Chapter 68: The Ghost in the Carpentry Shop

Chu Yang was still wondering whether to pretend to be a customer buying katsu-don and casually greet Tanjuro, so he wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

Then a peculiar stench filled the air, interrupting Chu Yang’s thoughts.

He followed the smell and saw it came from a carpentry shop across the street.

The little boy beside Tanjuro also smelled the odor and made a disgusted face, but he was too young to understand what the smell meant.

After thinking it over, Chu Yang decided to deal with the ghost hiding in the carpentry shop first, then find Tanjuro.

After unloading all the charcoal, Tanjuro coughed a few times, then bent down to speak with the boy: “Ah, I remember—before we left, Nezuko told me she wanted a toy. Tanjiro, how about we buy our sister a toy?”

“Okay, let’s buy Nezuko a toy!” Little Tanjiro’s face lit up with excitement.

The “toy” Tanjuro meant were cheap wooden trinkets, which were sold right across the street in that same carpentry shop.

But today, the carpentry shop—which should have opened early—remained tightly shut. Tanjuro prepared to knock, hoping the owner was home and would sell them a few toys.

Given Tanjuro’s nature, he would never trouble others unless he had promised Nezuko before leaving.

The father and son held hands and walked toward the carpentry shop.

Little Tanjiro bounced along, tugging excitedly at his father’s hand.

“Be careful, Tanjiro,” Tanjuro gently reminded his son, unaware that a tall figure blocked their path ahead.

“The shop is closed. Come back another time.”

Hearing the voice, Tanjuro looked up and saw Chu Yang standing between them and the carpentry shop. Tanjuro frowned slightly but still politely explained: “I’m sorry, but I urgently need to order some items. If the owner is inconvenienced, I’ll apologize.”

Then, adhering to the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble,

Tanjuro pulled his son aside to bypass Chu Yang and continued toward the carpentry shop.

Chu Yang sighed. Stubborn good people were indeed hard to deal with, so he followed after them.

Tanjuro, who had long practiced the Fire God’s Dance—the Sun Breathing Technique—though suffering from a grave illness, possessed senses far keener than ordinary men. He sensed Chu Yang trailing behind, and a flicker of concern passed through his eyes.

From the young man’s aura, Tanjuro could tell he was no ordinary person. He knew his own condition well—if this man meant harm, any fight, win or lose, would be fatal for him.

Tanjuro unconsciously quickened his pace, hoping to buy some toys quickly and leave soon.

Little Tanjiro sensed his father’s anxiety and stopped playing, nervously keeping pace with him.

He didn’t understand why his father was so anxious—was it because of the big brother behind them?

But the big brother didn’t seem evil—he didn’t smell like a bad person at all…

Unconsciously, Tanjuro reached the front of the carpentry shop and raised his hand to knock.

Suddenly, a strong hand seized his wrist.

“Itachi’ve gone too far!” Tanjuro glared, still hesitating whether to strike.

Chu Yang made an action that startled Tanjuro—he placed a finger to his lips, signaling silence.

Tanjuro froze. The man didn’t look like he was here to provoke.

At that moment, little Tanjiro’s face twisted in terror. He tugged frantically at his father’s hand and pointed at the shop: “Father, there’s blood inside—so much blood…”

Tanjuro’s face turned pale. He knew Tanjiro’s sense of smell was extraordinary—it couldn’t be wrong. That meant there truly was a great deal of blood inside.

Coupled with the shop’s unusual silence—having failed to open at its usual hour—Tanjuro instantly realized the shopkeeper might already be dead.

But how did this young man know?

Tanjuro stared at Chu Yang, bewildered.

Chu Yang whispered a single word in his ear. Tanjuro stared back in shock—he had always believed such creatures existed only in legends.

Demon.

“Itachi don’t believe me?” Chu Yang anticipated Tanjuro’s reaction. He pressed his hand against the door and whispered: “That demon is right behind the door…”

Tanjuro pulled his son back rapidly. Though skeptical, he felt a chill of dread.

“Itachi won’t be harmed if Itachi stand in the sunlight,” Chu Yang gripped the handle and prepared to open the door. His reason for coming to this town was to eliminate this demon.

To linger in a town during daylight was suicide. Demons should hide like rats in dark sewers.

“Wait,” Tanjuro said nervously. “If it really is a demon, what are Itachi going to do?”

“What am I going to do?” Chu Yang chuckled. “Kill it. I’m a demon slayer.”

“Demon slayer?” Tanjuro suddenly recalled childhood tales his parents had told him about demon slayers—perhaps his own family had some connection to them.

Fire God’s Dance…

Tanjuro unconsciously thought of this family technique.

Little Tanjiro tilted his head. He didn’t understand what his father and the big brother were saying.

But he sensed the big brother was about to do something dangerous.

“If Itachi’re afraid, leave now. After I deal with this demon, I’ll visit Itachi,” Chu Yang warned Tanjuro one last time.

But Tanjuro asked: “Is it true that standing in sunlight keeps Itachi safe?”

Chu Yang sensed this man desperately wanted to confirm the demon’s existence. He said nothing more and violently wrenched the door open, drawing attention from nearby vendors.

“Hey! What are Itachi doing destroying someone’s shop? Tanjuro, stop that man!” The katsu-don vendor across the street shouted.

Tanjuro did not obey the katsu-don vendor.

Instead, as Chu Yang tore the door open, he swiftly pulled Tanjiro back.

Chu Yang walked alone into the dim shop.

Inside was pitch black—no light at all—while outside, dusk had already fallen, unable to illuminate the interior.

“What the hell are Itachi doing?” The katsu-don vendor, seeing Chu Yang break in and walk in so brazenly, stormed over angrily.

“Stay here! Don’t come closer!” Tanjuro grabbed the vendor’s clothes, terrified he’d recklessly rush in.

“What’s wrong with Itachi today, Tanjuro? Itachi’re not acting like yourself at all!” The vendor stared at him in surprise, feeling an inexplicable strangeness. He frowned, shook off Tanjuro’s hand, and stubbornly marched toward the carpentry shop.

(End of Chapter)