In the end, Li Xuan stuffed the nearly lifeless Gyokko into a random burlap sack, tied it tightly, slung it over his back, and that was that.
Just before leaving the hall, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
Ah… what about all the people from the Shihou family who had fainted, or those who were still in a daze?
Forget it. He'd just inform Hayakawa Tako and let the Demon Slayer Corps' logistics squad handle the rest.
Li Xuan decided to throw the matter onto someone else's plate.
…
"That's basically the situation. I'll leave the rest to you," he said casually, speaking to Hayakawa while still carrying the sack.
He had kept his explanation brief—telling her that Shihou Masakazu had entangled himself with demons, failed to maintain control, and ended up killed by the same creature he tried to ally with. As for the demon, it had already been slain.
"I understand," Hayakawa said respectfully, bowing once again.
She was honestly surprised.
She hadn't even arrived at the Shihou estate when the entire matter had already been resolved. While she was still trying to absorb the swiftness of it all, her respect for Li Xuan deepened.
Li Xuan gave her a gentle smile, then activated his breathing technique and left the area.
Following the lingering scent of humans, he arrived at the bustling center of the capital.
It was the Taisho Era. The island nation was in a rare period of stability and prosperity, and it showed in every corner of the lively city.
Shops lined the streets in dazzling variety. Even though dusk was approaching, the streets were still illuminated brightly. Lanterns glowed in every window, and pedestrians moved in endless streams.
Li Xuan found a small eatery, paid for a bowl of soba noodles, and sat down to fill his stomach.
He had grown tired of the food the logistics squad provided. It was good, but monotonous.
Inside the sack, Gyokko had started stirring. Perhaps the crowd and lively city atmosphere were agitating him.
But after Li Xuan gave the sack a few solid punches, it fell silent once more.
Finishing his bowl, Li Xuan found himself still a bit hungry, so he ordered a second.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a shout came from the street outside.
The clamor escalated quickly. People were shouting over one another, and it sounded like some sort of disturbance had broken out.
Li Xuan drained the broth from his bowl, set down his chopsticks, and twitched his nose.
His eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
Tanjiro's scent.
What a coincidence.
He had thought about seeing Tanjiro during this mission but hadn't expected to run into him by chance over a bowl of noodles.
"Hmm? A demon's scent?"
Li Xuan picked up on three distinct demon scents—and one that had appeared all of a sudden, like it had materialized out of nowhere.
He stepped out of the shop and saw a dense crowd already surrounding the street corner, all eager to witness the commotion.
Li Xuan pushed his way forward. A few rude onlookers tried to block him, so he knocked them out cold with a single punch each.
The crowd, alarmed by this quiet menace, hurriedly cleared a path for him.
Just as he caught sight of a demon writhing in agony on the ground and Tanjiro pinning it down, a sweet, enchanting fragrance wafted through the air.
Suddenly, the world around him shifted. The surroundings became dreamlike, filled with butterflies and drifting blossoms.
Enchantment Blood: Illusory Fragrance of Dreams.
The scent quickly spread, and the people nearby began swaying. Their eyes dulled, and they appeared hypnotized.
"A Blood Demon Art?"
Li Xuan's willpower was strong, so the technique only affected him slightly. He saw strange visions flicker across his vision.
He turned toward the source of the fragrance.
There stood two figures: a refined woman in a kimono drawing blood from her arm, and a green-haired boy beside her.
Li Xuan's thoughts stirred. These two were among the three demon scents he had just detected.
Memories from the past surfaced in his mind.
"Tamayo and Yushiro."
Demons who survived without feeding on humans. Beings who stood on the side of humanity and opposed Muzan Kibutsuji.
Li Xuan quickly realized what moment he had stumbled into.
This was the day Tanjiro first encountered Muzan Kibutsuji.
Muzan, sensing danger upon recognizing the Hanafuda earrings symbolizing the Sun Breathing lineage, had randomly transformed a nearby civilian into a demon to create chaos and flee, avoiding confrontation.
And now, Tanjiro was left to restrain the freshly turned demon, attracting the attention of the local authorities.
As for that fourth scent from earlier—the one that suddenly appeared?
That had to be Muzan himself.
"You still used the word 'person,' even when referring to someone who's become a demon," Tamayo said softly, approaching Tanjiro.
His words and actions had stirred something within her, compelling her to intervene and help.
This boy… evoked something she hadn't felt in centuries—emotion.
"You intend to help him… Then allow me to help you," Tamayo said with quiet grace. The wound she had created with her Blood Demon Art quickly regenerated.
"Why? Who are you…?" Tanjiro asked, still confused.
He had already detected the demonic scent from Tamayo and realized her true nature.
"Yes, I am… both a demon and a doctor," Tamayo admitted plainly. Then she added, "I wish to destroy that man—Kibutsuji Muzan."
Her tone was filled with unwavering determination.
Once, Tamayo had been turned into a demon by Muzan. In her madness, she had killed her own husband and child. As a doctor, Muzan kept her close to study her abilities. She had hurt humans, strayed from her path, and lost herself. But centuries ago, after Muzan was gravely wounded by the legendary swordsman of the Sun Breathing style—Kokushibo's brother, Yoriichi Tsugikuni—she seized the opportunity to break free from his control and vowed to one day see him destroyed.
"So do I,"
A new voice rang out. It was Li Xuan.
"Who's there?" Yushiro snapped, instantly stepping in front of Tamayo, shielding her instinctively.
Someone unaffected by Lady Tamayo's Blood Demon Art?
Tamayo was visibly startled and turned to look at him.
He wore a loose, somewhat baggy robe. His bangs partially covered his eyes, and his features were delicately sculpted but held a cold, detached depth.
A long sword hung at his waist, and a heavy burlap sack was slung across his back.
In the instant she laid eyes on that sword, Tamayo recognized it—it was a Nichirin Blade. She had worked with the Demon Slayer Corps long enough to know one when she saw it.
So he was one of them…
But many demon slayers harbored intense hatred for demons.
"I'm a demon," Tamayo declared once more, watching carefully for his reaction.
She wanted to see how he would respond.
If things turned hostile, she knew from his resistance to her enchantment that he was a formidable threat. If it came to a fight, she and Yushiro wouldn't stand a chance. Escape would be their only option.
And if that happened, this boy…
Tamayo subtly glanced at Tanjiro.
But to her surprise, Tanjiro's face was lit up with joy as he looked at the newcomer.
They knew each other?
"Li Xuan!" Tanjiro called out happily.
So they did.
It seemed the situation wouldn't turn violent after all.
Tamayo felt the tension in her chest ease ever so slightly, though her guard remained up.
"It's been a while, Tanjiro," Li Xuan said warmly. Then he turned to Tamayo and added, "I know you're a demon, but I'm not someone who believes all demons deserve to die. You don't need to worry."
His gentle smile was calm, even reassuring.
Tamayo, hearing his words, responded with polite composure, "In that case, would you both care to come with me?"
The moment she finished speaking, Yushiro leaned close and muttered behind her back, "Lady Tamayo, that guy's smile creeps me out. We can't trust him so easily."
To this, Tamayo simply shook her head lightly.