In truth, the black-robed elder didn't care much about the Demon Slayer Corps' cultivators.
What he did care about was the information mentioned by the first demon, the report about the lightning on Mount Taoshan.
What kind of situation could trigger such a bizarre lightning storm? And what power could cut through a bucket-sized bolt of lightning? Such matters were bound to arouse suspicion.
Recently, whenever these demons thought of lightning, they inevitably thought of one person.
This person was named Horitake, the Celestial Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. His strength was extraordinarily formidable; he had defeated Akaza, Upper Rank Three. His breathing technique was highly unique, capable of emitting lightning that could suppress demons, preventing them from regenerating.
From the very beginning, Lord Muzan had issued a kill order for this individual.
After Akaza's defeat, this kill order had been upgraded to a "destroy order," making Horitake the sworn enemy of all demons in the world! He was a person who absolutely had to be eliminated!
Why did the lightning emitted by this Horitake have such a powerful suppressive effect on demons?
This was a question the black-robed elder had puzzled over endlessly.
However, it was purely by chance that the black-robed elder encountered something that gave him a glimmer of understanding.
He had a subordinate demon who, during a rainy night with thunder and lightning, either drank too much or lost its mind, and actually climbed onto a rooftop to invite a lightning strike.
And then, that demon was very unluckily struck by lightning!
The crucial part came afterward.
After being struck by natural lightning, although the demon miraculously survived, the wounds inflicted by the lightning were completely unable to heal. Its demonic regeneration and recovery seemed to have vanished!
The black-robed elder, upon hearing this, was extremely curious and even specifically went to see this subordinate demon.
The demon was severely injured and unable to recover, a truly tragic sight, forced to live in a half-dead state.
The black-robed elder, still very curious, even inflicted other wounds on this demon.
These new wounds the demon immediately regenerated, but the wounds inflicted by the heavenly lightning still refused to heal.
Through this small experiment, the black-robed elder understood.
Heavenly lightning, and things similar to it, had a tremendous suppressive effect on demons; being struck by it made regeneration and self-healing impossible.
By means of this experiment, the black-robed elder also understood what was going on with that person named Horitake.
The lightning this fellow released was actually genuine natural lightning!
This was utterly preposterous! How could this be possible!?
Although unbelievable, the facts were laid out before them, and they had no choice but to believe.
Coincidentally, the black-robed elder had recently received intelligence stating that over the past year, there had been unusual lightning phenomena on Mount Taoshan.
When the black-robed elder thought of lightning, he thought of Horitake. His intuition told him that he might discover something interesting on Mount Taoshan.
And so, tonight, the black-robed elder traveled a thousand miles to the small town at the foot of Mount Taoshan, and even sent two of his subordinate demons to gather this information.
Now, the black-robed elder was almost certain that the swordsman residing on Mount Taoshan was a cultivator for the Demon Slayer Corps.
Combining this with the previous lightning anomalies on Mount Taoshan, the black-robed elder surmised that this cultivator's eldest disciple was very likely that Horitake!
Of course, all of this was merely speculation.
If the black-robed elder's speculation was true, then this matter held great potential!
The black-robed elder could capture this cultivator alive and use him to threaten Horitake, making the fellow hesitant to act, and perhaps even using this opportunity to eliminate Horitake altogether!
With these thoughts, the black-robed elder intended to ascend Mount Taoshan and verify if his conjecture was true.
Speaking of which, the identity of the black-robed elder had not yet been revealed.
Beneath the dark hood, hidden from view, was the terrifying appearance of an elder demon with a swollen forehead, two horns on his head, red eyes, and a gaunt, withered face!
Indeed, this person was Upper Rank Four, Hantengu!
Enshrouded in his black robe, Hantengu looked at his two subordinates and slowly asked:
"Recently, has the eldest disciple of that residing swordsman on Mount Taoshan returned? Have you clarified this matter?"
This was very important; Hantengu absolutely had to confirm it.
Because even Akaza, who was stronger than him, had been utterly defeated by Horitake and nearly killed.
Hantengu certainly didn't believe he was stronger than Akaza.
If Horitake had recently returned to Mount Taoshan, Hantengu felt it would be necessary to retreat and wait for an opportunity, making his move only after Horitake had left.
However, the information provided by his two subordinates put Hantengu at ease.
"According to my investigation, the eldest disciple of that old swordsman has not returned. He seems to be very busy outside and hasn't been back for nearly half a year."
"Yes, yes, my information is that there are only the old swordsman and his second disciple on Mount Taoshan, no one else."
Hantengu nodded in satisfaction:
"Hmm, are you certain there are no problems with the information you two gathered?"
"Lord, absolutely no problem!"
"That's good."
Having confirmed that Horitake had not returned, Hantengu was fully confident.
He tightened his black robe and walked forward, intending to ascend Mount Taoshan.
Just before Hantengu left, his two subordinates couldn't hold back. Saliva dripped from the mouths of both demons as they eagerly asked Hantengu:
"Lord, we have completed your mission. There are so many people in this town; can we have a feast here tonight?"
"Yes, Lord, I'm starving. There's so much food here, I'm dying for it!"
Hantengu stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned and looked at his two subordinates.
Beneath the black robe, a cold glint flickered in Hantengu's eyes:
"I am currently executing a very important plan, and this plan cannot have any mistakes.
You two want to eat people?
No.
If you casually eat people and cause a commotion in this town, it will easily disrupt my plan, which I will absolutely not allow!
No eating people. Restrain yourselves.
After my plan is complete, you can eat as much as you want, as much as you can.
Do you understand?"
Hantengu was an Upper Rank; his strength was extraordinary. Intimidated and overwhelmed by Hantengu's presence, the two demons were so frightened their breathing almost stopped. They could only nod repeatedly, indicating their understanding.
Looking at his two useless subordinates, Hantengu gave a disdainful snort and walked forward, beginning his ascent of Mount Taoshan.
In truth, Hantengu inadvertently made a mistake, the same mistake as Akaza.
That was arrogance and underestimation of his enemy!
He thought that with his abilities, he could control everything.
But in the end, they would discover that they controlled nothing at all!
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