Chapter 30: Standing on One's Own
[Breathing Technique (Fist): This is a miracle; it's as if you were struck by a Great Fortune Gu. It was completed in such a magical way.]
[Fist Breathing: Derived from Stone Breathing, it allows the inhalation of a special Qi called 'Haki' into the body for comprehensive reinforcement. It is a Breathing Technique with a higher degree of reinforcement than Stone Breathing.]
"What do you mean by'struck by a Great Fortune Gu'..."
Ryuji complained as his feet seemed to catch the wind. After the Breathing Technique resonated with his body, not only did his attacks increase in power, but his endurance, speed, and other attributes were also enhanced!
However, his current swordsmanship was still disconnected from his body. Nevertheless, he had already decided that once this mission was over, he would take Little Purple back to his 'family home'.
He would consult with Mr. Tetsugane Iwao about changing the style of his blade.
For now, the most important thing was to regroup with Brother Himejima and discuss how to slay this demon named Hikae.
Judging from the encounters during this period, Hikae was likely another strategic demon. Dammit, Doma's subordinates were always these intellectual types.
Using legends to lure the Demon Slayer Corps and then setting traps to ambush them... honestly.
I hate fighting these gimmick-based monsters the most... Soon, Ryuji arrived at the newly built train station in the north. At this time, the station was still laying tracks, with only a small station building standing.
"Brother Himejima!"
Ryuji found Himejima Gyomei easily; after all, a monk of such height was not a common sight in a crowd.
Moreover, there were several Demon Slayer Corps Members around him.
"namu amida butsu, Ryuji, you've arrived."
Himejima Gyomei handed Little Purple back to Ryuji and spoke softly.
His white eyes brightened slightly; Ryuji's aura had changed, becoming much stronger.
It seemed he had made progress!
Taking Little Purple, Ryuji's mouth twitched slightly—why did this feel like a Gu Long novel... He tightened the cord binding his blade and looked at the surrounding Demon Slayer Corps Members, asking, "Could someone please tell me what the situation is and what we should do next?"
"Also, I'd like to rest for a bit. I ran all night, and it's already dawn."
Indeed, the sun had already risen. Workers were coming out of their temporary housing with tools, preparing for the day's work.
Demons wouldn't come out to move under the sun unless they were suicidal... "Please come this way. Lord Ryuji, please have a good rest. Leave the daytime intelligence gathering to us!"
A member enthusiastically led the way.
Ryuji took the intelligence report but didn't lie down immediately.
He quickly flipped through it by the morning light, his brow furrowing deeper: "The north and south districts, three demons... acting separately but coordinating with each other?"
He looked out the window at the busy construction site: "Hikae is clearly trying to run us ragged."
"Which is why we need to conserve our energy even more."
Himejima Gyomei's voice came from the doorway, his tall figure blocking part of the light:
"The demons are waiting for nightfall, and we also need to build up the strength to slay them. Ryuji, resting is part of the mission."
Ryuji nodded and finally lay down without undressing.
But when he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the maps from the intelligence report and locations where the demons might set ambushes.
Forget it, sleep first. Build up energy to act better tonight.
The day passed without incident, and night soon arrived.
After resting, Ryuji felt all his fatigue swept away, his energy abundant.
Every cell in his body was cheering; the reinforcement brought by Fist Breathing was comprehensive, and even his recovery ability had improved significantly.
Even his Total Concentration had progressed a lot; he might be able to master it soon!
Everyone gathered again at the newly built train station in the north of the city.
The iron rails stretched into the distance under the Moonlight. Beside them stood a solitary, crude station house still under construction. According to the intelligence, members had spotted more than one demon figure here.
"namu amida butsu."
Himejima Gyomei stood beside Ryuji. He didn't look at him, but simply said, "Ryuji, your aura has changed again."
He could hear the sound of blood rushing through Ryuji's body, more powerful and vigorous than when they met during the day. His heartbeat was steady and his breathing long, like a crouching beast.
Has he mastered Total Concentration?
His growth speed is fast enough... "Yeah, I've had a small Breakthrough."
Ryuji admitted with a smile, knowing he couldn't hide it from Himejima Gyomei.
"A small Breakthrough?"
Himejima Gyomei turned around to face Ryuji, his expression more serious than ever before. He raised his hand: "Let me see."
Before his voice had even faded, a massive palm lunged toward Ryuji's shoulder with the sound of rushing wind.
There was no killing intent.
It was a pure test.
Ryuji didn't dodge; he likewise raised his fist and met the attack.
Fist and palm collided.
No sound was made.
A massive surge of force came through. Ryuji staggered and slid back several meters before stabilizing himself.
As for Himejima Gyomei, his body only swayed slightly.
"Such strong power."
Ryuji shook his somewhat numb arm, marveling in his heart. Is this Himejima Gyomei? Is this the weight of Stone Breathing?
The distance between them was quite far... "namu amida butsu."
Himejima Gyomei withdrew his hand and pressed his palms together. Two lines of tears fell again as waves of shock surged in his heart.
This child... is incredible!
He felt it. In that instant, the power that erupted from Ryuji's fist and that unique rhythm of the Breathing Technique.
It wasn't Stone Breathing, and it wasn't just Total Concentration.
It was a more violent, more direct Breathing Technique born for combat—derived from Stone Breathing, yet surpassing its predecessor.
The Demon Slayer Corps is about to give birth to another remarkable swordsman.
Himejima Gyomei was sincerely happy. This rate of growth was simply inconceivable.
The disconnect between his body and Breathing Technique was gone... It seemed he really wasn't a good teacher.
Uzui Tengen was better suited for teaching; he could only repeat movements. How pathetic.
Thinking this, the tears on his face became even more unstoppable.
He wept, sighing softly, "What a remarkable child, to actually be able to comprehend his own Breathing Technique. I really am not a good teacher..."
"Caw! Caw! Emergency orders!"
A shrill crow's cry pierced the night sky.
A crows circled down, its voice sharp: "Two demons have appeared in the southern district! They are attacking civilians! Requesting backup! Requesting backup!"
The faces of all the Demon Slayer Corps Members present changed instantly. Only Ryuji and Himejima Gyomei remained calm; they had long known there would be such an obvious scheme.
But they still had to take the bait. The opponent held the geographical advantage and was clever enough.
First, they let their tracks be found, then they appeared in the distance. It was all to force them to split their forces and drain their stamina!
Using traps to wound them.
Unfortunately, it had underestimated their strength... In an instant, Himejima Gyomei made a decision: "namu amida butsu, what pitiful creatures."
He looked at everyone, his voice steady as a mountain: "Everyone, let's split up. I'll take one team, and Ryuji will take another."
"Ryuji, you must be extra careful."
Ryuji nodded, anger igniting in his heart. Those bastards, playing them like dogs, huh? See if I don't smash your dog heads!
Before everyone could move, another crows flew over. it was Little Red.
"Mount, north of the train station, This King has found traces of a demon. Go and kill it!"
The others were even more surprised. Ryuji looked at Himejima Gyomei, who pondered for a moment before saying, "Ryuji, you stay here."
"The two in the south, I will handle them. The rest of you, come with me to evacuate the civilians in the south!"
The test just now had given him a clear idea of Ryuji's current strength.
This child's strength had essentially reached the peak of a Tsuchinoto Rank Swordsman. As long as he completely mastered Total Concentration Breathing, with a bit of luck, he could even leap directly to becoming a Hashira.
He could stand on his own now.
"Soon, you will become one of us."
Himejima Gyomei patted Ryuji's shoulder with a hint of gratification.
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