At this moment, night was just falling. The sun's afterglow still had a few traces lingering on the horizon. Reluctantly hovering.
This time wasn't absolutely safe for demons. Much less appearing in a bustling downtown area with people coming and going.
Before finding a way to overcome the sun, Muzan was absolutely not so unrestrained either.
At least, he didn't want to create chaos that couldn't be covered up under everyone's eyes. Provoke hostility and pursuit from all humans.
That would only waste his power in vain. Prevent him from focusing on searching for the Blue Spider Lily.
Clearly meaningless. Yet he still came. Seemed I'd really provoked him quite badly.
I blocked those two behind me who were eager to act. Asked calmly: "Do you need something?"
Muzan didn't dare act here. For me it was the same... If I pushed him into a corner, he wouldn't have so many concerns.
I assessed his appearance. Aside from those narrow eyes, this face was completely different from his original features. Probably one of his identities used in human society.
We stopped in the middle of the road. Pedestrians coming and going flowed past like water. Yet no one cast a glance. As if everyone couldn't see us.
"How long are you going to keep fooling around?"
When Muzan spoke, sharp canines flickered between his lips. The muscles on his face were taut. Even veins protruded.
He looked about to lose control from anger. Shows this loss was no longer the small skirmishes of before for him.
I originally wanted to mock him a few lines. But hearing his questioning, felt amused instead.
"What? Need me to cut your neck again before you stop saying such stupid things?"
Thinking carefully—yes. The Demon Slayer Corps worked hard for so many years. Aside from Yoriichi, no one else could threaten him.
To him, wasn't it just fooling around?
My fault. Still not working hard enough. Couldn't increase the difficulty for him earlier.
Muzan stared at me coldly. Used a mocking tone: "The Ubuyashiki are just using you to protect themselves. Do you think after wholeheartedly helping them eliminate me, these people will still tolerate your existence?"
I didn't answer this question. Only said: "I know you once had some genuine affection for me."
As these words left my mouth, I heard Ume gasp behind me.
Muzan's face showed a trace of mockery. Before he could speak, I said: "Then do you know why I didn't accept? Because your sincerity, like your existence, is shallow and laughable, Young Master."
Excellent. The revenge for Doma disgusting me back then—I'd finally returned it.
Muzan stared at me fixedly. Even that face involuntarily began deforming. As if wanting to immediately tear me apart.
I watched him coldly and said: "If you still harbor any misunderstanding, then I'll tell you today—we've long been at war. You and I. To the death."
The sound of a shamisen suddenly rang out. Muzan before my eyes suddenly lost his trace. The voices of people around surged toward us. As if the barrier of an isolated island was broken by waves.
Ume grabbed my sleeve looking left and right. Couldn't help being stunned: "That—where did that guy run off to?"
"Teleported away, I suppose." Akaza told me Muzan had a Nakime by his side who could teleport others.
Gyutaro still suspiciously observed the surroundings. As if not believing Muzan left so easily: "My lord, could there be a trap outside?"
I shook my head slightly: "He's already disappeared."
Akaza told me Nakime could only teleport living things. Had no killing power.
Even if she teleported me to Muzan's lair, so what? Now his blood no longer worked on me. Instead, he had to be careful about touching my blood and being eroded by me.
He also knew—if possible, I would definitely be willing to drag him down tightly. Wait until the sun came out to burn us both to death.
Muzan was different from me. He cherished his life greatly. Wouldn't be willing to take this risk.
I guessed from now on he probably wouldn't appear again. Instead would be more cautious avoiding meeting me.
Ume breathed a sigh of relief. Held my arm acting spoiled: "Big Sister is still the most amazing. That guy's scent really stinks. I hate him."
I stroked her head: "He probably won't come see me again. But you and Taro—be more careful when going out."
On the way back, Gyutaro remained silent throughout.
Only after returning to our temporary lodging, without outsiders, did he stop me.
"My lord, what that guy said wasn't false." He asked with a serious expression: "If there really is a day when Muzan is eliminated, what should happen to you and us demons then?"
Only then did I understand—Muzan ran before me not because he lost reason from anger, but came to sow discord.
If Gyutaro didn't trust me enough, perhaps he'd really waver. Over time probably would develop different intentions.
But this option never existed from the start.
I said: "Tamayo has always been researching a way to turn demons back into humans."
Ume looked at me, then at Gyutaro. Tried using her brain to think about what we were discussing.
"Big Sister, are you going to turn us back into humans?"
"Yes. If such medicine is really developed, would you be willing to become human again?" I asked her. "As long as there's this chance, I won't let you continue fighting demons. Can become human and live normal lives."
Ume hesitated. A reluctant expression surfaced on her face: "If I become human, won't I be able to stay with Big Sister anymore? Then I don't want to!"
"I won't live forever."
Both of them were startled. Looked at me with surprised expressions. Hurriedly wanted to say something.
I waved my hand to stop them. Also for the first time told others my plan: "I've already lived long enough. Accumulated so many years of energy constantly evolving. Now this body finally possesses power equal to Muzan's."
"As long as I find a suitable opportunity where he can't escape, then I can perish together with him."
This was something I'd planned long ago. Also included arrangements for their future: "Before that, you must first become human. After I'm gone, the properties under my name should be handed to the Ubuyashiki to manage. But I still have money saved. Enough for you to live well."
Ume suddenly rushed over. Hugged me and burst into tears: "Big Sister, why say this? Are you going to abandon me and Brother? I don't want to! Don't want to! Don't want to!"
I could only coax her: "Don't cry. I didn't say I'm dying now. Who knows when there'll be a chance? At that time I must first arrange your escape route. Won't Ume listen to me?"
Gyutaro also walked over. Expression somewhat grave. Didn't mention the earlier question again.
He only said: "My lord, if there's a chance, just let Ume become human. You must fight Muzan—you definitely need helpers by your side. Please let me accompany you to the end."
"Dream on!" Ume cried halfway, then jumped up angrily cursing at her brother.
"Idiot! Fool! Bad brother! None of you can abandon me! I won't go anywhere! Don't want to become human! Even if I die it doesn't matter—I absolutely won't leave!"
After cursing she continued crying. Cried until I could only keep wiping her tears. Held her in my arms. Like coaxing a child, gently patted her back.
Whether Ume or Gyutaro, neither was willing to compromise. In the end I could only promise them.
No matter what the final outcome, we would be together. I definitely wouldn't abandon them.
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