One Sword for One Blade, This is Fair

Dan Lei and Shinobu Kocho watched a sunrise together. Both of them warmed up successfully, warmed by the sun, of course, in a very literal sense.

However, seeing that Dan Lei not only wasn't afraid of the sun but also enjoyed napping in it, Shinobu Kocho's attitude completely changed. After sincerely apologizing again, she treated Dan Lei as an honored guest.

Then, the convoy arrived at a mountainside covered in wisteria flowers. The main group couldn't go further, and besides Dan Lei and Shinobu Kocho, only Giyu Tomioka accompanied them. The others would reroute to the nearby Butterfly Mansion.

Of course, Tanjiro was still tied up and carried up by Giyu Tomioka.

The next day, Dan Lei and Kojiro Sasaki were invited to a courtyard.

Since they were on Demon Slayer Corps territory, it wouldn't look good if someone suddenly disappeared for a long time. Therefore, Dan Lei had Kojiro Sasaki remain visible the entire time and guard Nezuko's box.

As for Nezuko, although she hadn't seen Dan Lei and Kojiro Sasaki for nearly two years, she still remembered Dan Lei's aura, so she was very well-behaved and didn't try to run off.

However, when Dan Lei and Kojiro Sasaki brought the box containing Nezuko into the courtyard, they found that six out of the eleven people in the courtyard were staring at them, trying to see through them.

Just like in the original story, all nine Pillars were present for Tanjiro's trial. The other two were Tanjiro himself and the Kakushi guarding him.

Dan Lei, however, was not intimidated at all. Upon arriving at the small courtyard, he nodded to a few people he knew, placed his box down, and sat directly on it to await the arrival of the Demon Slayer Corps' Master.

However, the current time was clearly arranged by Kagaya Ubuyashiki for Dan Lei and the Pillars to get acquainted. So, just a few seconds after Dan Lei sat down, Kyojuro Rengoku, known for his cheerful personality, loudly asked, "You're the mage who killed Lower Rank Three and Lower Rank One in two days? Haha, I'm Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. Since you kill demons, you're a friend. Come visit the Rengoku household sometime, and I'll definitely treat you well!"

Dan Lei responded normally to Kyojuro Rengoku's friendly overture, introduced himself, and said he would definitely visit when he had time.

However, Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar, who in the original story had stabbed Nezuko here, provoking widespread outrage, now stepped forward and said, "Whether he's a friend is debatable. He's harboring a demon, and his abilities are so strange. I don't think he should have been told where this place is."

Dan Lei adopted an attitude of "he's not important enough to bother with" towards Sanemi Shinazugawa's malice. After all, the other person had clearly expressed distrust; why would he bother engaging with him further?

However, Dan Lei's attitude greatly displeased Sanemi Shinazugawa. He lunged forward, drew his sword, and charged at Dan Lei with Wind Breathing First Form: Clinging Serpent's Bite. He roared, "If you want to be friends! Hand over the demon!"

However, Kojiro Sasaki was protecting Nezuko at this moment. Facing Sanemi Shinazugawa's whirlwind-infused assault, he took a step forward and unleashed a drawing-slash, directly cutting Sanemi Shinazugawa out of the whirlwind. Sanemi Shinazugawa stumbled back seven or eight steps before collapsing onto the ground.

At this point, Sanemi Shinazugawa's face was no longer filled with arrogance, but with unconcealed resentment.

The other Pillars looked at the scene before them, most of them feeling the same way, probably thinking, "This is the strength of the Heavenly Human Realm. It truly lives up to its reputation."

However, Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Pillar, thought, "Wow! So cool! Mr. Kojiro Sasaki is so handsome!!"

But Dan Lei wasn't planning to let Sanemi Shinazugawa's attack slide. His face turned grim as he said, "Speaking of which, this unknown Wind Pillar just attacked me, didn't he?"

As soon as Dan Lei said this, Shinobu Kocho, who had the highest emotional intelligence present, inwardly cried out, "This is bad. Dan Lei is clearly planning to make a big deal out of this."

As expected, Dan Lei's next sentence was, "So, if I counterattack him now, do any of you have an objection?"

With that, Dan Lei condensed an Ice Sword, charged forward, and appeared before Sanemi Shinazugawa. A Lightning Slash entwined with lightning surged horizontally.

Facing Dan Lei's surprise attack, Sanemi Shinazugawa could only hastily raise his sword to block. He was sent flying again, crashing into the wall.

Compared to Kojiro Sasaki, Dan Lei, being of the Sustainer Dragon Clan, possessed innate strength greater than ordinary people. After sword training, the force behind his ordinary longsword swings was comparable to others wielding greatswords. This was why Dan Lei found the Nichirin Blade too light.

If Kojiro Sasaki's attack relied mainly on skill, then Dan Lei's attack relied mainly on power.

However, Dan Lei, having practiced swordsmanship for so long, didn't rely solely on brute force. The water flow entwined with lightning, combined with the Ice Sword, precisely struck the side of the Nichirin Blade, cutting it in half while also drawing blood from Sanemi Shinazugawa.

Dan Lei didn't kill him directly; he deliberately made the cut shallow.

After all, Sanemi Shinazugawa's original intention wasn't to attack him.

However, the electric current from this strike left Sanemi Shinazugawa feeling like he was dying, his entire body numb.

After delivering the blow, Dan Lei smiled at Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was sprawled against the wall, paralyzed and temporarily unable to move, and said, "An eye for an eye. We're even now."

Afterward, Dan Lei returned to his original position and said sternly to the other Pillars, "I know you all have deep hatred for demons, and I know you believe demons are untrustworthy.

However, I will vouch for Nezuko as long as she hasn't harmed anyone. If anyone disagrees, you can come forward and challenge us again.

Of course, be prepared to be injured, or even die."

Dan Lei's actions were indeed bordering on provocation, and he had also injured Sanemi Shinazugawa. The Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were warriors; even if they knew they would be no match for Kojiro Sasaki, how could they not draw their swords at this moment?

However, Tanjiro was still present. He didn't want Dan Lei and the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps to fight, so he suddenly jumped forward, his hands still bound, and shouted, "Everyone, calm down! Mr. Dan Lei has been conducting research related to demons, which is why he's protecting Nezuko, who doesn't eat people. Please don't fight each other because of a misunderstanding!"

Dan Lei was speechless. He walked forward and punched Tanjiro directly on the head, making him crouch down. He then complained, "Do you think I'm clashing with these people for no reason? Have some self-awareness! If you stand here, believe it or not, they'll cut you down too!"

Tanjiro didn't dare to talk back to Dan Lei's reprimand and could only lower his head and play dead, refusing to move aside.

At this moment, Sanemi Shinazugawa, whose numbness was gradually subsiding, stood up again and loudly accused, "Who would believe a demon hasn't harmed anyone! How can you prove the demon in this box hasn't hurt anyone? Were you by her side from the moment she became a demon! Her brother can easily provide false testimony!"

Facing this question, Dan Lei looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa with a look of disdain and said, "Don't use that muscle-for-brains of yours to try and understand my actions. Whether a demon has eaten people is traceable. Moreover, I know how Nezuko replenishes her energy.

As long as her method of replenishing energy doesn't change, she hasn't eaten anyone."