Fermentation

For the next period of time, Oboro mostly stayed in the small courtyard at the foot of Mount Kumotori.

They would only go up the mountain with the father and son Kamado Tanpei, when they came down to sell charcoal, and drink some wild vegetable soup made from Blue Spider Lily.

Winter is the prime time for the Zaomen family to sell charcoal; they rely almost entirely on their autumn and winter income for the entire year. As for spring and summer, aside from the occasional purchase of household items, they have virtually no expenses, as there are plenty of wild animals and resources in the mountains.

It was Oboro who intentionally mentioned that Kamado made the wild vegetable soup with Blue Spider Lily, saying that the wild vegetables tasted good... The woman was quite thoughtful, so she would make it every time Oboro came.

Some traditional Chinese medicines are also added to it.

Thanks to his help, Kamado Tanpei's complexion improved significantly. However, the lifespan he had previously expended could not be replenished, so he could only retain his current vitality and let it pass at a normal rate. He could at least live to around forty years old.

It's important to understand that in the chaotic world of the late Edo, even without any unexpected events, ordinary people could easily die young.

For people today, living to their forties is already quite an achievement.

At a young age, Kamado Tanyilang also began to learn breathing techniques from his father, but Oboro did not give him any guidance.

Compared to the father and son, his health was deteriorating day by day, and his cheekbones were becoming thin and sunken, which made Tan Ping's wife very worried.

After spending some time together, the family of three realized that this young high-ranking official of the Shogunate had no designs on them. Moreover, Oboro lived at the foot of the mountain and took good care of the people in the town. He had even once paid out of his own pocket to buy several cartloads of grain from the main city and transport them over to distribute to poor families for free.

The Mount Kumotori area was very close to the main castle of the Shogunate, which is the same area that became known in later times, only in a relatively remote location.

As time went on, Oboro would always be accompanied by Kamado Tanjiro when he went down the mountain, mainly because he was worried about him.

The next day, Oboro walked along the mountain path, holding a wooden cane.

He had to stop and rest almost every hundred meters because he was coughing incessantly.

The handkerchief he used to cover his mouth was stained with glaring red blood.

Just then, the sound of rapid footsteps came from afar, and Kamado Tanjiro, carrying a bunch of flowers, came running quickly.

Upon seeing Long's appearance, the smile on his face became more somber.

He liked Mr. Oboro very much, not only because Oboro helped his father and the people down the mountain, but also because of Oboro's integrity... Although he was just a child, he was not confused. Oboro was a great man, yet he could get along harmoniously with ordinary people, which was extremely rare at the moment.

Let alone someone like Oboro, even some samurai, if they occasionally enter a town, can become violent towards civilians if they are displeased, and some even kill people in the street.

Although this kind of thing happens relatively rarely here, it is common in other places.

"Mr. Oboro, this is for you."

Kamado Tanjiro exhaled white breath, his gaze sweeping over Oboro's sleeve where she had hidden her handkerchief. He then revealed a bright smile and held up the freshly picked flowers.

"This is?"

The flower branch in the boy's hand still had a few specks of frost clinging to it, and the delicate blue petals shimmered with an eerie beauty in the sunlight. Oboro recognized it at a glance; it was the Blue Spider Lily that Muzan longed for but could Muzan obtain. It was also the raw material he had been consuming during this time.

"Mr. Long said he liked its taste, so I specially asked my mother to take me to pick this wild vegetable so that I could get familiar with its growing environment."

Kamado Tanjiro laughed.

Why give it to me?

Long reached out and took it, then touched the boy's hair.

"I think this flower suits you perfectly, Mr. Long... My mother also said that this flower has the most demanding growing conditions on this mountain, and its appearance is very short-lived. It's also the most beautiful. Although it's a wildflower, it's different from other flowers and plants; it has a very noble and unique quality... Moreover, the fragrance it emits is a light, tranquil plant aroma, which you can't smell unless you sniff carefully. Unlike some other herbs, which have a pungent or overpowering smell..."

"Thanks."

Long nodded. "When you get back, please thank your mother for me."

Since the growing conditions are harsh and they are not easy to find... then, the woman probably paid a lot to satisfy his cravings.

Then, the two traveled together again, heading down the mountain.

The few Blue Spider Lily in Oboro's hands disappeared in less than half an incense stick's time.

This is why Kamado Tanjiro ran so fast.

It's not that it withers... but rather that after this flower is removed from the soil, its already slender branches are immediately frozen by the cold air, like fragile ice shards. With the slightest breeze, they shatter into ice crystals and drift away.

Its beauty is fleeting.

Even if it were found, special methods would likely be needed to use it in medicine or preserve it.

As the flowers disappeared, Kamado Tanjiro bit his lip.

Long sensed his emotions and gave him a comforting smile.

Because of the special environment of this world, Long discovered that the plot and the emotions of the characters here are purer. Good is good and evil is evil, without too many other thoughts mixed in. On the other hand, looking at the faces in Hunter x Hunter, not to mention how many are good at strategizing, they all have a bit of cunning.

"Mr. Oboro..."

As they descended the mountainside, nearing its foot, Kamado Tanjiro suddenly opened his eyes wide, stared at Oboro, and asked as if summoning his courage, "Your home..."

He felt that the question was somewhat impolite.

"I have no family...or rather, I used to have...but I didn't care about them."

Long saw through his thoughts.

"Sorry."

Kamado Tanjiro lowered his head.

"It's okay. People always have to grow up. Growth never stops. I'm the same, and so are you... Luckily, you're still young." Long smiled nonchalantly. "Don't misunderstand. What I mean is, my home isn't here, but somewhere else. My family and I are just temporarily separated... One day, I will go back."

"Um."

"People not only grow, they also change... If one day I change and become a bad person, what will you do when you see me again?"

"Ah?!"

Kamado Tanjiro was stunned, and quickly shook his head. "How could that be? Sir couldn't possibly be a bad person."

"That's only in your opinion. In this world, someone like me, just by looking at myself, is already equated with a bad person. Besides, you don't even know me... How can you think I'm not a bad person? Maybe... I'm just putting on an act right now?"

"The eyes don't lie... nor does the taste."

Kamado Tanjiro resolutely blocked the railway.

"Child..."

Long smiled inwardly.

I recall the scene when Kamado Tanpei used the new Sun Breathing and Kagura Dance.

He thought to himself, "It seems... it's not going to work out in his generation."

After a while, they arrived at the foot of the mountain.

Long watched the boy running while holding a small axe, turning back every few steps to wave at him, and he waved back in response.

Then he left alone.

After Kamado Tanjiro went around to the corner, the smile on his face disappeared. He looked down at the figure walking alone on the snow track in the distance, his eyes filled with heartache.

Mr. Long usually looks a lot like his father, gentle and approachable... but he always felt that the former exuded a kind of 'melancholy', as if... he had lost something.

Family? Mr. Oboro always kept to himself and didn't even bring a maid with him.

The feeling they give off is always... so 'lonely'.

Kamado Tanjiro had also discussed Oboro with his father in private, and his father told him that Mr. Oboro was an incredibly powerful person.

This strength is not superficial.

The path to greatness, though different, leads to the same destination... and is not understood by ordinary people.

After that, the Demon Slayer Corps did not bother Oboro again.

Because the breathing technique that Oboro passed on to them had already begun to take effect within the Demon Slayer Corps.

With the help of several pillar-level swordsmen, he quickly mastered the Breath Control Technique and applied it in actual combat.

Several breathing techniques were also incorporated into the Demon Slayer Corps' training materials, and Ubuyashiki Kuno personally gathered all the swordsmen for a secret training session.

At this time, Muzan nor his demons were aware of any of this.

A counterattack is about to begin!