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

He walked slowly at first, but as the distance closed, his steps became more and more hurried, and in the end he almost ran up to Ling Chuanche.

He stopped in front of Ling Chuanche, his chest heaving violently.

Those calloused hands, which had slain demons countless times, trembled slightly as they reached out, first pressing heavily on Ling Chuanche's shoulder, and then carefully stroking his cheek.

The warm touch from his fingertips confirmed to him that the person in front of him was not an illusion or a dream.

"I'm back, Master," Ling Chuanche said softly, lowering his eyes.

"It's good that you're back..." Unable to hold back any longer, turbid tears welled up in Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes and slid down his deeply lined cheeks.

Those eyes churned with a complex mix of emotions: the ecstasy of something lost and found, the relief of a weight lifted from one's shoulders, and an overwhelming tenderness.

He simply patted Ling Chuanche's shoulder forcefully, and all his unspoken words were reduced to a hoarse murmur: "It's good that you're back, child."

......

Inside the wooden cabin, the fire crackled, its warm light dispelling the chill of the night.

Lingchuan Tetsu and Urokodaki Sakonji sat facing each other, while Shinobu knelt quietly behind Lingchuan Tetsu. Kanae picked up the teapot and poured steaming hot tea for the two of them.

"...That's how it happened."

Ling Chuanche picked up his teacup and began to recount his near-death experiences and various encounters during this period.

"I had planned to visit you at Sagiri Mountain sometime, but I never expected you to come all this way on your own."

“Saburo and Giyu told me yesterday that you were back.”

Urokodaki Sakonji put down his teacup, his voice still trembling slightly, "I rushed over here last night."

Ling Chuanche lowered his head slightly, his tone full of guilt: "I'm sorry, teacher, I made you worry."

"You have nothing to apologize for."

Urokodaki Sakonji sighed deeply, his gaze falling on the tea in front of him.

The clear water reflected his weathered face.

As the trainer of the Demon Slayer Corps, he taught many disciples throughout his life, but only Lingchuan Tetsu was the special one.

This special quality has nothing to do with talent or strength, but rather because he poured the most effort into the child whose eyes were filled with hatred when they first met.

Despite countless days and nights of rigorous teaching, even though he bluntly stated that the child lacked talent, he never once had the thought of giving up.

Their relationship had long transcended the boundaries of master and disciple; it was more like that of a father and son bound by blood.

One was taciturn, the other didn't like to talk, but always expressed himself through actions.

However, these two personalities created a bond of kinship that transcended blood ties.

"The Devourer's Physique... I've heard that people with this physique are not suited to practicing breathing techniques; nine out of ten people can't master it. No wonder you were so slow in mastering breathing techniques at first..."

Urokodaki Sakonji looked at Lingchuan Tetsu in front of him and smiled: "You are the real genius. It is my honor to be your teacher."

Ling Chuanche was taken aback: "But you kept saying that I wasn't talented enough, that I wasn't suitable to join the Demon Slayer Corps, and that even if I did, I would just be throwing my life away."

Urokodaki Sakonji's face darkened: "You brat! You think this isn't going to end here?!"

As he spoke, he picked up the Nichirin Blade beside him and tapped Lingchuan Tetsu's head with the back of the blade, but he didn't use much force.

Urokodaki Sakonji, his face dark with anger, said, "I only said this to you back then, but who knew that all these years you'd always start by saying your talent is lacking?"

Do you know how many people have thought I'm getting old and senile over the years?

Ling Chuanche lowered his head, not daring to refute.

Shinobu and Kanae, standing to the side, lowered their heads and shrugged their shoulders, trying desperately to hold back their laughter, but they couldn't help it at all.

Having known my master for so long, this is the first time I've ever seen him get beaten.

What are your plans for the future?

After a moment of calm, Urokodaki Sakonji asked.

Ling Chuanche thought for a moment: "Continue killing demons."

Urokodaki Sakonji's hand paused for a moment.

His disciple had escaped death, and of course he hoped that his disciple would live a peaceful and safe life from now on, but he also knew that was impossible.

He knows his own disciple's personality best.

Ling Chuanche is a very good-tempered person, but he is exceptionally stubborn. Once he has made up his mind about something, no one can change it.

His disciple was determined to kill the evil spirit who murdered his sister, and also...

Urokodaki Sakonji's gaze fell on Shinobu and Kanae behind Ryukawa Tetsu.

Because it was too late, Kanao was ordered to go back to sleep by Shinobu, who used the excuse that she was not allowed to stay up late.

"Kanae and Shinobu have both grown up!"

Urokodaki Sakonji sighed.

When Mingming first met these two little ones, they were still children.

As a result, in the blink of an eye, one of these two little guys has become the Flower Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, and the other is about to become a Pillar as well.

Ling Chuanche smiled slightly: "I remember the first time I brought them to you, Ren and Yiyong got into an argument and almost fought."

"Hahahaha!"

Urokodaki Sakonji couldn't help but laugh.

Ren felt a little embarrassed, lowered her head, and secretly poked the soft flesh on her master's waist: "Master, why are you bringing up my past?"

Kanae, who was standing to the side, covered her mouth and chuckled as she watched this scene.

After a moment of laughter, the atmosphere had eased.

Urokodaki Sakonji asked with a slightly serious expression, "You don't have any hidden injuries, do you?"

Each of the twelve demon moons is incredibly powerful, with the Upper Moon demons being monsters in particular. Over the years, Ayakawa Tetsu is the only one who has fought an Upper Moon demon and survived.

Ling Chuanche clenched his fist: "No, it's just that I was too weak. If I could have held out longer, I could have killed that evil spirit and taken my revenge..."

A hand gently rested on the back of Ling Chuanche's hand.

Lingchuan Che was startled and turned his head to look. Shinobu and Kanae were both looking at him.

Ren said seriously, "There will be a chance, Master. We will definitely kill those guys in the future! When that time comes, we will settle all our old and new scores with them!"

Let's make them pay for everything we've suffered over the years!

Ling Chuanche helplessly reached out and tapped Ren's little head: "It's not your place to comfort me, your teacher."

Despite saying that, Ling Chuanche's mood had improved considerably.

Chapter 76 The Discovery of Shinobu

In the stillness of the night, the night wind carried a chilling cold.

Lingchuan Tetsu and Urokodaki Sakonji sat side by side under the eaves, listening to the occasional chirping of insects in the distance.

Shinobu and Kanae had already gone back to their room to rest, and the entire courtyard was so quiet that only their steady breathing could be heard.

"Do Sabito and Giyu know you're here?" Ling Chuanche asked softly, gazing at the night sky.

"They knew I was coming, but they probably don't know I've already arrived." Urokodaki Sakonji's voice sounded particularly gentle in the night. "It's too late, so I won't bother them. I'm relieved to see you're alright."

“…Stay a few more days.” Ling Chuan Che lowered his head, his voice as soft as a breeze that might dissipate at any moment.

Urokodaki Sakonji turned to look at him: "What?"

Ling Chuanche pursed his lips and remained silent.

He just felt that if the teacher left now, he might never see him again.

Urokodaki Sakonji keenly sensed something, and he reached out and grabbed Lingchuan Tetsu's wrist.

His fingers, which had been wielding a knife for years, rested on his pulse and began to carefully examine his body.

After a moment, the old man frowned. "No injury." He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as he stared at the disciple beside him. "Then why did you make that expression?"

Ling Chuanche was stunned.

Did he show any expression?

Then, he lowered his eyes helplessly.

Sure enough, he could put on a perfect act in front of others, but in front of his master, he was ultimately not suited to lying and hiding.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Urokodaki Sakonji's expression immediately turned serious: "What are you hiding from me?"

But seeing his disciple's tense shoulders, he slowly closed his eyes and sighed, "Never mind, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't."

"……teacher."

Ling Chuanche turned his head and looked at the old man with graying hair in front of him. His lips trembled, and his voice carried a hint of barely concealed sob: "Do you know... the markings?"

A hint of confusion flashed in Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes.

"During the battle with Upper Moon One... I awakened my Demon Slayer Mark." Lingchuan Tetsu's throat felt like it was blocked by a wad of waterlogged cotton. He opened his mouth with difficulty, then abruptly turned his head and covered his eyes with his hands.

"Swordsmen who awaken their markings will have their physical abilities greatly enhanced, but... they won't live past 25. The doctor who saved me said that my body has reached its limit and I could die at any moment."

Urokodaki Sakonji stared blankly at his disciple beside him, his mouth slightly agape, as if struck by lightning, seemingly not understanding the meaning of his words: "You... what did you say..."

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to hide it from you..." Ling Chuanche closed his eyes tightly in pain, and hot tears could no longer be held back and burst out from between his fingers.

He did not cry when facing Upper Moon One, knowing he was about to die; he did not cry when he was saved and saw his disciples safe and sound; he did not cry when he saw his former comrades again.

But now, facing his master, the defenses he had been holding up in his heart completely collapsed.

He carried far too much on his shoulders, and had been suppressing it for far too long.

He is the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. The awe, worship, and trust that everyone has for him are like heavy shackles, firmly nailing him to the altar.

He never represented himself. In front of his disciples, he was an omnipotent master who had to be their role model at all times. In front of his teammates, he was a powerful fighting force and a sharp blade to slay demons.

Only in front of Urokodaki Sakonji, the old man who raised and embraced him, could he shed his indestructible armor and become his vulnerable self again.

Ling Chuanche covered his eyes tightly, his shoulders trembling violently. He desperately suppressed his sobs deep in his throat, not daring to make a loud sound: "I'm not afraid of death... but I'm afraid of making more people sad because of my death."

Shinobu and Kanao are still so young. What will they do if they encounter demons they can't defeat after I'm gone...?