"Don't say anything about me, understand?"
Under the moonlight, Kibutsuji Muzan raised his right index finger, expressionlessly speaking to Rokuro, who had just become a Lower Moon and was kneeling on the ground.
His slightly magnetic voice was devoid of any emotion.
Although Muzan didn't threaten what would happen if Rokuro spoke, Rokuro's fear-emitting cells already told him that no matter where he was, this man could easily take his life.
"Yes…yes…this subordinate understands," Rokuro stammered, trembling as he replied.
The fear from that time was still etched into his cells, never to be erased…
Now, when asked about Muzan, Rokuro recalled that scene.
The replacement of Lower Moons was extremely frequent; the Demon Slayers' hunts accounted for part of the reason, but another part was internal competition among demons. To gain more blood and become stronger, most intelligent demons wanted to become one of the Twelve Kizuki.
However, even becoming a member of the Twelve Kizuki didn't mean safety. As Muzan's direct subordinates, if their strength or actions failed to satisfy Muzan, they would either be stripped of their Lower Moon title, or worse, directly devoured.
Rokuro, as Lower Moon Two, had personally witnessed a Lower Moon being instantly annihilated by Muzan just for saying one wrong word.
I can't say it…I absolutely cannot say it…otherwise, I'll die a terrible death. Even if I die at the hands of this Demon Slayer, I cannot say it…
Rokuro thought, trembling all over.
"Muzan turned you into a demon, didn't he? As his direct subordinate, one of the Twelve Kizuki, do you really know nothing about him?" Chiba Yo asked coldly, looking at Rokuro on the ground.
Having finally encountered a demon with a relatively close connection to Muzan, Chiba Yo naturally wanted to extract as much information about Muzan as possible.
"I don't know…I don't know…" Rokuro still looked as if he would rather die than speak, shaking his head repeatedly, his body shifting. However, he was indeed moving closer to Chiba Yo.
As long as I can touch him, I might still be able to escape with my Blood Demon Art.
Rokuro thought to himself, planning to regenerate his arm and grasp Chiba Yo's leg to activate his Blood Demon Art at the opportune moment.
It seems Kibutsuji Muzan's control over demons is significant.
Chiba Yo thought with some disappointment. He naturally noticed Rokuro's small movements. He slowly raised his crimson nichirin blade.
No time left.
Seeing Chiba Yo's movement, Rokuro immediately intended to regenerate his limbs.
"Ah!!"
The next moment, bone-burning pain came from his severed limbs, and the regeneration of his limbs that he imagined did not happen at all.
How could this be? Why can't I regenerate? I clearly ate many people tonight, and I definitely have enough power for regeneration, why?
Rokuro thought incredulously. At this moment, he fell into despair.
"In that case, go to hell and atone for everything you've done," Chiba Yo said, somewhat calmly.
Judging by Rokuro's reaction, he guessed that Muzan most likely had some means of controlling demons, making them unable to resist him, or even speak about him.
So he wasn't going to waste any more time on this demon. His Crimson Blade sliced across Rokuro's neck at a speed that was difficult to perceive, and his head rolled to the ground.
"Damn it! I finally became a Lower Moon, and I'm going to die at the hands of a brat like you!" Rokuro's head, which had rolled to the ground, screamed, as his body and head gradually turned to ash.
"Unwilling…I'm truly…unwilling…" The screaming sound gradually diminished, and Rokuro's entire body turned to ash.
Silently sheathing his nichirin blade, Chiba Yo's heart was heavy.
The two consecutive missions made him realize the heavy responsibility borne by Demon Slayer Corps members. Every mission hovered at the gates of hell, and they endured immense psychological pressure.
Because of his own great strength, he at least didn't have to worry about his own life, but what about the other members…
Chiba Yo slowly walked over to the Demon Slayer Corps member who had just died, bent down, and gently closed his wide-open eyes.
Rest in peace…
Sorrow and distress filled his heart. At this moment, he recalled what Kyoujurou had said earlier…
"Xiao Yang, do you know why some people are born stronger than others?"
At that time, he had just finished developing the sword techniques for his Breathing Technique. Under the setting sun, he and Kyoujurou sat together on the steps of the corps headquarters, resting, when Kyoujurou suddenly asked him this question.
After days of continuous praise from his teacher, Chiba Yo gradually understood that his talent seemed to be very good. Now, hearing him ask this, he vaguely felt that Kyoujurou was referring to him.
Chiba Yo silently thought for a moment, opened his mouth as if to speak but then hesitated, finally saying, "I'm not quite sure…"
He had originally wanted to say it was to eliminate evil, but after thinking about it, he felt that evil couldn't be easily defined. If strong people mistakenly identified good people as evil, they might accidentally kill good people.
At this moment, Kyoujurou turned his head to look at him, then said somewhat solemnly, "It is to help the weak. Those who are exceptionally talented and extraordinary must use this power for the world, for others.
They must never use heaven-bestowed abilities to harm others or seek personal gain.
Helping the weak is the duty of those born strong, and it is also the responsibility we must bear, a mission to uphold throughout our lives…"
After Kyoujurou finished speaking, Chiba Yo saw that his eyes seemed a little moist.
Chiba Yo didn't understand why, but he firmly kept these words in his heart.
After a moment of silence, Kyoujurou continued, "Xiao Yang, your talent is very strong, one could say stronger than anyone I've ever seen. This talent makes you naturally stronger than most people.
But precisely because of this, you should discipline yourself more strictly and help the weak. The talent bestowed upon us by Heaven is surely meant for us to protect, not to destroy, understand?"
From his teacher's calm words, Chiba Yo felt an extraordinary power and belief, which deepened his understanding of his teacher.
"Yes!" Chiba Yo replied firmly, meeting Kyoujurou's gaze.
I'm sorry, Teacher, I couldn't do it…
After slaying the demon, his anger gradually subsided, and self-reproach and guilt surged in his heart. Having witnessed others die before his eyes in two consecutive missions, Chiba Yo's pain was unimaginable.
However, he didn't remain immersed in grief. He got up, took down the bodies hanging from the trees, and then buried them one by one.
About twenty minutes later, Hidden members who had received the news arrived. By this time, Chiba Yo had already buried nearly half of the bodies here.
"Chiba Yo-sama, the Master has learned that you single-handedly eliminated a Twelve Kizuki. Your rank is now a Pillar, and the Master has summoned you back to attend the Pillar Meeting."
A Hidden member ran up to Chiba Yo and spoke in a respectful tone.