Mount Kumotake.
A biting wind howled, snow fell heavily, and the world was draped in a silver coat.
A young girl walked through the snowstorm and stopped.
In the open space ahead, two figures, one large and one small, were engaged in a fierce battle. Their movements were beautiful yet dangerous; snowflakes flew as they waved their hands, captivating the eye.
Nezuko's face lit up with a bright smile as she waved vigorously.
"Brother! Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko!"
Aoki forced Tanjiro back with a single sword strike: "Let's call it a day!"
Tanjiro used his wooden sword for support, panting heavily, a look of disbelief in his red eyes.
"I never imagined that Hinokami Kagura could be used in battle,"
Aoki said. "I've said it before, Hinokami Kagura is invaluable."
Tanjiro, upon hearing this, wore a guilty expression.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko…"
Aoki waved his hand, interrupting him, "I've said it before, this is none of your business."
A year had passed since he killed Muzan Kibutsuji.
As someone with a supernatural power other than a demon, he had always kept the Breathing Technique in mind, and had been trying to learn it for the past year.
He had completely mastered the movements and techniques of Hinokami Kagura, but he still couldn't get the hang of it.
And it wasn't just Hinokami Kagura.
He also learned other breathing techniques, including the five basic ones: Wind, Water, Rock, Fire, and Thunder, as well as derivative techniques like Flower Breathing, Insect Breathing, and Love Breathing.
After killing Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon Slayer Corps' secrets were all revealed to him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't master any of the breathing techniques; there was no sign of him even getting started.
It's now almost certain that he can't learn any breathing techniques.
"Let's go back!"
Aoki patted Aoki on the shoulder and waved to Nezuko.
It was already dark when the three returned to Tanjiro's house.
Muzan Kibutsuji was dead, and Tanjiro's family, who should have been wiped out in January, were still alive and well.
Aoki greeted Aomura Rie and said to Tanjiro, "I won't be coming over for the next few weeks."
Tanjiro gave a simple smile: "Then I wish Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko a Happy New Year in advance."
New Year's was just a week away.
"Happy New Year to you all too!"
Aoki waved and disappeared.
Aomura Rie heard the noise and looked up.
"You're back, Aoki."
"Master's wife." Aoki asked casually, "Where's Takina?"
Aomura Rie replied, "Shinobu Kochō and Kanae Kochō came; the three of them went shopping together."
Aoki's expression remained unchanged as he found a comfortable position and sat down on the sofa.
Shinobu Kochō and Kanae Kochō had been visiting frequently this past year, and he was already used to it.
Aomura Rie suddenly put down her work, looked at Aoki, and said seriously, "Aoki, I have something very important to tell you!"
"Master's wife, please speak." Aoki sat up slightly.
Aomura Rie asked seriously, "When do you plan to marry Takina?"
"Huh?" Aoki was taken aback.
Aomura Rie frowned and said, "What?! After the New Year, Takina will be eighteen, old enough to get married."
Aoki was silent for a moment, then said, "Master, I'm no longer human."
"So?" Aomura Rie glanced at him. "Do you want Takina to marry someone else?"
"Of course not!"
Aoki replied without hesitation.
"Then that's settled!" Aomura Rie said.
Aoki remained silent for a moment, then looked up and said, "I understand. I will seriously consider this matter, Master's Wife."
That night,
Aoki lay in bed, pondering his master's wife's words.
Marriage?
Takina was human, he was a demon, and not just any demon, but the Demon King!
This wasn't even a matter of reproductive isolation.
His blood was highly poisonous to Takina; if her wound were accidentally touched, she would be poisoned at best, and directly become a demon at worst.
Even if he married Takina, he could only give her a title; nothing else would change.
A long time later,
Aoki sat up, his figure flashing as he disappeared from the room.
In Asakusa,
Tamayo was diligently conducting an experiment.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the air.
Tamayo glanced at it, then looked away, focusing her attention back on the experiment.
Half an hour later, she let out a long sigh of relief, put down the equipment in her hands, turned to look at the side, and smiled, "Mr. Aoki, you've arrived!"
"Thank you for your hard work!" Aoki said.
"I'm busier during the day!"
Tamayo smiled.
After her clinic officially opened, its reputation spread quickly. Before long, everyone in the neighborhood knew that Asakusa had a young, beautiful, and highly skilled doctor.
Because so many people came to see her, she had to keep expanding. Now it had become a small hospital and had even recruited several students.
She worked all day and could only do her research at night.
However, as a demon, she had enough energy to handle everything.
The busy life also made her feel very fulfilled.
Aoki glanced at the experimental table: "How's the progress lately?"
Tamayo shook her head slightly: "Almost no progress. The power and characteristics of demons are completely bound together, like a fundamental rule, with no possibility of separation.
The analysis of the essence of demon power is also progressing very poorly."
She had actually been conducting similar experiments all along; Yushiro was one of her products.
Aoki had anticipated this and had prepared for a protracted battle, but at this moment, she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Demons possess immortality, immense power, and wondrous Blood Demon Arts, making them far superior to humans in combat.
However, demons also have weaknesses.
They cannot enjoy gourmet food or experience romantic love.
They have neither needs nor desires.
For demons, it seems they can only pursue spiritual pleasure.
But the body and mind are inherently intertwined.
When the body can no longer fulfill desires, how much joy can the spirit experience?
Emotions and desires are part of humanity, but demons have lost most of them.
Many demons, after living a long time, gradually forget their memories of their previous lives, becoming monsters with only a few obsessions left, such as "survival" and "becoming stronger.
" Do humans live simply to live?
This question seems somewhat sentimental; immortality is the ultimate dream that many people seek but cannot attain, but for demons, it is a question they must consider.
Immortality, but with only a shell and a few desires like "survival" and "becoming stronger," is it truly meaningful?
Which should a demon choose: power or a human body and emotions?
Aoki's choice is: he wants it all!
The research he had Ms. Tamayo conduct is part of this action.
Achieving this goal will not be easy.
However, he wasn't in a hurry, always feeling he had enough time to wait for hope to arrive.
But his master's wife's urging for marriage suddenly made him feel pressured.
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(End of Chapter)