Snow Mountain

Shinobu Kocho's Kasugai Crow is named En; it is a female crow that, just like its master, acts with great efficiency. It was responsible for flying ahead to lead the way, guiding the direction for Chen Nuo and Shinobu.

The snowy mountains of the north sounded quite distant, but in reality, it only felt that way.

After all, the land area of this country was only so large.

The activity range of demons still radiated outward with Kibutsuji Muzan as the center. With their current numbers, let alone covering the entire country, they could at most only affect a few provinces.

Kibutsuji Muzan didn't actually create demons on a large scale.

All demons originated from the demon blood within his body; creating a demon was equivalent to dispersing his own power.

For the selfish and self-centered Kibutsuji Muzan, this was undoubtedly a rather unpleasant matter.

If it weren't for the need for enough manpower to find the blue spider lily and deal with the Demon Slayer Corps, he would actually prefer to monopolize this power of eternal life.

Once Kibutsuji Muzan achieved what he wanted and the external threats were gone, he would likely first move to reclaim all the dispersed power.

Shinobu Kocho's steps were light and her pace was fast, maintaining her Breathing Style even while on the move.

For a Hashira, the Breathing Style had already become a physical instinct. Unless fighting a demon, it didn't cause much consumption.

Yet even so, Shinobu Kocho could only barely keep up with Chen Nuo. And seeing his leisurely appearance, it wasn't hard to tell that he really was just taking a stroll.

How can there be such a freakish physique?!

Shinobu Kocho looked at Chen Nuo's back and couldn't help but secretly criticize him in her heart.

Even the Stone Hashira, whom she considered the strongest in her heart, seemed to have a significant gap compared to Chen Nuo. This was the conclusion Shinobu Kocho reached even without knowing Chen Nuo's upper limit.

"Shinobu, are you saying bad things about me in your heart?"

Chen Nuo suddenly turned his head to look at Shinobu Kocho, startling her into a stumble. She quickly steadied herself and answered.

"What are you talking about?"

Shinobu Kocho's eyes flickered as she pretended not to hear.

Chen Nuo looked at her suspiciously; the presence of the Seven Nuos within him had elevated his spiritual intuition to a superhuman level.

Although not to the point of being a "prophet" like Ubuyashiki Kagaya, he could occasionally catch the flow of thoughts in others.

It wasn't mind-reading, yet it was quite subtle.

Shinobu Kocho must have been thinking about him just now!

"Let's hurry up. We need to reach the village before dark, otherwise we won't find a place to stay tonight."

Shinobu Kocho quickly walked past Chen Nuo, reminding him with a composed expression.

Not far ahead was the haunted village Ubuyashiki Kagaya had mentioned. It didn't look small and even had a post station. Traveling merchants added a bit of liveliness to the village.

Because of a recent heavy snowfall, everything was a vast expanse of white. If he brought Mitsuri here for a trip, it would probably be a very nice place.

However, because a man-eating bear had recently appeared around the village and eaten many hunters in the mountains, the entire village was in a state of panic.

As soon as they stepped inside, they could feel the tense atmosphere permeating the village.

The person running the inn was an elderly lady with a rather kind face. Seeing two young, unfamiliar faces arrive, she immediately warned them never to enter the snowy mountains lately.

"I understand, thank you, ma'am. Please arrange a guest room for the two of us."

"One room?"

Shinobu Kocho glanced sideways at Chen Nuo. This guy was being a bit too blatant.

"Aren't we a couple?"

Chen Nuo winked at Shinobu Kocho.

When traveling, identities are self-given. If not a couple, could they be siblings?

Wait, that seems even more exciting.

I really love playing these kinds of roleplay games.

Shinobu Kocho wanted to book another room, but the old lady very kindly pretended to be hard of hearing and handed a key to Chen Nuo as if she hadn't heard, leaving Shinobu feeling stifled.

"Nuo, you'd better sleep with one eye open tonight."

Shinobu Kocho narrowed her eyes, a chill permeating her gentle smile as she spoke in a cold tone.

"Alright then, I'll quietly watch you fall asleep."

Chen Nuo replied with a brilliant smile, not caring about Shinobu Kocho's danger at all. It wasn't like she would actually cut him.

At night, Chen Nuo's scream came from the guest room.

"...Damn! You're serious, Shinobu!"

"..."

Waking up the next day, the old lady downstairs watched the backs of Chen Nuo and Shinobu as they left, her heart filled with nostalgia for her own youth when they were also full of passion like this.

After Chen Nuo and Shinobu Kocho left the inn, they began to ask around the village for information about the demon.

A sudden argument on the street caught their attention.

It was a group of people carrying shotguns and wearing straw raincoats, looking like hunters.

The person they were arguing with was a young girl. The shotgun on her back also indicated her status. She was leading a hunting dog, her face full of stubbornness.

"Leave Matazo's revenge to the adults. You just stay home quietly."

"I'm not alone, I have Tarō with me!"

"But isn't Tarō just a dog?"

"Woof woof!"

Chen Nuo cast an inquiring look at a nearby merchant, who began to explain.

"Her name is Yae, she's the daughter of the hunter Matazo. It's said that her father and his companion were... right in front of her by a man-eating bear."

"Since then, besides coming down the mountain to buy some supplies, she has been searching for that bear in the snowy mountains."

Shinobu Kocho sighed as she listened to the merchant's words.

Just then, a familiar figure caught her attention. Chen Nuo noticed the change in Shinobu Kocho's expression and followed her gaze.

He saw a young man with long black hair tied in a low ponytail, wearing a red Haori and holding a nichirin blade, walking expressionlessly straight toward Yae.

Then he grabbed the gun Yae was carrying on her back.

This sudden move made the girl instantly explode with anger. She turned around and shouted.

"Don't touch someone else's gun!!"

Facing the girl's fury, the boy's eyes showed no fluctuation. He simply released his hand and spoke to himself.

"You're Yae, right?"

"I am Tomioka Giyuu of the Demon Slayer Corps. Please tell me the details of when you were attacked by the demon."

Whether intimidated by his aura or because of the question, Yae couldn't help but be stunned. Meanwhile, several nearby hunters began to whisper.

"Demon? Wasn't it a bear that attacked people?"

"What on earth is this guy talking about?"

"..."

Chen Nuo couldn't help but find the situation amusing.

This Water Hashira really wasn't good at dealing with people. Even a simple question could make the atmosphere so tense; he probably felt incredibly nervous and apprehensive in his own heart right now.

"Is that the Water Hashira?"

"Yes."

Shinobu Kocho helplessly lowered her head and covered her forehead.

"He seems to be in trouble."

Chen Nuo pouted and said.

The sword at Tomioka Giyuu's waist caught the hunters' attention. The group with guns actually felt nervous and uneasy toward the man with the sword.

Because of recent rumors.

A family of charcoal burners on the opposite mountain had been killed, and someone nearby had witnessed a suspicious person in a Haori active in the vicinity that day.

All the physical characteristics matched.

The hunters immediately raised their guns and aimed them at Tomioka Giyuu.

"Quick, go call the police!"

"Who's going to get a rope?"

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Facing the muzzles of the guns, he could only obediently crouch on the ground, nearly putting his hands behind his head, not daring to make any move for fear of causing further misunderstanding.

"I'll do it!!"

Chen Nuo took the rope from the merchant and, amidst Shinobu Kocho's confusion, ran forward and tied Tomioka Giyuu up firmly with several loops.

"Young man, your skill... is not simple."

The hunters were amazed by Chen Nuo's proficient binding movements, seeing him play with the rope in such a way. They felt as if a different kind of door in their hearts had been pushed open a crack.

"It's nothing, really."

Chen Nuo said modestly.

In the Cyber world, he occasionally played different games with Lucy to add a bit of spice to life. In that world, this was only considered a trivial bit of novelty.

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu's expression was somewhat stiff. The rough hemp rope bound his joints very tightly, making him uncomfortable, but to avoid causing a larger conflict, Giyuu didn't struggle.

Otherwise, how could a normal hemp rope possibly bind a Hashira?

Tomioka Giyuu thought to himself, wondering if he should find a chance to break free and escape. If he were actually sent to the police station and had to wait for the Demon Slayer Corps to bail him out, it would be quite embarrassing.

Moreover, the Master had notified him to meet an important person here; he couldn't afford to miss them.

Wait?!

Tomioka Giyuu scrutinized Chen Nuo's face and suddenly felt a strange sense of deja vu.

"Nuo, this is a bit too much."

Shinobu Kocho walked closer at this time and spoke with slight dissatisfaction.

Although Tomioka Giyuu was indeed not very likable normally, he shouldn't be teased like this; he was a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, after all.

But to be honest, the rope tying was indeed somewhat artistic.

"Pfft..."

Shinobu Kocho covered her mouth, unable to hold it in.

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu remained expressionless, suppressing his internal embarrassment and greeting them as if nothing had happened.

"Kocho, you're here."

Chen Nuo rolled his eyes at Shinobu Kocho. Before you say that, please hide the smile on your face.

"Then you must be Mr. Sakuragi."

Tomioka Giyuu looked at Chen Nuo with an expressionless face, as if the person currently tied up wasn't him.

As long as I'm not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others.

In a sense, our Water Hashira could be considered someone with a quite powerful heart.

"You all know each other?!"

The hunters saw this situation and their expressions became a bit off.

"Let me explain."

Shinobu Kocho straightened her expression and spoke.

"It's okay, I can handle it myself."

Tomioka Giyuu refused Shinobu Kocho's kindness. He didn't want to trouble his colleague, but the cold expression on his face made it very difficult to read his true thoughts.

However, just then, Yae fainted.

The days of running and exhaustion had already pushed this young girl to her limit.

Shinobu Kocho hurried forward to check. Feeling Yae's forehead, she said with a solemn expression.

"She has a fever and needs a place for medical treatment and rest. Nuo, you stay and explain the situation. Mr. Tomioka, don't just watch, come and help carry her."

Shinobu Kocho, having entered her doctor persona, had an intimidating aura that made Tomioka Giyuu not dare to say a single word of refusal. He flexed his muscles, but failed to break free from the hemp rope's binding.

Chen Nuo had tied it too well.

Tomioka Giyuu held his breath, used his Breathing Style, and tried again. He finally snapped the hemp rope and stepped forward to carry Yae on his back.

This move startled the surrounding hunters.

However, before they could make any aggressive moves, Chen Nuo blocked them and said with a gentle smile.

"Don't be nervous, let me explain."

Tomioka Giyuu looked back and asked.

"Is it okay to leave it to Mr. Sakuragi?"

"Don't worry, when it comes to serious business, Nuo is very reliable."

Serious business?

Tomioka Giyuu suddenly had a question.

What if it's not serious business?

He remembered his experience of being tied up just now and felt a strange sense of empathy with this sentence.

With Chen Nuo's eloquence and charm, it didn't take long to convince a few hunters. When he returned to the inn, Shinobu Kocho had already bought medicine from the pharmacy and was preparing to brew it.

As for Tomioka Giyuu, he was kneeling at the door, staring eye-to-eye with the Akita dog named Tarō, as if in a standoff.

Chen Nuo could see that Giyuu actually wanted to pet the dog's head.

But it was even more obvious that the dog didn't like Giyuu, yet Giyuu himself didn't seem to have noticed this.

"Awoo!!"

Just as Tomioka Giyuu couldn't help but reach out, Tarō bit him and started shaking his head unceremoniously.

Hearing the noise, Shinobu Kocho poked her head out to look. Seeing the situation, she sat back down unconcernedly.

That Tomioka Giyuu wasn't likable was a consensus among the Hashira; it wasn't surprising that dogs didn't like him either.

"Good dog, good dog."

Chen Nuo stepped forward and picked up Tarō, rubbing the dog's head. Tarō immediately licked his palm enthusiastically, his tail wagging so fast it became a blur.

The contrast was too obvious, making Tomioka Giyuu a little unhappy in his heart. He also really wanted to touch that dog's head.

"Hello, Mr. Sakuragi. The Master has already informed me that if I meet you, I am to follow your arrangements for this mission."

Tomioka Giyuu spoke formally. His cold expression seemed to express dissatisfaction, but in reality, it was to cover his internal nervousness, fearing he wouldn't be able to satisfy Chen Nuo.

After all, in his own view, he didn't have the ability to be worthy of being a Hashira.

"Want to touch? It feels great."

Chen Nuo carried Tarō over and said in a tempting tone.

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu looked at the rounded dog head and unconsciously raised his hand.

"Grrr!!"

Tarō immediately issued a warning sound.

"..."

Well, no matter how unwilling he was, Tomioka Giyuu could only admit that he currently seemed a bit unlikable to the dog.

Tsk, this shouldn't be?

Tomioka Giyuu couldn't understand why he wouldn't be liked by a dog, which left him lost in thought.