Chapter 129: Ren's Test on the Eve of Battle!
Gyutaro hurriedly stopped her.
"Ume, calm down. You're in your imitation form right now. He shouldn't be able to recognize you!"
Imitation was a technique that only powerful demons among the Twelve Kizuki could use.
Just like Daki, who had remained hidden in the Entertainment District for so long, completely concealing her true demonic form and blending seamlessly into human society.
Likewise, Douma's childlike appearance when he first arrived, the leader's disguised appearance as a man, and his own childlike form were all extremely precise examples of imitation.
Unless a Demon Slayer possessed an ability similar to Tanjiro's sense of smell, Zenitsu's hearing, or Inosuke's perception, it was extremely difficult to discover that a demon in an imitation form was actually a demon.
Unfortunately, Ren had hundreds of ways to expose his opponent's true identity.
The moment he entered, he used his extraordinary hearing to determine that her heart rate was completely different from that of an ordinary human, immediately seeing through her disguise.
To be fair, Daki really was beautiful when she wasn't speaking.
Unfortunately, she also had a mouth capable of eating, cursing, and perhaps even boiling water...
The two remained silent for two seconds.
Neither spoke first.
The most uncomfortable person of all was the new proprietress of the Kyogoku House.
She had entered with absolute confidence, intending to teach Daki a lesson. Instead, she had been reprimanded herself—and Ren had witnessed the entire spectacle.
Now that Daki wasn't saying anything, the proprietress could neither stay nor leave. All she could do was stand there awkwardly and pretend nothing was happening.
Seeing this, Ren smiled faintly.
"Madam, you can leave first. I'd like to have a private conversation with Miss Daki."
"All right! Yes!"
The proprietress hurriedly agreed and left without looking back.
As she descended the stairs, Ren could even hear her sigh of relief.
"Damn! What a complete mess. I'm getting out of here right now. Whoever wants to come to this damned place can deal with it themselves!"
"Mm..."
Ren looked at the "Daki" before him and smiled faintly.
"Looks like Miss Daki isn't very popular."
After speaking with Gyutaro, Daki smiled as well.
"Not at all. It's mainly because I'm rather withdrawn by nature and don't get along well with the proprietress."
As Daki spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Ren.
Only after realizing that he didn't seem to have discovered her true identity did she finally relax slightly.
Earlier, Gyutaro had told Daki to keep Ren calm first and wait for Hantengu to arrive before taking any action.
After that, they would cut off contact with Douma.
Douma would then notice that something was happening here, and together they would surround and eliminate Ren.
Gyutaro's thinking was exceptionally clear.
Ren had already killed an Upper Rank before, proving that his strength was extraordinary. Even so, they still needed to act cautiously.
Furthermore, Ren had suddenly appeared here, and his motives were unknown.
That meant they first needed to determine what he intended to do.
The atmosphere gradually became tense.
Downstairs, the main hall of the Kyogoku House was bustling with activity.
People came and went, laughing and drinking. Occasionally, familiar customers would meet and call for one or two courtesans, seeking entertainment.
Before long, the small establishment in this city that never seemed to sleep had become lively.
Amid the clinking of cups, Ren could still hear customers asking about the oiran Warabihime, wondering why she hadn't come downstairs to perform her usual talents that evening.
What they didn't know was that the proprietress of the Kyogoku House had just fled...
Ren rubbed his nose and spoke casually.
"Looks like Lady Warabihime has a busy schedule. I won't disturb her."
"Don't disturb me?"
Daki suddenly spoke.
"A distinguished guest has come all this way. How could Daki possibly ruin his mood?"
"Oh?"
Ren smiled.
"Wasn't Lady Warabihime in a bad mood? Somehow, you don't seem like it."
Ren took two steps forward.
"May I speak with you in your room?"
Daki opened the door and allowed him inside.
"Of course."
The two entered the room and sat facing each other.
At that moment, Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief.
That's right.
He had been testing her all along.
From the moment he came upstairs, he had been using Beast Breathing, Seventh Form: Spatial Perception, together with his extraordinary hearing, continuously monitoring his surroundings.
Fortunately, he hadn't heard anything unusual.
Entering the room had also been part of Ren's plan.
After all, he had yet to fight the stronger enemies and knew nothing about their true strength. Therefore, Ren had to make certain that he remained safe.
He needed to investigate the surrounding area first.
He couldn't recklessly put Hinatsuru and the others in danger.
Fortunately, Ren hadn't heard the heartbeat of any other demons either.
Everything remained within his control.
At that very moment, outside the Kyogoku House...
Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma were guarding the Kyogoku residence.
Dressed lightly, they hid within the shadows, prepared to prevent any unexpected incidents while also serving as messengers.
According to Ren's plan, if they wanted to eliminate the cancer festering within the Entertainment District, they had to kill Upper Rank Six here.
Hinatsuru's thoughts couldn't help returning to what had happened earlier that day.
When Ren had said that they were going to kill an Upper Rank, her heart had remained anything but calm.
Makio and Suma had felt the same way.
Although all three of them had tried their best to appear calm, Hinatsuru had known them for so many years that she could still sense the tension between them.
She subconsciously looked at the young man standing opposite them.
The young man was nearly ten years younger than her, yet his expression was completely calm.
He didn't seem to think that what he had just said was particularly shocking at all.
If the Demon Slayer Corps found out about this, they'd probably go crazy, wouldn't they?
After all, the Demon Slayer Corps hadn't killed an Upper Rank in a very long time.
The Dragon Hashira had not only personally stepped forward to kill an Upper Rank, but he was also exceptionally kind toward ordinary comrades whose strength was inferior to his own.
In other words, Lord Dragon Hashira was truly a gift from heaven to the Demon Slayer Corps.
To be honest, Hinatsuru was deeply afraid that, because of her, the Demon Slayer Corps might lose this extraordinary talent.
Hinatsuru was genuinely afraid.
She was afraid of dying.
She was afraid she would never see Lord Tengen again.
She was afraid that she was too weak and would eventually become a burden to Ren.
These thoughts surged through her like a tide in the darkness, threatening to drown her completely.
Until a fair hand rested gently on her shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. Lord Dragon Hashira will definitely succeed."
It was Makio's voice.
Firm.
Filled with absolute trust.
Hinatsuru turned around, met her gaze, and nodded firmly.
Night descended.
The Entertainment District blazed with lights.
People came and went, smiles spread across their faces, and the entire street seemed prosperous and lively.
But behind this bustling scene, who could have imagined that some of the most vicious and evil demons in the world were living here?
By the roadside, a child received a candied hawthorn skewer and broke into a radiant smile.
Seeing that scene, Hinatsuru tightened her grip around her weapon.
Such a beautiful sight... How could we possibly allow demons to destroy it?
In the pitch-black night, these innocent people continued living their lives.
And the resolve of the Demon Slayers to exterminate the demons grew stronger.
Before deciding to make his move, Ren still decided to ask his opponent one question first.
Looking around the exquisitely furnished and spotless room, Ren's expression remained calm, though there was a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
"Miss Daki, may I ask you something?"
Daki smiled.
"Go ahead."
Ren suddenly asked,
"Are you still afraid of fire?"