That day, the four of them finally got some proper rest.
After lunch, Lin Guang called Tanjiro over. "Tanjiro, come with me for a moment. I have something to tell you."
Tanjiro answered, "Sure."
Tanjiro followed Lin Guang into the courtyard, where Lin Guang asked, "How does your body feel? Have you noticed any changes?"
Hearing this, Tanjiro assumed Lin Guang was worried about his health. He patted his chest and said, "I'm completely fine! I feel great!"
Lin Guang sighed helplessly. "All right. Do you remember what I mentioned to you before about Breathing Styles?"
Tanjiro thought back to the battle in the Drum Mansion.
"Senior Lin Guang, when I was fighting in that mansion, I encountered a demon who played drums. But after I ran into you, the rooms suddenly shifted. You were the one who killed that demon, weren't you?"
Lin Guang nodded.
With that confirmed, Tanjiro continued, "After that, I encountered another demon whose hands could turn into blades. I tried using the Hinokami Kagura passed down through my family. It really did seem to work as a sword technique, but it took quite a lot of stamina."
Lin Guang's eyes lit up when he heard that Tanjiro had used the Hinokami Kagura, but he quickly concealed it and feigned surprise.
"Oh! Really?"
Tanjiro nodded and gave Lin Guang a conflicted look before asking, "Senior Lin Guang, do you know something about it?"
Lin Guang was slightly taken aback, then patted Tanjiro on the shoulder.
"You'll find out someday, but not now."
Hearing Lin Guang say that, Tanjiro stopped asking.
I really want to know whether the Hinokami Kagura is some kind of Breathing Style, but Senior Lin Guang said I'd find out. That means he'll definitely tell me.
"One last thing. I'll only tell you if you promise not to get angry."
Lin Guang looked Tanjiro in the eye as he spoke, his expression utterly serious.
Tanjiro didn't understand why Lin Guang would say that.
"What do you want to tell me, Senior Lin Guang? Why do you think I'd get angry?"
Rather than answering, Lin Guang asked bluntly, "Just tell me whether you promise! If you don't, I won't say anything."
It was the first time Tanjiro had seen Lin Guang act like this. He smiled faintly and agreed.
"All right. Whatever you say, Senior Lin Guang, I promise I won't get angry."
Hearing Tanjiro's tone, as though he were coaxing a child, Lin Guang began to understand why Inosuke could never get the better of him.
"Okay! Here goes! Nezuko wasn't in the Wooden Box last night. She crawled into my bed. But believe me, I didn't do anything!"
Tanjiro's eyes widened with doubt, but he couldn't smell any lies on Lin Guang. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Seeing Tanjiro fall silent, Lin Guang hurriedly explained, "I do really like Nezuko, but I'd never do anything like that to her. Believe me."
To his surprise, Tanjiro smiled and said, "I trust Nezuko, and I trust you to treat her well, Senior Lin Guang."
This time, Lin Guang was the one left dumbfounded.
Lin Guang chuckled and gave Tanjiro a hard smack on the head. "I think you just want me to become your brother-in-law!"
Tanjiro grinned.
"If you're willing, Senior Lin Guang, I don't see why not."
The two exchanged a smile, then returned to the house.
A Kasugai Crow suddenly landed on Lin Guang's shoulder. "North-northeast! North-northeast! Your next destination is north-northeast!"
Inosuke and Zenitsu gathered around to look at the Kasugai Crow.
"All four of you, go to Mount Natagumo! Go to Mount Natagumo!"
Lin Guang stretched, and the Kasugai Crow flew off his shoulder.
"One day of rest, and we're back on a mission. Let's go," Lin Guang said.
The four changed into their Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and their respective clothes, then left the wisteria family's house and gathered at the entrance.
"We'll be off, then. Thank you for your hospitality," Lin Guang said gratefully.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu also bowed slightly in thanks.
The old woman accepted the thanks from Lin Guang and the others, then took out a flint.
"Now, please let me strike some sparks for you."
"Thank you very much!"
Lin Guang, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu turned around, presenting their backs. Not knowing what the old woman intended to do, Inosuke leaned his head toward the flint.
Clack! Clack!
Sparks flew, startling Inosuke into taking two steps back.
"What are you doing, old hag?!"
Seeing this, Tanjiro and Zenitsu sprang into action, one restraining Inosuke while the other stood in front of the old woman.
"Are you an idiot?! She's striking sparks to ward off bad luck! It's because we're heading out to do dangerous work!"
Only after Zenitsu explained did Inosuke calm down.
Then the old woman continued, "Whatever happens, please live with pride. May fortune favor you in battle!"
Lin Guang and the other two bowed their heads in thanks, then set off at a run toward Mount Natagumo.
"Pride? Fortune in battle? What does that mean?"
Inosuke asked about what he didn't understand.
Tanjiro thought for a moment before saying, "Right! Now that you ask, it really is hard to explain... Pride means..."
"Understanding your place in life, and behaving properly so you don't bring shame upon that place... I think."
"And she was praying that we'd all return safely."
After Tanjiro's explanation, Inosuke was even more confused.
"What's my place in life? What does not bringing shame on it mean? And what exactly am I supposed to do to behave properly?"
"Why would that old hag pray for us to return safely? She has nothing to do with us, so why?"
Realizing he wasn't getting anywhere, Tanjiro gave up explaining.
When Tanjiro stopped talking, Inosuke shouted, "Hey! Explain it properly!"
Lin Guang said helplessly, "Why ask so many questions? Instead of asking all that, we should get to Mount Natagumo sooner."
With that, Lin Guang picked up his pace, and Tanjiro followed.
Seeing Lin Guang and Tanjiro speed up, Inosuke refused to fall behind.
"I won't lose!"
Zenitsu had no choice but to speed up and follow. He even overtook Tanjiro and Inosuke to run alongside Lin Guang.
Glancing at Zenitsu beside him, Lin Guang understood.
Looks like Zenitsu heard everything Tanjiro and I said in the courtyard. Is he trying to prove himself?
Lin Guang gave Zenitsu a faint smile, then sped up again.
Zenitsu hadn't expected Lin Guang to be able to go even faster. Unwilling to give in, he also picked up his pace.
And so, the four of them reached the foot of Mount Natagumo before sunset.
Lin Guang glanced at Zenitsu and Tanjiro, then nodded discreetly.
The Agility Potion I gave Zenitsu really made him much faster. And Tanjiro, who got the Stamina Potion, kept up the whole way without looking tired at all. The effects are clearly pretty significant.
As for Inosuke, I gave him the Strength Potion. I can't tell much from this run, so I'll have to see how he performs in the fights ahead.
Then Lin Guang smiled faintly and looked toward the eerie, menacing Mount Natagumo.
Before you continue