Chapter 52 - Free Meal.

Hearing the Cat Shop Owner's question, Konkiku silently turned her head. Her fox face now displayed a profound and enigmatic expression.

"Shhh... you can't ask... you can't tell..."

"Tsk! What's with all the mystery? What's our relationship? You can't even tell me this?" Seeing Konkiku's pretentious act, the Cat Shop Owner slapped her head.

"Ow! Don't hit my head, I really can't say! I can only tell you that Lord Owl is incredibly powerful, acts ruthlessly, and is decisive in battle. If I told you, I'd definitely be in big trouble!" After being slapped on the head by the Cat Shop Owner, Konkiku wilted and said aggrievedly. Having told various lies to Tsuruha on Inari Mountain for a long time, her fabricated words were flawless, with perfect tone and expression.

"You... are you telling the truth?" Hearing Konkiku's words, the Cat Shop Owner felt a slight chill.

"Of course, it's true~ Didn't you see it just now? Even the Leopard Cat Lord Oyakata's Yokai General, Lord Owl, fears nothing. Lord Owl's abilities are immense," Konkiku boasted confidently to her friend, her eyes full of pride, while also feeling deeply moved inside.

It wasn't easy... it really wasn't easy. Ever since this old friend successfully took human form, she's always been one step ahead of me. Today, I finally get to use Lady Uka to show off in front of her. This feeling is so good.

"But you don't have to worry. Although Lord Owl is ruthless, he's not an unreasonable or heartless yokai, you know. He couldn't stand the impolite actions of those Leopard Cat Yokai just now, which is why he spoke up to stop them," Konkiku continued, her face not flushing and her heart not pounding.

"Wh-what! You mean he spoke up just now because of me?" The Cat Shop Owner was stunned by Konkiku's words.

"Of course~ Otherwise, why do you think his food just happened to be finished at that moment and he spoke to you?" Konkiku said matter-of-factly, and the Cat Shop Owner secretly nodded.

That's right. In that situation, speaking directly to her was clearly a provocation to that group of Leopard Cat Yokai. Who would believe it wasn't intentional?

To say he didn't notice that group of Leopard Cat Yokai? How could that be! That Yokai General released his demonic energy to intimidate everyone as soon as he entered. How could anyone not notice them?

Thinking of this, the Cat Shop Owner felt a jolt in her heart. She turned to look at Miketsu, who was eating a second serving of roasted wild boar at a nearby table, with a strange expression.

On the other side, Miketsu, completely unaware that she had become material for Konkiku's boasting, was focused on eating the second serving of roasted meat that had just been brought to her.

Finally, under the trembling gazes of the various yokai, Miketsu finished the food in front of her. She looked at the moonlight outside the window and felt it was time to go back.

Miketsu turned her head to Konkiku, who was whispering something to the Cat Shop Owner, and spoke.

"Konkiku..."

"Coming~ Lord Owl~"

Hearing Miketsu's call, Konkiku cheerfully ran to her side.

Hearing Konkiku's address to her just now, Miketsu was momentarily stunned. After a slight pause, she realized it was the new name she had just chosen for herself.

This little fox adopted the name right after it was chosen. Quite clever.

"The bill, please," Miketsu said to Konkiku. Before Konkiku could say anything, the Cat Shop Owner on the other side spoke first.

"This meal is on me."

Miketsu looked at the Cat Shop Owner in surprise. She saw her clasping her hands in front of her, her flickering green eyes looking at Miketsu.

It's free? That good? Just now, you seemed quite fond of money when you were grabbing Konkiku.

"Thank you so much for what happened just now. This meal is just a small token of my appreciation," the Cat Shop Owner said sincerely, bowing to Miketsu, which left Miketsu a little bewildered.

Thanks? Did I do something just now? I just ordered a meal, and that muscular cat-headed man charged at me. What happened next was his own doing.

"Oh dear~ How embarrassing," Konkiku was very happy to see this situation, because she didn't have to pay for this meal. Some of what she had said to the Cat Shop Owner earlier was boasting, and some was for this moment of a free meal.

Just kidding, I said all that to you earlier for this very moment. How could you possibly charge someone who is powerful and stood up for you?

The moment the Cat Shop Owner offered a free meal, Konkiku's inner plan was complete. Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

After this, Konkiku only settled her previous debts before preparing to leave the Izakaya with Miketsu. Just as they were about to walk out the door, the Cat Shop Owner suddenly called out to them again.

"Excuse me, how should I deal with this?"

Miketsu and Konkiku followed the Cat Shop Owner's gaze and saw a long, hairy arm with sharp claws. The severed end was covered in a layer of ice; it was the arm of that Leopard Cat Yokai.

Miketsu looked at the arm, thinking that she couldn't take it with her, nor could she let it fall back into the hands of those cat-headed men. So she said,

"Throw it into the wilderness for the wild beasts..."

With that, Miketsu and Konkiku walked out of the Izakaya without looking back. The other yokai inside the Izakaya all breathed a sigh of relief at this sight.

Miketsu came out of the Izakaya and stood by the riverbank again, looking at the bright moon in the sky, and nodded with satisfaction.

Full from eating. Time to go back.

...

Miketsu rode on the enlarged Konkiku, galloping swiftly through the dark wilderness. During this process, she quietly took out the Turbid Qi Orb, and together with Konkiku, they left the Demon Realm and returned to the Divine Realm.

"Lady Uka! How did you like Choyo-machi?" Konkiku asked Miketsu while galloping.

"Hmm... not bad," Miketsu said, her gentle voice restored. Although there were some minor incidents during this trip to Choyo-machi, overall it was quite good, which significantly changed her perception of yokai as a group.

They weren't all just man-eating monsters.

"To let me see the myriad aspects of yokai life, that was your ultimate purpose in bringing me to Choyo-machi, wasn't it, Konkiku?"

"Hehe~ You saw through me," Konkiku chuckled playfully, then said,

"That's right, my purpose was to let you see the lives of these yokai.

"Although Sister Tsuruha has shouldered the burden of Inari Mountain alone for a hundred years, which is admirable, sometimes she is too conservative and stubborn. Her understanding of yokai is too rigid, and I don't think that's a good thing. She has always stayed by your side, Lady Uka, and I, Konkiku, worry that you might one day be influenced by her to become like that.

"In recent decades, Heian-kyo has become increasingly turbulent. I believe that one day, Inari Mountain might be drawn into the crisis brewing in Heian-kyo. At that time, we cannot fight alone; we will need strength from all sides.