Chapter 117 Drawbacks
Aoki and Kanae Kocho stood side by side.
At their feet lay a headless corpse, turning into black smoke and quickly dissipating.
To avoid revealing their location too early, Kanae Kocho had dealt with this demon.
However, this demon's experience points were probably no more than 3, so Aoki didn't care and observed it with interest.
"Is this what a demon looks like after being beheaded?"
This was the first time he had witnessed the end of a demon after being beheaded by a Nichirin Blade.
Kanae Kocho sheathed her long sword.
"A demon has come. It seems that Muzan Kibutsuji has noticed the message we released. The first step of the plan has succeeded!"
Aoki shook his head, pouring cold water on the situation: "Not necessarily. Demons originally had a mission to find the Blue Spider Lily. It's possible that this demon heard the news and decided to investigate on its own."
"Mr. Aomura, what you said makes sense!"
Kanae Kocho was slightly disappointed, but quickly recovered and turned to look at the city not far away.
"If this demon came on Muzan Kibutsuji's orders, does that mean Muzan Kibutsuji is in this city?"
Aoki said. "That's certainly possible, but even if Muzan Kibutsuji is here, it will be very difficult for us to find him!"
Searching for a demon that can change its appearance and aura in a vast sea of people is almost an impossible task.
Afterwards, Aoki and Kanae Kocho parted ways and used spatial teleportation to arrive at a flat area halfway up the mountain.
There was a small field of flowers there, but only one type of flower, resembling the spider lily, entirely blue, looking alluring and beautiful.
However,
upon closer inspection, it would be discovered that these flowers did not change their posture; even when the wind blew, they remained motionless.
Because these were all artificial flowers, specially made by Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Let alone just fooling a demon, even a florist wouldn't recognize them as artificial without a close look.
"Mr. Aomura,"
a young man dressed as a monk stepped forward, hands clasped together.
"Mr. Himejima,"
Aoki nodded slightly.
Although not real blue spider lilies, these artificial flowers were crucial to the plan.
He would usually oversee the operation himself, but if he was away, Himejima Gyomei, the strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps, would take charge.
Aoki found a seat.
He desperately hoped the demon they had just encountered was sent by Muzan Kibutsuji.
This was their second attempt.
The first time, the news spread for a long time without any demon noticing.
To avoid revealing their plan, they abandoned it, moved here, and started their second attempt.
This time they were luckier; a demon came knocking the next day.
However, whether the one taking the bait was Muzan Kibutsuji remained to be confirmed.
Aoki didn't have to wait long.
A little over an hour later, a petite figure gracefully arrived.
Shinobu Kocho's expression was serious: "Mr. Aomura, we've discovered more demons!"
Aoki's spirits lifted: "How many? How strong are they?"
"There are two. Their strength might not be weaker than a Lower Moon, but they don't have any words in their eyes."
"I'm going there now!" Aoki didn't waste any more words and quickly stood up.
Two waves of demons had appeared in a short period of time. Although it wasn't 100% certain, it was highly likely that they had caught Muzan Kibutsuji.
After summoning Gyomei Himejima again, Aoki led Shinobu Kocho through space and arrived directly next to Kanae Kocho.
"How is it?"
Kanae Kocho didn't speak, but slightly raised her chin, gesturing downwards.
Aoki took a step forward and looked down. A strange monster with eyes all over its head came into view.
Even demons rarely transform into something completely inhuman.
"Is it a monster that Muzan Kibutsuji forcibly created with his blood?" Aoki's eyes flickered slightly.
Muzan Kibutsuji can quickly create Lower Rank demons.
However, it seems this ability isn't as invincible as it appears.
"Sister, why is there only one left?" Shinobu Kocho whispered.
Kanae Kocho explained, "They split up. The other one is currently being watched by Giyu Tomioka."
"Good, don't act for now," Aoki said.
Lower Rank demons are far inferior to Pillars.
Currently, a large portion of the Demon Slayer Corps' strength is concentrated on this mountain; dealing with these two demons would be quite simple.
However, doing so might alert Muzan Kibutsuji.
Waiting a while would make things seem more natural.
Of course, this is only relative.
Killing these two demons might arouse Muzan's suspicion.
The plan wasn't guaranteed to succeed.
The three quietly followed the Eye-Shaped Demon.
Aoki quickly realized the problem.
"This demon's head seems a bit off,"
Kanae Kocho nodded. "To be precise, his mind isn't quite right. And it's not just him; the other demon has the same problem.
Also, while their auras are comparable to Lower Moons, they're far inferior in other aspects.
For example, their sensory abilities—if they were true Lower Moons, they should have detected us long ago."
Aoki pondered.
"Looks like this is another side effect of being forced to mature too quickly."
Of course, ultimately, it's a matter of potential and talent.
If their talent were sufficient to easily absorb the blood bestowed by Muzan Kibutsuji, these side effects wouldn't occur.
However, geniuses are rare.
The same goes for geniuses among demons.
This mountain was specially chosen by Aoki and the Demon Slayer Corps; it wasn't too big or too small.
The "Blue Spider Lily" was only a small patch, making it difficult for the two demons to find the correct location.
Aoki was patient, waiting silently.
To catch a big fish, one must be prepared for a long wait.
Two more days passed in the blink of an eye.
"His mental state has worsened!" Kanae Kocho said.
"He must be starving," Aoki said. "He's already started eating wild animals to stave off hunger. He seems to be losing his mind!"
"When do we make our move?" Kocho Kanae couldn't help but ask.
Aoki was about to speak when his expression shifted.
"Miss Kanae, I'm leaving this to you."
Without waiting for Kanae's response, his figure vanished abruptly.
"Is there any movement from Mr. Tomioka?"
Kocho Kanae wondered expectantly, her gaze returning to the demon below.
She had to keep a close watch; she couldn't let it escape.
On the cliff edge,
Tomioka Giyuu and Himejima Gyomei hid behind a rock, the former holding a broken wooden plaque.
Below the cliff, a tall, ferocious-looking monster was rapidly approaching their location.
Aoki's figure silently appeared.
A glance around revealed why Tomioka Giyuu had summoned him.
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(End of Chapter)