"Huh? A mission… for me?"
Doma blinked and pointed at himself, his face filled with surprise and excitement.
For many years, Muzan had rarely given him direct assignments.
Although having free time was nice, it often made him feel like he was being excluded from the inner circle.
It hurt his feelings a little.
But now—
He was actually receiving a personal mission.
Seeing Doma's reaction, Muzan let out a faint chuckle.
Then he slowly began giving his instructions.
The next evening, Xia Feng returned to the Butterfly Estate.
Since Shinobu had already learned the results of the battle through the crows, she no longer had to worry too much.
Seeing Xia Feng and Kanao walk into the courtyard together, she smiled.
"Ara… it's only been two days, yet Xia Feng-kun and little Kanao seem even closer now."
Hearing that, Kanao froze.
Then her face immediately turned red.
Xia Feng shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Don't tease Kanao."
Shinobu hummed lightly and decided to let him off for now.
She looked at Xia Feng.
"Xia Feng-kun, you've killed another Upper Rank."
"In the history of the Demon Slayer Corps, that's practically a miracle-level achievement."
"I'm worried Muzan might retaliate against you at any cost."
"You're strong, but if Muzan sends all the remaining Upper Ranks after you… even you might struggle."
Hearing this, Kanao also looked worried.
She spoke firmly.
"I'll train harder and protect Brother Xia Feng!"
Xia Feng felt extremely touched.
While rubbing Kanao's head, he replied,
"Shinobu is right. Muzan might indeed try to retaliate."
"But to prevent that from happening, I've already thought of a countermeasure."
Shinobu tilted her head.
"What countermeasure?"
Xia Feng chuckled.
"I'll tell you after I talk with Kagaya Ubuyashiki."
Just then—
A crow suddenly flew over and landed on Shinobu's arm.
The crow looked at her and spoke loudly.
"Report! Report! A Demon Slayer Corps member has been seen betraying the Corps and turning into a demon! Caw!"
Shinobu looked surprised.
Just as Kanao had said before, those who joined the Demon Slayer Corps usually had deep hatred for demons.
They wouldn't even tolerate seeing demons—let alone becoming one.
A Demon Slayer turning into a demon?
But Xia Feng suddenly frowned, as if he had realized something bad.
The crow continued.
"Caw! The demon is… the Thunder Breathing successor! Kaigaku! Thunder Breathing successor Kaigaku!"
Shinobu blinked.
"A successor is one of the most important figures in a breathing style, just like a Tsuguko… How could something like this happen?"
Xia Feng's expression darkened.
"Shinobu, is this message being sent to everyone?"
Shinobu shook her head.
"This crow only reports to the Hashira."
"Xia Feng-kun, you should really get your own crow. Isn't it inconvenient without one?"
She had only just started persuading him—
When Xia Feng suddenly turned and dashed out of the courtyard.
Kanao blinked.
"What's wrong with Brother Xia Feng?"
Shinobu was confused too.
After thinking for a few seconds and recalling the direction Xia Feng ran—
Her expression suddenly became serious.
"…If a successor becomes a demon, what would the trainer do?"
she asked Kanao.
Kanao's pupils shrank.
"The trainer… would likely commit seppuku to atone!"
Shinobu immediately turned to her crow, intending to send a message to the other Hashira.
But then she realized—
The crow was gone.
Shinobu: "…?"
Deep in the forest, Xia Feng moved like a streak of lightning, rushing toward the Thunder Breathing training house.
In his hand—
He was holding the crow.
The crow had tears in its eyes.
Xia Feng's speed was terrifying.
"Caw! This is abuse! Even if you're the Special Advisor, I won't forgive you! Caw!"
For once, Xia Feng didn't argue with it.
He spoke quickly.
"I don't have time to write a letter. I'll dictate—deliver this message to Kagaya Ubuyashiki."
The crow opened its beak, wanting to correct Xia Feng's way of addressing the Master.
But remembering Xia Feng's position, it decided to stay quiet.
Xia Feng continued,
"Tell Kagaya Ubuyashiki that I will make an official announcement to the Demon Slayer Corps as Special Advisor."
"The first time I visited the Thunder Breathing training house, I already revoked Kaigaku's status as successor."
"From that day onward, he had no right to use Thunder Breathing."
"Therefore, Kaigaku has had no connection with Thunder Breathing for a long time."
"Tell Ubuyashiki to write a formal document confirming this. Got it?"
The crow looked like it was about to cry but still nodded.
"Got it! Caw!"
Satisfied, Xia Feng patted its head and tossed it into the air.
The next moment—
He vanished again.
Watching Xia Feng's departing figure, the crow felt both helpless and impressed.
Maybe… this is what they call loyalty among warriors.
Xia Feng arrived at the Thunder Breathing training house at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people.
Since there were no students training this year, the place was unusually quiet.
His ears twitched.
He quickly located the presence of someone nearby.
With a push of his foot, he leapt in an arc and landed in the backyard.
There—
A large white cloth had been spread across the ground.
Jigoro Kuwajima knelt on top of it.
In his hand was a short blade.
The blade had already been plunged into his stomach.
His face was drenched in sweat.
The pain was so intense that he could barely breathe.
Yet he still gritted his teeth and dragged the blade sideways.
Seeing this scene, Xia Feng felt his scalp go numb.
He had killed demons.
He had been wounded by demons.
But compared to seppuku—
Those things seemed normal.
This was pure madness.
Just watching it hurt.
What kind of brain comes up with such a painful way to die?
The thought flashed through Xia Feng's mind for only a moment.
He instantly rushed forward.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Jigoro's hand and used explosive strength to pull the blade out of his stomach.
Blood immediately sprayed out.
Jigoro raised his head with difficulty and looked at Xia Feng.
Though he was in too much pain to speak, Xia Feng could roughly understand the meaning in his eyes.
—
Is this… some new method of execution?
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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