Midnight Prince: Empire of Sin

In the silent streets of the Korean part of Los Angeles, known widely as K-Town, a car was slowly advancing before aligning itself in the parking space of the bar. Surrounding the car from all sides, women in black, wearing black glasses despite the night time, were standing in rows to help and welcome the personage inside the car. They had also gone to the lengths of arranging a red carpet for the esteemed guest who was about to arrive.

When the car finally stopped, the driver walked out before respectfully opening the Limousine door at the back.

"Oh my, I expected a more vibrant atmosphere. I must say, I am quite disappointed right now."

Inari spoke quietly as she admired the surroundings. While it was in a rather hidden part of the city, she had to admit that this place was quite imposing all things considered.

Beyond the simple appearance of the establishment, there were so many wards all around the place that she could only imagine just how much must have been invested in this place to make it into the fortress that she was able to witness with those eyes of hers.

"I guess the Jukugo is really skilled."

The Jukugo was the general term used to refer to the sacrifice that kept the peace between the Feng Family and the Hanekawa family for ages. The concept of the sacrifice was nothing short of being useless in her eyes, however. It was a practice from an olden time that had no significance in the modern world. Even more so since the Feng Family was not what it once had been during the age-old times of their prosperity.

'I wonder if I should end that family in this generation?'

'The Feng family is declining, should I give my help for old times' sake?'

Despite the constant contradictory thoughts that were flowing inside her mind, Inari continued to walk with a smile on her face, her emotions not even fluctuating as she observed the way the guards kept a strict distance from her at all times.

She appreciated this fastidious attitude of theirs and the diligence with which they were abiding by their orders. This showed that the Jukogo was not stupid enough to underestimate her even though she should not be able to have a full understanding of her strength and skills. The cautious nature of the Jukogo pleased her to some extent.

"How interesting."

She did not have much more interest than that in this situation or the Jukogo in question. Whether the Jukugo thrived or failed, ascended or fell to the depths of hell, all of this had nothing to do with her.

'Poor child. I should have treated her like my Tsubasa, I should have treated her better.'

'I have no relationship with the Jukugo, delivering my egg for her conception does not make me her mother.'

Inari kept her smile, still walking elegantly, clad in her white and crimson Kimono and a veil covering her face at all times.

No matter how one looked at her, she simply seemed to be from an old drama movie. The fragile or the queen who needed to be protected at all times by her king. However, no matter how she looked or what kind of picture her appearance portrayed in one's mind, no one dared to look down at her. Not even for a single second.

In fact, whenever she walked, the guards that Yui had gathered and prepared for her arrival had to fight the natural urge they had to kneel before her and pledge their eternal allegiance and loyalty to her name.

Inari silently shook her head after clearly seeing the struggle inside the eyes of the women surrounding her. This was one of the reasons why she could not freely walk out as she wished to do so. If she took a step into a place filled with humans, only Chaos would ensue. Nothing more, nothing less. She was often deemed as the incarnation of Calamity itself for a reason, after all.

She had expected the soldiers of the Jukugo to be of higher quality but it seemed like she had been expecting too much from one so young in age and experience.

When she finally reached the door, someone else opened it for her, almost on instinct. But Inari did not care for the gesture of respect that was thrown her way.

This was normal. This was her daily life. Nothing special or worthy of note.

The interior of the bar, like the exterior that she had just walked through, was mostly empty… save for the few people who were waiting to serve her or were cleaning the place and adjusting things to set up the mood for her arrival.

"I thought you would not come to see me."

"I was surprised you came to visit my humble bar. However, I still need to show basic manners."

Inari ignored everything surrounding her and her gaze landed squarely on the one occupied seat of the large structure that she got herself into— a woman with dull long black hair, nestled into twin buns, was sitting on the occupied seat with her legs crossed. Her body was adorned with a traditional red qipao with the insignia of a Chinese dragon, designed in golden threads, and inscribed on the front and back.

The eyes of Inari curved slightly at the sight that registered in her eyes, "It seems like your rank in the Celestial court has increased somewhat."

"I reached a new step in my cultivation and purified more of my blood essence. I was able to reach a new level thanks to that."

The two talked calmly, but for anyone present, it was not hard to pick on the tension that was ever present between the duo.

"I am hurt. You do not even invite me to a seat? I believe I raised you better."

"Raised me?"

A faint chuckle graced her lips at those words before she started speaking in response, "Suiko-sama did raise me. She never treated me badly and I am sure that even without the blood of the Celestial Tiger flowing inside me, she would have treated me well. But you? You are not Suiko. Do you even remember my name?"