Chapter 171 Progress
In the stillness of the night, the silvery moonlight spilled into the narrow, deep alleyways. These alleys seemed shrouded in a mysterious veil, appearing exceptionally eerie and terrifying. And in this environment, a dense swarm of bearded eyeballs moved rapidly, silently traversing the darkness.
A member of the Demon Slayer Corps had just finished a patrol and was walking back along the alley. He felt a vague unease, as if he were being watched by some unknown entity. He stopped and looked back in confusion, but apart from the quiet night and the occasional chirping of insects, there was nothing unusual around him.
"Is it just my imagination?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head to try and dispel the unease in his heart. Then, he quickened his pace and hurriedly left the unsettling alley.
However, on the rooftop behind him, several eyes were intently watching the direction he had left. Their whisker-like eyes gleamed with an eerie light, recording every detail.
The view returned to the Infinity Castle. Nakime, playing the biwa, received the message and said, "We've found someone. They're not far from where they left. That's how we found the location of the sixth-floor Demon Slayer Corps member. But we haven't found the girl who overcame the sun yet."
Not far away, Muzan sat on the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the map, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, as if everything was under his control.
"Nekome, your growth has exceeded my expectations." Muzan's words carried a hint of barely perceptible admiration. "Fantastic."
"Thank you for your praise, I am honored."
Muzan smiled slightly and tapped the map lightly with his finger: "Let's go here again." His eyes revealed an undeniable determination. Nakime immediately understood Muzan's meaning. Her fingers began to play rapidly on the biwa. The distant eyeballs seemed to receive a command and scattered to begin a new search mission, advancing step by step according to Muzan's plan.
"Heh, Nezuko and Ubuyashiki will be found soon." Muzan put down the map, tapping his fingers on the armrest of the chair. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he waited for the moment to wipe them all out.
Muzan kept shifting his gaze, eventually settling on Iwakatsu, where he saw a swaying field of vision and constantly flashing blades.
Kokushibo was a partner he admired and an important part of his plan. Although Kokushibo always did things that seemed meaningless to him, he could accept this trivial flaw.
He lingered his gaze for a long time before finally shifting it to the other ghosts.
"Mukuro, send out this address discreetly, making sure the Demon Slayer Corps's spies know about it."
"Yes, Lord Muzan."
——
After sensing Muzan's attack, Yan Sheng sneezed, raised his hand to touch his lips, and wondered if he had been scolded.
Yan Sheng gently shook his head, banishing this inexplicable thought, and retracted the Xu Ku Shen Qu (a magical artifact) to his waist. Hui watched him finish practicing, then fluttered his wings and perched on his shoulder. Come to think of it, he hadn't replied to Ichiro's letters in a long time; the last time he received one, he saw Ichiro's accusations.
It's not that I don't know what that medicine does either; I'm just guessing.
Yan Sheng sighed deeply, rubbed his forehead, and walked to the stone table in the center of the courtyard, where he slowly sat down. Looking up, the crescent moon, like a small boat in the night sky, hung quietly against the inky blackness, surrounded by a few sparse stars that twinkled faintly.
Ah, there are stars today.
Yan Sheng sighed at the tranquil night sky. In this silence, his mind gradually returned to peace, as if all his troubles were slowly drifting away with the night breeze.
Unfortunately, a ghost came by.
"Doma, is there...something wrong?" Iwakatsu's voice was calm and indifferent. He didn't turn around, as if he wasn't surprised by the arrival of the person behind him. Doma, who had been discovered, showed no embarrassment at being exposed. Instead, he swaggered and sat down opposite Iwakatsu with a grin on his face.
"How have you been lately, Lord Kokushibo? It's been since we last met after the meeting~ I really miss you and Lord Akaza." Doma's words were tinged with teasing and amusement.
"Is that so?" Yan Sheng's reply was brief and indifferent, his gaze still fixed on the stars in the sky. Those stars twinkled in the night sky, like countless dazzling gems, adorning this silent world.
Doma seemed unfazed by Kokushibo's cold attitude. He continued to stare at Kokushibo with a smile, his eyes seemingly able to see into people's hearts, yet filled with a cynical air. "Lord Kokushibo, Lord Muzan said he's planning a sneak attack on the Demon Slayer Corps. Of course, I'm especially happy about it; the women of the Demon Slayer Corps must be even more delicious. I just remember your little offspring is over there, you know. Would you like me to look after him for you?"
Doma's words carried a hint of mockery, as if he were testing Iwakatsu's reaction. However, Iwakatsu's face remained expressionless; his eyes remained deep and indifferent, as if he had no interest in Doma's words.
"No need." After a long while, Iwakatsu finally spoke. He turned his head and looked at Doma with eyes like knives. "My affairs are none of your business."
Doma shrugged, seemingly unconcerned about Kokushibo's refusal. "Alright, since Lord Kokushibo doesn't need my help, I'll just have to find some fun for myself."
Having said that, Douma stood up, dusted himself off, and turned to leave. However, just as he was about to take a step, Iwakatsu's voice rang out again.
"Doma," Iwakatsu's voice carried a barely perceptible warning, "You'd better not... act on Muzan-sama's plan without authorization. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."
Doma paused slightly, turning his head to look at Iwakatsu with a hint of amusement. "Don't worry, Lord Kokushibo. I, Doma, always know how to conduct myself properly."
"..." That's why you lacked discretion.
Iwakatsu watched as Doma's figure vanished in an instant after waving, then turned back expressionlessly, having no idea what the other was planning.
The surroundings returned to their previous silence, with only the occasional breeze blowing through Yan Sheng's long hair. Yan Sheng looked up and gazed into the distance, lost in thought.
After a while, Hui noticed that there was no sound outside and then poked its head out of Yan Sheng's sleeve. It didn't even realize it had been stuffed into the sleeve. Yan Sheng patted its head reassuringly.
According to Muzan's plan, they would only begin once he had completely located the Ubuyashiki location; he only needed to wait for the other's instructions. Muzan hadn't mentioned how to stop Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and Iwakatsu had a particularly bad feeling about it.
That scoundrel of a boss, he probably wouldn't cheat him, right?
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