"Oh! Good afternoon, everyone!"
Seeing everyone look at him, Zhong Chen didn't show any tension and continued to observe Kagaya Ubuyashiki with a smile.
"Is this Kagaya Ubuyashiki? He's truly been ravaged by the curse!"
In front of Zhong Chen, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had neat, medium-length black hair. His face, wrapped in bandages, was severely disfigured, and he was blind.
Despite this, a smile remained on his lips, and there was no trace of pain on his face.
"What a resilient leader. No wonder the Demon Slayer Corps respects him so much. His charisma is truly off the charts!"
"Heh heh, Mr. Zhong Chen, it's my first time meeting you, and I apologize for my rudeness. It's a pity I'm blind and cannot see your true face. Please, have a seat!"
Hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words, an attendant nearby brought a cushion and placed it in front of Zhong Chen, then bowed slightly and withdrew.
Zhong Chen unceremoniously sat cross-legged on the cushion.
"Husband, Mr. Zhong Chen has taken his seat!"
Amane Ubuyashiki, with her white hair and delicate features, whispered to her husband.
"Heh heh, in that case, let's get straight to the point, Mr. Zhong Chen, what do you say?"
"Alright, as the host wishes, let's begin."
Zhong Chen replied directly to Kagaya Ubuyashiki's inquiry.
"I read Kanae's letter. She said you could help the Demon Slayer Corps kill Muzan Kibutsuji. Is that true?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki got straight to the point, asking the question he most wanted answered.
"Yes, it's true. Muzan Kibutsuji is nothing to me. No matter how deep he hides, I can find him and kill him!"
"But I want to know, what do I get for helping you eliminate Muzan Kibutsuji?"
Zhong Chen wasn't a do-gooder. He could agree to Shinobu Kocho's request and meet Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
But helping for no reason would make him seem cheap. Besides, he was still thinking about taking the entire Demon Slayer Corps with him.
"Then, Mr. Zhong Chen, what do you want? As long as Muzan Kibutsuji can be killed, I'll give you my life if you ask for it!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki replied with determination, listening to Zhong Chen's words.
"Master! * 9"
Upon hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's answer, the Hashira present all exclaimed.
"Master! If it requires your life, then I would rather go fight Muzan myself!"
Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, shouted with an anxious expression.
"Yes, Master, such a victory wouldn't be flashy at all!"
Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, followed closely.
The other Hashira present also expressed that they would rather fight Muzan themselves than have Kagaya Ubuyashiki sacrifice his life for Muzan's death.
"Uh... I don't want your life. I want the Demon Slayer Corps, including all members, yourself included!"
"What, you bastard!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the hot-headed Wind Hashira, couldn't help but stand up, ready to attack Zhong Chen for his arrogant words.
Seeing this, Zhong Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, and a terrifying pressure instantly swept through the entire room.
Everyone except the Ubuyashiki couple and Shinobu Kocho, whom Zhong Chen intentionally spared, was immobilized by the pressure.
Their kneeling posture changed to prostrating themselves on the ground.
"What! I can't breathe!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa, pressed to the ground, spoke with difficulty.
"So heavy, damn it, I can't move at all!"
Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, was also immobilized by the pressure.
"Mr. Zhong Chen, please calm down first!"
Seeing this, Shinobu Kocho quickly interceded.
"Are you all overestimating yourselves and underestimating me too much? I'm talking to your master; do you have the right to interrupt?!"
Zhong Chen implied that their boss hadn't even spoken yet, and his subordinates were already shouting and fighting.
If he didn't teach them a lesson, they wouldn't know how many eyes the Horse King had.
In fact, Zhong Chen himself hadn't realized that his actions were becoming increasingly overbearing. This might be the inevitable shift in mindset that comes with power.
"Mr. Zhong Chen, please calm down. I apologize to you on their behalf!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, supported by his wife, stood up and bowed deeply to Zhong Chen.
Seeing this, Zhong Chen also withdrew his pressure. He still held a trace of respect for someone who could view their own life and death so lightly.
The air in the room instantly lightened, and everyone gasped for breath.
"I'll give Mr. Ubuyashiki some face! You're not feeling well, so please sit down quickly!"
"Thank you for your understanding!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, relieved to be forgiven, slowly sat back down with his wife's support and said:
"Mr. Zhong Chen, do you mean you want the entire Demon Slayer Corps' allegiance?"
"Hmm, you can interpret it that way."
"If Muzan Kibutsuji is eliminated, there will be no more demons in the world, and the Demon Slayer Corps will no longer be necessary. What use would you have for the Demon Slayer Corps' allegiance then?"
"Actually, it's like this…"
Zhong Chen explained the situation of the Slime World and why he needed the Demon Slayer Corps in a way they could understand.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, understanding Zhong Chen's meaning, said:
"So, you mean you plan to establish a nation in that world, but you currently lack talent, which is why you need our Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Exactly. And if you go to that world, you can live a new kind of life. In that world, guys like Muzan are everywhere!"
"Furthermore, I can heal your body, which has been ravaged by the curse. What do you think?"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, Kagaya Ubuyashiki pondered for a moment, then asked the Hashira below:
"How do you all feel? If you don't want to go, I won't force anyone!"
"Master, your decision is my decision!"
"Your subordinate swears to follow you to the death, Master!"
Hearing the Master's question, the Hashira present all expressed their willingness to follow Kagaya Ubuyashiki to the Slime World.
Zhong Chen, understanding the implication in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words, asked:
"So, you've made up your mind?"
"Yes, I've decided. Perhaps going to a new world is a brand new beginning!"
Hearing this, Zhong Chen stood up and walked to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, extending his right hand with a smile and saying:
"Then, I look forward to working with you, Mr. Ubuyashiki!"
Feeling the right hand in front of him, Kagaya Ubuyashiki also stood up with his wife's support, extended his right hand, firmly grasped Zhong Chen's hand, and said gently:
"I look forward to working with you, Mr. Zhong Chen!"
Seeing this, the Hashira all stood up, then knelt on one knee, lowered their heads, and shouted:
"We look forward to working with you, Master Zhong Chen! * 9"
"Hahahaha! Everyone, get up. I don't have so many rules; there's no need to kneel and bow all the time!"
How to put it, Zhong Chen could mercilessly crush his enemies.
But towards his own people, he was actually unpretentious, even a bit chuunibyou, a typical otaku personality.
Zhong Chen responded gently to the Hashira who were bowing and pledging their allegiance.
Zhong Chen's actions just now had made these Hashira think he was a very serious person.
Now, realizing that Zhong Chen's personality was actually so approachable, everyone couldn't help but smile. Among them, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, sincerely apologized to Zhong Chen:
"I am very sorry, Master Zhong Chen, I was rude just now. Please forgive my disrespect!"
Looking at Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was in a dogeza posture, Zhong Chen squatted down and gently patted his shoulder, saying:
"Hey, I've already forgotten about what happened just now! Alright, I forgive you, get up!"
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Hearing Zhong Chen's words, everyone present burst into laughter.
After a while, the scene gradually returned to calm. After everyone had returned to their seats, Zhong Chen slowly said:
"Alright, next, let's discuss how to eliminate Muzan Kibutsuji!"
Hearing this, everyone present straightened up, looking at Zhong Chen with serious expressions...