Chapter 155: The Upper Rank Meeting
The news gradually reached the ears of the Demon Slayer Corps' retired trainers.
Among the most prominent of those responsible for training Demon Slayer swordsmen were Sakonji Urokodaki and Jigoro Kuwajima.
The moment they saw the letter, both men were stunned.
Su Chen's name had only recently been mentioned, back when he had first ascended to the rank of Dragon Hashira. Neither of them had expected to hear his name again so soon—much less that he had already slain an Upper Rank.
How powerful!
How terrifying!
The Demon Slayer Corps was truly fortunate!
As former Hashira, Urokodaki Sakonji and Kuwajima Jigoro suddenly felt a weight lift from their shoulders.
They had never expected to witness the rise of such a prodigy in their later years.
If the Upper Rank demons were being slain one after another, then how far away could the destruction of the Demon King really be?
The news eventually reached the Swordsmith Village as well.
After working tirelessly for an entire day, Haganezuka finally put down his hammer.
Then he received the news that Su Chen had slain an Upper Rank.
He was speechless.
The last time Su Chen's sword had broken, Haganezuka had thought that the boy simply did not understand the value of a sword.
But he had never imagined that this very person would one day be capable of slaying an Upper Rank.
Why would someone like that deceive a mere swordsmith like him?
So...
Was there really something wrong with his sword?
The thought flashed through Haganezuka's mind.
He immediately picked up his massive hammer once more, determined to forge an unparalleled sword for Su Chen!
The room filled with the flames of the forge.
Sparks and the sweat of a man intertwined, leaping through the air.
Finally...
The news was spread by Lady Amane and reached the ears of every Hashira.
The Mist Hashira had just beheaded one of the newly promoted Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. Muichiro Tokito raised his head and gazed blankly at the Kasugai Crow flying overhead.
"Impressive."
The Mist Hashira spoke without expression.
"So this is Su Chen's strength? He's the same age as me, yet he has already slain three Upper Ranks, while I can only toy with Lower Ranks."
This was the first time Muichiro Tokito had ever been completely overwhelmed by another person in terms of talent.
"How strange. Why is Su Chen capable of killing three Upper Ranks? What exactly is special about him?"
The Stone Hashira had just completed a mission and was currently training beneath a waterfall.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Two clear tears rolled down his face.
"Namu Amida Butsu... Young Su Chen has begun slaying demons once more. It seems the threat level posed by demons to the Demon Slayer Corps will have to be raised considerably."
The Serpent Hashira and Love Hashira were eating together.
Mitsuri Kanroji happily smiled.
"Oh! Master Su Chen really did slay three Upper Ranks! As expected of Master Su Chen!"
The Serpent Hashira merely rolled his neck.
He said nothing, silently expressing his agreement.
There was indeed no doubt about it...
Under the sunlight, beside a lake.
After reading the message, Giyu Tomioka's normally calm face finally revealed a smile.
At last, perhaps he could relinquish the burden of being the Water Hashira.
With Su Chen around, the Demon Slayer Corps' casualties would be drastically reduced.
Maybe, from now on, he could finally have a proper rest...
Meanwhile.
The Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji had also received the news.
Inside the Infinity Castle, the air seemed as still as stagnant water.
Not a sound could be heard.
There were three demons present.
Kokushibo, Douma, and Akaza.
This was only Akaza's second time coming here.
He could not understand why the Infinity Castle—which had seen so few visitors over the past century—had suddenly become so busy this year.
Had Muzan missed him?
Akaza raised his head toward Muzan.
Then he noticed the frost covering Muzan's face.
In truth, Muzan was staring at the only three demons remaining before him, deep in thought.
He had previously sent a message to Douma, ordering him to bring Su Chen back.
Douma had failed.
Furthermore, Muzan had already declared that if the mission failed, he would wipe out the remaining Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.
The result had been unexpectedly effective.
To prevent Muzan from personally taking action, Su Chen had killed Hantengu, Gyokko, and Gyutaro, leaving Muzan with nowhere to vent his fury...
At this moment, Muzan was already on the verge of exploding.
As fate would have it, Akaza happened to meet Muzan's gaze.
Muzan bared his fangs.
A terrifying pressure immediately descended upon Akaza's head!
Akaza's skin began to crack.
The fractures spread inch by inch from his neck throughout his entire body.
The mighty Upper Rank Three was brought to the brink of death merely by Muzan looking at him.
Akaza had no idea why he was being punished.
But he did not dare ask.
As the saying went, when your boss was chewing you out, you endured it.
Only an idiot would ask questions at a time like this.
Akaza soon learned the answer from Muzan himself.
Within Akaza's field of vision, Muzan's gaze slowly shifted toward Douma.
The person Akaza hated most!
At this moment, Douma wore an excited, almost sickly expression as he gazed expectantly at Muzan.
Muzan spoke.
"Douma, explain yourself. Where is Su Chen? Why was he able to escape from you?"
"Perhaps I have been too lenient with all of you?"
The moment those words fell, Akaza immediately understood what had happened.
Damn it!
So it was you!
You little bastard!
Akaza was furious.
He had come to attend the meeting, only to be punished because of Douma's failure.
If Akaza could have been happy about that, he would have turned into a demon years ago!
Unfortunately, Akaza could not utter a single word.
Under Muzan's control, his throat had been crushed, leaving him completely unable to speak.
Everyone knew that whenever a demon was being punished by Muzan, their regenerative abilities could temporarily be taken away.
In other words, Akaza was currently surviving entirely through sheer force of will.
He glared viciously at Douma, trying to kill him with nothing but his eyes.
Douma noticed Akaza's gaze.
He suddenly smiled.
Then, to Akaza's utter disbelief, he even provocatively reached out and stroked Akaza's face.
His tone was gentle.
"Lord Akaza, you needn't worry about me. Thank you for looking at me with such tenderness. You truly are my good friend."
Akaza: "...?"
Akaza was so furious that he nearly coughed up blood.
Which of your damned eyes saw me worrying about you?!
Is your brain as stupid as those eyes of yours?
Both are completely useless!
Caught completely off guard, Akaza nearly broke down.
A mouthful of old blood sprayed out.
Douma immediately looked concerned.
"Lord Akaza, what's wrong? Even if you're worried about me, there's no need to vomit blood..."
"Enough!"
Muzan roared.
"I don't have time to watch the two of you put on this little brotherly display!"
After being shouted at by Muzan, everyone fell silent.
Except for Kokushibo, Muzan had cursed the others from head to toe.
Nakime silently witnessed the entire scene.
Fortunately, things were not too bad for her.
She had also participated in the battle that day, but she had merely provided support.
Thankfully, Muzan had not directed his anger toward her.
Once his anger had been vented, Muzan's mood finally settled somewhat.
"Where is the blueprint for the Blue Spider Lily? Let me see it!"
Muzan shouted at Douma.
Douma had been prepared for this.
He immediately took out the blueprint for the Blue Spider Lily.