The sun was scorching, making the air feel inexplicably dry and hot. Kurozawa looked at Sakonji Urokodaki, the golden sunlight falling on his cheeks, a look of helplessness on his face.
"Kurozawa, the Demon Slayer Corps is an organization founded to protect humans and slay Demons. I hope you won't be prejudiced against it. It's because of the existence of the Demon Slayer Corps that most humans have been able to live in peace for the past thousand years."
Sakonji Urokodaki spoke earnestly. His words just now were only meant to stop Kurozawa from mentioning leaving the Demon Slayer Corps again.
He understood Kurozawa. Kurozawa had always been free-spirited, but when it came to matters of his principles, he would be exceptionally stubborn and persistent, just like how Kurozawa believed that his eradication of the Iguro Family was correct.
So Sakonji Urokodaki didn't mention this matter, nor did he mention the discipline of the Demon Slayer Corps. He only spoke of the Demon Slayer Corps' duty, hoping Kurozawa would understand that the Demon Slayer Corps silently protected humanity, having also sacrificed countless lives and endured hardships behind the scenes.
"Yes, Uncle, don't say things you'll regret."
"When my family was attacked by Demons, I felt despair and helplessness, not knowing what to do about the future. Fortunately, I met the Demon Slayer Corps. With the support of my seniors and companions, I now have the strength and courage to seek revenge against the Demons."
Kocho Shinobu, who was nearby, also tried to persuade Kurozawa.
Kurozawa was unmoved, merely stating calmly, "I know all that you've said, Master. I will go to Lotus Town with the Flower Pillar, but after this time, if I encounter similar situations, I will still make the same choice."
Indeed, just as Sakonji Urokodaki said, the Demon Slayer Corps was a protective organization, fighting for the future of humanity, but so what? What did that have to do with him?
Kurozawa wasn't cold-blooded and would remain in the Demon Slayer Corps out of gratitude to Sakonji Urokodaki, but he also didn't possess the mindset of a saint. He only cared about the three or two important people around him. Although he might occasionally help those in need when he was in a good mood, ultimately, the word "kindness" had never been associated with him.
Sakonji Urokodaki glanced at Kurozawa, then nodded, turned, and left, returning to the mountainside.
Kurozawa had made a concession because of his feelings, but it would only be this once. Sakonji Urokodaki would not interfere with Kurozawa again in the future. He had deep feelings for the Demon Slayer Corps, but Kurozawa had no emotional attachment to it.
Half an hour later, Kurozawa and Kocho Kanae left together, while Kocho Shinobu remained on Mount Sagiri. She had come to Mount Sagiri with Kanae to learn Water Breathing from Sakonji Urokodaki, and then further study Water Breathing's derivative self-styled Breathing Techniques, as Sakonji Urokodaki was a peak existence among Water Breathing swordsmen.
As evening fell, night covered the sky. Scattered starlight dotted the side of the moon's crescent, together casting the light of the moon and stars.
On Mount Fujikasane, shrouded in the shadows of the night, occasional chilling roars of anomalies echoed, causing the beasts in the surrounding mountains to instinctively bristle and crouch low.
At the foot of Mount Fujikasane, a red, enchanting figure slowly approached.
Hongyue looked up at the small crescent moon, her face bathed in the bright moonlight. Immediately, her gaze passed through the obstruction of layers of trees and rocks, penetrated the Wisteria Flower barrier, and saw the numerous Demon shadows on Mount Fujikasane.
A gust of wind blew by, carrying the fragrance of Wisteria Flowers, passing by Hongyue.
Hongyue furrowed her brows, raising a fair and slender finger to cover her mouth and nose. A cold glint flashed in her eyes: "The entire mountain covered in Wisteria Flowers? A cage made of Wisteria Flowers. The Demon Slayer Corps truly has excellent methods."
The scent of Wisteria Flowers was pungent to Demons, and coupled with Mount Fujikasane's location deep within the mountains, no Demons approached it at all. The Demon Slayer Corps establishing Mount Fujikasane was very useful for both studying the constitution of Demons and training swordsmen. It was indeed a good move.
Controlling her body at a microscopic level, Hongyue shut off her sense of smell and walked up the mountain step by step.
She didn't walk fast, and even had time to stop and admire the falling Wisteria Flowers, because as soon as she arrived, Hongyue understood that Kurozawa wasn't on Mount Fujikasane.
She remembered Kurozawa's scent and didn't detect his presence on Mount Fujikasane now.
Although Kurozawa had participated in the swordsman selection on Mount Fujikasane a few months ago and left scent traces, so much time had passed that these traces had long since been carried away by the wind.
Unable to find Kurozawa, the mountain full of Wisteria Flowers on Mount Fujikasane, and the Demons enclosed within the Wisteria Flowers, also caught Hongyue's attention.
It was one thing when she didn't know about Mount Fujikasane before, but now that she did, she wouldn't allow such a place, a cage for Demons, to exist any longer.
Following the dim mountain path, Hongyue got closer and closer to Mount Fujikasane.
As she reached the foot of Mount Fujikasane, a large tree nearby rustled, and then a dark figure dropped to the ground from the tree crown.
He was wearing a Demon Slayer Corps uniform and a Nichirin Blade at his waist.
Upon seeing Hongyue, the swordsman guarding Mount Fujikasane was instinctively stunned, captivated by Hongyue's aloof and cold beauty. However, he quickly shook his head several times, looked at Hongyue vigilantly, and placed a hand on his sword hilt, gripping it tightly.
Stepping forward, the swordsman said in a deep voice, "Who are you, and what do you want here!"
A peerlessly beautiful woman suddenly appearing deep in the mountains – a normal person's first reaction would be amazement, but upon recovering, they would sense something was wrong. This swordsman's reaction was very normal.
He was eighty percent certain in his heart that Hongyue was a Demon, but he couldn't confirm it directly, so he held back, only maintaining a deep vigilance.
Hongyue looked at the swordsman, her eyes calm: "I'm looking for my companion, Kurozawa Danryu, but he doesn't seem to be here right now."
The swordsman was startled for a moment, then relaxed his grip on the sword: "I remember Kurozawa Danryu, he was very well-built. Are you his wife? He left Mount Fujikasane long ago after finishing the selection."
When Kurozawa and others came to Mount Fujikasane, they registered their identities at the foot of the mountain. Because of Kurozawa's striking physique, this Mount Fujikasane swordsman had an impression of Kurozawa.
Hearing the swordsman's answer, Hongyue's eyes lit up. She had only asked casually, but she didn't expect the swordsman to seem to know something.
"Yes, I am. Do you know where he is now?"
The swordsman thought for a moment, then said somewhat uncertainly, "He seems to be from the Mount Sagiri lineage. You can go look there." Thinking Hongyue was a relative of a colleague, the swordsman's vigilance weakened significantly, and he told Hongyue Kurozawa's true location.
"However, it's late. You should wait until it's light before setting off. The mountains are quite dangerous." Out of goodwill, the swordsman reminded Hongyue. He paused, then sighed: "Also, I hope you find him soon."
In his heart, he actually thought that Kurozawa was out on a mission and that after a long time without returning, something had likely happened. He even felt a touch of sympathy for Hongyue.
Across from the swordsman, Hongyue chuckled softly: "Thank you for the reminder."
At the same time, a piece of Wisteria Flower drifted from the mountain and happened to land on Hongyue's head, adorning the night. Immediately, Hongyue gently raised her hand, and a blood-red flash flickered, as fast as lightning.
Bang! The sound of a heavy object falling to the ground rang out. The swordsman fell to the ground without any reaction, unconscious, his face still holding the expression from before.
Having learned about Kurozawa, Hongyue was in a very good mood. The moonlight in her eyes seemed to have become a bit brighter, so she didn't kill him.
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