Pillar Training
With the shadow of the final battle hanging like the sword of Damocles, the Demon Slayer Corps enters an unprecedented period of intense preparation. Lord Ubuyashiki Kōya issues the "Pillar-led Training" order, assigning each of the nine pillars the responsibility of guiding the team and comprehensively improving their overall strength.
The backyard of Tomioka's house once again became a training ground, but this time, Shiro was no longer the only one there.
"Raise your arms! Lower your center of gravity! The essence of Water Breathing lies in the coexistence of flow and stability!" Giyuu's voice was as cold and hard as ever, like a stream in the depths of winter. He stood before Tanjiro, personally correcting him on the opening form of "Water Breathing - Pick-up Form - Life-Flowing Circulation." Although Tanjiro wasn't his stepson, seeing the young man's incredible potential and unwavering determination, Giyuu offered his guidance.
Tanjiro was concentrating, sweat dripping down his forehead as he tried hard to imitate Giyu's almost perfect posture.
And in the other corner of the courtyard.
"Sister Shiro! Is this correct?" Agatsuma Zenitsu screamed as he frantically attempted to perform "Thunder Breathing: First Form: Thunderbolt Flash." However, his movements were always distorted by nervousness, and although his speed was fast, it lacked the sharpness of a one-hit kill.
Bai stood beside him, observing patiently. She did not teach him the breathing method directly, but used her excellent spatial perception and speed to provide assistance to Zenitsu.
"Zenitsu, your speed is sufficient, but your trajectory is too straightforward." Bai's voice was gentle and clear. "Try to use the slight change of your ankles at the last moment of the charge to make the trajectory produce a slight unpredictable deflection. Like this -"
Before she finished her words, Bai's figure suddenly blurred, and the next moment she appeared beside Zenitsu's intended target. She didn't use any blood demon arts, relying purely on her spiritual power and the agility brought by the moon's breath.
"Wow! Did you see that, Gonpachirou! Sister Bai is so amazing!!" Zenitsu shouted excitedly, but there was a hint of understanding in his eyes, and he began to try to imitate the subtle change of direction technique.
"Stop making so much noise! Wen Yi! Watch me!" Inosuke Hashibira had no patience for orthodox breathing training. He brandished his two swords and charged around like a wild boar, his target being Giyu who was instructing Tanjiro.
"Hey! Gonpachiro's master! Come and fight me!!"
Inosuke howled and rushed towards Giyu. Giyu didn't even turn his head, as if he had eyes on his back, he just turned slightly and used the sheath of his unsheathed Nichirin sword to accurately hit Inosuke's wrist.
"Bang!" Inosuke felt his wrist go numb and the two swords almost fell out of his hands.
"Full of flaws," Yiyong commented calmly, "Brute force won't last. Observe your opponent."
"Damn it!!" Inosuke rushed forward again in defiance.
Shiro couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. She walked over to Inosuke, who was doubting his life after being "instantly killed" by Giyuu, and squatted down. "Inosuke, your strength and intuition are great, but fighting isn't just about moving forward. Try to feel the flow of the air around you and use the environment to your advantage. Your attacks will be more threatening."
She casually picked up a fallen leaf and gently tossed it toward Inosuke. As the leaf approached, Shiro's fingers tapped around it several times, at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye. The leaf strangely hovered, then shattered. This was a display of her ultimate control over her strength.
Inosuke's eyes widened. Although he didn't quite understand the principle, his beast-like intuition made him feel the power of this technique.
During breaks in training, Tanjiro would come over to rest, carrying Nezuko's box. Nezuko was still a little sleepy in the sun, but her condition was stable. Shiro would gently stroke the box, feeling the peaceful aura emanating from it, a spirit shared by her own yet distinctly different from hers, and his heart would be filled with affection and a desire to protect this little sister.
"Sister Shiro, Mr. Tomioka," Tanjiro said seriously, "Thank you for your guidance! We will definitely become stronger, protect Nezuko, and defeat Muzan!"
As the sun sets, the training comes to a temporary end. Tanjiro and his friends support each other as they leave Tomioka's house.
Only Yiyong and Bai were left in the yard. Yiyong walked over to Bai and naturally reached out to wipe the non-existent sweat from her forehead with his sleeve - in fact, this kind of intense instruction was not very exhausting for Bai.
"Thank you for your hard work," Yiyong whispered. He knew that letting her teach others, especially using her special abilities as a ghost to assist, would require great patience and control.
Bai shook her head, leaning on his shoulder, and looking at the gorgeous sunset in the sky. "It's not hard at all. Seeing them working so hard is like seeing hope." She paused, her tone tinged with emotion, "Also, in the process of teaching them, I seem to have improved my control over my own strength."
Teaching is also about learning. While helping the younger team members find breakthroughs, Bai and Yiyong are also constantly strengthening their own foundations and honing their coordination. They both know that in the upcoming final battle, they are not only husband and wife, but also the most trusted comrades who can rely on each other.
Night completely enveloped the courtyard, and the bright moonlight poured down like mercury, stretching the shadows of the wisteria trellis into slender lines. The hustle and bustle of the day seemed to be washed away by the cool moonlight, leaving only boundless tranquility and the breath of each other.
Bai and Yiyong didn't return to the house immediately. The coolness of the night and the quietness made them both want to stay outside for a while longer.
"Husband," Bai gently took Yiyong's hand, his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight, "will you practice with me? No breathing techniques, just... exchange some body movements and swordsmanship."
Yiyong looked down at the eager glint in her eyes and nodded. He also enjoyed this moment of understanding with Bai Chuncui through martial arts.
The two men stood in the center of the courtyard, not even wielding their Sunwheel Blades, their hands acting as blades. Their figures intertwined, their robes fluttering, like two cranes dancing in perfect harmony under the moonlight. Bai's movements were nimble and unpredictable, carrying the rhythmic rhythm of the moon's breath; Giyuu, steady as a mountain, each block and counterattack flowing as smoothly and naturally as water.
Theirs wasn't a life-or-death struggle; it was more like a silent exchange. Fingertips touched, wrists pressed, a glance revealed the other's next intention. This tacit understanding, transcending words, forged through countless battles and daily interactions, was a bond unique to them.
Gradually, Bai's movements slowed. It wasn't because she was physically exhausted, but rather because the continuous instruction during the day and sparring at night, coupled with the intentional suppression of her ghost instincts, had caused the energy in her body to become restless. A familiar, subtle burning thirst rose from the depths of her throat.
She stopped, breathing slightly, with beads of sweat oozing from her forehead.
Yiyong noticed something was wrong with her almost the moment she stopped. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, gently brushing the silver hair from her neck. Then, he tilted his head slightly, exposing his smooth, pulse-pounding neck to her. He had done this countless times, skillfully and naturally, each time tinged with unquestionable trust and tenderness.
"Need to replenish." His voice sounded particularly low in the silent night.
Bai's cheeks flushed slightly, a tinge of crimson visible even in the moonlight. She tiptoed closer to the skin that exuded warmth and the alluring scent of blood. The sharp fangs piercing the skin felt so subtle, and Yiyong didn't even frown.
Then, there was slow and continuous sucking.
This process had long since transcended mere replenishment; it became more like an intensely intimate ritual. She could clearly feel the powerful beating of his pulse, a close connection to the very source of his life. The warm blood flowing through her throat not only soothed her restless thirst but also brought an indescribable sense of peace and contentment, as if her soul were enveloped in warmth.
Yiyong's hand gently wrapped around her waist, supporting her slightly limp body. He closed his eyes, feeling the dependence of the woman in his arms and the gentle touch of her lips. A mixture of love, possession, and infinite indulgence surged in his heart. This subtle tingling sensation, for him, was the deepest connection with his wife.
After a moment, Bai stopped. The wound had healed rapidly the moment she left, leaving only a faint, soon-to-fade red mark. She raised her head, her lips still stained with a hint of crimson, her dark eyes moist and hazy with satiated pleasure, yet tinged with a hint of embarrassment.
Yiyong gently wiped the blood from the corner of her lips with his fingertips, his movements were incredibly gentle.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah." Bai nodded gently and buried her face in his chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat, she felt extremely relieved.
The two of them stood quietly in the moonlight, hugging each other. The night breeze blew, bringing with it the faint fragrance of wisteria flowers.
"Giyu-senpai," Shiro said softly, his voice filled with longing, "After everything is over and Muzan is defeated... let's find a quiet place like this and build a small house, okay?"
Yiyong looked down at her soft profile in the moonlight, and folded his arms: "Okay."
"The yard should be filled with wisteria and a cherry tree." Bai continued to daydream, a happy smile on his face. "See the cherry blossoms in the spring, smell the fragrance of wisteria in the summer... We can continue to teach the children swordsmanship, not to kill ghosts, but to strengthen their bodies and protect the people who are important to them..."
Her words were gentle, yet they painted a picture of a peaceful and warm future that Yiyong had never dared to imagine. In that picture, there were no demonic threats, no constant fighting day and night, only her, and perhaps... their child.
"Yeah." Yiyong responded again, his voice lower and firmer than before. He gently rested his chin on the top of her head, "As long as you are by my side."
Wherever you go, whatever you do, it's all good.
Bai's smile deepened. She raised her head and took the initiative to kiss him on the lips. This kiss carried the slight smell of blood and his unique crisp scent, gentle and lingering, filled with love for each other and infinite anticipation for the future that was bound to come.
The lingering moonlight witnessed the softest dream woven by the lovers on the blade on the eve of the decisive battle.
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