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After a brief rest, Cheng Mo, Murata's squad, and Matsui's group, who had arrived to provide support, set off.
The two seriously injured individuals were placed on makeshift stretchers and carried in turns by the less injured squad members and those brought by Matsui.
Mr. Cheng Mo's left shoulder, after treatment and subsequent physical recovery, was no longer a concern, and he could move freely.
Mr. Cheng Mo silently followed the team, seemingly calm, but in reality, his brain and senses were fully engaged, absorbing all information about the Demon Slayer Corps like a sponge.
He carefully observed their marching rhythm.
It wasn't about rushing, but maintaining a steady pace that conserved energy and allowed them to respond to sudden battles.
He noticed the subtle marks Matsui and Murata made at certain forks in the road or on special terrain.
These were either specially arranged piles of stones or inconspicuous carvings on tree trunks, clearly methods used within the Demon Slayer Corps to mark safe paths or convey simple information.
His selection of each rest stop also earned his silent approval; they were always easy to defend, difficult to attack, had relatively open visibility, and were inevitably near a source of clean water.
Matsui would also carefully sprinkle a circle of light purple powder around the rest stop—confirmed by the Eye of Truth, the powder contained a faint, demon-repelling energy fluctuation.
It was highly purified wisteria essence powder, effective in driving away weaker demons and warning of the approach of stronger ones.
"Truly… efficient and practical survival wisdom," Cheng Mo silently evaluated in his mind, noting down each of these details.
These experiences would be crucial for his future independent actions in the Demon Slayer World.
The journey was not smooth sailing.
While passing through a dense cedar forest, Cheng Mo, who was walking on the flank, suddenly paused, a faint glimmer flashing in his eyes.
The Eye of Truth detected a faint but nascent mass of dark red demonic energy, imbued with a strong bloodthirsty desire, rapidly forming deep within the dense forest to his front-left, and stealthily moving towards a stretcher-bearer at the rear-flank of the team!
The demonic energy was weak, clearly indicating a recent transformation, but it was enough to cause casualties through a sneak attack.
"To the right, three steps away, behind that clump of dwarf shrubs, something just hid there."
Mr. Cheng Mo's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Matsui, who was leading, his tone as calm as if he were commenting on the good weather.
Matsui and Murata instantly felt their hair stand on end!
They had noticed nothing!
But out of trust in Mr. Cheng Mo's previous performance, Matsui didn't hesitate and immediately made a warning gesture.
The team instantly stopped, two members immediately protected the stretcher, while Murata and Matsui simultaneously drew their nichirin blades, looking warily in the direction Mr. Cheng Mo had indicated.
The clump of shrubs remained silent.
Just as a young member looked at Mr. Cheng Mo with some confusion—
"Screech—!"
A dark shadow suddenly lunged from behind the bushes, heading straight for the stretcher-bearer who had just been distracted!
It was a newly transformed demon, its face twisted and its claws sharp!
But it missed!
The prepared Murata delivered a precise horizontal slash with his nichirin blade, instantly severing its head!
The demon's body turned to ashes in mid-air.
"...That was close!"
The attacked member's face was pale, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
Matsui sheathed his nichirin blade, his gaze towards Mr. Cheng Mo now filled with unconcealed shock and awe.
Once could be a coincidence, but twice, thrice… Along the way, Mr. Cheng Mo had more than once, with such an understated tone, preemptively warned them of potential threats—sometimes hidden demonic energy, sometimes even natural trap areas.
"Mr. Cheng Mo… your family's technique of observing aura… is truly profound beyond compare!"
Matsui couldn't help but exclaim, his tone even more respectful than before.
This already exceeded the scope of ordinary medical skills, almost bordering on precognition!
Mr. Cheng Mo's mystery and value rose again in his estimation.
Mr. Cheng Mo merely smiled faintly, still using the same excuse: "My ancestors relied on this to travel the mountains and forests to make a living, a mere trivial skill, I hope Mr. Matsui doesn't find it amusing."
The more understated he appeared, the more unfathomable Matsui and Murata found him.
After several days of trekking, crossing increasingly complex and secluded mountain paths, the scent of wisteria in the air gradually grew stronger.
Finally, after cresting a mountain ridge, the sight before Mr. Cheng Mo made his gaze subtly sharpen.
Ahead lay a relatively gentle valley, and within it, as far as the eye could see, was a sea of wisteria, like purple clouds covering the mountains.
It was not the peak season for wisteria, yet the wisteria here bloomed exceptionally luxuriantly, forming a natural, massive barrier.
Within the flower sea, a carefully maintained path could be vaguely seen.
At the end of the path was a cluster of buildings nestled against the mountain, with white walls and black roofs, simple in style yet exuding a sense of tranquility and peace.
Around the buildings, figures in white or pink nursing uniforms could be seen busily working.
The air was filled with a comforting faint floral scent, and a hint of herbal aroma, barely perceptible.
"Mr. Cheng, we've arrived."
Matsui stopped, pointing at the buildings, his voice filled with pride and a touch of relief.
"This is the outer station of the Butterfly Mansion. Once we pass through this wisteria sea, we'll be there. With this flower sea, most demons wouldn't dare approach."
Mr. Cheng Mo nodded slightly. Under the Eye of Truth, he could see that the entire valley was enveloped in a soft yet powerful light golden energy field.
It was a repulsion and purification force field, extremely potent against demons, formed by countless wisteria flowers.
"Truly… an extraordinary place," he said softly, his gaze deep as he looked towards the buildings that symbolized the Demon Slayer Corps' medical facility.
Passing through the dreamlike wisteria sea, Mr. Cheng Mo officially stepped into the Butterfly Mansion's territory.
Members of the "Kakushi" corps, dressed in plain uniforms, worked quietly and efficiently. Seeing Matsui and Murata leading Mr. Cheng Mo, a new face, they cast curious but restrained glances.
"Mr. Cheng Mo, this is the Butterfly Mansion."
Murata lowered his voice, speaking with reverence, "According to the rules, you will need to stay in the Meditation Chamber for a few days. The Butterfly Mansion's medical staff will conduct some basic examinations and inquiries. This is a routine procedure for all new contacts, please understand."
Mr. Cheng Mo calmly surveyed the nurses who glanced at him with vigilance or curiosity, and nodded: "Understood, safety first."
According to the Butterfly Mansion's rules, any outsider must first undergo a short period of isolation and observation in a designated "Meditation Chamber" to ensure they carry no diseases or other hidden dangers.
The so-called "Meditation Chamber" was a Japanese-style room located in a corner of the Butterfly Mansion, with decent lighting but extremely simple furnishings.
Once the door closed, most of the sounds from the outside world were cut off.
Mr. Cheng Mo observed the environment; the room was simply furnished but very clean.
Knock knock knock.
The knocking was polite and restrained.
"Please come in." Mr. Cheng Mo put down a herbal illustrated guide provided by the Butterfly Mansion.
The door was pushed open, and a twin-tailed girl wearing a Butterfly Mansion uniform, with black hair, blue eyes, and a blue butterfly hair ornament, walked in.
Her expression was serious, and she held a clipboard. She seemed slightly nervous when Mr. Cheng Mo looked at her.
"Mr. Cheng Mo, excuse me. I am Kanzaki Aoi, here to conduct your routine examination."
Kanzaki Aoi's voice was clear.
She approached, skillfully taking out a thermometer, an old-fashioned mercury blood pressure monitor, and a set of tools for recording pulse and respiratory rate.
Mr. Cheng Mo cooperatively extended his arm.
Kanzaki Aoi's fingers were cool, and her movements were professional.
The mercury column rose to a position above normal.
"38.5 degrees?"