Chapter 170: Thank You, Mr. Dao

Lin Yu’s expression shifted between dark and light, and for a moment he couldn’t fathom the chat group’s intent.

If it was truly because no qualified members were found, what was the point of this entire trip?

Lin Yu’s head throbbed with exasperation; after a moment’s thought, he decided to chase after them first.

But even as he chased, he would never abandon this world he had already discovered.

Without hesitation, Lin Yu turned around and addressed the family of three about to step into hell:

“All three of you—yes, I’m talking to you—wait a moment!”

“...”

A voice resonated from the soul level; all three froze, turning to stare at Lin Yu in bewilderment.

“Can he see us?”

The mother shrank back, startled and fearful, hiding behind her husband and son.

The father soothed his wife, then stepped in front of Rai, gazing at Lin Yu with a grave voice: “We’ve already chosen to descend into hell to atone. Must you pursue us to total annihilation?”

“Who said anything about annihilation?”

Lin Yu snapped back, then fixed his gaze on Rai: “When I killed you, I extracted your ghost-blood essence and infused it into this Sun Wheel Blade.”

“According to my design, whoever wields this blade can use your ability through their blood...”

Rai said gravely: “And?”

Lin Yu said bluntly: “Since this is your Blood Demon Art, it’s difficult for humans to control—so I want you to sign a contract with this Sun Wheel Blade. Should the need arise, you may return from hell to assist Tanjiro in battle.”

...Why did he suddenly bring up me?

Tanjiro blinked, confused, and asked Lin Yu: “Mr. Dao, who are you speaking to?”

“The spirit of that demon.”

Lin Yu brushed him off, continuing to stare at Rai: “There’s no reason to hesitate—Uzui ruined your life. Don’t you want to fight back?”

“Besides, hell isn’t exactly a paradise. Wouldn’t a temporary escape be a good thing?”

The parents’ eyes lit up, glancing at their son.

Rai hesitated, then gritted his teeth: “Fine, I agree!”

Lin Yu smiled, swiftly forming a sword finger and carving seven runes onto the blade’s surface, then forged a spirit-summoning contract with Rai’s soul in the name of the Sun Wheel Blade.

With that done, he waved his hand and sent the three into hell.

Tanjiro and Inosuke stared at him, utterly baffled by what he had just done.

After a brief pause, Tanjiro prepared to ask.

But before he could speak, Lin Yu cut him off: “No time to explain. I’m leaving immediately. Before I go, I’ll pour all my power into this blade.”

“You want to save your sister? Then listen to me—take this Sun Wheel Blade.”

“When you one day use this blade to kill Uzui, I’ll reappear and restore Nezuko to humanity...”

As he spoke, he gripped the Sun Wheel Blade, and white-hot qi blazed from his entire body.

An unimaginable torrent of qi surged from his palm, flooding into the blade inscribed with the seven runes.

Within seconds, the seven runes glowed silver, turning the blade’s black surface into brilliant silver-white.

The silver radiance was so intense that Tanjiro had to shut his eyes.

When the light finally faded, he opened them again, stunned to see the black-haired boy lying motionless before him.

“Mr. Dao?”

“Mr. Dao?!”

Tanjiro rushed forward, shaking the boy’s body.

But sadly, Lin Yu was already gone—only a strengthened corpse remained.

At that moment, the demon slayer reinforcements led by Water Hashira and Insect Hashira arrived late, staring at the hundred-meter-wide crater before them in shock.

“What happened here?”

Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu, stepped beside Tanjiro, frowning at the terrifying scene ahead.

Tanjiro looked up at him, hesitated, then recounted everything that had transpired.

“...That’s how it happened.”

Tanjiro stood, sighing at the lifeless boy: “It seems Mr. Dao has already left. I don’t know where—he never gave me a chance to thank him!”

As he spoke, he paused, then turned sharply to the demon slayers behind him: “Wait—where’s Shinobu?”

“He was poisoned. He’s already on his way back.”

Tomioka Giyu replied absently, then turned his gaze to the silver Sun Wheel Blade on the ground and asked gravely: “So all of this was done by this blade?”

“Yes.”

Tanjiro nodded vigorously.

Tomioka Giyu frowned: “Is this even possible?”

After a moment’s thought, he knelt and carefully reached for the blade’s hilt.

The instant his fingers touched it, silver light erupted—like thousands of sharp needles piercing his palm.

Tomioka Giyu grimaced and instantly released his grip, staring in disbelief at the pupil-shaped pattern on the hilt.

He lifted his hand—his palm was bright red, no wound, but an unbearable, searing pain.

“...What is this?”

Insect Hashira, Koyoharu Gotouji, stood beside him, frowning as she studied his palm.

Tomioka Giyu paused, then murmured: “This blade resists me. If I’m right, only Tanjiro can lift it.”

That’s... that’s unbelievable?

Gotouji was startled, kneeling to carefully extend a finger.

“Ah!”

A sharp pain shot through her—she snatched her finger back in surprise: “It really is!”

She turned to Tanjiro, intrigued: “Try it.”

“...”

Tanjiro stepped forward hesitantly, reached out slowly, and picked up the silver Sun Wheel Blade.

Instantly, brilliant silver light burst from the blade.

Unlike with Water Hashira and Insect Hashira, this time the light did not pierce his palm—it flowed warmly, nurturing and strengthening Tanjiro’s body.

At the same time, streams of information flooded his mind, revealing the blade’s abilities.

Tanjiro stood frozen, absorbing the sudden influx of knowledge.

Seeing his state, Tomioka Giyu assumed something was wrong and swiftly drew his sword, aiming to strike the blade from Tanjiro’s grip.

The result was obvious—the blade emitted silver light, blocking Tomioka’s attack and preventing him from touching Tanjiro.

After repeated failed attempts, Tomioka gave up, watching anxiously.

Soon after, Tanjiro finally processed all the information, a look of indescribable joy spreading across his youthful face.

At the top of the acquired knowledge was the ability to absorb ghost-blood essence and gain Blood Demon Arts.

But not every demon qualified—the blade accepted only those of the Twelve Kizuki tier or higher.

If the Blood Demon Arts proved too difficult to wield, he could sign a contract with a demon and summon its spirit from hell to aid in battle.

Additionally, this silver Sun Wheel Blade possessed many other powerful functions: body enhancement, golden aura defense, summoning lightning, absorbing fire, awakening spiritual sight.

But these abilities were not all unlocked—they activated gradually as Tanjiro’s physical strength increased.

When fully unlocked, he would inherit all of Lin Yu’s legacy left within the blade.

At that time, even if Uzui split into ten copies, he’d be mercilessly slaughtered.

Thinking of this, Tanjiro’s gratitude welled up—he sincerely said: “Thank you, Mr. Dao!”

“...”

The others exchanged glances, stunned.

“What just happened?”

“Nothing—it’s Mr. Dao teaching me how to use this blade!”

Tanjiro smiled, swinging the blade—golden whips extended from its surface and lashed the ground.

“Crack!”

A single strike shattered the crystallized edge of the crater, leaving a scar seven or eight meters long.

Tomioka Giyu’s eyes widened: “How did you do that?”

Tanjiro shook his head honestly: “I don’t know—I just thought of the ability, and it happened.”

Truly a divine weapon!

The others exchanged glances, all awestruck.

Only Insect Hashira Gotouji showed no reaction—she knelt beside the strengthened corpse, her pale fingers gently tracing its skin, her eyes gleaming with fascination.

Finally, she turned to Tanjiro and asked:

“This is the human Mr. Dao possessed, isn’t it?”

Tanjiro blinked, then nodded: “Yes.”

Gotouji rose, her gaze sweeping over the group with sharp intensity.

“Does anyone recognize him?”

“...”

Tomioka Giyu frowned: “What are you planning to do?!”

“Of course, it’s to study this corpse!”

Butterfly Shinobu turned her body aside, revealing the corpse, her eyes gleaming with fascination. “Do you know what this is?”

“This is a human body stronger than a demon—no, stronger than the Twelve Kizuki!”

Tomioka Giyu’s pupils contracted. “A human body?”

“Exactly!” Butterfly Shinobu’s gaze burned brightly. “Do you understand what this means?”

“It means that if we find the right method, humans can become just as strong!”

Tomioka Giyu frowned. “We already have.”

Butterfly Shinobu shook her head. “No, Breathing Techniques are merely an enhancement of skill. In terms of the body, they merely unlock our potential and help us train more efficiently.”

“But this training still has a limit—even the most gifted Pillar only has a slightly higher ceiling!”

She turned her gaze to the powerful corpse, her voice tinged with excitement. “He is different. His strength is pure—achieved solely through the body, surpassing demons without aid.”

“This is undoubtedly a path entirely distinct from Breathing Techniques—and far more perfect!”

Hearing her words, the others exchanged glances, forced to admit she had a point.

Unfortunately, her hopes were destined to be dashed.

Because the world’s postnatal Qi was severely corrupted, unsuitable for the path of Qi cultivation.

Lin Yu could do it—doesn’t mean they could.

Had it been otherwise, Lin Yu would have destroyed this body before leaving.

After all, this world stood at the dawn of the twentieth century; apart from a few characters inherently good, Lin Yu held no affection for the entire island nation.

He left behind this Nichirin Blade only to strengthen the protagonist, ensuring the protagonist wouldn’t die suddenly and leave him unable to locate this world.

As for whether Tanjiro might grow too strong because of it—no need to worry.

Lin Yu could grant power, and he could take it back. If Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps faithfully hunted demons, fine. But if they tried to meddle in the coming war, they’d have to ask this blade if it would allow it!

(End of Chapter)