Muzan sat in the shadows of Tsukihiko Corporation's luxurious top-floor office, the brilliant lights of Tokyo outside the window reflecting on his handsome but bloodless profile.
He toyed with a crystal clear goblet in his hand, not filled with fine wine, but with a viscous, crimson liquid.
"Cheng Mo...Jianji Hall..."
He murmured these two names, his pale purple eyes swirling with icy fury.
That man who appeared and disappeared like thunder, that strange swordsman who ruined his plans and even made him feel a hint of trepidation.
He was disguised as a doctor, mingling in the human social circles he had meticulously woven!
It felt as if a dirty mouse had crawled over his most perfect creation, sickening him.
It also made him feel an extreme anger at being offended.
Especially when he thought of the Lower Moon Six and...Kaigaku, who had been successively lost!
That traitor of Thunder Breathing, whom he quite "admired" and who was full of negative desires and betrayal, had received a significant amount of his blood.
He had expected to cultivate him into a useful attack dog, but he was actually eliminated by that Cheng Mo!
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"
Muzan suddenly crushed the goblet in his hand, and the crimson liquid splattered onto the expensive carpet, like mottled bloodstains.
"Lower Moons...they really are just garbage that wastes my precious blood!"
His prejudiced heart became even more twisted.
Overcome the sun!
He must overcome the sun at all costs!
Only then could he become a truly perfect, unassailable existence!
Only then could he crush all the annoying insects!
He completely lost patience with the Lower Moons and devoted more energy to his mad and cruel experiments.
He often chose transportation hub towns with frequent population movement, easy concealment, and access to "materials" as the locations for his experiments.
And many of these towns happened to be located in the area overseen by the Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku, who burned like a flame and possessed an extremely strong sense of responsibility.
Kyoujurou had already begun to notice unusual disappearances and strange rumors within his jurisdiction and was actively investigating them.
Just as Cheng Mo was traveling with Tanjirou, forming a secret alliance with Tamayo in Asakusa, another "gift" he left behind was quietly exerting a profound influence within the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Qi Cultivation Technique, initially conceived by Cheng Mo and brought back to headquarters by Giyu Tomioka, was not widely promoted.
Instead, at Kagaya Ubuyashiki's instruction, the Butterfly Mansion, with its most complete medical facilities, took the lead, selecting a group of Demon Slayers who had sustained hidden injuries from practicing Breathing Techniques or who had suffered physical damage during missions that was difficult to recover from, for a pilot training program.
The results were unexpectedly good.
In the Butterfly Mansion's infirmary, injured Demon Slayers could often be seen no longer just passively receiving treatment.
Instead, under the guidance of the nursing staff, they would strike somewhat peculiar but steady poses, coordinating with deep, slow breaths, practicing for several hours at a time.
Initially, some people doubted what use this slow, non-combat-related method could be.
But soon, feedback converged on Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"Lord Ubuyashiki," Kochou Shinobu wrote in her report, her purple eyes gleaming with surprise, "Demon Slayers practicing the 'Qi Cultivation Technique' show significantly smoother blood circulation, enhanced organ function, and an average increase of nearly 20% in wound healing speed! Most importantly, many symptoms such as hidden lung pain and meridian stagnation caused by long-term Breathing Technique practice have been significantly alleviated!"
"Furthermore, Demon Slayers whose physical foundations have been more solidly honed report that when they resume practicing Breathing Techniques, they feel their breath is longer, and the duration of their Total Concentration State is also extended! Although it doesn't directly increase sword skill power, it greatly improves combat endurance and recovery!"
In the Japanese-style room of the Ubuyashiki Estate, Kagaya Ubuyashiki was discussing important matters with the Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima.
Upon hearing this report delivered by a member of the Kakushi, both showed expressions of relief.
Although Gyomei Himejima was blind, his senses were acute.
He clasped his hands together, his voice deep and full of gratitude: "Namu Amida Butsu...Mr. Cheng Mo's bestowed method, seemingly peaceful and unassuming, is in fact a supreme compassion that benefits all living beings...This method not only reduces Demon Slayer casualties but also extends the careers of many Demon Slayers, its significance is extraordinary..."
A gentle smile also appeared on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's pale and scarred face.
He coughed softly twice and said, "Yes...Mr. Cheng Mo seems aloof and clear in his transactions, but what he has given has long exceeded the scope of our initial agreement. This Qi Cultivation Technique, and those continuous, astonishingly effective medicines..."
He was referring to the modern antibiotics and special medicines that Cheng Mo occasionally sent back in batches through the Kakushi's channels.
These medicines had already saved countless Demon Slayers on the front lines who might have otherwise died from infection or severe injuries, leading to a significant and encouraging decrease in the overall casualty rate.
"He does not merely view us as trading partners..."
Ubuyashiki's voice was gentle and firm.
"He is, in his own way, acknowledging and supporting our cause. This friendship is profound and precious."
He paused for a moment, seemingly making an important decision.
"To merely reward him with gold now seems inadequate; we need to reciprocate with equal sincerity, and with...a gift truly worthy of his intentions."
Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together: "Lord Ubuyashiki speaks truly. Mr. Cheng Mo is no ordinary man; ordinary things may not catch his eye."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki pondered for a moment, a decision already made in his heart.
He summoned the person in charge of breeding Kasugai Crows.
A few days later, an unusual Kasugai Crow was brought before Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Its body was slightly smaller than a normal Kasugai Crow, its feathers were a deeper, matte black, almost blending into the night, its eyes sharp and quiet, and the sound of its wings flapping during flight was extremely faint, almost imperceptible.
This was a specialized species, the Silent Shadow Crow, bred and passed down through generations of the Ubuyashiki Clan.
It was extremely fast and specifically bred for the highest level of secret intelligence transmission and reconnaissance, making it extremely rare.
At the same time, Kagaya Ubuyashiki also brought out an ancient scroll from the family's heritage, which contained a secret technique called the Synchronization Contract.
This secret technique allowed a person to establish a deep spiritual connection with a specific specialized Kasugai Crow, far exceeding ordinary commands.
"Mr. Cheng Mo's whereabouts are uncertain, and he often requires discreet communication. While ordinary Kasugai Crows are good, they may not fully meet his needs."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained to the Kakushi member in charge of this matter: "Prepare this crow and the contract method. When Mr. Cheng Mo returns next time, I will personally perform the contract ritual for him."
"At that time, he will not only be able to transmit information faster and more securely through the Silent Shadow Crow, but also share some of its vision, perceive its state, and even perform vague telepathy within a certain distance, which should provide considerable assistance to his actions outside."
This return gift was not gold or silver, but represented the highest trust and sincere gratitude of the Ubuyashiki Clan and even the entire Demon Slayer Corps.
It transcended a simple transaction, more akin to a symbol of allies and partners.
In the quiet room, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked out the window, as if he could feel the positive changes quietly occurring within the Demon Slayer Corps due to this sudden powerful reinforcement.
He whispered, "We are fortunate, in our darkest hour, to have met this spark."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki hoped that when Cheng Mo received this gift, he would understand the Demon Slayer Corps' appreciation and reciprocation for his efforts.
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