The morning sun, filtering through sparse clouds, gently illuminated the backyard of the Butterfly Mansion, dispelling the night's chill.
Tanjirou was meticulously repeating his sword-swinging motions.
Sweat trickled down his forehead, each swing cutting through the air, revealing a solid foundation.
"Well done, Tanjirou! Keep this rhythm, don't let your breathing get erratic! Swing another thousand times!"
Kyojuro Rengoku's booming voice echoed through the yard like a war drum.
He himself was holding a steady Qi Cultivation Technique stance, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his flame-patterned haori gently fluttering in the morning breeze.
He looked as steady as a rock, his fervent spirit seemingly more dazzling than the sun.
Clearly, his injuries had healed remarkably well, and he was full of vigor.
Tanjirou continued his movements, responding helplessly, "I know, Mr. Rengoku... Also, your voice is really too loud; you'll disturb others' rest..."
Kyojuro Rengoku laughed heartily, completely unconcerned: "Hmm! Only a vigorous shout can better ignite one's spirit!"
Himura Ruri sat in a wheelchair on the veranda, covered by a thin blanket.
The young girl watched the interaction between the two—one practicing desperately, the other cheering him on—and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
Just then, the wooden gate of the yard was gently pushed open.
Cheng Mo's figure appeared at the entrance.
He slowly walked in, seemingly still carrying a faint, lingering cold aura and a subtle scent of blood from a night of hunting and traveling.
His eyes were deeper and sharper than usual, as if still retaining the killing intent from facing demons.
"Teacher!"
Tanjirou was the first to notice him, immediately stopping his sword swings and waving happily in greeting.
"You're back from hunting demons!"
Hearing this, Cheng Mo's gaze turned to Tanjirou, and he nodded slightly in response.
His eyes swept across the yard, seeing Kyojuro Rengoku practicing his stance nearby, and he paused his steps, asking in his usual calm voice, "Mr. Rengoku, how do you find the Qi Cultivation Technique?"
Kyojuro Rengoku immediately dropped his stance and turned around, a brilliant smile radiating from his face.
His voice was still booming: "The effects are astonishing! Mr. Cheng Mo, not only has the speed of my injury recovery increased, but even my basic physical stamina, which I felt had been stagnant for a long time, has begun to slowly grow. This gift has truly been a great help! Thank you immensely!"
He bowed solemnly to Cheng Mo, his tone filled with sincere gratitude.
Cheng Mo listened quietly, his face expressionless, only nodding again.
He said nothing more, turning and walking towards the infirmary, seemingly intending to find Kochou Shinobu.
It wasn't until Cheng Mo's figure disappeared around the corridor corner that Tanjirou subtly twitched his nose.
A look of surprise appeared on his face as he mumbled, "Strange..."
"What's wrong, Big Brother Tanjirou?" Himura Ruri turned her head to look at him curiously.
Tanjirou scratched his head, saying with some uncertainty, "I can't quite put my finger on it... it just feels like Teacher seems... not in a very good mood today? A bit different from usual."
Himura Ruri blinked her big eyes, even more puzzled.
"Not in a good mood? Isn't Mr. Cheng Mo always... like that, without much expression?"
She tried hard to recall, but in her memory, Mr. Cheng Mo was always cold and spoke little, making it impossible to discern his mood.
"It's not that kind of superficial..."
Tanjirou tried to explain but didn't know how to describe his overly keen sense of smell.
Especially after cultivating the Qi Refining Technique, his nose seemed able to detect deeper, more subtle changes in aura.
"It's just a feeling... Hmm... like he's a bit further away from us?"
He struggled for a long time before coming up with this not-so-apt description.
Just then, Kyojuro Rengoku, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly spoke:
"Mr. Cheng Mo must be lonely."
His tone carried a rare gentleness, unsuited to his boisterous exterior.
"Lonely?!"
Tanjirou looked utterly bewildered, turning to face Rengoku.
He couldn't understand how that word could be associated with his powerful teacher.
"Teacher is with us every day, how could he be lonely?"
Kyojuro Rengoku crossed his arms, his smile receding slightly, replaced by a more serious expression: "Tanjirou, Mr. Cheng Mo is not from this place; he is a traveling merchant from a distant overseas land."
Tanjirou nodded; he knew that.
"He is far from his homeland and family, drifting alone in a foreign land, trading while also fighting demons."
Rengoku's voice softened slightly, carrying a sense of understanding.
"Even with companions around, it's natural to feel lonely and isolated, isn't it?"
Tanjirou was stunned, his eyes widening slightly.
He had followed his teacher for so long, witnessing his strength, calmness, and vast knowledge.
But it seemed... he had never really considered that his teacher also had his own emotions, and would miss his distant hometown and family.
A subtle sense of self-reproach quietly crept into his heart.
As a disciple, he was truly too incompetent!
Himura Ruri also gasped slightly in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked at Kyojuro Rengoku: "Mr. Rengoku... you..."
She hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Your thoughts... are unexpectedly delicate?"
This was truly a bit... inconsistent with her impression of the Flame Pillar, who was passionate like fire, had a booming voice, and whose thinking was as direct as a blazing flame.
Tanjirou also nodded in profound agreement, a new sense of wonder in his gaze towards Kyojuro Rengoku.
Kyojuro Rengoku felt a bit uncomfortable under their gazes, and he coughed into his fist, seemingly trying to regain his boisterous demeanor.
He quickly brought the conversation back on track: "Ahem! In any case! Tanjirou, you've been with Mr. Cheng Mo for so long; do you know what things he likes? Or what hobbies he has?"
"Things he likes?" Tanjirou was immediately stumped. He furrowed his brows, trying hard to recall, his face almost scrunched up.
After thinking for a long time, he shook his head, a bit disheartened: "It seems... I haven't particularly noticed. Teacher seems very indifferent to many things... Oh, right!"
He suddenly remembered: "Teacher seems particularly skilled in medical arts. When he exchanges medical knowledge with Miss Kochou Shinobu, I feel his aura around him becomes slightly... more relaxed?"
He could only describe it with such a vague feeling.
"Medical arts, huh..." Kyojuro Rengoku stroked his chin.
That was a bit broad, and he couldn't find any novel medical books in a short time.
He changed his approach and asked, "What about food then? Does Mr. Cheng Mo have any particular favorite foods? Good food always makes people happy!"
"Food?" Tanjirou once again fell into deep thought.
He had spent most of his time with his teacher roughing it outdoors, and his teacher didn't seem picky about food; anything that filled his stomach was fine.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
He remembered!
"Ah! Yes, I remember!" Tanjirou's tone became a bit excited.
"Before, in Asakusa, I saw Teacher stop at a very inconspicuous small stall. He ordered something called 'Scallion Oil Noodles,' which looked very simple—just noodles with scallion oil and a bit of sauce. But I remember very clearly that Teacher... actually ate several bowls in a row!"
For Cheng Mo, who usually didn't seem to have a large appetite and rarely showed obvious preferences for food, this was an unprecedented event.
Tanjirou, being observant, had silently noted this detail at the time.
"Scallion Oil Noodles?" Hearing this, Kyojuro Rengoku clapped his hand, making a loud sound.
A satisfied and brilliant smile appeared on his face, and the flames in his eyes seemed to brighten even more: "Hmm! That's it!"