Chapter 222: Sacrifice

By now the entire encampment was lit by firelight, and Tanjiro grew increasingly anxious; only the Water Hashira and Sound Hashira remained at the encampment, the others having gone on tasks.

Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the night sky. A Kakushi burst from the thicket, running forward unsteadily.

Behind him, a figure walked out slowly. It was a withered corpse wearing a tattered Demon Slayer Corps uniform, with a rust-stained Nichirin Blade hanging at its waist.

"Get down!"

A figure flashed out from the side. Tanjiro's voice rang out in the night sky.

"Clang!"

The Corpse Puppet drew the Nichirin Blade at its waist; blades clashed, sparks flying.

Tanjiro twisted his wrist, the blade tracing an arc.

The Corpse Puppet's skull fell at the sound, its body swayed a few times, then crashed to the ground.

"Pfft!"

Tanjiro sheathed his blade and said softly, "My apologies, senior."

This was not the first time he had seen a swordsman resurrected by Dio.

But every time he saw a former companion in such a state, an uncontrollable anger surged in his heart.

"Thank you for saving us, Flame Hashira Adult!" The Kakushi knelt on one knee, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Where is the Lord?" Tanjiro interrupted, his voice anxious.

"He's still in the encampment." The Kakushi raised a hand toward the direction of the fiercest flames. "The other Hashira are evacuating everyone else."

"I understand." Tanjiro did not wait for him to finish before leaping onto the rooftop.

Standing on the roof ridge and surveying his surroundings, firelight painted half the sky red, and amidst the thick smoke came screams and beast-like roars from time to time.

Tanjiro's heart pounded wildly, sweat sliding down his forehead.

He had already let Mr. Rengoku escape; he absolutely could not let the Lord come to harm again! He pushed off with his feet, his whole body moving like a black shadow leaping between rooftops.

Soon, the outline of the Council Hall appeared in his field of vision.

Tanjiro carefully observed his surroundings, temporarily finding no trace of the enemy.

"It seems they haven't reached here yet." Tanjiro had just let out a breath of relief when a sharp whistling sound came from the sky.

Tanjiro snapped his head up, his pupils contracting sharply. Under the moonlight, a huge shell streaked across the night sky, trailing a long tail of fire straight toward the Council Hall.

"Boom!"

Amidst the deafening explosion, the Council Hall's roof was instantly blown off. Rocks flew everywhere, and a searing air wave surged toward him.

Tanjiro's heart nearly stopped beating; without hesitation he leaped down with a "bang!"

He kicked open the already deformed door, thick smoke immediately surged into his lungs, choking him into repeated coughs.

But he paid no heed, immediately closing his eyes and focusing on scents.

Amidst the smells of smoke and gunpowder, he caught a trace of a familiar fragrance—the incense the Lord often used.

"Over there!"

Tanjiro drew his Nichirin Blade; the blade flashed, and the collapsing crossbeam snapped at the sound.

In the firelight, he finally saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

The Lord lay beneath a huge roof beam, his lower body completely pinned.

"Lord!" Tanjiro hurried forward, preparing to move the crossbeam.

"No need, Tanjiro." Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice was still gentle, but betrayed barely concealed weakness. "My legs..."

"That won't do!" Tanjiro's voice carried urgency. "The enemy will be here any moment..."

"Listen to me, Tanjiro." Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised his hand, signaling him to stop. "Their target is me. As long as I live, they will not give up. What matters most now is protecting everyone else."

He drew from his bosom a jade pendant inlaid with a wisteria pattern and handed it to Tanjiro. "This is the Kibutsuji Clan's Family Token; with it, you can mobilize our forces and resources across the country."

"Boom!"

With a loud crash, another shell fell, and more rubble rained down from the ceiling. The fire grew larger, and the air became increasingly scorching.

"Lord! Please..." Tanjiro's voice was already thick with tears; he wanted to say something, but Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised a hand to stop him.

"This is an order." Ubuyashiki Kagaya's tone suddenly turned stern. "As Flame Hashira, you must obey."

Tanjiro gripped the jade pendant tightly, tears welling in his eyes. "Understood!"

Tanjiro stood up, gripping the jade pendant. Just as he turned, Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice came from behind: "May you see a world without demons..."

"Boom!"

The entire Council Hall collapsed completely in a loud crash.

Tanjiro gritted his teeth, clutching the jade pendant in his hand. Now was not the time for sorrow; there were still many others who needed him to save them!

Suddenly, a crow flew past overhead, letting out urgent cries: "Tanjiro! Tanjiro! Follow me!"

Following the crow's guidance, Tanjiro soon arrived at the Butterfly Mansion, where the courtyard was crowded with the wounded.

Kanao was busy bandaging a wounded person's wound: "Tanjiro!"

"Flame Hashira Adult!" Several corps members, seeing his figure, as if they had seen hope, asked, "What should we do now?"

Tanjiro surveyed his surroundings, quickly judging the situation. He could smell gunpowder and blood coming from afar; the enemy was constantly drawing near.

"Everyone who can walk, follow me immediately!" Tanjiro surveyed his surroundings. "The seriously wounded will be carried on stretchers. The enemy is mainly to the south and east; we break out to the west!"

The group was quickly organized, with the medical team in the very center tending to the wounded, Tanjiro at the very front, alert to movements around them.

"Whoosh!" A bullet brushed past Tanjiro's ear.

Several soldiers rushed out from the darkness carrying rifles, firing wildly.

Tanjiro drew his blade, and a crimson blade light traced an arc in the night.

"Clang! Clang!"

The bullets were struck down to the ground, making a clear sound.

Tanjiro seized the momentum to close in, his blade flashing past, and several rifles snapped in response.

Before the soldiers could react, they were already struck down to the ground by him with the back of his blade.

These soldiers were merely following orders; Tanjiro was unwilling to kill ordinary people.

"This way!" A crow flew past overhead, letting out urgent cries.

Gradually, two figures appeared in sight — Giyu Tomioka and Uzui Tengen were leading a large group of survivors approaching this way.

"Tanjiro!" Giyu Tomioka's voice was still calm, but his brows were tightly knit. "Everyone from the garrison is already here."

"Where is the Lord?" Uzui Tengen stepped forward quickly; his clothes were somewhat torn, clearly having gone through a fierce battle.

"I... I couldn't..." Tanjiro's voice choked, tightly gripping the jade pendant in his hand.

Giyu Tomioka and Uzui Tengen's expressions instantly turned extremely grave. They exchanged a glance, and both saw grief in the other's eyes.

"We'll speak of this later." Giyu Tomioka gritted his teeth. "Right now the most important thing is to protect the remaining people." He turned toward the group behind him.

"Formation in three layers: the outer perimeter guarded by me, Tanjiro, and Tengen; the middle, combat-capable Corps members; the inner circle, escorting the wounded." "As the Lord arranged, we have secret garrisons in various places." Giyu Tomioka said, looking at the jade pendant in Tanjiro's hand. "As long as we can leave here, there is a chance to regroup."

"Exactly." Uzui Tengen's voice carried a rare gravity. "The Demon Slayer Corps' existence has never depended on a single place. As long as people continue to fight, we will never disappear."

"Depart." Giyu Tomioka drew his Nichirin Blade. "Remember, no matter what happens, surviving is the most important thing."

Everyone quickly formed up according to his arrangement. Giyu Tomioka walked at the very front; Tanjiro and Uzui Tengen took the two flanks respectively.

A Corpse Puppet stumbled out from the bushes.

"Leave it to me." Uzui Tengen's eyes sharpened; his whole figure flashed out like lightning.

The Corpse Puppet swung its blade; Uzui Tengen easily dodged, his twin blades crossing, and the Corpse Puppet's skull fell in response.

Just like that, the group advanced carefully all the way; the scattered enemies encountered were swiftly dealt with.

Watching as they were about to leave the garrison area, everyone's hearts gradually relaxed.

"Bang!"

A gunshot echoed in the forest; Uzui Tengen moved like lightning, the bullet precisely split in two, *ding-ding* falling to the ground.

"Ambush!" Uzui Tengen shouted. "Everyone, hold formation!"

His voice not yet fallen, large numbers of soldiers suddenly surged from the surrounding bushes; rifle muzzles gleamed coldly in the moonlight. In the blink of an eye, the entire group was already surrounded.

A man dressed in a general's uniform stepped out of the ranks; in the moonlight his sinister face could be seen clearly: "You rebels, where do you think you're running?"

"General." Tanjiro stepped forward. "We have always been slaying evil demons for this country; why point your blades at us?"

"Hmph!" The general sneered. "Slaying evil demons? How laughable. You people privately maintain armed forces, secretly cultivate death soldiers, intending to rebel. Today, let you pay the price for your crimes!"

"You've been deceived!" Tanjiro stepped forward. "It's Dio—"

"Silence!" The general abruptly drew his great sword, the blade pointing straight at Tanjiro. "I only know His Majesty has ordered the execution of you rebels. Tonight, not a single one of you shall leave alive!"

He raised his arm high: "Ready!"

The sound of bolts being drawn in unison came from the dense forest; hundreds of muzzles aimed at the center of the group. Under the firelight, a ferocious smile surfaced on the general's face: "Fire!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Dense gunfire exploded; hundreds of bullets poured down like a violent rain.

"Water Breathing..."

"Sound Breathing..."

"Hinokami Kagura..."

Three voices sounded simultaneously; amid flashing blade light, bullets collided with the blades, emitting crisp metal sounds, and fell to the ground one after another.

"Break through that way!" Giyu Tomioka shouted while blocking bullets. "Tanjiro, you take the left wing! Tengen, you guard the right wing!"

"Hinokami Kagura · First Form · Solar Thrust!" Tanjiro's feet suddenly exerted force; his whole body shot out like an arrow.

"Clang!" Crisp metal fracture sounds rose and fell. Over a dozen rifle barrels snapped in response, gunpowder scattered across the ground.

The soldiers stared dumbfounded at the broken guns in their hands; before they could react, a tap of the blade back had already lightly struck their napes.

The three Hashira led the group charging toward the weakest point of the encirclement; wherever they passed, soldiers fell in rows like harvested wheat.

Gradually, more and more soldiers fell; the remaining soldiers watched their comrades fall one by one, fear flashing in their eyes, and involuntarily retreated.

"All of you, halt!" The general abruptly drew the military sword at his waist and fiercely beheaded a deserter, his voice carrying killing intent: "Whoever dares retreat, execute immediately!"

The soldiers' steps froze, hesitating. A ruthless glint flashed in the general's eyes: "See clearly! These rebels don't dare kill at all! Kill one, immediate promotion by one rank!"

This sentence seemed to flip a switch in the soldiers. Those who had just been shrinking back instantly reddened their eyes.

"Kill!" The soldiers roared, raising bayonets on their rifles and charging wildly.

Just then, a sharp whistle tore through the night sky.

"Boom!"

Firelight lit up in the distance; several shells dragging long fire tails flew toward the center of the group.

"Leave it to me!" Giyu Tomioka fiercely kicked off the ground and leapt up; he adjusted his posture in midair, both hands gripping the hilt tight.

"Water Breathing · Fourth Form · Striking Tide!"

Under the moonlight, countless streams of water poured down like a waterfall, slicing down every shell.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Continuous explosion sounds rang out. Air waves surged, dust flew up.

Giyu Tomioka landed steadily, but his sword-gripping hand had already begun to go numb; continuously blocking such massive impact force was a bit too much even for him.

"Tch." Uzui Tengen frowned tightly, looking at the enemies endlessly surging from all sides. "This won't do; the enemy is practically endless."

His gaze fell on the general commanding in the distance, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Capture the thief by first capturing the king!"

His legs fiercely exerted force; his whole body flew out like a cannon shell leaving the barrel.

Midair, Uzui Tengen raised his right hand; a large number of Explosive Beads traced streaks of silver light in the moonlight.

"Sound Breathing · Fourth Form · Resounding Slash Without Gap!"

The twin blades crossed in midair, their edges precisely striking every Explosive Bead.

"Boom!"

Amidst the deafening explosion, thick smoke instantly engulfed the battlefield.

A silver light shot out from the smoke. Uzui Tengen's figure moved as fast as lightning, heading straight for the general's location.

"What?!" The general's pupils contracted sharply; his military sword had just been raised when a cold blade was already pressed against the back of his neck.

"Everyone, drop your weapons!" Uzui Tengen's voice echoed through the night sky, "Otherwise, your general Adult will lose his head!"

The soldiers exchanged glances and one by one put down their weapons.

Uzui Tengen curled the corner of his mouth: "That's more like it."

At this moment, a wisp of strange odor drilled into Tanjiro's nose.

This scent had previously been masked by the heavy smell of gunpowder, but now it became exceptionally clear—it was a decaying, inhuman aura.

Tanjiro's pupils contracted sharply: "Not good! Uzui sir, quick"

"Pfft!"

The general's back suddenly burst open, pieces of flesh rolling, over a dozen rust-stained blades flying out from within his body.

"What?!" Uzui Tengen's pupils contracted sharply, wanting to retreat but it was already too late; blood spattered, and his chest was instantly pierced.

"Uzui sir!" Tanjiro bared his teeth.

And at this moment, the general's body began to twist and deform, something wriggling beneath his skin.

He turned his head, revealing a hideous smile on his face: "You think... I'm still human?"

(Chapter End)