After crushing Zenitsu Agatsuma's fragile little heart, Xia Feng left with Kanao. Before long, the two of them arrived at Mount Sagiri, the territory of Sakonji Urokodaki.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, Xia Feng looked up.
The entire mountain was shrouded in a faint layer of mist.
"Lord Urokodaki really chose a place that suits Water Breathing perfectly," Kanao said.
Xia Feng nodded.
"Maybe he didn't choose it. It's possible Water Breathing has always been passed down here."
The two began walking slowly along the mountain path.
Before long, Xia Feng suddenly stopped.
He looked in a certain direction.
Inside the thick mist, nothing could be seen clearly.
Xia Feng chuckled slightly.
"Senior Urokodaki, since you've already seen us, there's no need to keep observing secretly. Why not just come guide us up the mountain?"
Kanao blinked in surprise and followed Xia Feng's gaze.
Through the mist, it seemed like a shadow flickered briefly—but she couldn't see anything clearly.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared a short distance in front of them.
It was a man wearing a red tengu mask and a blue robe.
Although he looked somewhat elderly, the powerful aura around him was no weaker than that of a young man.
"Forgive my rudeness. I am Sakonji Urokodaki. You must be the Special Advisor, Xia Feng."
Xia Feng nodded.
"Though this time I'm only here as a medical staff member from the Butterfly Estate—to conduct physical examinations for the candidates participating in this year's Final Selection."
Urokodaki looked at Xia Feng for a moment.
He subtly tested Xia Feng's awareness from multiple angles using his presence.
But he discovered that Xia Feng felt like an immovable mountain—his defense seamless and without the slightest flaw.
Urokodaki shook his head slightly and sighed.
"No wonder a man so young holds such a position. Setting aside the title of Special Advisor—even based on your strength alone, you could already become a Hashira."
Xia Feng looked at Urokodaki in surprise.
He hadn't expected it.
So even you, Urokodaki—with those thick eyebrows and serious face—are actually good at mutual flattery!
With Urokodaki leading the way, their speed up the mountain increased noticeably.
Before long, the three of them arrived halfway up the mountain—at Urokodaki's house.
As soon as they reached the entrance, Xia Feng saw a familiar face.
In the clearing before the small wooden cabin, a red-haired boy was practicing sword swings with meticulous focus.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of the blade cutting through the air echoed rhythmically—extremely satisfying to hear.
Sensing the presence of strangers, the red-haired boy stopped his practice and looked over curiously.
"Master, who are these two?"
He looked at Urokodaki in confusion.
Urokodaki introduced them.
"This is Xia Feng, Special Advisor of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Then he said to Xia Feng,
"This is Tanjiro Kamado, my only disciple currently in training."
Hearing that, Tanjiro's eyes widened in surprise.
"Xia Feng? The Xia Feng who became Hashira-level at the same age as me?!"
Under Xia Feng's slightly surprised gaze, Tanjiro walked over excitedly.
"Hello! My name is Tanjiro Kamado! I'm currently training under Master Urokodaki!"
Xia Feng: "..."
He had always thought he was already quite an outgoing person.
But when facing Tanjiro…
He still felt slightly overwhelmed.
This kid's natural friendliness was honestly terrifying.
Xia Feng smiled and patted Tanjiro on the shoulder.
"You've worked hard."
Tanjiro: "?"
That sudden encouragement felt oddly out of place.
Sure, practicing sword swings for so long was tiring…
But it didn't feel like something worth special praise.
Tanjiro scratched his head, completely confused.
Of course, he had no idea that Xia Feng had already learned about his entire experience through another method…
Xia Feng and Kanao entered Urokodaki's house.
Although winter had passed, the mountain air was still cold. Xia Feng had no habit of freezing outside, so going indoors was far more comfortable.
Urokodaki lit a fire pit and poured water into the iron pot hanging above it, preparing to cook.
He and Tanjiro sat kneeling on one side.
Xia Feng and Kanao sat on the other.
Xia Feng never knelt in the traditional seiza position. To him, that posture was simply too inhumane.
So he sat cross-legged instead.
Behind him was a sliding paper door. What lay beyond it was unknown.
He looked curiously at the fire pit in front of him.
This kind of indoor fire pit with a hanging iron pot was something typically seen in rural areas. At least, you wouldn't find it in the Butterfly Estate.
Before transmigrating, Xia Feng had never visited the countryside, so he found it rather interesting.
He removed his coat and set it beside him.
Then he looked toward Urokodaki.
"Senior Urokodaki, is Tanjiro the only candidate for Water Breathing this year?"
Urokodaki nodded.
"Tanjiro passed my training last winter, which is why I allowed him to participate in the Final Selection."
"As for the others who failed the training, I did not allow them to attend the Final Selection and throw their lives away."
Hearing this, Tanjiro froze slightly.
He hadn't expected… that there was such a story behind it.
Just as Xia Feng was about to speak, he suddenly paused.
He heard movement coming from the neighboring room.
Was there someone else here?
Xia Feng recalled the original story.
Before Tanjiro participated in the Final Selection, only Tanjiro and Urokodaki should be living here.
Plus Nezuko, who was sleeping.
Nezuko was always asleep and definitely wouldn't be making noise.
So who was it?
He looked curiously at Urokodaki.
"Senior Urokodaki, is there someone else here?"
Urokodaki froze slightly.
Tanjiro suddenly became tense.
Urokodaki shook his head.
"No. There are only Tanjiro and myself here."
Technically, that statement wasn't wrong.
There were only two humans.
Xia Feng nodded.
Maybe his hearing was acting up?
Just then—
He heard extremely faint footsteps approaching.
Right behind the paper door!
He saw Tanjiro and Urokodaki both stiffen after their brief confusion.
Especially Tanjiro, who wasn't wearing a mask—his expression became extremely dramatic.
After sitting uneasily for a few seconds, Urokodaki seemed about to say something.
At the same time—
The paper door behind Xia Feng slowly slid open.
A small hand reached out from behind it.
The hand was pale and moved very quickly, reaching directly toward Xia Feng's Demon Slayer uniform lying beside him.
Then—
Under the gaze of the four people in the room—
The hand pulled a small pouch from the pocket!
Xia Feng: "..."
What the hell?!
That was the Momotaro dumplings!
What does Nezuko want with those?! ! !
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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