Kawagishi managed an awkward smile. “It’s nothing—I just remembered something sad.”

  “Is that so? Don’t be down any longer. Cherish the moment; it’s a cool night, and if you stay in your wet clothes you’ll catch a cold. Hurry up and come with me.”

  That girl, Shinobu Kocho, was unimaginably powerful—but she was so gentle…

  “I can’t believe I once thought of hurting such a gentle girl…”

  Earlier, Kawagishi had actually been contemplating whether he could launch a surprise attack from behind to injure Shinobu and then use the chance to escape.

  But the gap in power forced him to abandon that idea, and even the mere thought made him feel a bit ashamed.

  Alas, if he showed any further hint of abnormality, it would be impossible to hide his true nature. With no other option, he resolved to obediently follow her.

  “All we can do is take it one step at a time. Why am I so unlucky…” he sighed inwardly.

  “Once we get to Shiqiao Town, I’ll find a chance to slip away secretly.”

  Dejectedly trailing behind Shinobu Kocho, after a while the two arrived at Shiqiao Town.

  The town was very quiet—every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, and no light could be seen within.

  Shinobu Kocho explained, “The townsfolk say that two man-eating demons have appeared around here.”

  “And lately, their attacks on the town have become so frequent that everyone is frightened—nobody dares to go out at night, and they don’t even light a lamp, for fear of attracting demons.”

  Kawagishi’s expression darkened with hatred. “Man-eating demons—they all deserve to be killed!”

  Shiqiao Town was far larger than the village at the foot of the mountain, and its people were more knowledgeable. At the very least, they were aware that demons truly existed.

  Unlike Kawagishi, who only learned of demons’ reality after his family was slain, thinking they were mere monsters from stories.

  Shinobu Kocho patted Kawagishi’s shoulder gently. “Hey, don’t be so hot-headed. What if there are some good demons too?”

  Though that remark hardly fit the Demon Slayer Corps’ image, Kawagishi didn’t retort—he sensed that Shinobu’s tone wasn’t entirely sincere. There was a strange, indefinable scent emanating from her.

  “Hmm? That’s odd… it seems like the scent of fluctuating emotions—kind of like what Tanjiro once described to me.”

  “Has my sense of smell finally surpassed Tanjiro’s?”

  “But really, what kind of emotion does Shinobu Kocho’s aura exude?”

  Kawagishi had never smelled anything like it on anyone else, and with no reference, he couldn’t be sure. Moreover, her gentle expression was incredibly disarming—he couldn’t quite tell what she was feeling, but it was clear she wasn’t truly sympathizing with demons.

  After passing three households, the pair approached the door of the fourth house. Shinobu Kocho stepped forward and lightly knocked.

  Before long, the door opened a crack, and someone peered out cautiously through the gap.

  When they saw Shinobu Kocho, the wariness in their eyes softened into a welcoming expression.

  The door opened fully, revealing a stooped old man leading a small four- or five-year-old boy, who bowed deeply before Shinobu Kocho.

  “Ah, it’s Lady Shinobu. What brings you to our home?”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Quickly, Shinobu Kocho reached out to steady the old man’s shoulder, preventing him from bowing too low.

  “Mr. Chang, what are you doing? There’s no need for such excessive courtesy—I can’t accept it.”

  The elderly Chang, hunched over, tugged at the little boy beside him. “Jiyong, hurry and kneel to thank Lady Shinobu. She has slain a vicious demon and avenged your parents.”

  The little boy, Jiyong, though initially confused, soon welled up with tears upon hearing his parents’ words.

  He knelt down and said, “Thank you, sister. Thank you for avenging my parents…”

  Seeing this, Shinobu Kocho sighed softly, then lifted Jiyong and said to Mr. Chang, “Mr. Chang, I have a friend who has nowhere to stay. May he stay here for a while?”

  Mr. Chang nodded repeatedly, “Of course, of course—I’ll prepare a bed for him right away.”

  Kawagishi stepped forward to intercept Mr. Chang, “There’s no need to trouble yourself; I’ll tidy up on my own.”

  It was clear that Shinobu Kocho would be leaving soon, and Kawagishi was already planning to slip away once she departed.

  As soon as Shinobu Kocho left, Kawagishi intended to run away from this gentle yet immensely powerful girl.

  Though he felt a certain fondness for her, she was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and incredibly strong—not an ordinary demon hunter by any means.

  If Kawagishi’s true nature were exposed, he couldn’t rely on their simple rapport; from what he’d learned from Black Wolf Fang, the Demon Slayer Corps never negotiated with demons—they only spoke with their Nichirin Blades.

  And given Shinobu Kocho’s strength, he wouldn’t even have a chance to run away.

  But when he thought of Nichirin Blades, he recalled his own Scorching Feathers, which functioned similarly.

  He longed to test them on another demon—wondering if they could still decapitate an enemy as efficiently.

  After exchanging safety instructions with Mr. Chang, Shinobu Kocho said to Kawagishi, “I have slain one evil demon already, but there should be another up on Blue Ridge Mountain.”

  “Tonight, I plan to go to Blue Ridge Mountain and kill that demon.”

  “You stay here and rest. When I’ve finished with that demon, I’ll come back for you.”

  “But aren’t you seeking vengeance against demons? With your formidable body, joining the Demon Slayer Corps should be a breeze for you. Only in the Corps can you receive the most professional training—teaching you how to kill demons properly.”

  “I’ll recommend you for the Demon Slayer Corps trials. Once you pass, we’ll be comrades—well, more like superior and subordinate, actually.”

  Kawagishi blinked, “Superior and subordinate?”

  But before he could press further, Shinobu Kocho vanished like the wind.

  “Blue Ridge Mountain’s demon is probably Black Wolf Fang,” Kawagishi mused.

  “Her trip here was destined to be in vain.”

  Kawagishi accepted the clothes Mr. Chang offered, tore off his tattered old garments, and changed into new ones that fit him quite well.

  Mr. Chang stared at Kawagishi in astonishment, and soon tears welled up in his eyes.

  Kawagishi, puzzled, asked, “Mr. Chang, what’s wrong?”

  The old man’s voice choked, “It’s nothing—I'm just old, and my eyes aren’t what they used to be; I can’t see very well anymore.”

  “You look just like Nozaka when you wear these clothes,” Kawagishi observed.

  After inquiring further, Kawagishi learned that Nozaka was Mr. Chang’s son, who had been killed by a demon a few days ago while collecting herbs in the mountains with his wife.

  With a heavy heart, Kawagishi said, “I plan to wander around Shiqiao Town for a while; I won’t be sleeping indoors. Please, you all go inside.”

  Mr. Chang looked worried, “It’s not safe out tonight—if you encounter a demon, it won’t end well. Young man, you look so pale and weak; if a demon appears, you surely won’t be able to outrun it…”

  Kawagishi frowned, “???”

  “Mr. Chang, I’m with Shinobu Kocho. If I’m with her, how could I be afraid of demons?”

  Mr. Chang considered this and nodded, handing Kawagishi a set of keys. “Come back soon, alright? Don’t be out too late.”

  Kawagishi hesitated for a moment, then accepted the keys and replied, “Don’t worry—I’ll only be out for a while.”

  But that promise was only to placate the old man; in truth, Kawagishi had already decided to leave.

  This place was simply not somewhere he could stay for long.