Gensokyo Detective, but surrounded by Shura Field

The four family elders' expressions softened slightly.

Being enveloped by this wide-area elemental collapse, even a great youkai would definitely suffer severe weakening.

But before they could even rejoice, they saw Chu Bai's figure slowly walking out of the magic circle.

"What? This is impossible!"

The tall elder's face changed drastically:

"You... how did you do it!?"

"It's simple."

Chu Bai still had a nonchalant attitude:

"Wide-area elemental collapse, this is a spell I learned at the age of 9, and by 11, I could cast it instantaneously on my own."

"I noticed this level of magic circle the moment I entered the Hieda family."

"So I just stomped my foot and changed a few elemental circuits, turning this magic circle into a 'Wide-Area Element Activation Magic Circle'... which is a magic circle that increases my positive buffs."

Saying this, Chu Bai shook his head with regret:

"Alright, the probing is almost done."

"If this dog-blood, classic face-slapping plot continues, I'm afraid the readers will complain."

"I've roughly come to the following conclusions:"

"First: To actually play magic in front of me, it's clear that your thinking ability has been severely weakened, which is the so-called IQ-reducing halo."

"Second: Your attitude changes are extremely unstable, indicating that something must be influencing your minds."

"Third: You are stalling for time here, secretly chanting a magic circle, while I am also stalling for time on my end."

"Presumably, at this time, Xiao Hei should have investigated almost every place."

Xiao Hei?

The four family elders then realized that the black-haired little girl who had been following Chu Bai was now nowhere to be seen.

"Then, let's end it here."

Chu Bai raised his hand, seemingly preparing to show no more mercy.

The four family elders' expressions changed in unison, and they sternly rebuked:

"How dare you! This is the Hieda family!"

"We have immunity; only the family head can determine our guilt!"

"You are an outsider; what right do you have to act recklessly?"

"They're right!"

"............Heh, only the family head can determine guilt?"

A cold and somewhat disappointed voice sounded from the side.

The family elders turned their heads and immediately saw that familiar figure.

Hieda no Akyuu was strolling over, walking slowly beside Xiao Hei.

Even after experiencing the rebellion, her expression was still calm, but her tone was full of regret:

"The once-renowned Hieda family has now fallen to the point of arguing for power and scheming."

"They even imprisoned me, the Child of Arayashiki, in the backyard, intending to usurp the position of family head."

"How dare you say that only the family head can determine guilt?"

Power struggles?

Is it really just such a simple matter?

Chu Bai raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Akyuu.

Akyuu gave him a look, signaling him to cooperate and not say too much.

Chu Bai retracted his gaze, returning to his previous triumphant expression of a victor.

But in his heart, he sighed heavily.

It seems that this time Akyuu's request... is probably not a simple matter...

Chapter 258: Shy Akyuu, Human Village War Erupts!

With Hieda no Akyuu, the family head, backing him up,

Chu Bai no longer had any reservations about taking action.

Before the three elders could protest, Chu Bai punched them all to the ground, one by one.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he used magic ropes to tie up all the Hieda family guards who were hostile and locked them in the woodshed.

"I apologize for showing you such an unworthy side of the Hieda family."

A moment later, inside Akyuu's bedroom.

The young family head bowed slightly, with a clear look of fatigue on her face.

Chu Bai waved his hand:

"You're too kind. Just consider it as repayment for the novel you recommended to me last time."

"Oh? Did you enjoy that novel?"

"Of course."

Chu Bai confidently gave a thumbs up:

"Especially that part where Optimus Prime drunkenly beats Ximen Qing, and Ultraman fights in the courtyard. It was so exciting and moving that I couldn't help but shed tears..."

"???"

Akyuu almost choked:

"There's no such plot in there! You didn't even read it at all!"

"Cough cough, I did read a little..."

Mainly because Chu Bai had been busy recently and didn't have time to leisurely read novels.

But this was originally just a means of exchanging pleasantries.

So Chu Bai took a sip of tea and decisively changed the subject:

"So, Akyuu, what exactly is happening in your family? I see this situation, and it's definitely not as simple as a power struggle, right?"

Akyuu nodded:

"That's right, of course, it's not a power struggle."

"Although I am the family head of the Hieda family, I only have a lifespan of 30 years each generation, and the remaining time is all controlled by the family elders."

"They themselves are equivalent to the highest authority in the Hieda family, so how can there be a power struggle?"

"Then what are they...?"

"I don't know the specifics."

Akyuu recalled:

"But not long ago, I vaguely felt that something unsettling seemed to have floated into the sky of Gensokyo."

"I originally thought it was just my imagination, but since I had that feeling, the people in the family gradually began to change."

"The guards gradually became rude and disrespectful, and the family elders even developed the intention of fighting for power."

"I tried to communicate with them, but they imprisoned me in the backyard. Most of the guards were turned against me at some point, and the few subordinates who were willing to follow me were also imprisoned."

"And as time went by, the subordinates who originally supported me gradually became as bizarre and tyrannical as them..."

Such a familiar scene made Chu Bai's eyes twitch uncontrollably.

He tried to ask Akyuu:

"Um, are the family elders usually skilled in scheming?"

"I guess so."

Akyuu nodded:

"After all, the Hieda family is considered a prestigious family. Those who can become family elders are naturally skilled in scheming..."

Confirmed!

Distorted personalities, obsessed with obsessions, full of negative emotions...

It really is related to the [Disaster] mentioned not long ago!

Could it be that the Human Village has already been affected by the disaster? Is this what Yakumo Yukari meant by there still being plenty of time?

Because this thing is too strange, and Chu Bai doesn't have any practical experience in dealing with it, there's a chance that he might get contaminated again.

So he decisively called out Yakumo Yukari's name:

"Hey, Yakumo Yukari, you were secretly watching from behind when we were talking, weren't you!"

There was no response.

Chu Bai raised an eyebrow and directly started shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Yakumo Yukari, you old hag——"

"Yakumo Yukari, you old gjdidnehxhgs..."

A smooth and delicate white foot suddenly stretched out from the gap and stomped hard on Chu Bai's head.

Chu Bai lost his balance and fell flat on his face, lying prostrate at Akyuu's feet.

"What are you shouting about!"

Yakumo Yukari poked half of her body out of the gap, looking annoyed.

Chu Bai was about to protest, but his eyes immediately went straight.

Yakumo Yukari seemed to be taking a bath, wearing a towel on her head and a bathrobe on her body. A faint mist of water overflowed from the other side of the gap, and her fair skin was faintly visible under the thin bathrobe, making hearts beat faster.

Chu Bai swallowed involuntarily:

"Yukari, you really don't treat me like an outsider..."

"...Heh, you always call me an old hag all day long. Have you finally realized my girlish charm?"

Seeing Chu Bai's somewhat embarrassed expression, Yakumo Yukari showed a satisfied look.

But when she saw Akyuu bowing and the situation of the Hieda family nearby, she put away her teasing thoughts for the time being:

"So you've already arrived here? You're quite fast."

Chu Bai raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Could this also be part of your plan?"

"Of course, after all, that letter of request for help from Akyuu was put in your mailbox by me."

Yakumo Yukari smiled lightly and then said telepathically:

"In addition to the Hieda family, the Human Village is also facing a series of problems. Just consider this a small test for you."

"If you can't even solve this little thing, how can you solve that more dangerous disaster?"

"I really thank you for that. You only give me these difficult problems."

Chu Bai sighed, and then he heard Yakumo Yukari continue to speak telepathically:

"Anyway, sooner or later, you will have to face that disaster. Just consider it practice in advance."