Promoting Culture, of Course

Tsugikuni Kuuga gave Oyakata-sama a solemn bow and said, "Greetings, Master. I respect you deeply, but forgive me—I cannot kneel!"

"Kuuga, what is wrong with you?!" Sanemi Shinazugawa shouted angrily.

After all, every Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps greatly respected Oyakata-sama. Tsugikuni Kuuga respected him as well, but a man's knees were precious; he knelt only to his parents.

Oyakata-sama truly possessed the bearing of a leader. He first helped Sanemi Shinazugawa up, then said, "It is all right. As long as one is wholeheartedly devoted to slaying demons, one of us they are!"

"That has always been my purpose in joining the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"Good. Let us talk inside."

Before long, they entered the house. Amane Ubuyashiki carried over three cups of tea, placed them before them one by one, then quietly withdrew.

Sanemi Shinazugawa gave his report first, after which Tsugikuni Kuuga recounted his encounter with Lower Rank Four.

As Master, Oyakata-sama remained calm throughout, but Sanemi Shinazugawa was somewhat stunned. After all, it was his first time hearing of someone who had just passed Final Selection and could fight a Lower Rank alone, then emerge unscathed.

"Are you sure the one you encountered was a Lower Rank?" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked utterly unconvinced.

"Mr. Urokodaki confirmed it. It was real," Oyakata-sama explained.

"What, is that so strange?" Tsugikuni Kuuga glanced at Sanemi Shinazugawa.

"No. You are impressive," Sanemi Shinazugawa said with a pout.

"By the way, I looked into your surname in some ancient records. It is said that the founder of all Breathing Techniques bore that surname," Oyakata-sama said with a smile.

It had to be said that Oyakata-sama's voice and the rhythm of his movements truly put others at ease. Tsugikuni Kuuga could already feel himself being affected.

He had never expected that one day, another man would make him feel so pleasant. How strange.

"According to my family records, I should be that person's descendant. The Breathing Technique I use is also the Initial Breathing—Sun-Breathing!" Tsugikuni Kuuga admitted directly.

"So that is how it is. No wonder. Perhaps it is precisely because you are his descendant that you are so powerful. There is hope now!" Oyakata-sama's face was filled with longing.

He believed that the thousand-year feud could finally end in his generation. Evil Demons would ultimately vanish from this world.

"We will fulfill your wish. Muzan Kibutsuji will surely fall!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said earnestly.

"Master, I have a request. I wonder if you would agree to it."

"What is it?"

"I would like to try and see whether I can treat your curse!"

"What?!"

At the mention of treating the curse, even the ever-composed Oyakata-sama lost his composure somewhat.

Sanemi Shinazugawa felt that he had learned far too many unbelievable things today. Even Master had reacted like that.

"I am merely trying it. Curing it completely is probably impossible, but I should be able to suppress it somewhat!"

"You are not sure?" Sanemi Shinazugawa could no longer remain calm.

"Please, give it a try!"

In truth, because the Ubuyashiki family was blood-related to Muzan Kibutsuji, after Muzan became a demon a thousand years ago, the entire family seemed to have been cursed. Every child born into the family was frail and sickly, dying young not long afterward.

To prevent their bloodline from dying out, the Ubuyashiki Clan followed the High Priest's advice and married girls from the Shinto Priest clan generation after generation. Although this preserved the lives of their descendants in this way, no one had ever successfully lived past thirty.

Oyakata-sama wanted more than anyone to see Muzan die, but he knew full well that, given his physical condition, he could not hold on much longer. Yet they still could not even find Muzan Kibutsuji's lair, so staying alive was of utmost importance.

"Then I will do my best. Master, please do not place too much hope in it," Tsugikuni Kuuga cautioned.

"But simply having this news is already wonderful!" Oyakata-sama said with a smile.

"Then I will begin!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga extended his hand and placed it against Oyakata-sama's forehead. A black-and-white Tai Chi Light Orb immediately unfolded.

Tsugikuni Kuuga sensed that Oyakata-sama's Yin-Yang Balance had already been thrown into disorder. At the same time, the black aura had surpassed the white aura and was constantly growing. Although it was happening slowly, once the black covered the white, life would come to an end.

As time passed little by little, beads of sweat covered Tsugikuni Kuuga's forehead, and his head began to ache.

As for Oyakata-sama, sweat had long since soaked through his clothes. The veins beneath his skin sprawled across his body like winding little snakes, while the veins on his forehead bulged.

Oyakata-sama could clearly feel two forces clashing within his body. As the battlefield, he naturally bore all the damage.

"Master, you will feel better if you cry out," Tsugikuni Kuuga reminded him.

"How could my clan's thousand-year feud be shaken by such trivial pain?!"

Oyakata-sama gritted his teeth, each word seeming to burst from his mouth. He was in agony, yet unyielding.

Tsugikuni Kuuga had thought Oyakata-sama would at least cry out a few times. He had not expected that beneath the other man's frail appearance was such an iron-willed man.

"Master, should we stop and let you rest for a while?" Sanemi Shinazugawa asked worriedly.

"I think that would be possible too." Tsugikuni Kuuga nodded.

"No need. Continue. Thank you so much, Kuuga!"

Though Oyakata-sama was in pain, he had regained quite a bit of strength. This proved that it was working.

Gradually, in Tsugikuni Kuuga's eyes, the two Yin-Yang energies had reached balance. Yet the black aura was still eroding the white life energy. Tsugikuni Kuuga knew it could not be stopped; it could only be suppressed temporarily.

Unless Scum Boss died, this curse would likely continue to plague the Ubuyashiki Clan.

With a thought from Tsugikuni Kuuga, the light orb vanished. Oyakata-sama stood up directly. Though he still looked very weak, there was now a hint of color in his face.

Then Oyakata-sama gave Tsugikuni Kuuga a deep bow and said solemnly, "Thank you!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly helped Oyakata-sama up. He could not bear such a grand gesture. Fortunately, Sanemi Shinazugawa was the only Hashira present. If the other Hashira had been there too, Tsugikuni Kuuga felt he would have been extremely embarrassed.

When Sanemi Shinazugawa saw this, he was so shocked that he stood up, his mouth hanging wide open.

"You saved my life. This bow is deserved!"

"It is only right to help Master! Besides, I have only suppressed it temporarily. The curse is still eroding you!"

"As long as I can live to see Muzan Kibutsuji die, that is enough!"

"Oh, right. I have a set of martial arts called Tai Chi. You should be able to learn it. It is essential for strengthening the body!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said, looking like a salesman.

Of course, this was also part of Tsugikuni Kuuga's plan. If Master learned it, who else would not? Ancestors, I have not disgraced you. I am directly exporting our culture.

"Then please demonstrate it for me," Oyakata-sama said.

Thus, the three of them went out into the courtyard. Tsugikuni Kuuga immediately performed a set of Tai Chi for them, and his sense of pride surged up at once.