Demon Progenitor Development Project

Shugo, along with Muzan and Kokushibo, arrived at the agreed-upon location.

The tavern where they first met was now completely booked and empty.

The shop owner was overjoyed, his old face scrunched up like a chrysanthemum, and he quickly scurried out of his shop.

A red-haired man, with a sword at his waist, walked steadily into Kono Castle.

For Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Furuno Castle is filled with memories of his past life.

At that time, he often went shopping with Shi to buy various daily necessities. Later, as his life became more comfortable, his outings changed and gradually turned into shopping.

Yoriichi, being of noble birth, lacked life experience. Even though he was abandoned by his father, he could not possibly lack food and clothing while living with his mother, Akeno.

When Yoriichi was first taken in by Shi, he relied almost entirely on Shi for guidance on how to buy daily necessities, how to bargain with stingy merchants, and how to judge quality.

For Yoriichi, everything was new and interesting.

Poetry, whenever she came, her eyes would often linger on those pretty little trinkets.

The jewelry and cosmetics used by women were mostly expensive and not practical for a peasant woman. Even if she bought and used them, it would attract jealousy and scorn from the women in the village.

Yoriichi wasn't such a thoughtful and warm-hearted guy; he only bought a few items after being egged on by the vendors.

Seeing that Shi was very happy, Yoriichi also felt that it was good. However, after Shi was happy, she went to the merchant in a huff to return the goods.

Shi felt a pang of heartache, saying, "This is too expensive."

Yoriichi remained unmoved by the price, simply saying, "Whatever makes you happy."

As many such memories gradually surfaced, Yoriichi's pace slowed down.

The moon rises above the willow branches, and we meet at a tavern.

When Yoriichi arrived at the tavern, he saw three demons.

At this moment, there was only one table in the tavern. Shugo was facing Yoriichi as he entered, and he raised the wine cup in his hand as a gesture.

Muzan transformed into a cat and became an accessory to Shugo, peeking out from Shugo's collar and furtively watching Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the enemy who had severely injured him, with a strong sense of trepidation.

Kokushibo, for reasons unknown, chose this position; he turned his back to Yoriichi and did not turn around.

Yoriichi's originally calm expression turned somewhat sorrowful. His innate talent told him that there was no one sitting in the shop, only ghosts.

"Brother, this is truly tragic."

Yoriichi felt sorrow for his elder brother who had become a demon. Demons are such pitiful beings, living by eating people, with twisted bodies, lost souls, and committing unforgivable sins. They were wrong from beginning to end.

"They're here! They're here!" Shugo's spirits lifted.

Famous lines and iconic scenes are here!

That's why Shugo brought Kokushibo here!

This is the joy and romance of time travelers!

Kokushibo turned away in silence, his six large eyes looking at Yoriichi as if to remember him one last time.

Kokushibo also felt a little regretful that even a powerful swordsman like Yoriichi could be defeated by the Mark and eroded by the years.

For a moment, the two brothers felt sorry for each other.

Shugo, with a mischievous grin, reminded him, "Kuroshibo, you don't need to worry about Yoriichi dying from the Demon Slayer Mark. Just like you said, the side effects of the Demon Slayer Mark won't affect Yoriichi. Your good little brother can live to be eighty."

Seeing that Yoriichi did not utter a word of rebuttal, Kokushibo felt a sense of bewilderment.

Yoriichi is indeed the son of God!

It is beyond the reach of ordinary people like us.

So why was Yoriichi so calm when he brought up the matter of succession?

He still has plenty of time to choose a successor, unlike him, a mere mortal, who is in a hurry.

For a moment, the atmosphere became silent and heavy.

"We meet again, Yoriichi-kun." Upon seeing this, Shugo took over the conversation.

Yoriichi's gaze was extremely sharp, and he shot straight toward Shugo with an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Shugo said without changing his expression, "Yan Sheng, no, he should be called Kokushibo now. He came to us on his own. He wasn't forcibly converted."

Yuan Yi was taken aback.

Shugo laughed. When he first read the original work, he felt that Yoriichi was somewhat aloof and unapproachable.

They have little material desire and only seek the small happiness of seeing their family when they open their eyes.

He doesn't even seem like a human being.

Shugo could understand Kokushibo's views on Yoriichi.

Because humans are an insatiable species, or rather, this greed is in the nature of living beings.

Humans tend to seek stability and yearn for their hometown and home as they grow old, but Yoriichi, at such a young age, already has the mindset of an eighty or ninety-year-old great-grandfather.

Of course, Ji Guoyansheng, an ambitious and normal young man, could not understand it.

Yoriichi watched his brother's eyes grow increasingly confused. He still couldn't understand why his brother had become a demon and why he had killed the young lord.

"why?"

"...There's no point in saying more."

Kokushibo couldn't bring himself to tell Yoriichi that he only wanted to surpass him; it was too shameful.

Fortunately, there's still Shugo as a mouth double.

"In order to surpass you."

Yoriichi: ? ? ?

Is there anything about me that my older brother should surpass?

Yoriichi didn't think so. He had always felt that he was worthless, someone who couldn't even protect his family.

That's what Yoriichi thought, and that's what he said.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni: Wife and daughter die, brother becomes a ghost

Jiguo Yansheng: His wife and children are all alive, and his younger brother is alive.

From any perspective, there's no need for the elder brother to surpass him.

What Yoriichi wanted, Kokushi had; what Kokushi wanted, Yoriichi had.

Upon hearing Yoriichi's words, Kokushibo's tone became more intense.

Kokushibo: Yoriichi, how can you say you're completely useless! (◣_◢) If Yoriichi is completely useless, then what is he!

The two brothers started fighting as they were talking, and the outcome was predictable.

Kokushibo was nearly killed on the spot. If Shugo hadn't stopped him, the future Upper Moon One would have perished here.

"Yoriichi, you really don't understand people's hearts." Shugo parried Yoriichi's Nichirin Blade with his sword and gave him a famous quote from the King.

A sad, thick barrier has already formed between the brothers, Jiguo and others.

Hiraga Gou deeply appreciated the profound insight of his ancestors: "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish?"

"Yoriichi, don't you realize something? Kokushibo joined the Demon Slayer Corps and became a demon all for you, to surpass you, the god who is unattainable in his eyes."

"Fearing there wouldn't be enough time to become stronger, I chose to become a demon because of the markings, in order to gain immortality and surpass you."

“For Kokushibo, becoming a demon is his only way out.” Shugo’s lips curled slightly.

Having given up his position as head of the family, abandoned his wife and children, and condescended to join the Demon Slayer Corps... how could he possibly give up on his goal?

“Brother, there’s no need for this at all,” Yoriichi murmured.

In Yoriichi's eyes, Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni will always be the older brother with scars on his face, holding a flute, who tells him that he will come as long as he plays the flute.

"Yoriichi, do you think Kokushibo's pursuit of you was unnecessary? Right?"

Seeing Yoriichi's tacit agreement, Shugo almost burst out laughing.

Is this what they call the leisure of the strong?

How abominable!

Genius, that's such a depressing thing.

The achievements you put in through countless efforts can be obtained by others with ease and without a second thought. They may even think your efforts are unnecessary and that you don't need to spend time and energy chasing after them.

From a cynical perspective, does this mean that no matter how hard you try, it's meaningless?

Yoriichi Tsugikuni may not have meant it that way, but the result of his thinking was that Michikatsu Tsugikuni could go home, not have to work hard to become stronger, and could just live happily and carefree with his wife whom he had married into the family.

What's the difference between this and killing Jigoku Yansheng?

Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni was a samurai who longed to become stronger. For him, his family was a responsibility, not something he was passionate about. When he was young, Kokushikatsu Tsugikuni's dream was to become the strongest samurai in the country.

Kokushibo, who had been listening silently, gripped the demon blade in his hand tightly.