Demon Slayer: I am a Demon.

He has always believed that the cult leader is the true god.

Because the founder of the cult has existed since his father's time. His father once told him that the founder looked the same as he does now, back in his grandfather's time.

He has been in the Eternal Bliss Sect for decades, from a child to an old man now. He has seen the sect leader several times. As time goes by, he inevitably grows old, but the sect leader is still the same as when he was a child.

If this isn't a god, then what is it?

He believed that, under the leader's guidance, he would surely be able to reach that blissful world.

Thinking of these things, the old believer became increasingly excited and frenzied.

Below the stage, several young girls were chanting the doctrine with the same fervor as the other female believers. However, their eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings. If you looked closely, you could even see calluses on the fingers of these female believers, which would form from years of holding knives or swords.

These girls were actually swordsmen from the Demon Slayer Corps who had infiltrated the Elysium Cult.

Chapter 253 Tanjiro's Debut

Taking advantage of the expansion of the Eternal Bliss Cult, seven or eight girls infiltrated the cult, with the leader being Miho Aragaki, a Class A swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Like other believers, Miho Aragaki listened from the audience as an older believer explained the doctrines of the Eternal Bliss Cult.

After lying low for so many days, Miho Aragaki discovered that the Eternal Bliss Cult was operating perfectly normally and encouraged its followers to live a happy life with a calm attitude.

By now, Miho Aragaki has met almost all the members of the Eternal Paradise Cult, but has not found any signs of ghosts.

After all, ghosts have a fatal flaw: they cannot bask in sunlight.

Almost every believer here is able to be active during the day.

The only mystery is perhaps that mysterious patriarch.

If it's a ghost, then it can only be the other party.

Miho Aragaki has been at the Eternal Bliss Cult for many days, but she still hasn't met the mysterious cult leader.

…………

On the stage, the old believer was still excitedly teaching everyone the doctrines of the Eternal Paradise Church. In the end, he told everyone that as long as they always adhered to the doctrines, they would definitely be saved, and at that time, the founder would definitely lead everyone to the Eternal Paradise.

A group of believers responded excitedly.

After a scripture recitation ended, the believers left one after another. The older believers also put away their books, feeling somewhat excited. It was only with the permission of the founder that the church was allowed to expand its size. In a short period of time, the number of church members had almost increased several times.

Seeing more and more people embracing the Eternal Paradise Cult, the old believer was incredibly excited, even fantasizing that if he did well enough, the cult leader would see him and grant him early entry into the legendary paradise.

What would the legendary paradise be like?

I heard that they have no diseases or ailments...

"grown ups……"

Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden sound came, making the old believer look up. Several believers surrounded him.

The veteran believers recognized one of them as Miho Aragaki, a new member of the Eternal Bliss Cult.

He was deeply impressed by the newly converted girl. It wasn't because she was particularly outstanding; on the contrary, Aragaki Miho always appeared extremely devout. She never lost focus while listening to the sermons, and her voice was clear and earnest when reciting the scriptures. She was the kind of girl who made people think at first glance, "This child truly believes in my religion."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" the old believer asked kindly.

Miho Aragaki bowed slightly, her face showing an expression that was both longing and a little timid, like a devout believer who had just entered the church and was full of curiosity about everything.

"My lord, I have a question in my mind, but I don't know if I should ask it."

"Please feel free to speak."

The old believer was in a good mood, especially after seeing more and more people embracing the Eternal Bliss Church. He was full of patience with each new convert. After all, these were the founder's sheep, and this was his contribution to the founder.

Miho Aragaki raised her head, her gaze clear and earnest: "My lady, just now you said on the stage that as long as we uphold the doctrine, the Patriarch will lead us to the Pure Land. I would like to ask... does the Pure Land truly exist?"

The old believer couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

"Of course it exists."

His tone was confident.

"The Eternal Bliss Sect has been passed down for countless years, and its founder has never deceived anyone. If he said there is a Blissful World, then there must be."

Miho Aragaki blinked, her tone becoming even more cautious:

"Then... sir, have you ever been to that paradise?"

The old believer's smile froze slightly.

Having lived for so many years, he had heard about the wonders of the Pure Land from his father and witnessed the immortality of the founder, so he firmly believed in the existence of the Pure Land.

But in the end...

He definitely didn't go inside.

The old believer remained silent for a moment before continuing:

"I have never entered that paradise."

He raised his head, his cloudy old eyes filled with fervor, piety, and an unquestionable resolve.

"The Patriarch once said that not everyone can enter the Pure Land. Only those with pure hearts and absolute faith in the doctrine are qualified to be personally received by the Patriarch. Although I have been trying my best all my life, perhaps... perhaps I haven't done enough..."

He paused, his voice trembling slightly.

“But I believe that as long as I continue to serve the Pope, one day he will see my piety. At that time, he will surely take me into that paradise.”

When the words "founder" were mentioned, the old believer's originally hunched body seemed to straighten up a bit, and a childlike expectation and longing appeared on his aged face.

"What exactly is the Pure Land like?"

Miho Aragaki asked again, her tone full of longing:

"My lord, could you please tell me about it?"

The old believer opened his mouth, but found himself unable to give a specific description.

He had heard many legends about the Pure Land.

Some say there is no disease or pain there.

Some say that it is spring-like all year round and full of flowers.

Some people even say there's an endless supply of delicious food and wine there...

But these are all just rumors.

He never experienced it firsthand.

In the end, the old believer simply shook his head, his tone profound: "The appearance of paradise is beyond the imagination of us mortals, but one thing is certain..."

He stretched out his withered finger and pointed to the night sky outside the window.

"Once you can enter there, you will never have to endure the suffering of this world again. There is no birth, old age, sickness, or death, no joy or sorrow, only eternal peace and happiness."

The old believer withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on Miho Aragaki's face, his cloudy old eyes filled with love and expectation.

“Child, you are still young. If you can devote yourself to the religion, you will surely gain the favor of the founder in the future.”

Miho Aragaki lowered her head slightly, as if digesting the old believer's words. After a moment, she raised her head again:

"My lord, I will listen to your words and work even harder."

She clasped her hands together in a devout gesture.

"This disciple dares to ask you for a favor, sir."

"What is it? Tell me."

The older believer grew increasingly fond of the devout young female believer.

Miho Aragaki took a deep breath, a shy yet expectant blush rising on her face.

"This disciple wishes to meet the Patriarch."

The old believer paused for a moment, then couldn't help but smile, as if he were seeing his younger self.

The boy who couldn't wait to see the face of the patriarch after first hearing of his fame.

"but,"

The old believer stopped laughing, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "The Patriarch is not someone we can see at any time. These past few days, the Patriarch has been in seclusion in the inner courtyard, and no one is allowed to disturb him. Unless the Patriarch summons me personally, even I cannot trespass into the inner courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Miho Aragaki's expression grew even more expectant: "Is the Patriarch training in the inner courtyard?"

"Yes and no."

The old believer shook his head mysteriously, "Our patriarch is already a god, why would he need to cultivate? He is in the inner courtyard to comprehend a deeper level of the path to bliss, in preparation for leading more believers into the world of bliss in the future."

He paused, then added, "But don't worry, since His Holiness has already permitted the expansion of the church, he will meet with everyone in person in three days. At that time, not only you, but all devout believers will have the opportunity to see His Holiness's true face."

Miho Aragaki bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will be even more devoted to the religion and await your summons."

The elderly believer nodded with satisfaction, gave a few more words of advice on listening carefully to the sermons and practicing diligently, and then packed up the scriptures and left.

Once the old believer's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Miho Aragaki slowly straightened up. The piety and shyness on her face faded like the tide, and she looked at the so-called 'Eternal Bliss Cult' with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"Miho-nee."

A girl beside him lowered her voice and leaned closer: "It seems that this patriarch must be the so-called ghost."

"It should be pretty close, after all, only ghosts can live for that long."

Miho Aragaki clenched her fist slightly.

…………

The following morning, Su Mu led the group to a remote village about five miles away from the Eternal Bliss Sect.

This village is called Luoshi Town, named after its location in a mountain valley where rocks often fall.

There weren't many pedestrians around on weekdays, making it a good hiding place. The Demon Slayer Corps had rented a small inn here in advance, booking the entire building as a temporary base for this operation.

Su Mu pushed open the second-floor window and looked into the distance, where he could vaguely see the outline of the Wan Shi Jile sect's temple buildings. Amidst the swirling morning mist, the vermilion-colored buildings appeared and disappeared, exuding an indescribable and eerie aura.

"Mr. Su Mu".

He heard hurried footsteps behind him. Su Mu turned around and saw that Miho Aragaki had already sneaked back to the base at some point.

Her forehead was still damp with morning dew, and her clothes were slightly wet, indicating that she had been traveling very fast.