Demon Progenitor Development Project

Besides training Muzan, Shugo also plans to target Jinko.

Ren Guang, who witnessed firsthand just how badly Muzan was beaten: ...

Ren Guang, after chuckling, demonstrated his clone-type Blood Demon Technique, stating that all his clones were essentially his original body, and that the death of one clone wouldn't matter.

Shugo nodded. At least he was safe enough to stay alive. He didn't expect Jinko, the chief steward, to be a fighter. He then asked about the development of his subordinate forces.

Renguang's financial statements were quite impressive; at least they were self-sufficient.

Having lived for so many years and gradually become more cunning, Ren Guang placed the numerous expenses Muzan asked him to reimburse him at the top of the list.

Hiiragi couldn't help but glance at Jinguang, thinking to himself that Jinguang wasn't like this before.

Although I don't like Muzan, there's no need for him to target me so blatantly, as if he's... vying for favor?

Hiiragi shook the water out of his head.

"You've had a tough time these past few centuries," Shugo said reassuringly, then asked a few questions in detail.

The Chamber of Commerce is doing well, but the demons are developing poorly because Muzan, the Demon King, manages them with a laissez-faire approach, resulting in uneven strength.

The strong ones stayed on the island to continue contributing and causing trouble for the Demon Slayer Corps, while the weak ones were simply thrown into mining.

"Go buy children and train them to be assassins from a young age. When they grow up, we'll see if they become ghosts or work for the Chamber of Commerce."

"Renguang, don't worry about time and money. They are the least valuable things to us right now."

For any power, talent is the most important thing.

"Let's use that village that worships me and Muzan as a pilot project and bribe them with some small favors."

Let's just make do with the training methods he came up with in his previous silly and cute version for now; we can't go into too much detail now.

Renguang listened silently, and only after Shugo finished speaking did he report something.

"Lord Shugo, there is one more thing. The former lord of Ciwu Castle, the Moon Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tsugikuni Mikoto, wishes to see Lord Muzan."

Shugo, whose mouth was dry, had just taken a sip of bloody water when he froze.

Memories gradually unfold...

what?

Why is Yoriichi Tsugikuni's brother looking for Muzan?

Could it be that they're planning to set a trap to kill Muzan again?

Faced with Shugo's doubts, Renko offered a conjecture that even he found unlikely.

"It seems that Jikuni Geomatsu... wants to become a ghost."

The Demon Slayer Corps turning into demons is rather... strange.

In Jinguang's memory, the Demon Slayer Corps members were filled with hatred for demons.

Turning into a ghost?

Even suicide is impossible!

Wait a minute, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who is clearly the protagonist, has an older brother who wants to become a demon. Could it be that the plot is going to involve brothers killing each other? That would definitely be interesting.

"Then let's meet. Let's arrange a time and place."

Upon learning that he was to see Kokushiro Tsugikuni, Muzan shook his head frantically; he didn't want to see Yoriichi Tsugikuni's face!

Hiiragi:……

"So scared? Okay then."

"Renko, find a demon who is good at mimicry to follow you and have him mimic Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Muzan. After you see him a lot, you will become desensitized."

Muzan: ...Are you a devil?

Renguang hesitated, then said, "Lord Shugo, have you forgotten your former wife in name only?"

Princess Kisaragi, who is being served by handsome men: Achoo!

*

Ji Guoyan Sheng was very uneasy.

He didn't have a deep impression of the pale-faced couple from before, and although they claimed to be Fujiwara, he couldn't believe it.

Those are all ghosts.

So, Kokushikatsu followed the signs of the original Shugo caravan to the Chosei Trading Company. After doing a few business deals, he arranged to meet with the Chosei Trading Company, vaguely expressing his intentions before embarking on a long wait.

Fortunately, he was able to meet her.

Inside a hotel belonging to the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni and Shugo sat facing each other.

Kokushikatsu wasn't wearing his Demon Slayer Corps uniform; he was wearing ordinary samurai clothes.

Having narrowly escaped death, Shugo became even more carefree, his white hair disheveled, holding a listless-looking black cat in his arms—clearly not the type to treat guests with respect.

Forcibly turning the cat's head to look at Tsugikuni Mikatsu's face, Shugo didn't want to waste words and got straight to the point.

"Moon Pillar, why do you want to become a ghost?"

After his identity was revealed, Kokushibo, the Tsugikuni official, pondered for a moment before revealing that those who awaken their markings do not live past the age of twenty-five.

"I want to live on and continue to hone my swordsmanship until the day I surpass Yoriichi."

Jiguo Yansheng did not want to die.

Recently, he has refused many missions, which has caused quite a stir within the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kokushige didn't care about those people's opinions; he was fundamentally different from those swordsmen who were obsessed with killing demons.

Shugo's expression was subtle, and he smiled as he said, "Since you're joining, you should at least offer a pledge of allegiance."

Jiguo Yansheng remained silent.

Seven days later, the young lord was still busy late at night.

Ever since Muzan Kibutsuji was severely injured by Yoriichi, demons in various places have become extremely violent, frequently destroying villages and towns, causing widespread panic.

The Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen were also busy traveling to various places and were exhausted.

"Is Mr. Yan Sheng still refusing the mission?"

"Yes."

"Let's try to persuade them again."

The young lord touched his forehead, endured the throbbing headache, hesitated for a moment, and then said this.

"...Ichiro?"

Having received no reply for a long time, the young lord looked up in confusion, only to see a flawless silver moonlight fill his vision before everything went black and he lost consciousness.

With a cold expression, Jiguo Yansheng picked up the young lord's body.

As I walked out of the mansion, the road was littered with fallen corpses, and the stench of blood filled the air; it had become a deathly wasteland.

After Jiguo Yansheng strolled away, someone hurriedly entered the mansion.

Shugo never expected that Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni would be so efficient, bringing back the head of the Demon Slayer Corps leader, a person, and a letter.

A letter arrived, its face weary and its tone mournful.

"Sir, you haven't come to receive intelligence!"

what?

Muzan and Shugo had both forgotten about each other.

Shugo remained suspiciously silent for a moment, then gestured to Jinko to take the person away. He glanced at the young lord's body, then turned to look at Tsugikuni Kokushikatsu, seemingly not intending to perform an autopsy.

"Then let's get started."

A cup filled with blood was already placed on the table. Shugo pushed it toward Tsugikuni Mikatsu and gestured for him to proceed.

Without hesitation, Jiguo Yansheng drank the blood in the cup.

To Muzan's surprise, Kokushiro Tsugikuni had been transformed for so long.

No wonder he's that monster's brother.

Muzan sighed sincerely.

He could feel some force resisting his blood.

Shugo and Muzan started communicating in their minds.

How much longer will it take?

At this rate, it should take about another month?

Muzan looked at Kokushibo Tsugikuni, who had not yet been transformed, and meowed.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A bit of writer's block

I'm hesitating about whether to write about the Edo period, specifically about Doma and the other Upper Moons like the Third Brother. Should I just use it as a brief transition, or do I really want to continue writing in more detail?