Demon Slayer: I am a Demon.

"This is... the Crimson Blade."

Rengoku Kyojuro whispered.

The Demon Slayer Corps' lost demon-slaying techniques are more powerful than imagined, with stronger scorching damage and penetrating power, causing more harm to demons.

However, compared to the 'Crimson Blade', he also gained a deeper understanding of the 'Breath of Flames' at this moment.

The fiery passion within him, the passion that had been suppressed by his father's passing, seemed to be ignited at this moment.

He gripped the knife once more.

Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes turned to Pegasus, his piercing eyes burning with intense light, while in his hand he held the Nichirin Blade.

At that moment, the Sun Wheel Blade seemed to truly draw upon the sun.

The pitch-black night seemed to be dispelled at this moment, and the earth seemed to have become the sun.

"Breath of Flames: Ultimate Technique"

Kyojuro Rengoku swung his sword once more, uttering a low sound, yet the sound rang so clearly in Pero's ears, like the tolling of a temple bell, like the rumble of thunder in summer.

"Breath of Flames: Ultimate Technique - Ninth Form - Purgatory"

The knife swung down at that moment

In Pero's eyes, it no longer seemed to be a knife, but rather...

The setting sun.

A dark red light exploded on the blade, transforming into a scorching sun.

The shadow on Pero's body was like a piece of paper being ignited in the light, burning from the edges, peeling off piece by piece, curling up, and turning into ashes.

Blood Demon Art. Halberd Chamber - War Wolf's Shadow Armor cracked in the light, and golden-red light shone through the cracks, as if another sun was rising in his body.

The Shadow Wolf's form collapsed.

Wolf head, fur, sharp claws...

All the shadows vanished in the light, revealing Pero's true face.

The madness and mockery were gone from Pero's face; only a strange calm remained.

Pero raised his katana and made a final parry.

Blade to blade.

There was no loud clanging of metal colliding.

There were no sparks flying.

Rengoku Kyojuro's Nichirin Blade severed Pei Lang's katana.

This samurai sword, which had been abandoned by Pero for many years and had never been maintained, could no longer be as sturdy as it used to be.

This samurai sword, just as it had abandoned its master, has now abandoned its master as well.

Kyojuro Rengoku's blade landed on Pero's neck.

This time, there was no shadow to protect Pero.

This time, the Nichirin Blade cut into flesh and blood.

Pero's head flew up, tracing an arc in the moonlight.

The body began to shatter, and grayish-white fragments drifted out from the severed neck, slowly dissipating in the night wind.

Chapter 210 Nezuko's Disappointment: Being a Demon's Wife is So Hard!

In his final moments before losing consciousness, Pero saw many memories of his past as a human.

He saw himself as a child, the first time he held this knife, when his master said he was talented, that his swordsmanship was improving rapidly, and that he would definitely become an outstanding swordsman in the future.

He saw himself in his youth, standing in the dojo, swinging his sword again and again, his clothes soaked with sweat, his palms blistered, but he never felt it was hard.

Because he loved swords, the sound of blades cutting through the air, the crisp sound of wooden targets being cleaved, and the feeling of concentrating all his strength into a single point.

He saw Edo's summer, fireworks filling the sky, and people's smiling faces.

He saw the sword that had accompanied him throughout his entire swordsmanship.

At this moment, the knife has broken into two pieces. The rust on the blade has faded, revealing a brand-new blade pattern underneath, like a sleeping creature that has been awakened.

He saw Kyojuro Rengoku.

This man, covered in blood and riddled with bullets, never retreated a single step. He did not close his eyes in the face of bullets, nor bow his head in the face of death. He fought his way through with a knife.

This man's swordsmanship... is not just about technique, not just about moves, but about will itself.

He once thought that with the advent of firearms, the so-called swordsmanship had long been abandoned by the times.

but

Kendo may not actually be outdated.

At least, the man in front of him defeated him with a knife.

It wasn't that swordsmanship was truly useless, but rather... he abandoned swordsmanship, and therefore, in the end, swordsmanship abandoned him as well.

That's why we've failed today.

As the head fell from the sky and hit the ground, Pero's eyes remained fixed on Kyojuro Rengoku, watching the man standing there, panting and swaying, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

Suddenly, I felt somewhat relieved.

"Your...swordsmanship is quite good."

Pei Lang smiled, his memories of humanity flashing through his mind like a fleeting glimpse, but deep within that memory lay the self he once was, wielding a sword.

I used to admire the way of the sword immensely.

but

It's all over now.

As Pei Lang's body began to dissipate, a foul stench began to permeate the air after the ghost died.

Kyojuro Rengoku stood swaying in place, slowly sheathing his Nichirin Blade. He was covered in blood, his uniform was no longer recognizable, and clung to his body after being soaked in blood. His vision began to blur, and the sounds around him grew fainter and fainter.

but

Kyojuro Rengoku was still standing.

until

I can't hold on any longer.

His knees slammed into the ground, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud. The Nichirin Blade slipped from his hand, and Kyojuro Rengoku lay sprawled in the ruins, facing the direction of the rising sun.

Blood slowly flowed from Rengoku Kyojuro's body, staining the ground crimson.

But even now, Kyojuro Rengoku's eyes are still open.

Consciousness gradually faded.

It was as if I could see the figure of a familiar middle-aged man gradually approaching, wearing a haori with flame patterns and yellow hair that represented the Purgatory family.

His gaze followed the people who were gradually approaching.

"Father……"

He called out softly, but his lips could barely move; so many words he wanted to say at that moment.

"Father, have I done enough?"

"Have I fulfilled my duties as a 'pillar'?"

Does my father approve of me?

His consciousness gradually faded, and in his final moments, he seemed to feel his father's hand gently stroking his cheek, as if telling him...

Kyojuro has done enough.

He has fulfilled his duties as a 'pillar'.

They have fulfilled their duty as the strong to protect the weak.

Tears streamed down my cheeks...

Kyojuro Rengoku knew that his father was unlikely to tell him anything.

My father died long ago at the hands of Upper Moon Three, Akaza, and will never be able to utter a word of agreement with him.

"Father……"

Footsteps came from afar, someone called his name, someone saw his physical condition and their voice seemed to tremble, someone knelt beside him and pressed hard on his wounds, someone shed tears that dripped onto his face, warm and salty.

………………

While Kyojuro Rengoku was engaged in a life-or-death battle with the Twelve Demon Moons, Pero.

At Sagiri Mountain.

Su Mu was in his room recording the recent training progress of the various boys and girls on Mount Sagiri, and based on the information provided by Makomo, he was writing some targeted training courses, including not only for these boys and girls, but also for Tanjiro, Nezuko, Takeo, Hanako...

"Da da..."

A soft knock on the door interrupted Su Mu's thoughts. Su Mu looked up and towards the door:

"The door is unlocked; you can come in by pushing it open."

Accompanied by the creaking sound of the door being pushed open.

Exquisite, beautiful, and accompanied by the adorable Nezuko, who was carrying a steaming bowl in her hands.

“I saw that the light was still on, and I wondered if he was hungry, so I cooked him a bowl of porridge.”

Nezuko lowered her head and spoke softly, but her eyes secretly glanced around the room. Not seeing Kanao, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

If Kanao were here, Nezuko wouldn't dare to come over. However, nowadays, Kanao almost always sleeps with her mother at night and no longer stays in the same room with her husband.

This gave Nezuko an opportunity.

Su Mu put down his work, looked at the hot porridge that had just been placed on the table, and then looked up at Nezuko.

The girl's beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at him expectantly.