Chapter 173 Training of the Rock Pillars

Finally, Tanjiro and Zenitsu went directly to Gyomei's training session.

The other party's mental training mainly focuses on improving the strength of the waist and legs to enhance defense and strengthen muscles. The process involves first enduring under a waterfall for fifteen minutes, then carrying three very thick logs on one's back, and finally moving a huge rock.

"?"

Zenitsu fainted upon seeing the rock that was taller than him, and was then taken to the river, where the icy water made him scream.

"Aaaaaaah, the water in these mountains is weird, oh my god, I feel like throwing up, it's colder than river water in the dead of winter, my insides are screaming in agony!"

Tanjiro watched in a panic as the other person hopped ashore, shivering and clutching their body. Then they saw many members clinging to rocks. Murata, his face extremely pale, stammered, "It's warm against the rocks..."

Tanjiro didn't go ashore like Zenitsu. Instead, he walked tremblingly towards the waterfall. He saw Inosuke below the waterfall. Everyone around him had left, but Inosuke was still holding on.

"Inosuke? Oh no! Inosuke—."

Tanjiro's efforts to save him brought Inosuke back to life.

Although Gyomei's training was rigorous, he did not force others to train, and Tanjiro noticed that many people left.

Despite this, none of the people who were familiar with Tanjiro left, and even Zenitsu, who complained every day, persisted.

Tanjiro quickly completed his training with the waterfall and logs, but got stuck on pushing the rocks. Inside the cabin that night, everyone chatted while resting.

"I discovered during this training that the reason why those pillars basically have no stepsons now."

Murata, with dead fish eyes, said while biting into a rice ball. His words resonated with the others, and everyone felt free to speak their minds.

"I think I understand now, it's too tough."

"It was extremely bad, not only physically but also mentally."

"Especially the Mist Pillar's brother, I was scolded to tears. The Wind Pillar is ruthless, even more so than a demon."

"After all, the pillars are very powerful. Those powerful people can always do things that ordinary people cannot."

Murata couldn't help but admire Tanjiro, saying, "By the way, you're a great cook, especially when it comes to grilling fish."

"I was born in a charcoal-selling shack." Tanjiro raised an eyebrow. "Cooking is all about controlling the heat!"

But cooking had nothing to do with not being able to move the rock; on the sixth day, Tanjiro still hadn't budgeed an inch. Tanjiro lay sprawled on the ground, staring at the sky, sweat dripping from his cheeks, still pondering what was preventing him from moving it.

"Aren't your freckles a bit too deep?"

The sudden sound made Tanjiro open his eyes, and he was startled to see Genya.

"Are you alright? I couldn't get in touch with you after that."

“I am reflecting on my actions. Mr. Beimingyu previously told me not to have any contact with my elder brother.”

Genya said somewhat dejectedly, then sat down next to Tanjiro, and the two chatted casually.

"So, are you doing rock training? Me too!"

"But it doesn't move at all. Can Genmi even move?"

Yes, you can!

"Eh—".

Tanjiro looked at Genya with surprise and admiration, making the latter a little embarrassed.

"Are you doing the movements repeatedly? Mr. Beimingjima isn't very good at teaching; you can't learn by secretly observing without careful observation."

As Genya spoke, he began to explain to Tanjiro. He was a very observant person and meticulously described the different repetitive actions throughout the entire series, which inspired Tanjiro and made him suddenly understand.

The two were chatting happily and didn't notice Xingming watching them from behind.

The next day, Tanjiro, based on Genya's instructions and his own understanding, repeatedly tried. Again and again, until finally, he moved the rock.

Tanjiro's commotion made Inosuke restless, and he also began to try his best, finally managing to move the rock after noon.

Inosuke pushed it too! I've been left behind!!!

As Zenitsu hid behind a tree, watching this scene with his mouth agape, he heard the chirping of a sparrow and looked down to see it constantly tugging at his trouser leg.

"It's so noisy, be quiet."

The familiar voice made Zenitsu look up. He saw a man with furrowed brows holding a sparrow. The man was wearing a haori he didn't usually wear, black with yellow triangular patterns.

"Big brother?"

"Don't call me 'Big Brother'!"

Kaigaku grabbed Zenitsu by the back of the neck and said this, only releasing him after seeing Zenitsu nod frantically. He looked around, then turned and walked in another direction.

On the other side

Tanjiro stopped pushing the rock. He looked at the blazing sun and felt that he was about to die; he was dehydrated.

He opened his mouth, trying to call out, but there was no one there. Just when he thought he was going to die there, water flowed down from the sky and into his mouth.

"Mr. Beiming Island... thank you."

Tanjiro, who had been rescued, stood up. The other person simply shed tears and said, "You've completed your rock-pushing training, and with your correct actions in the village, I acknowledge you."

"Huh? The village?" Tanjiro asked, confused. The other person handed him the water bottle and said, "In the sword-forging village, the priority is to save the lives of the villagers, not your demon-possessed sister..."

"You've misunderstood. It was Nezuko who made the choice. I failed to make the choice and almost caused everyone's deaths. I don't accept your approval."

Tanjiro remained silent for a long time after he finished speaking, while Gyomei looked at him and sensed something different.

In his eyes, so-called children are a collection of selfish individuals who are pure and innocent, weak, and easily lie.

Tanjiro, on the other hand, could sense the other's sincerity when he looked at him—such a frank and hardworking child.

"I'm always helped by others. I just didn't make the wrong choice in the end. That was really dangerous, so please don't agree with me so easily. Thank you for the water. I learned a lot from this training."

Tanjiro spoke with his head down, while Gyomei simply patted his head and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "The doubts are cleared up. No matter what anyone says, I acknowledge you, Tanjiro."

The other person's sudden movement startled him. He looked up at Xingming, puzzled. "Huh...why? I don't understand..."

Gyomei withdrew his hand, looked at Tanjiro, and told him about his time at the temple before joining the Demon Slayer Corps.

He had saved helpless children and had once thought of living a happy and carefree life. But one day, a child disobeyed his instructions and didn't return home in the middle of the night, where he encountered a ghost.

The area around Xingming is rife with deep-rooted rumors of evil spirits, so people burn incense and candles made of wisteria blossoms every day. That child sacrificed everyone for him; he extinguished the incense and candles.

Soon after, four children were killed. I tried to save the remaining four, but three of them did not listen to me, and only the youngest one survived.

Perhaps in their eyes, an adult like me, who is weak, unable to speak loudly, and blind, is useless.

They were all dead. I fought desperately to protect the last person. The disgusting sensation of beating living beings... If I hadn't encountered the ghost, I would never have imagined I was so strong.

Finally, dawn broke, and the ghost turned to ashes. After that night of so much loss, the one who had fought so desperately to protect the child told those who arrived, "That person was a monster; he killed everyone."

Tanjiro's expression darkened as he listened; he hadn't expected the other person to have gone through all that. Gyomei reached out and patted the other's head again, a smirk playing on his lips.

"My training is over. You did very well."

Tanjiro chuckled, watching Gyomei leave as the setting sun slowly began to spread its rays. He spotted a familiar figure following behind, but blinked, trying to get a closer look, and saw no one there.

Xingming stopped after walking for a while, turned around, and saw a person standing behind him. He could sense the other person's complex emotions.

"Mr. Beimingyu, please let me say a few words."