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

Having witnessed Ling Chuanche's bloody battles all along, he knew all too well how difficult it was to move this "stone".

Moreover, given Lingchuan Che's sullen and unassuming nature, expecting him to confess to his disciple is less likely than hoping he'll single-handedly kill Kibutsuji Muzan.

However, Tetsu actually did it.

In the end, Sakonji Urokodaki felt a soft sense of relief.

Tetsu's future remains uncertain; the side effects of the markings could appear at any time. But now, he has finally overcome that hurdle in his heart. At least for the rest of his life, he is happy and content.

so good.

……

Time flies, and the Demon Slayer Corps has recently undergone some changes.

Following Kyojuro Rengoku's promotion to Flame Pillar, Obanai Iguro also officially became the new Serpent Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps thanks to his amazing strength.

Of course, the special training from the Pillar of the Azure Sea was also indispensable. With Obanai Iguro's talent and ruthlessness, becoming a Pillar was only a matter of time, but the three consecutive months of hellish training by Toru Ayakawa undoubtedly accelerated this process greatly, allowing his strength to achieve a qualitative leap.

On the day of his official promotion, as was customary, a celebration ceremony was held for him.

It was the same people as last time, only this time the main character was the silent "little snake" in the corner.

Everyone held up their juices and happily congratulated him.

Obanai Iguro was an introverted person and extremely bad at socializing. Faced with so many people staring at him, he tensed up and became so nervous that he didn't even know where to put his hands. But since today was his home turf, he couldn't just hide in a corner like last time.

Everyone came forward to congratulate him, and he could only respond stiffly to each one, his tone dry, clearly indicating that this was his first time facing such an occasion.

Finally, Kanroji Mitsuri, holding a plate of fruit, excitedly jumped in front of him: "Mr. Iguro, congratulations on becoming a Pillar!"

Obanai Iguro paused slightly, then lowered her head, a blush creeping onto her face: "...You can do it too, Kanroji."

"Mmm!" Mitsuri Kanroji grinned brightly. "Mr. Iguro has become a Pillar, so I have to work even harder!"

Like Obanai Iguro, she has recently been undergoing special training under Toru Ayakawa, and the two can be considered comrades-in-arms who have shared joys and sorrows.

Kanae, watching this scene from afar, suddenly turned to look at Toru Ayakawa as if she had discovered something new: "Master, if Mitsuri becomes a Pillar in the future, then... apart from Mr. Gyomei and Mr. Tengen, the entire Demon Slayer Corps will be your disciples and juniors."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to Ling Chuanche.

Ling Chuanche was clearly taken aback as well.

Yes, some of these pillars belong to his disciples, and some to his junior brothers.

Upon careful consideration, the only people who truly had no direct connection to him were Beimingyu Xingming and Yu Sui Tianyuan.

If he accidentally gets into a conflict with these two in the future, wouldn't that mean... the two of them will have to face a beating from the entire Pillar class?

Haha, just kidding.

Given Lord Cangzhu's unfathomable prestige within the Demon Slayer Corps, they would never dare to have any conflict with Lingchuan Tetsu in their lifetime.

"Then, Kanroji, you'd better work hard too!" Rengoku Kyojuro encouraged him with a hearty laugh.

"Mmm!" Kanroji Mitsuri blushed and nodded earnestly in Lingchuan Tetsu's direction, her eyes firm: "Don't worry! I will definitely not let you down!"

Seeing the girl's alarmed expression, Ling Chuanche couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Don't take it so seriously, Kanae was just saying it casually."

He didn't want Kanae's joke to burden Mitsuri Kanroji with any unnecessary psychological burden.

However, Kanae's words had clearly been firmly etched in Mitsuri Kanroji's mind. Right now, she was probably already frantically planning how to train hard in the future so that she could become a Pillar as soon as possible and never let herself become the one who "holds the family back."

As night fell, the celebrations gradually subsided, and the members of the Demon Slayer Corps returned home in their respective groups.

On the forest path, Shinobu and Ayakawa Tetsu walked side by side.

The two did not hold hands, but their steps were surprisingly in sync.

Occasionally, a passing Demon Slayer Corps swordsman would recognize them, bow respectfully, and greet them. Lingchuan Tetsu would calmly nod slightly in response.

Over the past few months, he has gotten used to this kind of gaze.

The shame and nervousness of those first feelings have long since turned into calm and composure with the passage of time.

Now, he can walk side by side with Shinobu Kocho in the sunlight, basking in everyone's gaze.

The same was true for Shinobu Kocho; her usual guardedness had faded, replaced by a tenderness that belonged only to him.

"I might have to go out of town in a few days," Ling Chuanche broke the silence and spoke softly.

Ren turned her head slightly, a hint of concern flashing in her purple eyes: "Is there a mission?"

“Not really,” Ling Chuanche explained. “Yaozai told me not long ago that he had found a promising talent outside. But he is currently unable to move around easily, so he asked me to go and take a look first.”

"Can I come with you?" Shinobu blurted out, but then seemed to realize something and softened her tone. "The Butterfly Mansion probably doesn't need me these days, and I don't have any urgent missions. If it's possible, and if it won't bother Lord Souhaku, I'd really like to go with you."

Hearing her cautious and somewhat probing words, Ling Chuanche stopped and looked at her, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips: "Since Lord Insect Pillar has spoken, then this humble servant will naturally obey."

Upon hearing this, Ren rolled her eyes at him without any politeness.

Ling Chuanche shrugged, looking completely innocent: "You were the one who said that first."

"Hmph, so what? I say yes, but you say no!"

Looking at the girl's coquettish expression, Ling Chuanche sighed inwardly.

This girl is now completely unrestrained in front of him.

When others are present, she might still consider his feelings and call him "Master" or "Lord Cangzhu"; but once it's just the two of them, Cangzhu is no longer there, only her man remains.

Lingchuan Che briefly sensed his future "family younger brother position" and smiled helplessly: "Okay, I'll go ask Yaozai when he's leaving, and I'll come find you then."

"Yes!" Ren nodded vigorously, his eyes full of anticipation.

……

After parting ways with Shinobu, Ayakawa Tetsu went to the Ubuyashiki mansion alone.

The sky had darkened, and the courtyard felt somewhat desolate.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was sitting quietly on the steps of the veranda. Hearing footsteps behind him, he did not turn around.

Without any prior warning, only one person from the entire Demon Slayer Corps could have gotten here so quietly.

"Here you are, Che."

Ling Chuanche looked at the thin figure in the distance and couldn't help but sigh.

Time seems to have left its mark particularly heavily on Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

The curse this family has carried for thousands of years has never shown favoritism to any one person.

In just a few months, Yaozai's condition has deteriorated rapidly, most notably in his empty, pale pupils.

Ling Chuanche walked to his side and sat down gently.

"Carry me back inside, it's getting a bit cold," Yaozai said softly, his voice so weak it seemed a gust of wind could blow it away.

"Ah."

Lingchuan Tetsu reached out and carefully picked up Ubuyashiki Kagaya, then turned and walked into the house.

If the swordsmen outside saw this scene, they would probably find it hard to believe—the great lord who was revered as a god by everyone and supported the entire Demon Slayer Corps was now a "useless person" who couldn't even walk and needed to be carried back to his room.

The room was dimly lit by candlelight, creating a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. A faint, bitter smell of medicine and an indescribable sense of heaviness filled the air.

Lingchuan Tetsu gently placed Yaoya on the tatami mat, then knelt down beside him. Looking at the pale face ravaged by illness, he couldn't help but ask, "Didn't the medicine from Miss Tamayo work?"

“It works.” Kagaya could still smile, his smile still gentle. “I can feel it. If it weren’t for Ms. Tamayo’s medicine, my condition would probably be much worse.”

Ling Chuanche fell silent, only letting out a deep sigh.

"I came here today to ask about your child. When would you like me to go?"

"As soon as possible. If you have time, I think it would be best if it were before tomorrow." Kagaya said softly, "I originally wanted to have Kakuno inform you, but knowing that you were celebrating with Iguro, I didn't want to disturb you."

Lingchuan Che nodded, then, realizing that Yaozai might not see his actions, he murmured "hmm" again.

"Can I bring Shinobu with me?"

Kagaya smiled slightly, a smile that appeared particularly compassionate and gentle in the dim candlelight: "Of course you can, that's your freedom."

"it is good."

Lingchuan Tetsu sat quietly with Ubuyashiki Kagaya for a while longer.

Inside the house, Yaozai's two daughters were quietly taking care of him in a corner, with the occasional very soft rustling of clothes coming from between.

The entire room was enveloped in a sorrowful emotion called "fate," making it hard to breathe.

Ling Chuanche stood up, intending to leave.

He stopped in his tracks as he reached the door.

He turned his head, looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki on the tatami mat, and then at the two children in the corner. His eyes gradually became deep and firm.

"The curse you carry, I remember you told me, is it because of Kibutsuji Muzan?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki opened his mouth slightly, but did not speak.

Ling Chuanche's voice rang out in the silent room, not loud, but every word carried immense weight: "If you kill Kibutsuji Muzan, will the curse on you be lifted? Will you... not have to die?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned his head slightly, his pale white eyes pointing towards Toru Ayakawa.

He couldn't see Ling Chuanche's face, only a blurry shadow. But in his mind, he could clearly imagine the man's tone, eyes, and expression at that moment.

“I don’t know,” Kagaya answered softly, his tone carrying a hint of resignation to fate, “but I suppose so.”

Ling Chuanche gave him a deep look and nodded solemnly: "I understand. Leave it to me."

“Teresa…” Kagaya Ubuyashiki tilted his head slightly, his empty eyes seeming to pierce through endless darkness and touch that tall figure. “I’m counting on you.”

Shinobu and Toru Ayakawa traveled in simple attire, each carrying only a Nichirin Blade as they left the Demon Slayer Corps.

After a journey of several hours, they arrived at their destination.

It was a small wooden house.

As soon as Ling Chuanche arrived, he saw Ubuyashiki Amane standing outside the house; she had been waiting for him there.

"You've arrived, Che, Ren."

"Lord Tianyin."

Shinobu Kocho was very respectful to Amane, while Toru Ayakawa was much more casual in comparison.

What's the situation with that child?