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

After Ling Chuanche left, Tianyin, who had been staying in the inner room, slowly walked out.

"How is it?" she asked softly.

"He still won't budge. Even after I've put it this way, he still won't agree." Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed.

"He carries too heavy a burden. The reputation of the Demon Slayer Corps' 'Azure Pillar' has long surpassed his own, and he doesn't want others to know that the Demon Slayer Corps' Azure Pillar actually likes his own disciple."

Tianyin listened quietly without saying a word.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head helplessly: "It seems that we have no choice but to use that method. Amane, please send out all the picture books I wrote before during this period."

A knowing smile appeared on Tianyin's lips: "Shall we begin?"

“Yes.” Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at the azure sky outside the courtyard, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Without external help, if they rely solely on their own little schemes, they’ll probably have to wait until their next life.”

Chapter 99 Flame Pillar

What exactly did Kagaya Ubuyashiki discover?

As Ling Chuanche walked home, his mind kept replaying the conversation he had just had with his lord in the courtyard, and a sense of unease welled up inside him.

He couldn't help but wonder if he hadn't hidden something well enough, and that Yaozai had noticed something amiss.

Otherwise, Yaozai wouldn't have used that meaningful tone to probe him.

But was that really just a test?

Ling Chuanche admitted that when his lord said, "Tell me who you like, and I'll give the order," he was indeed tempted for a moment.

An irresistible urge surged within him, and he almost blurted it out.

Because with just a word from the lord, all barriers, regardless of age or status, will disappear.

In the end, however, he gritted his teeth and forcefully suppressed the thought.

That's not right.

He shouldn't have had such thoughts about his disciples.

Using his own frail body, which might die at any moment, to forcibly bind a young woman in the prime of her life?

That is by no means the act of a gentleman; it is a selfish act of plunder.

He would rather bury this love deep in his heart forever and take it to the afterlife than let his greed drag her down with him.

Sometimes, Ling Chuanche would wonder in a daze when he started to develop such complex feelings for her that went beyond teacher-student and kinship, and even carried a bit of obsession and possessiveness.

Even though Kanae was also his disciple, and even though Kanae was gentle and considerate in every way, he never had that kind of feeling for her.

Only with her, only with Shinobu Kocho, who always carried a hint of cunning and stubbornness, would his heart involuntarily sink.

It was probably because she always threw herself into his arms without reservation.

That straightforward and intense emotion was like a fire that burned away all his pretenses.

Actually, Toru Ayakawa and Kanao are very similar.

He lost both parents at a young age, and the tragic death of his older sister later pushed him into the abyss.

He shut himself off completely, and even after joining the Demon Slayer Corps, he remained alone, mechanically wielding his sword to slay demons every day.

why?

Only when the claws of a demon are about to slash his cheek, when he is on the verge of death, can he truly feel that he is still alive.

He used killing to numb himself; he did this for the first twenty years of his life.

Until she came along.

He rescued her and Kanae with the intention of not wanting these two children, who shared his tragic fate, to suffer the same fate.

But he never expected that this little girl would have such a passionate soul.

Her passion, her unrestrained, straightforward, and intense dependence, melted his long-frozen heart time and time again.

She was like a tireless little sun, forcefully illuminating Ling Chuanche's dark and desperate world.

Even he himself didn't know at what moment he completely fell for her bright smile.

For Toru Ryukawa, Shinobu Kocho was more than just a disciple.

She was the one who suddenly reached out to him when he was trapped in darkness and despair, and pulled him out of the icy sea.

She gave him the only ray of light in the world.

That's why he wanted to protect her even more, to present her with all the beautiful things in the world, yet he was also afraid that his own shadow would taint her.

He didn't want to spoil this pure and beautiful bond because of himself, and he didn't want to use the name of "liking" to kidnap her life.

He would rather die alone, rather stand still and watch her grow up, watch her put on a beautiful kimono and marry someone else.

As long as she can bask in the sunlight, as long as she can be happy, that's enough.

Will suffice.

......

A few days later, a picture book suddenly swept through the entire Demon Slayer Corps for some unknown reason.

It is said to be a work by a famous author.

The story tells of a master who saves a child and takes him as his disciple. The two develop feelings for each other as they spend time together, but they never express them.

They went through life and death together, and fought side by side against powerful enemies. The master fought desperately against powerful enemies time and time again to protect his disciples.

Later, they finally confessed their feelings to each other and faced their true love. However, just as they were about to be together, the male protagonist tragically died in battle.

To avenge her lover, the female protagonist spent several years killing all the evil spirits, and finally committed suicide at the male protagonist's grave.

The book spread like wildfire among the Demon Slayer Corps as soon as it was published. Everyone was captivated by the poignant love between the male and female protagonists, moved to tears, and saddened by their tragic ending.

Ling Chuanche learned about this picture book by chance from someone else. He had never been interested in such things and had never looked at it before.

However, when he heard about the restrained yet profound feelings between the master and disciple in the story, a ripple involuntarily stirred in his heart.

However, he did not delve into the contents of the album, because not long after, his disciple Kyojuro returned in triumph.

This young swordsman successfully slew the Lower Moon of the Twelve Demon Moons and returned with great merit, officially becoming a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps!

Kagaya Ubuyashiki then held a meeting of the Pillars and, in front of all the Pillars, personally announced the formal appointment of Kyojuro Rengoku as the new Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.

……

"cheers!"

As night fell, in a bustling restaurant, everyone raised their glasses to celebrate Kyojuro Rengoku's ascension to the Flame Pillar.

There were quite a few people attending the banquet today.

Besides Toru Ayakawa and his three henchmen, Sanemi Shinazugawa also came here at Kyojuro's kind invitation.

In addition, there is Kyojuro's disciple, Kanroji Mitsuri, and Obanai Iguro, who is wearing a scarf in the corner, is inconspicuous but always keeps his eyes fixed on Kanroji Mitsuri.

Obanai Iguro was also specially invited by Toru Ayakawa.

Since leaving the lord's residence last time, Ling Chuanche has not said anything, but he has begun to pay attention to the child in secret.

After several encounters, everyone became familiar with each other, and he naturally sat down at the table at the celebration banquet.

Of course, there was no alcohol on the table. Among those present, only Kyojuro and Toru Ayakawa were adults, but in order not to set a bad example for the children, everyone tacitly switched to juice.

Lingchuan Che had just put down his cup when his gaze involuntarily fell on Kanroji Mitsuri.

There was already a mountain of empty plates piled up there.

Noticing Ling Chuan Che's gaze, Kanroji Mitsuri quickly put down the food in her hand, her cheeks instantly turning bright red. She lowered her head shyly and said, "I...did I eat too much?"

Ling Chuanche smiled gently and reached out to pat her head: "When I was your age, I ate even more than you. It's okay, you're growing, eat up."

"Ganlu Temple! Let's have a contest to see who can eat the most today!"

A clear, bell-like voice came from the side.

Lingchuan Tetsu turned his head and saw that the plates in front of Kyojuro were piled up higher than those in Kanroji Mitsuri.

Seeing the identical boldness of the master and apprentice, Ling Chuanche's lips twitched slightly.

Chapter 100 Competition

They truly are master and disciple; even their astonishing appetites are identical.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was lively, and the crowd naturally split into several groups.

Kyojuro was hooking his arm around the neck of the disgusted Shinazugawa Sanemi, laughing loudly; Shinobu and the three sisters Kanae were huddled together, whispering to each other; and in a corner not far away, Obanai Iguro was still sitting quietly, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifting toward Mitsuri Kanroji.

Mitsuri was enjoying her meal, but for some reason, she suddenly slowed down and started taking small bites of food.

Ling Chuanche keenly sensed something was amiss. He frowned slightly and put down his cup: "Are you full?"

"Huh? No, no..." Seemingly not expecting that this high and mighty adult would pay so much attention to her, Kanroji Mitsuri lowered her head nervously and pursed her lips uneasily.

Ling Chuanche asked in confusion, "Is it because of what I just said?"

"No, no! Please don't say that..." Mitsuri hurriedly waved her hand.

Ling Chuanche smiled gently and reassured him softly, "Don't be afraid. Now that we're here, we're all family. What can't we say to family?"

Upon hearing the word "family," Kanroji Mitsuri paused slightly, her hand covering her cheek.

She looked up at Ling Chuanche, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

Do you care a lot about what other people think? Why do you get so nervous whenever we say something?

Ling Chuanche asked in confusion, as he had noticed this problem a long time ago.

"I...I've been mocked since I was little because of my hair color." She lowered her head, her voice growing softer, her small fists clenched tightly. "And I'm stronger than everyone else. When people see me, they all say I'm a monster..."

A warm hand gently pressed down on her head.

Lingchuan Tetsu's voice was calm and gentle: "In the Demon Slayer Corps, no one would say that about you. Here, you can be yourself without having to hide anything."

Kanroji Mitsuri's eyes instantly filled with tears, and she sniffed, "Th-thank you..."

Ling Chuanche laughed heartily: "No need to be so polite with me. You are Xing Shulang's disciple, and he is my disciple. By seniority, I am your grandmaster!"