Demon Slayer: I am a Demon.

"Currently, in Tokyo, there have been demons suspected of using firearms, and Father has already sent Lord Kyojuro to deal with them."

Teruya Ubuyashiki spoke softly, a look of worry in his eyes.

If a demon uses firearms to fight a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman, that's a completely different concept from a human using firearms to fight a demon.

"Kyojuro is going to deal with demons who use firearms?"

Su Mu took another sip of wine, trying hard to recall, and finally remembered: in anime, there really are demons who use guns.

If I remember correctly, it should be the Lower Moon 2 of the Twelve Demon Moons.

A man who revered the way of the samurai in life was attacked and defeated by soldiers wielding guns and mocked for his so-called samurai way. After becoming a demon, he began to believe that no matter how skilled one was in swordsmanship, it was no match for a gun.

This is probably the first ghost to embrace a gun.

A demon who uses firearms, a gun that's somewhat ineffective against other demons, yet he grows into the second lower moon of the Twelve Demon Moons.

Su Mu wouldn't believe it if someone said there wasn't special treatment from Muzan Kibutsuji here. Perhaps Muzan Kibutsuji had also seen the power of the firearms, but for now, he was probably just testing them.

…………

"We are more worried about ghosts using firearms than about us using them. So, if possible, Father will not use firearms on a large scale, as this would cause ghosts to start imitating him."

Teruya Ubuyashiki spoke in a low voice, filled with worry.

Times have changed, and things are not what they used to be. With the advent of guns, many things are changing. Only that cautious ghost may not have noticed these changes yet. After all, compared to humans, the advantages of ghosts are too obvious. Perhaps, out of arrogance or other factors, it is because it does not care about these things.

Just like the samurai of the old samurai era, relying on their own bravery, they raised their swords and charged forward, always thinking they would be invincible as before, only to be swept down by untrained ordinary people like wheat, and then suddenly realized...

Times have truly changed.

Even so, many people are still immersed in the dream of the old era and unwilling to wake up.

As for the Demon Slayer Corps, they did hope that Muzan Kibutsuji would discover the effectiveness of firearms later, even if it was just a little later. For this reason, the Demon Slayer Corps stubbornly insisted on using the swords of the old-fashioned samurai.

…………

The brief conversation deepened Teruya Ubuyashiki's admiration for Su Mu. Ordinary swordsmen rarely considered firearms, but Su Mu seemed to understand the changes they brought about better than many others.

Most people don't have such keen foresight.

Many people have not yet anticipated the ordinary changes this will bring. In fact, some remote places and some warriors are still indulging in the arrogance of the old era.

…………

A courtyard surrounded by wisteria

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the "master," performed another divination, and the future seemed even more uncertain.

In previous divinations, it was predicted that Muzan Kibutsuji would break into Ubuyashiki in the coming years. He had even planted enough explosives in the mansion to destroy the entire area and was prepared to act as bait to lure Muzan Kibutsuji.

But the future has become blurry, and everything is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

"Cough cough cough..."

Unable to stop coughing violently, Kagaya Ubuyashiki covered his mouth with his hand, but the coughing continued. When he let go of his hand, he found that his palm was covered with bright red blood that he had coughed up.

He struggled to stand up, but found that his legs were weak and powerless. Several attempts to stand up were in vain.

"Da da da……"

The sound of rapid footsteps approached, and two girls with youthful faces, dressed in pink kimonos and with white hair, just like Hina Ubuyashiki, rushed over and helped their father, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, to his feet.

"I asked you to order a wheelchair a couple of days ago, is it ready yet?"

After sitting down, Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, slightly out of breath.

Both Ubuyashiki Nika and Ubuyashiki Kanna's expressions tightened, and they couldn't help but look at their father's legs, naturally knowing the meaning behind the custom-made wheelchair.

"We'll need it eventually, it's just a little sooner."

Sensing the worry in his daughters, Nika and Hangna's eyes, Ubuyashiki Kagaya shook his head indifferently. Then, he looked up and gazed out the window at the blooming wisteria: "Compared to those swordsmen who were eaten by demons, compared to those swordsmen who fought demons to the death, they are the ones who deserve more concern."

“But Father, you are also the most important. Without Father, without Ubuyashiki, how could so many powerful swordsmen unite as one?”

"Without Father, how could the swordsmen fight without any worries? It's all because of you, Father! It's all because of Ubuyashiki."

Hika Ubuyashiki grumbled unhappily, "Father, you need to take care of yourself too. We can't do without you."

"I know."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki shook his head. After Ubuyashiki Kanna pushed the wheelchair over, he sat down with the help of his two daughters and was pushed to the mirror in the room, where he saw himself in the mirror.

Now, not only are his legs weak, but the purple color on his face has also spread further, and the curse has deepened even further.

Gently stroking the purple stains spreading across his face, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression darkened. Although the curse's effects had been somewhat mitigated by his union with the priest's bloodline, it remained deeply entrenched.

As long as Muzan Kibutsuji exists, this curse will accompany Ubuyashiki for the rest of his life. What he is currently experiencing, his son Teruya will also experience in the future.

Almost every generation of Ubuyashiki men did not live past the age of thirty.

"In any case, I hope that such tragic things will end in my generation."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki gritted his teeth, yet felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Even if he wanted to fight Muzan Kibutsuji to the death, he would be willing to do it even if there was only a sliver of a chance.

However, the cautious Muzan Kibutsuji never gave him that chance.

Fortunately, in his generation, Kibutsuji Muzan finally showed some traces. Before that, it was impossible to find even a trace of his appearance.

"Do you think that because you have almost immortal life, your swordsmen will gradually grow old and die with the passage of time, and no longer pose any threat to you?"

"Just like the measures you took against Yoriichi Tsugikuni back then, do you think you can simply wait for Yoriichi to grow old and become unable to wield his sword, and then send Kokushibo out to easily take Yoriichi's life?"

With Hangnai and Rixiang pushing the wheelchair, Ubuyashiki Kagaya arrived in the courtyard and looked at the blooming wisteria flowers: "But all these years, so many years have passed, and Kibutsuji Muzan has always done the same thing, always arrogantly looking down on us, looking down on Ubuyashiki, looking down on your former kind."

A gentle breeze blows, and a wisteria blossom falls. Kagaya Ubuyashiki stretches out his hand, and a wisteria petal lands in his palm. Over hundreds, even thousands of years, powerful swordsmen have succumbed to the passage of time and died one by one. But for thousands of years, Ubuyashiki has remained, and the Demon Slayer Corps has remained.

"Perhaps, before long, I will die, and my son, Kiriya, will die, but 'Ubuyashiki' will still exist, the Demon Slayer Corps will still exist, as long as new blood flows in, the Demon Slayer Corps will continue to exist, and Ubuyashiki will continue to lead the Demon Slayer Corps on the path of hunting you."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at the wisteria blossoms in his hand and thought of the swordsman examination presided over by Teruya: "The examination for new swordsmen at Fujikazeyama has ended, hasn't it? How did it go? How many passed?"

Except for the previous year which was quite special, every year there are several new talents who successfully pass the assessment at 'Fujiyama'.

Besides Fujikasayama, there are other places where new swordsmen are also tested.

"Yes, Father, Hui Lizai sent word that a total of 164 people passed the test this time."

"What……"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was leaning against a wheelchair, sat up straight, his eyes filled with shock. Apart from the unexpected situation of Sabito last year, the number of people who passed the test was quite high, more than sixty people. In previous years, the number of people who succeeded was at most seven or eight, and in most cases, only three or four.

One hundred and sixty-four people—this was truly unimaginable for Kagaya Ubuyashiki. If it weren't for the uneven quality of the previous batch, the influx of so much fresh blood into the Demon Slayer Corps would definitely be a shot in the arm.

"call……"

After a while, Kagaya Ubuyashiki finally calmed down and couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that another accident like the one with Sabito happened last time?"

If a swordsman as powerful as Sabito truly appears, we cannot allow such a talented swordsman to sacrifice himself.

"No, Father. The news from Kiriya is that although the swordsmen who participated in the assessment suffered great losses on the first day, they began to cooperate and spontaneously form teams after the second day..."

After listening to Nika's account, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was stunned for a long time. Originally, the special training camp would only begin after the trial, and special teams would be matched and paired up. However, he did not expect that this awareness had already begun during the assessment.

“Hui Lizai said that all of this was because of a man named Su Mu…”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked down at the wisteria flower in his hand: "I remember that Mr. Urokodaki also mentioned the inheritance of 'Sun Breathing' last time, and there was this person named Su Mu among them."

“Yes, Father. Moreover, Kiriya speaks highly of him, even admires him greatly. Kiriya even personally persuaded the people of the sword-forging village, just to forge a few more weapons for him…”

Beside her, Ubuyashiki Nika whispered.

"Kiri, who has always followed the established procedures, is now trying to take his own step."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked up at the wisteria trees in full bloom in the courtyard: "It seems that Kagaya has his own ideas as well."

As a father, and also as a former boy himself, Kagaya Ubuyashiki understands his son very well, just as he did when he met Gyomei Himejima as a teenager.

Even though Hisoka Gyomei's crimes were almost punishable by death and required a great deal of connections to get him released from prison, he still chose to help him get out of prison.

When he first saw Gyomei Himejima, he felt that Gyomei Himejima would be his pillar in the Demon Slayer Corps in the future.

Is Kiriya the same now?

Back then, when his own father was young, did he also have a relationship with Kyojuro's father...?

Generation after generation, the tradition continues. Even if he dies, or Kyōmei Himejima dies, Kiriya will grow up, and Kiriya's son will continue to take over. Generation after generation, the line will never be broken.

Muzan Kibutsuji believed that time could destroy the will and resolve of these people.

Ultimately, they underestimated us too much.

That's too much...

That's arrogant.

Chapter 146 Let others do the dangerous things, let others make sacrifices.

The night air on Fujikasa Mountain was slightly cool. Kanao stood by the window, looking outside, as a gentle breeze tousled the girl's hair.

Su Mu walked over slowly, picked up a piece of clothing, draped it over Kanao's shoulders, and then looked out the window with Kanao.

"What is Kanao looking at?"

Su Mu looked around for a while but didn't see anything particularly interesting. He then turned his head and looked at Kanao.

"I'm wondering what Uncle is planning to do?"

"what?"

Su Mu looked at the girl with some surprise.

"Uncle can fool many people, but Uncle can't fool Kanao."

Kanao looked up, her pinkish-purple eyes fixed on her uncle: "From the moment you first came into contact with the Kamado family, I felt that you were always wearing a mask, a mask that obscured your face. They couldn't see it, but I could. You weren't like that at all. I've always been with you, and I know you well."

At this point, the girl whispered softly, "He is very gentle to the Kamado family, very gentle to Makomo, and very gentle to everyone. But he becomes a completely different person when he is with Teruya. He will smash his cup and leave, saying things like 'it is an honor to die than a disgrace to live' that Kanao cannot understand. Uncle, he is not like that."

Su Mu looked at Kanao, surprised that Kanao could sense so much.

"Kanao is too stupid. She rarely thinks things through and can't figure out why her uncle wears a mask. She feels that her uncle isn't happy at all when he wears a mask, right?"

Seeing the girl's furrowed brows, Su Mu squatted down and gently flicked her nose: "I might hide it from others, but not from Kanao. Since Kanao wants to know, then tell Kanao."

As he spoke, he glanced around, his ears perking up slightly. Making sure no one was nearby, he leaned close to Kanao's ear and whispered, "It's all for dealing with Muzan Kibutsuji."

"Oniibutsuji. No misery"