"The match is about to begin!"
In front of the Ubuyashiki Residence, a makeshift stage had been set up. The flamboyant Sound Pillar, Uzui Tengen, stood upon it, taking on the role of host for the match.
The lavishly dressed Hashira shouted, "Listen up! One of our combatants is the Wind Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Sanemi Shinazugawa! He's the Wind Pillar, and while he's not flashy, he has a face that could make a child cry!"
Uzui gestured dramatically to the other side. "And his opponent is the medical staff from the Butterfly Mansion! The god in charge of the Demon Slayer Corps' medical operations, Su Chen! He's a doctor who saves lives and heals injuries. Not only is he handsome, but it's said his skills are also extraordinary!"
He raised his voice for the finale. "The match will begin in ten minutes! First, our Master will give a speech, and then everyone can enjoy the spectacular, flashy match!"
Following Uzui Tengen's passionate introduction, the crowd exploded. The Demon Slayer Corps members, Kakushi members , and even the Swordsmiths from the Swordsmith Village who came to watch the excitement cheered in unison.
"It's finally starting! The legendary Pillar-level showdown!"
"What do you mean, 'Pillar-level'? The Wind Pillar is a Hashira! I heard Su Chen only studied for fifteen days!"
"Heavens! He only studied for fifteen days and he already dares to challenge the Wind Pillar? Who gave Su Chen that courage? Sanemi Shinazugawa himself?"
"I heard that Su Chen studied under the Insect Pillar at the Butterfly Mansion. You could almost call him the Insect Pillar's adopted son!"
"But why haven't I seen the Insect Pillar? Do you think she's worried Su Chen will lose face, so she's too embarrassed to come?"
Everyone discussed the match animatedly, and all sorts of opinions filled the air. The vast majority, however, still believed that Su Chen could not possibly defeat the Wind Pillar. This was, after all, a match to see if Su Chen could gain the Wind Pillar's approval, not a friendly spar.
"Look! The Master is out!"
At that exclamation, all eyes turned towards the upper part of the residence.
There, a graceful and refined woman was supporting a distinguished man as they slowly walked out. Most of the man's face was already ulcerated, and his limbs looked very stiff and uncoordinated. He needed his wife's support just to walk.
However, his eyes were clear and natural. He walked with an inherent air of leadership. His smile was clearly visible to everyone present—an intellectual, elegant, and refreshing smile.
This was the current Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The woman supporting him was Kagaya's wife, Amane Ubuyashiki, the daughter of a Shinto priest family.
The two slowly walked to the front of the crowd. Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised his head, faced forward, and said kindly, "You've arrived, my dear children."
"Master!" "Greetings, Master!" "We respectfully greet the Master!"
In an instant, everyone present knelt down. The Swordsmiths , the Kakushi , the ranked Demon Slayer Corps members , and even the Hashira.
Without exception, they all adopted the most standard, respectful posture. Their eyes held deep respect, and their hearts were filled with conviction. Perhaps everyone's personal pursuits were different, but they all shared respect for the same person.
That person was the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. This Master possessed absolute authority and trust within the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
"He seems like a legendary figure," Su Chen murmured quietly.
Below the stage, Su Chen and Kanao both looked up at Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
As a doctor who could diagnose by observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation, Su Chen immediately saw the worsening of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's condition. He was reminded of previous memories. When he had met Kagaya Ubuyashiki before, the Master's condition had not yet been this severe. Back then, he only needed his two daughters to assist him in moving.
But now, his condition had visibly worsened. Just from the area of ulcerated skin on his face, it was clear that the Master was probably tormented by his illness at all times. The strength of his two young daughters was no longer enough to support Kagaya's body weight. The presence of Lady Amane, whom he saw now, was the best proof of his decline.
Su Chen mentally simulated Ubuyashiki's condition on himself.
He found that Kagaya Ubuyashiki's illness was more severe than he had imagined. Because it was a curse from the Demon King Muzan, it was very difficult to cure the Ubuyashiki family's illness with medical skills alone.
Even Su Chen was not entirely confident. If he had known about the curse years ago, Su Chen might have been able to try something. But now, seeing the advanced state, Su Chen had no solution.
At least, not yet. He still needed some deeper learning.
At this moment, Kagaya Ubuyashiki began his speech.
He spoke about the future of the Demon Slayer Corps and some current matters. Every Demon Slayer Corps member present listened with the utmost seriousness. Even Su Chen pricked up his ears, carefully listening to Kagaya Ubuyashiki's teachings.
For some reason, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was incredibly pleasant.
Su Chen was very puzzled. Kagaya Ubuyashiki's speech wasn't a logical, brainwashing type of speech. It was a psychological speech that directly struck the heart.
His tone seemed to carry a magical power. Just by listening, Su Chen felt his mind clear, and he found himself unconsciously being convinced by the points in the Master's words.
Su Chen was drawn in completely.
[You are listening to the teachings; you have entered a state of enlightenment.] [Your meticulous listening skills are fully engaged; you begin to analyze the 'magic' in the other party's words. Believing in science, you intend to verify the secret in the Ubuyashiki family's speech.] [You tried. You failed. You tried again. You failed again. But you gained experience.] [Your Bullet Domain is fully open; your level of thinking has deepened!] [You begin to deduce.] [You begin to imitate the other party's voice.] [You begin to imitate the trajectory of the other party's Adam's apple movement.] [You begin to imitate the expansion movements of the other party's lungs.] [You moved your Adam's apple ten thousand times in your mind. Your lungs moved ten thousand times. You discovered certain patterns, but you couldn't reproduce the same effect in your words.] [You came to a conclusion: This is innate! You can't learn it!] [You are unconvinced!] [You continue to observe. You have an epiphany, and finally comprehend Voice Acting Mastery and Ventriloquism Mastery!]
Su Chen slowly opened his eyes, his expression grave. This was the first time he couldn't perfectly learn someone else's skill just by observing.
Kanao looked at him with concern from the side. Her eyes were filled with worry.
Su Chen had been acting so strange. While listening to the Master speak, why did he suddenly start humming and whimpering? His voice kept changing, too. Kanao even thought Su Chen was having an episode.
Soon, Su Chen noticed Kanao's gaze.
Su Chen coughed, then returned to his normal voice. "I'm fine."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's speech ended quickly. Su Chen took Kanao back to his resting room.
Back in the room, Kanao asked again, "Su Chen, are you really okay? Earlier, I... I thought I saw you make a sound... like a girl."
Su Chen smiled. "What could be wrong with me? Kanao, you probably just misheard!"
Kanao said, "Oh," but from the look in her eyes, it was clear that the girl was still thinking about it.
She always felt that Su Chen was becoming more and more like her sister, Kanae.
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