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Time at the Butterfly Mansion seemed to pass more slowly, yet also more fully, than in the outside world.
Mr. Cheng Mo settled in under the title of "Special Medical Consultant."
He did not propose any trade intentions regarding the Breathing Technique or the nichirin blade, to avoid startling his hosts.
He knew that as long as he demonstrated sufficient value, they would naturally offer something in return.
The sulfa powder he brought proved highly effective, significantly reducing the risk of death and amputation for the injured due to infection.
Soon, sulfa was listed as one of the most precious strategic materials by the Butterfly Mansion, personally managed by Kochou Shinobu, and used with caution.
Mr. Cheng Mo himself, through repeated "medical exchanges" with Kochou Shinobu, gradually displayed a foundational medical knowledge and systematic thinking far exceeding this era.
He carefully controlled the "knowledge points" he shared, often only proposing a concept or direction, which would then lead to Kochou Shinobu's prolonged thought and experimentation.
Many difficult and complicated illnesses that had troubled the Butterfly Mansion for a long time found new solutions through his seemingly casual guidance.
Kochou Shinobu's gaze towards him, which initially held curiosity and probing, gradually transformed into genuine respect, even subtly tinged with the admiration a student holds for a teacher.
She began to habitually seek the advice of "Teacher Cheng Mo" when formulating new medicines or encountering tricky cases.
Mr. Cheng Mo's prestige at the Butterfly Mansion quietly grew day by day.
The Demon Slayer Corps members and nursing staff he indirectly saved would respectfully bow to him when they saw him.
Kochou Shinobu also paid a generous amount of gold as a reward, as agreed, and Mr. Cheng Mo accepted it readily, which better fit his persona as a "businessman."
However, Mr. Cheng Mo did not indulge in this respected life.
His goal remained clear.
Once, while observing members of the Kakushi unit undergoing rehabilitative physical training, he looked at their superhuman endurance, speed, and strength, and remarked to Kochou Shinobu beside him, seemingly casually, "Your team members' physiques are truly extraordinary. They sustained such severe injuries, yet their recovery training intensity is still so high."
"If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have collapsed long ago. Could it be… there's some special training method?"
He cleverly concealed the fact that he already knew about the "Breathing Technique," placing his curiosity on "physique" and "training method."
The tip of Kochou Shinobu's pen, which was recording drug efficacy data, paused slightly.
She looked up, her amethyst-like eyes smiling at Mr. Cheng Mo, her smile seeming a little deeper than usual: "Mr. Cheng Mo's observation is truly keen."
She put down her pen and sighed softly: "Actually, in our discussions on medical issues, I always feel that Mr. Cheng Mo seems… to be holding something back."
"Do you think this humble girl is too shallow in her knowledge to discuss in depth with you?" Her tone held a perfectly pitched hint of grievance and probing.
Mr. Cheng Mo's heart tightened slightly, but a wry smile appeared on his face: "Lady Kocho, you flatter me. It's not that I'm holding back; it's just that my family's inherited knowledge is vast and fragmented, and many theories I myself only half-understand. I fear that if I speak of them, I'll only make a fool of myself and mislead Lady Kocho."
Kochou Shinobu watched him for a few seconds, her smile unchanged, seemingly accepting his explanation.
She pondered for a moment, as if having made a certain decision.
"Mr. Cheng Mo has saved our lives and has been of immense help to the Butterfly Mansion. Perhaps some things should no longer be kept from you."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried a hint of solemnity.
"The team members' extraordinary physiques indeed stem from a special method, called the 'Breathing Technique.'"
She began to briefly explain the principles of the Breathing Technique.
She spoke of maximizing physical potential through specific breathing rhythms, and the secrets behind the forging of the "nichirin blade," which, when paired with the technique, could truly slay demons.
She even roughly touched upon the Demon Slayer Corps' millennium-long feud with the demons under Kibutsuji Muzan.
Mr. Cheng Mo cooperatively displayed expressions of shock, realization, and a hint of lingering fear, as if encountering the true side of this world for the first time: "So that's it… Breathing Technique… nichirin blade… no wonder…"
He timely revealed a trace of lingering fear.
"When I encountered that monster, I only felt its immense power and incredible speed. Now that I think about it, I was truly lucky… If I had possessed such strength back then…"
His words conveyed a longing for power and a subtle, almost imperceptible "lingering fear," perfectly playing the role of an ordinary person who had accidentally glimpsed the true face of the world and yearned for the ability to protect himself.
Seeing his expression, Kochou Shinobu's smile deepened, as if she had seen a carefully cultivated flower finally produce a bud.
"Mr. Cheng Mo."
Her tone became more serious, even carrying a rare sincerity.
"Our exchanges during this time have allowed me, Shinobu, to benefit immensely from your medical expertise. I have long regarded you as a teacher. The Butterfly Mansion, and indeed the entire Demon Slayer Corps, desperately need your knowledge and help."
She changed the subject, throwing out the real bait: "I know you, sir, are ambitious and dislike being constrained. But Shinobu earnestly requests, even if you are unwilling to stay long-term, could you consider… systematically imparting your profound medical knowledge?" As a reward, the Demon Slayer Corps is willing to do everything in its power to fulfill your needs."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice full of temptation: "For example… I can immediately report to the Master and apply for your extraordinary accompanying blade to be reforged into your exclusive nichirin blade."
"Furthermore, you can choose a Breathing Technique suitable for you to practice. This way, when you travel extensively in the future, you will have an extra layer of protection, won't you?"
Mr. Cheng Mo's heart gave a violent thump.
The goal was within reach!
Appropriately, his face showed immense surprise, hesitation, struggle, and an undeniable temptation.
He was silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table, as if engaged in an extremely difficult internal struggle.
Finally, as if having made up his mind, he let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile: "Lady Kocho truly… speaks directly to my heart. Having witnessed such terrifying monsters, it would be false to say I don't want the power to protect myself. The nichirin blade and the Breathing Technique… are indeed hard to refuse."
He looked up at Kochou Shinobu, his eyes becoming "resolute."
"Good! Since Lady Shinobu is so sincere, then I, Cheng Mo, shall not decline! I am willing to organize my medical knowledge and share it with the Butterfly Mansion. And I thank Lady Kocho for making this possible, helping me obtain the means to secure my future!"
"That's wonderful!"
Kochou Shinobu's smile instantly bloomed, like bright sunshine.
"I will write to the Master immediately to report! Mr. Cheng Mo, you will never regret today's choice!"
Watching Kochou Shinobu's light figure depart, Mr. Cheng Mo's complex expression returned to calm.
He slowly sat back in his chair, picked up the now slightly cool tea, and took a sip.