The thought flashed through Murata's mind for only an instant.
In his current situation, he probably would not survive long enough for a Hashira to rescue him.
The demon had not killed him immediately, but had merely taken control of his limbs and made him follow along.
Under these circumstances, he might still have a chance to escape...
Yet just then, the demon's words chilled Murata's heart:
"I'm keeping you alive because I don't want my family eating anything that isn't fresh."
"As for making you walk a little longer like this, that's to make your meat a bit springier."
"A new member is joining my family today."
"If you don't become a little tastier, I'm going to be unhappy."
As the demon spoke, Murata saw him turn his head and glance at him.
The words "Upper Rank" in his eyes instantly plunged Murata into despair!
He had actually been captured by an Upper Rank demon!
Rui seemed to sense Murata's thoughts and mocked him softly:
"You barged in here and disturbed my life with my family. Simply eating you would be letting you off far too easily."
"Isn't it better to stop struggling, just like this? It saves you some more suffering, too."
"If you want to live now, there's probably only one possibility."
"And that's if one of your Demon Slayer Corps Hashira suddenly..."
Before Rui could finish, he abruptly stopped.
He distinctly sensed three metallic clangs suddenly ring out around him.
The next instant, the sound of howling wind tearing through the air erupted!
[Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter]
A white-haired figure suddenly appeared.
In the blink of an eye, he left behind a spiraling wind blade powerful enough to tear up all the dirt, dust, and grass roots on the ground.
Completely unprepared, Rui was startled by the sudden attack.
He hurriedly stretched out both hands and began activating his Blood Demon Art.
Yet just then, another attack followed:
[Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin]
A fierce downward slash suddenly struck!
Although Rui had retreated the instant he noticed the attack,
both his hands had already been severed by the blade!
His chest was also left with numerous wounds deep enough to expose bone.
Rui distinctly felt a searing, astonishing pain coming from both his severed wrists and the wounds on his chest.
He immediately tried to regenerate, but what happened next startled him again.
The places struck by their attacks could not regenerate?!
It was not as though Rui had never encountered the Demon Slayer Corps.
In fact, on Mount Natagumo's "menu," members of the Demon Slayer Corps were also a "family delicacy."
So Rui had been wounded by those people before, but he had never encountered anything this strange.
His wounds could not regenerate rapidly?
Or rather, they could only recover at an abnormally slow pace?
If that was really the case, what difference was there between him and those feeble humans?!
What was more, his Blood Demon Art required the use of his hands.
Now both his hands had been severed, and he could not regenerate them quickly...
For the first time, fear and uncertainty appeared in Rui's eyes.
Moreover, seeing the words "Destroyer of Demons" on their blades, Rui had already recognized who they were-
They were Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps!
Meanwhile, delight had already appeared on Sanemi Shinazugawa's face.
Even Giyu Tomioka's eyes flashed with a trace of joy.
The bright red Nichirin sword Mr. Yoriichi had taught them really could suppress demons' ability to regenerate rapidly!
The moment Rui's hands were severed, Murata felt the sensation of being controlled disappear.
But the places pierced by the spider threads moments earlier still alternated between pain and numbness.
This left Murata unable to control his body, and he could only topple backward helplessly.
Yet just then, a light-footed figure suddenly landed beside him.
She reached out a hand and braced it squarely against Murata's back, allowing him to sit down on the ground much more slowly.
A gentle voice rang out:
"Murata, how are you feeling now?"
Murata answered instinctively:
"I... don't seem to have any major problems."
Although the demon's spider threads had just pierced and controlled all four of his limbs, and numbness and pain were still constantly alternating through his body.
He had encountered an Upper Rank demon, yet suffered only these minor injuries.
He really did not have any major problems.
Only after saying this did Murata come to his senses, as though waking from a dream.
Mr. Shinazugawa, Mr. Tomioka, and Miss Shinobu Kocho!
When the demon had taken control of him, he had fantasized about a Hashira descending from the sky to save him.
Now, not only had a Hashira actually arrived, but three had come at once!
And that was not even all!
Murata turned his head with difficulty and clearly saw a figure with deep red hair not far away.
Even Mr. Yoriichi had come!
"You hurt our comrade. It seems you have no intention of getting along with us."
Shinobu Kocho still wore a smile, but anyone could hear the anger in her voice!
[Insect Breathing: Butterfly Dance: Caprice]
Shinobu Kocho launched her attack, thrusting the unusually shaped Nichirin Blade in her hand at Rui with astonishing speed.
At the same time, Sanemi Shinazugawa swung his Nichirin Blade as well, unleashing three wind blades.
[Wind Breathing, Third Form: Clear Blue Sky]
Immediately afterward, a blade suddenly thrust toward Rui as though touching the surface of water to send ripples spreading.
Giyu Tomioka had also launched his attack!
[Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust]
Seeing the three attacks coming almost simultaneously, Rui turned and ran without the slightest hesitation.
Even now, Rui still did not understand how these people had sealed his ability to regenerate rapidly.
What was beyond doubt was that, with his arms unable to regenerate and his Blood Demon Art severely weakened, fighting three Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps was anything but wise!
Moreover, he had only become an Upper Rank very recently and had yet to fully master his abilities.
Sensing his pursuers rapidly closing in behind him, Rui felt fear rise in his heart again.
They would catch him!
To escape under these circumstances, he would have to...
He would have to receive that lord's help and be pulled into Infinity Castle!
That was right. He had always been special to that lord. That lord would surely save him!
Rui desperately called out to that lord in his heart, and sure enough, he felt a supreme will descend into his mind.
Yet the next instant, Rui discovered that an extraordinarily fast figure had overtaken him despite starting later and blocked his path.
Rui and the will in his mind simultaneously saw the swordsman with deep red hair draw the Nichirin Blade at his waist...
Before you continue