"Master… this?"
From a calligrapher's perspective, Qingshu could immediately tell the porcelain pot was worth a considerable sum.
Such a valuable piece—and Ryuya had simply handed it to him?
For a moment, Qingshu was completely overwhelmed.
Master treats his subordinates far too well…
His reverence deepened even further.
Meanwhile—
"Young Master Ryuya… you…?"
Gyokko stood there in stunned disbelief.
So he wasn't admiring the pot?
He was using it as collateral?!
That was desecration of art!
Gyokko's face twisted.
"Gyokko," Ryuya said lazily, "you seem… unconvinced."
He smiled faintly.
"Coincidentally, I've been quite interested in the Upper Rank positions lately. How about you give me yours?"
The threat was blatant.
Gyokko instantly forced a grin.
"You misunderstand, Young Master! How could I possibly be dissatisfied? Being of service to you is my greatest honor!"
"Good."
Ryuya nodded casually.
"In the future, if I'm short on funds, I'll sell your pots. I won't stand on ceremony."
"…Of course, Young Master."
Gyokko's smile nearly cracked.
So I'm an ATM now?
But under Ryuya's oppressive aura, he didn't dare show even the slightest resentment.
What could he do?
Spoil him.
Qingshu left with the pot.
Gyokko's heart bled.
"Gyokko, come closer."
Confused, Gyokko obediently approached.
The next instant—
Bang!
Ryuya struck the back of his head.
He had only meant to knock him unconscious.
Instead, he used too much force and blew off half of Gyokko's head.
"…Ah."
Ryuya stared at the twitching body on the ground.
"Well. That was excessive."
He placed a hand on Gyokko's skull.
"Blood Demon Art: Memory Deletion."
He sifted through Gyokko's memories and erased everything related to tracking him.
With the Transparent World now refined to a higher level, Gyokko's presence had never escaped his notice.
He had simply chosen not to act.
Muzan's loss of control over him—
That was a secret.
One he would never reveal.
"Blood Demon Art: Memory Fabrication."
After deletion came replacement.
He filled the gap seamlessly.
Gyokko would remember nothing suspicious.
Tracking him had undoubtedly been Muzan's order.
Last time it was Daki.
Now Gyokko.
If the order of Upper Ranks held—
Next would be Upper Rank Four.
Hantengu.
That one was troublesome.
Cunning.
Old.
Hard to read.
Unlike Gyokko, whose weakness was painfully obvious—his art.
Seems I'll have to act first.
After completing the alterations, Ryuya stepped back.
Moments later, Gyokko's regenerated head snapped upright.
"Young Master Ryuya… why does the back of my head hurt?"
"You bumped it," Ryuya replied calmly. "Better now?"
Gyokko nodded hesitantly.
"Good. Come with me. I need to see Father."
It was time.
A Blood Battle for positions would soon be necessary.
Infinity Castle
With a thought, Ryuya called out to Nakime.
The world folded.
They arrived within the vast, endless chambers of the Infinity Castle.
Nakime's biwa echoed softly, the sound haunting and distant.
"Young Master Ryuya," she greeted quietly.
"Where is Father?"
"Lord Muzan is not currently present."
A pause.
"—He is calling. Please wait."
Ryuya nodded.
Moments later—
The sharp twang of the biwa rang out.
Muzan Kibutsuji appeared, accompanied by five demons.
Ryuya, Gyokko, and Nakime stood on a raised platform.
Below them—
The Lower Ranks.
Lower Moon Assembly
Lower Rank One — Enmu.
Enmu
Long black hair. Sickly blush. A permanent smile.
His Blood Demon Art manipulated dreams.
Interesting ability.
Ryuya studied him with faint amusement.
Perhaps one day… you and Kaigaku will get along quite well.
Tormenting Kaigaku physically wasn't enough.
Mental ruin was far more satisfying.
Lower Rank Two — Vacant.
Still empty.
Muzan clearly left it reserved.
Lower Rank Three — Wakuraba.
Wakuraba
A cross-shaped scar marked his face.
Unremarkable.
Lower Rank Four — Mukago.
Mukago
White-haired, small horns, symmetrical red markings.
Pretty.
Cowardly.
She fled whenever encountering a Hashira.
Muzan despised weakness.
Ryuya, however, saw potential in survival instinct.
Lower Rank Five — Rui.
Rui
The so-called adopted son.
Pale.
Short.
Emotionless.
Obsessed with family.
His spider-thread Blood Demon Art was formidable.
Muzan's gaze lingered on him the longest.
Lower Rank Six — Kyougai.
Kyougai
Drums embedded in his flesh.
His Blood Demon Art altered spatial orientation.
Another spatial user.
The meeting unfolded as usual.
Muzan questioned.
The Lower Moons trembled.
Promises.
Excuses.
Fear.
Lower Ranks were expendable.
Unlike the Upper Ranks, who had remained unchanged for centuries.
Lower Moons died often.
Especially at the hands of the Hashira.
This current generation of Hashira—
Perhaps the strongest since the Corps' founding.
Some could even stand against Upper Ranks.
Ryuya's gaze slid lazily toward Gyokko.
Wouldn't you agree?
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have an Additional 18+ fanfics now available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1.Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you all for your support and love for this story 💙