Towns in the Taisho era were nowhere near as brightly lit as those in later times.
Streetlights, a rare sight, were only found in large cities.
However, bustling areas were still quite bright.
There were vendors hawking their wares, and ramen shop owners vigorously kneading dough.
The Butterfly sisters carefully avoided crowds, choosing to walk through dark and deserted areas.
After all, the ban on swords had long been in effect, and theoretically, they were not allowed to carry Nichirin blades.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, the two of them were reluctant to interact with ordinary people.
Thankfully, swordsmen were swift, and even after taking a detour, they managed to reach the headquarters of the Eternal Flame Temple within half an hour.
Kocho Kanae led the way, walking ahead.
While Kocho Shinobu was on guard, wary of any Oni that might suddenly appear from behind.
The two sisters had lived together since childhood, their level of understanding was naturally very high.
No communication was needed, just a glance, and they could understand each other's intentions!
Moreover, Kocho Shinobu's own strength was quite impressive. Had it not been for her weak wrist strength, she could have been considered a Hashira-level swordsman.
Assisting Kocho Kanae was not a problem at all.
Unfortunately, the two of them were unaware that the news of Oni existing within the Eternal Flame Temple was merely a bait intentionally spread by Himejima and Douma!
Their purpose was to lure the sisters here!
“Blood Demon Art - Ice Mist!”
A lighthearted voice rang out from the shadows.
Kocho Kanae reacted instantly, slashing towards the source of the voice with a blade, but it was blocked by an iron fan!
A man with pale white shoulder-length hair emerged from the darkness, his flippant smile making him look incredibly annoying.
He applied a bit of force, pushing Kocho Kanae back, and then politely introduced himself: “Beautiful ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Douma, Upper Moon Two.”
“Delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Upper Moon Two?
Kocho Shinobu was startled, her body trembling uncontrollably!
While she had considered this possibility before, it was only when facing an Upper Moon Demon head-on that one could truly feel that sense of impending doom, as if a blade were pressed against one's neck, ready to strike at any moment!
Death!
Without a doubt, fighting such an enemy would result in death!
However, it wasn’t over yet.
Behind Douma, another woman emerged, holding a pipa and hiding her face with her hair.
Judging by her aura, she was…...
Definitely also an Upper Moon Demon!
There were actually two Upper Moon Demons in the small Eternal Flame Temple!
Even Kocho Kanae couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat!
Drops of cold sweat rolled down her chin, hitting the tiled floor.
Kocho Kanae switched to a two-handed grip on her sword, already prepared to fight to the death!
‘No matter what, I must save Shinobu!’
That's right!
Kocho Kanae’s current focus wasn’t on killing these two demons, but on saving her sister!
Even though the Hashira’s position was meant to counter the Upper Moon Demons, the problem was, no matter how strong a Hashira was, they couldn’t possibly fight two Upper Moon Demons alone!
Not everyone is called Yoriichi Tsugikuni!
“Don’t be nervous, beautiful ladies. We have no ill intentions towards you.”
Noticing Kocho Kanae’s readiness to fight, Douma waved his hand, trying to calm the sisters as much as possible.
They had finally lured these precious offerings here, how could they just kill them off?
If Douma dared to make a move, Himejima wouldn’t let him off the hook.
Moreover, Douma wasn’t an idiot.
Compared to satisfying his appetite, the opportunity to meet a god was a thousand times more precious!
How could he possibly miss it?
“I know you might not believe us, but we truly mean you no harm.”
“We only asked you to come here for a small favor.”
Kocho Kanae naturally didn’t trust the words of a demon.
How many swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps’ history had believed the sweet talk of demons, only to lose their lives in the end?
One after another…...
They were all bloody lessons!
How could Kocho Kanae, a Hashira, make such a basic mistake?
“Please stop with the useless words! No matter what you say, I won’t believe you!”
The gentle swordsman’s hands slowly tightened, her toes twisting a small dent in the tiled floor.
This was the prelude to her attack!
However, before Kocho Kanae could unleash her swordsmanship, Himejima plucked at the strings of her pipa.
The next second, a wide-open portal appeared beneath Kocho Kanae’s feet.
Under the influence of gravity, the girl tumbled downwards.
She landed right in the center of the altar used by Muzan for his sacrifice!
“Damn it!”
“Shinobu’s still up there!”
Kocho Kanae hadn’t even managed to get her footing before trying to jump back up to where her sister was.
However, her efforts were in vain.
Himejima strummed the strings of her pipa again, and Kocho Shinobu, who was being held by Douma, was brought to the edge of the altar.
“Please remain calm, Kanae-sama.”
Himejima, who had been hiding behind Douma from the beginning, finally spoke: “I know you won’t believe us, but wouldn’t you even care about your sister’s life?”
“Please cooperate. Once we finish the sacrifice, we will naturally let the two of you leave.”
Sacrifice?
Kocho Kanae’s expression turned ashen, and a terrifying possibility came to mind!
“You’re going to offer us to Kibutsuji Muzan?!”
“Of course not.”
Himejima scoffed: “How dare he make us offer ourselves to him?”
“Not Kibutsuji Muzan?”
Upon hearing this, Kocho Kanae was taken aback, noticing Himejima’s strange attitude.
This unknown Upper Moon seemed to despise the Demon King?
According to the Demon Slayer Corps’ intelligence, Kibutsuji Muzan was the first demon in the world, and the king of all demons born after him!
What demon in this world could dare to disrespect him?
There was one now.
Right in front of Kocho Kanae, and it was two Upper Moon Demons!
She couldn’t help but secretly speculate, could it be that these two Upper Moon Demons had found a way to break free from Kibutsuji Muzan’s control?
If that was the case, could the Demon Slayer Corps seize their power to find Kibutsuji Muzan’s hiding place?
While thinking about this, she glanced at Kocho Shinobu, whose hands were bound by Himejima but who continued to struggle.
The scales in Kocho Kanae’s heart began to tip.
“Fine, I agree.”
“As long as you don’t hurt Shinobu, I’m willing to cooperate with you in the sacrifice!”
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