your voices down."

"No need to worry. I've already taken precautions. No matter what sounds are made here, they won't reach outside," Li Mo explained.

A barrier.

Soundproofing was something Li Mo could achieve through various means—Onmyodo, magecraft, and even isolating the room in a separate dimension using magecraft.

However, the latter depended on the world. Worlds varied, and not all techniques were universally applicable. For instance, Breathing Techniques could connect with flames in the Demon Slayer world and Teyvat, but not in the lifeless world of the Moon Cell.

Fortunately, Li Mo had tested it. Most conventional magecraft worked here. Magecraft relied on human consensus, and across the worlds he had visited, human history was largely similar.

Teyvat was an exception, but its active elemental energy made manipulation easier.

"What have you learned in these three years?" Kanae Kocho asked without hesitation.

"I've picked up some Onmyodo," Li Mo replied.

At this point, Oiran Uzui interjected, "Should I... leave?"

Kanae Kocho spoke up, "I'm sorry, Uzui-san. Li-san, this is Uzui-san's private chamber. Don't you think it's inappropriate for you to barge in like this?"

The young woman feigned anger, and Li Mo raised his hands in surrender. "Yes, yes, my mistake. I'll wait for you upstairs. Don't worry, this building won't attract any attention now."

With that, the man vanished from the room, just as quietly as he had arrived.

Uzui looked around, noticing that everything was exactly as it had been. There was no sound of doors or windows opening.

This wasn't something a human could do. Onmyodo... was he an Onmyoji?

Though she lived in Yoshiwara, Uzui had heard of Abe no Seimei.

Stories of spirits and Onmyoji often served as bedtime tales for children.

"Uzui-san..."

"Keiko, you know that man, don't you?" Uzui asked.

Kanae Kocho nodded. "Yes."

"Is he... the one in your heart?"

"You noticed?"

"Your expression gave it away," Uzui said with a gentle smile.

Those who grew up in Yoshiwara were adept at reading emotions. When the man appeared, Kanae Kocho's mood had visibly brightened.

The usually calm and gentle Keiko had blossomed like a flower in full bloom, radiating joy.

Kanae Kocho admitted, "Was it that obvious? Well... yes, it's him. So please, Uzui-chan, don't tell anyone."

"I won't."

"I'll be back soon."

"Keiko... maybe it's not my place to ask, but you were planning to go out tonight, right?" Uzui inquired.

She knew Kanae was here on a mission. The man's sudden appearance had clearly disrupted her plans. Seeing Kanae's unrestrained joy, Uzui worried she might forget her task.

Kanae Kocho understood her concern. "Don't worry. With him here, any mission can be accomplished."

She had complete confidence in Li Mo. Six years ago, he had saved her and her sister from a demon without a Nichirin Blade or Breathing Techniques.

Three years ago, he had fought Upper Moon Three to the death.

And now, three years later...

How strong had he become?

She couldn't even tell how he had appeared.

This was a good thing.

Kanae Kocho floated out through the window. While her agility wasn't on par with her younger sister Shinobu's, as a woman, she was still quite confident in her movements.

Using the vertical walls for leverage, she reached the rooftop. The bright white moon hung in the sky, casting its cold, lonely light.

The familiar, mature man sat on the roof, a bottle of sake in his hand.

Kanae could already smell the alcohol.

"Li-san, have you started drinking?"

"Occasionally. This is some sake I swindled from a certain nine-tailed fox. No point in letting it go to waste."

Li Mo had discovered the sake in his inventory after leaving Teyvat. It had, of course, come from the dear Lady Yae Miko.

That fox woman had plenty of sake stashed away, and he hadn't touched the so-called "mouth-brewed" sake she had mentioned.

"It seems Li-san has had an eventful three years."

"More or less... What do you want to ask, Kanae-san?"

"Well, there are many things I want to ask. But if I had to choose the first question... it would be, why did Li-san seem relieved when you saw my appearance?" Kanae Kocho asked.

"Because a Kanae-san who looks like this won't become an oiran."

"Eh~~~ Why would Li-san be happy that I'm not an oiran?"

Kanae Kocho sat down beside Li Mo. They were close, and even though her makeup wasn't removed, her eyes were still lively and bright.

She had spent so much time in the shop with her head down because her gaze was different from others'.

Li Mo fell silent.

This strange reaction didn't escape Kanae Kocho's notice. She leaned closer to Li Mo's face, her warm breath brushing against his cheek. "Could it be... dear Li-san is jealous?"