The main business seemed to have concluded.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki gestured for Lady Amane to take Tanjirou and Nezuko away first, while Giyu Tomioka and Kochou Shinobu also bowed and withdrew.
Only Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Cheng Mo remained in the Japanese-style room.
The atmosphere grew slightly silent.
The gentle expression on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face gradually faded, replaced by a heavy shadow.
He coughed a few times softly before slowly speaking, his voice much deeper: "Mr. Cheng Mo, there is one more matter... concerning Mr. Kuwajima's reputation and the safety of the Demon Slayer Corps, which I must inform you of."
Cheng Mo's gaze sharpened slightly: "Please speak."
"According to the latest intelligence," Kagaya Ubuyashiki's tone was filled with heartache and solemnity, "your former fellow disciple, Kaigaku... he has betrayed humanity, fallen into the demon path, and... become Lower Moon Three."
Cheng Mo's eyes instantly turned icy cold, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze slightly.
Although he had long known this outcome, hearing it confirmed, especially the title "Lower Moon Three," an uncontrollable, icy killing intent still spread.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki felt the terrifying aura that flashed past and his heart tightened slightly.
He continued to explain: "We have temporarily kept this matter from Mr. Kuwajima.
"He is advanced in age, has a disability, and is deeply invested in his disciples... we worry that he would not be able to bear such a huge blow if he learned the truth..."
Cheng Mo remained silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping twice on his knee.
He fully understood Ubuyashiki's concerns; in the original story, Teacher Kuwajima, upon learning of this, committed seppuku in grief without a second.
A moment later, he raised his eyes, his gaze returning to its usual calmness.
But deep within that calmness was a chilling cold that could freeze everything.
"I understand."
Cheng Mo's voice was steady but carried an undeniable weight.
"This matter, in a sense, was accelerated by my provocation, and it should also end by me."
He looked at Kagaya Ubuyashiki: "His Breathing Technique was taught by our teacher; it should not be used to aid evil and tarnish the master's name. Please inform me, Master, of the recent active area of Kaigaku... no, of Lower Moon Three."
His words were clear and precise: "I will go and cleanse the sect."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at Cheng Mo, a flicker of gratitude and relief in his eyes.
Having Cheng Mo, a "fellow disciple," take action was indeed the most suitable choice at present, and the one that would cause the least harm to Kuwajima Jigorō.
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng Mo; your sense of responsibility once again earns my admiration."
He tilted his head slightly, and a "Hidden" member, who had been standing like a shadow in the corner, immediately stepped forward and respectfully handed a scroll to Cheng Mo.
"This is all the intelligence currently available regarding Lower Moon Three, Kaigaku's, area of activity."
Cheng Mo took the scroll, put it into his bosom without even looking at it: "There's no time to lose; I'll depart immediately."
He bowed in farewell, turned, and walked out of the main hall.
On the veranda, Tanjirou was softly comforting a somewhat uneasy Nezuko.
Seeing Cheng Mo emerge, he immediately stood upright.
Cheng Mo's gaze swept over the siblings, and he spoke concisely: "Let's go."
Tanjirou was startled, not expecting to leave so soon.
He glanced at his sister, his eyes filled with reluctance, but he immediately responded: "Yes! Teacher!"
Not long after they left, they encountered Kochou Shinobu, who seemed to have been waiting for them.
"Is Mr. Cheng Mo departing immediately?" Kochou Shinobu asked with a smile.
"Yes, I have some personal matters to attend to," Cheng Mo nodded.
Kochou Shinobu's purple eyes sparkled, and she chuckled: "I thought I could ask you more medical questions. It seems I'll have to wait until next time. Butterfly Mansion is always open to you, Teacher Cheng Mo~"
She had adopted that teasing tone again.
A hint of helplessness flashed across Cheng Mo's face, but he still replied: "After I've dealt with my current matters, I will visit Butterfly Mansion."
Kochou Shinobu's eyes immediately lit up with surprise: "Really? Then it's a promise! I'll be sure to prepare a bed for you!"
After bidding farewell to Kochou Shinobu, Cheng Mo took Tanjirou to the entrance of the mansion.
A familiar covered carriage was already waiting there; the previously injured horse had been replaced, and a masked "Hidden" member was driving it.
Nezuko chased to the door, her eyes brimming with tears, clinging to her brother's sleeve with reluctance.
Tanjirou's heart was equally heavy, but he hugged his sister tightly and whispered: "Nezuko, be strong. Study hard with Mr. Urokodaki! Brother will become very, very strong, and then I'll come for you! We will definitely avenge our family!"
"Okay... I'll... try my best, Brother!"
Nezuko nodded vigorously.
Finally, Tanjirou steeled himself, turned, and quickly boarded the carriage, not daring to look at his sister's tear-streaked face again.
Now, he had to follow his teacher's footsteps closely and become stronger!
The carriage slowly started, driving away from the quiet mansion permeated with the scent of wisteria, embarking on its journey once more. The wheels crunched over the mountain road, making a rhythmic sound.
Inside the carriage, Cheng Mo sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, seemingly engaged in the kind of cultivation that Tanjirou couldn't understand.
Tanjirou dared not disturb him and diligently tried to imitate Cheng Mo's posture for cultivation.
He attempted to regulate his breathing, recalling the feeling of combining the Qi Refining Technique with the Kagura Dance.
After an unknown amount of time, Cheng Mo suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Tanjirou.
"Your foundation is too poor; conventional training is too inefficient," Cheng Mo stated plainly, recounting the facts.
Tanjirou's face flushed, and he lowered his head: "Yes... I will work twice as hard! Teacher!"
"Effort isn't enough; a special method is needed."
As Cheng Mo spoke, he extended a finger, and a faint, almost invisible, azure electric spark flickered at its tip.
Tanjirou watched curiously, not yet understanding.
The next moment, Cheng Mo's finger quickly tapped an acupoint on Tanjirou's arm!
"Hiss—!" Tanjirou sharply inhaled a cold breath.
It wasn't pain, but an extremely strange, piercing sensation of soreness, numbness, itchiness, and pain!
It felt as if countless tiny needles were gently pricking and stirring in his muscles and bone seams, instantly giving him goosebumps and almost making him spring from his seat!
"Maintain your breathing rhythm, keep your standing meditation focus, and guide this stimulating sensation."
Cheng Mo's voice rang out coldly, his tone serious and earnest.
"Feel it, adapt to it, use it to activate your dormant cells. This will accelerate your physical recovery and fundamental conditioning."
Having said that, he no longer paid attention to Tanjirou, closing his eyes again to continue his Chakra training, only sending out a subtle current to continuously stimulate Tanjirou.
Tanjirou gritted his teeth, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead.
The feeling was too unbearable, making him restless and wanting to frantically scratch or jump to relieve it.
But he remembered Cheng Mo's command, his desire to become stronger, and the hatred for his family's killers.
He clenched his teeth tightly, forcing himself to ignore the tingling and subtle pain deep in his bones, desperately recalling the breathing rhythm of the Qi Refining Technique.
He tried to sink his consciousness into his dantian, imagining the qi flowing within his body, to envelop and adapt to that strange stimulating sensation.
It was incredibly difficult at first; his breathing was chaotic, and his body trembled slightly uncontrollably.
But gradually, under his tenacious willpower, his breathing slowly became steady and deep, and although his body could still feel the soreness, numbness, itchiness, and pain, it was no longer so unbearable.
He even... began to subtly feel that, under the stimulation, his muscles indeed seemed to be slightly warming, as if awakened from slumber.
Although Cheng Mo had his eyes closed, the Eye of Truth's perception continuously enveloped Tanjirou.
He sensed the young man's tenacious endurance and rapid adaptability, as well as the breathing rhythm that became even more refined under the stimulation.
He secretly nodded again in his heart.
The Child of the World's disposition and potential were indeed worth looking forward to.
The carriage continued its journey, heading towards the area marked on the scroll.
Inside the carriage, the master and disciple cultivated in their respective ways. The only sounds in the air were the carriage wheels, horse hooves, and Tanjirou's extremely suppressed, subtle breathing, along with an occasional, involuntary gasp.
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