Chapter Eighteen: The Nine Pillars (Please Recommend)

As Chu Fan trained beneath the shroud of night, a delicate, petite figure sat atop the beam of the house, watching quietly from above. Though Chu Fan sensed the gaze upon him, he paid it no mind, focusing solely on his cultivation. He knew that Shinobu Kocho, ever on vigil during the evenings, would occasionally observe his progress, yet since her presence bore no hostility, he did not interfere.

By the time the night waned and four o'clock arrived, Chu Fan concluded his training, bathed, and used steam to dry his clothes. He then lay down to meditate, knowing that such practice hastened his recovery of spirit and strength.

At nine in the morning, he had meditated for just over five hours when a voice called out, rousing him from his reverie. "The master summons you, Lord Phantom Feather. Please proceed at once to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters."

Receiving the command, Chu Fan pondered briefly before understanding the purpose behind Kagaya Ubuyashiki's sudden summons. As he gathered himself, another voice spoke. "Lord Phantom Feather, your toiletries are here. Would you like breakfast now, or wait until your return?"

Hearing the crow’s message, Kiku hurried in, carrying breakfast, respectfully opening the sliding door. Chu Fan, warmed by her attentive care, rose and replied, "I’ll freshen up first and eat before setting out."

He harbored no reluctance toward the summons. In the original tale, the Ubuyashiki family’s contributions to humanity’s fight against demons were indispensable. Without their intelligence network, in an era so closed off from news, demons could have run rampant, turning the world into a living hell. Kagaya Ubuyashiki was not merely a man of words, but one who would offer himself as bait to achieve his ends—a true man of resolve.

Chu Fan thus felt no resistance, and after spending over ten minutes enjoying the sumptuous breakfast Kiku had prepared, he stood and said, "Lead the way."

He left the Chrysanthemum House and addressed the crow, following it along mountain paths. In just a short span, Chu Fan reached a traditional residence, not unlike his own, paved with pebbles and nestled in the heart of a cluster of pillars’ homes. The Ubuyashiki estate lay barely two kilometers from the Chrysanthemum House. Rather than hidden or remote, it was central—protected by the encircling dwellings of the Hashira.

As the sole family responsible for intelligence in the Demon Slayer world, the Ubuyashiki clan’s status was naturally exalted, and such protection was expected.

Arriving, Chu Fan found he was not the only one summoned; the other nine Hashira were present: Shinobu Kocho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Giyu Tomioka, Obanai Iguro, Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Tengen Uzui—all awaiting orders.

"So you’re Phantom Feather," Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira with silver, spiky hair and scars across his body and face, remarked bluntly. "Master summoned you at nine, and you show up only now—quite the grand entrance."

Chu Fan observed Sanemi’s stats, ranging from twelve to fifteen, with strength at thirteen, agility at fourteen, and spirit the highest at fifteen—perhaps a result of his impulsive and stubborn nature.

"Both brothers are cut from the same cloth," Chu Fan noted, sensing the familiar tone and demeanor.

Sanemi glared, stepping closer. "Brothers? What do you mean?"

"Your brother, Genya Shinazugawa, shares your temperament," Chu Fan replied, unruffled. "But you possess one advantage over him. Your brother is weak and unaware of it, while you are only slightly stronger."

Sanemi reached out, attempting to seize Chu Fan’s collar, but Chu Fan simply shifted, making him miss. With a swift motion, Chu Fan struck Sanemi’s neck, sending him flying. Though Sanemi managed to land with composure, his anger flared; however, the forceful blow left him coughing violently, unable to use his breathing technique.

"You should be grateful you’re human, and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Otherwise, with that one move, you would already be a corpse," Chu Fan said coldly. "Don’t presume to command me. I’m here out of respect for Kagaya Ubuyashiki, not for you."

Both Shinazugawa brothers were willing to fight for humanity—a commendable trait—but their impulsiveness and loud tempers were habits Chu Fan would not indulge.

"You dare address the master by name!" Sanemi, incensed by Chu Fan’s disrespect, steadied his breath and, with a shout, drew his blade. Yet as he prepared to strike, a figure stepped between them.

"Gyomei, move aside!" Sanemi demanded.

"We are all Demon Slayer Corps members," Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, replied, tears streaming down his face as he pressed his hands together in prayer. "Do not provoke unnecessary conflict and injury. Amitabha."

Just then, a shadow leapt from the trees, hurtling toward Chu Fan. The assailant aimed for his arm, intent on subduing him, but their hand passed through Chu Fan’s flaming limb. Eyes narrowing in surprise, the attacker tried to retreat, but Chu Fan seized their arm and, with a twist, brought them before him, driving his knee into their chest.

A spray of blood erupted as Chu Fan cast the figure aside like a rag doll. The impact left a crater in the stone, raising clouds of dust. Any blood that threatened Chu Fan’s garments was instantly evaporated by his flames.

Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira, struggled to his feet, pain evident, staring at Chu Fan.

"Do not attempt to provoke me. If you dare lay hands on me again, angering me, I may spare your life for being a fellow Demon Slayer, but I won’t hesitate to break a few bones," Chu Fan declared coldly.

"Phantom Feather, you were so diligent last night the crow dared not disturb your sleep?" Shinobu Kocho, ever smiling and gentle, commented as Chu Fan entered, showing such unyielding strength. Though outwardly unfazed, inwardly she felt a ripple. She had witnessed Chu Fan’s hands transform into flames, and how a wooden sword in his grasp could stir the air. Whatever his flame ability was, the raw power he displayed far surpassed ordinary mortals—something she envied, though she had never seen him in true combat.

But now, in just two exchanges, Chu Fan had nearly disabled both Sanemi and Obanai without even wielding a weapon. Shinobu realized the extent of his terrifying strength.

"I’d heard of a warrior without a blade whose power rivals the Hashira, but never imagined such a dazzling display," Tengen Uzui, the flamboyant Sound Hashira with silver hair and striking features, remarked, bewildered by Chu Fan’s mysterious ability. He recognized that Phantom Feather possessed a strength and temperament unmatched.

"Amitabha—we are all Demon Slayer Corps members. Let us not let conflict fester," Gyomei Himejima, sensing the speed Chu Fan had just exhibited, pressed his hands together, mediating peace.

Chu Fan had noticed Gyomei earlier. Aside from intelligence, which was eight, Gyomei’s other attributes ranged from fifteen to nineteen: strength at seventeen, agility sixteen, constitution fifteen, and spirit the highest at nineteen.

Though surprised, Chu Fan was not shocked. After all, Gyomei Himejima was canonically the strongest among the Hashira, his towering, muscular frame reaching two meters twenty. This innate physique guaranteed great power. Though Chu Fan himself was over one meter eighty, considered tall among men, he still had to look up at Gyomei.

Having observed Gyomei’s strength, Chu Fan understood his own standing among the current Hashira.

Yet he was not difficult to converse with. So long as no one attacked or declared themselves his enemy, Chu Fan would not act first, and even then would restrain his power. But against those arrogant enough to demand he submit, he would never yield.

"Phantom Feather is a guest from the distant Celestial Capital, here to assist us," a gentle yet faintly magnetic voice came from directly ahead. "There’s no need to mind how he addresses me."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki, supported by his wife, emerged from within.

As he appeared, all nine Hashira knelt respectfully on one knee, addressing him as their lord.