Muzan Is My Treasure Trove

The eye in his palm blinked several times.

At the same time, several arrows shot straight toward Tanjiro.

Having been warned by Lin Fan, Tanjiro had already roughly understood what was happening. He dodged while thinking.

He quickly made a decision.

Use the water vortex created by the Sixth Form to draw in the arrows, then use the Third Form's footwork to close the distance quickly!

With that thought in mind.

Tanjiro dashed forward like the wind, twisting his body as he advanced with a peculiar footwork, several arrows chasing close behind him.

As he drew near, he gripped his sword with both hands. "Twisting Whirlpool—Flowing!"

As he used his Breathing Style, water burst from the blade, swirling around his body like a vortex. The arrows behind him were drawn in and tangled by the current.

Feeling the weight bearing down on his arms, Tanjiro could not help but murmur inwardly.

The blade is so heavy, but it is still within what I can bear!

He stomped down hard, cracking the ground beneath his feet. Water completely gathered around the blade as he unleashed another sword technique.

"Second Form Modified—Horizontal Water Wheel!"

With the arrows' assistance, this technique was far more powerful than before.

The demon in front of him did not even have time to dodge before its neck was completely severed by the blade and its flowing water. Its head flew into the air the next instant.

Even the prayer beads around its neck shattered into pieces and scattered across the ground.

As the headless demon's body collapsed, Tanjiro was about to fall from the air as well. But Lin Fan took control of his body at that moment.

He made an utterly unnatural movement, forcibly correcting his unbalanced body. The instant he landed steadily—

He immediately drew the Nichirin Blade from his waist, gathered strength, and hurled it forward.

The Nichirin Blade cut through the air and pierced straight through the demon's head, ending its life completely.

It swiftly turned to ash and vanished into the air.

Tanjiro, whose body had been forcibly controlled by Lin Fan, was somewhat bewildered. Still, he believed that Azuramaru would not harm him.

Even so, he could not help but remind him.

"Azuramaru, let's go defeat the other demon right away. Nezuko and the others are still in danger!"

Taking control of the body again, Lin Fan could personally experience just how terrifying bodily control was.

It was absolute control.

Even he could use the Breathing Style, as though it had been carved into the flesh itself.

After sensing it briefly, he said calmly, "Since that is what my blade master requests, I suppose I can reluctantly agree!"

Holding the blade in one hand, Lin Fan walked toward the group fighting not far away.

There, he saw—

The female demon confronting Nezuko and the others.

The female demon also noticed the disturbance beside her. Turning around, she saw Tanjiro walking toward her slowly, along with her companion behind him gradually turning to ash.

"How is that possible? It actually died?"

At the same time.

Muzan Kibutsuji, who had been watching all along, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After watching that battle, there had not been even the slightest trace of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Perhaps it really had just been a coincidence...

Just as he was thinking that.

He saw Tanjiro again through the female demon's eyes.

That one-handed figure holding a sword seemed to overlap with another once more. Even his aura had undergone a drastic change. It was obvious that this was absolutely not that young man!

Just then.

Tanjiro spoke in a low voice beneath the night sky.

"Muzan Kibutsuji, I know you are watching. Remember this—I have come for you. This time, I will not miss!"

The moment those words were spoken.

Muzan Kibutsuji was so frightened that terror plainly showed on his face, and he completely lost control of his expression. Fortunately, since he was not at the scene this time, he quickly calmed down.

Was this guy really Yoriichi Tsugikuni?

Had he become a vengeful spirit and possessed this young man to continue hunting him down?

But how could that be possible?

And what was with that strength...

The more he thought about it, the more chaotic his mind became.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan had already taken control of Tanjiro and walked forward, pushing Demon Power to its limit and filling his body with it.

"Water Breathing—Third Form—Flowing Dance!"

As his body spun and shifted, the blade carried a stream of water that instantly severed every one of the female demon's arms. Before both her and Muzan's eyes—

Lin Fan raised the sword over his head with both hands.

That movement was exactly the same as Yoriichi Tsugikuni's from years ago, as though the scene had been recreated.

The female demon did not even have time to dodge before her head was severed. As her vision shifted, all she could see was her own headless corpse.

He sheathed the blade.

Lin Fan felt excellent.

Then the system's notification sounded in his mind.

[ Ding! Detected that Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji has produced negative emotions. Obtained 5,000 Emotion Points!]

[ Ding! Detected Demon King...]

Another payment had come in. What could be more enjoyable than terrifying Muzan?

Not far away.

Tamayo witnessed everything that had just happened. Looking at Tanjiro now, the image of Yoriichi Tsugikuni from her memories surfaced once again.

Her voice trembled slightly as she asked.

"Y-you... are you Lord Yoriichi?"

Hearing this, Lin Fan merely glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Then, without saying a word, he directly released the ability and returned control of the body to Tanjiro.

Having regained control, Tanjiro felt as though his body had been hollowed out. His chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath.

He was even too weak to remain standing and dropped to his knees. His lungs felt like they were about to explode, and pain wracked every part of his body.

Muzan Is My Treasure Trove

Seeing this, Nezuko hurried forward and gently touched Tanjiro's forehead, trying to ease his pain.

After seeing this, Tamayo finally confirmed that Tanjiro had been telling the truth. That really might have been a sword that only existed in legends!

But why did it know about what happened back then...

Everything was like a mystery lingering in her mind.

That blade was far too mysterious, making her unable to resist wanting to investigate it. But before that, she quickly came to Tanjiro's side to examine his body.

Yushiro followed closely behind.

Elsewhere.

Muzan's gaze remained fixed on the moment Lin Fan raised his blade and brought it down. This time, that image completely merged with Yoriichi Tsugikuni's figure from his memories.

After all, he had been cut by that blade. No one understood that strike better than he did.

Once or twice could be a coincidence, but this was practically Dragon riding right into his face. This time, Muzan was genuinely afraid.

The young man before and after was clearly not the same person. If he was not insane, then Yoriichi Tsugikuni had truly possessed him.

It was very likely a fake, and his strength did not seem particularly great, but who was Muzan?

A man whose entire life had been defined by cowardice!

No matter how small the possibility, he would never place himself in danger. Yet this young man posed too great a threat to him.

And he could not simply ignore him.

Muzan stared into the darkness before him and ordered every demon, "All demons, no matter where you are, go kill a demon slayer wearing earrings and bring me his head!"

This order was conveyed to every demon.

Demons across the land were shocked upon receiving it.

Even the Upper Ranks were curious about it.

What exactly had this demon slayer done to make Muzan target him so fiercely?

But that was all. They had little interest in a weak demon slayer who was not even a Hashira. In contrast, the Lower Ranks were already rubbing their hands together, preparing to hunt Tanjiro.

They hoped to earn Muzan's favor through this.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan, who had caused all of this, opened the system panel.

Looking at the thirty thousand Emotion Points he had gained from Muzan, the corners of his mouth could not help but rise slightly.

As expected of Muzan.

You really are my treasure trove!

But then again, after looking over the abilities on the panel, Lin Fan thought for a moment.

He decisively chose to unlock Demonification.

The thirty thousand Emotion Points he had just earned were immediately all poured into it.

But it was necessary.

Muzan would likely start sending demons after them like mad. All he needed to do was help Tanjiro crush his way forward.

The more demons he killed, the stronger he would become.

However, considering Muzan's cautious nature and the Upper Ranks' current locations, no Upper Ranks would likely come for the time being. This period would be the best opportunity to grow stronger!

With that thought, Lin Fan felt that the future was bright!

Looking at his current six hundred Demon Power, Lin Fan asked, "System, did you grant Tanjiro Nourishment from the Demon Power?"

"Ding! Thirty percent of the Demon Power gained this time has already been granted as Nourishment!" the system immediately replied.

Hearing that, Lin Fan looked outside.

Tanjiro, who had barely managed to stand, suddenly froze. That sensation of power surging forth once again filled his entire body.

The enhancement was far greater than the previous time.

Although he knew what was happening, he still said sincerely, "Azuramaru, thank you for lending me your strength."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Lin Fan retorted, then fell silent.

After observing him for a while, Tamayo spoke as well. "It is nothing serious. You only have some muscle strain. Rest for a while and you will be fine."

As she spoke, her tone suddenly changed.

"Did that blade control you again just now?"

"It did."

Tanjiro had no intention of hiding it and admitted it directly.

Hearing that.

Tamayo let out a long breath and decided not to press further. Since the blade was unwilling to speak with her, she could not force it.

As long as she confirmed that the blade was truly as Tanjiro had said, that was enough.