"So we've landed in a remote region…"
Captain Wu Qing gathered the other veterans together for a brief discussion. After several minutes of quiet conversation, they exchanged a few final instructions and parting words with Ye Miaoyi before heading off in a predetermined direction.
The world of Demon Slayer was set during the Taisho era of Japan—a time when most areas, apart from a few major cities, remained stuck in rural, underdeveloped conditions. Naturally, none of them had any clue where exactly they had been dropped.
The veterans had no intention of teaming up with the rookies. Their plan was to head toward larger cities, where information flowed more freely. They speculated that the Demon Slayer Corps, the organization central to this world's conflict, would more likely operate in or near such hubs.
Why were they looking for the Corps? Because their goal was to join it. After all, it was the faction fighting against demons, and thus the most promising place to trigger additional side missions.
"Let's move," Ye Miaoyi said calmly, addressing the rookies.
"First, we need to find an inn or something similar. Then we can start gathering information about any demon sightings in the area."
As time ticked on, the reincarnators gradually merged into the world of Demon Slayer.
Perhaps due to the Lord God's interference, their sudden appearance in the village had not caused panic among the locals. Still, as they lingered in the streets, their clothing—clearly foreign to this time and place—began to draw curious glances.
Responding with a nod, the rookies followed Ye Miaoyi.
Finding an inn turned out to be easier than expected. They had only walked a few dozen meters before spotting a small roadside lodging named "Restful Stay." They did not even need to ask for directions.
It was a modest family-run inn, neither luxurious nor shabby. Though technically, checking in required some form of identification, places like this rural village didn't care about formalities. As long as one had money, they were welcome.
Did the reincarnators have money? Not really.
Currency varied wildly between different worlds. What was accepted in one reality might be utterly worthless in another. No one brought traditional money with them. But they did bring something more universal—gold.
Of course, their unusual clothing and odd demeanor raised the innkeeper's suspicions. Before he could question them further, Ye Miaoyi casually tossed two small gold bars onto the counter. The man's concerns vanished instantly. With a wide grin, he handed them their room keys.
"Put away anything unnecessary for now. This mission is going to take a while. We'll only move out once we have some solid information," Ye Miaoyi instructed.
People like Hu Yan had been ordinary civilians until recently. In fact, they were rather frail even by civilian standards. The three of them had spent most of their time sitting indoors, enjoying modern comforts.
Carrying oversized bags on a long trek was already burdensome. As rookies, they had also packed several useless items, unlike Li Xuan, who traveled light.
If they had continued dragging those huge bags around, they would have collapsed from exhaustion before they even saw a demon.
One by one, they took their room keys and headed off to settle in.
That night, nothing unusual happened.
The main quest gave them five years to complete their objectives. Such a generous window meant there was no need to rush.
Staying the night to calm their nerves was, in a way, Ye Miaoyi's form of kindness.
After all, this was a jarring transition—from a modern, peaceful reality to a backward world brimming with danger. It was only natural that the rookies felt confused and afraid.
They were still human. No one here had nerves of steel.
A clean fragrance drifted through the morning air. Roosters had already begun crowing.
Even so, Li Xuan remained sprawled on the bed, unmoving for some time.
He had to admit, the countryside in this era was absolutely beautiful.
The air was crisp and pure. Birds chirped in the trees. The scent of morning dew mixed with blooming flowers. It was peaceful, idyllic.
However, today's temperature was noticeably lower than yesterday. Li Xuan shivered slightly as he finally sat up.
Stretching lazily, he looked out the window.
"Did it snow last night?"
He had fallen asleep early and slept like a log, paying no attention to what had happened outside.
Now, the world beyond the glass was blanketed in pure white.
Snow covered the rooftops and narrow roads. Some residents were already outside, sweeping the powdery buildup from their doorsteps.
The scene radiated peace and simplicity. A quiet snow-covered village, unbothered by the shadows lurking behind the scenes.
"Would you like to buy some charcoal?"
A bright, cheerful voice rang out from the street below.
Huh?
Li Xuan rubbed his sleepy eyes and focused on the sound.
There, walking down the snowy street, was a boy with dark red hair, carrying a large bamboo basket filled with charcoal on his back. His green-and-black checkered haori fluttered as he walked. His face beamed with youthful energy as he spoke to the homeowners clearing snow.
"Just in time. I ran out of charcoal. I'll take some, Tanjiro."
The homeowner clearly knew the boy well, speaking with warm familiarity.
Tanjiro…
Li Xuan leaned on the windowsill, propping his chin with one hand.
Memories of the anime flooded his mind. He remembered this exact scene.
It was from the first episode. Tanjiro had come down the mountain to sell charcoal.
Which meant that soon, tragedy would strike. His entire family would be slaughtered by Muzan, leaving only his sister Nezuko alive—transformed into a demon by Muzan's twisted cruelty.
Watching the boy enthusiastically helping others, Li Xuan's gaze softened with faint pity.
Tanjiro was a kind soul.
But in the world of Demon Slayer, kindness alone meant nothing.
He sympathized with demons who had once been human, who carried pain from their past lives. Yet he never hesitated to eliminate those who had taken innocent lives. His kindness was tempered by wisdom. He was firm in his principles.
He was strong too. After his family was slaughtered, he had borne the weight of it all and fought to protect his sister with unwavering resolve.
"This child really is likable," Li Xuan muttered.
But I cannot save him.
That was the truth. Deep inside, he added those words.
He was powerless to change what was coming. At his current level, he was merely a highly capable human. Fighting a low-tier demon was possible, but facing someone like Muzan would be suicide.
At most, he could try to warn Tanjiro. Perhaps urge him to take his family back up the mountain.
But when would Muzan appear? Where was he hiding?
Li Xuan had no clue. The anime had never specified.
If he warned Tanjiro now, it might help—or it might doom him.
And they were strangers. Would Tanjiro even listen to him? How could he explain how he knew these things?
It was better to let the story unfold.
His emotions, which had briefly stirred, settled once more.
A decision once made had no room for regret.
Li Xuan went downstairs and asked the innkeeper to buy him a set of warmer clothing.
Moved by the gold, the innkeeper quickly fetched several thick outfits and brought them up.
Changing into warmer attire, Li Xuan brewed a cup of coffee he had brought from the Lord God's space. As the steam rose from his mug, he stared at the snowy landscape and Tanjiro's energetic figure outside.
Though the scene was lovely, a heavy feeling settled over him.
"I will not die."
Li Xuan had never feared death. Even here, in a foreign world tied to a godlike system, he remained calm.
He believed he was destined to survive.
With the [Check-In System] and knowledge of the anime's events before they happened, he held advantages no one else could match.
"To rise above all reincarnators."
He saw this as inevitable.
As long as he avoided foolish decisions, acquiring power was only a matter of time.
That was why he had not rushed toward power.
Yet now, watching the boy beyond the glass, a sense of helplessness gnawed at him.
It was not that he felt morally obligated to save Tanjiro's family. He was not that noble.
He would regret their deaths, but not mourn them.
What frustrated him was this: facing a situation where he might have chosen to act, but had no real choice at all.
That feeling bothered him.
And so, something in him stirred again.
"Maybe I should try a little harder," he said aloud, straightening his posture.
"I was planning to coast through for a while, but I hate feeling like this."
He took a slow sip of coffee and muttered lazily to himself.
"For next time's sake, at least."