Kuwajima Jigorō listened to Cheng Mo's simple account of how Tanjiro's family fell victim to Muzan's evil deeds, his wrinkled face filled with rage.
"This is outrageous! Kibutsuji Muzan… that scoundrel! He has plagued humanity for a thousand years, causing countless tragedies!"
The old man's beard trembled with anger.
"So many good families have been destroyed by his hand!"
He took a few deep breaths, suppressing his fury, and when his gaze turned to Tanjiro, it softened considerably.
He reached out, his rough hand gripping Tanjiro's wrist, and after a brief examination, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
This foundation… it's astonishingly solid!
His qi and blood were as vigorous as a furnace, his breathing as long and steady as a flowing stream, and his muscles and bones were tempered to the extreme for his current age.
He's only been cultivating for two months?
How exactly did Cheng Mo teach him?
No… more importantly, it's this child's own aptitude and character… Thinking that Tanjiro was a disciple recognized by Cheng Mo, that "little monster," Kuwajima Jigorō felt even more satisfied.
Considering the sparse lineage of the Thunder Breathing style, and now that Peach Mountain would gain such an outstanding successor… The old man's angry expression was finally replaced by relief and joy, and he nodded repeatedly: "Good, good child, let what's past be past. From now on, cultivate well on Peach Mountain! Consider this your home!"
At this moment, Agatsuma Zenitsu, who had been shrinking in the corner trying to reduce his presence, timidly shuffled over, his voice as faint as a mosquito: "M-master… brother… welcome back… and, and Tan-Tanjiro-kun… hello…"
Tanjiro immediately showed a bright smile and responded warmly: "Hello, Zenitsu-kun! Teacher mentioned you to me, please guide me in the future!"
His unreservedly friendly attitude made Zenitsu relax just a little.
Zenitsu's hearing was extremely sensitive; he could clearly hear the blood rushing like a stream within Tanjiro's body.
His breathing was long and powerful, his heartbeat steady like a drum, containing a vibrant strength far exceeding that of ordinary people.
This involuntarily gave him a sense of urgency.
Ah ah ah! Another monster!
Is the disciple Master Brother brought back also a monster?
He feels stronger than I am right now!
No, no! I can't be left too far behind!
Cheng Mo's gaze lingered on Zenitsu for a moment.
Although this kid still looked like a coward, dodging and avoiding eye contact.
Cheng Mo could sense that his aura was much more refined than before, his stance steadier, and the power contained within his body had clearly increased significantly.
Evidently, during his absence, Zenitsu hadn't truly slacked off.
Kuwajima Jigorō understood Cheng Mo's look and, for once, didn't scold Zenitsu.
The old man stroked his beard and said in a gentle tone: "This Zenitsu, recently… he has indeed been quite diligent, his foundation is a bit more solid than before."
Agatsuma Zenitsu suddenly looked up when he heard his grandpa's praise.
His face was filled with disbelief, then he shyly lowered his head again, but the tips of his ears quietly turned red… In the evening, Kuwajima Jigorō was in high spirits, pulling out his treasured good wine and insisting on having several drinks with Cheng Mo.
Cheng Mo wasn't fond of alcohol, but not wanting to spoil the old man's mood, he sat down to accompany him.
He listened to his master rambling about the trivial matters of Peach Mountain and the past glory of the Thunder Breathing lineage, all while calmly drinking cup after cup without his expression changing in the slightest.
Below, Tanjiro and Zenitsu huddled together.
Tanjiro was animatedly recounting his experiences with Cheng Mo during this period.
"Teacher is so amazing! He repelled that demon king named Muzan twice!"
"Eh?! Muzan?! Is that the legendary…"
"And, and, Teacher also slew several Lower Moon demons of the Twelve Kizuki!"
"Lo-Lower Moon?! Is that true or false?!"
"And, and, Teacher even fought with the Demon Slayer Corps' Hashira and defeated two of them at once!"
"Hashira?! Defeated two?! Wah ah ah—what kind of monster is Master Brother?!"
Zenitsu listened with gasps of surprise, occasionally letting out exaggerated exclamations, his eyes wide.
Although he knew Master Brother Cheng Mo was strong, he had no idea he had accomplished so many earth-shattering deeds outside!
Tanjiro tactfully skipped the part about purging the lineage and slaying Kaigaku.
Up above, Kuwajima Jigorō had already vaguely heard some rumors through various channels.
But listening to Tanjiro's vivid and detailed descriptions at this moment, especially when he heard about Cheng Mo repelling Muzan twice and protecting others… The old man couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh heartily, his face full of satisfaction and pride.
"Good! Well done! This is a true successor of my Thunder Breathing, excellent, Cheng Mo!"
After three rounds of drinks, the old man looked at his steady and powerful disciple beside him, then at the infinitely potential Tanjiro and the recently improved Zenitsu below.
His heart was filled with joy, yet he couldn't help but, with a bit of drunkenness, habitually lament, a trace of melancholy in his tone: "Alas, it's just a pity… This generation of our Thunder Breathing, despite having such good prospects as you all, hasn't even managed to secure a 'Hashira' position… Look at the Water Breathing, Flame Breathing…"
As he spoke, his gaze subtly drifted towards Cheng Mo.
Cheng Mo held his wine cup, listening in silence, not interjecting.
He understood his master's meaning, but he couldn't stay for long and couldn't make such a promise.
Seeing this, the old man sighed inwardly.
He knew this disciple's ambition lay elsewhere, so he shook his head, no longer bringing up the topic, and instead continued to praise Tanjiro's solid foundation.
Cheng Mo, while fending off his master's drunken inquiries, felt the cool breeze of the Peach Mountain night and the warmth of the bonfire.
The air was filled with the scent of wine and the fragrance of food.
In his ears were his master's robust voice, Tanjiro's excited recounting, and Zenitsu's loud exclamations of agreement.
This noisy yet peaceful atmosphere was one of the few times he could truly relax in this world.
Peach Mountain, to him, was like a warm haven, and he cherished this leisure and comfort deeply.
However, he was not entirely immersed in it.
When Tanjiro's narration came to a pause, Cheng Mo put down his wine cup and spoke calmly:
"Tanjiro."
The words clearly reached the two young boys below.
"Yes! Teacher!" Tanjiro immediately turned around, listening attentively.
"You have mastered the Qi Cultivation Technique, and your foundation is solid."
Cheng Mo said.
"For the subsequent cultivation, you will be responsible for leading Zenitsu into it."
Upon hearing this, Tanjiro immediately agreed loudly: "Yes! Teacher! I will definitely teach Zenitsu-kun diligently!"
Zenitsu, who was still digesting Cheng Mo's terrifying exploits, was beside him.
When he heard these words, he instinctively wanted to complain: "Eh?! More extra training?! No… it's so tiring…"
But when he met Cheng Mo's faint gaze, his complaint immediately choked back, and he shrank his neck.
However, deep down in his heart, an indescribable joy quietly surged.
Master Brother… wants him to teach me? Does this mean… Master Brother acknowledges me?
Does he think I… can also become a bit stronger?
He secretly glanced at Cheng Mo's calm face, then at Tanjiro, who was earnestly promising, and finally swallowed the rest of his wails, tacitly accepting the arrangement.