The operating room light went out, and the door was pushed open.
Cheng Mo and Kochou Shinobu walked out, one after the other.
"He's temporarily out of danger," Mr. Cheng Mo concisely told the Kakushi Squad Member waiting outside.
"Transfer him to the intensive care unit and observe him closely."
"Yes, Mr. Cheng Mo!"
The Kakushi Squad Member respectfully responded and immediately arranged for people to carefully push Himura Ruri, who was still unconscious, away.
Mr. Cheng Mo and Kochou Shinobu took off their blood-stained outer robes while discussing some of the current medical procedures and medicine management at the Butterfly Mansion.
Mr. Cheng Mo offered several suggestions regarding the standardization of aseptic procedures and the classification management of medicine. Although his words were plain, they went straight to the point, making Kochou nod repeatedly, her purple eyes sparkling with thought.
Bidding farewell to Kochou Shinobu, Mr. Cheng Mo walked through the corridor, preparing to check on Kyojuro Rengoku's condition.
Passing through the courtyard, he saw Tanjirou meticulously practicing his Breathing Technique.
His movements were more stable than before, and his gaze was more focused.
It seemed the previous battles and experiences had indeed made him grow quite a bit.
Mr. Cheng Mo did not disturb him and walked straight past.
Arriving outside Kyoujurou's ward, before even entering, he heard a hearty but undeniably weak laugh from inside, along with a girl's clear yet slightly worried voice.
Kyojuro Rengoku was propped up in the hospital bed. Although his face was still pale and covered in thick bandages,
his bright, sharp eyes still burned with flames, and he seemed to be in high spirits.
Sitting by his bed was a tall, voluptuous young woman in a Demon Slayer Corps uniform, with long, gradient hair in mint green and cherry blossom pink.
It was Kanroji Mitsuri, the Love Pillar.
She was currently holding her face in her hands, looking at Kyoujurou with a worried expression.
"Mr. Kyoujurou, are you really okay? Muzan was truly terrifying to injure you like this!" Kanroji's voice was filled with lingering fear.
"Fortunately, the Mr. Cheng Mo you mentioned arrived in time… He's truly amazing, to be able to fight such a monster!"
She was also recovering at the Butterfly Mansion. As Kyoujurou's former Tsuguko, upon hearing of her teacher's severe injuries, she immediately came to visit him.
"Mhm! Don't worry, Mitsuri! Mr. Cheng Mo's strength is indeed beyond imagination; he's the strongest swordsman I've ever seen!"
Kyoujurou responded loudly, then his tone softened a bit: "It's just… I failed to protect that father and daughter…"
Just then, Kanroji's stomach suddenly let out a distinct "grumble~~~" sound.
The sound was particularly conspicuous in the ward.
Kanroji's face instantly flushed crimson, even her earlobes turning red.
She frantically waved her hands, stuttering an explanation: "Ah! Um… I'm sorry, Mr. Kyoujurou, I… I didn't mean to, it's just the food at the Butterfly Mansion… the portions are really too small! I can't get full at all… and my training is intense…"
Her voice suddenly stopped as she saw Mr. Cheng Mo pushing the door open and entering.
"Mr. Cheng Mo!" Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes lit up, and he greeted him with a booming voice.
Kanroji Mitsuri, like a startled rabbit, suddenly looked up and saw Mr. Cheng Mo walking in.
His face was handsome and stern, his posture upright, and his eyes calm and unwavering.
Thinking that her embarrassing complaint about not getting enough food had been heard by such a powerful stranger, her face grew even redder, and she didn't know where to put her hands and feet.
"H-hello, Mr. Cheng Mo! I am the Love Pillar, Kanroji Mitsuri!"
She hastily stood up and bowed, her voice trembling slightly from nervousness.
Mr. Cheng Mo seemed not to notice her embarrassment, only nodding gently and calmly: "Hello, Miss Kanroji."
Mr. Cheng Mo walked to the bedside, first inquiring about Kyoujurou's recovery, then informing him that Himura Ruri was out of danger.
Upon hearing this, a subtle sense of relief flashed in Kyoujurou's ever-bright eyes.
He let out a heavy sigh: "That's wonderful, that's truly… wonderful!"
He had been deeply remorseful for not being able to prevent the tragedy and save the Himura family in time.
After a brief conversation, Mr. Cheng Mo's gaze turned to Kanroji Mitsuri, who was trying to minimize her presence.
"Regarding the appetite issue you just mentioned…" Mr. Cheng Mo began calmly.
Kanroji's body instantly tensed, her cheeks grew even redder, and she almost buried her head in her chest.
Mr. Cheng Mo seemed not to see her embarrassment and continued in his calm, unwavering tone: "This is normal. Your muscle density and bone strength far exceed ordinary people, and your basal metabolic rate is extremely high."
"The energy you need to maintain your bodily functions and strength training naturally far exceeds that of ordinary members. A large appetite is a direct reflection of your body's needs, and nothing to be ashamed of."
Kanroji Mitsuri suddenly looked up, her emerald green eyes filled with surprise.
Because of her unique hair color and astonishing appetite, she had been whispered about behind her back since childhood and even had an engagement broken off.
Although she had joined the Demon Slayer Corps and everyone was friendly, this subtle sense of inferiority had always lingered.
It was the first time she had heard someone analyze her "unusual" appetite so calmly, objectively, and even with a hint of approval.
This attitude inexplicably gave her a strange sense of reassurance.
Mr. Cheng Mo looked at her and continued: "Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, because you care about what others think, you usually restrain yourself and don't fully meet your body's energy needs."
"This has also caused your strength and sustained combat ability to be limited, preventing you from reaching your true peak."
Kanroji Mitsuri was utterly shocked, her pink-green eyes wide.
Based on just one meeting and a single sentence, the other party had almost completely described her current situation!
This feeling of being seen through was both frightening and, inexplicably… made her feel understood.
Mr. Cheng Mo paused. Out of his medical instinct, and considering investing in the Demon Slayer Corps' high-end combat power, he proactively offered: "If you don't mind, I can design a 'high-energy nutritious meal' recipe for you based on your physical condition."
"This way, it can meet your energy needs and also be more conducive to physical recovery and strength growth."
"R-really?!" Kanroji Mitsuri could hardly believe her ears, so excited she almost jumped up.
"Yes." Mr. Cheng Mo nodded, then instructed a Kakushi Squad Member at the door to fetch paper and a pen.
Using the available ingredients at the Butterfly Mansion, he quickly calculated calories and protein ratios in his mind, writing down a food pairing plan on paper that balanced deliciousness with super-high calories.
He even added a few mild medicinal herbs that could strengthen muscles, bones, and vital energy, handing it to the Kakushi Squad Member.
"Give this to the kitchen. Prepare a lunch according to this and send it over," Mr. Cheng Mo instructed. "Also, Mr. Kyoujurou and I will need to eat; normal portions are fine."
"Yes, Mr. Cheng Mo!" The Kakushi Squad Member respectfully took the recipe and quickly left.
Inside the ward, Kyojuro Rengoku watched this scene, and his booming laughter rang out again: "Mhm! Mr. Cheng Mo is not only powerful and skilled in medicine, but he's also so proficient in this area. Truly admirable!"
He looked at Mr. Cheng Mo, his gaze becoming incredibly serious, and his voice growing even louder: "Mr. Cheng Mo, I have a serious suggestion!"
Mr. Cheng Mo looked at him.
Kyojuro Rengoku sat up straighter and solemnly said: "In this generation of the Demon Slayer Corps, no 'Pillar' has emerged as a successor to Thunder Breathing!"
"With your strength and achievements, you are fully worthy of the title of 'Pillar.' I, Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku, solemnly propose…"
"Please become the 'Sound Pillar' of the Demon Slayer Corps!"