Chapter 221: News

**The death of comrades.** In the Demon Slayer Corps, it was a common occurrence. A teammate you had just seen might already be a corpse—or worse, completely vanished—the next time you met.

During his previous time in this world, Li Mo had witnessed the turnover of many Demon Slayer swordsmen.

After seeing such things so often, he had grown accustomed to it.

"Sir, your tonkotsu ramen."

"That's a lot of chashu, isn't it?"

"You're the last customer of the day. This chashu would just go to waste if left overnight."

"How's the Rengoku family doing?"

Li Mo picked up his chopsticks and asked as he looked at the steaming bowl of ramen in front of him.

The owner was acquainted with Kyojuro Rengoku.

Given the state Kyojuro was in when Li Mo left, it was unlikely he could remain active on the front lines. The injuries he had sustained were no small matter.

"Rengoku-sama is now a cultivator. However, from what I've heard from the swordsmen who've trained under him in recent years, he's been in a low mood. Perhaps seeing you again will lift his spirits?"

The owner's words reached Li Mo's ears.

He understood the underlying meaning.

Kyojuro Rengoku's low spirits were because of him. If Li Mo hadn't arrived in time back then, Kyojuro would have died.

Stirring the ramen with his chopsticks, Li Mo took a bite. The familiar taste awakened memories on his tongue. Even in 21st-century Tokyo, he had wandered through countless ramen shops but had never found a flavor quite like this.

"How about Rengoku's two children?"

"Kyojuro has already become a swordsman. That boy is as passionate as fire, truly a Rengoku through and through. As for Senjuro, his physical abilities aren't up to par, so he can't become a swordsman."

The ramen shop owner was deeply connected to Kyojuro Rengoku and thus knew the private affairs of the Rengoku family.

Li Mo smiled as he recalled the two children he had met a handful of times.

"How's Ruka, Ruka Rengoku?"

"With the help of some unknown doctor, her condition has stabilized. She's no longer in life-threatening danger, though her health isn't as good as before."

"That's good to hear."

If Li Mo remembered correctly, Ruka should have passed away in recent years, which was why Kyojuro had fallen into despair, becoming a shadow of his former self.

But now, perhaps he wouldn't fall to such depths?

Without seeing Kyojuro in person, Li Mo couldn't say for sure.

Soon, the bowl was empty. The ramen and chashu had been completely devoured, and even the broth had been finished.

Normally, Li Mo wouldn't finish the broth.

He asked, "You're really holding back, aren't you? Don't you have any questions? Like, where I've been these past three years?"

"I do have questions, but that's not the main one. What I want to know is, how strong are you now, sir?"

The owner was in his thirties, but his appearance made him look like a man in his forties or fifties.

It had been over a decade since he became a swordsman.

He had almost forgotten the reason he became a swordsman. In truth, most Demon Slayers became swordsmen for a few common reasons: their family members were killed, their loved ones were killed…

Before becoming a swordsman, they experienced death. After becoming a swordsman, they continued to face death. The owner was fortunate to be able to live peacefully here as a craftsman, but many others had long been buried underground, some without even a proper burial.

He had grown used to it.

The owner looked at the man who had been missing for three years. Six years ago, this man had fought to the death, killing demons without Breathing Techniques or a Nichirin Blade. Three years ago, he had fought Upper Moon Three to a standstill.

So, how strong was he now?

Was he stronger than before, or had he weakened?

"Is that important?"

"Very important."

**The Pillars.**

The strongest fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps.

At some point, a saying had spread within the Corps: "This generation of Pillars is the strongest since the founding generation."

The well-informed owner acknowledged this claim.

He also knew another saying.

The genius who had died too soon.

**The Sun Pillar.**

A swordsman named after the sun.

"I'm much stronger than before—much stronger!"

Li Mo said solemnly.

Compared to when he left this world, he had undergone a comprehensive enhancement. Back then, he was still within the realm of mortals, but now he had stepped into the extraordinary. Was Muzan Kibutsuji really that strong? Not necessarily. He simply relied on his innate talents and physical superiority to dominate.

If they were on equal footing in terms of physical ability, Muzan might not even be a match for Kokushibo. That was the difference in combat experience.

"That's good to hear."

"The conversation suddenly got so serious. In such a relaxed environment, Boss, I've never seen you look so serious. I remember you weren't this serious even when a demon appeared near your shop."

"Life is hard enough. Why make it more serious?"

Li Mo nodded in agreement with this sentiment.

Life was already filled with so much unhappiness. There was no need to add more pressure to oneself.

He asked, "Do you know which active Pillar is closest to here? Or, who is currently stationed in Tokyo?"

Tokyo was the capital of Japan. While no law explicitly designated it as such, it was undoubtedly the economic and cultural center of the country.

A large number of people lived here, and the population was a mix of all kinds. The disappearance of a certain number of people wouldn't even cause a ripple. Therefore, this bustling city was home to many demons.

The Demon Slayer Corps had long stationed a Pillar here. It used to be Kyojuro Rengoku, and later it was supposed to be Li Mo. But…

"The Flower Pillar, Kanae Kocho, is currently stationed in Tokyo. However, she's been active in the Yoshiwara red-light district recently."

"Huh? That kind of place?"

Li Mo raised an eyebrow.

Yoshiwara—the name might sound unfamiliar, but it was essentially a pleasure district.

It was easy to connect this to the original plot.

"One of the Twelve Kizuki?" Li Mo asked.

"Yes, sir."

"I see. Do you know the location? Also… what is Kanae doing there? Don't tell me she's working as a courtesan."

After a moment, the expression on the owner's face gave Li Mo the answer.

Kanae Kocho was indeed working as a courtesan in Yoshiwara. Li Mo rolled his eyes, unsure what Kanae was thinking.

After getting the general location from the owner, Li Mo prepared to leave.

"Stay safe. I hope I can still eat here after the Demon Slayer Corps disbands."

"Of course."

The conversation ended.

When the owner looked up again, Li Mo, who had been sitting at the counter, had already vanished. He only heard the sound of the door opening and closing, though the door remained shut.

What kind of speed was that?

The owner was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

Perhaps… in his lifetime, he would witness the disbandment of the Demon Slayer Corps.

There was only one condition for the Corps to disband—the complete eradication of demons from the world.

The owner paused, then immediately summoned his Kasugai Crow.

He needed to report this news to the Master.