Startled by Muzan's ferocity, the timid Hantengu crawled onto the ground, begging for mercy.
Doma, feigning innocence, exclaimed, "It's all my fault! I'm not good at detecting and searching. What should I do about this!"
Akaza knelt on one knee but remained silent.
Kokushibo, who had been sitting motionlessly, spoke, "My lord's words… your subordinate… has nothing to say. Ubuyashiki… has cleverly… hidden himself…"
Gyokko, on the other hand, became excited and shouted, "Lord Muzan, unlike them, I have already grasped vital intelligence that can help you achieve your grand wish soon. Just a moment ago…"
Before he could finish, Gyokko's head appeared in Muzan's hand.
"I detest change the most. Changes in circumstances, changes in the body, changes in emotions. Any change signifies deterioration, decay."
"I only desire the unchanging, which is to maintain a state of perfect flawlessness forever."
"The death of an Upper Moon after so many years has already displeased me to the extreme. Do not report unconfirmed intelligence to me with a foolish grin at this moment."
"It seems I have been too lenient with you all because you were Upper Moons. Now, I shall give you a piece of advice: strive harder from now on."
"Gyokko, once the intelligence is confirmed to be true, accompany Hantengu. Take Anger and Sloth with you."
After these words, Muzan was transported away from the area by Nakime, as he could no longer bear to see the faces of these failures.
Doma, with a smile, said, "Lord Gyokko, what intelligence do you have? I'd like to see it too. Can I…?"
Before he could finish, Akaza smashed Doma's head in. "Did Lord Muzan give you an order? Disappear at once!"
Suddenly, a flash of light streaked past, and Akaza's hand was severed. It was Kokushibo who attacked, his strong adherence to the hierarchy making him impatient with Akaza's repeated actions.
"Akaza, you've gone too far. If you're not satisfied, you can challenge me to a blood battle for rank."
Akaza's eyes sharpened as he looked at Kokushibo. "I will kill you with my own hands!"
"Is that so? Then… keep trying!" With that, Kokushibo vanished in a flash.
After Kokushibo's departure, Akaza, too bothered to deal with Doma, also left the Infinity Castle.
Subsequently, Gyokko requested Nakime to send him and Hantengu to the same location. With a strum of the biwa, Gyokko and Hantengu disappeared.
Doma also wished to accompany them. He then smiled at Nakime and said, "Sister Biwa, please send me there too!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Doma found himself back in his own Everlasting Paradise Cult. Nakime had no desire to interact with these Upper Moons and only hoped they would all return to their respective abodes soon.
…
Meanwhile, Lixing, feeling drained after having his blood drawn by Shinobu, returned to his room. The large syringes were truly terrifying.
"Sigh, the training sword forging arc is still over a month away. What should I do? Tanjiro's Nichirin Blade was destroyed by Nezuko, so he'll definitely have to go to the Swordsmith Village. But because of my intervention, they didn't sustain any serious injuries. I still have a month of free time."
Lixing lay on his bed, lost in thought, wondering what would happen next. Right, he could directly take Tanjiro with him to assist in combat, although no one would know except Miss Shinobu.
As he pondered, Lixing fell asleep. His own bed was so comfortable.
"Brother Lixing, Brother Lixing."
In the dead of night, a young girl woke Lixing up. Upon opening his eyes, Lixing saw a pair of large eyes.
"Nezuko? What are you doing in my room in the middle of the night?" Lixing yawned. A young girl sneaking into a man's room at night was not a proper affair. It would be bad if others saw.
"Brother Lixing, you were the demon in Yoshiwara last time, weren't you? I didn't expose myself without your notification."
Lixing finally remembered that he hadn't clarified things with Nezuko that day.
"Yes, I was that demon. Don't worry, I won't harm you. Do you have anything you want to ask?"
"I want to talk to my brother, I want to fight with my brother. Can I directly confess to my brother?" Nezuko was indeed thinking about these things.
Lixing chuckled. "Didn't I tell you? You could have revealed yourself when you were in the Yoshiwara pleasure district. I would have taken care of everything afterward. You don't need my permission. Do whatever you want. Alright, alright, go back to sleep early. Good night."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lixing pulled the covers over himself, not caring what Nezuko did. Regardless, the plot had already changed, and Lixing didn't mind initiating the final battle early. If she revealed herself, so be it.
Nezuko received permission, said thank you, and left Lixing's room, eagerly anticipating the moment she could speak to her brother.
At dawn, a crow flew into Lixing's room and kept pecking at his head.
"Get up, get up! Idiot Lixing!"
Lixing grabbed the crow. "You little punk, don't you want to live? Annoying me so early in the morning. You left on your own and couldn't find me, yet you call me an idiot? Do you believe I'll be eating crow meat today?"
At this moment, Kanao entered, accompanied by Rengoku Kyojuro, who could now walk and occasionally went out to hunt demons.
"Brother Lixing, come up for breakfast."
"Indeed! Young Lixing, it's wonderful to see you so spirited!"
Kanao remained as gentle as ever, and Rengoku's voice was still as loud as ever.
"Yes, yes. I'll let this damn crow go for now. I'll eat it next time."
They entered a room, where Lixing and Kyojuro engaged in a contest of eating, seeing who could consume more. Kanao's face was always smiling, making breakfast even more delightful.
"Mr. Lixing!" As they were enthusiastically eating, Tanjiro and his companions rushed in, along with Nezuko. It seemed Nezuko had already explained the situation to Tanjiro.
"Mr. Lixing! Thank you so much, thank you for making Nezuko normal again! Huh? Mr. Rengoku? Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, your strength seems to have increased greatly. Congratulations!" Kyojuro replied to Tanjiro while eating.
But Lixing was in a worse state. Zenitsu clung to Lixing, tearfully recounting his experience in Yoshiwara. It was too terrifying; he definitely had to team up with Brother Lixing next time.
"Hahaha! P-star, I won this time! You're my subordinate now!" Inosuke joined the fray while Zenitsu was weeping, quickly devouring all the food on the table.
"Who are you competing with? I'm competing with Brother Rengoku. You go cool off. It's all your fault, Zenitsu. Why are you clinging to me? All the food is gone." Lixing certainly wouldn't be Inosuke's subordinate. Was that guy crazy to lead such an excellent man like me?
The group was restless even during breakfast, but it felt like a family. Everyone present was happy. This was the life they desired.
However, after breakfast, Lixing and Kyojuro lectured Tanjiro and the other two, stating they would give them special training, causing Aoi's Butterfly Mansion to be filled with wails. Kanao and Kanzaki Aoi, on the other hand, conversed with Nezuko, and the three of them discussed cooking.
…