Upon hearing Muzan's command, a red light flashed in the eyes of all the demons. They stood up, letting out all sorts of roars. Kokushibo drew his demon blade, its tip pointing towards the mountain.
"Attack!"
With that, he took the lead and charged up the mountain where the Demon Slayer Corps was located.
Caught by a sudden attack for the first time, and with their patrol members already eliminated by Shudo and other demons, the Demon Slayer Corps' defenses were instantly shattered. The swordsmen guarding the gate only had time to sound the alarm before they were dismembered and devoured by demons.
The sleeping swordsmen opened their eyes the moment they heard the warning, their Nichirin Blades already in hand. Even so, the surprise attack caught them off guard. Many swordsmen were torn apart by several, or even a dozen, demons just as they reacted.
But thankfully, not all swordsmen were flustered in this situation.
Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit
Golden lightning flashed, paralyzing the surrounding demons. It was as if a clap of thunder had erupted in the air, creating five lightning-shaped slashes. Wherever the slashes went, all demons were decapitated.
"Injured swordsmen, fall back! Those who can still fight, with me!"
With a roar, a male swordsman with dazzling golden hair and a lightning-shaped scar on his left cheek appeared.
"It's the Roaring Hashira! Thank goodness!" The morale of the surrounding swordsmen, which had been low, immediately surged at the sight of the Roaring Hashira. It wasn't just him; the Flame Hashira and Water Hashira also used their breathing techniques, slaying several demons.
At the same time, the current head of the Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, realized what was happening outside. So, the demons found this place.
He ordered his personal guards to go for support, subconsciously clenching his fists. If not for his body being weakened by the Ubuyashiki family curse, he too would want to pick up a Nichirin Blade and fight the demons to the death. But he knew very well that what was needed now was a mind to command the battlefield, more so than his individual strength.
Taking a deep breath, he began issuing orders based on the incoming information. He had the swordsmen who couldn't fight retreat, trying not to stretch the battle lines too thin. He used his Kasugai Crow to send messages, urging the Hashira in other towns to return and provide support as quickly as possible.
Kagaya's strategy was brilliant, preserving the lives of the swordsmen to the greatest extent possible. Everything was based on skirmishing and hit-and-run tactics, with almost no direct confrontation. His idea was simple: stall. Stall until other swordsmen arrived to support them, stall until the sun came up.
But obviously, Muzan would not let him do that. Although Muzan himself did not appear on the front lines, many powerful demons did. There was a Monkey Demon, several meters tall; a Boar Demon, with two protruding tusks and a head like a wild boar; and a Mantis Demon, whose arms had transformed into folding blades.
Although the average strength of these demons was no match for the three Hashira, against ordinary swordsmen, it was a one-sided massacre. The Mantis Demon flashed and appeared behind two swordsmen.
Swish, swish.
The sound of flesh being cut echoed. The two swordsmen barely had time to realize they had been sliced in half at the waist. In one of the most painful ways to die, they didn't perish immediately, their upper bodies just writhed, letting out agonizing moans. The blade swung again, and the Mantis Demon took their heads. After crunching them down, it went off in search of other prey.
On the battlefield, swordsmen were constantly slaying demons. But more often, it was the swordsmen who were being torn apart by the demons. The ground was littered with human limbs, and the paths and rooftops were stained red with blood. If not for Kagaya's strategy and commands, this situation would have been at least thirty percent worse.
Hah... hah... hah...
Panting heavily, the Roaring Hashira, having just killed three demons, wanted to take a short break. But before he could catch his breath, a slash came flying at him.
Clang!
He blocked it with his Nichirin Blade, but he was still forced back a few steps, his hand feeling numb.
"You are a strong one. Worthy of being hunted by me."
Kokushibo emerged from the nearby darkness, slowly drawing his demon blade. Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from him, the Roaring Hashira's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that this might be the strongest opponent he had ever faced as a Demon Slayer. Tonight might be his last.
But even so, the Roaring Hashira did not retreat. He gripped his sword and charged.
...
Meanwhile, Sishu had also reached the foot of the mountain. Although it was faint, he could still hear the roars and angry shouts from the mountain. Drawing his Nichirin Blade, he prepared to head up.
He had only taken a couple of steps when a warning rang in his mind. He pushed off his feet and leaped to the side. The moment he moved, the flat ground suddenly cracked open, revealing a huge pit. Inside the pit were several rows of thick spikes. The bodies of several swordsmen were impaled on them, likely patrol members who had fallen for the trap earlier.
"Hehe, I didn't expect someone to escape my 'All-Encompassing Cage of Heaven and Earth'," a dark figure drilled out from the ground. It was Shudo, the demon who had led Muzan and Kokushibo. After leading them here, Muzan had given him the task of intercepting any reinforcing swordsmen. So Shudo had dug that pit, killing several swordsmen.
But clearly, his trick had been seen through by Sishu. Shudo didn't give up. He swiped his right claw through the air.
Whoosh!
Under the cover of shadows, three needles, as thin as embroidery needles, flew out, aiming for Sishu's throat. This was Shudo's favorite way of killing, a method that had never failed before.
Unfortunately for him, Sishu was not going to fall for it. With a firm grip, his Nichirin Blade instantly turned crimson. He then raised it horizontally and swung.
In an instant, a massive fiery slash appeared in the dark night. Like a small sun, it easily melted Shudo's flying needles. Shudo froze for a moment, and in that instant, he lost any chance of escape.
The flames swept over him, easily burning him to ash. And on the ground, a deep trench extended far into the distance. Within the trench, some of the soil had even turned into a crystal-like substance.
Poor Shudo, he didn't even have a chance to state his name before he became a soul under the blade.
The moment Shudo died, Muzan, on the mountaintop, sensed it. Kokushibo, who was fighting the Roaring Hashira, also felt that surge of energy.
At this moment, a single thought unified their minds.
That man has returned.
-------
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