Returning to the courtyard of Eientei, Lin Luo's first sight was the listless Reisen Udongein Inaba, sighing and sweeping the grounds as if someone owed her eight million yen and refused to pay up. "What's wrong?

Did that schemer-rabbit bully you again, or are you another one of Eirin's test subjects?" Lin Luo approached, gently patting her shoulder, and asked with a smile. Reisen turned, shooting him a look, "You're the one being bullied by the schemer-rabbit, you're Eirin's test subject!" "Aren't you?

Otherwise, why do you look like that?" Lin Luo asked, puzzled. The moment this was brought up, Reisen seemed to have hit a sore spot, her expression twisting into a grimace of gritted teeth, "It's all because of that shrine maiden who’s completely consumed by desire!

I wasn't disturbing the populace, nor was I selling counterfeits; I was openly selling medicine in the village. The moment she heard I was selling breast enhancement medicine, that horny shrine maiden claimed I was operating without a license, seriously violating the public order of Gensokyo, and forcibly confiscated all my medicine...

Tell me, isn't that simply too much?!" "Ah!" Even Lin Luo was momentarily stunned by those words. He had long heard Yumemi mention that Reimu happily brought home a pile of pills yesterday.

He had assumed she bought them from Reisen, but he hadn't expected... she used her authority as a magistrate to confiscate them by force!

Thinking of Reisen being bullied and suppressed by Reimu, the great magistrate, Lin Luo was filled with sympathy for her and couldn't help but say, "Reimu probably didn't confiscate your medicine because you were disrupting the peace of Gensokyo; it’s more likely she just really likes that medicine herself." "That's why I call her the horny shrine maiden! Back when I used to sell Master's strange potions, she wouldn't even glance at them.

This was the first time I managed to start my own business... Sigh, my painstakingly crafted medicine was all embezzled by that flat-chested, lustful shrine maiden.

It infuriates me!" Reisen spat out hatefully, looking as if she was ready to storm off and fight Reimu to the death. Lin Luo glanced at her, thinking that if it came down to chest measurements, Reisen would absolutely win, but when it came to fighting, Reisen likely had no hope in this lifetime.

Lin Luo sighed internally, mourning for Reisen for three seconds, then said, "You're something else too. Since you already knew Reimu is flat-chested, why sell medicine in the village?

Why not go directly to the shrine or the Scarlet Devil Mansion? Wouldn't the effect be better?

If your first customer was Reimu, even if she has no principles, she wouldn't have snatched all your medicine, right?" "The Scarlet Devil Mansion wouldn't be an issue, but..." Here, Reisen looked at Lin Luo with deep confusion, "Do you think that shrine maiden, who can barely afford underwear, can afford high-end breast enhancement medicine?" "Ugh!" Lin Luo was immediately silenced. While he was loath to belittle Reimu, she truly was both flat-chested and poor; she absolutely couldn't afford it!

"Sigh, it was my mistake, really. If I had offered her a few pills first to curry favor, maybe this wouldn't have happened." Reisen sighed, then the corner of her mouth curled up into a sinister smile, "But now that it's done, I won't let that shrine maiden off easily.

Tomorrow, I'll take Master's strange potions to the shrine and trick her into thinking it's Breast Enhancement Medicine No. 2.

She definitely won't pass it up and will surely claim it for herself. Once she takes Master's strange medicine, she'll suffer vomiting and diarrhea...

Hahahaha!" Listening to Reisen's arrogant laughter, which vastly contradicted her usual demeanor, Lin Luo felt like he was witnessing the birth of a second schemer-rabbit. But then, he promptly patted her shoulder and kindly reminded her, "I won't interfere with you plotting against Reimu right in front of me, but I have to say one thing: you keep mentioning 'Master's strange medicine' this and 'Master's strange medicine' that.

Aren't you afraid Eirin will overhear you?" "What does it matter? Master isn't at Eientei today," Reisen said dismissively.

Lin Luo immediately felt helpless. He instinctively turned her body around, making her face the path leading into Eientei, and suppressing a smile, said, "Who do you see coming there?" "Ah!!" The smile on Reisen's face instantly froze.

She looked as if she had seen a monster, pure terror in her eyes. In reality, she had indeed seen a monster, because the person approaching from the opposite direction was none other than Eirin Yagokoro.

"Um... Master, w-why are you back?" Reisen recovered from her petrified state, but she was already trembling all over, forcing an awkward, bitter smile, "Didn't you say you were going to consult with Shinki about the pharmacology of the Makai?" Lin Luo was somewhat impressed by her mental fortitude that she could articulate a coherent sentence at this moment.

Eirin Yagokoro walked forward expressionlessly, saying, "Yes, but I suddenly remembered I forgot to pack some specific medicinal ingredients, so I came back for them specifically. I just didn't expect..." As she spoke, a "kind" smile spread across her face, "I didn't expect my good apprentice would be badmouthing me behind my back!

What exactly is this 'Master's strange medicine' you mentioned? And what's this about vomiting and diarrhea?

Are you implying my medicine only causes sickness? You had better give me a thorough explanation!" "I-I was wrong, Master!

I wasn't badmouthing you, I was just stating the facts," Looking at that devilish smile, Reisen nearly broke down, her speech becoming a jumble. Lin Luo felt this poor rabbit was doomed...

The phrase 'stating the facts' was the last thing she should have uttered! Indeed, Eirin, whose smile had been devilish, evolved into a demonic grin after hearing Reisen's words, nearly scaring the rabbit into wetting herself.

"Heh heh, so you were just stating the facts!" Eirin patted Reisen's shoulder, her smile becoming increasingly ingrained, and unlike the young mistress, Eirin always carried an aura of absolute authority. Thus, Reisen couldn't utter another word, tears practically brimming.

However, Eirin did not continue to torment Reisen at that moment. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Lin Luo, her expression suddenly serious, "The Princess has left?" "Mhm, I just came out," Lin Luo nodded.

"That's a real bother, Lin Luo. As the Princess's guard, this task should have fallen to me, but unfortunately, due to my status, I cannot personally intervene," Eirin sighed.

Although Eirin Yagokoro usually kept her powers hidden, anyone with a bit of understanding about her knew the terrifying strength possessed by this genius who had once completely defeated Yukari Yakumo. Furthermore, with the cultivation system relayed by Youyou, while primarily for the Host, most of Gensokyo benefited, and Eirin, having the closest relationship with Kaguya, benefited immensely.

From Lin Luo's perspective, Eirin Yagokoro's current power was in no way inferior to a Host of Lily's caliber; she was fully qualified to confront one of the two great Consciousnesses. However, because she was a part of Gensokyo, she couldn't offer any direct assistance.

"It's nothing, it’s my duty," Lin Luo chuckled. Eirin nodded, dropping the topic.

But then her brow furrowed, and she asked, "Speaking of which, was that disgusting masked man from yesterday you?" "Eh!" Lin Luo was startled internally, but his face remained impassive. "How could that be?

If I had been there, I would have been the first to go up and beat that masked man." "Oh, so it wasn't you. I initially thought the masked man's level of disgust was comparable to yours, so I suspected it was you.

It seems my intuition was wrong. My apologies," Eirin said with a hint of disappointment.

Your intuition is quite accurate, but disparaging me right in front of me is very dangerous. Don't think that just because you are an ancient monster who has lived for hundreds of millions of years, I wouldn't dare to take you down and humiliate you...

Looking at the soft-skinned, seventeen-year-old appearance of Eirin Yagokoro, Lin Luo inwardly grumbled. Of course, his inner monologue remained his own.

He didn't let any of his wicked thoughts show on his face. After chatting for a few more superficial sentences, he turned to take his leave...

After all, once he secured Kaguya, no one—not Eirin Yagokoro, not Reisen Udongein Inaba—would escape his clutches, just as securing Reimu and Yukari Yakumo came with the entire territory of Gensokyo as a bonus. Wait, when did the parameters change?

Wasn't the initial agreement just to secure Reimu? Lin Luo walked away from Eientei, lost in a jumble of thoughts, but the scream of the rabbit echoing from behind him, coupled with Eirin's roar, made him mourn for Reisen once more.

"Sigh, I seem to be mourning quite a bit today. Is tragedy about to unfold?" Lin Luo muttered to himself, considering that since Reimu had snatched all of Reisen's medicine, it meant Reimu now possessed aphrodisiacs.

Given her low intellect, she probably couldn't distinguish between breast enhancement medicine and aphrodisiacs. Lin Luo figured that returning to the Hakurei Shrine now might lead to some highly entertaining developments.

However, according to the usual tropes of third-rate novels, these entertaining events are often interrupted midway. Take this moment, for instance: just as Lin Luo was preparing to head back to the Hakurei Shrine, an aura that caught his attention suddenly emanated from a specific direction.

Lin Luo looked in that direction and quickly pinpointed the location... the Sunflower Field!

"Thinking about it, having keen senses isn't always a good thing," Lin Luo lamented inwardly, deciding to put the potential excitement on hold and headed toward the Sunflower Field. A moment later, Lin Luo arrived at his destination.

Looking at this familiar place, he couldn't help but recall the scene when he confessed to Yuuka Kazami. Then he saw Yuuka Kazami lying in the field with her eyes closed, looking as if she were taking an afternoon nap.

So she is the Host... A voice echoing in his mind confirmed the news he had already heard: the Host of World Heart No.

18, the Heart of the Verdant Shade, was indeed Yuuka Kazami. Green?

A sea of green... Could it be her?

Lin Luo's heart suddenly stirred, wondering to himself before walking forward without drawing attention. Yuuka Kazami seemed not to notice his approach, still sleeping peacefully.

Yuuka when asleep possessed a completely different temperament than when awake—serene, graceful, and tranquil, giving off a feeling of merging with nature while remaining approachable. Just looking at her, if Lin Luo hadn't known her beforehand, it would have been hard to imagine her as the Lord of the Four Seasons Flowers, one of the top fighters in Gensokyo; she looked more like an ordinary girl enjoying a sunbath during her nap.

He hadn't brought a parasol today. Although the sun wasn't intense, strangely, there was a scent of gunpowder lingering, and the red vest she wore was slightly torn.

Had she fought someone recently? Lin Luo didn't disturb her, instead sitting down beside her, observing her quietly, deep in thought.

As he watched, for some inexplicable reason, Lin Luo suddenly felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen Yuuka's sleeping posture long ago, though he couldn't recall when. Moreover, he clearly remembered that during his last visit to Gensokyo, he hadn't had such intimate contact with Yuuka.

Lin Luo felt somewhat lost, yet simultaneously recalled a few things. For a moment, he lost focus and unconsciously reached out, letting his hand hover over Yuuka's head, gently brushing across the tips of her hair.

There really is a sensation! This simple action confirmed for Lin Luo that he had indeed shared a more intimate connection with Yuuka Kazami, though, just as before, he couldn't pinpoint exactly when.

"Hm?!" Although Lin Luo's movement was light, for a powerful Youkai like Yuuka Kazami, it was enough to cause alarm. She suddenly snapped her eyes open, emitting a sharp glare.

In an instant, the atmosphere of ease vanished, replaced by sudden heaviness. The brief burst of domineering aura felt like a waking monster, causing fear, and even the surrounding flowers and grass trembled.

It was fortunate that only Lin Luo was in the flower field; any weaker individual would have likely fainted from fright. But the dominance came and went quickly.

Upon seeing that it was Lin Luo, Yuuka's lips suddenly curled upward in a cute, childlike smile. However, this smile vanished almost instantly, replaced by an expression of detachment and indifference.

"It's you. Since you're here, you should have spoken up sooner," Yuuka sat up and stated blandly, her voice betraying no joy or sorrow.

"My apologies for disturbing you." Lin Luo offered an awkward smile. Although his previous action was unconscious, it was somewhat presumptuous, and touching her head might be fine with a little girl, but for an ancient Youkai like Yuuka Kazami, it was clearly rude.

Yet, amidst his awkwardness, Lin Luo felt a bit strange. In that brief moment...

did Yuuka smile? And a smile as innocent as a child's?

Was it an illusion? It must have been an illusion.

Lin Luo reasoned that he must have experienced visual confusion while distracted, perhaps superimposing Mimei's smile onto Yuuka's face. After all, Yuuka, given her status, showing a childlike smile was utterly preposterous.

"It’s nothing. I was just dreaming," Yuuka said indifferently, her gaze fixed in the distance, a flicker of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

"..." Although Lin Luo had sensed Yuuka's aura coming from the Sunflower Field earlier, which prompted him to check, Yuuka's current display of detachment and distance, so unlike her usual self, left him momentarily speechless. He felt like this Yuuka was a completely different person from the one two years ago.

"Do you have anything you want to say?" Lin Luo remained silent, but Yuuka spoke first, turning to face him with a serious expression. "Um..." Lin Luo scratched his head, then stated a useless platitude, "The weather is nice today." Though the statement was trite, it served a purpose; at least Yuuka's severe expression relaxed.

She shot him a look and said, "Yes, it's perfect for a nap. Too bad it was interrupted by someone." Didn't you just say it was nothing...

Lin Luo felt aggrieved internally. Remembering the serene expression on Yuuka's face while she slept, which seemed like she was having a pleasant dream, he couldn't help but ask, "By the way, what were you dreaming about just now?" "What?

Can you interpret dreams?" Yuuka asked dismissively. "Sort of.

Dreams spring from the heart. What a person dreams of is largely related to their current state of mind.

For instance, someone eagerly hoping for success will have pleasant dreams; someone worrying about a person will have nightmares; someone nostalgic will have memory dreams, and so on," Lin Luo explained with a smile. In this regard, possessing the Eighth Consciousness gave him considerable standing, certainly more accurate than the Duke of Zhou's dream interpretations.

Initially, Yuuka appeared disdainful, but her expression briefly paused upon hearing 'memory dreams' before quickly returning to normal. "It wasn't anything major.

I just suddenly dreamed of some old memories." "What old memories?" "Very ancient memories. That is...

never mind. You wouldn't understand even if I told you," Yuuka started, then casually cut off the topic.

Though Lin Luo was interested, since Yuuka didn't want to talk about it, he didn't press further. "Would you like to come over to my place for a bit?" After a brief silence, Yuuka suddenly asked.

"Your place?" Lin Luo was taken aback, replying stupidly, "You have a home?" Yuuka looked at him as if he were an idiot, showing undisguised contempt, "Your IQ seems low today." "I feel the same way." Lin Luo didn't deny it. For some reason, facing Yuuka today, his IQ had plummeted by 250 points; he struggled to form sentences, even though he had been teasing the rabbit just moments ago.

However, Lin Luo didn't find his own confusion strange. Yuuka was the type of person who perpetually lived a boring and monotonous existence of 'admiring flowers...

sleeping... waking up...

admiring flowers,' day after day, year after year. Furthermore, as a Flower Youkai, she lived under the heavens and on the earth; why would such a being need a house?

More importantly, the Sunflower Field contained no structures. Yet, despite this, Yuuka claimed to have a home.

"My home is rather special; ordinary people can't find it. I'm not specifically inviting you there, but I suddenly feel a bit tired, and I'm embarrassed to leave you alone here...

It's a matter of Youkai etiquette." Yuuka explained the reason for bringing Lin Luo to her home as she walked ahead. Hearing these words, Lin Luo eyed her strangely, sensing a weird déjà vu.

After a long moment, he finally understood and asked in shock, "Yuuka, are you... a Tsundere?" Bang!

Yuuka delivered a punch faster than lightning, and one of Lin Luo's eyes turned into a panda eye. "My apologies, I won't call you a Tsundere again." Bang!

Lin Luo became a panda...