Chapter 43: Kasugai Crow

The moment Yorīzu collapsed, an emerald-green treasure chest suddenly materialized above her body.

An alluring light swirled within it, like stars twinkling in the deep night sky, making its attraction irresistible.

Old Wolf and the others were like frost-bitten eggplants, cowering on the ground in trepidation, their eyes filled with fear and unease.

They did their utmost to mask their expressions, terrified that even the slightest movement might provoke Lin Yi and trigger unnecessary misunderstandings.

At this critical moment of life and death, they knew better than anyone that if Lin Yi were to go on a bloodthirsty rampage, they wouldn't even find a place to cry about it.

Lin Yi glanced at the green treasure chest and casually swept it away.

Looking at Yorīzu's corpse on the ground, Lin Yi couldn't help but shake his head, thinking to himself, "So this is the so-called Twelve Kizuki? Their strength is far too weak; they are nowhere near Kurban's level."

He had thought that someone like Yorīzu, a renowned member of the Twelve Kizuki in the original work, might hold out against him for a while, but he hadn't expected her to be so fragile.

With just two sword strikes, he had defeated her.

This sense of ease left Lin Yi feeling somewhat speechless; the battle had ended before he even had a chance to truly exert himself.

Lin Yi lowered his head to check the attributes of the Black and White Rose in his hand, only to find that the Source of Death had jumped from 0% to 15%.

Such an exaggerated increase left him quite surprised.

Lin Yi calculated in his mind that if the growth continued at this rate, as long as he could eliminate half of the Twelve Kizuki, the Black and White Rose would fully collect the Source of Death.

On the other side of the wall, Yun Xi and her teammates cautiously poked their heads out, their gazes locked onto Lin Yi standing in the center of the clearing.

Originally, they had harbored a sliver of hope that they might scavenge some spoils after the battle ended.

But when they saw Lin Yi defeat Yorīzu so effortlessly, that hope instantly vanished.

That seemingly tempting green treasure chest was simply not something they could lay a finger on.

A flash of decisiveness crossed Yun Xi's eyes; she knew that staying here would only increase the risk.

She quickly made a decision and led her team to retreat from the mansion.

Looking at Old Wolf and his group, who were still bound to the floor, a faint light of purification flashed in Lin Yi's hand.

Old Wolf and the other members felt a sudden lightness as the tight sensation of their restraints vanished instantly.

They scrambled up from the ground, supporting one another to stand steady.

Just as the atmosphere among them was becoming awkward, the sudden cry of a Kasugai Crow broke the silence.

Everyone looked up to see a Kasugai Crow, with a talisman attached to its head, standing quietly on a tree branch.

Its feathers were a deep black, as if capable of swallowing all light, and its sharp beak was tightly shut, as if waiting for something.

What set it apart was that the crow's gaze was exceptionally sharp, as if it could see through people's hearts.

It watched the crowd below with those pitch-black eyes, as if searching for something.

Lin Yi immediately sensed that this crow was unusual.

He slightly raised the Black and White Rose, preparing to respond to any sudden situation.

He keenly perceived that two distinct auras were emanating from the crow.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Kagaya Ubuyashiki of the Demon Slayer Corps," the Kasugai Crow suddenly spoke, a crisp male voice emerging from its beak.

"Speak your mind," Lin Yi said, glancing at the crow. Only after realizing it had no intention of attacking did he lower the tip of his sword toward the ground.

The crow nodded. "Thank you very much for successfully eliminating the Lower Moon demon, Yorīzu. I have come by the order of the Master to deliver a message."

"How should I address you, sir?" the crow, possessed by Kagaya Ubuyashiki, politely asked for Lin Yi's name.

"Doctor," Lin Yi replied concisely.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded slightly, then solemnly extended an invitation to Lin Yi: "On behalf of the Ubuyashiki family, I invite you to join the Demon Slayer Corps and become a Hashira. Would you be willing?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki had watched the battle between Lin Yi and Yorīzu clearly from the sky.

Lower Moon Four had not even lasted two moves in Lin Yi's hands; such formidable strength gave him hope.

He believed that Lin Yi might be the one to break the stalemate of these past hundreds of years and eliminate the Upper Moon demons that no one could shake.

Lin Yi considered it for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Very well, I accept."

He did not forget Old Wolf and the others beside him, turning to ask, "Are you coming?"

Old Wolf and the others looked at each other and said in unison, "We will follow your decision."

"Good, then I'll trouble you to lead the way," Lin Yi said to the crow.

As they walked out of the main gate, three luxurious carriages appeared before them, parked by the roadside not far away.

Each carriage was accompanied by a driver wearing clothes embroidered with wisteria flowers, making them stand out prominently.

These drivers and carriages were support provided to the Demon Slayer Corps by the Wisteria Family.

The Wisteria Family was a massive clan composed of many families who had once suffered persecution by demons.

After being rescued by the Demon Slayer Corps, they began providing financial support and gradually formed a vast logistics network.

The wealthy provided funds, while those without means took charge of logistics—such as the three drivers before them, all of whom were survivors whose families had been destroyed by demons.

Now, they contributed their strength to the Demon Slayer Corps in their own way.

"Sir, please," one driver said, stepping down to lift the carriage curtain and respectfully inviting Lin Yi inside.

Although Old Wolf and the others did not receive such high treatment, they did not mind.

In a derivative world, not being hunted was already quite good.

With the crack of a whip, the carriage wheels began to turn slowly.

The drivers guided the carriages, carrying Lin Yi's group toward the direction of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The faint howling of wild wolves echoed from the wilderness, a primal sound that drifted through the air, adding a touch of mystery and desolation to the quiet night.

In Japan at this time, aside from the prosperous large cities, small towns were still immersed in agricultural life.

The roads at night were pitch black, with not a single soul in sight, save for the faint starlight flickering in the sky to guide the way.

The carriages rolled slowly along the dark road, the sound of the wheels blending with the night of the wilderness, appearing exceptionally tranquil and peaceful.

After about three or four hours of travel, the group finally arrived at their destination—a massive estate nestled deep within the mountains.

Two guards at the main gate held weapons, watching the front with vigilant eyes.

Only after they saw the wisteria mark on the drivers did they gradually relax their guard.

"Why is someone coming this late?" one of the guards couldn't help but ask, while gesturing for the carriages to stop to perform a routine inspection.

At that moment, the Kasugai Crow following the convoy suddenly flapped its wings and landed on the roof of a carriage.

"Let them in. The Head has been waiting for a long time," the crow's crisp voice echoed in the night sky, instantly diffusing the tension at the gate.

Hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's command, the two guards quickly withdrew their weapons and swiftly opened the gates.

(End of Chapter)