The One Who Will End It All! A Ten-Thousand-Word Mini Chapter! Please Subscribe

Detailed information describing the battle against two Upper Moons was officially sent out and arrived at Demon Slayer Corps headquarters at dawn.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, tortured by illness and unable to sleep, received the report immediately. After reading the first page, his hands holding the letter began to tremble uncontrollably.

Suppressing his excitement as he read through the entire report, Kagaya Ubuyashiki let out a long breath, as though he had exhaled all the pent-up gloom accumulated over so many years.

Hearing the commotion, Amane Ubuyashiki entered the room. She saw her husband sitting by the window. She had expected him to be suffering from his illness, but instead, his face was full of smiles.

"What happened to make you so happy?" Amane Ubuyashiki slowly walked over to her husband and draped an outer robe over him. The night wind was strong, and for someone as ill as him, a moment of carelessness could mean waking up seriously sick the next day.

"Amane, do you believe that there are truly people in this world who can kill demons through their own strength?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki had yet to emerge from the afterglow of his excitement, and his entire body trembled slightly. This made his wife think he was cold, so she covered him with another layer of clothing.

Amane Ubuyashiki said reproachfully, "Doesn’t every swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps rely on their own skill to kill demons? What is there to make such a fuss over? Was it worth sitting by the window in the middle of the night, letting yourself catch cold?"

"Even the strongest swordsmen still need Nichirin Swords to sever a demon’s neck. I mean someone who doesn’t need a Nichirin Sword—someone who can kill demons using nothing but the strength of their body!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki stared intently at his wife, his gaze as sincere as a child’s.

"You should be past the age of idolizing heroes." Amane Ubuyashiki shook her head and smiled, but soon she could no longer smile. Her husband’s expression was incomparably serious, as though he were describing something that truly existed.

Yet to every member of the Demon Slayer Corps, such a thing sounded like a fantasy. No one knew better than them how powerful demons were. A being capable of crushing such monsters with physical strength alone could only be an even more powerful monster!

It could never be human!

Amane Ubuyashiki noticed the mission report in her husband’s hands. Drawing a deep breath, she asked, "Was it what this report says that gave you this idea?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki handed the report to his wife and smiled gently. "Read it. What it says may overturn everything you imagine."

Amane Ubuyashiki accepted the report and read for a long time. Her expression changed again and again. At last, she put down the intelligence report and asked, "Is what it says credible?"

Every piece of intelligence the Demon Slayer Corps received had been delivered at the cost of its members’ lives. The Ubuyashiki Clan had never questioned that before. This might have been the first time.

So when Amane Ubuyashiki voiced that question, even she froze in surprise.

"This intelligence was sent back by Kanae. As for the person she mentioned, I told you about him not long ago."

Amane Ubuyashiki began recalling every word her husband had said to her.

"Is he the Tsuguko Himejima-sensei took in?"

Amane Ubuyashiki suddenly understood, and then her expression gradually turned to shock. "I remember… it has only been a few months since he took the Final Selection…"

"There are always people in this world blessed with extraordinary talent."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki chuckled softly, then closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. The room became quiet as Amane Ubuyashiki watched her husband silently from the side.

After a long while, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said in a deep voice, "I want to convene a Pillar Meeting."

Tokyo.

Kibutsuji Muzan, the progenitor of demons, was currently living in the form of a child with a family of pharmacists.

He was not there to enjoy the wealthy life of a medical family, but for the family’s extensive collection of medical texts.

From the day he became a demon, Kibutsuji Muzan had relentlessly pursued one thing.

The Blue Spider Lily.

No matter how many ancient books Kibutsuji Muzan searched through, he could find no records concerning the Blue Spider Lily, to the point that he had begun to doubt whether such a flower truly existed.

Whenever he thought that the so-called Blue Spider Lily might not exist at all, Kibutsuji Muzan would immediately fall into an extremely violent rage.

Whenever Kibutsuji Muzan was in a bad mood, the number of missing people in Tokyo surged.

As Muzan flipped through a book, an image he had never seen before suddenly flashed through his mind. In that image, "he" was being held in someone’s hand and stared at with utter contempt.

That gaze instantly reminded him of the swordsman who had driven him into a desperate corner hundreds of years ago.

As more and more images flooded into his mind, Muzan’s expression grew increasingly twisted. His fury even made it difficult for him to maintain the form of a child, and he nearly revealed his true body.

Mixed within that overwhelming rage was an indescribable trace of fear.

How could someone like this exist in the world?

Had he also taken some special medicine?

Or perhaps… was he another demon created by the doctor, aside from himself?

Countless questions came crashing down like a tide, overwhelming Muzan’s mind. The absolute power Chu Yang displayed had nothing to do with the word "human."

Since Chu Yang had killed Doma and Akaza barehanded, Muzan did not connect the terrifying youth in his mind with the new Demon Slayer Corps swordsman mentioned in intelligence reports not long ago.

After Muzan witnessed Akaza’s entire death through the memories, the fear hidden deep within his soul, accompanied by profound self-doubt, began to expand wildly.

That familiar blaze, like a blazing sun, was a horrifying nightmare Muzan could never erase from his life!

He knew perfectly well that it was Sun Breathing!

"Impossible! I was alive in that era! I killed every swordsman who knew Sun Breathing!"

"This Breathing Technique cannot still exist in this world!"

"It absolutely cannot!"

Muzan wanted to deny the existence of Sun Breathing, but the clear images in his mind were slapping him viciously across the face. The tyrannical flames coiling around Chu Yang’s body could even suppress two Upper Moons at once.

After seeing the flames around Chu Yang, Muzan became certain that he was human, because no demon in the world could withstand the scorching heat of Sun Breathing.

Intense fear made Muzan’s body tremble uncontrollably. Despite being the progenitor of demons, he could not calm himself.

The inhuman abilities Chu Yang displayed far surpassed those of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Though Yoriichi Tsugikuni had been powerful, he had still needed the blade in his hand to kill demons.

But Chu Yang did not!

With a pair of fists, he could smash an Upper Moon’s head to pieces alive!

"I must gather the remaining demons of the Twelve Kizuki!"

Suppressing his fear, Kibutsuji Muzan summoned his subordinates. The demons who received his command began gathering in the Infinity Castle.

What Kibutsuji Muzan had brought the Ubuyashiki Clan was not merely a curse, but also a miraculous power of precognition. Once the Ubuyashiki Clan resolved to eliminate Kibutsuji Muzan, this power gradually manifested in the descendants of their bloodline.

Relying on their ability to foresee the future, the Ubuyashiki Clan had escaped Kibutsuji Muzan’s pursuit several times.

They had also continuously strengthened the Demon Slayer Corps and battled against him for a thousand years.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki desperately wanted to meet Chu Yang because he wanted to see revelations about the future through him.

This might be the Ubuyashiki Clan’s greatest turning point in a thousand years.

Kasugai Crows flew in and out constantly, countless messages passing back and forth until they ultimately formed two words.

Gather!

For a time, the Pillars scattered across various regions temporarily set aside their affairs and rushed back to headquarters as quickly as possible.

Kanae, who had returned to the Butterfly Mansion to recuperate, also received the order.

But unlike the other Pillars, she also received a message of concern from Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

The gathering was set for five days later. By then, her body would have mostly recovered, so she would not miss this Pillar Meeting.

Chu Yang naturally received the gathering order as well. He was the true focus of this meeting.

Inside the Butterfly Mansion.

Having just changed her sister’s bandages, Shinobu Kocho walked out of the room and saw Chu Yang standing in the courtyard, basking in the sun.

He was lying beneath a cherry blossom tree, enjoying the rare sunlight.

The past few days had been nothing but overcast skies and endless rain.

Shinobu Kocho stood there watching Chu Yang for a long time, her face gradually flushing as she recalled how unreasonable she had been with him last time.

Though she could tell herself that worrying about someone made people act irrationally, Shinobu Kocho still felt guilty. If not for Chu Yang, she might truly have lost her only family member forever.

"What are you doing here by yourself?" Wanting to apologize, Shinobu Kocho ignored her embarrassment and forced herself to walk up to Chu Yang. But when the words reached her lips, she hesitated.

"There’s no need for awkward small talk when you already know the answer. If you want to apologize, just do it. Don’t waste time on meaningless things." Half-asleep, Chu Yang glanced at her and mercilessly exposed the girl’s awkwardness.

Shinobu Kocho glared at him in embarrassment and anger, but she did not stubbornly argue any further. She honestly apologized to Chu Yang.

A smile curled at the corner of Chu Yang’s lips, and he nodded. "Good. I accept your apology."

Hearing that, Shinobu Kocho felt greatly relieved. Chu Yang immediately seemed much more pleasing to the eye.

Smiling with narrowed eyes, she asked, "I heard you’re going to the Pillar Meeting with my sister this time?"

"After all, we killed two demons ranked near the top among the Upper Moons. Headquarters definitely needs a detailed understanding of the entire process. Kanae-senpai’s report alone isn’t enough."

Chu Yang gazed leisurely at the sky. Shinobu Kocho watched him from the side and felt that he did not seem particularly concerned about the tense situation at hand.

Thinking of that, Shinobu Kocho suddenly grew curious again. She carefully asked, "How strong are the Upper Moons, exactly? Is it really as Sister Kanae said—that with only one Pillar, it’s difficult to match them?"

Chu Yang picked up several fallen cherry blossom petals and chewed them dry in his mouth. Only after the floral fragrance filled his mouth did he say indistinctly, "It depends. Even among the Pillars, there are differences in strength. If it were Himejima-sensei, he could still suppress either Doma or Akaza in a one-on-one fight."

Shinobu Kocho blurted out, "Then what if it were one against two, like you?"

Chu Yang did not answer Shinobu Kocho’s question.

Instead, he began single-mindedly admiring the ever-changing clouds.

Shinobu Kocho did not press the matter either.

Although she had not received a direct answer from Chu Yang, she already had her own answer in her heart.

"You two are quite relaxed." Kanae, dressed in a pure white haori, slowly walked over. Her complexion was more rosy than before.

"Sis, you should rest in your room a little longer!" Shinobu Kocho hurried toward Kanae and wanted to support her, but Kanae refused.

"I’ve rested enough. It’s time to prepare for the Pillar Meeting. Chu Yang, you should get ready too." Kanae smiled.

Her voice was gentle and unhurried, never making anyone feel forced.

"I don’t have anything to pack. If you’re fine, we can leave now." Chu Yang stood and brushed the dirt off himself.

Shinobu Kocho turned and glared at Chu Yang. "My sister’s injuries haven’t healed yet. Can’t you wait a little longer? What’s the rush?"

"It’s not that he’s in a hurry. I am!" Kanae tapped Shinobu Kocho on the forehead with her finger and said irritably, "The other Pillars have already been arriving at headquarters one after another. If we don’t leave now, are we supposed to make the Master and everyone else wait anxiously for us?"

A mist of tears covered Shinobu Kocho’s eyes as she looked pitifully at Kanae.

"Anyway, while I’m gone, you and Makomo need to look after the Butterfly Mansion. And take good care of Kanao too. She’s still young, and she’s gone through some terrible things…"

As Kanae spoke, her voice grew softer and softer. Shinobu Kocho looked up and found that her sister’s eyes, like her own, were clouded with tears.

Kanae suddenly pulled Shinobu Kocho tightly into her arms. "Shinobu, wait a little longer. We’ll end all of this soon. Then you can be an ordinary girl and enjoy your own life. You won’t have to run around the Butterfly Mansion every day or worry about my safety."

"Don’t worry about me, Sis. As long as you’re here, I’ve always been happy." Shinobu Kocho quietly embraced Kanae, the feeling of having regained what she had lost growing ever stronger in her heart.

After a moment, the two sisters separated. Shinobu Kocho stopped sulking and solemnly apologized to Chu Yang once more.

Chu Yang waved his hand, not taking it to heart at all.

Afterward, Chu Yang and Kanae left the Butterfly Mansion. Accompanied by the Kakushi, they headed to headquarters. Though the situation was urgent, the two still followed the rules and had their eyes completely covered.

The more critical the moment, the more important it was to remain calm and do the things one normally did.

Chu Yang was large in stature, and the Kakushi members spent quite a bit of effort getting him to headquarters. By the time the two arrived, the sun had already set.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki and the other Pillars were waiting for them.

Before the covering over his eyes had even been removed, Chu Yang sensed a familiar presence.

Gyomei Himejima stood at the front of the Pillars and walked toward Chu Yang. A compassionate smile appeared on his face as he personally untied the black cloth covering Chu Yang’s eyes.

"You did well," Gyomei Himejima said softly.

Then he turned and led Chu Yang and Kanae into the courtyard.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood in the courtyard, silently watching Chu Yang. Though he had not yet gone completely blind, his vision had become very blurred, and he could only vaguely make out the youth’s outline.

Their gazes met in the air. In that instant, countless images emerged within Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s spiritual world.

The images flashed continuously before finally freezing on one scene.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s breathing immediately quickened.

He strode quickly up to Chu Yang and excitedly grasped his hand.

"You are the one who will end it all!"

The one who would end it all.

Everyone’s expressions changed drastically. The weight of Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s words was extraordinary. It represented the thousand-year grudge between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons since the Corps’ birth, and the first glimpse of dawn at the end of it all.

Kanae, standing not far behind Chu Yang, covered her mouth in excitement, tears glimmering in her eyes.

She had come today precisely to hear those words from the Master’s mouth.

"The one who will end it all." Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, lowered his head, and murmured the words repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.

"Hahaha! Looks like my luck is pretty good. I only became a Pillar not long ago, yet I might actually fulfill my wish of killing all demons."

While the others stood stunned, a boy around Kanae’s age laughed heartily. His golden-red hair, like the sun itself, drew Chu Yang’s attention.

Most of the Pillars of this generation were around the same age. Including Kanae, they were all about seventeen or eighteen, quite young—just high school seniors in modern terms.

They had also become Pillars at nearly the same time.

Tengen Uzui and Gyomei Himejima were slightly older, one twenty-three and the other twenty-five.

"Kyojuro Rengoku, stop joking around. That brat is so young and has only been in the Demon Slayer Corps for a few months. You don’t really believe he could kill an Upper Moon by himself, do you?"

"If you ask me, he probably used some little trick to fool Kanae. Those two demons weren’t Upper Moons at all."

The boy mocking Chu Yang had a long, narrow scar running across the bridge of his nose. With his spiky silver-white hair, he was impossible to miss.

Most importantly was his attitude. Of everyone Chu Yang had met, he was the most arrogant.

Chu Yang could clearly sense it…

This white-haired boy did not regard anyone in the courtyard as worthy of his attention.

"Shut up, Sanemi!" Kanae glared angrily at the person spouting nonsense and said coldly, "Do you think I can’t even distinguish truth from lies? Or do you think just any two demons could leave me completely unable to fight back?"

As she spoke, Kanae placed her hand on the Nichirin Sword at her waist and said in a deep voice, "If you look down on my strength so much, why don’t you test it yourself!"

"That’s not what I meant, Kanae!" Realizing he had said the wrong thing, Sanemi Shinazugawa became flustered. He hurriedly explained, "What I mean is, those two demons might have been Lower Moons. Even if they aren’t as strong as Upper Moons, they—"

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s explanation only made Kanae’s expression grow more displeased.

"You really don’t know how to talk, Sanemi-senpai." Mitsuri Kanroji, the youngest of them all, widened her eyes and shook her head helplessly. "With a mouth that clumsy, how have you survived until now?"

"You, watch your mouth!" Sanemi Shinazugawa turned and snarled at her, gritting his teeth as though he wanted to devour someone.

Chu Yang reached out and pressed Kanae’s half-drawn sword back into its sheath. Smiling, he said, "There’s a better way to prove it."

As he spoke, he walked toward Sanemi Shinazugawa and crooked a finger at him. "Why not give it a try?"

Sanemi Shinazugawa revealed a cruel smile. "You don’t think I’ll go easy on you too, do you?"

Kanae frowned again, her expression displeased.

"You look like an edgy teenager having some kind of love-induced episode." Chu Yang clicked his tongue and mocked him with a half-smile. "You’re already eighteen. Surely you’re not that bad, right?"

"Bastard." Sanemi Shinazugawa charged at Chu Yang with extreme speed. The air around him surged, clearly showing that he had activated his Breathing Technique, though he had not drawn his sword or used a sword technique.

As a practitioner of Wind Breathing, Sanemi Shinazugawa excelled in speed. Whether in attack speed or movement speed, he was the strongest among all the Pillars.

To the others, Sanemi Shinazugawa suddenly vanished, then abruptly appeared before Chu Yang. Before Chu Yang could react, his fist was already swinging toward Chu Yang’s head.

Gyomei Himejima and Kyojuro Rengoku appeared beside Kagaya Ubuyashiki at the same time, protecting him. The others also moved closer, believing that regardless of Chu Yang’s strength, Sanemi Shinazugawa himself might injure the Master.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, meanwhile, stared intently at the two of them without blinking.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was fairly decent about it. He did not use a weapon, attacking Chu Yang barehanded instead. Perhaps deep down, he believed Chu Yang was not even worthy of making him draw a weapon.

Yet just as Sanemi Shinazugawa was about to strike Chu Yang’s cheek, he seemed to see Chu Yang smiling through the haze.

More precisely, smiling at him.

Sanemi Shinazugawa froze for a moment.

Why was he smiling?

After Sanemi Shinazugawa’s fist struck Chu Yang’s cheek, a crisp sound suddenly rang out.

The sound of bone breaking.

The corners of Sanemi Shinazugawa’s mouth lifted slightly.

The pain of a fractured facial bone was excruciating. He hoped this brat would not scream too loudly, lest it look like he was bullying him.

The next second, Sanemi Shinazugawa’s expression gradually changed.

He felt a piercing pain coming from his knuckles, growing more intense by the second.

Only then did Sanemi Shinazugawa realize that the broken bones were his, not Chu Yang’s.

That guy had not even dodged. He had taken the punch head-on with his face!

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s hair stood on end. Instinctively, he tried to pull away from Chu Yang, but the instant he withdrew his hand, he felt something clamp down hard around his arm.

Sanemi Shinazugawa looked up to find Chu Yang already gripping his arm, the smile and chill on his face both growing stronger.

He shuddered, a flash of fear passing through him.

At last, he reached for his Nichirin Sword with his other hand.

Chu Yang noticed Sanemi Shinazugawa’s movement but did not stop him. To Chu Yang, Sanemi Shinazugawa’s resistance was not even as fierce as Doma’s.

He wanted everyone present to understand just how powerful he was.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was merely a pitiful point of reference.

Consumed by rage, Sanemi Shinazugawa no longer held back. He drew his Nichirin Sword and, without another word, slashed at Chu Yang’s hand.

He refused to believe that Chu Yang would not let go even now.

Everyone watched the scene with bated breath. Gyomei Himejima wanted to intervene, but Kagaya Ubuyashiki behind him caught his sleeve.

"Don’t move."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke softly, keeping the Hashira beside him where they stood.

Kanae remained relatively calm, because she knew Sanemi Shinazugawa’s Nichirin Sword might not actually be able to cut through Chu Yang’s hand.

Then, before everyone’s eyes, Sanemi Shinazugawa’s Nichirin Sword smashed into Chu Yang’s arm. Sparks flew in every direction, as though two metals of equal hardness had collided.

Everyone’s pupils shrank sharply, and disbelief spread across their faces.

The most incredulous of all was Sanemi Shinazugawa himself!

But Chu Yang gave him no time to react. As the Nichirin Sword came down, Chu Yang raised his right fist and slammed it into Sanemi Shinazugawa’s face.

Splat!

Blood blossomed brilliantly in the air.

"Aaaahhh!!!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa wailed as he flew through the air. It was easy to imagine the agony he was suffering.

Even though Chu Yang had held back, his facial bones had most likely still fractured.

After landing, Sanemi Shinazugawa’s head swam. He struggled to get up, but his limbs had no strength left.

Blood blurred his vision as he narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at Chu Yang.

Just one punch!

Just one exchange!

He had been defeated by the person before him with absolute superiority!

His opponent had not even used a Nichirin Sword!

Yet he had used all his strength!

A crushing defeat!

An unquestionable crushing defeat!

How could someone as proud as Sanemi Shinazugawa endure such a defeat?

He desperately tightened his grip around his Nichirin Sword.

"Wind Breathing, Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa rapidly charged before Chu Yang and unleashed a full-force attack. He circled around Chu Yang in a continuous series of spinning slashes, his Nichirin Sword releasing countless wind blades that drew one another in like a true typhoon.

Chu Yang stood at the eye of the storm, enduring the most terrifying assault!

Kanae stepped forward several paces with a tense expression. The increasingly fierce battle between the two had already exceeded her expectations.

She feared that if this continued, Chu Yang might truly beat Sanemi Shinazugawa to death if he failed to hold back.

At this level of combat, it was difficult to leave room for restraint.

Countless wind blades scraped across Chu Yang’s body like steel knives. Separated by the wall-like tornado, people could only vaguely hear the clash of metal and see sparks bursting from time to time, dazzling as fireworks.

Only Sanemi Shinazugawa, who stood at the center of the storm alongside Chu Yang, could clearly see that Chu Yang was not deliberately defending against those dense wind blades at all. He simply stood there, watching him with an amused look.

That gaze seemed to say…

Is this your all-out attack?

Sanemi Shinazugawa was unwilling to accept it. He wanted to roar, but his mouth was filled only with bitterness.

Yes.

This was everything he had.

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s eyes gradually turned vacant as he sank into self-doubt. The double blow to his body and mind thoroughly crushed this young genius.

He could no longer hold on.

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s vision went black, and his consciousness fell into a daze. Apart from faintly hearing anxious cries for help, his body gradually went numb, as though the whole world were peeling him away from itself.

It felt as if his soul were leaving his body.

If Chu Yang had not held back, his life would likely have ended that day.

As everyone looked at the unconscious Genya Shinazugawa lying on the ground, aside from Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Kanae, who remained relatively composed, many people’s expressions changed again and again, their minds in complete chaos.

The defeat of a Hashira was horrifying enough, but even more terrifying was the absolute advantage Chu Yang had displayed during the battle.

If this had been a real fight to the death, it would mean Sanemi Shinazugawa’s fate would have been to die under Chu Yang’s brutal assault.

"Is this the gap between the Hashira and an Upper Moon?" The terror in Tengen Uzui’s eyes flashed away as he asked in a low voice, "How are we supposed to defeat an enemy this powerful?"

His question silenced most of the people present. Only Kyojuro Rengoku and Gyomei Himejima remained unaffected, their expressions unchanged.

The hearts of these two were incomparably steadfast. They felt fear as well, but they chose to face their enemy head-on.

Chu Yang returned carrying the unconscious Sanemi Shinazugawa, then tossed him to Kanae to tend to before saying to Tengen Uzui, "You got one thing wrong just now. This is not the gap between you and an Upper Moon. It is the gap between an Upper Moon and me."

Tengen Uzui’s face instantly turned red.

Obanai Iguro and Mitsuri Kanroji whispered to each other nearby.

"Did you see that? He does not have a single wound on him. Even his clothes are undamaged!"

"Mm, I saw it. If I had not seen him in daylight, I would definitely have thought he was a demon. This is not something a human can do."

"But he really is strong. He defeated Sanemi Shinazugawa so easily. His temper may not be great, but there is no questioning his strength."

"To be fair, Shinazugawa is stronger than I am. If I had been in that battle just now, it might have ended even more decisively."

Giyu Tomioka stood quietly to one side, listening to their conversation and silently nodding in agreement.

In truth, he had a favorable impression of Chu Yang. Though he had never met him, he had heard some things about Chu Yang from Sakonji Urokodaki and Makomo.

Chu Yang had slain the Hand Demon during Final Selection and helped Sabito fulfill his wish. For that, Giyu Tomioka was deeply grateful.

Therefore, he had no other thoughts about Chu Yang’s extraordinary strength. He simply felt that someone reaching such heights as a human deserved respect.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was greatly agitated, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. He had long glimpsed a corner of the future, but even after witnessing it with his own eyes, he could hardly restrain himself.

If not for his frail health, he would have wanted to shout aloud and vent all the resentment the Ubuyashiki Clan had accumulated over the past thousand years.

"How did you do it? Can you teach me?"

Kyojuro Rengoku stepped out from the crowd and walked straight up to Chu Yang, gazing at him with clear eyes. Most people would likely find it difficult to set aside their pride and humbly ask for guidance.

If anyone else had asked, Chu Yang would probably have brushed them off with a comment about talent. But facing Kyojuro Rengoku’s sincere gaze, he found it difficult to answer carelessly.

"Not long ago, while I was out on a mission, I happened to obtain an ancient Breathing Technique. At first glance, it was extremely similar to Flame Breathing, yet entirely different."

"Only later did I learn that this Breathing Technique was called Sun Breathing, created by a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni…"

Chu Yang calmly recounted the origins of the Breathing Techniques and Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s story. His plain words nevertheless stirred earth-shattering waves in everyone’s hearts.

After Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s death, the Demon Slayer Corps suffered Kibutsuji Muzan’s frenzied retaliation. It endured devastating blows several times throughout history and nearly lost its legacy entirely, so this period of history had long been forgotten.

Only through Chu Yang’s account did they understand how the Breathing Techniques had come into existence.

Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki, as the clan head, was hearing this for the first time. Chu Yang’s account resolved, one by one, many of the doubts he had once held about his family and the Demon Slayer Corps.

So the Demon Slayer Corps had once known such a glorious era. They had even come within a hair’s breadth of completely exterminating demons.

"May I see what Sun Breathing is truly like?" When Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, hopeful light flickered in his eyes.

It was not just him. Everyone else wore much the same expression.

Even though Kanae had already seen it once during her battle with Doma, she still wanted to witness that reassuringly powerful force again.

Chu Yang showed everyone the state of Sun Breathing. When flame-like currents of air wrapped around his body, its presence indeed looked very similar to Flame Breathing.

But everyone soon noticed the differences.

Sun Breathing generated far more heat than Flame Breathing. It truly felt as though one were being scorched by the blazing sun. Thinking of the sunlight demons feared most, everyone could understand why Kibutsuji Muzan, the progenitor of demons, feared practitioners of this Breathing Technique.

Just when everyone thought that was all, Chu Yang borrowed Kyojuro Rengoku’s Nichirin Sword and began demonstrating the Hinokami Kagura.

After Yoriichi Tsugikuni refined the thirteen sword forms of Sun Breathing, they could be called flawless. Every movement was incomparably perfect, possessing a beauty difficult to describe in words.

The sword techniques of Flame Breathing carried flame-shaped fighting spirit, while the Hinokami Kagura Chu Yang demonstrated had similar fighting spirit, along with a distinct white light circle at its center, like a radiant sun.

In an instant, Kyojuro Rengoku was completely captivated by the Hinokami Kagura.

Over the generations, some sword techniques of Flame Breathing had already been lost. The same was true of other Breathing Techniques. Thus, when the flawless thirteen forms of the Hinokami Kagura appeared before them, they subconsciously felt as though something missing within them had been restored.

Both Kyojuro Rengoku and Gyomei Himejima found inspiration within it to perfect their own sword techniques.

From that moment onward, they were utterly certain that the Sun Breathing Chu Yang spoke of was the origin of all Breathing Techniques.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood at the farthest edge, feeling the heat waves radiating from Chu Yang. The night had grown deep and the temperature had sharply dropped, yet he felt as though he were embracing the midday sun.

After demonstrating it several times, Chu Yang stopped. A thin layer of sweat covered his body. Every time he practiced the Hinokami Kagura, he pushed beyond his limits.

The warm sunlight vanished, and everyone wore expressions of lingering longing.

In just over ten minutes, they had benefited immensely.

"If everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps could practice Sun Breathing, demons would probably have been driven out long ago, wouldn’t they?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki said with feeling.

Chu Yang shook his head. "Sun Breathing is powerful, but the threshold for practicing it is also very high. Not everyone can cultivate it to an advanced realm. Hundreds of years ago, aside from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, there were other practitioners as well. Yet in the end, Kibutsuji Muzan still killed every last one of them."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded and said with a bitter smile, "You are right. I was taking it too much for granted."

Having already gone this far, Chu Yang did not mind doing a little more.

"Sun Breathing is powerful, but that does not mean the Breathing Techniques derived from it are weak. In fact, after reaching Total Concentration Constant, any Breathing Technique can raise the human body’s functions to a higher level."

"At that stage, strange marks will appear on the body. Yoriichi Tsugikuni possessed such marks from birth, and he also possessed even greater abilities."

Chu Yang continued explaining the concept of the marks in an unhurried manner, but during his explanation, he concealed the fact that they would drain one’s lifespan.

Because Chu Yang could resolve that drawback. If the marks drained life force, he could simply replenish it.

The marks draining life force were different from Tanjuro’s condition. The latter was already gravely ill, and there was not much Chu Yang could do.

Replenishing life force and curing a terminal illness were two different matters.

Chu Yang did not know how to treat illnesses.

But if someone could cure Tanjuro’s serious illness, Chu Yang could restore his life force to its peak and let him live a normal life.

"So as long as we awaken the marks, we can become as strong as you?" Tengen Uzui stared at Chu Yang with blazing eyes.

"That depends on the individual," Chu Yang replied. "If you truly awaken them, you can come find me and try."

Tengen Uzui smiled, genuinely looking eager to give it a try.

After learning about the marks, Giyu Tomioka, who had remained silent until then, suddenly asked, "Then how do we awaken the marks?"

"It is simple." As Chu Yang spoke, marks began appearing across his face and arms. Their shapes resembled the feathers of some animal, yet also seemed like scales.

"Among swordsmen, once someone awakens the marks, others will gradually awaken them as well, because the marks, like breathing, resonate with one another," Chu Yang said calmly. "You only need to let nature take its course."

Kyojuro Rengoku scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "It feels a bit like cheating."

Chu Yang shook his head. "Awakening the marks is not the pinnacle of Breathing Techniques."

"Though the marks can be ‘passed on,’ you must master the movements of your Breathing Techniques more precisely than before. You must try to unleash the greatest strength with the smallest movements. During that process, your mind will gradually become transparent."

"As your five senses open, you will sense more and more information coming from your body. This information, which your brain normally blocks out, will cause you immense pain. You must endure it and learn to control it."

"Then you can shut down certain unnecessary things, allowing all your movements to become as swift and precise as blinking. You can hide your presence at any time. At that point, a transparent world will appear in your mind. This state is called the Transparent World."

"In the Transparent World, the body’s capabilities greatly improve. You can judge the flow and rhythm of blood vessels within an enemy through their breathing, seeing their movements and weaknesses with perfect clarity."

Everyone listened with rapt attention, afraid of missing even the slightest piece of crucial information.

It was not until a cold wind blew through the late night, making Kagaya Ubuyashiki cough violently for a while, that everyone came back to their senses and hurriedly helped him into the house.

Everyone took their seats in the brightly lit hall and began discussing their next course of action.

"My appearance and the death of the Upper Moon have likely already drawn Kibutsuji Muzan’s attention. What attitude he will take remains uncertain, but there are only two possibilities."

"Either he will use his strongest forces to eliminate me before I grow even stronger, or he will fear my strength and hide somewhere, just as he did hundreds of years ago."

Listening to Chu Yang’s assessment, everyone wore vastly different expressions. These two possibilities represented two extremes.

No one spoke in the hall. Everyone was considering which scenario was more likely.

"Regardless of what Kibutsuji Muzan chooses, we must first do what we need to do."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked around, his gentle gaze passing lightly over everyone. "Only by awakening the marks and comprehending the Transparent World can we fight him. Before that, any preparations we make will be futile."

"Therefore, starting today, I will temporarily pull back all the forces of the Demon Slayer Corps. We will not give our enemy any opportunity to whittle us down. Once all of you have fully awakened the marks, we will strike in one decisive push and begin the final battle against Kibutsuji Muzan."

At the same time, within the Infinity Castle, Kibutsuji Muzan gathered a vast number of demons.

Aside from the Twelve Kizuki, there were many vicious demons who had survived for years and mastered Blood Demon Arts.

Kibutsuji Muzan did only one thing.

He gave them vast amounts of blood, allowing them a minuscule chance to evolve.

Most of the demons present would die because they could not withstand his blood.

But Muzan did not care in the slightest.

Within the Infinity Castle, blood surged like a tide.

Amid the eeriness was a trace of indescribable beauty.