I, the Lord of the Fifth Throne, am the source of all things!

Although Duanmu Lian was not one to meddle in other people's business, since Kamado Kui-zhi had helped him, he would naturally repay her kindness tenfold.

P.S.: Demon Slayer is just a plot device, a process the protagonist adapts to; the author didn't intend to write much more about it.

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

Chapter 14: Zhu Shitu, the Seven Treasures Breathing Technique, Searching for Souls in the Underworld

In order to obtain the blue spider lily and also to treat Kamado Tanjuro, Duanmu Lian decided to stay at this family's house.

Before obtaining the Blue Spider Lily, Duanmu Lian also tried to recreate the Demon Transformation Medicine using the medicinal materials she already had.

Although there were many failures, there were also two successful examples.

The demon-transforming medicine made by Duan Mulian using other medicinal materials instead of the blue spider lily will not have the previous defect of being afraid of the sun.

However, after a period of time...

"Roar---!"

In a deserted mountain forest, Duanmu Lian held a simple terminal in her hand, looking at and recording the huge white rabbit with red stripes that was the size of a truck in front of her.

At this moment, the other party was ferociously grabbing a giant bear and frantically gnawing on its head.

Blood splattered everywhere, on the ground and trees, and the white, red-striped giant rabbit was stained with bright crimson.

This is an experimental product created by Duanmu Lian through injecting a modified demonizing drug into a white rabbit, resulting in a mutation.

He named it Zhu Shi Tu (朱食兔).

There are pictures here, which can be viewed after the updated version

It was named the Crimson-Eating Rabbit because of its crimson markings and its ability to eat anything.

The Zhu Shi Tu's body can transform at will, and it can even split into countless smaller rabbits.

According to the terminal experiment records in his possession, the Zhu Shi Rabbit is omnivorous, but its favorite food is humans.

Although they are not like ghosts that can only eat people, they still have a special need for human flesh.

Moreover, it not only treats humans as food, but also as toys.

Torture and kill humans in various cruel ways, causing them to die in pain and fear.

It is also highly intelligent; it can imitate human language and behavior, and even use human culture and customs to mock and provoke humans, displaying its cunning and evil.

"Delicious...not fun. People are more fun to eat."

After swallowing the giant bear whole, the Zhu Shi Tu patted its belly and expressed its dissatisfaction in human language.

It tastes good, but it's not fun.

"Would you like me to play with you for a bit?"

Upon hearing Zhu Shitu's words, Duanmu Lian revealed a cold smile and looked at the experimental subject who was disguising herself with contempt.

After all, he was once an experimental subject, so he naturally knew how to disguise himself.

In front of him, a man who had disguised himself through countless reincarnations, this dead rabbit was merely playing the fool, completely unable to deceive him.

"Well......."

Upon hearing Duanmu Lian's malicious words, Zhu Shitu's enormous body trembled.

At this moment, its crimson eyes, reflecting Duanmu Lian's figure, were filled with human-like apprehension and fear.

After Duanmu Lian endowed it with great power and wisdom, its first target was Duanmu Lian.

As a result, the other party beat it to tears with just their fists.

Duanmu Lian had also witnessed Zhu Shitu's cruelty and cunning.

When the other person said it was delicious but not fun, they were deliberately trying to give him the illusion that they were still thinking like a child.

His purpose, of course, was to escape from Duanmu Lian's side.

They even had thoughts of killing him and eating him.

Although the drugs developed by Duanmu Lian have made it possible for experimental subjects to seek more than just human flesh, the number of prey targets has also increased.

The Zhu Shi Rabbit eats almost anything, whether it's plants or animals, it doesn't discriminate.

"Get back here now that you've eaten!"

Duanmu Lian snorted coldly and casually took out a machine capsule from her body and threw it at the Zhu Shi Tu in front of her.

The moment the capsule bounced off Zhu Shi Tu, it separated and shot a beam of light towards Zhu Shi Tu.

The Zhu Shi Tu trembled as it was hit by the beam of light, instinctively wanting to resist.

However, upon seeing Duanmu Lian's lifeless, emotionless eyes, it still obeyed the pull of the light and was eventually collected into the capsule.

Duanmu Lian stepped forward and picked up the capsule, then took out a box with a rabbit head logo on its surface from her spatial ring.

Upon opening the box, fourteen mechanical capsules were found inside.

After putting the mechanical capsule in his hand inside, he had exactly fifteen.

Each capsule contained the Zhu Shi Rabbit he had created. He believed in making use of any valuable experimental subject.

He then planned to use the Zhu Shi Rabbit to prey on some Japanese soldiers, using their bodies and souls for experiments.

As for why he didn't let Zhu Shitu directly prey on civilians, Duanmu Lian said that he wasn't acting out of kindness.

However, the common people of this era were generally thin and weak, and their health was in a sub-healthy state, or even worse.

This kind of person wouldn't even pass an experiment.

In this era, no one could afford to go hungry except the soldiers and the Japanese aristocracy.

Whether they were strong soldiers or well-maintained nobles, in Duanmu Lian's eyes they were all just suitable consumables.

...........

"Brother Duanmu, you're back! I'm here to help you."

Tanjiro Kamado, who had just returned home after selling charcoal, saw Duanmu Lian carrying a basket of herbs as she walked out of the forest.

With a cheerful smile on his face, he immediately stepped forward to help Duanmu Lian take down a basket of herbs from behind her.

Thanks to Duanmu Lian's treatment, her father, Tanjuro, was able to work again, and his coughing decreased significantly.

Moreover, his thin complexion became rosy and healthy.

The Kamado family remembers this kindness, and Tanjiro is especially grateful to Duanmu Lian for saving his father.

His keen sense of smell had already detected the near-death odor emanating from his father, but thanks to Duanmu Lian's medical skills, the scent had become so faint as to be undetectable.

"Looks like you've had a great day selling charcoal, Tanjiro."

Seeing Tanjiro so happy today, Duanmu Lian smiled as well, showing none of the cold indifference she had shown before when she let monsters prey on humans.

"Yes, everyone needs charcoal at this time of winter."

Tanjiro Kamado responded with a smile, and then walked into the house with Ren Duanmu.

He carefully placed the basket of medicinal herbs he was carrying in the space in his home where he had made room for Duanmu Lian to boil the medicine.

Subsequently, Tanjiro Kamado began to assist Duanmu Lian in preparing medicine under her command.

At that moment, Tanjuro Kamado walked in from outside. He put down the axe he had just used to chop firewood and saw Ren and Tanjiro busy at work. He smiled gently.

The family felt that Duanmu Lian, the child who came to collect herbs, was a gift from heaven.

The illness, which was not initially hoped to be cured, was given hope by a heavy snowfall.

If Duanmu Lian had been turned away that day, she would have missed such an opportunity.

Kamado Aoi also felt that her family was being rewarded for their good deeds; she had helped Duanmu Lian, and in return, Duanmu Lian had helped her.

"Mr. Kamado, although your health has improved, it's still best to avoid strenuous exercise."

After preparing the medicine, Duanmu Lian and Tanjiro brought it to Tanjuro. Seeing that Tanjuro had just finished exercising, Duanmu Lian still gave him a reminder.

Kamado Aoi, standing to the side with a serious expression, directly echoed her husband:

"That's right, your illness isn't fully cured yet, so you shouldn't do the Hinokami Kagura dance this year."

"Ahem... I understand."

Tanjuro Kamado, who was about to take his medicine and get an injection, saw that his children and wife all looked very serious. He raised his hand to cover his mouth and coughed lightly, then immediately agreed.

Now he no longer coughs up blood, and through his ability to see his body through the Transparent World, he can see that his body is gradually getting better under the effects of Duanmu Lian's medicine.

If you can survive, who would be so desperate as to die?

Moreover, she herself needs to take care of and support her own family.

After giving Tanjuro Kamado an injection, Duanmu Lian asked with a curious expression:

"Hinokami Kagura? A ritual dance performed for the gods?"

"Yes, this is our family's traditional sacrificial dance..."

“My dad dances every year.”

Tanjiro Kamado's younger siblings answered with smiles, saying that they could see their father, Tanjuro, perform the Hinokami Kagura dance every year.

For the children, their father's ritual dance was a way of praying for blessings and peace for the family.

However, when the topic turned to Tanjuro Kamado's feat of jumping in the snow for a whole day and night, Duanmu Lian looked at Tanjuro with a speechless expression and said:

"Dragging your sick body to jump in the snow for a whole day and night, Mr. Kamado, please take some responsibility for your family."

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright. I'm not tired at all from dancing the Hinokami Kagura."

Kamado Tanjuro understood the concern in Duanmu Lian's words and smiled gently.

The man in a family is the pillar of the household; if he collapses, it will be a major blow to the whole family.

Even if you don't live for yourself, you must live on strongly for the sake of your family.

"Once you're better, you can dance however you like. But may I see your Hinokami Kagura?"