Demon Slayer: I am a Demon.

Before the sun had risen, Teruya Ubuyashiki and his older sister Hina Ubuyashiki set out early, carrying palace lanterns as they walked to the mountainside.

Soon, a large number of people arrived one after another.

"Once it's light, everyone must immediately head up the mountain to search for any survivors. We also need to prepare the gorilla iron ore as soon as possible. When the swordsmen emerge, they will be able to choose the ore to forge their own unique Nichirin Blades..."

Teruya Ubuyashiki gave instructions to the group.

"Yes, Lord Kiriya."

A responsible 'hermit' replied immediately.

"How are the preparations for the raven coming along?"

"Lord Kiriya, these have already been transported from various places and should be sufficient to meet your requirements..."

"What about the swordsman's exclusive team uniform?"

"Lord Kiriya, everything is ready. Styles for all heights have been sewn. If there are any special body types, they will be specially tailored and sewn immediately."

"Have you prepared the money and everything else?"

"Yes, sir. From the moment they are called swordsmen, these will be prepared for them."

"If there are family members involved, these arrangements should also be made..."

"My lord, yes, everything will be arranged. The swordsman will not have to worry about what's behind him during the battle."

…………

While arranging various matters, Teruya Ubuyashiki also tidied his attire, feeling that it should be appropriate, and then arrived at the path to the mountainside platform.

It was still early, and the wind was strong today. The cold wind made Kagaya Ubuyashiki shiver slightly.

"Little brother, why don't you go and rest in the next room for a while? Your health isn't good to begin with..."

Beside her, Hina Ubuyashiki, watching her younger brother's condition, couldn't help but speak in a low voice.

“Sister, compared to those swordsmen who fight against evil spirits and may lose their lives at any time, what is Kiriya who is just standing here? If Kiriya can’t even withstand this little bit of cold wind, then he is really useless.”

"Alright then, if Kiriya feels unwell, you should tell your sister."

Kakeru Ubuyashiki didn't answer his sister. He just stood at the crossroads, chest out, mimicking his father's demeanor when facing the swordsmen, and gave a gentle smile.

………………

As dawn pierced the darkness, bringing light, the day when the Tengxi Mountain assessment would end arrived.

Teruya Ubuyashiki straightened his clothes again, revealing a still-childish smile, and looked expectantly towards the mountaintop.

It was very quiet.

There was no one there.

"Should I send someone up to take a look?"

Hina Ubuyashiki tiptoed, but after a while, she still hadn't seen anyone come down, and she became a little anxious.

"hold on."

Although Teruya Ubuyashiki was also anxious inside, he tried his best to remain calm on the surface.

After waiting for a while, just as Teruya Ubuyashiki was starting to panic and wondering if he should send someone to inquire about the situation, clear footsteps came from the mountaintop.

Teruya Ubuyashiki's expression tightened, and he immediately straightened his chest, having also seen the person walking down from the mountaintop.

Surrounded by a crowd, stood a tall, handsome man with a friendly demeanor. Beside him were a petite girl with pinkish-purple eyes and a woman wearing a fox mask with her eyes closed.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki had a strong impression of the tall man surrounded by the crowd. He had sensed that the man was very composed when he went up the mountain to participate in the swordsman examination, and sure enough, it was just as he had felt.

This made Teruya Ubuyashiki think of his father. What was it like when his father discovered Gyomei Himejima?

In a crowd, could you instantly recognize this person who would eventually grow into a pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps?

He didn't know what his father felt when he discovered Himejima Gyomei, but at this moment, Ubuyashiki Teruya had that feeling: this person was amazing, someone who could lead the Demon Slayer Corps to go even further.

With his lips slightly pursed, Teruya Ubuyashiki looked at the person who came down with the tall man.

Although it was expected that a large number of swordsmen would pass the test this time, the number was far beyond expectations.

Generally speaking, it's already quite good if seven or eight swordsmen pass the 'Mount Fujikasa' swordsman assessment each time. Like last time, it was only because of Sabito's unexpected appearance. But now, nearly 160 people have passed the assessment and left the mountain.

This is an extremely rare quantity.

Despite being extremely shocked, Teruya Ubuyashiki immediately stepped forward.

The tall man surrounded by the crowd also stopped in his tracks, and everyone else, like the tall man, looked up at Teruya Ubuyashiki.

The boy appeared nervous, yet maintained a serious expression on his youthful face. He bowed deeply to the crowd, then raised his head, revealing a gentle, innocent smile: "Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

"Congratulations on successfully passing the final test of 'Mount Fujikasane' and becoming one of the first swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, becoming demon slayers who protect humanity in the darkness and slay evil spirits."

"From now on, everyone is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps."

With that, Teruya Ubuyashiki stood up and bowed to everyone again: "From now on, I entrust the task of eliminating evil spirits and protecting humanity to you all."

Upon hearing Teruya Ubuyashiki's words, everyone's expressions brightened, but they couldn't help but turn their gaze to the tall man at the front.

"I'm also very happy to be a part of the purge of evil spirits."

Su Mu, who was a ghost, smiled.

Upon hearing that Su Mu had expressed his opinion, the people behind him immediately cheered.

"Gentlemen, we have been staying on the summit of Fujikasa Mountain for seven days, enduring wind and rain, sleeping in the open, and encountering evil spirits. Some of you have even been injured. We have prepared doctors to treat you at the foot of the mountain, as well as fine wine and delicacies, and warm rooms for you to rest. You can go wherever you need, and there will be 'hermits' to guide you."

After saying that, Teruya Ubuyashiki bowed deeply to everyone again: "Thank you for your hard work, everyone."

Everyone unconsciously smiled, and many were also touched. After all, it was clear that Ubuyashiki Teruya was of high status and a very distinguished person. Such courteous treatment was indeed pleasing.

"Everyone go according to your needs. Two days later, we will arrange for you to select gorilla iron ore and forge your own unique Nichirin sword."

"There are also special Demon Slayer Corps uniforms available for selection now."

"Your personal Kasugai will also be provided over the next two days..."

…………

Listening to Teruya Ubuyashiki's words, Su Mu was also moved. The benefits and treatment provided by the Demon Slayer Corps to the swordsmen were indeed excellent, which was why the swordsmen were able to put everything aside and fight to the death against the demons.

The Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen have remained steadfast in their fight against demons for so many years not only because of their deep hatred for demons, but also because of their passionate sense of justice in protecting humanity.

This is also closely related to the treatment that Ubuyashiki provides to the Demon Slayer Corps, allowing the swordsmen to fight to the death without any worries.

This is understandable, as the Demon Slayer Corps has existed for so many years, and the Ubuyashiki clan has always been in charge, with each successive head of the clan being a member of the Ubuyashiki family.

In this respect, the 'Ubuyashiki' family has indeed always done a very good job.

In comparison, Muzan Kibutsuji appears utterly incompetent. It should be noted that compared to Ubuyashiki, Muzan Kibutsuji's abilities are far more powerful. Not only can he create an endless stream of demons using demon blood, but he can also hear the thoughts in the minds of demons and directly control the life and death of his subordinate demons. With such powerful abilities, even with his weakness of being afraid of sunlight, he shouldn't be in this situation.

…………

After Teruya Ubuyashiki finished speaking, many people were eager to try, but Su Mu at the front did not move, and everyone else suppressed their impulses.

Teruya Ubuyashiki witnessed all of this and was shocked by Su Mu's influence over so many people.

Su Mu quickly smiled, stepped forward, and said gently, "I don't know yet..."

“Sir, my name is Teruya Ubuyashiki. You may call me Teruya.”

Teruya Ubuyashiki immediately spoke up.

"So it's Lord Kiriya."

Su Mu called out gently, then turned around and said to the people behind him, "Everyone, if you're not listening to Lord Ubuyashiki Teruya's orders, go find a doctor to heal your wounds, those who are hungry should go eat, those who want to drink should drink, and those who want to rest should rest. But after that, when it comes to choosing the gorilla iron ore, uniforms, Kasugai crows, and so on... you must all follow the arrangements..."

Upon hearing this, the crowd cheered and quickly sought out the nearby 'hermit,' who guided them to various locations.

After everyone left, only Teruya Ubuyashiki, Hina Ubuyashiki, Somaru, Kanao, Makomo, and Tanjiro remained in the room.

"Kiri-zai has prepared food, please..."

At this moment, Teruya Ubuyashiki spoke up.

Before Teruya Ubuyashiki could finish speaking, Su Mu interrupted, "Do you have any fine wine?"

"Of course there are."

This was the first time Ubuyashiki Teruya had invited Su Mu, and Su Mu seemed to have a lot of influence, so he was a little nervous. But hearing Su Mu's casual attitude, he relaxed a bit.

"Then I'll have to ask Lord Kiriya for a few more drinks. If I drink too much, won't it hurt my wallet?"

No...no.

The boy's face flushed slightly with excitement.

"Let's go then."

Su Mu naturally stepped forward and then took Ubuyashiki Teruya's arm.

Beside her, Ubuyashiki Hinai unconsciously wanted to step forward, feeling that Su Mu's posture was somewhat impolite, but after being given a look by her younger brother, she reluctantly retreated.

For Teruya Ubuyashiki, at this moment, he felt very excited, wondering if his father had been like this when he recruited Gyomei Himejima.

Will the people he favors now become pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps in the future, just like Gyomei Himejima?

Chapter 142 There is honor in dying, but no shame in living (2/4 (two-in-one))

Su Mu put his arm around Teruya Ubuyashiki's shoulder and walked towards a house built halfway up the mountain.

The stove inside was already heated, and a waiter came forward and brought out dishes of small dishes to the table. In no time, the entire table was filled.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat in the main seat, kneeling upright with a tense expression on his face.

Beside her, Hina Ubuyashiki, the older sister, knelt down, her white hair flowing, her delicate face raised, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Su Mu, who was sitting cross-legged there.

Compared to ordinary swordsmen facing 'Ubuyashiki', Su Mu was somewhat lacking in etiquette.

Although the samurai class has declined and the world is now rife with instances of 'subordinates overthrowing superiors', the strict hierarchy has always existed in the shadows.

As the full supporter behind the Demon Slayer Corps, the head of the 'Ubuyashiki' clan has always been from the 'Ubuyashiki' clan. In the eyes of many, the Demon Slayer Corps has always been samurai belonging to the 'Ubuyashiki' clan and loyal to the 'Ubuyashiki' clan.

In fact, the Demon Slayer Corps originated from samurai loyal to the Ubuyashiki clan who were tasked with hunting down Muzan Kibutsuji. Later, they began to absorb fresh blood from the outside world, people whose happiness had been destroyed by demons, and people dedicated to eliminating demons and protecting humanity. This is how they gradually developed into what they are today.

Although the Demon Slayer Corps is no longer nominally loyal to the Ubuyashiki clan as it was at the beginning, but rather an organization dedicated to "eliminating demons and protecting humanity," the influence that the Ubuyashiki clan once had on the Demon Slayer Corps still exists and even affects every aspect of the organization.

It has even become taken for granted that successive heads of households come from the Ubuyashiki clan.