Chapter 22: Moving

"Ah?" Kie was somewhat surprised, covering her mouth. "Jotaro-san shouldn't need to go through so much trouble, right?"

This place was where their ancestors had lived for generations. To them, this place held a different kind of feeling. Saying leave and just leaving, how could it be that easy?

"Listen well, I didn't say this before because I didn't want you all to worry too much."

Jotaro's expression was solemn, and he spoke seriously: "No matter what, tomorrow you must move away from here."

"That demon didn't just pass by this place by coincidence, but came here with a certain purpose. His target from the beginning was all of you."

Upon hearing this, Kie's delicate face first showed astonishment, then the astonishment turned into terror. Her face instantly turned pale, speaking in a lost and frightened manner, "Why? We don't even know that person…"

Jotaro's light green eyes shimmered, as if recalling the moment he first saw the demon.

"It can't be wrong… Though I don't know the exact reason, but his target definitely was all of you."

Jotaro's clothing, this black uniform, was quite fashionable for the present time. Also, compared to the Kamado family, his height of 1.9 meters made him stand out like a crane among chickens.

Seeing such a guy, unfamiliar strangers would definitely take a few more glances. Yet the demon only glanced at him once, then shifted his gaze elsewhere. This indicated that compared to him, a strange person, something more attractive existed here.

Jotaro's observation skills were extremely outstanding. The demon's reactions were all seen by him. The demon's gaze never moved after it landed on that person.

"To be precise…"

"Jotaro-san! What do I need to do next?"

Tanjiro pushed the cart to the open space in front of the house, wiping sweat from his forehead. After a night of deep sleep, he didn't feel tired at all. He still wanted to do more for his family.

"His target is Tanjiro."

Seeing everyone staring at him without blinking, Tanjiro blinked blankly.

"Jotaro-san, Mother, everyone, what's wrong with all of you?"

Jotaro closed his eyes and said, "That guy is not dead yet. For the sake of your safety, it's best to leave here first."

Also, after the fierce battle last night, the Kamado family's house was already in ruins from the foundation up. Besides being drafty everywhere, the walls and roof were damaged to various extents.

Such a house simply couldn't be lived in. Moving was the best option.

After explaining the pros and cons, Kie was silent for a moment, then took the children to pack their belongings. If the family couldn't be protected, then such a home held no meaning in staying. She understood this reasoning.

After everything was packed, Jotaro carried Nezuko onto the cart. A few of her younger brothers and sisters also sat up, and Tanjiro pulled the cart from the front, while Jotaro and Kie followed along at the sides.

Jotaro did not help him. Taking care of the family was Tanjiro's own responsibility. Also, he could tell, Tanjiro wanted to do more for his family.

Everything that happened last night must still make him feel guilty inside.

Jotaro was clear about this point. He reached into his pocket for a cigarette, took one and held it in his mouth, and Golden Star's finger instantly slid across. The cigarette tip sparked, and smoke immediately rose.

"Jotaro-san, thank you for helping our family. This matter actually has nothing to do with you..."

Having always been looked after by Jotaro, Kie inevitably felt a bit apologetic.

"No need." Jotaro closed his eyes and turned his head aside. "I didn't do this for you all. I just find that demon an eyesore."

Upon hearing this, Kie had a gentle smile on her face. Her bright purple eyes seemed to see right through Jotaro.

'Such a cute child, pretending to be cold and harsh, so cute.'

She really wanted to reach out and touch his face…

Jotaro frowned and gritted his teeth. At this moment, Kie looked at him exactly the same way his mother Kujo Holly did, making him feel a bit creeped out.

'What was wrong with this woman?'

"Yare yare daze…"

The group slowly made their way down the mountain. Due to exhaustion, the atmosphere gradually fell into silence.

Tanjiro alone quietly pulled the cart at the front, and the children on the cart, like Takeo, were dozing off.

"Ah!" Hanako suddenly let out a scream. The sharp cry startled everyone.

Kie asked in panic, "What is it, Hanako?"

Hanako hurriedly said, "Sister… Sister seems to be in a lot of pain."

Tanjiro instantly stopped the cart and turned to look back.

Nezuko's brows were tightly furrowed, and her pale face was covered in cold sweat, just like someone having a nightmare. Her lips were constantly writhing in pain, and her bared teeth seemed sharper than usual.

"Nezuko, she…"

Tanjiro was mentally dazed, subconsciously murmuring softly, not even knowing what to say anymore.

Jotaro walked to the side of the cart, his light green eyes gazing at Nezuko's cheeks, his brow involuntarily furrowing.

First, he reached out and placed his hand on Nezuko's forehead. The originally cold skin had now become scorching hot.

This high fever was like the body's automatic rejection reaction. Her body temperature had already risen above 40 degrees Celsius.

Then he lifted open Nezuko's kimono again, revealing the girl's skin, whiter than snow.

"This is..."

Jotaro's eyes widened, completely in disbelief.

The wound pierced by the demon was actually slowly healing. It couldn't be wrong. Though the area around the wound was still covered in beard-like black veins, the wound had become much smaller than before.

The wound had shrunk, but whether it was his illusion or not, Nezuko's body seemed to have grown a little compared to before.

"…"

Jotaro did not voice the guess in his heart. In his view, the girl was likely transitioning from human to demon.

"Is it her? The demon that eats people…"

A faint voice came from behind the group. A youth wearing a two-tone haori and carrying a sword slowly walked over.

His expression was indifferent, as if everyone in the world owed him money. While walking, he drew the sharp katana from his waist, with four large characters on the base of the blade, "Demon Slayer."

"The family up the mountain is…"

His cold eyes narrowed, then he said in surprise, "No, she's the one attacked by the demon. If the wound is stained with demon's blood, you'll turn into a demon."

"You all get away from her immediately!" he suddenly shouted, "She will soon become a man-eating demon!"

The Kamado family turned a deaf ear. Nezuko's changes were visible to the naked eye; they just refused to believe it.

"Nezuko is not a demon! She is my sister!" Tanjiro argued loudly.

"Move aside! Before something irreversible happens, I must chop off her head first!"

With that, under the stunned eyes of the crowd, the youth in the haori had already rushed forward with sword in hand.

His sword was sharp and fast. In a flash of cold light, it had already approached Nezuko's neck.