Shinobu Kocho had naturally carried out demon-slaying missions.
After all, they are members of the Demon Slayer Corps; it would be a bit unreasonable if they had never slain a demon.
However, now that she has gained new power, she naturally needs to come out and test it out properly.
In any case, according to Ji Hao's current estimation, even if Shinobu Kocho were to fight one of the lower-ranked Lower Rank Demons, she wouldn't have much of a problem.
After all, it was his improved prescription and cultivation technique that had led to a significant improvement in Shinobu's physical strength during this period.
At this moment, in a resting place for Demon Slayer Corps members in this town, decorated with a wisteria flower family crest.
Ji Hao and his two companions are currently staying here temporarily.
Unlike the situation where nothing happened between Ji Hao and Kocho Kanae.
Because Shinobu Kocho needed to complete the demon-slaying mission herself, the girl was constantly busy at the rest area, trying to obtain specific information about the nearby demon.
After all, the completeness of the target's information is very important to the Demon Slayer Corps members.
If you encounter a powerful demon whose strength is not matched by the team members, then it's no longer a demon-slaying mission, but simply serving the demon as a side dish!
"Phew, we've pretty much figured it out. It's a really arrogant demon, committing crimes in town without any scruples, completely unafraid of being exposed."
Having finally gathered all the information, Shinobu Kocho was finally able to catch her breath and kneel down in front of the small table.
Picking up the cup of tea that Kanae Butterfly had poured for her at a perfectly warm temperature, she spoke with a touch of emotion.
"I guess it just became a demon, and its desires are driving it a bit too strong."
Kanae watched with a smile as Shinobu drank the tea in her cup, and then poured her another cup.
This is a common occurrence. After becoming a demon and gaining power, the demon's ego inflates, and it begins to hunt humans indiscriminately in towns.
In most cases, such demons don't live long before being killed by members of the Demon Slayer Corps who arrive immediately.
However, if a demon like this can survive, its strength will naturally increase the fastest.
After all, the more people eat, the stronger the food becomes.
Although it still can't compare to the Twelve Demon Moons who obtained more of Muzan's blood.
"It's always best to be careful. There are always malicious people who will deliberately do things that attract attention."
Ji Hao spoke calmly, as if giving a word of advice.
"Okay, I understand. I'll be careful."
Shinobu Kocho nodded solemnly. This was a life-or-death struggle; anyone who wasn't serious would have been dead long ago!
...
As night fell, Shinobu Kocho, having packed her belongings and carrying her Nichirin Blade, blended into the crowd under the cover of darkness.
On a dark and windy night, a night for slaying ghosts.
Nighttime is the time for evil spirits to hunt.
At the same time, it is also the time for the Demon Slayer Corps to hunt down evil spirits!
After Shinobu Kocho left, Hiro and Kanae Kocho naturally didn't stay idle either.
After all, she is Kanae Kocho's younger sister. It's clear that Shinobu Kocho is completely incapable of letting Shinobu go out and slay demons alone while Kanae Kocho goes to rest.
"Don't worry, Shinobu has been training very hard lately. Soon, even you, her older sister, will probably be unable to catch up with her."
The streets were quiet at night, not yet as prosperous as they would be in later years, with a vibrant nightlife.
Aside from brothels like the one in Youguo, which are considered nighttime entertainment, people in other parts of the town naturally want to rest early.
At that moment, Ji Hao and Kocho Kanae were walking hand in hand down a deserted, dimly lit street.
For him and Kanae Kocho to be out strolling at a time like this, they were truly a pair of extraordinary people.
Since their last intimate encounter, Kanae Kocho no longer resisted Hiro's advances, and the two seemed to have tacitly agreed to each other, their relationship gradually warming up.
To outsiders, their interactions would seem no different from those of a couple.
"Really? Sigh, actually I still want Shinobu to stay away from demon slaying..."
Kanae Butterfly said with a hint of helplessness in her voice.
"Don't overthink it. After all, isn't this a good thing?"
Ji Hao tightened his grip on Kanae Butterfly's small hand and spoke with a soft laugh.
"As long as the Ghost King is alive, the evil spirits will always exist. Becoming an ordinary person means handing the knife to the evil spirits, and afterwards you can only be slaughtered by them."
"But now, Shinobu has taken her destiny into her own hands. In the end, it's better to rely on yourself than to ask others for help."
As Ji Hao finished speaking, Kocho Kanae looked at the man who made her uneasy every day.
Are we to be at the mercy of others, or to control our own destiny?
"You really know how to talk."
Kanae Kocho smiled helplessly; she couldn't stop Shinobu Kocho's choice anyway.
She just couldn't get over that hurdle in her own heart.
"In that case, Lord Ji Hao, can you help me take control of my own destiny?"
Kanae Butterfly stopped in her tracks, looking at him tenderly with her beautiful eyes, her voice soft and dreamlike.
"Of course, then you've chosen the right person."
Ji Hao turned around, looked at the gentle-looking girl, and smiled.
A tacit understanding quietly developed between the two, and they held hands even tighter.
Meanwhile, Shinobu Kocho, two streets away, had already found her mission target.
"Oh dear~ You're really starting to attack boldly again, you demon."
Shinobu Kocho emerged from the dark alley with a confident smile on her face.
"Hmm? There's some delicious food~"
At this moment, the blood-covered demon slowly turned around. He looked somewhat emaciated, like a pile of bones covered with a human skin.
It looks extremely frightening.
But Shinobu Kocho has seen all sorts of bizarre and grotesque demons before!
He's just a starving ghost, nothing to worry about.
"Well, that depends on whether Mr. Ghost can eat me."
Shinobu Kocho still wore a playful smile on her face, but her movements with her feet and hands were surprisingly fast.
In the instant he charged forward, his Nichirin Blade was also drawn from its sheath.
"The breath of insects, the dance of butterflies, a playful exchange!"
Insect Breathing, derived from Kanae Kocho's Flower Breathing, is a sword technique modified by Shinobu Kocho based on her own circumstances.
However, at this time, Insect Breathing was still relatively immature, and for Shinobu Kocho, it was still in the process of continuous improvement.
As Shinobu Kocho charged forward, her Nichirin Blade flashed out.
The starving ghost felt a blur before its eyes, and the next moment, a sharp pain shot through its body.
Amidst the splattering of blood, Shinobu Kocho flashed past him, leaving more than a dozen scarlet holes in the body of the Hungry Ghost!
After undergoing both medicinal baths and body-strengthening techniques, Shinobu Kocho's physical condition was no longer as weak as it had been before.
Her speed and strength have been greatly enhanced.
Combined with the physical enhancements provided by her breathing technique, Shinobu Kocho's physical abilities completely overwhelmed this starving ghost!
"Ugh, those damn humans..."
Before the starving ghost could finish cursing, he was kicked to the ground by Shinobu Kocho, who turned around!
As Shinobu Kocho stepped on its back, she chuckled softly.
"Oh dear, it's not good to curse people like that~ Mr. Demon, I'll send you on your way. In your next life, don't continue to be a demon who eats people."
Having said that, Shinobu Kocho no longer hesitated.
The knife fell, and the neck was severed!