[Congratulations! Host has completed the "Slay a Demon" achievement and gained the reward "Water Breathing: Perfected"]
[Water Breathing: Perfected: The breathing technique can now be maintained at full concentration as a daily method, continuously training the body, allowing the host to grow stronger at all times!]
Li Qingming felt his breathing completely change. Every breath became Water Breathing, and every cell in his body burned as if forged in fire, turning red with each strike.
After a few breaths, the pain in his arms and neck vanished.
Li Qingming marveled. "This technique is incredible—it strengthens the body and even heals. It's almost like cultivation."
He summoned the system interface in his mind but found only a message panel. So far, the system only issued achievement rewards, with no guidance on what achievements to complete.
As the day brightened, Li Qingming buried his grandfather's body behind the house, near two hydrangea bushes—one large, one small, both covered in vibrant red flowers.
In the original owner's memory, the large bush had been acquired years ago when the grandfather traded food with a traveling merchant; the small one had been split off recently.
His grandfather loved them and said they symbolized the bond between grandfather and grandson—always together. He also instructed that the large bush be planted at his grave if he died.
"Rest in peace," Li Qingming whispered, clasping his hands, burying the original owner's past along with him. At dawn, his new life would begin.
It was his first time seeing a dead person and performing a burial. He had always avoided death out of fear, yet he could not let a kind old man lie alone. Using a stack of tatami mats, he carried the body and buried him in the backyard.
Throughout the process, he felt no fear—only pity.
The grandfather wasn't the only victim that night; such tragedies occurred elsewhere, too.
Li Qingming disliked this world. Since the system chose him, he decided to personally change it.
The most direct method? Kill Muzan Kibutsuji.
After the burial, he jumped into the courtyard water tank to wash off the blood.
The weather was cold, but Water Breathing kept him warm.
Looking into the water, he saw his reflection—a handsome, spirited face resembling his original self.
He was satisfied with his appearance. With this face, he could even rival the Sound Hashira.
Back inside, he found a few pieces of coarse bread in the kitchen, wrapped them in cloth, and devoured one with cold water. Maintaining Water Breathing consumed a lot of energy.
Then, using his memory, he opened his grandfather's storage box. Inside were some gold and silver jewelry and over a hundred copper coins—likely the grandfather's life savings.
He buried the jewelry next to his grandfather's grave and placed the copper coins into his backpack.
[Congratulations! Host has completed the "Acquire a Copper Coin" achievement. Reward: Copper Coin x1]
"One, ten, hundred, thousand… ten million, hundred million," Li Qingming counted, overjoyed.
He had accidentally unlocked a small goal. "This system isn't bad; it doesn't want me wasting energy on money."
When he left the courtyard, the sky was brightening. Fully packed, he carried his backpack and walked along the long path, leaving the village.
…
After several days of travel, Li Qingming finally reached Mount Yunkyu in Okutama District.
The Kamado family, including Tanjiro, lived in seclusion here.
Looking at the snow-capped mountains, he thought, "This is where the story begins."
Li Qingming intended to start at the beginning of the story to determine when he had arrived so he could locate Muzan quickly.
By the time he reached the village at the mountain's foot, it was already evening.
Rooftops and ground were covered in thick snow. His footsteps creaked on the path.
He had already eaten the bread, and maintaining Water Breathing had drained his energy. Cold and hunger tormented him.
He randomly found a small restaurant, ate hot oden, and drank a little sake.
The chill left his body, and he felt alive again. After days of travel, he decided to soak in a bath and relax.
However, the restaurant owner refused payment and insisted he stay the night.
Li Qingming left quickly when the owner wasn't paying attention, leaving behind the payment for the meal.
At the bathhouse, the owner's wife was strict and no-nonsense, urging her staff: "Work faster, don't be sloppy!"
Seeing Li Qingming, she was first surprised, then her eyes softened with pity. She approached kindly: "Young man, where are you from? Who are your family?"
Li Qingming paused, unsure how to respond.
"What a poor child… must be frozen stiff," the owner's wife said, her concern motherly. She turned to her assistant: "Juro, give this child something hot to eat. After the customers leave, let him soak in the bath."
"Yes, ma'am," the assistant said, then addressed Li Qingming: "Follow me, careful not to wet the floor."
Am I being pitied?
What kind of service is this?
Looking at his worn clothes—linen robe, thin pants, straw sandals, each with holes—he realized the problem: his appearance.
If there were a mirror, he would pity himself too.
The perfected Water Breathing made him forget the cold entirely.
"Hey, system! My first time being pitied—shouldn't that earn me an achievement?"
The system responded belatedly:
[Congratulations! Host has completed the "First Time Being Pitied" achievement. Reward: "Encouragement"]
[Keep going, host! You're the best!]
Li Qingming: ...
Standing there, he clarified, "I'm not asking for help—I'm paying. Give me the best you've got."
He placed a heavy money pouch in the owner's wife's hands.
This time, both the owner and assistant were stunned.
…
Li Qingming soaked in the bath, towel on his head, eyes closed, feeling blissful.
So comfortable. So good!
The assistant handed him a cup of sake and some peeled orange slices.
The bathhouse was small, and most visitors came only for the bath. If Li Qingming hadn't refused repeatedly, the owner's wife would have peeled the oranges herself.
"Guest, how's the water temperature?"
"Very good, thank you."
"You're welcome, guest."
Li Qingming noticed the assistant, Juro, was a few years younger than him.
Children in the old days became independent early; teenagers often went out to work.
"Why are you working here? Aren't you going to school?"
"My family has four younger siblings. My father is unwell, so I earn money for the household. Private school fees are expensive, so I'll save to send my siblings to school. The rest… I'll save to get a wife."
When he mentioned marriage, a shy smile appeared.
Tanjiro's situation was similar. Without Muzan, he could have lived a normal, happy life.
Li Qingming asked, "Do you know Tanjiro Kamado?"
"You're related to him? He's a very good person; everyone likes him. Today, thanks to him, I didn't get my pay docked."
Li Qingming's eyes widened. "Why would the owner dock your pay?"
Startled, Juro replied, "A cat broke a vase today, and the owner thought it was me. Thankfully, Tan—"
Before Juro could finish, Li Qingming jumped out of the bath, grabbed his clothes, and hurried out.