Flower fertilizer

Yae woke up with a start from a nightmare. As soon as she opened her eyes, a gentle face appeared before her, about to lean in. This action startled her, causing her to keep shrinking back.

"Are you awake?"

Shinobu Kocho stopped leaning down and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. She had originally wanted to see if Yae's fever had subsided; touching foreheads was an easier way to detect changes in body temperature.

It was just unexpected that the other party happened to wake up at this moment, which inevitably made things a little bit awkward.

The feeling of awkwardness became even more prominent, especially when she saw Yae pick up the shotgun beside her and prepare to aim it at her.

Having recently experienced a major life upheaval and now suffering from a fever, Yae's behavior was inevitably a bit extreme.

"Calm down, no one here will hurt you."

Chen Nuo moved even faster, pressing the muzzle of the gun down.

At such close range, it would be very troublesome if the shotgun accidentally went off. Tomioka Giyuu was also at fault; he didn't know to put the gun away first. This thing's lethality to humans was still too great.

"Who are you?"

Yae looked at the situation around her and calmed down slightly. At least from the current perspective, these people shouldn't have any malicious intent toward her, but more questions followed.

"These two are members of the Demon Slayer Corps, specifically responsible for slaying man-eating demons. As for me, I am someone traveling with them."

Chen Nuo explained simply. His affinity and charm, after being layered by Seven Nuo, had also reached an extraordinary level.

When his tone softened, it could also have a soothing effect on emotions, similar to that of Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

"This is my mission; I should be the one to explain, Mr. Sakuragi."

Tomioka Giyuu suddenly interjected. He wasn't trying to be rude, just stating a fact, but his timing was somewhat inappropriate, especially with a dog currently biting his head.

However, seeing Giyuu's unconcerned look, he probably thought the dog was just playing with him.

"Alright, that's enough, Mr. Tomioka. Please step back."

Shinobu Kocho glanced at this scene and couldn't help but sigh.

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu's mood grew much more dejected upon hearing this.

It was as if his sense of worth had been heartlessly stripped away.

However, upon hearing what Chen Nuo said, Yae insisted that the one who attacked her father and the hunters was a bear. Yet, her defensive posture, like someone whose tail had been stepped on, made it hard for anyone to believe her.

Both Shinobu Kocho and Tomioka Giyuu were experienced Hashira, so they could naturally see through it. They could also understand; after all, demons were all transformed from humans.

Before then, their identities were either husbands, children, or fathers.

It was indeed a very difficult thing for family members to accept that their loved ones had turned into man-eating demons; people subconsciously refuse to believe what they don't want to believe.

"Perhaps. Regardless of the truth, we must investigate to verify it. Whether it's a bear or a demon, we cannot let it continue like this. Don't you agree?"

Chen Nuo gazed at Yae, his eyes seemingly able to penetrate her pupils and reach directly into her heart.

Yae did not respond, only lowering her head and averting her gaze. Just as the topic seemed to stall, she spoke up to ask.

"The Demon Slayer Corps? Do you kill every demon you see?"

"Don't make us sound like executioners. We only kill evil demons. If there were ever a demon that has not eaten a single person and chooses to starve to death, I would be willing to care for it until its final moment."

Shinobu Kocho took over the conversation, her tone serious.

However, Chen Nuo was well aware that this was actually her older sister's wish.

Tomioka Giyuu, who was currently "playing" with the dog nearby, was inadvertently moved by these words, remembering the pair of siblings he had just saved not long ago.

The sister who had turned into a demon could actually suppress her urge to eat humans and actively protect her unconscious brother from harm.

In the past, such a thing had never happened.

Human emotions usually crumble instantly under a demon's urge to eat.

This incident had changed Tomioka Giyuu's perception of demons, but he had never revealed this to anyone except his master.

Given Tomioka Giyuu's understanding of the Hashira, it would be impossible for them to allow any demon to live.

However, Shinobu Kocho's words were quite unexpected to him, giving him a feeling of 'So this is the kind of person you are, Shinobu.'

Nevertheless, Tomioka Giyuu still chose not to take any risks with the lives of those siblings, so he silently pursed his lips.

"Giyuu."

Chen Nuo suddenly called out to Tomioka Giyuu, interrupting his thoughts.

"What is it, Mr. Sakuragi?"

"Stop playing with the dog like that. If you get rabies, you'll die a very ugly death."

Hearing this, Tomioka Giyuu's heart skipped a beat, and he forcefully pulled his hand out of the dog's mouth.

"It seems there was a mistake this time. As long as you agree, Miss Yae, we can also help you hunt the bear."

Shinobu Kocho did not argue further with Yae about whether it was a demon or a bear. She knew clearly that she couldn't wake someone who was pretending to be asleep.

"I am a hunter. I will take my own revenge. Sorry for the trouble."

Yae stood up, carrying her shotgun, and prepared to head out.

However, Tomioka Giyuu blocked her path and advised expressionlessly.

"It's better not to go out at night."

"There are no demons here. What's wrong with a hunter going to hunt a bear?"

"If it's truly for revenge, why go into the mountains alone? What are you hiding?"

"You're so annoying! Get out of the way!!"

"...At least I have never seen a demon turn back into a human."

"..."

Tomioka Giyuu directly pierced the truth Yae was trying to cover up, as well as the last bit of fantasy in her heart.

The air fell still for a moment of silence.

Yae lowered her head and left the inn with Tarō, heading toward the mountain forest against the wind and snow.

"Nuo."

Shinobu Kocho breathed out softly. Without realizing it, she had subconsciously come to rely on Chen Nuo as the pillar of the group.

Tomioka Giyuu remained silent, only quietly casting his gaze over.

He was feeling a bit guilty now, wondering if he shouldn't have said that just now, as he seemed to have accidentally made Yae angry.

"Let's go. Time to head into the mountains to catch the demon."

Chen Nuo stood up and said, not forgetting the purpose of his trip.

The wind and snow outside were quite heavy; it wouldn't be long before Yae's tracks were covered. They needed to move quickly.

"Giyuu, I heard people say on my way here that a charcoal-selling family on the opposite mountain was killed. Was it the work of a demon?"

Chen Nuo asked Tomioka Giyuu during their journey.

"...Yes."

Tomioka Giyuu's expression faltered. He didn't know why Chen Nuo suddenly mentioned this, which made him a bit flustered.

He wasn't good at lying. If Chen Nuo asked about that demon, how should he answer?

Just thinking about it made Tomioka Giyuu want to dig a hole and bury himself.

However, on the surface, his expressionless face showed no trace of a flaw.

"Demons are usually transformed by the Demon King, and since these two demons both appeared recently, does that mean the path we are walking on now was likely also trodden by the Demon King?"

Chen Nuo's words made Shinobu and Giyuu stop in their tracks.

At the thought that Kibutsuji Muzan might have passed through here, they could hardly suppress the surging emotions in their hearts.

It wasn't hard to imagine that if Kibutsuji Muzan really appeared here, Shinobu and the others would definitely charge forward without hesitation. Even if they knew the possibility of a successful kill was minuscule, they would be willing to risk their lives.

"Then, what was it that attracted the Demon King here?"

Chen Nuo continued to ask as if to himself, laying down a bit of foreshadowing for his subsequent actions.

Kibutsuji Muzan himself didn't know that this was his closest attempt at success ever. The blue spider lily he had been searching for so desperately was on the opposite mountain peak.

However, the reason that attracted Kibutsuji Muzan here wasn't because of news about the blue spider lily, but because of Tanjiro's family themselves.

He was so terrified of everything related to Yoriichi Tsugikuni that he carried out a massacre based on his network of connections.

Tanjiro's family was not spared even though they lived deep in the mountains.

As for injecting demon blood into Tanjiro's family, it was just a habit.

Kibutsuji Muzan, unable to find the blue spider lily for a long time, decided to try creating a demon that could overcome sunlight.

He originally thought Tanjiro's family would die from being unable to withstand the demon blood, but he didn't expect Nezuko to successfully survive the transformation through her hatred for him.

"Shall we go take a look?"

Shinobu Kocho took the initiative to voice what Chen Nuo wanted to do.

"Of course. It's not far anyway."

Chen Nuo didn't continue the topic afterward, allowing Tomioka Giyuu to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

The wind and snow grew more and more urgent.

Coupled with the fact that it was already dark, ordinary people could hardly see anything in this environment. However, none of the three were ordinary people, so even if the wind, snow, and night had some impact, it didn't hinder their progress.

However, judging by the tracks, Yae's pace was becoming increasingly sluggish.

"Woof! Woof!!"

A sudden dog bark penetrated the howling of the wind and snow.

Chen Nuo bent his knees and jumped forcefully, easily clearing the snow slope in front of him. He gazed forward, his vision cutting through all the darkness, wind, and snow to see the figures running in pursuit.

Tarō was a good dog; even in such an environment, he could find Yae's father.

But facing a man-eating demon, Tarō really struggled to maneuver. Just as he was about to be pounced upon, a nichirin blade flew through the air and pinned the demon firmly to the ground.

"Aaaah——!!"

The burning pain brought to the demon by the nichirin blade was very intense.

The demon let out a painful wail in the snow, trying to pull out the nichirin blade stuck in its chest, but it was deeply embedded in the ground, making it difficult to succeed for the moment.

"It seems it really did complete its transformation not long ago."

Chen Nuo walked a few steps closer to the demon. He could tell by looking at its almost crazed eyes.

This wasn't just due to hunger; more importantly, residual human consciousness was still affecting this body. Once the demon's consciousness completely swallowed it, the demon would instead become more rational and intelligent.

Instead of being like it was now, resembling a hungry beast.

"Woof! Woof!"

Tarō rubbed hard against Chen Nuo's leg, expressing his gratitude for saving his dog life.

Chen Nuo stepped on the demon's back, pulled out the nichirin blade, lightly flicked off the blood, and sheathed it.

At that moment, Yae caught up. Seeing her no-longer-human father, she slumped weakly onto the ground and began to cry.

No matter how much she denied it now, the facts were right before her eyes.

Tarō stepped forward, extending his head to try and comfort his master.

"Shinobu, make this fellow behave."

Chen Nuo said to Shinobu Kocho, who glanced at Yae before stepping forward to lightly score a wound on the demon's body with the tip of her blade.

A small amount of Wisteria Toxin wouldn't have a lethal effect on the demon, but it could cause it to briefly lose its ability to resist.

"What are you going to do to my father?"

Yae couldn't sit still upon seeing this and grabbed Chen Nuo's arm to ask.

"Take him back to the Demon Slayer Corps. There might still be a possibility of turning him back into a human."

Chen Nuo said with a sincere look in his eyes.

Otherwise, what else could he say? Should he say he's taking him back to serve as flower fertilizer?

If he said that, Yae would probably fight Chen Nuo to the death.

However, his words weren't entirely a lie. After all, in a few years, it really would be possible to turn a demon back into a human, though it would have to serve as flower fertilizer for a few years first.

There was no need to explain this sequence of events too clearly to Yae.

"Really? But that guy said..."

Yae's expression was agitated, her voice stumbling as her gaze flickered toward Tomioka Giyuu not far away. She didn't know who she should believe; emotion and reason were colliding.

"He's just a demon slayer, what does he know? I'm the professional in this field."

"??"

Tomioka Giyuu was left with a head full of question marks after being called out.

When did the Demon Slayer Corps acquire such technology? He didn't know.

But seeing Chen Nuo's categorical manner, he also felt a strange sliver of belief in his heart.

If demons really had a chance to turn back into humans, it would be a perfect outcome.

"Then how long will it take..."

Yae still couldn't quite believe it, suspecting that Chen Nuo was intentionally comforting her.

"No more than three years at most."

Chen Nuo gave his answer. With his intervention, Tamayo's 'humanization drug' would only be developed sooner.

However, because the effects of the 'humanization drug' would vary between individuals, he left himself some leeway.

Beside him, Shinobu Kocho's mouth moved slightly as if she wanted to say something. Was it really okay to lie to a girl like this? But then she thought, what if he wasn't lying?

Well, as a doctor, it was indeed a bit hard for Shinobu Kocho to believe that Chen Nuo could really do it, but she could also see that Yae truly needed a reason to keep living right now.

"Let me go with you."

Yae wasn't stupid and guessed this possibility.

"No problem. Giyuu, you take them back to the Demon Slayer Corps."

Chen Nuo turned to look at Tomioka Giyuu, who was standing apart. The latter pointed a finger at himself, asking a silent question.

"Me? Mr. Sakuragi, are you serious?"

"Did you forget what Kagaya said?"

Chen Nuo reminded him who was in charge here.

"...Yes."

Tomioka Giyuu lowered his head in response and leaned over to pick up the demon.

Actually, Yae was even more reluctant than him. She was truly worried that Tomioka Giyuu would draw his blade and slay her father halfway there. To prevent this, she gripped her shotgun and stayed close to him, staring at him intently.

"What are you looking at me for?"

Tomioka Giyuu frowned and looked at Yae in confusion. This serious expression only heightened Yae's vigilance, and she glared back at him, refusing to back down.

"You guys head back first. Tomorrow, I'll go to the opposite mountain peak with Shinobu to take a look. I wonder if we'll find anything."

Chen Nuo said this as he split the team into two groups.