Time passed so fast.
When was the last time I sighed about this?
Can't think too deeply. Once I think, reminds me—now I'm also an old lady almost a thousand years old.
Heard that repetitive days lasting too long, perception of time becomes numb.
My life, like the past several hundred years, hasn't changed much.
If I must say what's different—probably gradually retreated from the frontlines of demon slaying to behind the scenes.
What the marked swordsmen who vanished a hundred years ago worried about didn't happen. Breathing Style inheritance never severed.
Just after Yoriichi's era, marked swordsmen appeared less and less frequently.
By several decades ago, basically extinct.
But the more unattainable something is, the more obsessed people become.
Don't know when it started—marks already became a symbol of the Demon Slayer Corps' highest honor.
Even had sayings like "no mark, no Hashira." Swordsmen who became Hashira—if couldn't awaken marks, would also be questioned by Corps members as unworthy. Couldn't truly command respect.
Driven by this mindset, countless tragedies occurred.
Therefore, Ubuyashiki solemnly decided to delete the existence of marks from the Demon Slayer Corps' history. Only the Ubuyashiki clan internally preserved this record.
Strictly prohibited discussing marks within the Corps. Cultivators also no longer mentioned marked swordsmen to later generations.
Persisting until today, decades later—marked swordsmen's existence indeed already disappeared from the Demon Slayer Corps. But Breathing Style inheritance became better and better.
Generation after generation of swordsmen continuously improved inherited Breathing Styles. Developed more powerful techniques.
Also because these Corps members became stronger and stronger, casualty rates much smaller than before—I could finally retreat from the frontlines with peace of mind. Conduct another research project.
First, let me clarify—I personally have no medical talent. So-called research means I cooperate with Demon Slayer Corps doctors doing research.
Besides this, I also send blood to Tamayo.
That's right. This demon woman Yoriichi let go—after Yoriichi passed away, we coincidentally encountered each other.
Though we met for the first time, both had long heard of each other. After meeting, simply found a place to sit down. Had a long, detailed conversation.
I've had many friends, true. From Ohagi and Okoto, then Kiyohiro and Kobayashi. Every generation's Ubuyashiki. Every Demon Slayer Corps Hashira. All my friends.
Knowing them, befriending them—I never regretted.
But all too brief.
Being able to meet Tamayo, I was very happy. Even if we couldn't meet constantly, correspondence never ceased.
Tamayo had beautiful features, gentle temperament. Much younger than me.
But when she was turned into a demon, already had children. Therefore always felt more mature than me.
After we became acquainted, exchanged much intelligence about Muzan... For example, she asked what Muzan feared when young, what terrified him. Also asked details of that medicine formula that turned him into a demon.
And I also learned from her—Muzan indeed could control all demons... Even across vast distances, could command demons. They could also mutually transmit intelligence. The longer a demon lived, the richer accumulated experience.
When Tamayo was still human, her family also ran a pharmacy. Not only extremely proficient in pharmacology.
This era's commercial trade was prosperous. At ports, often saw missionaries and merchants drifting over from overseas. Brought Western medicine too.
She also earnestly studied. Combined these two different medical arts. Could be called a great medical expert.
However, her research mainly still targeted Muzan's weaknesses. And how to suppress modifications to demon bodies. Reduce bloodthirsty desires.
After I gave her blood, Tamayo specially extracted some time to experiment. Finally confirmed my blood's effect on demons.
If a person became a demon, hadn't eaten humans then obtained my blood—as long as the blood I gave was more than Muzan's blood...
This newborn demon very likely would be converted into my same type of demon. Still could absorb energy through normal eating.
Even demons who'd eaten humans—if could obtain my blood, similarly could restore normal eating.
But Tamayo didn't recommend I do this. Ubuyashiki also strongly opposed me casually distributing blood.
First, didn't agree with me randomly creating more demons causing chaos... Second, because demons who ate humans had no way back. If not dead, insufficient to apologize to victims.
Even Tamayo said—if could kill Muzan, she also wouldn't continue living. Definitely must die to apologize.
Both sides reacted so intensely. Made the idea in my heart hard to voice. Feared they'd know and oppose.
But I still planned to try.
From the Heian period until now, already nearly a thousand years passed.
Admittedly, the Demon Slayer Corps became stronger and stronger. Also appeared variables like Tamayo. The situation became better and better.
But Muzan still didn't die. He still wouldn't die.
When Yoriichi appeared, I also once thought he could kill Muzan. Result—still fell short.
I no longer wanted to passively wait for the next genius to appear.
I wanted to try using my own method. Push him to die faster.
So I hid it from Tamayo and the Demon Slayer Corps. Started selecting candidates.
This person must be brave and fierce enough. Possess potential to become a powerful demon.
At the same time, must value relationships and righteousness. Upright and kind enough. Wouldn't lose their way on this path. Also needed a weak point absolutely controlled by me.
Finding such a candidate—hard to say difficult, not easy to say easy either.
I had my own enterprises and reliable subordinates. Didn't need to act through the Demon Slayer Corps.
They worked diligently. Investigated everywhere. From Edo to distant Kyushu. After over ten years, finally found one candidate I selected.
Interestingly enough—still a young man.
Strictly speaking, his information initially didn't meet my requirements. My subordinate picked him out from a pile of criminals.
This youth seemed young. But already committed theft multiple times. Even fought fiercely in the streets. Multiple times injured others.
But the subordinate I sent to various places seeking candidates said—that day, he was cornered by a group of ronin on the street. This youth rushed over from the side. Helped him out of the siege.
He therefore paid attention. Carefully investigated this youth's background. Said the reason he repeatedly committed theft was family poverty. At home, also had a sick elderly father.
To treat his father's illness, he didn't hesitate to commit crimes. Moreover, acted with principles. Never relied on possessing martial strength to rob people weaker than him.
He was closely watched by authorities—seemed also because he specialized in stealing from wealthy households.
My subordinate originally didn't put this youth in the candidate pool. At that time, after receiving his help, also heard he needed to treat his father's illness. Even gave several medicine packets as thanks.
But after three more years passing through there, heard his father hanged himself. This youth lost his family. Was also caught by authorities, exiled. Long ago driven out of Edo.
My subordinate already had sons and daughters. Hearing this, couldn't help but feel compassion. Risking possible blame from me, still submitted this youth's information before me.
He didn't know what I was selecting talent for. Thought I planned to assemble my own retainers...
Because I never stinted money on subordinates, he boldly wanted to seek a way out for this youth.
The youth's name was Hakuji. I planned to go see him myself.
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