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After dawn, Cheng Mo didn't rush into action. Instead, he seemingly leisurely prepared to take Tanjirou for a stroll around town.
"Let's walk around town today," he said to Tanjirou.
"Are we going to look for...?" Tanjirou immediately tensed up, his hand reaching for the sword at his waist again.
"To familiarize ourselves with the environment, and to buy you some decent clothes."
Cheng Mo glanced at Tanjirou's burlap clothes, which were torn and stained with dried blood.
"You look too conspicuous right now."
Tanjirou's face flushed. He looked down at himself and indeed, he felt out of place in this bustling town.
Cheng Mo led Tanjirou to a clothing store.
The shop was filled with all kinds of garments, from exquisitely made haori and hakama to more Western-style shirts and vests, a dazzling array.
The proprietress was a warm middle-aged woman. Seeing Cheng Mo's extraordinary demeanor, she immediately greeted him.
"Sir, are you choosing clothes for your younger brother? Take a look at this patterned haori; it's perfect for a young man his age. The fabric is good, and it's easy to move in!"
Tanjirou looked at the dark blue haori with its delicate patterns. It felt soft to the touch, better than any clothes he had ever owned, and he was instantly flustered.
Cheng Mo reached out, felt the fabric, then picked it up to examine the stitching and cut: "Hmm, durable. There's extra room in the shoulders and armpits, so it won't hinder sword movements. Not bad."
"Get a few more sets of the same material, in dark, stain-resistant colors. For the hakama, I want the kind with tightened cuffs for easy movement in the mountains. The undergarments should be sweat-absorbent and breathable cotton."
The proprietress listened, somewhat stunned.
This customer's requests... were so specific and practical.
Under Cheng Mo's direction, Tanjirou, like a puppet, tried on one outfit after another.
Whenever the proprietress brought out some overly ornate or brightly colored clothes for recommendation, Cheng Mo always refused, citing reasons like "flashy but impractical" or "affecting stealth."
Finally, Cheng Mo picked out several sets of clothing that met his utilitarian standards, and also bought Tanjirou a sturdy pair of leather ankle boots, again emphasizing comfort and durability.
Carrying a bundle full of new clothes, Tanjirou still felt a bit dazed as they left the shop.
He had never owned so many, or such good, new clothes.
Next, Cheng Mo didn't seem to be in a hurry to return. Instead, he genuinely took Tanjirou for a stroll around town.
They walked through the bustling market, watching vendors hawk all sorts of novelties, snacks, and treats.
They passed clanging blacksmiths... and bookstores with the scent of ink... Tanjirou's eyes could barely keep up, occasionally letting out low exclamations of wonder, curious about everything.
Seeing a stall selling mochi dumplings, he would secretly swallow his saliva.
Seeing hairpins for sale, he would think of Nezuko... Cheng Mo followed behind him, watching the young man's innocent yet somewhat awkward curiosity, and observing this vibrant, everyday market.
He suddenly realized that he hadn't simply "strolled" like this in a long time.
Since his sister fell ill, from the very beginning of his transmigration until now, he had always been like a taut string, either fighting desperately or planning to fight desperately.
The real-world crisis, the dangers of the Demon Slayer World, his sister's illness, the handling of gold, the improvement of his cultivation... everything had been pushing him to operate at high speed.
At this moment, looking at the slightly noisy but vibrant market of this other world, feeling the warmth of the sun on his body, he experienced a long-lost sense of calm relaxation.
Of course, relaxation did not make him forget the main task.
In certain places, such as outside crowded teahouses, under bridge piers, or even outside the walls of some wealthy households, he would casually lean or stand for a while, or lightly tap the wall with his finger.
"Teacher, what are you...?" Tanjirou couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Leaving a 'scent,'" Cheng Mo said calmly.
"To tell certain 'things' that might exist, that I have arrived."
Tanjirou understood vaguely, but he implicitly grasped that his teacher was actively trying to lure the snake out of its hole.
In the afternoon, the two returned to the inn.
In the afternoon, the two returned to the inn. Tanjirou changed into soft new underwear and dark, easy-to-move training clothes, feeling much fresher and more agile, and seemed to be more focused on his cultivation.
Cheng Mo, meanwhile, continued his Chakra refinement and adaptive training for his Lightning Release Armor, while also making subtle adjustments and improvements to the Qi Refining Technique.
As evening approached, the inn's maid respectfully brought dinner.
It was delivered directly to their room, dishes filling the table in the outer chamber.
Golden-roasted fish, steaming stewed meat, vibrant green seasonal vegetables, pristine white rice, and a bowl of miso soup.
The aroma was enticing, and the portions were generous.
Tanjirou looked at the lavish dinner, then at his teacher's calm expression, and once again deeply understood the meaning of "money is a tool."
It allowed them to maintain ample physical and mental energy even between hunts for demons.
The two ate in silence.
Tanjirou ate with particular care, finishing every single grain of rice.
This was a sign of respect for the food, and for his teacher's thoughtfulness.
After the meal, Tanjirou voluntarily cleared the dishes and placed them outside the door.
As night deepened, the town's clamor outside the window gradually subsided. Inside the room, only the crackling of the oil lamp remained.
Tanjirou was about to continue his cultivation when suddenly, Cheng Mo, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, abruptly opened them.
A cold, sharp, lightning-like gleam instantly flashed in his eyes.
He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and gazed towards a dark direction in the distance.
He murmured, a cold confirmation in his voice:
"...They've finally arrived."
Cheng Mo and Tanjirou instantly held their breath, their hearts pounding.