mtl008 Chapter 142 The Disputes Between the Lords
Chapter 142 The Disputes Between the Lords
It wasn't that Li Muyang was deliberately hiding it, but rather that the side effects of the Transparent World and the Mark hadn't been resolved yet. He could rely on his strength and life level to become immune, and he could also use special methods to shut down the two forms and open them whenever he wanted, but others couldn't do that!
Even Bai Yuxiu and Feng Ling'er had to give up temporarily after trying it; the damage was too great! It was practically like their lives were on a countdown!
Before figuring out these points, Li Muyang decided to conduct his own research in secret first, and then share his findings with the other pillars once he had made some progress.
Before that, we also need to take care of the other pillars' bodies, treating any accumulated hidden injuries as soon as possible! And we need to continue researching and improving the breathing techniques, so that their bodies won't be overwhelmed as soon as they activate them! These two states are just too taxing on the body!
This research continued until almost the point when the plot was about to begin.
During this period, what made the Demon Slayer Corps and Kagaya Ubuyashiki the happiest was not the number of demons who died, but that they received official recognition from the Japanese government.
Even Taisho himself visited Kagaya Ubuyashiki to acknowledge the Demon Slayer Corps' outstanding contributions to protecting the people of Japan over the years.
The reason, at least according to Taisho, is that someone, without knowing who, informed the Japanese government that the true Ame-no-Murakumo sword had appeared here.
This made Kagaya Ubuyashiki both happy and unhappy.
I'm happy that the official recognition of his identity will help the Demon Slayer Corps' future actions; at least he can openly carry a sword in public now. But I'm also annoyed... Putting aside the fact that the Ama no Kusanagi isn't his, Muzan has been causing trouble for so many years. Did he think I didn't know that some of you were afraid of dying and were colluding with demons? You didn't take us seriously before, but now that you see there's something to gain, you're pounced on us?
To say they don't take it seriously at all wouldn't be an exaggeration. To be precise, the Japanese government maintains a state of openly suppressing but secretly supporting the Demon Slayer Corps. Otherwise, the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't have so many resources! Even the Ubuyashiki family and the Shinto priest family alone aren't that wealthy!
What Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't know was that the main reason this Taisho... would admit to the credit here was that the Kusanagi Sword was just an excuse. The real reason was that a warrior had captured a demon and, under his secret manipulation, caused a ruckus in Tokyo, frightening many high-ranking officials and nobles.
After all, aside from an old immortal nearing the end of his life, who would want to deal with such a man-eating monster? Nothing matters when it comes to one's life!
Even if they manage to survive, they will never see the sun again! Once exposed, no matter their status or position, they will be unable to protect themselves!
This commotion also brought out quite a few old ghosts!
Muzan may die, but the insatiable man-eating demons will never be wiped out!
This put immense pressure on Taisho's side as well. He was still young! He didn't want to die! He wanted to contact families of Onmyoji and Shinto priests to exorcise demons, but the problem was that they all had their own internal issues! After all, not everyone can be so carefree when it comes to lifespan! They couldn't be trusted!
Finally, with his own son (those interested can look up who Taisho's son is; his name doesn't deserve to appear in my book! I won't mention it!) implicated with demons and killed, Taisho, on the advice of several ministers, had no choice but to seek out professionals. At least the people here were sworn enemies of demons, so they could definitely be trusted!
As long as one acknowledges a Demon Slayer Corps member, one can gain the protection of the Demon Slayer Corps. From Taisho's perspective, this is a pretty good deal!
Of course, we can't rush things. We need to take things one step at a time. Taisho had only recently met with Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The two lords of Japan, one in the open and one in the shadows, schemed and plotted against each other for quite some time.
Taisho could tell that although Ubuyashiki was polite to him, he still harbored deep resentment and dissatisfaction. In the past, he wouldn't have cared about the Demon Slayer Corps, because the scumbag boss had never had much influence on the higher-ups in Japan.
There's no way around it, Muzan is truly incapable of accomplishing anything significant. He can't distinguish between big and small matters, he's short-sighted, cowardly, and a typical petty Japanese person.
Having been terrified by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Muzan dared not make any big moves in the open!
Even if he went all in now, he might actually be able to take down the Demon Slayer Corps, but that scumbag boss would be too stunned to come! His closest chance to wipe out the Demon Slayer Corps was after Yoriichi Tsugikuni's death, when he led the demons to attack the Demon Slayer Corps! But he just went into hiding!
They only dared to hide and secretly engage in petty tricks. They studied for over a thousand years, yet they still didn't understand their greatest advantage.
But things are different now. Demons have appeared in Tokyo, and a group of old demons have been summoned. Taisho understands that they need something from him, and now, in order to appease the Demon Slayer Corps, he has no choice but to patiently continue to persuade them, "Mr. Ubuyashiki, please consider the greater good of Japan! Demon King Muzan is extremely wicked!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki has always maintained his stance: the Demon Slayer Corps only kills demons, and he has no interest in anything else!
Some people might not have understood, but Taisho actually wanted to find a few Pillars to be his bodyguards. The problem was that Ubuyashiki was unwilling to let the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps serve as bodyguards for these high-ranking officials! Not only would it disperse manpower and combat strength, but it could also cause some unforeseen changes.
The target is too obvious. Ubuyashiki knows Muzan is cautious and cowardly, but the Twelve Demon Moons aren't! Sending a Pillar to be a bodyguard for a high-ranking official is too obvious! What if they get surrounded by demons? He can't possibly risk his family's lives!
Seeing that this approach wouldn't work, Taisho had no choice but to settle for a less desirable option: requesting a deeper level of cooperation and asking the Demon Slayer Corps to send a few people to provide special training for his subordinates.
Taisho certainly had samurai under his command who practiced a breathing technique that was several times simplified. Of course, the samurai would never admit it verbally. Therefore, in Taisho's eyes, as long as his samurai received special training from the Demon Slayer Corps, they should be able to protect his personal safety without much trouble.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't understand Taisho's idea, but since Taisho had already made such a concession, he felt too embarrassed to refuse, so he agreed and planned to go back and see if there was anyone who had retired but still wanted to advance further, and send them to Taisho.
After all, as the lord, he couldn't stop his subordinates from wanting to be promoted, could he?
After much persuasion, the two sides finally reached an agreement. Just as Taisho was about to leave with his men, he smelled a delicious aroma... He couldn't help but swallow hard. This smell... it smells so good!
Ubuyashiki glanced at him and knew what he was thinking, so he closed his eyes and pretended not to hear.
Just kidding! Even if he took his wife and kids to freeload, it wouldn't be enough! The people on Mr. Li's side are all big eaters! In addition, after Mr. Li improved the breathing technique, its power and damage to the body were indeed reduced, but correspondingly, the swordsmen who practiced the breathing technique also had a huge increase in their appetite!
This is why Ubuyashiki collaborates with the Japanese government! Because they're broke! They're broke! They're even struggling to afford food!
Ooshiro stared intently at Ubuyashiki. "I've brought you so many things, and you won't even provide a meal? We're supposed to be the official managers of Japan, aren't we?"
Lady Amane couldn't stand it any longer and explained with a light laugh, "Your Majesty, this aroma comes from Mr. Li Muyang. My husband and I also go there for meals. The cooking skills of the Demon Slayer Corps' chefs are far inferior to his. However, he only cooks a fixed amount each time, so you have to make an appointment in advance."
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Li Muyang only returned last night, and we didn't have time to tell him that His Majesty would be visiting today."
Upon hearing this, the attendant immediately showed displeasure and was about to say something when Taisho waved his hand to stop him. No one noticed that when Taisho heard the name Li Muyang, his eyes revealed a hint of tension and seriousness. He had investigated some information before coming to visit the Demon Slayer Corps and was well aware of Li Muyang's existence in the Demon Slayer Corps!
Secondly, there are other reasons.
"I see, I was being presumptuous!" Taisho wasted no more time and turned to get into the carriage and leave.
Just then, a white fox, carrying a package in its mouth, hopped over and came to Da Zheng's side... Thinking it was for him, Da Zheng was about to squat down and take the package when the white fox rolled its eyes at him, darted past him, and disappeared into another carriage behind.
Only Dazheng, who was half-squatting, stood awkwardly in place, then coughed lightly, pretended nothing had happened, and climbed into his carriage.
Inside the carriage, Tamamo-no-Mae covered her mouth, chuckling silently as she took the package from her clone, completely ignoring the person in question.
Only after the caravan had driven far away did Kagaya Ubuyashiki turn to his wife and ask, "Who's that in that carriage?"
Lady Tenon thought for a moment and said, "It should be the new shrine maiden of Ise Grand Shrine. It is said that she received a divine message from Amaterasu Omikami and is able to use the Yata no Kagami."
Upon hearing this, Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded as if he understood, which made sense. It was normal for Li Muyang to know a shrine maiden who could use the Yata no Kagami, since he possessed the Ame-no-Murakumo sword.
After all, Li Muyang doesn't never go out! He occasionally leaves for a while under the guise of visiting friends.
Now he suddenly understood that the news about the Kusanagi Sword might have been deliberately spread by Li Muyang. Ubuyashiki Kagaya had certainly heard about the commotion in Tokyo, but he hadn't expected the situation to be so serious! After all, Muzan had always preferred to keep a low profile and rarely offended these high-ranking officials.
Especially a few years ago, after Doma was seriously injured by Li Muyang's sword, Muzan and the Twelve Demon Moons' actions suddenly became secretive. Now it seems that they have probably moved to those extravagant and decadent places!
Uh... this is a misunderstanding on the part of our lord. How could his vision be so far?
In reality, the three great demons struck gold in Tokyo! A single move had far-reaching consequences; they discovered that beneath Tokyo's bustling facade lay a group of old demons unlike Muzan!
Over the years, Tamayo is far from the only demon king who has broken free from Muzan's control!