From the depths of the dense forest came the sudden sound of movement. A man wearing a unique haori, patterned half in red and half in checkered squares, appeared before everyone without warning.
He was not an unfamiliar face.
It was one of the Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.
His calm, penetrating gaze swept across Shinobu Kocho, who had already sheathed her blade, and Li Xuan, who stood silently by her side. Only then did the hand resting on the hilt of his Nichirin sword slowly relax.
"Oh my, it is Mister Giyu… you are late," Shinobu said with a faint smile, tilting her head slightly. "What about Lord Ubuyashiki?"
"The Pillars are already gathering under Lord Ubuyashiki's command," Giyu answered quietly.
"And what exactly did he send you here to do?" Shinobu asked with gentle curiosity.
"To stop your conflict with him," Giyu replied in his steady, unwavering tone.
"Ah, but he has broken the rules of the Corps," Shinobu said softly, her violet eyes shifting toward Li Xuan. "If only you had arrived earlier, Mister Giyu, you could have joined me…"
Before she could finish, Giyu's gaze settled on Li Xuan, and then slid naturally toward Tanjiro and Nezuko, who were standing behind him. His expression grew firm, and he interrupted Shinobu's words with a serious tone.
"If I had arrived earlier, I too would have broken the Corps rules."
"Hm?" Shinobu frowned in puzzlement, a throbbing mark forming on her temple as if irritation had taken root.
"Let us go, Kanao," she finally said, unable to maintain her usual gentle smile. She called out to Kanao and walked away, her voice carrying the faint trace of suppressed annoyance.
Once Shinobu departed, Giyu slowly approached Li Xuan.
Their eyes locked. Li Xuan's gaze was steady, unwavering.
"Breaking the rules of the Corps will bring endless trouble," Giyu said after a long silence, his voice low.
"It is not a problem," Li Xuan answered calmly.
"…Very well." Giyu gave a slight nod, then turned toward Tanjiro and Nezuko.
"Sir Giyu…" Tanjiro forced himself upright, every muscle trembling from strain.
"You did well. You survived," Giyu praised him with quiet strength. "Master Urokodaki told me everything about your two years of training. Continue to persevere, Tanjiro."
His words carried encouragement, steady and sincere.
"Yes, Sir Giyu!" Tanjiro's youthful heart blazed with passion. Just a few words filled him with renewed determination and spirit, his eyes burning brightly. Yet as he spoke, the pain from his wounds forced a harsh cough from his chest, making his vigor appear somewhat fragile.
"Your injuries are severe. I will leave you in the care of the Kakushi," Giyu said firmly, summoning the masked support members. They hurried over, carrying Tanjiro away for treatment. They also carefully took Nezuko, who had hidden herself inside her wooden box to avoid the rising sun, and arranged for her safe lodging.
"Come with me. Lord Ubuyashiki has ordered that you return to headquarters as well," Giyu said, turning back to Li Xuan.
"Understood," Li Xuan replied.
By seniority, Giyu was technically Li Xuan's senior brother in the Corps, but among those trained under the cultivators, such titles were seldom emphasized. Respect was not demanded, and Li Xuan was certainly not the type to offer it unnecessarily.
The rising sun spread golden light across the land, painting the morning in warmth. Side by side, Li Xuan and Giyu set off toward headquarters.
The return took longer than their journey to the battlefield. When they had rushed out earlier, urgency had forced them to move at full speed. Now, without the pressure of immediate danger, their pace was slower and more deliberate.
Even so, Li Xuan was still later than both Giyu and Shinobu, who had returned ahead of him.
"Check in," Li Xuan muttered during the journey.
He drew out Gyokko's severed head and performed a system check-in.
[Check-in successful]
[Congratulations, you have obtained the Blood Demon Art of Upper Moon Five, Gyokko: Usable only after demonization. This ability allows movement through self-created pots, storage of objects or living beings inside them, and the use of pot-based techniques. All abilities once belonging to Gyokko are now yours to command.]
"How is my luck this good these past two days?" Li Xuan thought, the corners of his lips lifting in faint delight.
Should he keep this creature alive, or finish him off?
As he pondered, he studied Gyokko's grotesque head, which hung limply in his grasp.
"Perhaps I should just kill him…"
Sensing the dangerous thought directed at him, Gyokko suddenly opened his eyes. He had been resting in silence, but now he stared back in confusion.
Why was this human looking at him like that? Did he miss something important?
Gyokko was completely baffled.
"Never mind. I will keep you alive for now," Li Xuan decided after a moment.
He could still use Gyokko against the Pillars later, forcing them to sharpen themselves against him while Li Xuan reaped the rewards of further system check-ins.
Gyokko, still dazed and utterly unaware, did not realize that he had just brushed past the gates of death.
In the next instant, Li Xuan abruptly shifted into his demonized form. He conjured a small pot and shoved Gyokko's head inside with brute force, ending the demonization a heartbeat later.
The transformation had been fleeting.
For Gyokko, the sudden shift was terrifying. He felt his consciousness jolt violently as his skull was squeezed tight, and he thought his end had come. Yet the next moment he found himself in complete darkness.
This space carried the familiar scent of his own Blood Demon Art, but he could not control it. No matter how many times he restored his form or attempted to escape, he could only remain trapped within.
"This should prevent the Pillars from sensing his demonic aura, and there is no need to worry about him escaping," Li Xuan murmured. He tied the pot securely to his waist, the very pot he had crafted in preparation for this moment.
Gyokko's ability was surprisingly useful. The pot was its own self-contained space, a prison where even strong beings could not escape unless they far outmatched its power. On top of that, it concealed the aura of whatever was sealed inside.
It was indeed a practical tool, almost indispensable for one who planned ahead.
Satisfied, Li Xuan continued toward headquarters.
Not long after, he arrived back at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
He did not go to the Butterfly Mansion, nor did he immediately visit the Ubuyashiki estate. Instead, he headed straight for the residence of Kyojuro Rengoku.
The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted warmly by the Flame Hashira himself.
"Li Xuan!" Rengoku called out, his voice as vibrant as fire. His presence radiated energy and passion as always.
"Rengoku, it has been some time," Li Xuan replied with a small smile.
"Yes, far too long!" Rengoku's fiery eyes gleamed with vitality. His spirit seemed unshakable, burning bright as ever.
"Your mission lasted quite a while. Did something troublesome occur?"
"Yes, but it has already been resolved," Li Xuan answered.
"Excellent!" Rengoku's laughter rang with strength, but then he suddenly remembered something. "Last time, I told you that when we next met, we would face each other in a battle fought with everything we have."
"Now?" Li Xuan asked, his tone calm yet willing. He believed in keeping promises as soon as possible.
"Of course!" Rengoku's booming voice filled the room.
Yet before the two could even begin, a Kakushi member rushed in, bowing hurriedly. "Rengoku-sama, Lord Ubuyashiki requests the presence of all the Hashira at the estate."
Hearing the message, Rengoku nodded with his usual vigor, then turned to Li Xuan. "It seems we cannot fight now. Next time we meet, it shall be done!"
"That is unfortunate, but very well. Next time then," Li Xuan said with a faint shake of his head as he turned to leave.
"Lord Li Xuan, please wait!" The messenger quickly stopped him. "Lord Ubuyashiki has also requested your presence at the estate."
"…I see. Very well," Li Xuan agreed.
In truth, he had already planned to involve himself in the upcoming Hashira meeting. Lord Ubuyashiki's summons only made things more convenient.
After all, Tanjiro would need his support, and Li Xuan intended to stand firmly at his side.