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

At this moment, there are no masters and disciples, no Azure Pillars and no Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen.

Only two souls, embracing each other in the long, dark night, finally found each other.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

The air between them still seemed to carry the lingering warmth.

Shinobu Kocho's eyes still held a hint of misty tears as she looked at Toru Ayakawa.

But soon, as if she had thought of something, the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up, revealing a sly and bright smile: "Che, from now on, you're mine."

Ling Chuanche looked at her, his tone tinged with helplessness and indulgence: "Wasn't it the same before? I used to indulge you in everything, spoiling you even more than I spoiled Kanae and Kanao. Wasn't that enough?"

"Of course not."

Ren slightly raised her chin, her tone carrying an undeniable air of arrogance: "Before, you were our master. But from now on, you belong to me alone."

Ling Chuanche did not refute.

He lowered his head slightly and gently pressed his forehead against hers.

Their breaths mingled, and his gaze was so deep it seemed to drown her.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice filled with deep heartache and self-reproach. "I failed to control my feelings before. If we are to be scorned by others in the future, then let me bear it all alone."

"You're saying these things again."

Ren sighed softly, her tone tinged with reproach: "You just kissed me, do you not want to take responsibility for me later?"

Ling Chuanche frowned slightly: "When did I say I wouldn't take responsibility for you?"

"Then why are you in such a hurry to distance yourself from me, saying things like you'll have to bear it all alone?" She stretched out her arms and wrapped them tightly around his waist, burying her head deep in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled, "You took my disciple, and I seduced my own master. Neither of us can clear our names now."

Even if I leave you, people will say I'm a shameless, wanton woman who seduced my master.

She looked up, her wisteria-colored eyes shining brightly in the moonlight, staring straight into his eyes: "So, you have to stay by my side and not let others talk about me. If others do talk about us, then we have to bear it together, not you alone."

She took a deep breath and said, word by word, "You can protect your disciple, but I will no longer be your disciple. We will be husband and wife. Husband and wife are meant to stand together through thick and thin."

couple……

Upon hearing those two words, Ling Chuanche's heart skipped a beat.

This word was so unfamiliar to him, yet it carried a fatal sense of familiarity.

It was so beautiful it seemed unreal, as if everything before him would shatter like a bubble the moment he blinked.

Looking at the girl in his arms who disregarded worldly opinions for his sake, he suddenly felt a surge of almost insane possessiveness.

He was afraid it was all just a dream, afraid that she would disappear the moment he let go.

He suddenly tightened his arms, pulling her tightly into his embrace, with such force that it seemed he wanted to embed her into his very bones.

The girl did not feel uncomfortable because of his domineering behavior. On the contrary, her heart tightened because of his almost out-of-control strength, but her eyes were filled with an unyielding sweetness.

"Shinobu Kocho, are you really sure about this?"

He lowered his head, his voice so calm it betrayed no emotion, but only he knew what turbulent undercurrents lay beneath the calm surface.

"Once I've made up my mind, I'll never let go."

"If you ever dare to leave me again, I'll break your legs and lock you by my side forever." His gaze was fixed on her, filled with a resolute determination. "So, you have one last chance to back out."

Those who responded to him did not back down or hesitate.

The girl tiptoed and gave him a passionate yet somewhat awkward kiss, instantly silencing all his unspoken worries.

When the kiss ended, she was slightly out of breath, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and whispered four words:

"You're so long-winded."

The cunning and charm in the girl's eyes were like a sudden spark, instantly igniting the dry tinder that had been suppressed in his heart for more than twenty years.

That untapped desire was almost turning into a raging fire, clamoring to completely devour the petite girl before him.

Ling Chuanche's breath hitched, his gaze so deep it seemed capable of drowning a person.

In the end, however, he managed to suppress that desire.

He couldn't bear to part with it.

For him, forbearance was not a wildflower to be picked at will, but a priceless treasure that he carefully held in the palm of his hand in this cruel world.

Treasures need patient care and a lifetime of gentle polishing, not to be damaged in the slightest by someone in a moment of loss of control.

"...Let's go back."

He spoke in a hoarse voice, his tone revealing a restraint he himself was unaware of.

He had to go back, he had to leave this place filled with her presence and calm down.

He feared that if he looked at her any longer, he would completely shatter the facade of being "Master" and do something truly outrageous.

Ren did not refuse.

The two walked side by side toward the Demon Slayer Corps.

No one spoke along the way. Only the sound of footsteps and the occasional night breeze could be heard.

At first, they walked side by side in an orderly fashion, but later, she couldn't help but look up at the man beside her who seemed to be deep in thought.

She gave a soft snort and turned her head away in a huff.

Ling Chuanche was puzzled at first, not understanding why this girl suddenly got angry again.

But when he looked down and his gaze fell on the girl's small hand reaching out to him, he suddenly realized what was going on.

He smiled helplessly, reached out, and tightly enveloped her slightly cool fingers in his palm.

Ren's lips curled up slightly as he thought: At least you know what's good for you; you're not completely clueless.

Being with this man sometimes makes her feel really tired.

She even suspected that her master's mind was only capable of killing ghosts and nothing else.

The two walked slowly under the moonlight, their fingers intertwined.

As they neared home, Shinobu suddenly looked up and asked softly, "Teru, what do you think will happen if my sister finds out?"

In the short time that followed, she belatedly began to feel afraid, and even changed her address from the treacherous "Che" to the obedient "Master".

Ling Chuanche gripped her hand and said calmly, "I'll speak."

Now that he'd done it, he naturally wouldn't hide it anymore.

Lord Cangzhu has always been someone who dares to act and take responsibility.

Fortunately, there were few people along the way, and Ling Chuanche held Ren's hand the whole time, so they weren't seen.

But when the two finally stood in front of the gate of the Butterfly House, the atmosphere involuntarily froze.

Ling Chuanche and Ren exchanged a glance, both seeing an undisguised tension in each other's eyes.

They were like a young couple, going home for the first time, preparing to be honest with their parents and meet them.

As if encouraging each other, Ling Chuanche took a deep breath and reached out to push open the wooden courtyard gate.

"Squeak-"

With the sound of the wooden door rubbing together, an invisible low pressure instantly rushed over, as if even the air in the courtyard had become heavy and thin, making it hard to breathe.

The next moment, both of their bodies stiffened simultaneously.

A figure sat quietly in the shadows under the eaves.

Kanae, with her chin resting on her hand, slowly turned her head upon hearing the noise.

Her gaze swept across the area with an almost tangible intensity, landing precisely on Ling Chuanche and Ren's tightly clasped hands.

Her gaze paused slightly before returning to its enigmatic calm.

"came back?"

Kanae's voice was soft and melodious, but there was no discernible emotional fluctuation.

But it is precisely this extreme tranquility that is most terrifying.

"Hmm..." Ren looked up at his master, and his previously confident demeanor instantly vanished, and he lowered his head guiltily.

Ling Chuanche's body also stiffened.

He had confidently declared "I'll speak" on the way here, but now that the moment had come, and he was truly facing Kanae's gaze, he, as her teacher, suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

There was nothing he could do; this was his eldest disciple.

It's a bit embarrassing to talk about, but in this family, he, the nominal master, was more like a child being taken care of.

Kanae manages everything inside and out; she is the true matriarch of this family.

Normally at home, if Kanae really gets angry, even Ayakawa Tetsu wouldn't dare to easily walk into the line of fire.

Looking at the two people standing at the door, silent and trembling like two children who had made a mistake, Kanae sighed helplessly in her heart.

She stood up, the hem of her haori drawing an elegant arc in the air.

"Ren, go back and wash up first."

"Okay, sister."

Ren felt as if he had been granted a pardon. With his head down, he secretly gave his master a "good luck" look as he passed by his sister, and then, like a frightened little rabbit, he quickly slipped into the house.

As Shinobu passed by Kanae, he secretly glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

Kanae didn't look at her; Shinobu could only see her gentle profile, which was completely calm, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

However, the calmer she appeared, the more anxious and uneasy she felt inside.

Only Lingchuan Tetsu and Kanae remained in the courtyard.

The moonlight cast long shadows of the two of them. Ling Chuan Che looked at Kanae standing not far away, his Adam's apple bobbing. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to break the suffocating atmosphere himself.

"Kanae, I..."

"Master."

Kanae interrupted him softly.