Chapter Thirty-Nine: Are You Afraid of Death?-Paradise of Destiny(The Blessing of the Morning Star)

While Chu Fan was still on the train, leisurely making his way back, the news of the death of the Upper Moon Six spread once again throughout the Demon Slayer Corps two hours later.

“Pass the message! Pass the message!”

“Upper Moon Six was slain by the Flame Pillar, Illusory Feather, at the Yoshiwara Entertainment District.”

The news brought by the crows set the entire Demon Slayer Corps ablaze with excitement.

It was only upon hearing this news that Xiaoju realized Lord Illusory Feather had not deceived her. The matters he spoke of were simply the killing of demons, and the one he slew was none other than Upper Moon Six.

“These past two days, I haven’t heard the sound of Lord Illusory Feather training. Turns out he was secretly out on a mission,” Zenitsu Agatsuma exclaimed with immense joy upon hearing the news.

The more Upper Moon demons died, the better, and best if they were all wiped out, for then he would not have to risk his life on the battlefield. Thinking of this, Zenitsu felt a genuine reverence for Chu Fan.

The strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps had not only saved countless ordinary people but had also protected members like him.

“With two fewer Upper Moons, our hope for victory grows stronger and stronger,” Tanjiro Kamado nodded in agreement, speaking loudly.

Thanks to Lord Illusory Feather’s guidance, he had begun practicing the Breath of the Sun, and had already mastered a blended breathing style, combining the Breath of Water and the Breath of the Sun, causing his strength to surge tremendously. Yet his physical endurance could not support prolonged use.

The Breath of the Sun’s power was not without its weaknesses, yet Lord Illusory Feather seemed to have foreseen them and had forewarned him accordingly.

Therefore, Tanjiro now deeply admired Lord Illusory Feather.

“Just wait. I’ll grow stronger soon and catch up. I too want to slay an Upper Moon to prove my strength is not inferior,” Inosuke Hashibira, upon hearing the news, was filled with admiration and an even greater passion for strength.

Butterfly Shinobu, hearing that Upper Moon Six had also fallen at Chu Fan’s hands, could feel nothing but awe. This man, who had just arrived and earned the respect of the Master, immediately received the rank of Pillar, truly possessed the power to create miracles.

She knew the scales of victory had begun to tip toward humanity, and all these changes were brought about by the man named Illusory Feather.

With two Upper Moons dead, even if Muzan Kibutsuji promoted other demons, their strength could not possibly match those who had reigned for centuries. If encountered, they would surely be defeated.

Most of the other Pillars were filled with admiration. Even the Wind Pillar, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and the Serpent Pillar, Obanai Iguro, could not bring themselves to dislike Illusory Feather.

Every time Illusory Feather eliminated a formidable foe, it meant their own risks decreased, as did the threat demons posed to ordinary people.

Illusory Feather seemed to bring light to humanity, always active on the front lines of battle.

The morale of the Demon Slayer Corps soared to unprecedented heights.

Chu Fan arrived at Kikuyama by train in the afternoon.

“Lord Illusory Feather, you are incredible!” Xiaoju said happily upon seeing Chu Fan return.

“Killing demons is simply what must be done,” Chu Fan replied.

But before Chu Fan could exchange a few words with Xiaoju, a crow brought forth another command.

“The Master commands: Lord Illusory Feather is to come alone to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters for a meeting.”

Hearing the call for a private audience, Chu Fan’s eyes flickered. He too had matters to discuss with Kagaya Ubuyashiki, so this time he did not refuse the summons.

Thus, having just returned, Chu Fan immediately set out for the headquarters.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Chu Fan saw Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who could barely remain standing with his wife’s support.

Compared to when they first met, his vitality had dropped to eighteen percent—his life now was but a flickering candle in the wind.

“Master, Lord Illusory Feather has arrived,” Ubuyashiki’s daughter announced upon seeing him.

“Lord Illusory Feather, I am unable to bow and thank you. Please pardon me,” Ubuyashiki said weakly upon hearing Chu Fan’s arrival.

“Your health is so frail, you should sit. Don’t force yourself. Besides, I came here to help you deal with the demons; there’s no need for such formality,” Chu Fan replied, never one to be bothered by ceremony.

Ubuyashiki nodded slightly, signaled to his daughter, and, with his wife’s support, sat down.

At once, the room was enveloped in a solemn silence.

Ubuyashiki pondered how to broach his conversation with Chu Fan.

“Kagaya Ubuyashiki, you called me here alone,”

“I assume you have something to ask?”

“Speak directly. There’s no need to hide anything,” Chu Fan broke the silence.

“Very well, Lord Illusory Feather. Could you tell me how you found Upper Moon Six?”

“Do you have any clues about the other Upper Moons?”

Ubuyashiki nodded, voicing the questions he wished to ask.

It was normal for Chu Fan to have killed Upper Moon Two, since the intelligence reported that a Lower Moon demon might appear at Mount Iguro. He sent Illusory Feather to carry out the task, only to discover that the demon present was not a Lower Moon but an Upper Moon.

However, this time, Chu Fan slew Upper Moon Six without any prior intelligence. Yet he found and killed Upper Moon Six, which left Ubuyashiki puzzled.

“I was simply relaxing in the Yoshiwara district and happened upon the encounter by chance.”

“As for intelligence on the other Upper Moons, I know nothing of their whereabouts.”

“If I did know their locations, even without your command, I would hunt them all down.”

Chu Fan answered.

“Lord Illusory Feather, I am deeply grateful for your efforts…”

“But because you’re so active, Muzan Kibutsuji may choose to hide.”

Ubuyashiki sighed, realizing his questions would be difficult to answer.

“I’m aware of that. That’s also why I came to meet you.”

“Kagaya Ubuyashiki, you wish to end the existence of demons in your generation, don’t you?”

“Even if it costs your life, you would not hesitate?”

Chu Fan spoke.

“Of course. So many swordsmen have died to slay demons. If I, as their leader, feared death, how could I face those who gave their lives for the Corps after I die?”

Ubuyashiki replied, his weak voice revealing unwavering resolve.

“Then I have a proposal. Are you courageous enough to accept it?”

“Muzan Kibutsuji knows that if the Ubuyashiki clan is utterly wiped out, then even if there remain many willing to give their lives to slay demons, the Demon Slayer Corps would gradually collapse from lack of information and inability to locate the demons.”

Chu Fan, moved by Ubuyashiki’s spirit, shared his thoughts.

Ubuyashiki and his children and wife were all visibly shaken.

“Lord Illusory Feather, can I trust you?”

Though surprised, Ubuyashiki did not waver. Yet, as a precaution, he asked.

“I have said before: I am here to help you slay demons.”

“Trust me, and trust in my strength,” Chu Fan replied without hesitation.