Horitake stood by the window, watching Yaeko disappear into the wind and snow without hesitation, a look of admiration in his eyes.
Despite being a child, she possessed a sense of responsibility and courage that many grown men lacked. Not everyone had such perseverance and steadfastness.
However, a question arose: what was it that sustained this child's immense perseverance and steadfastness?
Horitake asked Shinobu Kocho without turning his head:
"Shinobu-nee-san, what do you think Yaeko is hiding?"
Shinobu Kocho's voice came from behind Horitake:
"What else could she be hiding?
Yaeko must have already realized that it's not a bear that's eating people. She must also know that the man-eater is what we call a demon."
"Exactly. Even knowing such a dangerous creature is out there, she still went without a second thought for her own safety. Therefore, I'm certain that this demon has an extraordinary connection to Yaeko. I've seen this kind of thing many times."
"Mm, I guessed as much too."
Horitake turned, looking at Shinobu Kocho.
He immediately widened his eyes in surprise!
What did he see?
He saw Shinobu-nee-san's pristine jade-like back! It was breathtakingly beautiful!
However, very unfortunately, Horitake only caught a glimpse before Shinobu-nee-san's back was immediately covered tightly by her Demon Slayer Corps uniform!
Horitake stared, dumbfounded, at Shinobu Kocho, who was adjusting her uniform, and couldn't help but ask:
"Shinobu-nee-san... were you changing just now!?"
Shinobu Kocho answered matter-of-factly:
"Of course. If I'm going to slay a demon, I naturally need to change into a more practical uniform first."
"No, I mean, you were changing right behind me just now, without any attempt to avoid me at all! Shinobu-nee-san, you trust me that much!?"
Regarding this question, Shinobu Kocho placed a slender, delicate finger on her chin, deep in thought:
"Actually, I don't trust you at all.
However, the situation is a bit urgent right now, Horitake-san, and you definitely wouldn't do anything strange or unnecessary at such a critical moment, right?
Precisely because I grasped this point about you, plus you had your back to me just now and weren't paying attention, and also to save time, I just went ahead and changed!
Is there a problem?"
After speaking, Shinobu Kocho even blinked curiously at Horitake.
Horitake clutched his small heart, looking deeply aggrieved, feeling as if he had lost a hundred million:
"I just thought Shinobu-nee-san was tidying the bed, so I didn't turn around. Who would have thought Shinobu-nee-san was changing clothes! I... I feel like I've lost big time!"
Shinobu Kocho put on her butterfly haori, demonstrating her capable posture:
"Alright, enough of that nonsense. Let's quickly catch up. I have a feeling something bad will happen to Yaeko tonight!"
Getting back to business, Horitake also regained his serious demeanor:
"Indeed, something bad will happen to Yaeko tonight.
I think there's no need for us to stick right by Yaeko.
Although Yaeko is young, she's sharp. She might not completely trust us, and we might not only fail to find our target but also be led in circles by Yaeko through the snowy mountains.
If you ask me, we should quietly shadow Yaeko without letting her discover us. If we do, we're bound to have a breakthrough tonight!"
Shinobu Kocho nodded with a smile:
"I think so too!"
And so, the two of them left the room, exited the inn, and followed Yaeko's tracks, plunging into the dark night of swirling snow.
In the northern mountains, the wind and snow howled. It was nighttime, and the weather was bone-chillingly cold.
No one would choose to travel through the mountain forests and snowfields on such a dreadful night, as it was simply too dangerous.
Yet, Yaeko possessed that kind of fierce determination, knowing there were tigers in the mountains yet still heading towards them.
What was it that gave this young child such ferocity and resolve?
Dressed in relatively thick clothing, carrying her hunting rifle, and with her dog, she trudged through the snow, one step deep, one step shallow.
Traveling in such weather was extremely difficult, but because the snow reflected some light, visibility wasn't as low as one might imagine. If one was careful, travel was still possible.
However, even so, the danger was too high.
Setting aside the ferocious, starving wild beasts in the snowy mountains, even for an ordinary person walking in such weather, a slight misstep, falling into a trap or a snowdrift, could mean...
It would be difficult to climb out of deep snow and survive.
Though not common, people freezing to death in the mountains happened almost every year.
Would Yaeko be next?
Of course not!
Though it seemed Yaeko was alone, there were actually three people.
Horitake and Shinobu Kocho continuously circled Yaeko, keeping a distance that ensured Yaeko wouldn't discover them, yet close enough to quickly rush to protect her.
To have two Demon Slayer Corps Pillars secretly protecting her, Yaeko was truly the first!
In this situation, although Yaeko was in danger, she wasn't truly that dangerous. Unless Muzan Kibutsuji himself appeared, could the Flame Pillar and Insect Pillar combined not protect a child!?
Yaeko didn't know that she was being protected by such powerful people.
She continued to brave the wind and snow, remaining tense and cautious, trudging through the snowfields and mountain forests, step by step.
Looking at the surrounding terrain and environment, she thought to herself:
"After all these days, this is the only place left unsearched. It must be here. I hope I can find... no, perhaps it's better if I don't."
Yaeko's heart was filled with conflict and tension.
She hoped to find her target tonight.
Yet she also feared that her target really was what she suspected, which she would find hard to accept.
Wiping her face, which was red from the cold, Yaeko knelt down and stroked her Akita dog named Taro:
"Taro, it's very cold, but you have to keep going."
The loyal dog barked twice, then spread its four paws and ran ahead, leading the way for Yaeko.
It must be said that having a loyal hunting dog to scout ahead not only gave Yaeko some confidence but also significantly reduced the danger.
Yaeko continued to walk, one step deep, one step shallow, searching the area. She remained vigilant.
She didn't know how long she walked until her feet were almost numb from the cold when, suddenly, there was a sound!
Yaeko suddenly heard her dog's urgent barks coming from ahead!
Her heart tightened, and she rushed forward, wanting to investigate.
But the urgent barks immediately turned into the dog's wails of distress and cries for help!
Yaeko was frantic, almost tripping in the snow.
Just as the dog's terrified barks grew louder and louder, a thunderous boom suddenly echoed in front of Yaeko, accompanied by a flash of purple light!
Yaeko was startled by this, and this time she truly fell in the snow.
How could there be thunder during a heavy snowstorm in winter!?
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