All the Hashira immediately turned to look at him.
Shinobu Kocho looked particularly puzzled.
"Mr. Su Chen, do you lack confidence in your strength? I think Mr. Shinazugawa will surely acknowledge your strength when the time comes."
At that, Shinazugawa looked scornful.
Just as he had thought, Su Chen was someone who lost his nerve before the fight even began. No matter how talented someone like that was, it was a waste.
On the battlefield, facing a demon, he probably would not even dare raise his sword!
Under everyone's gaze, Su Chen slowly spoke. "I don't need two months. Half a month is enough for me to defeat Shinazugawa."
The air instantly fell silent.
Then all the Hashira drew in two sharp breaths.
Wasn't that far too arrogant?
Shinazugawa was a Hashira!
Did he think the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest fighters were just for show? Even a highly gifted prospect like Muichiro Tokito had taken two months to become a sword-wielding Hashira.
No matter how capable Su Chen was, surely he could not surpass Shinazugawa in just half a month?
Mitsuri Kanroji said with some concern, "Lord Su Chen, isn't half a month a little rushed for earning Lord Shinazugawa's recognition? Even Lord Tokito took two months to become a Hashira."
"One correction: I don't need his recognition. I said I would defeat him," Su Chen said earnestly, his gaze steady.
All the Hashira fell silent.
And the angriest among them was undoubtedly Shinazugawa.
He was the Demon Slayer Corps' distinguished Wind Hashira, yet someone actually dared look down on him?
Shinazugawa snapped, "You mean you only need half a month to defeat me? What do you take the Hashira for?!"
Tengen Uzui also asked, "Flashy young man, were you already a master swordsman before this, or have you killed demons before?"
Su Chen shook his head. "No, I'd never seen a demon before. I'd never even touched a sword."
Beside him, Shinobu Kocho could not help looking worried. "Mr. Su Chen, these terms are far too unfavorable for you."
Su Chen looked at Shinobu Kocho. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke calmly. "Then it is settled. In half a month, Sanemi and Su Chen will fight. If Su Chen defeats Sanemi, he will become the Demon Slayer Corps' tenth Hashira-level member."
Despite all the fury in Shinazugawa's heart, he still restrained himself in the Master's presence.
He glared viciously at Su Chen and said through gritted teeth, "As you command!"
Su Chen simply nodded calmly. "All right."
Once the decision was made, the Ubuyashiki couple left.
Before leaving, they also warned Shinazugawa not to act rashly.
So Shinazugawa headed straight off, glaring at Su Chen before he left. "In half a month, I'll use my Wind Breathing to break every bone in your body."
Su Chen waved goodbye. "Then I'll look forward to seeing that."
"Hmph." Shinazugawa left as well.
The remaining Hashira exchanged looks.
Next came the question of where Su Chen would go, and where he would live was a difficult issue.
But the difficulty was not whether they could house Su Chen-it was whether Su Chen wanted to stay with them.
Su Chen glanced at the remaining Hashira.
The Sound Hashira, Flame Hashira, Mist Hashira, Love Hashira, Serpent Hashira, and Shinobu Kocho.
They all extended invitations to Su Chen.
Muichiro Tokito said, "Su Chen, come with me. I can teach you to defeat Shinazugawa."
Mitsuri Kanroji said, "Lord Su Chen, why not come to my house? I make really delicious cakes!"
Obanai Iguro said, "Su Chen, I advise you to think this through."
Tengen Uzui said, "Su Chen, come to my house. Let's begin a flashy adventure together!"
Kyojuro Rengoku said, "Su Chen, together, we'll surely be able to protect everyone!"
Everyone offered him an olive branch. Only Shinobu Kocho took a half step back, yielding to gain ground. "My, my~ Wherever you want to stay, Su Chen, I'll support you~"
As she spoke, she smiled faintly.
The warm sunlight fell across Shinobu Kocho's face, making her as beautiful as a sprite in the sun.
At the sight, Mitsuri Kanroji was deeply shaken.
Oh no, oh no! Why didn't I think of that?
With Shinobu looking so gentle, Su Chen will definitely run off with him!
Sure enough, the next moment, Su Chen had made his decision.
He chose Shinobu Kocho.
Come on, did this even need thinking about?
She saved my life on Spider Mountain that day! I'm a good young man who repays kindness!
So Shinobu Kocho happily led the way for Su Chen, and the two left, chatting and laughing.
Only after Su Chen was far away did the other Hashira finally let out sighs.
"Shinobu's scooped up another one. If I remember correctly, didn't Shinobu take that boy named Kamado away too?"
"What a shame. If only Su Chen had come to my house. I could definitely turn him into a flashy, handsome man!"
"Does Lord Su Chen not like my little cakes?"
They were all thoroughly disappointed.
Regret showed on Mitsuri Kanroji's face, and she resolved that once she returned home, she would make sure to learn from Shinobu Kocho.
Why hadn't Su Chen chosen her? How was she ever going to get married at this rate?
Mitsuri Kanroji let out a soft sigh.
Little did she know that Obanai Iguro had witnessed it all.
A dangerous gleam shone through the slits of Kaburamaru's eyes as he rested around Obanai's neck. Beside Mitsuri, Obanai was already glaring viciously at Su Chen.
A little heart full of jealousy pounded. Shinazugawa, you'd better do us proud.
Meanwhile, Su Chen...
Had already set off for the Butterfly Mansion under Shinobu Kocho's guidance.
"The Butterfly Mansion is the Demon Slayer Corps' medical department. The accommodations there are very suitable for you right now, Mr. Su Chen."
Shinobu Kocho carefully explained the details of the Butterfly Mansion to Su Chen, the smile never leaving her face.
Su Chen thanked her politely. "Thank you, Miss Shinobu."
As the two walked side by side, Shinobu Kocho asked with a smile, "May I ask why you want to join the Demon Slayer Corps, Mr. Su Chen?"
Shinobu Kocho could tell that Su Chen had genuinely wanted to join the Demon Slayer Corps when he stood before Oyakata-sama.
Otherwise, he would not have made that wager with Shinazugawa.
But Shinobu Kocho did not know exactly what Su Chen's objective was, so she still needed to ask.
Su Chen said quietly, "To become stronger."
That was right-to become stronger!
In this world, if you were weak, you either got eaten as a human or cut down as a demon. It really offered a full range of ways to die.
Only by becoming strong himself could Su Chen ensure his own safety.
And judging by the original plot, he would at least need to reach Hashira level in the Demon Slayer Corps to be somewhat safer, though he would still have to watch out for the Upper Rank demons.
So Su Chen's goal was to become someone like Yoriichi Tsugikuni-not only incomparably dashing, but able to live to a ripe old age!
But that goal sounded different to Shinobu Kocho.
"Simply to become stronger?" A trace of astonishment visibly crossed Shinobu Kocho's face.
Because there were many ways to become stronger, and among them, of course, was...
Becoming a demon!
Before you continue