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

Kyojuro's voice lowered: "After that, my father became an alcoholic and depressed man, and never participated in any missions of the Demon Slayer Corps again."

Ling Chuanche listened quietly, his thoughts drifting back to the past.

Rengoku Makijuro, the previous Flame Pillar.

He had been semi-retired for several years, and although he was known as the Flame Pillar, he rarely attended Pillar-level meetings.

Ling Chuanche didn't have a deep impression of him; he only remembered that he was an extremely powerful man.

After having a wife and children, he devoted all his responsibilities to his family.

Ling Chuanche could not comment on his choice; everyone has their own path to walk.

But in his memory, Makijuro was an extremely warm and cheerful person who had proudly shown off his two children to him.

But now, when we hear news of him again, we find that the once spirited man has become an alcoholic who drowns his sorrows in alcohol.

Ling Chuanche put down his teacup: "So, you want me to help you persuade your father?"

"No!"

Kyojuro suddenly raised his head, his bright eyes burning with an inextinguishable flame.

"I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps! I want to take my father's place and become the new Flame Pillar!"

The courtyard fell silent instantly, with only the boy's resounding vow echoing in the air.

Ling Chuanche picked up his teacup, took a sip of the warm tea, and did not reply immediately.

Seeing that Lingchuan Tetsu remained silent, Rengoku Kyojuro straightened up again, bowed deeply with an extremely solemn expression, and said, "Lord Azure Pillar, I know that my current strength is still far from enough to become the Flame Pillar, and I am far from being able to inherit that glory. Therefore, I would like to ask you to teach me!"

Ling Chuanche gently set down his teacup, his tone remaining calm: "You really want to become a Pillar?"

"Yes!" Kyojuro answered without hesitation, his voice slightly lowered, "Father is now deeply grieving over Mother's passing and is spending his days in despair."

I don't want others to see his current state and forget his past strength and sacrifices.

Therefore, I must inherit the name of the Flame Pillar. Once I become the new Flame Pillar, no one will criticize my father anymore!

Looking at the boy in front of him, Lingchuan Tetsu said calmly, "Then you can go find Makijuro. He was the previous Flame Pillar, and no one in this world is more suitable to teach you than him."

Kyojuro remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head slightly, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes: "Because of Mother's passing... Father is no longer willing to communicate with anyone else."

Ling Chuanche looked quietly at the boy in front of him: "What if I refuse you?"

Kyojuro paused for a moment, then looked up. He showed no sign of discouragement or retreat; instead, he met Ayakawa Tetsu's gaze with a bright and confident smile: "Then I'll try my best! I will absolutely not give up!"

"Oh."

......

As night deepened, a carriage silently glided into the Demon Slayer Corps' base.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road without making a sound, and finally came to a steady stop in front of a secluded courtyard.

The hidden member stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said respectfully, "We've arrived. You may come out now."

Inside the carriage, just as Tamayo was about to reach out and lift the brocade curtain, Yushiro beside her suddenly stood up.

"Lady Tamayo, please wait a moment!" he said in a low voice, his expression tense. "I'll go down and scout ahead for you."

Tamayo gave him a helpless look. This silly child, they'd already reached their base; even if they were going to make a move, why wait until now?

But she nodded gently and let him go.

Yushiro carefully jumped down from the carriage, cautiously looked around to make sure it was safe, then turned around and gently lifted the curtain, whispering, "You may get off now, Lady Tamayo."

A helpless smile appeared on Tamayo's lips as she slowly stepped down from the carriage.

The night breeze was slightly cool. As soon as she looked up, she saw two figures standing not far away.

The moonlight shone on them; the man and woman stood side by side, like an ordinary couple.

Yet that composure and tranquility also exuded an indescribable majesty.

"You are..." Tamayo frowned slightly, her gaze falling on the man's face.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled slightly, a gentle and calm smile, as if he had been waiting for a long time: "Welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps, Ms. Tamayo."

I am Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the lord of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Chapter 80 The Hostility of Ren

“I am truly grateful that you trusted us and chose to come here.”

The candlelight flickered inside, and Tamayo and Yushiro had been invited to sit. They were seated opposite Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Tamayo remained calm and replied softly, "I simply believe in Mr. Tetsu."

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gentle eyes.

Coincidentally, so was he.

Tamayo's gaze subtly surveyed the person before her.

Is this the lord of the Demon Slayer Corps?

For thousands of years, the leader of this organization, which has been fighting to the death against Muzan Kibutsuji, is so young... yet so weak.

A lingering gloom seemed to shroud his pale, almost transparent face.

"My lord, where is Mr. Tetsu?" Tamayo asked, withdrawing her gaze.

"Teru is on his way. Before he arrives, there are a few things I would like to ask Ms. Tamayo to tell you in advance."

"Please speak."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki lowered his eyes slightly, his tone revealing a hint of undisguised worry: "Ms. Tamayo, you should know about Toru's physical condition."

"You mean..."

"Stripes".

Tamayo was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed deeply, his voice heavy with expectation: "I want to ask you, is there a solution?"

"I don't have a definitive conclusion yet," Tamayo said carefully. "But based on my research over this period of time, since Mr. Tetsu is now safe and sound and the side effects of the marks have not appeared as expected, I speculate that it is very likely that the recovery effect brought about by his special physique has offset the cost of the marks."

She paused, then continued her analysis: "The Upper Moon One that Mr. Tetsu encountered last time was originally a swordsman from the Warring States period who had also awakened the Demon Slayer Mark. He was later turned into a demon by Muzan. And now that he is still alive, it means that the Demon Slayer Mark's effects cannot work on demons. In other words, if Mr. Tetsu regularly consumes demon flesh and blood to maintain the balance within his body at the frequency of demon transformation, he might be able to avoid the backlash."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's tense shoulders finally relaxed, and he let out a long sigh of relief: "If that's the case, then that's really great."

“But nothing is absolute.” Tamayo’s voice was still gentle, but it was also serious. “I can only say that it is highly likely, but it is still under investigation.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Kagaya Ubuyashiki suddenly stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Tamayo: "Then... I'll leave it to you."

Tamayo was taken aback, and quickly stood up to support his arm: "My lord, please rise!"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki straightened up, his pale face showing an unprecedented seriousness and solemnity: "Ms. Tamayo, although it was Tetsuya who suggested bringing you here, my predecessors were already aware of your existence. The Demon Slayer Corps shares the same goal as you: to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji!"

Now that you are willing to believe in us, I hereby promise you that from this day forward, you will gain the friendship of the entire Demon Slayer Corps.

Whatever your needs, we will do everything in our power to fulfill them. Even after my death, the next lord will do the same.

Tamayo gazed at him quietly and asked softly, "Is it because of Mr. Tetsu?"

“No.” Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s gaze was clear and firm as he spoke, each word distinct and deliberate. “It is for humanity.”

……

Footsteps approached from outside the door.

Ling Chuanche led his three disciples into the courtyard.

He spotted the carriage parked outside the door at a glance and led his men straight into the house.

Hearing the commotion, Tamayo and Yushiro came out to greet them.

"Mr. Che".

"Ms. Tamayo, it's been a long time."

The moment their eyes met, a knowing smile appeared on their faces simultaneously.

Ren glanced at his master, then at Tamayo not far away.

Is this the person who saved Master and Sister?

She's a ghost, but she looks so young, about the same age as my master.

Shinobu stared at Tamayo's face for a few seconds, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

She looked down at herself again, then looked up at her master, a strange emotion flashing in her eyes.

"Is this Mr. Tetsu's disciple?" Tamayo approached, first exchanging smiles and greetings with Kanae, then her gaze was drawn to Shinobu.

It must be admitted that Kanae's appearance was among the best Tamayo had ever seen, but this little guy in front of her was in no way inferior to her.

For some reason, Tamayo keenly sensed that the little girl seemed unusually cold towards her, and there was even a hint of barely perceptible hostility hidden in her eyes.

It must be my imagination, after all, they've only just met.

Tamayo suppressed her doubts and greeted Shinobu with a smile: "Hello."

Shinobu stepped forward, her face immediately displaying an impeccably polite smile: "Hello, Ms. Tamayo. Thank you for saving my master and my sister. My master has been a great help to you over the past year."

As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Ling Chuanche's arm and snuggled close to him, smiling at Tamayo with her eyes crinkling: "If it weren't for Miss Tamayo, I really can't imagine what would have happened to Master."

"Forehead……"

Tamayo's smile froze slightly.

Oh no, it's not an illusion.

This girl is genuinely hostile towards me.

But why?

Just as she was filled with doubt, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was already standing at the door, gently inviting everyone to come in and talk in detail.

The crowd entered one after another.

Yushiro followed Tamayo obediently, unusually remaining silent.

Perhaps Tamayo had issued the ban in advance, but his eyes were not idle, scanning everyone around him.