The snow had stopped at some point, and thin clouds parted in the night sky, revealing a few cold stars.
The carriage continued to bump along the snow-covered road.
Inside the carriage, Tanjirou sat cross-legged.
He diligently maintained the Qi Refining Technique posture Mr. Cheng Mo had taught him, trying to match his breathing to the unique rhythm.
Nezuko found it a bit difficult to learn, mostly imitating her brother's movements.
As Tanjirou practiced, his brow furrowed slightly.
He felt... this rhythm of breathing, and the sensation of his body's center of gravity sinking, his breath condensing, vaguely reminded him of something.
Yes, it was the Hinokami Kagura Dance, passed down through generations in his family!
Although the movements of the Kagura Dance were much more complex and ornate.
But the deepness of the breathing, and a certain internal, rhythmic sense of mobilizing all the body's strength, bore a striking resemblance to the Qi Refining Technique taught by Mr. Cheng Mo!
Once this thought arose, it was like a seed falling to the ground.
He subconsciously began to subtly adjust his breathing, no longer completely imitating Cheng Mo, but trying to combine the key points of the Qi Refining Technique with the breathing rhythm of the Hinokami Kagura deep in his memory.
His body also began to sway ever so slightly, following an ancient rhythm, no longer a completely static stance.
Something wonderful happened.
The subtle stiffness and fatigue he originally felt when practicing the Qi Refining Technique were greatly reduced, and the flow of his blood and energy seemed to become smoother and more natural.
A gentle warm current spontaneously rose from his Dantian, flowing through his limbs, making him feel warm all over, exceptionally comfortable, and his mind much clearer.
His progress was far beyond that of Nezuko, who was merely imitating him.
Although Cheng Mo was cultivating his Chakra with his eyes closed, his Eye of Truth was always in a semi-activated state, keenly perceiving the subtle changes in the surrounding energy.
The changes in Tanjirou naturally did not escape his perception.
His heart stirred slightly, and he sighed inwardly, "Indeed... the inheritance of Sun Breathing, even if it has only been passed down in the form of a dance, its essence far surpasses my hastily put-together Qi Refining Technique."
"This is almost an instinctive life energy guiding technique, more refined, more attuned to the rhythm of nature..."
He did not speak to disturb him, but quietly focused the perception of his Eye of Truth on Tanjirou.
Cheng Mo carefully observed and memorized the energy rhythm that naturally flowed with his unique breathing and subtle swaying.
This had great reference value for him to perfect his own Chakra refinement method and Qi Refining Technique.
Tanjirou was completely immersed in this wonderful experience until a jolt from the carriage brought him back to his senses.
He found that he had unknowingly stood for so long, and he didn't feel tired at all; instead, he felt refreshed.
He looked at Cheng Mo in surprise, but found that Mr. Cheng Mo was still closing his eyes, seemingly unaware of his changes.
He pursed his lips, keeping this joy to himself, and continued to practice diligently. This time, he more consciously combined the two Breathing Techniques.
He wanted to give the master a surprise and earn his approval!
...By evening the next day, the carriage drove into a sizable town.
This place was not far from the deep mountains where the Ubuyashiki Estate was located, and it was the last stop for decent supplies.
The town was quite lively, with people coming and going.
Giyu Tomioka drove the carriage to a livery stable, letting the tired horses eat and rest.
Then he led Cheng Mo and the Tanjirou siblings to a restaurant that looked reasonably clean for a meal.
After continuous travel, they had only eaten dry rations, and the aroma of hot, steaming food made Tanjirou and Nezuko instinctively swallow.
The four of them took a quiet corner to sit down.
Tanjirou carefully settled Nezuko in the innermost seat, slightly covering her with his cloak.
After the food was served, Tanjirou ate while couldn't help but ask Cheng Mo about some subtle feelings of stagnation he encountered during his practice last night.
Cheng Mo patiently answered, his words plain but straight to the point, occasionally dipping his finger in water and drawing simple diagrams of blood and energy circulation on the table.
Nezuko also listened with wide eyes; although she didn't quite understand, she felt reassured by her brother and Mr. Cheng Mo's conversation.
Just as Cheng Mo was explaining a key point about "Qi sinking to the Dantian," Giyu Tomioka, who had been silently eating and seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, paused almost imperceptibly with his chopsticks.
His dead-still eyes slightly lifted, sweeping over the restaurant's entrance and outside the window. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his voice dropped a few octaves, carrying a hint of vigilance.
"There's a faint scent of a demon in the air, very faint, but... it's definitely there."
Tanjirou and Nezuko instantly tensed up. Tanjirou subconsciously shielded his sister, anxiously looking around.
He sniffed hard with his nose, his eyes wide, as if he also sensed something unusual.
Cheng Mo's expression, however, showed no change. He simply calmly picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and said indifferently, "Yes, I know. I noticed it when we came in."
Giyu Tomioka looked at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, then understanding.
This Mr. Cheng Mo's perception was probably far superior to his own.
"This place isn't far from headquarters, and Demon Slayer Corps members often pass through here."
Cheng Mo put down his chopsticks and analyzed, "An ordinary demon would avoid this place like the plague. To dare to stay here, and even spy..."
His gaze also swept over the bustling street outside the window, his eyes calm: "It's most likely one of the Twelve Kizuki, relying on a bit of strength, wanting to come and test the waters."
"Twelve Kizuki?!"
Tanjirou gasped, his heart suddenly clenching.
Although he had only recently been exposed to the dark side of this world, he already understood what "Twelve Kizuki" meant from Mr. Tomioka and Mr. Cheng Mo's previous conversations.
The twelve strongest demons under Kibutsuji Muzan!
Fear instantly seized him, but the next second, he saw Mr. Cheng Mo still calmly eating opposite him, and then looked at Giyu Tomioka beside him, who was vigilant but fearless. His wildly beating heart gradually calmed down a bit.
That's right, Mr. Cheng Mo and Mr. Tomioka were here.
Mr. Cheng Mo was a strong individual who could repel Muzan.
Mr. Tomioka was also one of the strongest Hashira-level swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Meanwhile, in a second-floor room of an inn in the shadows of the town, the windows were tightly shut, and the curtains were drawn completely.
A demon with blue irises, and the character "Lower Six" engraved on the surface of its left iris, indicating its rank, was pacing anxiously.
Its hair had four short braids with orange tips at the back, and there were blue markings from its forehead to below its eyes.
Lower Moon Six, Kamanue!
Beside him knelt a demon with an even weaker aura. That demon had an extra eye on its forehead, which was now emitting a faint red glow.
"Are you sure? Is it really that strong individual with the lightning aura?" Kamanue asked in a high-pitched voice.
"Yes... Yes, Lord..."
The scout demon replied tremblingly.
"Through 'Blood Demon Art: Peering Eye,' there's no mistake... They've entered the town and are eating... Accompanying them is a Demon Slayer Corps member, whose aura is not weak, and two... seemingly very weak human children."
"Hmph! Demon Slayer Corps..."
A hint of apprehension flashed in Kamanue's eyes, but more than that was a fanaticism to earn merit.
"Lord Muzan only told us to gather information... But if I can seize this opportunity... even if I only scratch that guy who caught Lord Muzan's attention... I will definitely regain Lord's favor! And escape this cursed last place among the Lower Moons!"
He completely ignored the undisguised sarcasm and indifference in Muzan's eyes when he gave him the order.
In Muzan's view, this newly appointed Lower Moon Six was merely a disposable pawn. It would be best if he could gather some information; if not, his death wouldn't matter.
He didn't even bother to remind Kamanue that the individual who could save someone from his grasp was definitely not someone a mere Lower Moon could provoke.
"Continue to monitor!" Kamanue ordered.
"Wait until dark... wait until they leave the town and reach a less populated area... then we'll make our move! Find the right opportunity, and prioritize probing the lightning user!"
"Yes!" the scout demon responded in a low voice, the red light from its forehead eye flickering, continuing to lock onto the restaurant's direction.
Inside the restaurant, Cheng Mo finished his last sip of soup, put down his bowl, and his gaze subtly swept over a certain direction outside the window. In the depths of his eyes, a cold electric arc quietly flashed.
Is the prey... already impatient to take the bait?