WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
--------------------
The carrier pigeon's delivery speed was still too slow. Estimated at least five days to fly back to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Next time, I definitely had to suggest to Ubuyashiki—could we research more efficient communication methods? This really wasted too much time.
Also didn't know if Yoriichi was there. If he'd gone on a mission, I hoped they'd send Rengoku. If he also wasn't there, then switch to another Hashira.
In short, if absolutely necessary, then send Tsugikuni Michikatsu.
Not that I found him unpleasant and deliberately wanted to hide his family's troubles from him.
Just thinking of his punchable appearance—even if he returned to kill the demon, he probably wouldn't consider these family difficulties. Would still leave without looking back.
The Tsugikuni samurai still retained loyalty to their former lord. Having them see their returned lord's such cold attitude would probably chill their hearts... if it shook their loyalty to the Tsugikuni family, Takehime's future life would be harder.
I'd also written this clearly in the letter. With Ubuyashiki's attentiveness, he should understand my meaning.
I could only travel at night. Delayed some time midway, so took about a month.
If Yoriichi happened to have time, at his speed rushing over, could travel day and night—probably only seven or eight days to arrive.
Switching to another Hashira, on the premise of conserving strength, would need about half a month.
That is to say, for at least half a month, I couldn't clash with that Yemonse.
Slaying demons wasn't a small matter. So I didn't hide it from Takehime.
At first, she didn't know where her husband went. That bastard also hadn't explained clearly to his wife and children. Only said he wanted to pursue the ultimate in martial arts. Packed his bags and ran.
Ha. I knew how could he be so kind-hearted to avenge subordinates.
After hearing introductions about demons and the Demon Slayer Corps, Takehime remained neither shocked nor angry. Only sighed, "Everyone stakes their lives fighting demons. Truly a great undertaking. Unfortunately, my husband... lacks everyone's magnanimous spirit. Standing among you all, truly extremely shameful."
Exactly. This guy was very selfish. Worthy of being his bedside companion—understood his nature better than that foolish younger brother Yoriichi.
I warmly consoled her. Absolutely don't take that bastard's faults onto herself. If she couldn't swallow this anger, I could provide proxy beating services.
After returning, I'd beat him three meals a day!
Beat him until he repented! He wouldn't dare fight back against me!
Takehime was amused by me, covering her mouth laughing. Of course, still didn't agree to me daily beating her husband. "Having this sentiment from you, this foolish woman is already extremely grateful."
Since delaying time, Takehime decided to show weakness.
She wrote a letter to the Haiki lord, expressing herself as a mere woman, absolutely not daring to presume to guard the family business. Also very afraid of bloodshed. Begged the other party, for the sake of being neighbors for decades, to show mercy.
I craned my neck beside her watching her write, marveling at how fast her mind turned, how well she wrote, how tempting the letter was.
Takehime subtly hinted in the letter she could yield part of the Tsugikuni family's land and treasures... and for the Haiki clan, being able to obtain so much without bloodshed was indeed very attractive.
Watching her finish writing, dispatch someone to deliver it, then turn to order subordinate samurai to quietly prepare for battle, I sat aside tilting my head thinking.
"You also told me you felt you couldn't guard so much land and treasure. Then why not negotiate from the start?"
I humbly asked her for guidance. I truly didn't understand this. This exceeded domains I'd previously encountered.
Takehime didn't brush me off. Very carefully explained for me, "My husband is already gone. If I just endlessly swallow my anger, constantly retreat, not just the Haiki clan—even subordinate samurai would think me weak and easy to bully.
When are human hearts ever satisfied? They easily obtained a huge fortune. Definitely won't stop there. Will want even more."
I didn't use honorifics with her. She slowly also started directly saying "I."
Incidentally, when Takehime said "my husband is already gone," her tone especially sounded like Tsugikuni Michikatsu had already died.
Her saying this, I understood. Just like when I used to fight with village kids—only knowing I wasn't easy to bully would they not dare snatch my things.
Shows whether placed among samurai families or common people, worldly principles were the same.
The Haiki clan's reply was quickly delivered back. Tone also very mild.
Takehime said she didn't want war. The Haiki lord also said we've been good neighbors so many years—of course I don't want to fight you either!
Just seeing Lord Michikatsu absent, worried you orphans and widows would be bullied. Wanted to help you!
You're being so polite, making me also very embarrassed. Whatever we need to say, naturally we can sit down and slowly discuss.
Then they started corresponding, slowly discussing specific amounts.
Takehime perhaps wasn't skilled in martial arts and warfare, but in verbal sparring, didn't fall behind.
She acted as if truly negotiating with the Haiki clan. Stubbornly guarding certain bottom lines without yielding an inch. Then on certain conditions, endlessly haggling.
The Haiki lord's tone also changed from initial probing to serious. Determined to bite off a huge chunk of meat from the Tsugikuni family.
I stayed in the estate without going out, continuing to practice the Breathing Style Yoriichi taught me.
The content he described, I already understood. During this time, my martial skill level also advanced by leaps and bounds. But I always felt something was missing.
And my blade hadn't changed color. Also seemed to prove I hadn't truly mastered Breathing Styles like them.
What was missing? Or was it that I, having fallen into demonhood, wasn't qualified to master this technique?
Though somewhat discouraged inside, I didn't show it. Still methodically continued practicing.
I practiced swordsmanship at night. Takehime's eldest son Hirono would run out to watch me.
Possibly due to my bias against a certain someone, I felt he didn't resemble Tsugikuni Michikatsu. Looked more like Takehime.
He initially hid in the house watching me train. Then moved to under the corridor eaves. Finally ran into the courtyard.
One day, my practice reached a stopping point. I heard him say in a childish voice, "Are you a samurai who came from Father?"
I turned back. He stood several steps away, staring at me with big eyes, face showing hopeful, longing expression.
This child missed his father.
I realized this, nodding at him. Also corrected one point. "I'm someone more remarkable than your father."
Hmph. Tsugikuni Michikatsu.
He was worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as me?
Hmph...
Hirono's eyes lit up. Immediately walked closer several steps, moving beside me, looking up to ask, "Samurai sir, have you seen my father? Is he well? Did he mention Hirono?"
He looked at me urgently, trying to glean any bit of news about his father from my mouth.
I scratched my face. Didn't know how to answer.
Should I tell him his father was a heartless bastard who never considered the wife and children left behind?
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (20+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here:patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!