Chapter 27: Confrontation with Ubuyashiki

"Greetings, Ren. This must be our first meeting."

In the darkness, Ubuyashiki Kōyō faced Ren, each studying the other.

From the carriage, the Lord of the Demon Slayer Corps gazed out, a refined smile on his face.

Opposite him stood a demon: long red hair, drenched in blood, once a Hashira of the Corps, now the Supreme Leader of the Twelve Kizuki, Burial Crow Ren.

Ren observed the Corps' new Lord. Kōyō's appearance differed from the Lord in his memory, yet their eyes, their demeanor, their tone—they were strikingly similar.

The Ubuyashiki clan, worthy of leading the Corps for centuries, worthy of thwarting Lord Muzan's attempts to destroy them. Each Lord seemed to possess a unique, irresistible charisma, like the brightest star in the night sky, drawing and uniting prodigies from all corners, inspiring these warriors to serve willingly.

Back when Ren was in the Corps, he hadn't fully grasped the mystical power of the Ubuyashiki clan.

But after falling to demonhood, serving under Lord Muzan, time and insight revealed the true terror of this clan.

As long as the Ubuyashiki lived, they remained the greatest threat to Lord Muzan and the demons lurking in the shadows.

"I've seen you before."

Ren pointed to his brow, as if recalling. "In my memory, you were still a child."

Kōyō's smile remained, unperturbed by Ren's taunt.

"Is that so? My memory must be unclear," he said calmly. "Ren, if you're here to kill me, please spare the children. Take my head, but don't harm the villagers."

"You're already in my grasp. You're in no position to bargain," Ren said, shaking his head.

"I hadn't planned to kill you today, but seeing you changed my mind. I'll ask you a few questions. If your answers satisfy me, I'll spare those Hashira. But if they don't, no one here survives."

Kōyō's expression didn't waver, but his attention was drawn to Ren's eyes. "Demon Moon… what is that?"

"Lord Muzan created the Twelve Kizuki. I am their Supreme Leader. By the way, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, who killed the previous Lord, now ranks below me."

Ren shared this to make one thing clear: if Michikatsu, weaker than he, could kill the former Lord and escape, then Ren's threat to slaughter everyone here was no empty boast.

As expected, Kōyō sighed at Ren's words. "Ask what you wish."

Ren said evenly, "Do you know why I betrayed the Corps?"

"I know some of it."

Kōyō spoke softly. "It was the rumors, wasn't it? For years, I've wanted to apologize to you and Master Yoriichi. The Corps owes its growth to both of you—your contributions were indispensable.

My father's death had nothing to do with Master Yoriichi, yet he faced baseless accusations. I was rushed into leadership and meant to defend you both, but by the time I arrived, you had already left.

I tried to suppress those rumors within the Corps, but they spread, causing you harm. I'm truly sorry."

"No, no, no."

Ren wagged his finger. "Rumors? I didn't care much about them. But do you know? Your subordinates, the Corps, killed my brother."

Kōyō's face froze. "I was unaware of that."

"I believe you didn't know."

Ren nodded.

But in the next moment, a pained scream erupted from the carriage behind Kōyō—it was his wife, Ubuyashiki Tenmyō.

"Tenmyō!"

Kōyō's face paled, and he rushed into the carriage. The sight before him made his body tremble.

Tenmyō lay in an unnaturally twisted pose, as if every bone had been broken and reshaped. Her limbs stretched outward, deformed by an invisible force, as if torn apart.

Her once-beautiful face was now grotesque with agony, sweat pouring down her forehead. She struggled to move her eyes, locking onto her husband with a gaze of desperate fear, her voice broken. "Kō…yō… save… me…"

Seeing his beloved in such torment, Kōyō's heart shattered, his eyes reddening. He could no longer stay calm.

He spun around, glaring at Ren nearby. "Ren, release Tenmyō now!"

"I told you, you're in no position to bargain," Ren said calmly. "Answer my questions. If I'm not satisfied, she dies."

"What do you want to ask?"

Kōyō suppressed his fury.

Ren murmured, "You say the Corps killed my brother. Now I'm here to kill you all. Is that wrong?"

Silence fell, the air growing still.

Ren smiled. "You can't answer, can you? I keep things clear. The Corps killed Chitoshi, so I'll kill all your families. That makes us even."

"The Corps was wrong."

Kōyō's voice was heavy. "But as its Lord, all fault lies with me. If you harbor resentment, kill me. Take my head.

The Ren I knew protected the weak, fighting demons to his last breath, not a demon slaughtering the elderly, weak, and women!"

"Don't put me on a pedestal. The moment my brother died, the old Corps Ren ceased to exist."

Ren said lazily, "You admit the Corps was wrong, so killing those Hashira and their families is justified, right?"

Tenmyō screamed again. Though Kōyō didn't turn, he heard the grinding of her bones—a torture worse than any blade.

Ren smiled. "As Lord, suppressing those rumors would've been easy.

But you didn't, because you'd just taken leadership. You needed the support of the Sound Hashira and others. Suppressing the rumors would've opposed them, risking their discontent.

So, a man who left the Corps became the perfect scapegoat.

Am I right?"

Kōyō unclenched his fists, his face expressionless. He could no longer hear his wife's voice. It meant Ubuyashiki Tenmyō was dead.