Three days later, at the Kanroji residence.
Tang An sat at the edge of the courtyard veranda, looking at the long sword Mitsuri Kanroji had brought over.
During these three days, Tang An had been well-behaved, pretending to nurse his injuries and applying medicine himself.
Mitsuri would go out every night, but today, she returned with a sword for Tang An.
“Is this for me?”
Tang An looked at the seemingly ordinary long sword, knowing it was a Nichirin Blade specially crafted for killing demons.
Only by severing a demon’s head with a Nichiren Blade could a demon be indeed killed.
“Yes, the swordsmith finished it yesterday,” Mitsuri said with a smile. “This blade is made from ‘scarlet crimson iron sand’ and ‘scarlet crimson ore,’ materials that absorb sunlight. Besides being called Nichirin Blade, it’s also known as the ‘Color Changing Blade.’ It changes color according to its owner, reflecting the breathing technique they are suited for. Water Breathing is blue, Flame Breathing is red, Wind Breathing is green, and Stone Breathing is gray. Since you use Thunder Breathing, it should be golden.”
“Is that so?” Tang An picked up the long sword. Just as Mitsuri said, the handle began to turn golden, the blade resembling a streak of lightning.
“Thank you, Mitsuri.”
Tang An gave the sword a few casual swings, finding it less comfortable than his dogleg knife, but he thought he could get used to it.
“As long as you like it,” Mitsuri said, her hands fidgeting. Looking at Tang An, she stuttered, “Hanazawa said your injuries are healed?”
“Yes.”
“Phew…then I’ll go rest,” Mitsuri sighed in relief, looking exhausted.
“I’ll join you tonight on your patrol. You’ve been working too hard,” Tang An said, patting Mitsuri’s head. She quickly stood up, looking flustered, and hurriedly said she would rest, leaving with a racing heart.
Watching her hasty departure, Tang An smiled and examined the Nichiren Blade in his hand.
He told Hanazawa he was heading to the waterfall in the back mountain for training.
As he trained, the night quickly fell.
After returning and having dinner with Mitsuri, they set off together to patrol the area Mitsuri was responsible for.
“Sitting in the back,” Tang An said, producing a bicycle out of thin air.
“Is this the magic you mentioned?” Mitsuri, Hanazawa, and Kaoru were no longer surprised by Tang An’s conjuring tricks, as he had been producing snacks out of thin air for the past few days.
This was one of the reasons the three girls particularly liked Tang An.
Girls loved surprises.
Though puzzled, Tang An had explained this ability as a magic trick, which the girls accepted without overthinking.
Mitsuri hesitated but then wrapped her arms around Tang An’s waist as she sat on the bicycle’s back seat.
“Let’s go,” Tang An said, waving to Hanazawa and Kaoru.
“Be careful,” they replied as Tang An and Mitsuri disappeared.
In the countryside, under the night sky filled with insects and birds, only the sound of the bicycle wheels turning could be heard.
“The stars are so beautiful tonight,” Mitsuri said, looking up at the colorful night sky, her arm around Tang An, and feeling a sense of peace and happiness from the surrounding nature.
“Indeed! Such a beautiful night deserves a snack,” Tang An said, producing a tub of chips.
“Wow…” Mitsuri’s eyes lit up as she eagerly opened the tub and started munching on the chips.
“Didn’t you say you ran out?” Mitsuri pouted, playfully scolding Tang An.
“I saved this just for you.”
Tang An’s casual words made Mitsuri’s cheeks blush, her heart filled with joy.
They continued to patrol Mitsuri’s designated area. Although it was somewhat monotonous, Mitsuri’s face remained bright with a smile.
Patrolling alone had been lonely, but now having company made it all the better.
Suddenly, a terrified scream echoed through the countryside.
“Something’s happening!” Tang An pedaled harder, and the bicycle shot forward like an arrow. Mitsuri’s hair fluttered in the wind as she held onto Tang An’s waist.
In a nearby residence, a family of five lay in pools of blood, having been brutally murdered. A demon was feasting in the shadows.
The stench of blood filled the air, soaking into the tatami mats. The demon was tall and muscular, about three meters tall.
Tang An and Mitsuri skidded to a stop at the scene, their expressions starkly different. Mitsuri was furious.
She immediately drew her pink Nichirin Blade, which resembled a whip, and charged at the demon.
“Demon Slayer,” the demon hissed, dodging her initial strike, eyeing Mitsuri and Tang An warily.
“First Form: Shivers of First Love,” Mitsuri called out. Despite her usual cheerful demeanor, she showed no mercy in battle.
Her Nichirin Blade, now a whip, sliced through the air and severed the demon’s neck before it could react.
“What…” The demon’s body began to burn, turning to ash before it could utter another word.
It was just an ordinary demon. To face a Hashira and manage even one move was impressive.
After ten minutes, Tang An and Mitsuri left the house. Mitsuri had buried the family, with Tang An helping.
“Are you okay?” Tang An asked, sensing Mitsuri’s low spirits.
“Yes,” Mitsuri replied softly. After silence, she said, “If only there were no demons in this world.”
“Wait!” Mitsuri rubbed her forehead, having bumped into Tang An’s back when the bicycle came to an abrupt stop.
“What’s wrong?”
“The main villain is here,” Tang An said, putting one foot on the ground, lighting a cigarette, and looking up at the figure perched on a power line.
The figure was tall and slender, wearing black hair and a suit. Under the moonlight, his skin was pale as paper, and his plum-red eyes were captivating.
“Muzan Kibutsuji,” Mitsuri whispered, jumping off the bicycle, her expression shifting constantly.
“Quick, notify the master,” she told her Kasugai crow, which swiftly disappeared into the night.
“Tang An, I’ll hold him off. You need to get away,” Mitsuri whispered, pulling on Tang An’s sleeve and drawing her Nichirin Blade.
She had no confidence in defeating Muzan. She had once fought an Upper-Rank demon and had barely lasted ten minutes before being defeated. If it weren’t for the other Hashira’s timely rescue, she would have died.
An Upper-Rank demon was already challenging enough, let alone Muzan.
Mitsuri only planned to stall Muzan until the other Hashira arrived.
“I’m actually very strong,” Tang An said, feeling Mitsuri’s tension and urgency—this silly girl.
Before Mitsuri could react, Tang An looked at Muzan, a hint of greed in his violet diamond-patterned eyes.
If he could eat Muzan, he would gain immortality.
He had expected to meet Muzan at the climax, but here he was in the twelfth chapter.
“You are the one who killed…”
Muzan’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t like how Tang An looked at him as if he were prey.
With the ground exploding and Mitsuri’s skirt fluttering, Tang An transformed into a golden lightning bolt and appeared in front of Muzan.
Tang An had guessed what Muzan wanted to say.
He then remembered that Muzan could control all demons and read their memories.
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