Chapter 85

Yan Meng stood on the train’s cab, sensing that things were not going well.

So far, there was no sign of any spiritual core being destroyed.

“Seems like it’s not going well~ Not a single spiritual core has been shattered yet…”

“Whatever. At least I’ve successfully delayed time—close enough to completion.”

This was also part of Yan Meng’s plan.

He had tampered with the tickets; once the conductor cut them, the technique would activate, forcing people into deep sleep.

During this time, he fused himself with the Infinite Train, making all passengers and demon slayers effectively trapped inside his body.

Then he could swallow all two hundred passengers and demon slayers in the carriages at once.

Once he completed Muzan’s task, he would receive Muzan’s blood as a reward.

His strength would surge dramatically.

Then he could request Muzan to challenge an Upper Moon demon to a blood duel, getting closer to Muzan himself.

Thinking of this, Yan Meng was ecstatic, his face flushed, feeling as if all of this were a dream!

Sui Zi stared at Zero before her, overwhelmed by an inexplicable pressure, unsure how to respond.

Even if she wanted to destroy his spiritual core now, the chance was already lost.

Meanwhile, Zero was thinking hard about how to break free from this dream and return to reality.

The dream may be beautiful, but it is still just a dream!

To live forever in a dream—what difference is there from being a living corpse?

“Have you seen the face of the person you mentioned?”

“I… I have seen him…”

“Then describe his appearance to me.”

Helplessly, Sui Zi could only truthfully describe the man’s appearance and key features.

Zero took pen and paper and drew the man’s likeness based on her description, then analyzed it with his [Analytical Glasses].

This might reveal a way to escape the dream.

Soon, the portrait based on Sui Zi’s description was complete.

He showed it to her and asked: “Is this what he looks like?”

Sui Zi glanced at it once and was stunned—it wasn’t just similar, it was identical!

“Y-yes… that’s exactly him…” Sui Zi replied.

After confirmation, Zero activated his [Analytical Glasses] to analyze the portrait.

[Analyzing… Analysis complete]

[Name: Yan Meng—Dream Demon]

[Gender: Male]

[Age: Over 100 years]

[Rank: Lower Moon One of the Twelve Kizuki]

[Superior: Muzan Kibutsuji]

[Blood Demon Art: Forced Sleep Whisper, Forced Sleep Gaze]

[Special Ability: Dream Rope]

[Note: The blood demon art of “Yan Meng” forcibly induces sleep and dreaming in opponents, allowing control over dream figures and objects. Only suicide within the dream can awaken the victim.]

[Profile: …]

“So that’s how it is…”

Looking at the [Analytical Glasses] data, Zero now knew exactly what to do next.

But there was still one problem: what to do with Sui Zi?

“How do you plan to leave my dream?”

“He said that if I destroy the dream’s master’s spiritual core, I’ll automatically wake up…”

“Hah… how ridiculous.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Ask.”

“Why leave the dream? Here, you can have everything you want, reunite with your family—isn’t that wonderful?”

Sui Zi blurted out everything she wanted to say.

Zero smiled faintly and replied: “A dream is still just a dream—no matter how long you sleep, you must wake up. If you remain lost in this dream, you’re no different from a corpse. Even if you’re alive, you’re merely a living corpse trapped in illusion. The past is past. Facing reality is what you must do. All you can do now is live well.”

These words echoed repeatedly in Sui Zi’s mind.

“A dream is just a dream… I can’t go back…”

Yes, a dream is just a dream—even if things change, the past cannot be reclaimed.

As if a mental lock had opened, Sui Zi finally understood something.

In the dream, she could reunite with her family—but what of reality?

What must be faced, must be faced. Escaping reality is only self-deception.

Realizing this, Sui Zi felt a heavy burden lift, and tears spilled freely.

At that moment, flames suddenly ignited on Zero’s wrist.

The flames enveloped his entire body in an instant, yet caused him no harm.

Soon, Zero transformed into a new form.

He held a Sun Wheel Scythe, wore a white trench coat and metal boots, and his hair had grown long and white.

This was his appearance after three years in the Demon Slayer Corps.

“Is this… Nezuko’s blood demon art? Is she waking me up… Good girl, thank you.”

Zero also noticed Sui Zi’s figure on the bed gradually fading, clearly preparing to leave his dream.

As she departed, Sui Zi said to Zero: “Thank you…”

Then she vanished into the dream.

Zero prepared to leave his dream too—but before he did, he had one thing to do.

“Rose, contact Luo Li.”

[Yes, Creator.]

Soon, Luo Li arrived in Zero’s room.

“Zero, why did you call me? Huh? Why do you look like this…”

Before she finished speaking, Zero pulled Luo Li into his arms and kissed her deeply.

Feeling the warmth and breath of his lips, Luo Li slowly closed her eyes.

Though she didn’t understand what had happened, in this moment, her heart was filled with pure happiness.

Long moments passed before their lips parted.

Luo Li cupped Zero’s face, gazing at him with tender eyes brimming with love.

“Even though it’s just a dream, seeing you again has made me so happy. Luo Li, wait for me to return!”

Luo Li didn’t understand why he said this—his words made it clear he was leaving.

Luo Li didn’t understand why he said those things; from his words, she sensed he was leaving.

“I’m sorry—I must leave. This is the only way I can truly see you again.”

Seeing Zero prepare to depart, Luo Li clung to him tightly, unwilling to let go.

Helpless, he forcibly broke free from her embrace and turned toward the door.

Helpless, she forcibly broke free from Luo Li’s embrace and turned to walk toward the door.

Zero did not turn back at her cry—he kept running outward.

He reached the rooftop, gazing down at the view below.

But time was running out—he had to leave!

“Yan Meng, though you let me see my beloved again, my dream is not something a lowly trash like you can invade!!!”

He then drew one of the [Dark Alloy Model Four] blades and pressed it to his throat.

“Suicide ends the dream and returns me to reality… Hah, Yan Meng, don’t underestimate the hot-blooded sons of Huaxia!!!”

With a roar, he slashed his own throat.

He roared loudly and slashed his own throat.

Blood sprayed—Zero’s form vanished from the spot.

Infinite Train.

Zero opened his eyes, awakening from the dream.

He glanced beside him: Rengoku, Inosuke, and Shinobu were still asleep.

Only Tanjiro and Nezuko were gone.

A burned rope still tied his wrist.

Clearly, it had been severed by Nezuko’s blood demon art.

“Thank you.” A girl’s voice came from behind Zero.

Zero turned around—he knew who it was.

Zero turned his head and knew who it was.

Sui Zi.

Behind her, she carried another unconscious girl.

“Hurry and find a place to hide.”

“Mm, you… be careful.”

Then, Sui Zi carried the other girl out of the carriage.

Yet shortly after Sui Zi left, as Zero prepared to awaken the others, the infinite train carriage transformed into an entirely different scene.

The carriage walls were wrapped in disgusting fleshy membranes, with slimy tentacles extending outward.

Inoosuke also awoke at this moment, leaping up and smashing through the ceiling, shouting his battle cry: “Charge Straight Ahead!”

Zenitsu, though still asleep, unleashed his power at this instant—his body turned into a golden lightning bolt, surging forward!

Looking at the surroundings, reeking of demon stench, Zero felt a wave of nausea.

“Disgusting!”

He drew his Nichirin Scythe and tightened his grip.

Nichirin Scythe—Hekito Manifest!

Shuu!

A blur flashed past.

The Nichirin Scythe in his hand spun at an unbelievable speed, reducing every tentacle it touched into fragments!

In just a few breaths, he slashed back and forth a thousand times within the carriage.

Bam!

The violent attacks caused the Infinite Train to shudder violently, nearly derailing.

“Aaaahhhhh!!”

A piercing scream echoed inside the carriage.

“What’s going on?” Enmu asked, confused.

Since Enmu’s body had merged with the Infinite Train, Zero’s attacks—combined with the effect of Hekito—sent searing, soul-rending pain through him!!

His regeneration ability was also restricted!

Meanwhile, in the frontmost carriage, Tanjiro was also fighting.

The earlier collision had thrown him off balance; he rolled into another carriage, smashing a large hole through the door.

“What’s happening?! Is the demon attacking?!!”

No time to think—he saw the tentacles lashing out again, grabbing sleeping passengers, preparing to devour them.

Tanjiro rose, grabbed his Nichirin Blade once more, and severed every tentacle.

But the carriage aisle was too narrow—he couldn’t fully unleash his strength!

Tap… tap… tap…

Kyojuro Rengoku also awoke at this moment. Seeing what had happened, he felt it was his failure as a Pillar.

“Hmm…~ During my nap, this happened~

Who would’ve thought, who would’ve thought~ I, a Pillar, am truly useless~ If there were a hole here, I’d crawl right in!!!”

Shuu!

Bam! Bam! Bam!…

Kyojuro Rengoku swung his Flame Blade, slashing rapidly!

The carriage ignited as if on fire, causing another violent collision that nearly derailed the train again.

Thud!

Tanjiro had just pulled his head out of the door when he rolled over again, landing flat on his back.

“What now?! Another violent jolt like before—is the demon really launching an attack?!” Tanjiro thought.

“Tanjiro!” Kyojuro Rengoku appeared before him.

“Mr. Rengoku!!”

“Tanjiro, I’ll be brief: before I came here, Zero and I have already struck countless times—the demon cannot regenerate for now!

The train has eight carriages. Zero and I will protect the last seven; the remaining one is guarded by the demon girl Nezuko and the blond boy.”

“You and the boar-headed boy find the demon’s neck and cut it off!”

“But, Mr. Rengoku, the demon has merged with the train…”

“No matter what form the demon takes, as long as it’s a demon, it has a neck! Zero and I will monitor the carriages—you must hold firm!”

Seeing Kyojuro Rengoku’s serious expression, Tanjiro understood what he must do next.

“Yes, I understand!”

Immediately, Kyojuro Rengoku vanished from Tanjiro’s sight, joining Zero to protect the final seven carriages.

“Incredible! He disappeared in an instant… No no! Now’s not the time to think about that, idiot! I must find the demon’s neck!”

He picked up his Nichirin Blade and headed toward the train’s front.

The closer he got to the front, the stronger the demon’s stench became.

“Inoosuke! Inoosuke, where are you?”

Tanjiro called out as he advanced toward the front.

“Shut up!” Inoosuke’s voice came from outside the roof.

“On top?” Without hesitation, he climbed up to meet Inoosuke and search for the demon’s neck.

“Damn it! That big-eyed gurgling bastard dared to order me around! And that black-and-white bird-wing guy ignored me… but those two… are incredibly strong!! It’s infuriating, aaaaaah!!”

Inoosuke’s inner frustration boiled over as he ran, shouting.

“Inoosuke, we must find the demon’s neck and cut it off!”

“I know already!! And I’ve found it! Thanks to my Seventh Style, I located its weak point—yeeehaaah!!”

Tanjiro suddenly remembered—Inoosuke’s Seventh Style could sense everything.

Plus, the wind was too strong, scattering the scent—he couldn’t detect it himself.

Since Inoosuke said it was ahead, Tanjiro trusted him completely.

Then Tanjiro climbed onto the roof, joined Inoosuke, and together they headed toward the train’s front.

Inoosuke arrived first at the train’s front, swung his twin blades, and split open the roof of the locomotive cab.

Inside stood a conductor!

“Who are you? What are you doing here?! Get… get out right now!” the conductor barked.

Inoosuke ignored him—he sensed the demon’s neck was right here!

He raised his twin blades and brought them down.

Suddenly, numerous arms burst forth from within the cab, attacking Inoosuke.

Inoosuke had to retreat, swinging his blades to strike the arms.

But there were too many—he couldn’t react fast enough; his hands and feet were seized and pinned down by other arms, immobilized!

Water Breathing. Seventh Style. Twisting Vortex!

Tanjiro arrived just in time, twisting his body and spinning his Nichirin Blade, severing every arm and rescuing Inoosuke.

The force of this strike further destroyed the cab.

Enmu’s neck was wounded, and he let out another horrific scream.