Chapter 157: The Legacy of Kijo Ena: Blessed by All the Gods in One Lifetime

Sun Breathing: First Form — Circular Dance!

The boy’s eyes sharpened, and his long sword suddenly slashed through the air in a blazing arc.

In the instant the blade passed, crimson-gold flames surged from the edge, tracing a perfect fiery arc in the air; the flames radiated the brilliance of a rising sun, illuminating the courtyard.

A wave of searing heat swept through, turning fallen leaves to ash before they could touch the ground, while a ring of swirling hot embers formed around the flame’s perimeter.

The boy stabilized his stance, the fiery arc fading gradually, yet the courtyard’s temperature remained high; blackened, curved scorch marks lingered on the blue stone tiles, proving the dazzling display had been no illusion.

“In the world of Demon Slayer, Breathing Techniques primarily function by expanding the lungs to allow blood to absorb vast amounts of air, thereby explosively increasing strength—yet they do not produce actual elemental matter.”

“But in this real world, flames like the sun have truly manifested.”

“My current strength should be close to breaking through to the Third Stage, right?”

Though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty, his face held no trace of doubt; he gazed at his palm, the fingertips still tingling with the lingering warmth of the flames.

“Unfortunately, what I received was not the template of Kijo Ena, but merely his legacy.”

“I still must train step by step, honing myself.”

“And I must personally comprehend many of the techniques within the legacy.”

He sighed softly, a trace of regret in his voice.

Reaching the brink of the Third Stage at this stage, even with the legacy’s aid, his talent is undeniable—but compared to the true Kijo Ena, he is merely an ordinary mortal.

Many passages in the legacy where Kijo Ena dismissed them with a casual word or two, he must spend long hours contemplating, meditating, and gradually understanding.

Had he received Kijo Ena’s template, and by raising compatibility gained not only Kijo Ena’s power but also his innate talent, he would not merely have mastered Sun Breathing—he would likely have already created an even higher form of Breathing Technique.

This may sound exaggerated, but anyone familiar with Demon Slayer and Kijo Ena would not consider this an overstatement—some might even feel it understates the truth.

Kijo Ena never appeared in the Demon Slayer anime, yet he was the ultimate pinnacle warrior from beginning to end, born with the Mottled Mark and innate World Perception, creating Sun Breathing—the pinnacle of all Breathing Techniques.

He was a flawless six-sided warrior, the only enemy he faced being time itself—the man blessed by all the gods in a single lifetime.

Even Muzan, the Demon King, upon facing Kijo Ena, chose to flee without hesitation after a single blow, and dared not show his face in the world until Kijo Ena’s death.

One could say that only during Kijo Ena’s time did the world truly deserve the name Demon Slayer; after his death, it should have been called Pillar Slayer.

Yet despite possessing such talent, his life was far from happy; he sought only small, pure happiness and warmth, yet his life seemed perpetually defined by loss, never allowing him to hold onto those he cherished.

His reverence for his elder brother ended in the sorrow of his brother becoming one of Muzan’s kind; his kindness toward his comrades was met with expulsion, leaving him with nowhere to belong.

When he met the ancestor of Tanjiro, though he encountered kindness, it was but a fleeting encounter; by then, his heart, scarred and broken, had lost the ability to forge new bonds.

The only thing he could cling to was the conviction to slay Muzan—but even that conviction remained unfulfilled.

Sometimes, one cannot help but wonder: was Kijo Ena’s talent a divine gift—or fate’s cruel joke?

His talent allowed him to reach heights no ordinary person could attain in a lifetime, yet it could not let him protect what he loved.

In this regard, he is far happier than Kijo Ena.

The boy shook his head, putting such thoughts aside.

This world had long since become unrecognizable to him.

The descent of celestial treasures and the revival of spiritual energy awakened latent abilities, granting humanity the potential for supernatural power and extended life—but danger arrived alongside opportunity.

Whether the mutated beast surge during the first Spiritual Tide, the brutal battle that erupted in Qingshan County, or the sporadic appearances of mutated creatures,

Each event reminded him: this world was no longer as safe as it once was.

He had a harmonious, happy family; a childhood friend who grew up beside him; companions who shared his ideals; and mentors who cared for him. As an ordinary person, he was already deeply fortunate.

Therefore, if he wished to preserve this happiness, he must gain the strength to protect it.

Power below the Third Stage was far from enough for him.

Even Third Stage power would not grant him the ability to safeguard everything.

As for Fourth Stage—if he had received Kijo Ena’s template, perhaps he could have reached it; but he received only the legacy. To ascend to Fourth Stage through legacy alone, he would have to fully absorb Kijo Ena’s teachings and attain the very height Kijo Ena once reached.

Kijo Ena was a genius limited by his world; yet as an ordinary person like him, even in a higher-tier world with greater opportunities, reaching Kijo Ena’s former height would likely require a lifetime of pursuit.

But soon, he shook his head again, gripping his sword tightly.

If talent is lacking, make up for it with effort!

Having inherited Kijo Ena’s legacy, he would forge his own path to push Sun Breathing to its absolute limit—until he possessed the strength to protect everyone.

As he sheathed his sword, preparing for a brief rest, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open.

“Li Shuyang, I bought you bubble tea—come drink it.”

A clear voice rang out, brimming with familiar liveliness and joy.

He turned to see a girl standing at the gate, holding two cups of bubble tea, her smile radiant.

She appeared about seventeen or eighteen, her long black hair tied into a neat ponytail, her fair face flushed faintly pink, her almond eyes bright as stars, and when she smiled, the corners of her eyes curled upward, as if filled with sunlight.

“Alright, I’m coming right away.”

Li Shuyang’s face softened into a gentle smile; he stepped forward and took the bubble tea from her hands, his fingers brushing her wrist—its warmth made his ears turn slightly red.

“Tired from practicing swordplay?”

The girl tilted her head, her eyes full of concern.

“I got your favorite—taro boba.”

“Mm, thank you.”

Li Shuyang replied softly, his gaze tender.

—This was what he wished to protect.

(End of Chapter)