Chapter 116 Unexpected Changes

"Cough...cough cough—".

Yoriichi Tsugikuni helped Iwakatsu up, watching him hunch over and cough with difficulty, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth and staining Yoriichi's sleeve.

"Brother?"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw Iwakatsu collapse and quickly reached out to catch him. All he could hear was his heavy breathing and see the heaving back of his head.

Isn't this going too far? Should we let the older brother calm down before feeding him?

He looked at Iwakatsu leaning against his arm, unable to see the other's face, and he didn't say anything. Yoriichi Tsugikuni was a little worried.

"Brother?"

When Yoriichi reached out his other hand to touch Iwakatsu's shoulder, the other grabbed his arm to support himself, swaying with his head down.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni couldn't see Iwakatsu's face, but Iwakatsu's movements were clearly unsteady, so he instinctively steadied himself on Iwakatsu.

"Yuan... Yi?"

Iwakatsu raised his head, his previously pale face now flushed with a distinct pink, and his six golden eyes focused on Yoriichi Tsugikuni's face.

Yan Sheng shook his head uncomfortably. He felt dizzy and weak all over. He looked at the person in front of him, but he could only see a blurry image.

"Brother, are you alright?"

Yoriichi Tsugikuni felt a little flustered. He had never experienced this after eating before. He reached out and touched Iwakatsu's forehead, which was previously warm and smooth, but was now burning hot.

"Yuan... Yi?"

Yan Sheng squinted at the person in front of him, reached out and touched the other person's fiery red eyes, his fingers rubbing the flame-like mark on the other person's forehead.

“Son of God…the most noble and enlightened being in the world. As radiant as the sun…”

Iwakatsu couldn't hear what Yoriichi Tsugikuni was saying, but he could see Yoriichi's face in front of him. It was as if he could see the gummy bear from his childhood through that person's appearance.

“Yoichi…brother, has come to see you, oh.”

As Iwakatsu spoke, he cupped Yoriichi's face in his hands and gave him a gentle smile. Yoriichi froze. He couldn't even remember how long it had been since his older brother had smiled at him.

Even though he still had six eyes, Yoriichi Tsugikuni felt as if he were seeing the past, and couldn't help but hug Iwakatsu into his arms.

"Brother, elder brother..."

The sudden movement, accompanied by tears and murmurs, stunned Yan Sheng. His muddled mind was unable to process the situation.

Yan Sheng stopped thinking, raised his hand and gently patted the other person's back, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"It's alright, brother... will... protect... you."

As Iwakatsu spoke, he felt increasingly dizzy, even nauseous, and his vision became increasingly blurry. Just as Yoriichi was still reminiscing, he felt Iwakatsu press down on him.

"Brother?"

As Ji Guoyuan looked up, the hands that had been tightly embracing him loosened considerably, and Iwakatsu's unconscious body slumped down.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni quickly pulled Iwakatsu into his arms, noticing that the other man showed no reaction, his skin was slightly flushed, and his forehead was burning. Yoriichi was startled; holding him, he felt as if he had traveled back more than four hundred years.

No, you mustn't, elder brother.

Ji Guoyuan stood up, intending to leave, but seeing the setting sun still casting its last rays outside, he abruptly stopped. He tightened his grip on Yan Sheng, looked at the unconscious Yan Sheng in his arms, and closed his eyes.

"Brother, it's alright. Yoriichi will take you to find Miss Tamayo. You'll be fine."

——

"Yuehyan, won't it be tiring to carry her?"

Reiko looked at the handsome man holding her daughter and asked with a smile.

"How could that be? She's so light, she's really too thin."

Muzan Kibutsuji responded gently, his soft gaze making Reiko feel that she had made the right choice; Mr. Tsukihiko was indeed very kind.

Reiko's husband died in an accident a few months ago, leaving her and her daughter behind. If it weren't for Mr. Tsukihiko, neither she nor her daughter would have been able to get over that grief so quickly.

The other party was handsome and gentle, and treated her and her daughter very well. He stayed by their side during this time.

Reiko thought of her young daughter, and because of Tsukihiko's meticulous care, she decided to give it a try with him half a month ago.

"Dad, I'm not heavy at all, right?"

The girl with two braids looked up and asked a question while in Muzan Kibutsuji's arms, making Reiko cover her mouth and laugh. The family of three walked slowly through the crowd.

"Of course."

Muzan Kibutsuji responded, his lowered eyes calm and soothing. Just as Muzan Kibutsuji was pondering what to do tomorrow, a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

The sudden pain irritated him. He frowned and turned to look behind him, his red vertical pupils now visible. He looked at the boy who was pulling him with extreme irritation.

The Demon Slayer Corps? They don't seem very strong, this is troublesome.

As Muzan Kibutsuji pondered, he saw the other person place their hand on his Nichirin Blade and felt disdain. This thing dared to try and harm him in the slightest.

"Dad, who is he?"

The girl's clear and soft voice rang out, and Muzan Kibutsuji froze abruptly upon seeing the boy's movements, looking at the girl in his arms in disbelief.

Muzan Kibutsuji narrowed his eyes. He didn't want to teach this arrogant guy a lesson in front of Reiko and her daughter. Thinking this, he softened his gaze and asked as if he knew nothing.

"What do you need me for? You're really in a panic..."

He watched as the boy stood frozen in place, completely at a loss for what to do, and chuckled inwardly.

"Oh dear, what's wrong?"

"Mother."

Reiko noticed that Tsukihiko hadn't followed, turned around and walked over, asking in surprise. Kibutsuji Muzan caught a glimpse of the boy covering his face, his expression grim, as if he had seen something terrifying.

How boring, how dare they go forward like that.

Muzan Kibutsuji thought disdainfully.

"Is it someone we know?"

Reiko asked, noticing that the boy was watching them the whole time, and asked Muzan Kibutsuji.

"It's not this unfamiliar child—they seem to be in some kind of trouble. Could it be... that they've mistaken someone for someone else?"

As he spoke, Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes shifted slightly, and he saw a couple approaching. In an instant, he extended his black fingernails and grabbed at the man's neck, a small amount of blood seeping in.

"stop!"

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

The sudden turn of events startled the boy, who pushed through the crowd to rush forward. The woman's screams caused a commotion, and Muzan Kibutsuji took the opportunity to retreat with Reiko, watching the farce unfold.

The terrible turn of events instilled fear in everyone around them. Muzan Kibutsuji hugged the girl in his arms tightly with a worried look on his face and lowered his head to speak to the frightened Reiko.

"Miss Li, it's too dangerous. Let's go to the other side."

Muzan Kibutsuji had no interest in watching any longer. As he was leading the two away, the boy's shout made him stop in his tracks.

"Kibutsuji Muzan, I won't let you escape, no matter where you run to—".

"Hey, Mr. Tsukihiko, what's wrong with that child?"

Reiko asked worriedly, but Muzan Kibutsuji stared intently at the familiar earring on the boy's ear as the boy's headscarf slipped off, his pupils contracting.

"I will chase you to the ends of hell, and I will definitely take your head from your neck!"