I have a better plan

Ye Chen entered the town and followed the intelligence he had received to the Brothel. It was clearly a pleasure house, filled with courtesans who only performed, as well as some women who sold their bodies.

"Hmm... why does this plot feel so familiar?"

Ye Chen lowered his head in thought. Though the women beside him kept calling out to him, he paid them little attention. After all, he was a veteran Monster Hunter Fan with an unwavering warrior's resolve.

What puzzled him, however, was how familiar this scenario felt. He vaguely remembered a scene like this in the original story, but the details escaped him.

"Hey, you."

As Ye Chen pondered, a hand tapped his shoulder. He turned to find a young man standing behind him, his head wrapped in white cloth and two large blades strapped to his back. The moment Ye Chen saw him, everything clicked.

He recognized the man. This was Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, one of the Demon Slayer Corps' elite members. Seeing him, Ye Chen immediately remembered what this place was.

"Hey, I'm talking to you."

Seeing that Ye Chen was still lost in thought, Tengen Uzui raised an eyebrow, then continued slowly, "You're here on a Demon Slayer Corps mission, right? From now on, follow my orders and don't wander off."

Tengen Uzui was puzzled himself. Why had Oyakata-sama sent a rookie? The demon they were investigating was very likely a member of the Twelve Kizuki. A newcomer stood no chance against an opponent of that caliber.

"Hmm? I am on a mission, but who are you? Why should I follow your orders?"

Ye Chen smiled at his words. He didn't quite understand why the Demon Slayer Corps had assigned him such a difficult mission either. He knew the targets were Upper Rank Six, Daki and Gyutaro.

Although Ye Chen didn't think they would be particularly troublesome, sending any other rookie on this mission would be sending them to their death. Had Oyakata-sama discovered something about his strength? That was an intriguing possibility.

"Right, Sakonji Urokodaki..." Ye Chen's eyes suddenly twitched as he remembered the former Water Hashira. If anyone could provide the Demon Slayer Corps with information about him, this former Water Hashira, who had fought him before, was certainly one of them. If that was the case, there was nothing particularly surprising about it.

"Kid, it's perfectly normal for young people to have a temper, but this mission isn't like the ones you've taken before. Just follow my lead and watch my flamboyant performance."

Seeing that Ye Chen had no intention of obeying, Tengen Uzui narrowed his eyes. At the same time, he applied a little pressure with the hand on Ye Chen's shoulder, intending to put the rookie in his place.

"Different? I don't see much of a difference. Anyway, how about we split up and each do our own thing?"

Ye Chen felt his body sink slightly. It was clearly the Sound Hashira's doing, but he didn't panic in the slightest. He stood calmly before Tengen Uzui, his expression as composed as ever.

"You've only been in the Demon Slayer Corps for two months, yet you're already this cocky. You must have some confidence in yourself."

Tengen Uzui was surprised to see Ye Chen remain unmoved by the pressure. Still, he didn't stop there. He increased the force in his hand, sending tremendous pressure surging through Ye Chen's body. Several cracks appeared in the floor beneath Ye Chen's feet.

"Oh, it's not about confidence or anything. I just don't like being ordered around."

Even then, Ye Chen remained perfectly calm. He even scratched his head a little sheepishly before reaching out and pressing a hand onto Tengen Uzui's shoulder.

"Ngh!!"

Already stunned by Ye Chen, Tengen Uzui suddenly felt his entire body jolt. His knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed on the spot. The ground beneath his feet caved in, cracks spreading rapidly outward. He could only muster every ounce of strength to resist the pressure. Falling down in front of a rookie would have been utterly embarrassing.

"All right, now that we've exchanged greetings, my name is Yatsuka Nightstar. I joined the Demon Slayer Corps two months ago. What should I call you, senior?"

Fortunately, Ye Chen soon removed his hand from Tengen Uzui's shoulder and greeted him with a smile.

"I... just call me Senior Tengen."

Tengen Uzui didn't mention his position as the Sound Hashira. He certainly didn't want the other man to know that a Hashira had been overpowered so thoroughly by a rookie. That would have been far too unflamboyant, though Ye Chen already knew...

"All right, Senior Tengen. So, what's the plan? Are we splitting up, or do you still want me to follow your orders?"

Ye Chen spread his hands. He had ideas of his own, and the Sound Hashira couldn't make him obey through strength alone. To avoid unnecessary complications, Ye Chen felt it would be better for them to act separately.

"Rookie, you should know that while the Demon Slayer Corps values strength, it also has its own rules."

Tengen Uzui felt rather helpless. The young man before him was clearly a troublemaker, and a tough one at that. He didn't know how strong Ye Chen was overall, but anyone who could overpower a Hashira through sheer strength certainly couldn't be weak. After some thought, he continued, "How about this? We'll make a plan together, then split up."

"Fine. I suppose that's our only option."

Ye Chen sighed with some regret. He would still be somewhat constrained by someone else, but it was much better than being an extra who could only follow orders.

Tengen Uzui rubbed his shoulder. This kid was an absolute freak. In terms of sheer strength, he probably wasn't inferior to the Demon Slayer Corps' Love Hashira. After seeing the Mist Hashira attain that rank less than three months after first picking up a sword, he had now encountered a rookie who could overpower him after only two months in the Corps. This world was simply unfair, producing two monstrous members in such quick succession.

"Listen carefully. The person we're investigating is inside this Brothel, but we still don't know their identity. Originally, we planned to wait until we had more information before coming here, but for some reason, Oyakata-sama suddenly assigned this mission to us."

Tengen Uzui and Ye Chen crouched on a rooftop, discussing their next steps. Tengen continued, "My wives have been undercover inside for several days. If we can catch our target slipping up, that'll be our chance to strike. But finding that opening won't be easy. We'll need to work together..."

Ye Chen listened quietly beside him. Halfway through, he suddenly froze. "Did you say your wife... wives?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention that. I have three wives."

Tengen Uzui answered with a smile, a hint of smugness showing in his eyes.

Right, I almost forgot. This Sound Hashira is a winner in life, with three wives.

Ye Chen took a deep breath, reminding himself that he was a veteran Monster Hunter Fan, built for endless grinding. As for how many wives he has, I don't care at all. Not one bit... fuck, I'm so jealous! I want to beat this bastard to death!!

Ye Chen took another deep breath and forcibly suppressed his urge to beat Tengen Uzui to death. He continued listening, then added, "Your methods sound like such a hassle. I've got a better one. Want to hear it?"

"Huh? A better one?" Tengen Uzui was bewildered. What the hell? I've got people working undercover and powerful backup outside, everything fitting together seamlessly. How could you have a better plan than something this flamboyant?

"Yes, but I'll need your cooperation."

Ye Chen nodded and continued under Tengen Uzui's bewildered gaze, "Hmm... let me go inside and have a look around. You keep watch outside, and in ten minutes, we can start fighting."