Who are you calling a stable boy?!

In fact, among the nine pillars of this generation, not a single one has ever seen Muzan Kibutsuji in person to this day.

If nothing unexpected happens, they may never see Muzan Kibutsuji's true form before they die of old age.

Now, for the first time since its inception, the Demon Slayer Corps has been given an opportunity that might force Muzan Kibutsuji to come out for a direct confrontation.

The overall situation is of paramount importance.

Besides, Nezuko truly proved herself.

Those present were all experts in exorcising demons, so they naturally knew how powerfully Shinazugawa Sanemi's rare blood could attract demons.

To be able to suppress one's demonic nature even when faced with his blood—such unwavering willpower is rare indeed.

Therefore, considering the special nature and importance of Tanjiro and Nezuko, Shinobu volunteered to suggest that the brother and sister be placed in her Butterfly Mansion first.

Tanjiro, of course, had no objection to this.

There was no way to object.

"Alright, let's move on to the next topic."

After Tanjiro and Nezuko were taken away by the members of the Hidden Sect, Kagaya Ubuyashiki turned his head and looked at Zheng Jing.

"I'm very sorry, Mr. Zheng Jing, it's only now that I have a chance to formally introduce myself. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya."

"Oh, Yao, don't be so polite!"

Ah, Ah Yao?

The Pillars reacted differently to Zheng Jing's address to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

The one who reacted the most was naturally Shinazugawa Sanemi, who is currently closest to Zheng Jing.

"No disrespect to our lord is permitted!"

"Ah Yao? That sounds like a very friendly way to address you. It seems I've made a good first impression on you."

"My lord?!"

"It's alright, Sanemi. In fact, if you'd like, you can call me something more intimate."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with a smile, "Isn't this wonderful?"

"Yes, yes, isn't this great! Call him A Yao, and me Lao Zheng. Stop calling him Mr. Zheng Jing and Your Excellency Zheng Jing. It takes a lot of spittle to say a few extra words!"

"Hehe, then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

Looking at Zheng Jing, Ubuyashiki Kagaya extended his right hand.

"Old Zheng, would you be willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"Oh? Okay, sure, sure! But let me make this clear first, I don't have time to start from the bottom of the barrel, Ah Yao. If you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me, Old Zheng, for messing with you later, hehe, hmm?"

"Of course, Old Zheng, you have excellent skills. Not to mention your battle against the three demons, you even killed Lower Moon Five with your bare hands in the battle at Mount Natagumo. In terms of battle achievements, you can definitely become the new [Pillar] of the team."

"That's great, really great."

Zheng Jing strode forward with a grin, intending to move closer to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

He had only taken one step when someone stopped him.

"My lord, the establishment of the new pillar is a matter of great importance. Please reconsider."

Facing Zheng Jing, Himejima Gyomei clasped his hands and bowed, speaking to Ubuyashiki Kagaya behind him.

Zheng Jing raised an eyebrow.

"Hey buddy, you don't trust me, do you?"

"It is my duty, and I hope you will forgive me."

"I also have a question, my lord!"

Following closely behind Gyomei Himejima was Kyojuro Rengoku's booming voice.

“If it were just about killing Lower Moon Five, I wouldn’t doubt Old Zheng’s ability to do it. But you and Butterfly both mentioned that he killed Lower Moon Five with his bare hands! Forgive my bluntness, but killing a Lower Moon without using a Nichirin Blade is by no means an easy task!”

"I admit he has some ability."

Obanai Iguro also spoke up.

He pointed at Zheng Jing.

"But to kill Lower Moon Five with bare hands—I might believe it to some extent if you said it was Mr. Himejima who did it. May I ask, my lord, where did this news come from? Did anyone witness the battle?"

"This is the result reported by Shinobu and Giyu. Giyu personally witnessed the main process of Old Zheng killing Lower Moon Five."

At this moment, all the pillars' eyes were focused on Giyu.

"Really? Tomioka."

"..."

When confronted with Obanai Iguro's questions, Giyu remained silent as always.

"In addition, your background is too mysterious."

Beimingyu Xingming brought the topic back to Zheng Jing.

"The entire collection is of exceptionally high quality, and not just any high standard..."

Raising his head, he saw Zheng Jing's face reflected in his blind eyes, and Beiming Yuxingming's voice was low and deep.

"Your skill is so remarkable. May I ask where you learned your breathing techniques?"

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Turbulent History of the Qiao Family - Part One: Demon Blood

Zheng Jing's expression suddenly turned serious.

"Have any of you heard of the Qiao family?"

"The Qiao family?"

The pillars exchanged bewildered glances, some even casting probing looks at Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Clearly, no one had ever heard of the "Qiao family" that Zheng Jing mentioned.

"Appreciate further details."

"In the martial world, there once lived a powerful and influential family called the Qiao family. For generations, its members were known for their benevolence and righteousness, earning them a stellar reputation. As autumn turned to winter, the current head of the Qiao family, Qiao Zhi, decided to adopt Di Ao, the orphaned son of his former benefactor, as his godson, making him a sworn brother to his own only son, Qiao Nasheng. Given Qiao Zhi's reputation for benevolence and righteousness, he naturally treated Di Ao as his own son, but little did he expect..."

As Zheng Jing, with a solemn expression, recounted the first volume of "The Chronicles of the Qiao Family's Jianghu: Demon Blood," the members listened intently, afraid of missing a single detail.

When they heard that Di Ao had transformed into a monstrous creature from the evil Stone Demon Mask, some of them frowned and couldn't help but compare the monstrous creature to a demon, and Di Ao to Muzan Kibutsuji. This comparison shocked them even more!

Compared to the domineering presence of Deion, Muzan Kibutsuji's cowardice over the past thousand years seems utterly...

Upon hearing that Qi Beilin, a highly accomplished monk from the snowy mountains of the Western Regions, had passed on his skills to Jonas and helped him master the unique Ripple Breathing Technique from the snowy mountains of the Western Regions, the pillars were immediately shaken.

In the end, when they heard that Jonathan was ambushed by Dion on his wedding day, and that both of them perished together in the flames, the pillars had different expressions.

"Waaaaah... How could this happen... Mr. Qiao and Ms. Ai had finally made it this far, waaaah..."

Kanroji Mitsuri buried her head and wept bitterly.

"Mr. Qiao is truly righteous! He lives up to the Qiao family's reputation for benevolence and righteousness!"

With his head tilted back, Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes were filled with tears as he clenched his fists and let out a loud sigh.

"So, this is the origin of the breathing method that Mr. Zheng Jing learned?"

With a hint of pity on his face, Shinobu asked Zheng Jing, "You once said that you are not a native... Wait, could it be that Muzan Kibutsuji—the demon—has any connection with the 'evil creature' you mentioned?"

Shinobu's approach immediately gave the Pillars a renewed sense of excitement.

Yes.

Cannibalism.

photophobia.

He possesses immense strength.

Immortality...

Immortal and immortal!

Ghosts do indeed share many similarities with the "evil creatures" Zheng Jing spoke of!

Is it difficult? Or is it that you mean...?

"Huh? No, no, no."

Zheng Jing's solemn expression suddenly collapsed, and he waved his hand with a smirk and a smirk.

"Compared to Dior, this cowardly boss is nothing but a nobody. Please don't even try to get involved."

"Then why did you travel all the way across the ocean to come here... to kill demons?"

"Evil spirit, you deserve to die."

Zheng Jing suddenly clasped his hands together.

"There is no need to explain why evil spirits harm others."

"..."

Without hesitation, and as a matter of course.

Zheng Jing's attitude left the Zhus speechless for a moment, unable to voice any further doubts.

The fact that the other person can walk in the sunlight like this certainly proves that he is not a ghost.

In addition, he possesses extraordinary strength, not only suppressing Shinazugawa Sanemi, the Wind Pillar, in hand-to-hand combat, but also having the feat of killing a Lower Moon.

Given the Demon Slayer Corps' current eagerness to recruit talent, they should be looking to bring him in.

Even now, Zhu still harbors suspicion towards Zheng Jing.

The reason for this is simply that the prospect of an immortal body is too tempting.

Zheng Jing's mysterious origins made it difficult for them to fully accept him in a short period of time.

"I never imagined that your breathing technique, Lao Zheng, was connected to such a dramatic past."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki said softly, "Everyone, now that this is the case, does anyone still have any objections to Old Zheng joining the Demon Slayer Corps and becoming a new [Pillar]?"

"..."

As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's attitude is already very clear.

Now that things have come to this, even if some people still have concerns, there is no concrete evidence to support those concerns...

"Then it's decided."

Turning his head, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at Jeong Kyung.

"Welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps, Old Zheng."

Old Zheng chuckled and grabbed the outstretched hand.

"Of course, of course!"

-

In the Butterfly Mansion's ward, Tanjiro, who was with Nezuko, met Zenitsu and Inosuke, who had been brought there for treatment.

Thanks to Zheng Jing's intervention, Zenitsu and Inosuke, who had received emergency treatment for Ripple, are in relatively good condition.

Based on the diagnosis and with the doctor's advice for follow-up treatment, the two should recover in a maximum of half a month.

Tanjiro, like Zenitsu and Inosuke, was also seriously injured after a fierce battle. However, unlike Zenitsu and Inosuke, Tanjiro was healed by Zheng Jing's Ripple technique on the way back to the Demon Slayer Corps. By the time they arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Tanjiro was almost fully recovered.

Therefore, when Tanjiro spoke to Zenitsu and Inosuke, who were still recovering from their injuries, he was more composed.

The following day, Tanjiro also met with Mr. Murata, who had come to visit him.

As one of the survivors of Mount Natagumo, he was also questioned by several pillars.

Just as Mr. Murata was talking about this experience and lamenting how terrifying the Pillars were, a gentle voice rang out in the ward.

Hello everyone.

"Gah—Zhu—Butterfly Lord?!"

Caught red-handed, Murata begged for mercy several times and then ran away.

Tanjiro and the other two were left on their respective hospital beds, watching Shinobu Kocho appear in the ward.