Chapter 64: Maki

After the selection results were announced, Ubuyashiki Kyojuro received the news immediately; at that time, his eyes had not yet gone completely blind, and the scars on his face were not yet prominent.

The curse’s erosion of his body had not yet become severe.

“This selection produced an interesting boy—he’s so young and already possesses such strength.”

Hearing the constant reports from the warbler, Ubuyashiki Kyojuro, seated on the courtyard veranda, said with relief: “So he’s Gyomei’s adopted son—has the Rock Breathing finally found a successor? That’s wonderful…”

“I hope this boy’s appearance brings even a slight turning point to this thousand-year war.”

The empty courtyard offered no reply to Ubuyashiki Kyojuro’s earnest hopes; after every final selection, he would say something similar.

After officially becoming a swordsman, Chu Yang visited Butterfly House before returning to the temple.

He intended to inform Butterfly Kanae and Butterfly Shinobu, who had saved his life.

However, Maki had already arrived at Butterfly House ahead of him and had told everything she could, leaving Kanae marveling at the entire final selection process.

“We’ll be busy now—this kid nearly wiped out all the demons on Mount Tengxi, and we’ll have to capture another batch to send in,” Kanae said, her tone carrying both admiration and resignation; the Butterfly House was overflowing with wounded, and she couldn’t leave.

“It’s supposed to be the trial ground for the final selection, yet such a powerful demon appeared—no wonder the survival rate was so low. If we’d noticed sooner, many more could’ve lived,” young Shinobu couldn’t help complaining to her sister.

“Shinobu, this situation may be cruel, but it’s something every Demon Slayer must endure. Once Itachi become a full member, Itachi’ll face such cruelty often—whether the victims are ordinary people or even yourselves.”

Kanae warned solemnly: “Though Itachi’re a full member, Itachi’ve always lived with me at Butterfly House and haven’t experienced these things yet—but that doesn’t mean Itachi can remain so naive.”

“I know, sister,” Shinobu, who had never experienced death or separation, grinned mischievously and stuck out her tongue at her sister.

Seeing she wasn’t taking it seriously, Kanae could only sigh helplessly.

As the sisters spoke, Chu Yang pushed open the door of Butterfly House.

He was just about to greet them when Kanae angrily ordered him to the bath to wash off the filth on his body.

This was a place for treating the wounded; it was strictly forbidden to bring in blood and dirt like his—bad luck could infect the patients.

Chu Yang, accustomed to the smell of blood, hadn’t realized this.

In the past, he’d been the first to recoil at any dirt on his body.

When Chu Yang stepped out of the bath, clean and fresh,

the sun had already set quietly; twilight settled over Butterfly House, and the scent of dinner filled the air.

“The familiar mealtime.”

Having stayed here for a week, Chu Yang knew every blade of grass and every tree in Butterfly House—he could find the dining hall without anyone guiding him.

Maki, both legs encased in plaster, sat alone at the dining table.

When she saw Chu Yang, her eyes suddenly lit up.

“Would Itachi sit here?” Maki stared at him with wide eyes, pleading.

Chu Yang clicked his tongue and walked over reluctantly; even after seven days together on Mount Tengxi, the girl’s resentment toward him as a pervert hadn’t fully faded.

In truth, they hadn’t truly spent seven days together.

Maki had simply woken and dozed on Chu Yang’s back, half-conscious, through those seven days.

Chu Yang hadn’t spoken a single word to her—he’d been busy hunting demons—and Maki hadn’t dared initiate conversation either, ashamed after mistaking him for a villain; thus, the two oddballs had said nothing to each other for the entire seven days.

Only after the selection ended was Maki taken by “Hiden” to Butterfly House.

“How are Itachi?” Chu Yang sat down beside her casually, glancing at her leg wounds—they looked serious.

“I’m fine. Lady Kanae says if I follow treatment properly, my mobility won’t be affected,” Maki, having escaped death, was delighted, her eyes curved into crescents: “If Itachi’d come a moment later, I might really have become disabled.”

“Not bad,” Chu Yang nodded, relieved, then asked:

“When will Itachi fully recover?”

Maki’s smile faded slightly, but she still forced a cheerful expression: “The plaster can come off in three months, but it’ll take another month of rehabilitation to fully restore mobility.”

“I never expected my first four months as a full member would be spent in Butterfly House…”

As Maki spoke, she fell silent, looking at Chu Yang with unspoken words.

“Itachi’re not asking me to do something troublesome, are Itachi?” Chu Yang eyed her warily.

Caught off guard, Maki’s face flushed crimson—from her ears to her neck—and she hurriedly waved her hands: “I’m sorry—if Itachi don’t want to, forget it.”

Chu Yang, who always avoided trouble, nodded: “Indeed, I don’t want to.”

Maki’s face burned like blood; her voice dwindled to a whisper, like a buzzing mosquito, until she buried her head.

“Bullying a girl isn’t what a real man should do!”

Kanae suddenly appeared beside them.

She glared at Chu Yang and sharply tapped his head with her spoon.

The sound was loud, but Chu Yang felt no pain—probably because his skin was too thick.

Shinobu wanted to imitate her sister and tap Chu Yang’s head too.

But Chu Yang snatched the spoon away and tapped her head hard, leaving a large bump.

“Ow!!” Shinobu clutched her sister, tears welling in her eyes, glaring furiously at Chu Yang.

Their childish behavior made Kanae both annoyed and amused.

“Why not just listen to her request? Itachi won’t lose a piece of flesh,” Shinobu rubbed her forehead, furious.

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Chu Yang’s lips curled slightly—he felt pleasantly relaxed.

“I just want Itachi to deliver a message to Master Rokujyo, to let him know he can rest easy… and…” Maki bit her lip softly: “About the Hand Demon—I don’t know whether I should tell him.”

Hearing this, Chu Yang grew solemn.

The dead children had likely become a deep wound in Rokujyo’s heart.

Kanae sighed softly—what she feared most wasn’t facing powerful demons, but Rokujyo’s current state.

If anyone learned that the protective masks they’d given their students had become their death warrants, they’d break down.

“He has the right to know. Whether he can find peace is his own matter,” Chu Yang decided to go in Maki’s place—he wasn’t in a hurry to return to the temple, and demon-hunting missions could arrive anytime.

Finally, Maki gave Chu Yang the location of Mount Saimu; after dinner, he immediately set out under the stars, and Kanae couldn’t stop him.

Kanae complained: “This man is as stubborn as an ox.”

Shinobu nodded vigorously beside her, already planning to return the head-bonk next time.

(End of Chapter)