Chapter 195: Countdown to Exploding Muzan's Golden Coins x The Theory of Cause and Effect
Pain... piercing pain... It felt like his heart was being gouged out by a knife. Muzan Kibutsuji knelt on the ground, "Hah... hah..." gasping for air continuously...
He groaned in agony, collapsing sideways, curled up like a shrimp...
Nakime stopped playing. Beside her, Kokushibo, who was practicing swordsmanship, honing his skills day after day, suddenly retracted [Kyokokukamusari]. Reflecting the moonlight, startled, he accidentally released a tiny crescent blade, slicing off a corner of the floor in the blink of an eye...
Crack~ The wooden floor fell into the void. As Nakime plucked a string, it was restored to its original state... The female demon, whose face was perpetually hidden by her long hair, felt the Muzan blood in her body boiling and trembling. She called out softly, "Muzan-sama."
In the Eternal Paradise Cult headquarters, Douma, dressed as the cult leader, enjoying himself behind a curtain; Gyutaro and his sister Daki in the Entertainment District; and thousands of demons turned by Muzan or the Upper Moons across the world... whether they were devouring flesh or hiding from the sun, they all stopped what they were doing simultaneously, as if rehearsed...
Touching their chests, the place of the heart, where Muzan's blood resided, they were shocked to find... an emotion named "Fear" and "Panic" suddenly emerged, expanding, maddening, instantly turning into a tidal wave drowning them...
Everything seemed to point to Muzan Kibutsuji. In a trance, the demons realized... "That person is afraid!"
"Master." Emotions surged like a tide but were forcibly suppressed by Kokushibo's powerful will...
The man, with [Kyokokukamusari] at his waist, wearing a purple and black patterned kimono over black hakama, moved his wooden sandals and appeared instantly beside Muzan Kibutsuji. He scooped him up by the arm. Looking again... the Demon King, who once cared for nothing and held the power of life and death over all demons, was rarely pale and wretched, clutching him tightly...
Hanging most of his weight on Kokushibo, he said ferociously, "It's Eiichiro Kamado!"
Muzan groaned in pain, "He must have done something... Michikatsu, I can feel it. He's harming me behind my back!"
Fiery red hair swaying in the wind... Kokushibo's six eyes suddenly narrowed, recalling the gaze exchanged with the boy through the Eye Demon across space after the Mugen Train battle... Clang~ The blade was drawn, cold light flickering...
Kokushibo took a step forward, firmly shielding Muzan behind him, staring ahead. "Master, do not worry. What he did, just ask him!"
[Transparent World]... Open!
Whoosh!
Perception broke through physiological limits, spiritual power touched the philosophical level... The spiritual power fused with Kokushibo's, or rather Michikatsu Tsugikuni's, life's realization, saw through everything like fire!
In front of the empty wooden floor, a wisp of mist appeared out of thin air... The mist outlined the boy's appearance. Those eyes fwoosh ignited "two suns." It was... Roy's consciousness clone, which had used the [Curse] to trace the [Thread of Causality], using Kagaya Ubuyashiki as a vessel to project a sliver of consciousness into the Infinity Castle!
"Eiichiro Kamado, how can you be here?!" Relying on physical contact with Kokushibo to share the [Transparent World], Muzan nearly shattered his teeth upon discovering Roy. Veins on his forehead bulged like writhing dragons. He flung his hand, launching a "Flesh Whip"!
[Flesh Whip]: Bone whips extended from both arms. Offensive and defensive, flexible yet hard as rock.
With a vast attack range covering a ten-meter radius, the spikes on the whip could change position and shape at Muzan's will. The swing speed was extreme; in the original story, even Gyomei Himejima with the Transparent World couldn't react, and at its peak, the speed chilled Yoriichi Tsugikuni's spine. Possessing immense destructive power, a direct hit could destroy half a building. Moreover, the whips carried Muzan's blood. According to his will, the cells wouldn't turn the target into a demon but would destroy all the opponent's cells, causing death with a single hit.
Most despairingly, the whips had countless "mouths." With every breath, they generated immense suction, creating whirlpools in the air to slow the opponent's movement, tearing everything around, drastically compressing the space for the opponent to use sword techniques!
Whoosh— The Flesh Whip, carrying Muzan's panicked and furious strike, whistled towards him. The dense little mouths on it sucked at Roy... Below, a sword light, even faster than the whip, flashed, bringing hundreds of crescent blades, breaking through spatial limits, coordinating with the whip's vortex to trap Roy and slash at him...
The boy's fiery red hair was blown backward by the wind of the blade and whip. He carefully savored his current state, lost in thought.
[Nature] [Backlash] [Causality] [Cycle]... "Cause and effect... cause and effect... there must be a cause for an effect..."
Sizzle~ As the curse in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body was illuminated and killed by several "Solar Flame Swords," Roy's consciousness immersed, unintentionally taking an ethereal journey along the thread of causality. Looking back, he faintly understood something, though not clearly. With a hazy feeling, he opened his hand, Conjuring the training blade—[Solar Eclipse], and whispered: "Release."
"All things in the universe, turn to ash. The sun rises in the east."
Suddenly... a red sun leaped from the tip of Roy's blade. As the boy lightly lifted Solar Eclipse, it slowly rose...
Those "Flesh Whips"... those "Moon Blades"... were like rats fleeing in panic, unfortunately running into a tabby cat waiting around the corner. Instantly melting, collapsing... vanishing into nothingness!
"Sun Breathing?"
"This isn't Yoriichi's sword technique!"
"There is no such move in Sun Breathing!"
Whoosh~ His face caught fire upon being illuminated by the red sun...
Muzan Kibutsuji roared, "Nakime!"
Twang~ A sound of the biwa.
The world shifted!
Roy's figure drifted, retreating voluntarily, instantly putting distance between himself and Muzan, who was shielded by Kokushibo.
The boy watched them move away as the floorboards under his feet were replaced one by one. Following [Causality], he keenly caught a scent of [Space].
On the panel, the column belonging to En and the [Nen Property: Yin Release] stirred uncontrollably.
[Notification: Detected two "Demons," one "Demon King." [Magical Beast Encyclopedia] has unfolded...]
[Name: Muzan Kibutsuji]
[Demon King]
[Physique: 841 (Note: Average person is 1)]
[Innate Blood Demon Arts: 1. "Gift": Muzan can inject demon blood into others, forcibly transforming them into demons and drastically increasing their physique.]
[2. "Domination": Muzan has "absolute dominion" over demons under his name. A single thought can read subordinates' memories, delete or modify restrictions... and take their lives.]
[3. "Multiple Organs": Muzan can cultivate "multiple organs" in his body as his strength increases. He will not die unless all organs are destroyed.]
[4. "Self-Fragmentation": Muzan can "self-destruct," splitting his body tissues into countless small pieces to hide. As long as one piece survives, he can resurrect.]
[5. "Whip Technique": Muzan excels in "Whip Technique," able to transform parts of his body into "Flesh Whips" or "Spine Whips" at will to attack others.]
[6. "Dead Infant Proliferation": Muzan can revert to his primal infant state, infinitely proliferating flesh and tissues (Note: Muzan is extremely weak in this state and will not use it unless desperate).]
[7... 8... 9...]
A "notification"... a piece of "information"... also a "talent"...
Roy was dragged backward by the zither sounds played by Nakime. Watching Muzan fly far away with Kokushibo, he casually glanced at the panels for "Nakime" and "Kokushibo." One carried massive "Spatial" experience, perfectly compatible with [Swamp Space]... the other possessed countless "Kendo" skills, which could further improve his swordsmanship level if consumed...
As all the [Curse] black qi in Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body was cleared one by one by the "Solar Flame Swords"... Roy's body swayed slightly, gradually fading until it completely disappeared...
Consciousness returned. He opened his eyes, exhaled a long breath, and said to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, "Mission accomplished. The [Curse] is removed."
Crack~ As if a shackle had broken, a sound suddenly came from Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body...
The man's body swayed slightly. His hunched back slowly straightened. A hint of rosiness quietly appeared on his pale face. He exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling an indescribable ease all over his body. Truly, one shackle broken, the world feels wide...
He couldn't help but let out a comfortable moan. The change was fast, the effect immediate!
The kneeling Hashira were moved. Those with deep bonds with Kagaya Ubuyashiki, such as Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Tengen Uzui... were weeping, choked with emotion, unable to speak...
"I feel... I am well."
"Eiichiro-sama... Master... Anata (Husband)..." Excited calls echoed in this secluded wisteria forest...
Following the unfolding of the [Magical Beast Encyclopedia], the "Believer Panels" for "Gyomei Himejima," "Sanemi Shinazugawa," "Muichiro Tokito"... and even Senior Brother "Giyu Tomioka" unfolded, notifying the boy of "Loyalty +10 +10 +15..."
The "Conversion" conditions were triggered. Just an "Ordination" was needed to bring everyone into the fold immediately.
Roy's hand warmed. His right hand was grabbed by both of Kagaya Ubuyashiki's hands, tighter and tighter. "Eiichiro... sama, I..."
Excitement to the point of incoherence was Kagaya Ubuyashiki's current state. Even he, always composed, never thought he would show such a flustered appearance one day.
Wanting to say something but not knowing what to say... The boy's grace in removing the curse was tantamount to rebirth!
Roy quietly savored everything around him. His understanding of [Causality] and En seemed hazy, gaining some clarity but not fully grasping it. It felt like a layer of window paper he couldn't pierce.
The boy patted Kagaya Ubuyashiki's clenched fists, smiling at him. "I know your heart. You don't need to say anything. Just rest now and make up for the years of deficit as soon as possible."
"Amitabha... Eiichiro-sama speaks the truth." Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, looked up at Roy with gratitude, then stood up to help Kagaya lie down, making room for Hinaki, Nichika, and the other children, Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina, brought by Amane...
As Roy used one palm for each person, utilizing the [Sun's] "Darkness Dispelling" property to condense "Solar Flame Swords" and illuminate/kill the [Curse] black qi coiled in their hearts... Hinaki, Nichika, and Kiriya, almost exactly like Kagaya, felt their bodies shake, followed by indescribable ease, their spirits seemingly enlivened!
"Thank Eiichiro-sama quickly!" Amane scolded gently.
Hinaki, Nichika, and Kiriya bowed deeply in unison... On the tatami not far away, Kagaya Ubuyashiki lay flat, watching silently. Unknowingly, tears squeezed out of his blind eyes for the first time. As if his tear ducts had revived without the curse's restriction, he shed two lines of hot tears, moving everyone...
"Get up, no need..."
"No, Eiichiro-sama, you must accept it!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed to finally find his ability to organize words, insisting.
The Hashira kneeling around Roy had no objections... Roy, in silence, had to accept these bows calmly. A moment later, Hinaki, Nichika, and Kiriya were led back to the inner courtyard by Amane to rest. In the large front hall, on the wide wooden corridor, only Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the nine Hashira, and Roy remained.
Kagaya propped himself up. After resting for a while, he didn't need Gyomei's help. He found a cushion for his back and looked at Roy seriously. "Eiichiro-sama, really won't reconsider?"
"No need. I don't have the energy to manage trivial matters of planning and coordination." Roy waved his hand.
His mind was still immersed in [Causality] and En. Just then... Kagaya glanced over. Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and the others exchanged glances. Placing their right hands on their chests and kneeling on one knee, they greeted Roy again: "Gyomei Himejima / Sanemi Shinazugawa / Tengen Uzui... greets the Lord."
Kagaya added with a smile, "Then let there be two Lords. Both are Lords."
Roy: "6."
The man said, "I'll manage my Demon Slayer Corps, you manage your believers. No one says a person cannot serve two masters, right?"
Behind Roy, Kyojuro Rengoku's straightforward nature kicked in. His eyes sparkled. "I agree!"
Then he patted his chest and shouted, "Praise the Sun!"
Gyomei Himejima and Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately echoed, "Praise the Sun!"
Roy stood alone, standing out like a crane among chickens. Looking around speechlessly, he picked on Giyu Tomioka. "Senior Brother, you..."
"To each their own," Giyu Tomioka knelt on one knee, looking up with his usual reticent and cool demeanor, saying flatly, "'Senior Brother' or 'Giyu,' call me whatever you want. I only recognize you as 'My Lord'."
Roy: "..."
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