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

Ling Chuanche's wrist was slammed heavily onto the table.

He stared blankly at his hands, his mind a complete blank.

We lost?

I actually lost?

The people around watched this scene in silence. Sanemi and Kanae, who had just lost, stared wide-eyed, their faces full of astonishment.

"Um...did I win...?"

Seeing the sudden deathly silence around her, Kanroji Mitsuri wondered if she had done something wrong again, and nervously asked in a low voice.

Everyone then snapped out of their daze.

Kyojuro was the first to erupt in a deafening cheer, followed by Sanemi Shinazugawa.

Although I don't know how she won, at least she doesn't have to be specially trained by her master anymore!

"Wow!!"

"Mitsuri, you're amazing!" Shinobu hugged Kanroji Mitsuri tightly, pinching her arm with a curious look. "You're so strong! You even beat Master!"

“She’s really impressive.” Sanemi stroked his chin and nodded thoughtfully. “She doesn’t seem like a girl at all.”

As soon as he uttered these words, he was met with murderous gazes from Kanae and Shinobu, which frightened him into immediately shutting his mouth.

This was the first time Kanroji Mitsuri had been surrounded by so many people praising her, and she blushed deeply, feeling completely flustered.

Obanai Iguro sat quietly in the corner, watching the girl who was surrounded by everyone and shining brightly, something flickering deep in her eyes.

"Ahem, according to what you just said, now that you've lost, does that mean what just happened is null and void?" Shinazugawa Sanemi leaned close to Lingchuan Tetsu, his tone sly.

Ling Chuanche nodded helplessly: "Mm."

"Then..." Kanae's eyes darted around, and she said with a smile, "Since we won, shouldn't you be punished, Master?"

As soon as she said this, there was silence again.

Kyojuro swallowed hard, inwardly marveling: Is this Master's eldest disciple? He's got guts! He dares to say something like that!

Ling Chuanche picked up his juice, took a sip, and said calmly, "Fine, I'll do whatever you want me to do."

A bet is a bet, and a dignified Lord Cangzhu wouldn't be so petty as to be unable to play games with juniors.

"Hmm, I haven't decided yet. I'll think about it and then decide," Kanae said.

Ling Chuanche: "Alright, we'll talk about it when you've thought it through."

Everyone sat back down, and then Kanroji Mitsuri suddenly whispered, "Has anyone been looking at that picture book lately?"

Are you the person whose recently leaked photo album is being discussed?

Xiao Ren asked curiously.

"Uh-huh!"

Kanroji Mitsuri nodded.

Everyone present had recently heard about that picture book.

"I was so moved when I watched it before that I cried buckets."

Kanroji Mitsuri sighed: "The male and female protagonists loved each other so much. Although they were master and disciple, they went through so many difficulties to finally be together. Why did they both die in the end?"

Ling Chuanche's hand, which was holding the water glass, froze in mid-air.

The ninja, who was not far away, kept his gaze fixed on his master.

"Yes!"

Kyojuro sighed, "I really want to catch that author and make him change the ending. If two people love each other so much, why can't they be together?"

"If you ask me, that male protagonist is just useless!"

Sanemi slammed his hand on the table and pouted, "If you liked me so much before, why didn't you say so? Why did you have to say it when you were about to die!"

Kanae frowned: "What does this have to do with the male protagonist? He was clearly thinking about his disciple. He just didn't want to hurt his disciple, so he hid his feelings in his heart."

"..."

The people sitting here are either Pillars or the main force of the Demon Slayer Corps, yet they're arguing over a picture book.

Finally, Kanae turned to look at Ayakawa Tetsu: "Master, tell me, whose fault is it really!"

Chapter 102 Miss Tamayo's Assistance

"Cough cough..."

Ling Chuanche almost choked on the mouthful of water he had just taken.

He quickly waved his hand, trying to cover up his embarrassment: "I haven't seen that picture book you're talking about."

"Mr. Cangzhu is such a powerful person, his perspective must be different from ours, right?" Kanroji Mitsuri blinked, her face full of admiration.

Ling Chuanche gave a blank "hmm" without changing his expression, then sat there silently, like an emotionless statue.

Shinobu Kocho secretly glanced at Toru Ayakawa, catching a fleeting look of guilt in his eyes. She then quietly shifted her gaze, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

After everyone finished their meal, they went their separate ways.

After all, we are all pillars, and the time we can gather together without any reservations like this is destined to be few and far between.

However, Lingchuan Tetsu specifically instructed Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri to come find him anytime if they had nothing else to do.

After his last conversation with Lord Kagaya, he promised that he would personally guide the two children, provided time allowed.

These days, he's unlikely to leave the Demon Slayer Corps again. Lower Moon level demons can be handled by the other Pillars, while Upper Moon level demons remain elusive.

No one wanted Ling Chuanche to continue running around outside. It wasn't worth making him personally deal with a few ordinary evil spirits.

Lord Cangzhu's strategic value is evident as long as he lives, no matter where he is.

As long as he is in charge of the Demon Slayer Corps, everyone can feel at ease even if he doesn't go out to slay demons.

The Demon Slayer Corps is no longer what it used to be; the number of Pillars is unprecedented, and there are many young swordsmen with great potential.

Ling Chuanche's current role is more like a stabilizing force. He only needs to stay at headquarters, and leave the rest of the trivial matters to others.

Ling Chuanche returned home.

He sat alone on the tatami mat in the room, intending to close his eyes and rest, but the words Kanae had spoken that day seemed to have grown wings and lingered in his mind.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly reached under his pillow and pulled something out.

If Kanae and the others were here, they would be absolutely stunned—because that was the very picture book they had been discussing so enthusiastically.

How could the mighty Lord Kagura not have heard of this picture book that has recently swept through the entire Demon Slayer Corps? Not only had he heard of it, he had even secretly hidden it under his pillow.

Ling Chuanche looked at the cover, feeling somewhat agitated.

If his disciples knew that their usually dignified teacher was secretly watching this kind of thing every day, they would probably think he was a pervert.

But... this drawing is really beautiful!

Ling Chuanche considered himself an old-fashioned person. He had spent the first half of his life licking blood from the edge of a knife, killing demons; he had never encountered such a delicate emotional story before.

And without a doubt, he was completely captivated after watching for only a short while.

He really wanted to find that author and ask him in person why the master and disciple couldn't live happily together.

Why did the disciple, in despair, follow his master to suicide after his death? Were they truly unable to transcend worldly constraints and be together?

Or... will this also be his future fate?

Does the ending in this picture book also reflect him in some mysterious way?

Will he, like the master in the picture book, quietly die one day, leaving her alone to struggle in the world?

Ling Chuanche felt increasingly agitated as he thought about it, so he put on his coat and decided to go for a walk.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at Tamayo's residence.

It's still daytime, so Tamayo should still be in the basement.

Ling Chuanche didn't want to disturb her, but as soon as he stepped into the yard, he suddenly saw a kitten looking up at him and meowing.

Lingchuan Che recognized it; it was Miss Zhushi's kitten.

The kitten waved its paw at him, then turned and went into the house.

Is this a call to the past?

Ling Chuanche hesitated for a moment, but still followed.

Pushing open the door and walking down a dark staircase, Ling Chuanche arrived at the basement.

In the basement, Tamayo was conducting some kind of experiment.

Upon seeing Ling Chuanche arrive, she stopped what she was doing, looked up, and smiled knowingly: "Mr. Che."

Not far away, Yushiro looked at Lingchuan Tetsu with a slightly scrutinizing gaze, his face full of wariness, not understanding what this guy was doing here in broad daylight.

"Kyojuro delivered the things last time, right?" Lingchuan Tetsu didn't know how to start a conversation, so he just made up an excuse.

Tamayo nodded and smiled gently, "Yes, the child has been brought to me."

Kyojuro defeated a Lower Moon demon last time, and Toru Ayakawa had specifically told him beforehand that if he encountered a Lower Moon-level demon, it would be best to obtain its body parts and bring them back after defeating it. This would help Tamayo accelerate her research.

"Hmm... How's the research going lately? Do you need any help?"

"Everything is going smoothly, thank you for your concern, Mr. Tetsu," Tamayo replied gently.

But soon, she noticed that the usually composed Lord Cangzhu seemed somewhat absent-minded today.

She tilted her head slightly and asked softly, "Did you come here today because there's something you want to say?"

“…No.” Ling Chuanche paused, then denied in a low voice.

Tamayo didn't press the matter further. Instead, she put down her tools, wiped her hands, and turned to instruct, "That's about enough, Yushiro. Take a break."

Then, she smiled slightly at Ling Chuanche and gestured for him to come with her: "Mr. Che, please come with me."

Lingchuan Che followed her into the lounge next door. Zhu Shi personally poured him a cup of hot tea and said softly, "I heard from Mr. Yaozai that you usually like to drink tea. I wonder if this tea suits your taste."

"Very good, that's thoughtful."