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

"enough!"

Ling Chuanche suddenly stood up, and a sharp killing intent instantly swept across the entire courtyard.

It was a kind of pressure that had truly been forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood, which made Makijuro's roar come to an abrupt halt.

Lingchuan Tetsu walked step by step to Makijuro, looking down at the dejected man: "No talent? What makes you so sure? Just because you hide in a dark corner drunk, just because you don't even have the courage to look your son in the eye?!"

Forced back half a step by this imposing aura, Makijuro's chest heaved violently, but he couldn't utter a single word.

“Let me tell you, Makijuro,” Ayakawa Tetsu’s eyes were as cold as ice, “Kyojuro is far stronger than you imagine. He has a more unwavering belief and a more passionate soul than you!”

He doesn't need your charity or 'protection,' much less does he need you to pave the way for him with your pathetic cowardice!

“He is my disciple, Ling Chuanche. His sword is only used to slay evil spirits. Anyone who dares to stand in his way, no matter who they are, I will make them pay the price.”

Lingchuan Tetsu stared intently at Makijuro's face, which was covered in tears and reeked of alcohol, and said, word by word, "You'd better pray that he returns safely."

When he becomes the Flame Pillar, you'd better stand before him with your back straight, like a father.

Otherwise, you'll never deserve to call him "son" again in your entire life!

A deathly silence fell over the courtyard.

The only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind and Makijuro's heavy, suppressed breathing.

He collapsed to his knees on the steps, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling violently, but he could no longer utter a sound.

Lingchuan Che left.

Senjuro watched as Lord Cangzhu left without a word. He silently went to his father's house and, through the crack, saw his father sitting on the steps inside, drinking wine sip by sip.

......

In front of the butterfly house, sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows.

Kyojuro, wearing a haori and carrying a Nichirin sword, came specifically to bid farewell to Ayakawa Toru.

Lingchuan Tetsu was sitting in the room with his eyes closed, resting, when he heard Kanao call him softly, so he slowly walked out.

Looking at Kyojuro, who was fully prepared and looking dashing outside the door, a hint of gratified smile appeared in Lingchuan Tetsu's eyes: "Is everything ready?"

"Yes!" Kyojuro nodded emphatically, his eyes bright and resolute. "I'm about to leave, and I came here specifically to tell you!"

Lingchuan Che glanced sideways and noticed that there was a girl standing next to Xingjulang. She had striking long pinkish-green hair, the ends of which were braided into a playful ponytail.

Noticing Ling Chuanche's gaze, the girl immediately blushed with nervousness, lowered her head in a fluster, and nervously twisted her hands together: "Lord Cang...Lord Cangzhu, hello..."

"This is Kanroji Mitsuri, one of my team members." Kyojuro smiled and scratched his head, his tone revealing a hint of pride. "She's also my disciple, and I'll be taking her with me on this mission."

Ling Chuanche looked Mi Li up and down, nodded slightly, and said gently, "Go ahead, be careful."

"Yes!"

Kyojuro responded and turned to leave. However, at that moment, Ayakawa Tetsu suddenly stepped forward, reached out, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.

"I believe you can do it."

Kyojuro's steps suddenly stopped, and he froze on the spot.

Before he could react, Ling Chuanche's deep and resolute voice came from behind him, carrying an unquestionable expectation: "Stand up straight. You are my disciple after all. Becoming a pillar is a simple matter, isn't it?"

The word "disciple" exploded in Kyojuro's mind like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

He couldn't hear any of the other words. The whole world seemed to quiet down at that moment, with only his master's words "My disciple" echoing repeatedly in his ears.

He stood there, stunned, his eyes instantly reddening. An indescribable mix of sorrow and elation surged through his nose—the recognition he had longed for for so long. He clenched his teeth, blinking desperately, forcing back the scalding tears welling up in his eyes.

The next second, he suddenly turned around, straightened his back, and with all his might, roared excitedly and loudly:

"Yes, teacher!!!"

The sound echoed across the open space in front of the Butterfly House, carrying the undisguised excitement and fervent passion of a young man.

Chapter 98: The Lord's Plans

After seeing Kyojuro off, Ayakawa Tetsu returned home alone.

Shinobu and Kanae have both gone on missions, leaving Kanae alone at the Butterfly Mansion.

Sitting in the empty room, surrounded by a quiet that felt somewhat oppressive, Ling Chuanche couldn't help but picture Kuang Jin's face in his mind.

That child is dead.

In the past few days, those around him have been shrouded in a lingering gloom because of Kuang Jin's death.

Perhaps thinking about each other's future, everyone was worried, wondering which of their comrades-in-arms would leave forever before the next dawn.

Ling Chuanche leaned back in his chair, a wave of indescribable sadness washing over him.

In the past, when he was all alone, he was never sentimental.

But ever since he had disciples and more friends, he has started to fear death without even realizing it.

What he feared was not his own death, but watching helplessly as those around him left him one by one.

He didn't want to lose it, but he was powerless to change anything.

Because even his own future is now shrouded in an unknown fog.

He says he doesn't want to think about it, and can even calmly comfort Ren, but how long can he really live?

Will I die in the claws of some evil spirit in the future?

Even he himself didn't know.

Must we continue to live in fear and loss forever?

"Knock Knock Knock-"

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Lingchuan Tetsu opened the door and found that it was a member of the "Hidden" team from the Ubuyashiki residence.

The other party respectfully conveyed the lord's summons.

Ling Chuanche didn't say anything more and turned to head towards his lord's residence.

Upon arriving in the courtyard, he saw Kagaya Ubuyashiki standing in the sunlight, holding a watering can and quietly watering the flowers.

Ling Chuanche keenly noticed the changes in him, his eyes brightened slightly, and his tone revealed a hint of surprise: "Your health has improved."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned around with a gentle smile on his face: "It's Ms. Tamayo. After learning about my condition, she has been developing many new medicines for me. Although they are still in the experimental stage, I have indeed seen a significant improvement after taking them."

He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at the kettle in his hand: "Although this won't change my ultimate fate, it will make me stronger while I'm alive, and I'm already very satisfied."

Lingchuan Tetsu stepped forward, and Ubuyashiki Kagaya invited him to sit down under the eaves. The two set up a chessboard and began to play.

As Ling Chuanche placed his piece, he asked, "What did you call me here for?"

"Can't I just call you over for a game of Go if there's nothing wrong?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked with a light laugh.

Ling Chuanche silently picked up a black piece and ignored him.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and started chatting with him casually.

The conversation started with the powerful swordsmen who had recently emerged in the Demon Slayer Corps, then moved on to the dejected Makijuro and the spirited Kyojuro, and finally, the topic naturally turned to the pink-haired girl who was following Kyojuro.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki put down the white stone in his hand and said softly, "That child named Mitsuri Kanroji is very special; she's an excellent prospect. If you can, please teach her for me."

Ling Chuanche gave him a speechless look: "You really don't want me to go out on missions?"

He keenly sensed that his master seemed to intend for him to remain within the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and said sincerely, "Without Upper Moon-level missions, it's not worthy for our Azure Pillar to personally take on the task. Staying in the team to teach the disciples is also a great contribution."

“We’ll see,” Lingchuan Tetsu calmly declined. “Kyojuro is currently teaching that child, and I only met her once today.”

As they placed their pieces, the two chatted about another member of the Demon Slayer Corps who had recently appeared, a boy named Obanai Iguro.

The last time Ling Chuanche saw him was when he accompanied Shinobu on a mission.

That man is very strong, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki has a very high opinion of him, saying that he has the potential to become a Pillar in the future.

Ling Chuan Che did not comment on this. He had indeed met Obanai Iguro, and the fact that he was able to create his own breathing technique was enough to make him a genius.

As they were chatting, Kagaya Ubuyashiki suddenly changed the subject and steered the conversation toward Toru Ayakawa.

"Che, you should also think about your life's most important matter."

Ling Chuanche's fingers, which were holding the chess piece, suddenly stopped in mid-air.

He looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki sitting opposite him with a smile on his face and seriously suspected that the other man had called him over today for this very reason.

He raised an eyebrow, no longer using the same excuses as before.

He knew that even if he said he had "no idea," Yaozai would probably find another way to persuade him.

So he put down his chess piece and smiled, going along with it: "Alright. If my lord thinks there are any suitable team members, please keep an eye out for them for me. As long as they are the right age, I won't object."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head: "How can such a thing be arranged by others? It depends on how you feel after you've been in contact with it."

"Why can't we arrange it? Aren't you and Tianyin an example?" Ling Chuanche retorted calmly.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled helplessly: "My situation is different from Amane's. And don't try to change the subject, we're talking about your own business now."

"Our lord doesn't care about the battle situation in the army, but now he's worried about whether his subordinates can get married?"

“I can ignore others, but you’re different. We’re brothers.” Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled as he placed a piece on the board and looked directly into Toru Ayakawa’s eyes. “Toru, is there a woman in the Demon Slayer Corps that you have your eye on? If so, no matter who she is, I can give you the order directly, and no one will say a word.”

Ling Chuanche looked at him and calmly uttered two words: "No."

really not?

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gaze fell on Toru Ayakawa's hand, where a tiny crack had appeared on the Go piece that was about to be crushed by him.

Is it true that there is no such thing, or is it that one cannot say it and can only choose to bury it deep in their heart?

Kagaya Ubuyashiki did not ask any further questions.

After a moment, he chuckled and said, "That's enough for today. Go back and rest, Che."

"Yes."

Ling Chuanche stood up, turned around, and walked out.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki watched his retreating figure, it seemed that he had only called Ayakawa Tetsu over today to play some Go and have a chat.