Demon Slayer: After raising Shinobu, I died in front of her.

"Yes, thank you."

Ling Chuanche nodded slightly, then lowered his head.

A brief silence fell over the room. A few seconds later, he looked up and found that Kagaya Ubuyashiki was still looking at him.

The gentle and refined lord gazed at him intently, his eyes filled with complex emotions—self-reproach, and profound sorrow: "Che, I'm sorry..."

“You don’t need to apologize to me,” Ling Chuanche said softly, his tone relieved. “From the day I joined the Demon Slayer Corps, I was prepared to sacrifice myself at any time. I am already very fortunate to have survived the demons. I am already very satisfied.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki clenched his fist on his knee, his voice trembling slightly: "This time you're back, just focus on being a support staff member."

The children have all grown up; you don't need to work as hard as you used to. Let Kanae and Shinobu take care of you, and rest peacefully.

"Why do you make it sound like I'm about to die?" Ling Chuanche smiled helplessly, then his smile faded and he said seriously, "Besides, I'm sorry I can't agree to what you've said."

He took a deep breath, his expression instantly becoming extremely serious: "I have something to tell you."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki paused for a moment, then asked, "What is it?"

Ling Chuanche pursed his lips, his gaze intense: "During this time, please do your best to help me find out the whereabouts of the Twelve Demon Moons. If you find anything, please notify me immediately. It would be best to send out all the uninvolved members of the Hidden Sect and low-level swordsmen to gather information."

Ling Chuanche's lips curled into a resolute smile: "I may not have much time left, so I must use my last days to kill as many evil spirits as possible, and preferably be able to personally kill one or two Upper Moons."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white: "Tetsu, you don't have to be like this..."

“My lord,” Ling Chuanche smiled, but his gaze was unwavering, “If I were to choose how I die, I would choose to die in battle against evil spirits, rather than on my sickbed.”

With that, he pushed back his chair and solemnly knelt down before Kagaya Ubuyashiki, his forehead almost touching the ground: "Please grant my request."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki clenched his fists tightly, looking at the tall yet tragic figure kneeling before him.

After a long silence, his tense shoulders relaxed, and he seemed to collapse instantly, letting out a helpless sigh: "You just got back..."

"The more demons I kill, the less danger Kanae and Shinobu will be in."

Ling Chuanche kept his head down, his voice calm yet heavy as a thousand pounds.

"...Let's wait for Ms. Tamayo's results first."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was silent for two seconds before saying softly, "If... it really comes to that, I will help you. But if there's still a chance..."

He raised his head, his gaze gentle yet unwavering, and looked at Ling Chuanche: "Then you must follow my arrangements."

Ling Chuanche was slightly taken aback: "Your arrangements? What other arrangements do you have for me?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression remained calm and composed as he simply replied, "Let's talk about it after Ms. Tamayo arrives."

……

Chapter 64 A Qualified Strongman

The group left their lord's house and went into the courtyard.

As soon as she came out, Kanae saw the little guy standing under the tree not far away, waiting anxiously.

"Kanao," she called softly.

"Sister!" Kanao, hearing the voice from afar, immediately ran over, tightly grasping Kanae's hand, her eyes red. "Sister, you're back! Master, he..."

Kanae gently patted her head and softly comforted her, "Master is still inside, he'll be out soon. Kanae will be able to see Master soon."

Upon hearing this, Kanao immediately turned her head, her gaze fixed on the door in the distance that was emitting a warm light.

……

"Hey, pull over, passerby."

Shinazugawa Sanemi walked out of the courtyard with his head down and a heavy heart.

As soon as I stopped, a cold voice came from behind me.

He suddenly turned his head and saw Shinobu Kocho standing not far away.

"Senior sister? A passerby...you mean me?" Shinazugawa Sanemi was somewhat taken aback, then bit his lip and hurriedly explained, "I didn't mean that inside just now, I just..."

"You don't need to explain." Ren's face was icy. "You did nothing wrong. But all I can say is that you are not my junior brother. From now on, we are strangers."

Sanemi Shinazugawa panicked instantly, standing frozen in place, at a loss for what to do: "No, Senior Sister, I'm just worried..."

"Alright." A gentle voice came from the side. Kanae walked to Shinobu's side, gently patted her head, and comforted her, "Shinobu, don't say anything. Sanemi didn't do anything wrong."

"If you didn't know your master's character, and you were in his shoes, would you be willing to accept an unknown demon into the Demon Slayer Corps?"

“But that’s Master!” Shinobu bit her lip and looked at Shinazugawa Sanemi. “It’s one thing if others don’t understand Master, but as his disciple, don’t you understand him?”

Sanemi Shinazugawa was speechless and could only stand there silently with his head down.

Not far away, watching this scene, Himejima Gyoumei and Uzui Tengen silently left.

Sabito and Giyu stood in the corner, watching calmly.

"Yiyong, I thought you weren't going to speak up for your senior brother just now." Sabito looked at the boy beside him and grinned.

“Even without us, our lord would have agreed.” Yi Yong’s expression was calm, with a slight smile on his lips. “Besides, I also trust my senior brother’s judgment.”

"Did you see that! Two outsiders unconditionally trust their senior brother! And you were still hesitating just now!" Shinobu overheard their words and became even angrier, pointing his finger at Shinazugawa Sanemi's nose and cursing.

Outsiders?

Sabito and Giyu's lips twitched slightly.

"How did we become outsiders? That's too much! We're clearly Cangzhu's junior brothers too..."

Shinobu ignored their complaints, put her hands on her hips, and glared fiercely at Shinazugawa Sanemi.

"I'm sorry," Shinazugawa Sanemi said in a muffled voice, his head bowed.

Of all the Demon Slayer Corps members, the only one who could make him willingly submit and not dare to contradict was this little devilish girl in front of him.

Kanae stood to the side, quietly watching her younger sister, her eyes moist.

Since his master left, Ren has always maintained a calm demeanor in front of others.

Only she, as the older sister, knew that Ren had been deliberately pushing herself to be strong, intentionally showing people that invincible side.

She really hasn't looked like this in a long time.

This is the true nature of Shinobu. With their master back, it's as if the sky above them has returned.

She no longer needs to pretend to be strong, which is great.

But then Kanae remembered the words she had heard that day, and her eyes dimmed.

"Humph!"

On the other side, Shinobu snorted coldly at Sanemi, turned her head away, and pretended not to want to look at him.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Shinazugawa Sanemi stood there, lacking confidence.

His master hasn't come out yet, and he doesn't know how to face him later.

Sanemi, Sanemi, tell me, what were you hesitating about just now?

Just then, footsteps were heard inside the house, and everyone looked over at the same time.

It was Ling Chuanche who came out of the house.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Amane escorted Toru Ryukawa to the door.

"Let's leave it here." Lingchuan Tetsu glanced at Ubuyashiki Kagaya, then at Amane who was supporting him. "You and Amane should go back and rest."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki ignored Toru Ayakawa's teasing, glanced at Shinobu behind Toru Ayakawa, and said meaningfully, "Toru, Shinobu has really missed you these days."

"……I know."

"Oh? You really know?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at him with a smile.

Ling Chuanche's eyes darkened, and he abruptly changed the subject: "After Miss Tamayo arrives, let her help you take care of your health."

I've seen her medical skills; perhaps she could have helped you prevent your condition from getting so bad.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki waved his hand dismissively: "I'll talk about my business later."

He glanced at the waiting figures behind him and said softly, "Go ahead. Everyone's waiting for you."

"Ah."

Ling Chuanche turned around and looked at the figures standing quietly under the moonlight, waiting for him. A gentle smile appeared on his face: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Master!"

"Senior brother!"

A crowd gradually gathered around.

Kanao followed behind her two older sisters. The little girl looked at Ling Chuanche with red eyes, wanting to rush over and throw herself into Ling Chuanche's arms, but seemed too afraid.

Ling Chuanche smiled, squatted down, and opened his arms.

"Kanao, come here."

Hearing him say that, Kanao, with red eyes, came to Lingchuan Tetsu and finally let her tears fall.

She tried to wipe away her tears, but the more she wiped, the more tears she shed.

"Master..."

Ling Chuanche sighed. He had gotten used to everyone crying when they saw him.

He squatted there quietly, stroking Kanao's head, waiting silently for her to calm down.

Shinobu and Kanae, watching from the side, also had tears in their eyes.

Ling Chuanche looked at the girl in front of him gently.

During the year I was away, it was clear that she was taken very well and was cherished and loved by her two older sisters.

She had grown quite a bit taller, and was wearing a beautiful little dress, a delicate butterfly hair accessory, and a pair of brand-new little leather boots.

This is the kind of outfit you'd only wear if you truly cherish her like a treasure.

Ling Chuanche gently stroked her head, his gaze suddenly falling on a red butterfly knot tied on Kanao's skirt.

"Kanao is still wearing this," Lingchuan Tetsu couldn't help but murmur.

It was a butterfly-shaped peace knot, which he bought himself to give to the three sisters.