Chapter 110: Slaying Upper Moon One

The moon tonight is strangely strange—a blood-red moon…

Zero tilted his head upward, gazing at the crimson blood moon in the sky, a strange unease rising in his chest.

His instinct told Zero that something major would happen tonight.

The moonlight tonight was deeply eerie, drenching the earth in blood-red glow; the surrounding silence felt even more unnatural.

“Snow!” he called to his Sound Hashira crow, ordering, “Scout the area around me—report any anomalies immediately!”

“Yes, Master!”

After Snow the crow departed, Zero still felt uneasy, so he released all his drones, activated their stealth mode, and sent them flying outward to scout.

The four swordsmen stared at Kurohige, the distance between them feeling like an insurmountable chasm.

Kurohige radiated an invisible pressure that choked the air.

At this moment, they felt a fear unlike any before—not of death, but of profound dread toward Kurohige’s power.

Yet even so, the four swordsmen did not retreat a single step, gripping their Nichirin blades tightly, ready to fight at any moment!

They knew clearly: fleeing meant certain death!

Fighting, at least, offered a sliver of hope!

Even if that sliver was vanishingly thin, it was still worth trying!

Akaza stood at the rear of the formation, preparing to flee in the chaos when they attacked Kurohige!

Suddenly, the four swordsmen drew their Nichirin blades simultaneously, activated Breathing Techniques, and launched their first strike!

Each gave everything they had, not daring to slacken for an instant!

Yet to Kurohige, these attacks moved slower than turtles—he merely drew his blade once, and defeated them all!

Moreover, countless crescent-shaped blade auras clung to the attack trajectories; the four swordsmen were either dead or maimed!

The two swordsmen in front were cleanly severed at the waist!

Akaza saw this, his face instantly turning pale, his body trembling uncontrollably.

His eyes filled with terror and despair; the oppressive pressure forced him to his knees.

Kneeling on the ground, Akaza looked even more spineless, his forehead pressed hard against the earth, pleading: “P-please… don’t kill me… if you spare me, I’ll do anything you ask!”

Akaza knew clearly: running meant certain death.

Better to beg Kurohige for a chance at life.

He had decided—if Kurohige demanded he lead him to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, he would agree without hesitation!

Kurohige regarded Akaza with interest as he knelt before him.

He had originally intended to kill him too, but then he reconsidered—there were only two Upper Moons left now, and demons were needed.

This man might make a fine choice.

The fallen leader of the swordsmen, seeing Akaza’s weakness, clenched his teeth in rage!

With his last ounce of strength, he roared: “Akaza, you useless coward! Waste! To fight alongside someone like you fills me with shame!”

Yet Akaza retorted: “Is it wrong to want to live?! You die, you die—what’s it to me?! And why should I die for the Demon Slayer Corps?!”

At last, Kurohige spoke slowly: “Do you… wish to become a demon… grow stronger… and serve Lord Muzan…?”

Akaza didn’t hesitate—he immediately answered: “I gladly serve Lord Muzan!”

Kurohige then slashed his own wrist and said: “Use your hands… catch it.”

Akaza extended his hands, catching the dripping blood, cradling it carefully in his palms.

“This blood is precious… not a single drop must be spilled… or else… your head and body will part ways…”

“But if you earn Lord Muzan’s approval… you will become one of us…”

“The stronger the swordsman… the longer it takes to become a demon… I wonder how long it will take you…”

Kurohige’s words struck Akaza’s ears, making his trembling intensify…

But the thought of growing stronger seized his heart with desire.

Why did Zero, the Zero Pillar, never learn Breathing Techniques yet still become a Pillar?

Why did he earn the affection of the Flower Pillar and the Love Pillar?

The more he thought, the more jealousy burned—staring at the blood in his hands, he was about to swallow it—when a sharp attack struck Kurohige!

Kurohige instantly drew his Void Cry God Blade to block it!

And was even forced back a distance!

Ding!

The Nichirin Scythe spun back into Zero’s hand.

His drones had detected several life signs weakening nearby.

He had rushed over to investigate.

From afar, he saw Kurohige—and the swordsman kneeling before him.

So he activated [Transparent World], hiding himself nearby.

Zero heard every word of their conversation.

Who would’ve thought such a creature existed in this world? Truly, a waste of human flesh!

“Zero Pillar!” Akaza, seeing Zero, feigned joy—but inside he seethed: You bastard, you’re a Pillar—why didn’t you show up sooner?!

Akaza believed he was blameless; the fault lay in Zero Pillar’s failure to arrive in time to save him!

If Zero Pillar had come sooner, why would he have suffered such humiliation?!

Zero ignored Akaza, swung his Nichirin Scythe, and severed both his hands!

Plos!

“Aaaaaaah!!!”

Akaza screamed in agony as his palms fell to the ground, blood spraying everywhere!

Zero looked at Akaza as if he were trash…

No—he was worse than trash!

At least trash can be recycled; Akaza couldn’t even be recycled!

Thud!

He slammed the butt of his Nichirin Scythe hard against Akaza’s skull, knocking him unconscious.

“Zero Pillar…” groaned the wounded swordsman beside him.

“Don’t worry—I’ll kill Upper Moon One.”

“Yes… the Demon Slayer Corps will eradicate all demons!”

With those words, his life ended.

Zero’s gaze swept toward Kurohige, his face expressionless, only a calm, indifferent smile on his lips.

“Kurohige, long time no see~ How’s Muzan, that coward, enjoying himself in the Infinite Castle?”

“Zero… you are truly unique…”

“Heh~ What’s so unique?”

“You’re human… yet you live longer than demons… possess such power… are you truly content to serve beneath others…?”

“Heh~ I merely cooperate with the Demon Slayer Corps. Killing demons is just a side task.”

“Have you never… even once…”

Bang! Bang! Bang!…

Zero swiftly drew the [Dark Alloy Paralysis Gun] strapped to his thigh, aimed at Kurohige, and fired multiple shots in rapid succession.

Kurohige was forced back again, his body struck by several rounds; a numbing sensation flooded his entire frame.

Instantly, Zero gripped his Nichirin Scythe, activated Hebi Blade, and charged toward Kurohige, his eyes radiating unyielding resolve.

As he closed the distance, Zero swung without hesitation.

The slash was blindingly fast—like lightning—it severed Kurohige’s neck in an instant.

Kurohige’s head rolled away, the cut perfectly smooth—as if cleaved by a surgeon’s scalpel.

“Enough of your endless babbling! Listening to you is exhausting!”

Zero watched Kurohige’s rolling head, waving his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.

Kurohige hadn’t even processed what had just happened—

He’d just been beheaded?

Emotions surged—disbelief, rage, envy.

As his head neared dissolution, memories flashed: his human past, his conversation with his younger brother, Kyojuro Enji…

Back then, he was still human.

He had asked Kyojuro Enji: Since no one in this world could match the two of us, why not pass down Breathing Techniques and refined skills?

Kyojuro Enji had only smiled and replied: The two of us are but specks in humanity’s long history—not anything special.

The world has no shortage of geniuses—but even geniuses fall…

At all times, in all places, one must depart this world with no regrets…

Every time he recalled those words and Kyojuro Enji’s smile, Kyojuro Enji felt deep unease.

Worse—he felt sickened.

Worse still, it reminded him of four hundred years ago, another night under this same crimson moon…

Kyojuro Enji, now transformed into the demon Kurohige, had witnessed on that crimson moon night something he could not believe—and could not accept.

He saw his younger brother, Kyojuro Enji, now an old man with white hair, over eighty years old.

Hei Si Mou knew very well that all who awakened the Mark lived no longer than twenty-five, yet Ji Guo Yuan Yi had already lived over eighty years…

“How pitiful, Elder Brother.”

These were the first and last words Ji Guo Yuan Yi spoke to him during their final meeting…

The two engaged in their final clash…

He had never imagined that even in old age, weakened and grotesque, Ji Guo Yuan Yi’s power remained identical to his peak!

Not a single bit diminished!

Hei Si Mou touched his neck, nearly severed, blood gushing forth.

This made Hei Si Mou even more jealous, his hatred deepening further!

He had expected Ji Guo Yuan Yi to deliver one final strike, ending him completely—only to discover Ji Guo Yuan Yi had already died of natural causes…

Filled with bitter hatred, Hei Si Mou slashed Ji Guo Yuan Yi clean in two with a single cut.

The short flute clutched in Ji Guo Yuan Yi’s arms was also split in two, falling out…

These memories twisted Hei Si Mou’s face into a monstrous snarl!

First there was Ji Guo Yuan Yi, and now Zero appeared.

An unprecedented power surged within him!

His headless body erupted with countless sharp blade auras; his upper torso instantly sprouted a tangle of interwoven blades.

Zero swiftly retreated, spinning his Sun Blade Scythe to block the blade auras!

A new head grew back where his neck had been severed!

Hei Si Mou had overcome decapitation!

Yet Zero felt no surprise—he found this entirely normal.

After all, if Akaza could overcome decapitation, how much more so could Hei Si Mou?

But this was only the beginning.

“I have overcome decapitation! Nothing but sunlight can kill me now!”

Hei Si Mou roared in fury, staring at Zero as if viewing prey.

“Is that so? Then let’s see!” Zero smiled, unangered.

If he couldn’t be killed, then he would be tormented in spirit!

Dark Alloy Armor—Armored!

Zero, fully armored, stepped forward to face Hei Si Mou, who had overcome decapitation!

Boom!

He rushed to Hei Si Mou’s face, drove a punch straight through it, then spun and delivered a roundhouse kick to his chest.

Immense force erupted from Hei Si Mou’s back!

Before Hei Si Mou could react, Zero pressed forward, landing a flurry of punches on his body!

A storm of fists pounded Hei Si Mou—each blow carried powerful air currents that pierced through his body!

The cracking of Hei Si Mou’s bones was clearly audible!

The blades growing from his body shattered and regrew repeatedly under Zero’s assault!

Every strike was delivered with full force, granting Hei Si Mou not a single moment to recover!

Gradually, due to the constant regeneration, Hei Si Mou’s stamina began to wane.

Roar!!!

In his final desperate moment, Hei Si Mou let out a roar, his appearance shifting once more.

His face twisted into a monstrous snarl, fangs protruding, and a pair of asymmetrical demon horns sprouted from his temples.

All blades on his body transformed into tentacles; two pairs of irregular, barbed tentacles grew from his back.

Zero seized Hei Si Mou’s neck, lifted him up, and said: “How tragic, Hei Si Mou—look at yourself now. How ugly.”

Ugly?

Me… ugly?

Hei Si Mou was confused.

But soon, he understood what those words meant.

From the reflection on Zero’s armor, he caught a glimpse of his own appearance.

“This ugly monster… is that me?!”

Hei Si Mou never imagined this grotesque creature was himself!

He struggled to accept it—this was not the form of a warrior!

Why had he become this?

“Elder Brother’s dream was to become the strongest warrior in the nation?”

“Yuan Yi…”

Hei Si Mou seemed to see young Ji Guo Yuan Yi standing behind him.

“Then I’ll become the second-strongest warrior in the nation~”

“How pitiful, Elder Brother…”

“Yuan Yi… brother… only ever wanted to become like you…”

Hei Si Mou seemed to surrender. Seeing this, Zero raised his Sun Blade Scythe once more and severed his head.

This time, Hei Si Mou did not regenerate. His body slowly crumbled, turning to ash.

In his final moment, Hei Si Mou gazed at the blood-red moon, as if transported back to that moment.

“Yuan Yi… tell me… why was I ever born into this world…?”

On the ground remained only a purple warrior’s robe and a small bundle.

Zero deactivated his armor, picked up the bundle, opened it—and found a short flute, split in two.

“...” Zero stared at the flute, lost in brief thought.

From the Nanospace, he retrieved a lighter and burned it.

“Now… it’s time to settle accounts!”

His gaze turned to Kui Yue, still unconscious nearby. He bandaged his wounds simply, tied him with a rope, and carried him back to the Demon Slayer Corps.