Chapter 244: Planning

The Pillar Meeting was scheduled for two days later. This kind of emergency meeting always allows enough time for the distant "Pillars" to make their way.

During these two days, Li Mo stayed at the Corps Leader's residence. The large estate had plenty of guest rooms.

He had become a guest.

But from another perspective, he was more like a worker.

Or perhaps, a kindergarten teacher.

Playing with a group of children—how could that not be like being a kindergarten teacher?

"Actually, I think Himejima would be quite suitable for teaching children. Who knows, after the Demon Slayer Corps is disbanded, he might even adopt orphans."

In the hallway, watching as Amane Ubuyashiki led the group of children to their rooms to rest, Li Mo turned to Kagaya Ubuyashiki and spoke.

The Corps Leader's complexion looked much better.

He said, "That would be like returning to his old profession."

"Yes, who would have thought that someone as tall as Himejima would do such a thing?"

At 2.2 meters tall, Himejima was not just tall by Japanese standards, but globally as well. If he had lived in ancient times, he would have been seen as a divine warrior descending to earth. Yet his dream was simply to take care of the children at a temple...

Li Mo paused, no longer thinking about Gyomei Himejima, and asked, "Corps Leader, how are you feeling now?"

"The most comfortable I've been in recent years."

"It seems my work has been effective. However, I can only alleviate the burden on you. I cannot cure the curse itself, only reduce its erosion on you."

Just the other day, Li Mo had examined Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body, focusing on the curse that had plagued the Ubuyashiki family for generations.

Curse—

This term clearly belonged to the realm of the mystical. Tamayo had once examined Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body. She had admitted her inability to help, as it was beyond her knowledge as a doctor.

It was simply not her field of expertise.

Li Mo, however, was well-suited for this.

"Muzan Kibutsuji, right? The source is still him."

"This is a curse rooted in bloodline. The Ubuyashiki family's situation is different from that of demons."

There is a mystical connection between demons and Muzan Kibutsuji. In a sense, every demon is a part of Muzan's existence. The curse on the Ubuyashiki family, however, stems from the "Ubuyashiki" bloodline.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki said, "I know it's not that simple."

The Corps Leader calmly accepted everything. After all, the Ubuyashiki family shared the same bloodline as the Demon King.

This is their sin, their burden.

"Later, I will create a batch of protective charms. Wearing them will significantly slow the erosion of the curse. At the very least, Tsuyuri and the others can grow up safely."

Tsuyuri Ubuyashiki, Kagaya's eldest daughter. As a daughter of the Ubuyashiki family, if she wished to avoid the curse's erosion, she would have to marry at a young age.

With Li Mo's methods, at least she wouldn't have to resort to that.

Even Teruko Ubuyashiki, the youngest child, would not suffer as heavily from the curse as Kagaya.

"Li, is it really alright to transfer those curses onto yourself?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki asked calmly. The Ubuyashiki family had intermarried with priestly families for generations, and through this exposure, he had gained some understanding of the mystical arts. He recalled that Li Mo's method of alleviating the curse was to transfer it onto himself.

"Corps Leader, it's fine. That level of curse is like cream on a cake to me."

"Cake? A Western dish?"

To view curses as food? The ability to devour curses? What have you experienced in these three years?

Kagaya Ubuyashiki wondered. He remembered the shock of hearing about Kanae Kocho's news three years ago—severely injured, then vanishing without a trace. Three years later, he returned, alive and well.

—Is he truly from the future?

"Exactly," Li Mo shrugged.

The curse rooted in the bloodline was nothing more than a snack. It had limited the Ubuyashiki family's descendants to a lifespan of no more than thirty years, but to Li Mo, it was insignificant.

He had devoured "All the World's Evil." The Ubuyashiki family's curse was nothing in comparison.

"Li, what have you experienced these past three years?"

"You're the second person to ask me that."

The first, of course, was Kanae. On nights when they were exhausted but unwilling to sleep, they would talk.

Last time, how did I answer?

Li Mo sorted through his experiences after leaving the Demon Slayer world. He had traveled to two other worlds, so he categorized them accordingly.

In Teyvat, he completed a ritual with a deceased shrine maiden, then studied under a certain pink-haired fox. In Fuyuki City, he played a game of alliances and rivalries, then continued his studies.

"Mostly, I traveled to many places to study... It was much more exhausting than my training on Mount Sagiri. Learning Breath Techniques required muscle memory, but the later studies demanded mental effort."

Learning Yin-Yang arts and magecraft gave Li Mo the feeling of studying mathematics.

But unlike mathematics, the feedback from magecraft was immediate. Once mastered, you could project objects, fire magical bullets, locate things...

The positive reinforcement was strong.

Compared to the monotony of academic study, magecraft was far more interesting.

Time flew by. Even though he was still a student in the main world, Li Mo no longer felt like he belonged in the ivory tower. Having witnessed the storms outside the garden, returning to the artificial warmth felt increasingly uncomfortable.

Li Mo tugged at his short hair and said, "Ah, why is it that no matter how much I grow, I still have to keep studying?"

"Live and learn," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said.

He deeply agreed. Precocious children always come to understand one truth: learning is essential. The ocean of knowledge is boundless, and no human can master it all.

"Let's end this sad topic here. Corps Leader, what are you and Lady Amane planning to do tomorrow? I heard you were planning to take Tsuyuri and Hinaki with you."

"We are visiting the Tokito family."

"The Tokito family? Descendants of the Tsugikuni line, right?"

"Yes."

Yoriichi Tsugikuni had no descendants. His wife was killed by a demon while pregnant, and his child died before even entering the world.

The Tokito family are the descendants of Yoriichi's older brother, who is now Upper Moon One, Kokushibo.

"Are you inviting that family's child to become a swordsman?"

"That is my intention."

"Then perhaps Lady Amane should not go."

"Agreed."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki answered decisively.

The final battle was approaching. What was needed now was top-tier combat strength, not potential. Those with potential had already been noted for future consideration.

The location of the Blue Spider Lily had been classified as top secret. No matter what, Muzan Kibutsuji must never learn where it is.

"Tomorrow, we will begin spreading the news about the Blue Spider Lily, Corps Leader."

"Then, the location will be here."

"But you cannot stay here, Corps Leader."

"Then... I hope you will allow me to witness what Muzan Kibutsuji truly looks like."

"Agreed."

The leader and the warrior had reached an agreement.

After a long silence, the Corps Leader asked, "Why have you decided not to spread the news of your return?"

He had followed Li Mo's initial request to keep the news quiet. Now, after meeting again, he still chose not to spread the word.

He didn't understand. The return of the Sun Pillar would undoubtedly boost morale.

"Because... it's more fun?"

Li Mo gave a reason that wasn't entirely logical.

Yet it was enough to convince Kagaya Ubuyashiki.