As Muzan completely vanished, those who survived let out a cheer.
"Muzan is dead! Muzan is dead! We won!!"
Countless people wept. Years of fighting were finally over. Tamayo, however, couldn't laugh or cry. Hundreds of years, a centuries-old wish, was finally fulfilled at this moment.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Xing!" Tamayo and Yushiro knelt towards Li Xing's direction from afar, thanking him from the bottom of their hearts.
Li Xing, who was far away, seemed to sense Tamayo's action. He instantly appeared before Tamayo and helped them up.
"Miss Tamayo, our collaboration is complete. Although Muzan is dead, there are still many people suffering from illness in this world. You are a doctor, and I believe you know what you should do. Death may not be the best form of atonement, but it is certainly the most suitable for you."
After hearing Li Xing's words, Tamayo suddenly understood. Perhaps she should use her medical skills to save more people and atone for her past mistakes.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Xing. I know what to do. We have no further business here. Please allow us to leave." With that, Tamayo, carrying Chachamaru and accompanied by Yushiro, vanished into the darkness.
Li Xing turned to look at the Hashira lying on the ground. Because Obanai Iguro had not drunk Li Xing's blood, his injuries were more severe than the others.
Li Xing approached Obanai Iguro and, without a word, forcibly infused a trace of his blood.
"Why are you saving me? And who exactly are you? Are you human or demon?" Obanai Iguro looked up at Li Xing, unsure of what to do. He couldn't bring himself to harm his comrades with whom he had fought, yet he was a demon.
"It's nothing. I just don't want to see you die. Saving someone doesn't require a reason. Live well from now on. There are many beautiful places in this world waiting for you to appreciate." After saving Obanai Iguro, Li Xing walked towards the others, leaving behind these words, which rendered Obanai Iguro speechless, his mind lost in thought.
...
"Brother Li Xing, I should have guessed that the demon from before was you. This magnificent white hair, there are only two of us in the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Li Xing-kun, I recognized you a long time ago. Even if you are a demon, I still recognize your existence now!"
"Thank you for saving my younger brother. I will never go back on my word."
Tengen Uzui, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Sanemi Shinazugawa each expressed their thoughts. Muichiro Tokito and Giyu Tomioka had little to say. Shinobu Kocho was enduring it, planning to ask for a clear explanation when they returned to the Butterfly Mansion. Mitsuri and Shinobu shared the same sentiment.
Finally, he arrived beside Gyomei Himejima, who was leaning against a tree, on the verge of death.
"Li Xing, you don't need to save me. I am already 27 years old. It is a miracle that I could last this long with the Demon Mark. Thank you for your contributions to the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Shut up. The children back then didn't abandon you and run away; they were looking for someone to help you, trying to find weapons to help you. Having the Demon Mark doesn't necessarily mean an early death. Those are just speculations based on predecessors. If you drink my blood, it will be hard for you to die." As he spoke, Li Xing bandaged Gyomei Himejima's wounds and infused his blood.
"Is that so? I wish I could see them again! My children!" Gyomei Himejima's lips curled upwards, his happiness undeniable. He gradually fell asleep.
Nezuko had already arrived at the battlefield. She immediately ran to her brother Tanjiro's side. Li Xing had already saved everyone present. No one would die from Muzan's blood anymore, nor would anyone die from blood loss.
"Big Brother Li Xing, thank you for saving my brother."
Nezuko didn't know how else to express her gratitude, so she just kept saying thank you.
The two old men who followed behind also rushed over. Jiro Kuwajima hugged Zenitsu, while Sakonji Urokodaki embraced Tanjiro, Giyu, and the others, weeping.
Looking at the beautiful ending before him, Li Xing felt immense joy. He had done what he needed to do since coming to this world, and it could be considered fulfilling a personal regret.
...
It had been a day since Muzan's defeat. Every Hashira had fully recovered, and not a single one was lost. The feud between Ubuyashiki and Kibutsuji Muzan had ended in this generation.
At the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the final Hashira meeting was about to take place. Everyone was waiting inside early.
"Good morning, everyone! It's a beautiful day today!" Ubuyashiki Kagaya's voice came from outside the door.
Everyone was surprised. Was their Master not dead? Did he survive that explosion? That would be wonderful!
Amane Ubuyashiki and Ubuyashiki Kagaya walked in together, followed by their children. Ubuyashiki Kagaya's body was growing stronger, no longer in the state it was before. All of this was thanks to Li Xing.
"Master! It's so good to see you again!" Everyone knelt down. Of course, only Li Xing remained seated, yawning. Unlike before, no one present had any objections. Everyone had already accepted Li Xing.
"Please stop bowing. The mission to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan has been accomplished. The Demon Slayer Corps is officially disbanded as of today. I am no longer your Master."
"Our Ubuyashiki family extends our sincerest respect to all of you for dedicating your lives over these long years to fighting demons for the sake of humanity!"
With that, Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his family bowed to everyone.
"Please raise your heads quickly. The Demon Slayer Corps has existed to this day. You don't need to thank us. The Ubuyashiki family has given the most. Master will surely make the ancestors of Ubuyashiki proud."
The nine Hashira stepped forward and helped Ubuyashiki Kagaya and the others up. They all genuinely admired and respected their Master.
"I must especially thank Li Xing here. It was Li Xing who completely defeated Muzan and saved our family, allowing me to witness this day." Ubuyashiki Kagaya said, looking at Li Xing.
Li Xing indifferently picked at his ear. "Since you want to thank me, give me more money. I want to get married."
As he spoke, he winked at Mitsuri, making her blush. Really, their Master was still present.
"That is a given. The Ubuyashiki family will provide compensation to every member." Amane Ubuyashiki agreed to Li Xing's request; she would have done so even if Li Xing hadn't said anything.
"If that's the case, then let's disband! Mitsuri, you said you would always be with me. Would you be willing to be with me for a lifetime?" Li Xing walked up to Mitsuri and extended a hand.
Mitsuri shyly covered her face, then extended her hand to hold Li Xing's: "I... I am willing. Please take care of me from now on!"
"Shinobu-san, let's go back to the Butterfly Mansion. I know you have many things you want to ask me." With that, he left with Mitsuri's hand in his, and Shinobu followed after informing the Master.
Obanai Iguro watched this scene with a hint of melancholy, but a smile remained on his face.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya also had a smile on his face. "That's wonderful. Mitsuri has finally found her destined one. You all need to keep working hard too~"
...
Butterfly Mansion.
Aoi Kanzaki, the three younger girls, and Kanao were already waiting at the entrance for Shinobu and Li Xing to return.
"We're back! Kanao, Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi, Naho!" Li Xing shouted, waving from a distance.
Immediately, the four of them ran over, all clinging to Li Xing. Kanao, in particular, threw herself into Li Xing's arms, causing Shinobu's lips to twitch.
Inside the house, everyone sat at the table. Aoi and the three younger girls incessantly asked about the battle. Li Xing shamelessly recounted his heroic deeds, even exaggerating his own greatness, making Aoi and the three younger girls admire Li Xing even more.
At night, Li Xing, holding Mitsuri and Kanao, came under a cherry blossom tree.
"Kanao, this cherry blossom tree was planted by a senior from the Demon Slayer Corps, wasn't it? Its name is 'Victory,' right? Every year when the cherry blossoms bloom, will you be willing to watch them with me? No coin tosses allowed, okay?"
Kanao immediately tiptoed, wrapped her arms around Li Xing's head, and kissed his lips.
"Yes, I am willing. Please take care of me for the rest of my life, Xing-kun."
Li Xing's heart was about to blossom. Was this a girl's kiss? His first time in both his past and present life! Such a soft feeling, he wanted to try again.
Mitsuri seemed to understand Li Xing's thoughts and kissed him just like Kanao.
"Count me in too. We will be together every year from now on."
Li Xing hugged both of them. "Thank you for being willing to like me."
At this moment, Li Xing felt the world was full of hope. Mitsuri was no longer as shy and even initiated kisses. Kanao no longer needed to use a coin to decide things. Everything was developing in a positive direction.
"I'm very sorry! To interrupt your date, Li Xing-kun, can you explain some things to me now?" Shinobu suddenly appeared behind the three.
Li Xing had actually noticed Shinobu watching for a while. Her sudden appearance didn't surprise him. Mitsuri and Kanao immediately blushed, realizing they had been watched all along. They quickly ran back inside to hide.
"It's you, Shinobu. What do you want to ask?"
Shinobu pulled Li Xing to sit on the veranda. "That depends on what Li Xing-kun is willing to tell me."
Li Xing instantly understood. She wanted to ask about everything.
"Sister Shinobu, I'll be direct. I am someone who has lived two lives. In my previous life, I had parents. My parents died in a car accident when I was in school. I became withdrawn and didn't leave home, living off the inheritance left by my parents."
"Then one day, I encountered the concept of '2D' and became irrevocably infatuated with it. I suddenly had an idea: I wanted to enter the 2D world. After nearly a hundred years of research, I succeeded."
"Later, I came to this world. I was born of heaven, so I have no mother. I later discovered I had many things in my mind, including breathing techniques, and I could use the power of demons to heal my body. After two years of training, I joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and I've been living at the Butterfly Mansion ever since."
Li Xing explained some things to Shinobu, though naturally, he didn't reveal everything. Li Yun, and the like, were definitely kept hidden.
"So, you truly are sent by a god as Master said? It must be! You were the one who finally defeated Kibutsuji Muzan, exactly as Master predicted." After hearing this, Shinobu immediately thought of the first time she brought Li Xing to see their Master. Everything that had happened was as their Master had said: a person sent by the gods, and Muzan would be defeated in this generation.
"Who knows! Regardless of what I am, I am part of the Butterfly Mansion, your family." Li Xing looked up at the moon, recalling his past family. The word 'family' had been absent from Li Xing's life for a long time. It was only after coming here that he felt a sense of home.
... The Demon Slayer arc concludes.
(Well, the Demon Slayer arc has ended. It wasn't written very well, but I still hope that those who read this will give me a rating. A one-star or five-star rating doesn't matter. I just want a rating. I don't care about a 5.0. Also, I may not update the later arcs frequently. I might write occasionally. I plan to write about Naruto because it was the first anime I ever watched, and the Sage Body in Naruto is very suitable for Li Xing to fuse with the Heavenly Dao. As for the foreshadowed plot points, I will probably fill them in slowly? Fellow readers, please give me a rating before you unfollow the book. Thank you all.)