Going Down the Mountain

(A/N: Some People are MAD that this is a Harem Story. Bruh, you didn't check the tags? NO HAREM, NO LIFE!)

--- Chapter 35 ---

After taking some 'important' items and sealing the cave, Tenma and two girls walked down the mountain.

Tenma breathed in, taking a mouthful of freshness. "The air outside is better after a year. The energy from ten Dragon Veins is indeed not wasted. I can feel the natural energy in the air is richer now."

Suddenly, he recalled something.

"Kanao, you haven't joined the Demon Slayer Corps, right?"

Kanao shook her head gently, "I'm waiting for you..."

Hearing her soft reply, Tenma couldn't help but smile and nod.

Their plan from four years ago has yet to start. To avoid suspicion, Tenma and Kanao must enter the Final Selection at the same time. With Butterfly Mansion's sponsor, it was easy to change details about Tenma's 'actual' age.

The appearance of Tenma's genius wouldn't be as shocking as the 2nd Simulation, and the demons wouldn't target him so much.

"By the way, Nii-chan. You're giving Nao-chan and me a task to look for the Kamado Family in Mount Kumotori, right?" Eri suddenly said.

"Yes." Tenma nodded in acknowledgment. "I believe they have a unique technique passed down from generation to generation and knowledge about the Blue Spider Lily, which could weaken Muzan."

Eri sighed helplessly, "Unfortunately, we found no family with Kamado Surname. There is also no information about such surnames in Tokyo Prefecture."

"As for the Blue Spider Lily..."

"There are ancient records about it, but its existence is close to zero."

"Hmm..." Tenma expected this already. In the Simulation, he discovered the Kamado family was 'brutally' killed by Muzan's attack ten years ago.

That demon king is ruthless, not playing around after knowing the threat of the Kamado Family's inheritance. Tenma knew that the mountain area was currently nothing but a haunted place.

Fortunately, Muzan didn't get his hand on the Blue Spider Lily. Kamado Tanjiro and Kamado Nezuko are still alive in the Kyoto Prefecture, hiding from demons.

Tenma rubbed his chin, 'If I followed the Simulation's route, we could meet in the Gion or Arashiyama.'

'We also can meet at the Demon Slayer Corps, knowing they would get a recommendation from the Shinsengumi. There are also the children of Okita and Saito Clan.'

'Well, it's not like I was in a hurry for their assistance.'

Although Hinokami Kagura/Sun Breathing is something that the Demon Slayer Corps had been looking at for centuries, Tenma wasn't interested in it because he believed Spear Breathing was much superior.

Heck! Even the newly developed Star Breathing is better than Hinokami Kagura because it was a genuine Martial Technique that incorporated Stellar Force.

What Tenma needed from the Kamado Siblings was their blood. After all, they consumed heavy doses of Blue Spider Lily Remedy from a young age, which caused their blood to mutate greatly, allowing them to wield Demonic Power more perfectly than Muzan himself.

The mutated blood is also poison for the Demon King.

After walking for half an hour, they finally arrived at Wakami Village.

Tenma stared at the village and couldn't help but smile because this had changed a lot in four years. When he was about to enter seclusion, the Wakami Village stretched to the Southern and Western Mountain Range, and the population had increased by 70%.

But now, even the dirt street has paved with stone and fenced. The Eastern Mountain Range has transformed into a row of new houses. Most of the new villagers are actually individuals who seek protection from the demons, merchants, and students of Totsuki Culinary School.

Since Totsuki Culinary School adopted a boarding school system, the students are required to live in the Wakami Village.

Of course, this was only temporary. The Institution they planned in Tokyo isn't finished yet because of the lack of funding and land permission.

While the Kocho Sisters are rich, they couldn't buy several hectares of land.

"Ah, Tenma-kun. You're back!" greeted one of the older villagers with a smile. He's a middle-aged man who worked in the field.

Tenma smiled back, "Morning, Nori Jii."

"You look much younger after a year."

The older gentleman laughed heartily, "Haha~! Thanks to the Totsuki Student who brought traffic into our village, my grandchildren could learn how to write and enter school in another city."

"They have a better future than me, an ordinary farmer."

"Tenma, you brought prosperity to our small village."

Tenma waved his hand and humbly replied, "I only teach people how to cook. Nothing much."

"Haha, and you're the best at it!" The entire Wakami Village knew Tenma's cooking skills were unmatched. At first, they were surprised but gradually accepted the foundation of Totsuki Culinary School.

Tenma's cooking convinced them!

Unfortunately, only a handful of children in the Wakami Village could join the Totsuki Culinary School due to their lack of discipline, talents, and comprehension.

But as the older gentleman said, the unaccepted children have a better chance at another place. They aren't mad at Totsuki Culinary School's strict requirements.

The farmers in Wakami Village also raced to grow high-quality and stable crops, which was another way to sustain their families.

Above all else, they realized their small Wakami Village might become a famous city in a few decades. It's all thanks to Tenma and six ladies.

Tenma didn't linger on the farm and steadily walked to his home. Some people would greet him with a smile on the way there, and he responded to them accordingly.

"Hehe, Tenma Nii-chan is so popular~!" Eri joyfully skipped her steps beside Tenma.

"It's a good thing." Kanao put on a gentle expression.

"Haha... Being famous isn't as good as you think." Tenma chuckled helplessly. He doesn't have a problem with social interactions but still finds them exhausting.

I mean, who wanted to smile on the street all the time?

Tenma is wild but not crazy.

Thankfully, he was famous for being a chef, not a demon slayer. Or Muzan would have knocked on his front door. It is also another layer of cover for Tenma.

"Uh, this place changed a little too much."

Tenma, Kanao, and Eri arrived at the familiar gravel path. Far ahead was a three-story, traditional Japanese house with a tall fence and everything.

The cramped wooden hut has been enlarged and renovated with new beams and better materials, becoming the main base with tall, dark wooden walls, double doors, and high windows.

The second and third floors are the meditation room, tea room, and bedrooms for Tenma and others.

"Last year, I remember there were only two floors..." Tenma glanced at Eri and Kanao.

Eri giggled, "The third floor is the new meditation room. The scenery is much better up there."

"I don't like to stare at walls all the time, you know?"

"That's true... Staring at the wall is mundane." Kanao nodded, agreeing with Eri's words.

"You don't throw away the Calligraphy I made, right?" Tenma raised his eyebrows because he left behind some 'special' scrolls with scripts and pictures for their visualization. Each scroll has a worldly essence and unique insight instilled by him.

"Of course not!" Eri crossed her arms.

"I'm not dumb to throw such valuable things."

"The scrolls are safe on the third floor. Well, it's not like anyone beside us can open it."

That's true. Only Tenma and six other people have the right to access the scrolls because he placed Fuinjutsu on them.

Tenma walked to the gate and saw some plants in the yard, still covered with faint snow.

"Welcome home, Tenma-sama!" greeted two guards. They are ronin rented by Totsuki Culinary Schools to protect the house.

Tenma glanced at them and nodded, "Keep up the good work."

As Tenma and two girls entered the house, the guard broke into cold sweats.

"Damn... What a fellow. Did you feel it?" asked the first guard to his colleague. "His mere presence makes me shiver."

The second guard nodded solemnly, "I have never felt something like that. Even our former master isn't that strong."

"I don't know how to explain... It's just monstrous."

"It's hard to believe he was younger than my son."

The first guard sighed, "It seems we are making a good choice by accepting this contract."

"With a person like Tenma-sama, Totsuki, no! Nakiri Clan is bound to become famous in the future!"

They are unaware that Tenma could hear their conversation.

'Nakiri Clan, huh?' Tenma was amused.

He opened the door gently and entered the living room, "Kaa-chan, I'm back!"