Dispute

"Hiss--"

A slight scraping sound rang out in the quiet air, and with that sound, the sliding door inside the room slowly moved.

As the door opened, a figure slowly emerged from the dimly lit room, his steps steady and deliberate, finally stopping under the eaves.

Sunlight filtered through the clouds, dappling the figure. His face was gently outlined by the sunlight; a pale purple scar, like a vine, had completely taken over his upper left cheek and, like a greedy beast, continued to spread towards his right side. The scar was particularly glaring in the sunlight, yet it carried an indescribable sense of sorrow.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked up at the sky, sunlight falling on his face and reflecting the deep melancholy in his eyes. He gently closed his eyes, as if wanting to etch this moment of sunlight deep into his heart.

How much longer can I see this light...?

Master be well!

A loud and orderly voice echoed in the courtyard. The pillars, like well-trained soldiers, stood in a row and knelt on one knee to express their respect for Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

Teiichi watched the crowd from the side, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not kneel down like them, not even on one knee.

"Leader!"

Teiichi bowed slightly to Kagaya Ubuyashiki as a sign of respect.

"Teiichi- jun, this is our Oyakata-sama. When you meet our Oyakata-sama, you must kneel and pay your respects!"

Kanae Kocho carefully reminded him, noticing that Teiichi's behavior was different from the others. She thought that Teiichi did not understand traditional etiquette, so she gently tugged at his sleeve, trying to guide him to follow local customs.

Teiichi glanced down at Kanae, who was tugging at his sleeve, and frowned slightly.

He knew his actions might seem strange to others, but he simply couldn't accept kneeling as a way of expressing respect. He tried to explain his thoughts, but found himself at a loss for words.

You can't exactly say you're from another time; there was no such thing as a worker kneeling before their boss in your previous life.

Yes, in Teiichi's view, being a member of the Demon Slayer Corps is merely a profession.

As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I'm just a working-class person. Even if I become a Pillar, I'll still just be a high-level working-class person.

If I had to pinpoint what distinguishes it from other professions, it would probably be that its goals are more lofty.

It is to eliminate evil spirits and protect humanity.

But having lofty goals isn't a reason for me to kneel before you, is it?

In my past life, I only retained the kneeling ceremony for the three identities of Heaven, Earth, and relatives. Perhaps I also knelt before my master, but in my past life I was just an ordinary person and did not kneel before my master.

Therefore, after Teiichi Kanae Kocho's words, Teiichi remained standing still.

"Hey! What's wrong with you? It's one thing to be sloppy Lower Rank Three, but how come you don't even know basic manners when meeting the Oyakata-sama? Hurry up and pay your respects to the Oyakata-sama!"

From a distance, Tengen Uzui's sharp gaze fell upon Teiichi. When he saw that Teiichi remained standing still despite Kanae's gentle reminder, his brows furrowed and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

Although neither Gyomei Himejima nor Giyu Tomioka spoke, they both turned to look at Teiichi.

Seeing that everyone present seemed to be waiting for him to kneel down and pay homage to his Oyakata-sama, Teiichi had no choice but to explain.

"To me, this is just a job. And in a job, there's no such thing as kneeling before your boss."

Upon hearing this, Tengen Uzui's face darkened, and veins bulged. He could not accept Teiichi Demon Slayer Corps with ordinary jobs. In his view, the Demon Slayer Corps was a noble cause forged with their lives and dignity, and it could not be measured by money.

"Hey, you! The Demon Slayer Corps is nothing like the kind of work you're talking about. We joined the Demon Slayer Corps to eliminate demons; we fight demons with our lives on the line! It's not the kind of work you're describing, done for money and profit!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gyomei Himejima his hands together, making a loud "smack" sound. Tears streamed down his blind face as he whispered:

"Amitabha... Indeed, every member of the Demon Slayer Corps joined with the belief of sacrificing themselves to save others. How can their courage and determination be measured by worldly standards?"

Teiichi hearing this, Ding frowned and said:

"I understand what you mean, but ultimately it's just a difference of opinion. I don't mean to belittle the Demon Slayer Corps or our mission; I just believe that no matter what profession we pursue, we should maintain our dignity and principles."

I joined the Demon Slayer Corps with the same mindset of sacrificing myself, but I don't believe it requires me to abandon my dignity and kneel before anyone. What? Do you think I joined the Demon Slayer Corps just for fun and then went to fight demons?"

"You..."

Tengen Uzui heard Teiichi's words and was about to retort when he was interrupted by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

"Okay, it's just a way of addressing someone and greeting them."

The voice, like a spring breeze, swept over the crowd, suppressing the anger of the pillars.

Seeing that the pillars remained silent, Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and looked at Teiichi.

"I am not someone in a high position, and the Demon Slayer Corps has no rule that I need to kneel before them."

Everyone is only treating me this way out of kindness; if you don't want to, you don't have to be like them.

The method you just described works perfectly.

There's no need for everyone to dwell on this kind of thing. As a Pillar, it's enough to simply protect others!

Gentle words drifted through the courtyard.

Looking at the frail figure before him, Teiichi couldn't help but sigh.

He certainly has the makings of a ruler.

If I lived in ancient times, I would probably bow down in reverence upon hearing these words.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at the people in the courtyard and continued speaking:

"We are no longer in the closed-off era of the past. People from all over the world are constantly pouring into our country, bringing with them different ideas from the outside world."

These ideas collide and merge with our local ideas, and no one knows what kind of culture will form in the future.

One of its more well-known ideas is the principle of equality for all.

"Equality for all..."

Upon hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words, Gyomei Himejima grasped the key point and muttered to himself.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded and began to explain.

Yes, everyone is equal.

Just as its literal meaning suggests, everyone is equal, enjoying the same rights, opportunities, and dignity. People are not distinguished by differences in status, profession, income, or other factors.

At this point, Kagaya Ubuyashiki paused, smiled, looked at Teiichi, and asked:

"Is it Teiichi- kun has been exposed to this kind of culture that he behaves this way?"