Chapter 60: Bai Yue Is Still Alive!

I’m giving this to you as compensation for the delay—though some parts aren’t drawn well, please don’t mind.

In the starry void, the Space-Time Management Central Station.

The station chief gazed out the window at the stars, then looked at the photo on his desk of him and Bai Feng.

He let out a faint sigh.

“Sigh… Brother Bai, I’ve failed you! I promised I’d take care of Bai Yue…”

The station chief was Bai Feng’s brother—Luo Kai, also an Original Zero, who took over as head of the Space-Time Central Station after stepping down.

The position of Zero was then given to Bai Yue, a space-time reserve officer.

Bai Yue did not disappoint; he maintained order with perfect efficiency, using his wisdom and talent to bring unprecedented progress to Huaxia.

He even developed countless groundbreaking technologies that helped Huaxia enter a highly advanced civilization.

But when he officially assumed the Zero position at age 500, due to one incident, he used technology to seal all his memories before age 500…

He even sealed his own name, leaving only the codename—Zero.

Just as Luo Kai was overcome with sorrow, a beautiful woman in a tight combat suit entered.

“Chief!”

Seeing his daughter arrive, he quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and said: “Xiao Li, no one else is here—you don’t need to call me that.”

“I understand, Father,” Luo Li replied.

“Go on, what’s happened?”

“Father, I investigated the place where Bai Yue and the Void Worm Queen disappeared, and I found something.”

“What?”

“Bai Yue might… no, Bai Yue is still alive!”

“Wh… what?!” Upon hearing Bai Yue was still alive, Luo Kai’s heart ignited with hope, his emotions surging.

“Xiao Li, is what you’re saying… true?! Is Bai Yue… really still alive?!”

“Father, it’s true. Look.”

Luo Li opened a video of analyzed data and projected it into the void.

“Although Bai Yue and the Void Worm Queen perished together, I collected tiny fragments of his dark matter combat armor. Instrument analysis showed no trace of Bai Yue’s DNA—only the Void Worm Queen’s.”

“Logically, if Bai Yue and the Void Worm Queen died together in that multi-material explosion, even fragments should carry some DNA.”

“Though this alone isn’t conclusive, I’m certain Bai Yue still lives—and moreover, T0 was involved.”

“So I suspect T0 used some method to preserve Bai Yue, but both of them must have been stranded in another timeline.”

Luo Li spoke all her conclusions in one breath.

Luo Kai grew more stunned with each word—if true, then Bai Yue might still return to them all!

Bai Yue being alive mattered more than anything else!

He also clearly remembered the words of a former Huaxia high-ranking leader: “Huaxia’s current achievements and progress owe at least one-third to Bai Yue.”

Moreover, he had long treated Bai Yue like his own child, always hoping Bai Yue and Luo Li would marry so he could become a grandfather soon.

Unfortunately, since sealing his memories, Bai Yue remembered only names and missions—he never spoke of his past, nor tried to recall it.

Anything connected to his former life, he collected and sealed away, forbidding anyone—even himself—from touching it.

“Xiao Li, can you find out which timeline Bai Yue was stranded in?”

“Father, it’s possible—but it might take a very long time. There are countless timelines; the search will be extremely difficult.”

“Xiao Li, I’ll grant you some of my access rights—you must…”

“No need for that. Let me try,” another female voice interrupted before Luo Kai finished speaking.

She wore a black-and-white tight combat suit, over which she had draped a white hoodie Bai Yue had made for her by hand.

“Bai Yun! How did you get here?” both Luo Kai and Luo Li asked at once.

Bai Yun was the adopted younger sister Bai Yue had taken in as a child; she too had been a mutated child in her youth.

Like Bai Yue, she had short white hair and a mechanical left arm, her appearance and strength radiating a fierce, gender-defying grace.

“Father, Sister Luo Li, since my brother has news, I, as his sister, must do everything I can to help him.”

“Earlier, I couldn’t come in time due to my mission—but now that there’s a lead, I’ll spare no effort to find him!”

Bai Yun’s tone and gaze were resolute.

“Count me in!” said another voice as a man entered through the door. “Luo Li, don’t worry—I’ll help you bring Bai Yue back!”

Bai Yun smiled: “Yes, Sister Luo Li, my husband and I will help you bring my brother back to you—to marry you!”

The man was Luo Kai’s son—Luo Zhan Yun.

Bai Yun and Luo Zhan Yun were married.

It was Luo Zhan Yun who had pursued Bai Yun in his youth.

But he endured many beatings from Bai Yue, whose protective brotherly instincts were extreme.

Eventually, he earned Bai Yue’s blessing.

“What… what are you two talking about?! I’m not listening!” Luo Li turned away, cheeks flushed.

The three in the room had long grown used to this.

Only when Bai Yue was involved did Luo Li ever show such childish emotions.

Bai Yun recalled the first time she met Bai Yue…

…

The scene shifted back to the Demon Slayer world.

Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.

Zero handed Xiao Yue some [Energy Crystals] for her to absorb, and activated her [Growth Function].

While Xiao Yue absorbed the energy, Zero took a hot shower to cleanse the gloom left by the Infinite Castle and Douma.

He changed into clean casual clothes and went upstairs, opening the door to be immediately engulfed by two soft, cuddly baby balls.

He even caught a faint, clean fragrance from them.

“Zero-kun~”

Mitsuri lunged at Zero and clung to him.

“Alright, Mitsuri, get down—you’re going to suffocate me!”

“Hehe~”

“Where’s Kanae?”

“Kanae went to Butterfly House to get a new pretty dress.”

“I see. Then we’ll wait here for her to return, and then go out for a stroll.”

“Mm-hmm!”

After Mitsuri slid off Zero, he noticed she was wearing a loose-necked nightgown, her two deep, snow-white mounds nearly exposed.

Her upper body seemed… completely bare!

Zero forcibly tore his gaze from the two dark peaks, stepped forward, and pulled her collar together to prevent exposure.

“Mitsuri, you should at least pay attention to your appearance.”

“It’s fine—I’m only showing it to you, so I don’t care!”

“Even for me, it’s not acceptable. We’re not at that level yet. This is disrespectful to you.”

“Alright~ I’ll listen to you.”

Though Mitsuri felt a pang of disappointment, she was also delighted—it meant Zero truly cared for her.

Xiao Yue had just finished absorbing the [Energy Crystals], growing into a 1.5-meter-tall girl. During the time Zero and Mitsuri stepped out, she changed into the outfit Zero had bought for her.

A white dress with long, flowing sleeves, paired with her blue hair, made her look like a beautiful little shrine maiden angel.

“Master, I’m changed,” Xiao Yue called from the door.

Zero and Mitsuri entered.

Mitsuri rushed forward and hugged Xiao Yue tightly.

“So cute~! Xiao Yue-chan is absolutely adorable!”

Trapped against Mitsuri’s chest, Xiao Yue could only make “Mmmmmm” sounds—her breathing was blocked, she was suffocating!

Zero: “Mitsuri, put Xiao Yue down—she’s about to suffocate.”

Mitsuri: “Ah! Sorry, sorry, Xiao Yue-chan! I didn’t mean to!”

Released, Xiao Yue gasped huge breaths of fresh air—it felt like she had truly been on the verge of death.

She looked at Mitsuri, sensing she had something to say to the Master.

So she spoke: “Master, I’ll go to Butterfly House to pick up Kanae.”

Moments later.

Mitsuri spoke first: “Zero, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Xiao Yue-chan told me your world is a distant starry sky. Can you tell me… what the stars are really like?”

During the time she was recovering at Zero’s residence, Mitsuri often asked Xiao Yue about Zero, and Xiao Yue shared what she knew.

Thus, Mitsuri came to understand Zero more and more.

But she was human—and humans age and die.

She feared she could not continue to accompany Zero.

Humans are selfish—even Mitsuri had her own small desires.

She also longed to stay with Zero forever, until old age, sickness, and death, lying together in the same coffin.

Zero had lived so long—what about her?

And her good friend, Butterfly Kanae.

How long could they both live?

Ten years? Thirty years? Or fifty?

Seeing this, Zero smiled faintly, drew the curtains and shut the window, then turned off the light.

He walked to Mitsuji’s side and embraced her.

Mitsuji’s heart fluttered like a startled deer, nervous and tense.

Then Zero activated the [Analytical Glasses]’ projection mode and played for her some recordings from the stars.

Inside the room, stars sparkled all around, the Milky Way flowed gently, and meteorites formed a path beneath them.

Various star systems orbited around the two of them.

To Mitsuji’s eyes, it was all filled with wonder.

“So beautiful…”

Mitsuji tried to touch one of the meteorites—but her hand passed right through it.

“Zero, I…”

“What is it, Mitsuji?”

After a moment of silence, Mitsuji made up her mind.

“Zero, you’ll always stay with me and Kanae, right?”

“Of course. Once the matter with Muzan Kibutsuji is settled, wherever I go, I’ll take both of you with me.”

“Then… will you take me?”

“Huh?!”

“Will you… take me?” she finished, covering her cheeks with both hands, blushing fiercely, unable to meet Zero’s gaze.

She nearly pressed her face into her chest.

In truth, Mitsuji said this because of her inner unease and fear!

Every moment with Zero brought her joy and happiness.

Yet deep inside, she felt uneasy—Zero had lived so long, endured so much—how much pain must he carry in his heart?

She feared losing Zero.

So for his sake, she wanted to give him her most precious thing.

Even if Zero later chose to leave her, she would have no regrets—she would live alone, without complaint.

But clearly, this was impossible—Zero would never abandon Mitsuji.

And if Mitsuji could think of this, how could Zero not have considered it too?

The moment Mitsuji spoke those words, Zero already knew what she feared.

“Mitsuji.”

Hearing Zero call her name, Mitsuji lifted her head and met his gaze.

Zero cupped her cheeks and kissed her.

Mitsuji’s eyes widened, then grew hazy; her arms instinctively wrapped around Zero’s neck.

Long moments passed before their lips parted.

A glistening thread stretched between them.

“Mitsuji, I won’t take your body now—but I swear, no matter what, I will never abandon you, never forsake you. I will protect you, Kanae, and Luo Li with my life.”

Mitsuji, of course, knew about Luo Li.

In that moment, her unease and fear vanished entirely; tears of happiness streamed down her eyes.

Her heart was filled to overflowing with joy.

“Yes! I won’t leave you either, ever! Zero, if there’s a chance, I want to meet Sister Luo Li too.”

“You will.”

The two embraced tightly again, listening to each other’s heartbeats, feeling each other’s warmth and breath.

“Huh? What happened while I was gone? Tell me, please? Hehe~” Kanae appeared at the door, a mischievous smile on her face as she watched them.

“Ah~!” Mitsuji shrieked, as if caught in flagrante delicto, and dashed to the bed, diving under the covers.

Only her lower half remained exposed—classic case of covering the head but leaving the rear bare.

Zero chuckled helplessly—just moments ago, Mitsuji had been so tender, and now she was acting like a shy kitten.

Xiao Yue and Kanae walked into the room, holding hands.

Kanae wore a pink kimono patterned with cherry blossoms, her long hair loosely falling, a butterfly hairpin adorning her side lock, making her appear gentle and virtuous.

“Kanae, you look beautiful in that kimono!” Zero praised without hesitation.

Hearing her beloved man praise her so, Kanae blushed softly.

“Let’s all get ready—I’ll take you all out for a stroll.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Mm, I’ll follow your lead.”

Then Zero went to the bed, lifted the covers, and picked Mitsuji up.

“Mitsuji, I’ve prepared clothes for you—they’re in the bathroom. Go change. We’re leaving soon.”

“Mm~” Mitsuji’s cheeks were still flushed; she hurried to the bathroom to change.

Afterwards, Zero summoned his Hachirō, Snow, and told it to relay to Ubuyashiki Kagaya that he would be taking his household out for a walk; if anything urgent arose, Snow could deliver the message.

“Snow, thanks for running this errand—I’ll wait here for you, then we’ll go out together.”

“It’s no trouble, Master.”

Not long after, Mitsuji returned to the room, dressed.

She wore a sleeveless white sweater and a tight-fitting skirt.

Zero had made this outfit himself during his free time—it was breathable and prevented sweating.

On Mitsuji, it made her look like a ripe peach, tempting one to take a bite.

Zero had secretly designed it this way—he didn’t want anyone else seeing Mitsuji’s skin, not even other women; if anyone was to see it, it would be only him.

So he planned to find the tailor who made the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and have them make Mitsuji a new one.

He remembered the tailor’s name was Maeda Masao—a bespectacled man! Others said he was a bit lecherous…

“Maeda Masao, huh? I’ll remember you! If you dare refuse… hmph!” Zero thought.

Maeda Masao, who was currently sewing the uniforms, suddenly sneezed—a chill shot straight to the crown of his head.

“Achoo~ Why do I always feel like someone’s thinking about me?”

Then Zero led the three women downstairs. Kotohime had also changed into new clothes, and the four children—Takeshi and the others—were ready.

Hearing Zero planned to take them all out for fun, they were overjoyed.

“Aunt Kotohime, are we all ready?”

“Yes, everything’s ready.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Alright.”

Leading them out of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, past its outer perimeter, Zero retrieved the [Nano-Space Armor Vehicle] from his [Nanospace].

Each person entered the rear compartment in turn; Xiao Yue sat in the front passenger seat, hugging Snow, Yan, and Li—the three Hachirō.

“Departure.”

……………

……………

One year later.

Sogekyō Mountain.

Tanjiro completed Sanko Sajin’s trial, splitting the massive boulder.

After resting a day, he rose early the next morning, preparing for the Mount Tsuzuri examination…