Ren was just about to mock him by saying, 'So you really have no self-awareness that people dislike you,' but Giyu spoke up suddenly.
"You'd best not move around too much right now, otherwise the poison will spread rapidly throughout your body!"
He did not know that the opponent Ren had faced was Kibutsuji Muzan; he simply assumed Ren had been scratched by an ordinary evil demon and infected with its poison.
Having said that, he thoughtfully took out a hemostatic bandage and helped Ren dress his wounds.
"I am not sure how to treat this specific poisoning, but I have a friend who is proficient in medicine and poisons. I will take you to my friend shortly!"
"Then I'll leave it to you!"
Ren nodded slightly. He knew the friend Giyu mentioned was the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kocho Shinobu. She was also the girl he liked most when watching the anime, though her final fate was truly lamentable.
'Maybe I can change that ending!'
A bold idea emerged in Ren's heart. He had already intended to join the Demon Slayer Corps anyway.
Ordinary daily training could hardly enhance his basic attributes anymore. Only by fighting against evil demons could he quickly improve his strength.
Just like the battle with Muzan a moment ago; in just an hour of effort, he had gained 36 attribute points and acquired combat techniques he hadn't realized in the past three years. Compared to himself yesterday, his combat power had improved by more than just a little bit.
And to fight evil demons, joining the Demon Slayer Corps was undoubtedly the best choice.
After bandaging the wound, Giyu continued to ask, "By the way, what happened to that evil demon?"
"I beat him off. He shouldn't come out again for a short while."
Ren replied. He knew Muzan's cowardly nature well. Perhaps he wouldn't wait until Yoriichi died like he did hundreds of years ago to dare come out, but he certainly wouldn't appear within the range of Mount Kumotori again anytime soon.
However, even so, considering the safety of the Kamado family, he would still suggest that Tanjiro move.
In fact, over the past three years, he had suggested more than once that Kamado Kie move house, develop elsewhere, and leave this bitter cold place. But considering economic issues, Kamado Kie ultimately did not agree. After all, the Kamado family's savings and income were not high at the time.
"You are still too weak right now. If I had arrived earlier, that evil demon would undoubtedly be dead!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Ren was instantly speechless. He thought to himself: 'Brother, don't brag. Do you know who I was fighting?'
'That was Kibutsuji Muzan. I couldn't kill him even with hacks. If it were you, you'd be lucky not to get beaten until you crapped yourself.'
However, he didn't mention that the demon was Muzan. Firstly, Muzan had already run away, so saying anything now was meaningless. Secondly, he feared Giyu wouldn't believe him.
Let alone Giyu, if a sixteen-year-old boy claimed to have beaten off the Ghost King Muzan, probably the entire Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't believe it if they heard it.
Thud, thud, thud!
Just then, hurried footsteps came from not far away. The owner of the sound was naturally Tanjiro, who had run up the mountain overnight fearing for his family's safety.
Looking at the bruised and battered Ren, then at the devastated scene with blood flowing like a river, and finally at the katana at Giyu's waist, he instantly "understood" the current situation.
"You bastard! What did you do to Big Brother Ren!"
Tanjiro roared, immediately unleashing a top-tier combat technique: Rocket Headbutt. He used his rock-hard forehead to slam forcefully toward Giyu.
Giyu turned his head in surprise, only to come into intimate contact with Tanjiro's forehead. In an instant, intense pain swept through Giyu's body, and blood gushed from his nose like a dragon emerging from the sea.
"Don't hurt Big Brother Ren!"
Seeing Tanjiro acting as if possessed by the Wind Hashira, Ren hurriedly stopped him and said, "Tanjiro, you've misunderstood! This guy isn't the culprit who hurt me. I was injured by an evil demon. This stoic, cold-faced guy is here to help."
After speaking, he raised his bandaged arm and explained patiently, "Look, the wounds on my body were bandaged by this guy!"
"..."
Hearing this, Tanjiro's expression instantly became ugly, and he hurriedly bowed to Giyu to apologize.
"Big Brother, I am sorry! I made a mistake! I am truly very sorry!"
Giyu, clutching his bloody nose, was speechless. He couldn't believe he had been injured by a child. He thought to himself, 'This kid's forehead is way too hard!'
"Speaking of which, Big Brother Ren, were you really injured by an evil demon? Do demons really exist in this world? I always thought that was just Grandpa Saburo scaring children..."
Tanjiro asked suddenly. If evil demons really existed, his family was in danger.
"I only believed in the existence of evil demons after seeing them with my own eyes. They feed on humans and possess powerful strength. Tanjiro, it's no longer safe here. You must move as soon as possible, at least get far away from Mount Kumotori."
"'You'?" Tanjiro asked abruptly. "Is Big Brother Ren not coming with us?"
"Yeah. I was scratched by the evil demon, and my body is full of its toxins. I have to go with this guy to a place to detoxify and heal," Ren said, pointing to Giyu, who was still spurting nosebleed nearby.
"Is that so... I wonder how Nezuko and the others are doing?"
"Don't worry, Tanjiro, they will be fine." Ren propped up his exhausted body to stand and said to Giyu beside him, "I'm going to handle some family matters. Please wait for me a moment."
"Whatever!"
Wiping his nosebleed, Tomioka Giyu returned to his previous aloof demeanor.
Tanjiro immediately supported the scarred Ren as they walked home together. Seeing that Ren was safe and sound, Nezuko immediately burst into tears.
"Brother Ren! I'm sorry, it's my fault you got hurt. I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"There, there, Sister Nezuko, stop crying. Aren't I still alive? Besides, protecting a younger sister is a brother's bounden duty. Don't cry, you won't look pretty if you keep crying..."
After wiping the tears from the corners of Nezuko's eyes, Ren smiled and rubbed her hair, then said to Kamado Kie, "Auntie Kie, an evil demon appeared on the mountain. You must move immediately!"
"I understand. Ever since Nezuko told me there were demons about, I have been considering this matter. It just so happens that we have saved some money over the past three years. Renting a house for a short time shouldn't be a problem."
As she spoke, Kamado Kie held several children in her arms. As a single mother, she worked very hard.
Because of this, Ren did not want Tanjiro to join the Demon Slayer Corps as he did in the original story. He could handle the task of eliminating evil demons himself.
"Good, then let's leave here quickly."
Everyone began to pack their things. They left Mount Kumotori and arrived at the town at the foot of the mountain. It wasn't until daybreak that Ren parted ways with the Kamado family.
Before parting, Ren didn't forget to remind them: "Tanjiro, you must carry Wisteria flowers with you at all times. Evil demons loathe the smell of Wisteria, and it can help you drive them away.
Also, the Hinokami Kagura. According to my observations, those twelve dance forms are actually a set of powerful sword techniques. Combined with correct breathing, they can be used to fight against evil demons. You must practice them diligently.
While I am away, I'm entrusting Sister Nezuko and Auntie to you!"
"Don't worry, Big Brother Ren. I will definitely protect my family. And Big Brother Ren, I believe you will be safe and sound. We will wait for your return anytime."
"Yeah, I will definitely come back to find you guys!"
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]