Facing this fierce assault, Fang Hao showed no panic on his face; he merely tightened his grip on the girl he held. "Thunder Breathing: Modified, Round Dance."
As his body spun, the blade cut in all directions, leaving a ring of lightning in the air, sparks flying. "Ah! Ah! Ah!" The ring successively swept across the faces of the three demons, slicing open their heads.
Unfortunately, it didn't achieve complete success. The strike, originally intended to sever the demons' necks, was hindered by their retraction, only splitting open their heads.
They retreated back into the swamp, but Fang Hao looked around and saw a fourth figure in the swamp.
That figure was naturally Fang Hao, or rather, Fang Hao holding the girl, to be precise.
Upon seeing Fang Hao in the swamp, the demons only hesitated for a moment before immediately retreating.
No one understood this environment better than them. The swamp created by their Blood Demon Art was not a real swamp; the environment here was closer to being underwater. And since it was underwater, with the help of their Blood Demon Art, they could breathe, move as usual, and even move faster.
But what about Fang Hao? He couldn't survive underwater for too long, and his movements would inevitably become sluggish. Even if he had Breathing and could hold his breath, what about the burden in his arms? She would only die in his embrace, wouldn't she?
Thinking this, the telepathic demons felt a surge of unrestrained pleasure. From such a distance, what could this human do? We just need to circle him and wait until he suffocates. Then we can collect the corpse of a Demon Slayer Corps member and still keep the girl from before. It's simply…
The demons fantasized, though they were watching Fang Hao's next move, they weren't overly worried. In their eyes, Fang Hao and the girl in his arms were already their prey. Thus, they naturally didn't notice the playful look in Fang Hao's eyes.
"As I expected, if that's the case, then you're out of luck." Fang Hao thought, and a sympathetic look unconsciously appeared in his eyes.
"This human is…" Suddenly, a golden flash caught their attention. "Thunder Breathing: Modified, Thunder Return." The lightning, carrying the water from the swamp, rushed towards them.
"What?!" They tried to use their Blood Demon Art to control the water brought by the sword light, but were astonished to find that the water had escaped their control.
Their instincts frantically warned them, "Danger, you will die, you will definitely die." They instinctively fled at top speed, but couldn't escape this fatal blow.
The sword light, a combination of lightning and water, sliced across the demons' necks, cutting off their life force.
The next moment, the demons' bodies scattered, leaving behind countless flashes of light. Fang Hao quickly wrapped these flashes in his sleeve, then swiftly swam to the surface.
"Out." Fang Hao set down the girl in his arms and unfolded his sleeve. The joy he felt from slaying the demons and saving the girl now turned to a somber mood. Fang Hao quietly looked at the flashes of light left behind after the demons vanished.
Those flashes of light in the water now became clearly visible under the moonlight, revealing many hairpins and ornaments.
Fang Hao and the Tool Bird standing nearby fell silent. "There are so many?" Fang Hao undoubtedly hated man-eating demons. Although Fang Hao was a Transmigrator and had no direct hatred for these demons, he felt empathy for his kind, especially after witnessing demons devour humans on Mount Fujikasane. This loathing became even more distinct.
However, Fang Hao had never had a direct understanding of the destructive power of demons, or rather, the casualties they caused.
Now, looking at the relics of the girls devoured by the demon, left behind by it, Fang Hao finally gained a more direct understanding of how hateful demons truly were.
"I will end all of this." Fang Hao's eyes showed an unprecedented resolve. He knew he had such talent, just like Yoriichi Tsugikuni four hundred years ago.
Fang Hao's innate conditions were indeed not as good as Yoriichi Tsugikuni's. Yoriichi was born with a Mark, possessing a powerful physique from birth; he was born with the Transparent World, the opponent's organ function and blood flow were all within his grasp, and with these, predicting the enemy's moves was commonplace; he had an innate Breathing, and Yoriichi created Sun Breathing based on his breathing since birth.
Fang Hao did not receive the treatment of a Child of the World like Yoriichi Tsugikuni, but the legendary compendium brought him the talent of Swordsmanship Prodigy, giving him unimaginable talent in swordsmanship.
If Yoriichi Tsugikuni's talent lay in his lack of weaknesses, being at the pinnacle of the Demon Slayer World in terms of physique, perception, and Breathing.
Fang Hao's talent was entirely in swordsmanship, but this alone placed his talent at the peak of the world. The Thunder Breathing: Modified that Fang Hao used in battle earlier was a sword technique he created.
Thunder Breathing: Modified, Thunder Return, as the name suggests, is a sword technique that blocks and reflects enemy attacks. But the demons didn't launch an attack at that time, so why did Fang Hao still use Thunder Return?
This was mainly because, although Fang Hao was not under attack at that time, he was entirely within the demon's Blood Demon Art, and Thunder Return returns the enemy's attack, so Fang Hao could interfere with the demon's Blood Demon Art. That water was already part of Fang Hao's sword technique, so the demons naturally couldn't control it.
Of course, Fang Hao's Thunder Return succeeded also because of his familiarity with water. His previous exploration of Water Breathing gave Fang Hao a certain degree of control over water. Although the demon's swamp was not water, it still had similar properties to water.
Fang Hao eventually buried these ornaments and then left. Although returning these ornaments to the girls' families would have been good, Fang Hao had neither the ability nor the leisure to handle it. He did, however, have the Tool Bird report it. Afterward, the logistics personnel of the Demon Slayer Corps would surely dig up the ornaments and return them to the girls' families.
Although it would inevitably cause them sadness, the Demon Slayer Corps did not have the authority to dispose of those ornaments. As for the girl, after she woke up, Fang Hao sent her home. Faced with the girl's and her family's profuse thanks, Fang Hao merely waved his hand and departed.
He embarked on his journey to Asakusa, Tokyo.
Although the Demon Slayer Corps assigned Fang Hao to the next suspected demon location with almost no rest, Fang Hao had few complaints. After solidifying his goal in this world, Fang Hao would not refuse such missions, and even welcomed them. Furthermore, Tamayo was in Asakusa, and Fang Hao still needed to compensate for Tanjiro missing Tamayo.
Then, "Tanjiro?" Fang Hao exclaimed, staring dumbfounded at the young man before him. Huh? I was all prepared, and you pull this on me?
"Fang Jun, it really is you." Tanjiro was delighted to see Fang Hao. Carrying a large box on his back, he rushed over and firmly clasped Fang Hao's hand.
"I didn't expect us to meet so soon. My first mission is with Fang Jun, hmm, it's truly reassuring."
"First mission?" Fang Hao had thought Tanjiro's mission had changed because of him, but he didn't expect this to be his very first mission.
"Yes, yes. Fang Jun, does that mean you've already completed missions?"
"Yes, that's right." What Tanjiro mentioned made Fang Hao a little down, and his voice became a bit softer.
"Fang Jun?" Tanjiro smelled Fang Hao's emotions change from surprise when he first saw him to disappointment.
Fang Hao briefly told Tanjiro about his previous mission. "I see." Tanjiro's face filled with anger. "Muzan and the demons he created, all these many sins, one day, he will surely pay for all of them."
"He definitely will." Fang Hao nodded.
"By the way, do you want to let her out?"
"What?" A hint of panic flashed across Tanjiro's face.
"There's more than just the two of us here, isn't there?" Although Fang Hao phrased it as a question, his tone was exceptionally firm. He looked at the large box on Tanjiro's back, his meaning clear.
"This?" Tanjiro took a step back, his face much paler, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Fang Jun?"
"My intuition is quite good. No need to rush, Tanjiro, you can explain it slowly."
"What! Fang Jun is willing to listen to my explanation?" Tanjiro said in surprise.
Fang Hao didn't answer the question, just looked at Tanjiro, waiting for his explanation.
Although Fang Hao said nothing, Tanjiro was still very moved.
Unlike the Tanjiro in the anime who ran around with his sister on his back, not at all worried about exposure, reality demands logic.
His teacher, Urokodaki Sakonji, had warned him long ago never to reveal Nezuko's existence in front of the Demon Slayer Corps. Ordinary people might be one thing, but members of the Demon Slayer Corps almost all held deep grudges against demons. Upon discovering a demon's existence, they would only draw their swords, not listen to any explanations, nor care if the demon had eaten humans or not. In their understanding, only one of demons and them could exist.
Therefore, Tanjiro must not reveal Nezuko's existence in the box, at least not until she is recognized by the Demon Slayer Corps higher-ups.
Of course, normally, a regular person wouldn't suspect that a demon was hidden in the box on a Demon Slayer Corps member's back. Tanjiro carrying his sister usually wouldn't be an issue; it was just that the box seemed a bit unique.
Only those with keen senses would suspect Tanjiro, or rather, only those like Fang Hao who knew the plot would be aware of this.
At this moment, being exposed by Fang Hao, Tanjiro was indeed very flustered, because he had never thought about how to explain this matter if it were exposed. When he heard that Fang Hao was willing to listen to his explanation, he was also very happy and very touched.
"I see." Although Fang Hao already knew, he still feigned hearing it for the first time.
"Sorry, I brought up a painful topic for you."
"No, Fang Jun did nothing wrong. On the contrary, I should thank Fang Jun for being willing to listen to my explanation. The only one truly at fault is Muzan; he is the real villain."
"Let's not talk about this." Seeing Tanjiro's furious expression, Fang Hao changed the subject. "It's evening now, let Nezuko come out first."
"Thank you, Fang Jun." Tanjiro smiled gently, then opened the box.
"Hello, Nezuko." Fang Hao's gaze fell upon Nezuko behind Tanjiro, revealing a kind smile.
"Nice to meet you, Nezuko. Please take care of me." He spoke in the tone of an elder.
However, in his heart: "She's too cute!"
"Hmm?" The girl tilted her head in confusion, remaining silent.
Nezuko, before Fang Hao, was indeed utterly adorable. She wasn't wearing fancy clothes, just a simple kimono made of ordinary material, with a plain coat draped over it. Her attire could even be described as rustic.
Yet, even in such rustic attire, Nezuko was like "a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned," and coupled with her innocent demeanor and beautiful, refined face, anyone would call her cute.
It was a pity that Nezuko couldn't speak. This wasn't because she wore a bamboo muzzle, but because she hadn't yet mastered the ability to speak after becoming a demon.
That's right, this adorable girl was not human, but a Demon. Tanjiro's sister had become a demon.
Tanjiro was born into an ordinary family, making a living by selling charcoal. One day, the Demon King Muzan came to his home, killing his family. Only Tanjiro, who was out and hadn't returned, was spared.
Among his family members, Nezuko was either fortunate or unfortunate. Fortunate because she was the only one who miraculously survived the attack, and unfortunate because Muzan's blood turned her into a demon.
Nezuko, having become a demon, attacked Tanjiro, but eventually, due to her attachment to family, she overcame her hunger and would instead protect Tanjiro when he was in danger.
But Nezuko was indeed a demon, and demons have an instinct to eat humans. Family affection preserved her last shred of humanity, but the urge to eat humans wouldn't disappear because of it.
Tanjiro put the muzzle on Nezuko not because the muzzle could block a demon's teeth; the muzzle was merely a psychological tool for Nezuko to maintain her rationality. When the muzzle was on, it represented rationality.
And Nezuko with the muzzle, as Fang Hao assessed, was cute, too cute! "Zenitsu, you really should die." He feared his brother's suffering, yet also feared his brother driving a Range Rover. This was Fang Hao's mindset at the moment. Zenitsu, who married Nezuko in the original story, now seemed even more heinous than Muzan in Fang Hao's eyes.
——
Tokyo Prefecture during the Taisho period, its prosperity was exceptionally dazzling in that era.
"This, this, this is a big city?" Tanjiro and his sister, who had always lived in the countryside, had never seen so many people gathered together at once. Tanjiro, wide-eyed, stood amidst the crowd with a bewildered Nezuko, feeling small and helpless.
The crowd was like an endless ocean, never ceasing, even late at night people seemed to not need sleep, the flow of people on the streets showed no decrease at all.
Tanjiro stared at the steel contraptions running on the tracks. The crowd and the steel contraptions together showed no surprise, but rather acted as usual, even appearing orderly. White smoke was exhaled by the steel, followed by continuous roars.
All of this deeply shocked Tanjiro, who had never seen a train before.
Fang Hao looked at Tanjiro with a slight smile. What a great expression, young man. Then, he also surveyed his surroundings. Fang Hao had never seen a train from this era either; the foot of Mount Momoyama was certainly also the countryside.
"It's not bad to enjoy the view," Fang Hao thought.