After returning to town, Xia Feng and Shinobu Kocho found Kanao Tsuyuri, who had stayed behind.
Although Kanao felt a little disappointed about being left alone earlier, she understood the reason.
Her strength wasn't sufficient yet.
If she accidentally became a burden during battle, she would never forgive herself.
After regrouping, the three soon arrived at the new location of the Butterfly Estate.
The new estate was two towns away from the previous one.
For swordsmen, that distance was nothing.
At the entrance of the treatment room, Aoi Kanzaki was washing bed sheets.
When she saw the three return, a bright smile appeared on her face.
"Lady Shinobu! Xia Feng! Miss Kanao! You're back!"
Xia Feng waved to her.
"We're back, we're back. You've been working hard too, Aoi."
Aoi scratched her head shyly.
"I didn't really do much…"
Then she quickly asked,
"What about the old Butterfly Estate…?"
"A demon showed up. Two members of the Twelve Kizuki. Shinobu and I killed them," Xia Feng answered directly.
Hearing the words Twelve Kizuki, fear appeared on Aoi's face.
Fortunately, the estate had relocated.
Otherwise…
But at the same time, she felt reassured.
With powerful people like Shinobu and Xia Feng at the Butterfly Estate now—
The future would surely be much safer.
After returning, Xia Feng didn't rest.
He first went to the treatment room and helped treat several seriously injured patients.
When the medical staff saw him return, they were so moved they nearly cried.
At this point, in their eyes—
Xia Feng was even more important than Shinobu.
The Butterfly Estate could lose anyone.
But it absolutely could not lose Xia Feng.
Anyone who dared to trouble him would be making an enemy of the entire medical staff.
After treating the injured and chatting with the nurses for a while, Xia Feng left the treatment room and returned to the main house.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Shinobu standing outside the entrance.
A crow descended from the sky and landed on her arm.
"Caw! Caw! Message from headquarters!"
"Shinobu Kocho and Xia Feng have slain two Lower Rank demons! Great achievement! Great achievement!"
The crow extended one leg.
A letter was tied to it.
Seeing the letter, Shinobu looked surprised.
On the back of the envelope was a crest.
"A letter from the Master?!"
She quickly untied the letter.
Curious, Xia Feng stepped closer.
Shinobu didn't avoid him and opened it directly.
She read aloud:
"—To Shinobu.
I have heard that the Butterfly Estate has slain two Lower Rank demons without suffering any casualties.
While this fills me with joy, I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to you and everyone at the Butterfly Estate.
Regarding the young man you mentioned, Xia Feng—
If he does not mind, I would like to invite him to the Ubuyashiki residence so that we may meet.
If possible, I wish to personally repay him for the assistance he has provided to the Demon Slayer Corps.
—Kagaya Ubuyashiki."
After reading the letter, Shinobu looked delighted.
"The Master thanked us!" she said happily to Xia Feng.
Seeing her reaction, Xia Feng found it amusing.
"You're that happy? You look like a child being praised by her parents."
He expected Shinobu to tease him back.
Instead, she nodded seriously.
"You're right."
"When I was very young, my parents were killed by demons."
"The Master took in my sister and me and allowed us to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Otherwise we might have starved to death."
"From that perspective, calling the Master our father wouldn't be wrong."
Xia Feng nodded.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was indeed a good person.
Just… somewhat extreme.
Thinking about what Kagaya did later in the story made Xia Feng feel conflicted.
He sympathized with him.
He respected him.
But—
Some of Kagaya's choices were still difficult for him to accept.
Different environments shaped different personalities.
Shinobu then asked,
"Xia Feng, the Master wants you to come to headquarters and meet him."
"Will you go?"
Her eyes were full of expectation.
Xia Feng couldn't help laughing.
"Of course I'll go."
"Looking at your face, if I refused you might start crying."
Shinobu puffed her cheeks.
"I wouldn't."
Meanwhile, Xia Feng's smile gradually turned mischievous.
"And besides, he said he wants to thank me."
"If there's a benefit involved, why wouldn't I go?"
Looking at Xia Feng's expression, Shinobu felt conflicted.
For some reason—
He was starting to look more and more like a villain.
That evening, Xia Feng was practicing Flower Breathing sword techniques with Kanao in the courtyard.
Suddenly someone came running over.
It was Aoi Kanzaki.
She ran over, panting heavily, bent over with her hands on her knees.
Xia Feng lowered his sword and looked puzzled.
"What's wrong, Aoi? Were you chased by a dog?"
Aoi rolled her eyes.
"N-no!"
After catching her breath, she finally spoke.
She looked at Xia Feng.
"Xia Feng, come with me quickly. A very important person is here to see you!"
"A big shot?" Xia Feng tilted his head.
Who could be considered a big shot at the Butterfly Estate?
First of all, it couldn't be Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
He was terminally ill and unable to leave his home.
Besides, he had already invited Xia Feng there.
Why would he suddenly come here?
Following Aoi, Xia Feng walked to the estate's entrance.
There, a small figure stood quietly.
It was an old man.
He held a cane and wore a black cloak covered with small white triangles.
The most noticeable feature—
His right leg was missing.
Where his lower leg should have been, there was only a wooden peg.
When he saw Aoi bring Xia Feng over, he looked at him seriously.
"Are you Doctor Xia Feng?"
Xia Feng nodded.
The moment he saw the old man—
He knew exactly who it was.
Former Thunder Hashira — Jigoro Kuwajima.
The master of the blond boy who used Thunder Breathing in the main protagonist group.
Whether in status, character, or age—
This man truly qualified as a "big shot."
Xia Feng walked forward and bowed slightly.
"I'm Xia Feng. How can I help you?"
The old man sighed in relief.
Then he spoke somewhat awkwardly.
"Well… it's a bit embarrassing."
"I have a disciple named Zenitsu Agatsuma."
"A while ago, he climbed a tree and got struck by lightning."
"After that, he fell straight down and hit his head on the ground."
Xia Feng: "..."
Even though he already knew this story—
Hearing someone say it out loud in real life still felt strange.
For an ordinary person—
Something like that would have killed them several times over.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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