Chapter 21: Ghost King's Night Banquet, the pillars asked.
As the Hashira departed, the headquarters' courtyard returned to tranquility.
Arthur and Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat side by side, discussing the tumultuous events to come over steaming tea.
"Why did you choose to play the villain?"
"I stayed not to discuss such trivial matters with you."
Arthur picked up a piece of yokan with his fingertips and offered it to Fufu, who was beside him.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki chuckled, then stopped pressing the matter, turning instead to another important issue.
"Miss Tamayo still has many reservations, and I will try to persuade her again."
Arthur nodded understandingly: "I can understand. Even if she is no longer under Muzan Kibutsuji's control, she is still a Demon after all."
"Asking her to come to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters is indeed asking too much of her."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked troubled, his voice tinged with worry.
"You won't be able to leave the Demon Slayer Corps during this next period. Will Miss Tamayo alone be enough time?"
Arthur rested his chin in his hand, pondering for a moment, then shook his head.
"Don't count on the human-transformation drug and the aging drug. The cell-destroying and division-inhibiting drugs are still fine."
Human-transformation drug, aging drug, cell-destroying drug, division-inhibiting drug…
These were all drugs Tamayo had meticulously researched to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
Previously, she lacked blood samples from Upper Rank Demons, so she couldn't make corresponding adjustments for Muzan Kibutsuji's situation.
After Arthur obtained the blood of Upper Rank Three during the Infinity Train battle, he entrusted a Kasugai Crow to deliver the sample to Tamayo for research.
Unfortunately, time was short, and Tamayo alone would likely be hard-pressed to complete the fusion of all four drugs.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki also understood this principle.
If he didn't still hold the ultimate trump card to restrain Muzan Kibutsuji, his worries would not be limited to this.
"Do you think Muzan Kibutsuji will really take the bait?"
Arthur picked up his teacup, blowing on the floating tea leaves.
"Probably. After all, what can be changed is called a flaw, not a weakness."
"We are very lucky; that cowardly Demon King is full of weaknesses."
...
Yoshiwara Yukaku, Red-Light District.
Night fell, and the streets were as brightly lit as day, like a colorful ukiyo-e scroll.
Dim yellow lanterns swayed in the alleys, but they illuminated no human figures; only dead silence spread silently through the dark night.
Muzan Kibutsuji, dressed in a white suit, walked unhurriedly down the street.
"Ah—! Don't come any closer!"
"You... you guys! Do... do you know who I am?!"
A plump, pig-like imperial relative burst through a wooden door and fell onto the street.
He screamed while retreating in terror.
Soon, he saw Muzan Kibutsuji in the middle of the street and quickly pointed a finger, yelling sharply.
"You! Quickly carry me out of this cursed place!"
"When we get back to Tokyo, I'll reward you handsomely..."
Before he could finish speaking, Muzan Kibutsuji's fingertips moved slightly, and a head was already separated from its body.
To the Demon King, humans were merely inferior sustenance.
Their wails and screams were nothing more than embellishments to the slaughter; their prominent status made no difference.
To dare to order him, the ultimate being, around—he deserved to die!
Whoosh!
A whooshing sound, and Kokushibo, dressed in a luxurious purple robe, appeared behind Muzan Kibutsuji.
He first used his six eyes to look at the clothes worn by the headless pig-like man, then spoke in a rather subtle tone.
"This fellow's identity is not simple; it's a pity not to capture him as a hostage."
Muzan Kibutsuji casually tossed away the pig-like man's unseeing head and spoke indifferently.
"It doesn't matter. Anyway, those guys from the Demon Slayer Corps are all lunatics; they will definitely come."
Kokushibo did not refute Muzan Kibutsuji's words; although he had a cooperative relationship with him, there was also a clear hierarchy.
Therefore, one reminder was enough.
Choosing the Red-Light District, where Daki and Gyutaro had resided for a hundred years, as the site for the blood feast meant that the commoners, geishas, and high-ranking officials within were all trapped.
Did the Demon Slayer Corps think that with a mere blue spider lily, they could lead Muzan Kibutsuji by the nose?
They probably didn't expect to be outmaneuvered now.
Muzan Kibutsuji looked up at the moon and transmitted a message with a frown.
"I hope you don't dawdle and fail to complete the mission after daybreak."
The deathly silence in the Red-Light District paused for a moment, then, the next instant, even more shrill screams echoed from all directions.
...The Crimson King's dividing line...
The Wisteria Mountain Forest specifically opened by the Demon Slayer Corps.
Arthur led the Hashira to an open area, looked around, and nodded with satisfaction.
"This place is good, spacious enough for you to do whatever you want."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, being the most impatient, was the first to ask.
"The location doesn't matter at all! Quickly tell us how to activate the Transparent World!"
Uzui Tengen crossed his arms, huffing in dissatisfaction.
"How can it not matter? How can one cultivate splendid ultimate techniques in such a crude place?"
Kyojuro Rengoku walked between the two, habitually playing the peacemaker.
"I believe Mr. Arthur's training method will not be easy, so let's quickly listen!"
Arthur's gaze swept over the Hashira; seeing their focused expressions, he finally spoke, his tone as calm as ever.
"My process of comprehending the Transparent World was also a matter of chance. If I had to say what the method is, it's breathing and movement."
"Breathing and movement?"
Everyone present practiced Breathing Techniques and sword skills, so they were somewhat confused by what Arthur emphasized.
"It's too troublesome to explain. Concentrate and observe my upcoming demonstration."
Clang—!
The sword's clear ring, glinting with golden dust, a platinum longsword was already in his hand.
His body sank slightly, each exhalation accompanied by the thunderous roar of his heartbeat, like a mountain collapsing and a sea raging within him.
Light Fang, Blazing Wing, Fierce Scale, Savage Tail, Roar...
Five sword techniques, each imbued with a different element, were performed one by one by Arthur.
Because he was deliberately demonstrating for the Hashira, he controlled his power and speed within the range that the naked eye could perceive.
The Hashira held their breath, intently watching Arthur's every subtle movement, and gradually, their expressions became unprecedentedly solemn.
Arthur's Breathing Technique was utterly bizarre!
The Hashira could tell just by observing with their naked eyes that this was definitely not a Breathing Technique they could master.
Even Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, whose muscle strength surpassed all other Hashira, would only end up exploding if she rashly attempted to imitate it.
Watching Arthur, whose sword strikes were incredibly fierce yet whose breathing was as steady as a rock, Sanemi Shinazugawa secretly clicked his tongue.
"This guy is indeed a monster!"
Mitsuri Kanroji lightly scratched her cheek, with a hint of lingering fear and helplessness.
"Ahahaha~ Although it's rude to describe Mr. Arthur this way, but—"
"Sorry, I can't do it! Just subconsciously trying to imitate it for a moment, my heart felt an unbearable pain."
Iguro Obanai said sternly: "Don't mess around! We are not on the same level as him."
On the other side, Arthur stopped his movements and patiently explained.
"A thunderous roar in the ears, a churning sea in the mind, blood almost flowing backward, heart and lungs feeling as if they are tearing apart inch by inch... these are all normal states for me when practicing my Breathing Technique."
"Pour all your being into breathing, enduring, and transcending the limits of that pain."
"Until your mind transcends the shackles of your senses—at that moment, the Transparent World will open on its own!"