After explaining the work of the Demon Slayer Corps to the Tokito family again,
Xia Xi did not rush them to give him an answer that day.
"In any case, give it some thought."
"I've never liked forcing people to make decisions."
He gave Kiseki Tokito another round of careful instructions.
They covered how to brew the medicine, and what needed particular attention when caring for the patient afterward.
"As for treating your wife... I won't use that as leverage against you either."
"I'll come by a few more times over the next few weeks."
"Until her illness is cured."
Watching the increasingly obvious guilt and shame on Kiseki Tokito's face,
"Of course, personally, I do hope you'll join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"I already told you about your ancestor, Michikatsu Tsugikuni."
Xia Xi sat beside the bed, leisurely enjoying the hot tea the family had brought him.
He really did seem like an old friend visiting for a chat.
The tea, though, tasted rather poor.
One sip told him the family had roasted it themselves.
"Ever since that Six-Eyed Guy became a demon, your family's line and fortunes have been declining."
"If your father and grandfather still had the family records, they probably knew too."
"From a major power that might have been able to contend with Oda and Tokugawa for control of the land,"
"You've fallen all the way to being woodcutters on a little mountain..."
Noticing Yuichiro's furrowed brow,
Xia Xi offered an explanation.
"I don't mean you should have ambitions of conquering the land."
"I mean the curse clinging to the Tsugikuni family."
"Mr. Tokito, you lived in town with your father for a while when you were little, didn't you?"
Xia Xi swirled his teacup and said mildly, "Other Kendo schools could just about stay