The Demon Slayer Corps was an organization that protected humanity and eradicated demons. Naturally, its swordsmen, who could hunt down demons, possessed strength far beyond that of ordinary people.
Su Mu had assumed that ordinary people, even martial artists who had trained for years, could hardly stand against Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen trained in Breathing Styles. He had never expected to see someone fight one of them on equal footing, even repeatedly forcing the Corps swordsman into dangerous situations.
The bout between the Demon Slayer Corps swordsman and the samurai soon ended.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu truly is formidable."
The swordsman, dressed in the Demon Slayer Corps' distinctive uniform, sheathed his blade and looked at the samurai opposite him with admiration.
The samurai was also panting, but there was a touch of emotion in his voice. "I never imagined I would get to spar with a member of the legendary Demon Slayer Corps that hunts demons."
As he spoke, the samurai looked curiously at the Corps swordsman. "Do demons really exist in this world?"
Remember the original publication website's domain.
Although rumors of demons had always circulated, he had never encountered a real one. The authorities had never acknowledged their existence either, so he had always been skeptical.
Had he not seen a member of the supposed Demon Slayer Corps in person, he would have thought it was all just a legend.
According to legend, demons prowled whenever the sun went down, and the Demon Slayer Corps would appear to slay them and protect humanity.
For the latest chapter updates, please visit
"One day, every demon in this world will be eradicated."
The Demon Slayer Corps swordsman answered solemnly.
"So demons really do exist in this world, and the legends are true."
The samurai sighed with feeling, his gaze full of admiration as he looked at the swordsman.
Hidden in the shadows, Su Mu was also a little surprised when he heard the name Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. If he remembered correctly, that school of swordsmanship came from Rurouni Kenshin.
Its most iconic practitioner was Kenshin Himura.
Ever since encountering Muzan Kibutsuji and being turned into a demon by him, Su Mu had believed he was in the world of the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He had also believed that the Demon Slayer Corps were the only humans capable of confronting demons head-on.
But on closer reflection, the Demon Slayer Corps in the anime was merely an organization the authorities tacitly tolerated. It was not even officially recognized.
He remembered that in Demon Slayer's Mugen Train arc, Tanjiro had trouble boarding the train because he carried a Nichirin Blade, and a ban on carrying swords had been mentioned. Rurouni Kenshin also seemed to have a similar sword ban. Viewed that way, the appearance of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu from Rurouni Kenshin here did not seem all that unexpected.
By then, the two had finished their conversation. The Demon Slayer Corps swordsman turned and left, while the samurai who practiced Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu headed toward the town gate.
Seeing this, Su Mu set aside his questions and quietly followed him.
The samurai did not notice Su Mu trailing him. Before long, he reached an entrance and went inside.
Su Mu did not follow him in. Instead, he stopped and looked at the lettering above the entrance.
"Hiko Dojo."
Judging by the lettering, this was clearly a dojo where people practiced martial arts.
As he recalled, Akaza of the Twelve Kizuki had also studied at a dojo before becoming a demon, though the dojo where Akaza had trained seemed to have been the Soryu Dojo.
Standing outside, Su Mu could already hear shouts and the clash of blades coming from within. Clearly, even late at night, people were still practicing swordsmanship and martial arts inside.
Su Mu did not enter the Hiko Dojo right away. Instead, he turned and headed toward a part of town where there were still plenty of people. Although he was now a demon, he looked no different from an ordinary person. If he mingled with the crowd, no one would immediately suspect what he was.
In fact, many demons hid in bustling cities. Some had even become courtesans renowned far and wide.
Unlike small villages and towns, where every household shut its doors at night and the streets were deserted, with few shops still open, this town remained brightly lit after dark. Here, Su Mu did not have to barge into someone's home just to ask a question.
After casually approaching a couple of passersby, Su Mu learned what he needed to know about the Hiko Dojo.
Just as he had expected, the Hiko Dojo was indeed a place that taught martial arts. Its master was exceptionally powerful, and the style taught there was Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu."
Su Mu murmured the name. In his memory, it was an extremely powerful school of swordsmanship. Learning it would certainly benefit him.
He confirmed that the Hiko Dojo taught swordsmanship to outsiders, but anyone who wanted to learn had to pass an assessment. Clearly, wanting to study there was not enough.
Only after learning all this did Su Mu return to the Hiko Dojo's entrance. He hesitated briefly, then walked inside.
Just as he stepped through the entrance, someone who had finished practicing swordsmanship came out. Upon seeing Su Mu, the man looked slightly puzzled.
"Who are you?"
Curiosity appeared in the man's eyes. After all, most people who trained at the same dojo already knew one another, and he had clearly never seen Su Mu before.
Besides, arriving late at night was rather strange.
"I came to learn Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu."
Su Mu stopped and spoke.
The man paused, looking quite surprised. Generally, those who wanted to learn swordsmanship came during the day. After all, their master and senior fellow student usually taught and guided them during daylight hours. At night, they mostly practiced here on their own initiative.
Although he found it strange, he hesitated and then said, "I'll take you to see our senior fellow student. He's in charge of teaching. Still, not everyone can join the Hiko Dojo."
"Sorry for the trouble."
Su Mu smiled.
"It's nothing."
The man led the way. Yet that brief moment when his eyes had met Su Mu's, and he had caught a trace of scarlet in them, had left his heart pounding with unease.
Soon, Su Mu was brought to a room. The man knocked, and the door quickly opened. A burly man emerged from inside.
"Senior, someone has come here wanting to study swordsmanship at our dojo."
The man who had brought Su Mu addressed his senior fellow student.
The burly man was puzzled. Why had this visitor chosen to come late at night rather than during the day? It was rather strange.
Su Mu also froze briefly when he saw the man. He was the very samurai who had held his own against the Demon Slayer Corps swordsman earlier.
The man looked at Su Mu as well. "Are you the one who wants to study swordsmanship at our dojo?"
"Yes, I've long heard that the Hiko
Dojo's swordsmanship is formidable, and I'd like to study here."
Please visit to read the complete chapter.
"What's your name? Where are you from?"
The man questioned him.
"My name is Su Mu. I'm from..."
As for a place name, Su Mu found himself at a loss for an answer.
Seeing Su Mu's hesitation, suspicion appeared in the man's eyes. The late-night visit had already struck him as odd. Now that the visitor could not explain where he came from, he grew even more wary.
Still, confident in his own strength, he was not overly concerned. But he clearly had no intention of accepting someone with such an uncertain background.
An outright refusal would be awkward, though, so he planned to assess Su Mu and then reject him on some pretext of failing to meet the requirements.