The field of spider demons.
"Bug Breathing, Butterfly Dance, Play."
At this moment, Shinobu Kocho had already encountered the Spider Sister.
"It seems we cannot get along, what a pity."
The Spider Sister, not having her head severed, was still struggling and even attempted to assassinate Shinobu Kocho. One of life's greatest illusions. Ultimately, she died in agony from the wisteria poison. Although a painful death, at least she retained her body.
"You can't let your guard down just because your neck wasn't cut off, because there are many poison sword users like me."
"I am the only Hashira who cannot sever a demon's neck, but I can kill demons with poison. Isn't that amazing? Oh, you're already dead, so you can't hear me, right? I got confused for a moment."
Shinobu Kocho touched her head awkwardly, feeling embarrassed by her own monologue.
...
After some time, Li Xing also finally arrived at the field of spider demons. Many hidden members were already present, dealing with the aftermath.
Walking inside, he saw a naked man rummaging through the clothes of corpses. Li Xing immediately remembered this was the strongest side character, Murata, the only one who emerged unscathed by the grand finale.
"Hey! Did you see a purple-haired girl? Where did she go?" Li Xing shouted at Murata.
Startled, Murata quickly pointed in a direction and hid with the clothes. Li Xing thanked him and quickly pursued.
"I sense Kanao's presence, she's chasing Nezuko." Li Xing decided to use Thunder Breathing to hasten his travel. He had to quickly retrieve Nezuko, otherwise, if taken by the hidden members, tomorrow she would be with the Wind Hashira.
"Kanao, stop, stop, this little sister doesn't eat people." Li Xing saw Kanao chasing Nezuko from afar and shouted, urging her to stop first.
Li Xing quickly caught up and hoisted Nezuko onto his shoulder, preventing Kanao from acting.
Kanao looked at Li Xing with confusion: "Brother Li Xing, why aren't you letting me strike?"
"This is a good demon, recognized by the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. Don't worry, it's fine if you listen to me, Miss Shinobu won't do anything to you." Li Xing could only appease Kanao for now, even if he faced punishment from Shinobu tomorrow.
"Order! Order! Arrest Tanjiro and Nezuko, bring them both back to headquarters. Tanjiro has a scar on his forehead, and the demon, Nezuko, has bamboo in her mouth!" a crow shouted. Li Xing breathed a sigh of relief. As for Nezuko, she couldn't be handed over to the hidden members.
"See? I told you it would be fine. I'll take this demon back to headquarters. You go and tend to the wounded." With that, Li Xing walked away carrying Nezuko, looking like he was abducting a child.
...
At the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Li Xing stood beside Tanjiro with a box on his back. Tanjiro was awakened by a hidden member and let out a sigh of relief upon seeing a white-haired man carrying Nezuko.
Shinobu Kocho said to Tanjiro, "This is the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. You are about to be put on trial, Tanjiro Kamado."
Kyojuro Rengoku: "In my opinion, there's no need for a trial. His act of harboring a demon clearly violates the corps' rules. He should be beheaded along with the demon!"
Tengen Uzui: "Then let me do it. I will spectacularly behead them, making them bloom in the most magnificent bloody flowers. Everything should have its splendor."
Mitsuri Kanroji thought to herself, "Oh dear, is such a cute child going to be beheaded? My chest feels so heavy. And Mr. Li Xing has become even more handsome."
Gyomei Himejima: "What pitiful children. They are already unfortunate enough to be born into this world. Namu Amida Butsu."
Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, remained silent, only gazing at the clouds in the sky.
At this moment, Iguro Obanai on the tree pointed at Giyu Tomioka and said, "What about Giyu Tomioka? And this Li Xing also seems to be harboring a demon."
"According to Shinobu, Giyu Tomioka has also violated the corps' rules, yet he doesn't even have a rope on him. And this Li Xing is not a Hashira, nor was he involved in this matter, why is he standing here?"
Li Xing felt disgusted by Obanai's words. Targeting me again? Am I not allowed to stand here? Just as he was about to act, Shinobu pulled him back.
"Don't act rashly."
"Things seem to be getting interesting. Is this the brat who keeps a demon by his side?" Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, also arrived, then looked at Li Xing.
"Your name is Li Xing, right? Come, hand over the box on your back!" There was an imperious tone in his voice.
Li Xing chuckled softly and gently set Nezuko down.
"If you want this box, you can come and try to take it. But after you make a move, I can't guarantee you won't be bedridden for months. Oh, and I live at the Butterfly Mansion. If you get injured, you might not even be able to eat enough."
"Audacious words!" Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately drew his sword and lunged at Nezuko. Just as Li Xing was about to punch him, a snake coiled around him.
Li Xing's anger surged. He grabbed the snake's vital spot and kicked away Sanemi Shinazugawa's Nichirin blade.
"Serpent Hashira Iguro Obanai, don't push your luck. Ever since I was here last time, you've been trying to target me, haven't you? Be careful I don't crush your Kaburamaru!"
"How dare you!" The Serpent Hashira immediately became agitated. This was his most important companion. He immediately leaped down to retrieve Kaburamaru.
"Hey, hey! Don't ignore me!" Sanemi Shinazugawa, being ignored by the two, was also furious and was about to draw his sword to slash Nezuko again.
Li Xing glanced sideways, and with extreme speed, punched Sanemi Shinazugawa, sending him flying. Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately spat out bitter water. If Li Xing hadn't held back, his ribs would have likely been broken.
"Li Xing, don't act rashly. Let go of Kaburamaru, and you two!" Shinobu Kocho ran to Li Xing, shielding him and Nezuko.
"Mr. Li Xing's strength seems to have increased, perhaps even more powerful than mine. He's so cool. And Shinobu looks so cool when she's angry." Mitsuri began to dote on him again.
At this moment, Amane Ubuyashiki called out, "The Master has arrived."
All the Hashira knelt, while Tanjiro was still in a daze. Sanemi Shinazugawa tried to push Tanjiro down, but Li Xing stopped his hand.
"Wind Hashira, if you still intend to make a move, I won't be polite," Li Xing said calmly, staring at Sanemi Shinazugawa, a wisp of cold air escaping his mouth, making everyone present feel a chill.
"Sanemi, Li Xing, calm down!" Shinobu Kocho once again played the peacemaker. For Shinobu's sake, Li Xing ignored Sanemi Shinazugawa and turned to Tanjiro, "Tanjiro, don't worry, I will protect you."
Tanjiro only then remembered that this was the white-haired man from the Final Selection.
"Why would you..."
Li Xing placed his index finger to his lips and smiled faintly.
This was the gentlest male protagonist Li Xing had ever seen in the anime world. Li Xing felt a great fondness for Tanjiro and wanted to protect him. Did he need a reason? In the anime world, passion reigns supreme!