Chapter 19: Sun Breathing? Hinokami Kagura

"Pillar Zero fought the Upper Moon demon alone and killed him! No injury!"

"Pillar Zero fought the Upper Moon demon alone and killed him! No injury!"

"Pillar Zero fought the Upper Moon demon alone and killed him! No injury!"

The messenger crow Xue returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters after dawn and began to announce the news of Zero beheading the Upper Moon demon loudly throughout the Demon Slayer Corps.

Not long after, almost everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps heard the news, and their morale was greatly boosted.

For hundreds of years, the Demon Slayer Corps had also killed many evil demons and Lower Moon demons.

Lower Moon demons had been replaced, but Upper Moon demons had never been seen, let alone beheaded.

Because the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen who had seen Upper Moon demons, even Pillar-level swordsmen, had not survived.

Therefore, the news and information about Upper Moon demons could be said to be very little, and there was no way to investigate.

And now, Zero had joined the Demon Slayer Corps for less than two months, and had already encountered Upper Moon demons twice.

The last time was Upper Moon Two, Dōma, but unfortunately he let him run away!

And this time, although they didn't know what level of Upper Moon demon it was, now Zero not only killed him! This also represented that the situation of the past hundred years would undergo a huge reversal.

"Be... beheaded the Upper Moon demon... cough cough... pfft... cough cough..." Ubuyashiki Kagaya heard the news and vomited a mouthful of blood because he was too excited.

Ubuyashiki Amane saw this and immediately stepped forward to support him, let him sit down, and seeing him like this, she felt very distressed.

"Kagaya, don't be too excited! Zero-sama said that your body has not fully recovered yet, and you cannot have any overly excited emotions!"

"Father!"

"Father!"

Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Kiriya saw this, and their hearts were also very nervous, surrounding Ubuyashiki Kagaya on the left and right.

Although the curse in his body had been treated by Zero once, it was still in an unrecovered state, so his body was still in a relatively weak state.

"I'm fine... cough cough... a hundred years... it's been a hundred years! This is... cough cough... this is a sign!"

"For hundreds of years... the children... have been fighting evil demons... the Upper Moon demons have never changed... and now... Zero's appearance indicates that all this will undergo a huge rotation!"

"Amane..."

"Yes, I am here!"

"A hundred years... the gear of fate... has begun... to turn again! Zero's appearance... indicates that the fate that has not changed for a hundred years... will be rewritten..."

"Just like ripples... spreading all the time... until it reaches that person's side..."

"Kibutsuji Muzan! I believe... in our generation, we will definitely eliminate you... my children are not afraid of death... even if they pay with their lives, they will not stop moving forward... cough cough..."

"Amane... please notify the children... to hold a Hashira meeting!"

"Yes."

Rengoku Kyōjurō, who was training his younger brother Rengoku Senjūrō, heard the news from the messenger crow and shouted heroically: "Umu, Zero is really amazing! Actually beheaded the Upper Moon demon, admire, admire!"

"Big Brother, is Zero-sama really that powerful? Actually beheaded the Upper Moon demon alone?" Rengoku Senjūrō felt somewhat incredible.

"Umu, he is very strong! Also very amazing!"

"If only I could become so strong..."

"Rest assured, Senjūrō, one day you will also become strong!"

"Yes, Big Brother!"

Uzui Tengen heard the news and couldn't help but praise: "I didn't expect that he actually flamboyantly eliminated the Upper Moon demon alone! It's really too flamboyant! Hahahaha! As expected of you, Zero!"

After speaking, he hugged his three wives and prepared to go to the hot spring.

Shinazugawa Sanemi, who was practicing sword techniques, heard the report and aroused a competitive spirit in his heart: "Tch, I definitely won't lose to you, Zero!"

"Namu Amida Butsu, Zero, you are very strong! It seems that I also need to strengthen my training and fight side by side with you!" Himejima Gyōmei sighed and continued training under the waterfall.

Tomioka Giyū heard the report and fell into deep thought, then smiled slightly: "It's good to be alive."

Butterfly Mansion.

Kochō Kanae and her sister were changing medicine for some injured swordsmen. Hearing the news from the messenger crow, she couldn't help but exclaim: "Ara, Zero, you are really amazing! I really didn't misread you!"

"Sister, is he really that powerful?! Actually killed the Upper Moon demon alone! And didn't get hurt!"

"Well, he almost eliminated Upper Moon Two at the beginning!"

The wounded in the ward heard this, all of them were shocked, showing admiring eyes.

And Zero had only joined the Demon Slayer Corps for less than two months, and had already killed the Upper Moon demon alone.

Kochō Shinobu felt hit, but her heart became even more firm: "I must become strong! This way I can help my sister!"...

"Is that so? Is that so! Zero is really too amazing!" Kanroji Mitsuri was eating rice balls while listening to the news from her messenger crow.

"Zero is so strong! It's just that I don't know if Zero... will like a girl like me..." Kanroji Mitsuri thought foolishly, and immediately started blushing and sweating...

Iguro Obanai stood on the roof, listening to the news, not knowing what to think, but felt a sense of crisis in his heart.

"Upper Moon demon... although I don't know which Upper Moon it is, I will reluctantly look at you highly, Zero!"

Zero's residence.

Xiao Yue was undoubtedly the happiest one to hear this news, because this meant that Zero was coming back soon.

"Hmph, stinky Master is finally coming back! If you don't come back, I will... I will... I will tell little Kanae-chan all your things! Hehee~"

Zero, who was on his way back to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, suddenly sneezed inexplicably again and felt a chill.

"Achoo!! Strange, who is talking about me? Could it be that dead Night Pot? Damn guy, even if he is dead, he is not peaceful!"

He just didn't care about so much and continued on his way...

In his eyes, the Night Pot was just a guy who looked good but didn't work. Except for being a billion points ugly, a billion points hard to look at, a billion points asymmetrical, a billion points bad sounding, and a billion points more nonsense, it seemed that there were no advantages.

However, on the way back, Zero was thinking about whether to forge a Nichirin sword for himself?

After all, his energy crystals were limited. If they were used up, what should he do if he encountered an urgent situation?

So he planned to wait until he returned to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters to help Ubuyashiki Kagaya with the second treatment, and then see if he could ask him to forge a weapon for himself.

"During the treatment, think about what kind of weapon to forge..."

Thinking of these, he accelerated his pace, and by the way, cleared the surroundings again to see if there were any demons left out, preventing them from making trouble while he was away.

Even if it was daytime and the demons were hiding, it didn't hinder Zero's idea of picking them out and knocking them out, and dragging them under the sun to sunbathe.

How warm and dazzling the sun is during the day. If you don't pick out the demons and then knock them out and drag them under the sun to watch the sun together, it would be too sorry for them.

Returning to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Zero came to the Ubuyashiki estate, and at the gate of the estate, Ubuyashiki Hinaki had been waiting for a long time.

"Pillar Zero, Father asked me to wait for you here, please follow me."

"Alright, thank you!"

Following Ubuyashiki Hinaki, he came to the garden and saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya supported by Ubuyashiki Amane, but Zero saw that Ubuyashiki Kagaya's aura seemed a bit withered.

"What's wrong?" Zero asked somewhat suspiciously.

Ubuyashiki Amane wanted to open her mouth to explain, but was stopped by Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

"It's fine, Zero, just some small things."

"Alright, let's go back to the room first, next I will help you with the second treatment."

"Thank you, Zero, and thank you for everything you did before."

"You are too kind."

Coming to the inner room, Zero took out the 【Healing Chamber】, and then he came to the door to wait.

After a few minutes, Ubuyashiki Amane came to the door: "Zero-sama, everything is ready."

"Well, I know."

When he came to the 【Healing Chamber】, he found that there was an extra data item 【Qi and Blood Loss】 on the display, somewhat confused, not understanding what was going on.

He could only help Ubuyashiki Kagaya with the treatment first, and ask Ubuyashiki Amane later.

【Virus clearing mode has been turned on】

【Treatment duration: 16 hours】

Because there was an extra data item 【Qi and Blood Loss】, the energy crystals invested increased from one hundred to one hundred and twenty, but this was nothing to Zero.

Directly invested one hundred and twenty energy crystals, and then started the second treatment.

After doing all this, he turned his head and asked Ubuyashiki Amane: "Amane-sama, can you tell me what happened?"

Ubuyashiki Amane remained silent. After all, her husband had told her not to tell Zero before entering the 【Healing Chamber】.

Zero saw Ubuyashiki Amane still silent, and had to persuade: "Amane-sama, you don't want your husband to be unable to continue living because of his illness, right?"

"If other situations occur, it will be a loss. So you still tell me what happened, so I can think of ways to treat it together."

After saying this, Zero suddenly regretted saying this, because he felt that something was not quite right, this sentence was strange, as if threatening...

Finally, Ubuyashiki Amane told Zero what happened.

Only then did Zero understand that it was because he had killed Upper Moon Five.

And Ubuyashiki Kagaya was too excited when he heard the news from the messenger crow, and vomited a large mouthful of blood, so 【Vitality and Blood Loss】 data appeared...

"Eh... in the end, this is still caused by me... probably... right..." Zero complained to himself. No wonder he hadn't met his messenger crow since he came back. It turned out that it flew back to announce it in advance...

"Just killed an Upper Moon demon, it seems there is no need to be so excited..."

Ubuyashiki Amane: (●_●)

Just killed an Upper Moon demon... that's all...?

On the surface, Ubuyashiki Amane still maintained that normal expression, but at this time she didn't know how to express her inner thoughts...

"Right, Amane-sama, I have something I want to ask you."

"Zero-sama, please speak."

"Do you know about Tokitō Muichirō?"

"I know."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Yes."

Afterward, Ubuyashiki Amane told Zero that she learned from her husband's investigation that Tokitō Muichirō's ancestors were the first breathing method swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Tokitō Muichirō was born in a family that made a living by logging. His parents both passed away when he was ten years old. Later, he and his brother Tokitō Yūichirō depended on each other.

After that, Ubuyashiki Amane followed the task her husband had given her and went to invite them to join the Demon Slayer Corps many times, but every time she was driven away by Tokitō Muichirō's brother Tokitō Yūichirō.

He even didn't hesitate to use bad words and splashed water on her to drive her away.

Until one day, when Ubuyashiki Amane led her two daughters, Ubuyashiki Hinaki and Ubuyashiki Kiriya, to Tokitō brothers' house again, she found that they were both seriously injured, and even the wounds on their bodies had started to grow maggots.

Yūichirō died of serious injuries, his body had become cold, only Tokitō Muichirō still had breath...

The dying Tokitō Muichirō was rescued by the Demon Slayer Corps in time, but after that, Muichirō also lost all his memories.

Although this was the case, in the Demon Slayer Corps, Tokitō Muichirō could be said to have experienced hellish training.

As a descendant of the initial breathing method swordsman, Tokitō Muichirō was born with the talent of a swordsman...

The things that happened later were the things about Tokitō Muichirō participating in the Fujikasane Mountain assessment.

"So that's how it is... No wonder his talent is so strong, worthy of being a descendant of Tsugikuni Michikatsu!"

"Zero-sama, did you make a mistake? He is a descendant of Tsugikuni Yoriichi."

"Not really, according to the data information I investigated, Tokitō Muichirō is a descendant of Tsugikuni Michikatsu, not a descendant of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi did not leave any descendants in this world.

Even if there were, I guess with Kibutsuji Muzan's personality, he would definitely not let anyone who knows Sun Breathing

If it is said that the Sun Breathing has already ceased to be passed down, then logically speaking, anyone connected to the Sun Breathing should also not exist in this world, even if they do not know the Sun Breathing themselves.

Yet Tsugikuni Yoriichi's friend, Kamado Sumiyoshi, is still remembered, and his descendants have continued to exist in this world.

Kamado Sumiyoshi had contact with Tsugikuni Yoriichi, so even if Kamado Sumiyoshi did not know the Sun Breathing, he must have seen Tsugikuni Yoriichi demonstrate it.

And he would have displayed the Sun Breathing in another way.

From this, it can be inferred that the Sun Breathing may not have ceased to be passed down; for example, it might have been renamed and passed down in a different form.

This conjecture and thought have been lingering in Zero's mind; he feels that his current train of thought is like several knotted strings tied together.

If he can untie these knots, straighten them out one by one, and then follow the trail, he will find the answer he is looking for.

Ubuyashiki Tianyin watches Zero, who is lost in thought, and does not disturb him, instead sitting down earnestly opposite him.

"Sun Breathing... Kamado Sumiyoshi... Kamado Tanjirō... Hmm?!"

Suddenly, he recalls a piece of data analyzed when he met Tanjirō at Mount Yunxue a month ago, one of which showed: 【This person knows the Hinokami Kagura dance passed down through his family for generations】.

Moreover, Tanjirō told him at that time that his father could dance the 【Hinokami Kagura】 continuously for several days without stopping.

Before he passed away, he spoke to Tanjirō about continuing to breathe, and they made a promise to pass down the hanafuda earrings and the 【Hinokami Kagura】.

Therefore, based on this information, Zero makes a bold conjecture: the Sun Breathing inheritance has not been broken, but renamed, and passed down as the 【Hinokami Kagura】!

"If it really is as I think, doesn't that mean the Sun Breathing might appear in this world again in the future! Continuing on in another way?!"

The knotted strings in Zero's mind seem to have had one untied, and his train of thought has become much clearer.

"Lord Zero, what are you saying?" Ubuyashiki Tianyin asks, a bit puzzled to see Zero talking to himself.

"It's nothing, Lady Tianyin. I feel that the Sun Breathing may not have completely ceased to be passed down. Although it is only a guess and has not been verified, I believe that I will definitely see the Sun Breathing again in the future!"

Ubuyashiki Tianyin is also surprised by Zero's words; after all, this is truly too incredible.

One must know that the breathing techniques used by the Demon Slayer Corps for hundreds of years are basically the five major foundation breathing techniques, and even if there are other breathing techniques, they are just branches derived from these five.

If Zero's thoughts and conjectures are confirmed, it means that on the day the Sun Breathing reappears, Kibutsuji Muzan might truly be eliminated in their generation!

Thus, Ubuyashiki Tianyin decides to inform her husband of this matter only after he has fully recovered.

Otherwise, in his current state, he might experience excessive excitement again, leading to his body becoming even weaker.

After all, she keeps in mind what Zero told her: until the curse on his body completely disappears, her husband must not have any overly emotional reactions.

"Thank you, Lord Zero."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for everything you have done for my husband and the Demon Slayer Corps."

"It's nothing. After all, I am now a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps; it is my duty! Besides, this is still just my conjecture and has not been verified."

"Yes, I understand, Lord Zero."

Although all of this is just a guess, Zero does not think the matter is that simple.

"It seems that when I have time later, I must go to Tanjirō's place and see if I can have him demonstrate the 【Hinokami Kagura】. Once I analyze it then, I will know if it is exactly as I thought!?" Zero thinks to himself.

Just like that, Zero comes to the courtyard gate, takes out his notebook and pen, and turns to a new page to record all of this conjecture.

Afterward, he takes out another sketchbook and draws the appearance of the weapon he wants.

Meanwhile, Ubuyashiki Tianyin quietly guards the 【Healing Pod】, waiting for her husband to finish his treatment.

…………

(The illustrations for the previous novel, "Demon Slayer: I Am the Dragon Pillar," have already been posted in the comments section, but some of the illustrations were repeatedly reported, causing me to re-upload them.)

(I will state here that I seem to have guessed who it is. If you don't like it, you don't have to look. Why must you do this?)

(Do you feel a sense of accomplishment by doing this? Do you know how much time I spent drawing these? If you are so capable, come write a book and draw illustrations to prove yourself. Do you really think you are a hero hiding your merit and fame by doing these petty things in the dark?)

(In my view, you are nothing but a pathetic worm! You don't even dare to write a book, yet you have the nerve to engage in petty tricks!)

(Additionally, in the ending, Blood Asura has already returned to the world three years after his own death, renaming himself Xue Qianyue, and his wife in the other world, Lian Yue, has done the same. I won't explain the details too much; you can go read the final chapter.)