Lower Moon Three, Byouyo, was dead.
The moment Byouyo died, Muzan Kibutsuji, far in Infinity Castle, knew.
Though furious, Muzan checked Byouyo's final memories.
What he saw was outrageous!
Byouyo, that fool, planned a plague!?
Good thing he failed and died.
As Muzan thought this, he accessed Byouyo's last memory.
This was interesting. Reading the memory, it was as if Muzan faced Horitake, hearing his heart-piercing words!
Muzan was livid! Truly livid!
Horitake's words struck his core, like a bloodied knife stabbing his heart, hitting every sore spot!
Muzan's fury wasn't just from shame at being exposed—it was Horitake's scorn and mockery!
A mere human dared mock him!?
What enraged him most was that Horitake's taunts were spot-on, exposing his deepest weaknesses!
In his millennium of life, beyond seeking the Blue Spider Lily, didn't Muzan crave greater ambitions? To control higher powers?
He did!
He'd even tried!
He attempted to turn a wealthy Neon clan into demons.
But when he touched the upper echelons, the true elites, he faltered. He knew it was a realm he couldn't easily challenge, even as the Demon King, despite his strength and immortality.
Muzan knew that reaching for the elites, if exposed…
Those deeply entrenched, untouchable forces wouldn't tolerate an uncontrollable threat.
Not only would his reach be severed, but the elites, in their fury, might purge all demons.
Never underestimate a nation's machinery, even in this less advanced era!
Having seen the abyss above, Muzan hid, quietly searching for the Blue Spider Lily, occasionally clashing with the Demon Slayer Corps.
Horitake's mockery hit home—he was scared, reduced to a sewer rat!
Because Horitake exposed his weakest, most powerless side, tearing it open and laying it bare under the sun, Muzan was beyond furious!
Utterly enraged!
Indescribably furious!
In extreme anger, a person's heartbeat pounds like a drum in their chest.
Muzan's was worse—his suppressed rage made his heart hammer like a war drum! Seething!
Even Narume nearby heard his terrifying gasps and heartbeats from fury!
Face black with rage, Muzan couldn't hold back—he went berserk!
Red-eyed, roaring skyward, he unleashed a shockwave, shattering and blasting everything around!
Poor Narume was flung away, dodging to avoid Muzan's wrathful frenzy!
Next, the enraged Muzan rampaged through Infinity Castle, tearing ornate screens and shoji, destroying flipped platforms and floors!
The once-quiet castle erupted into chaos from his madness.
Narume, controlling the castle, was affected but survived by dodging early and far.
Was it truly luck?
Hardly.
In his rage, Muzan spared no one, friend or foe.
If Narume died, Infinity Castle would collapse. If not for that, Muzan would've shredded her to vent!
After a vicious rampage, Muzan calmed slightly.
Teeth bared, eyes red, panting heavily, his mind churned.
Kill! He must kill that man! Not only does he wield lightning that counters demons, but he dared humiliate me!? Killing him is the only way to sate this hatred!
Send demons! Masses of them to hunt him! Capture him! I'll eat him myself!
Where was that place!?
Near Kusatsu, right!?
But…
Muzan grew angrier, realizing it was too late!
Dawn was near; daytime was coming! Sending demons now wouldn't make it in time!
He could go himself, but without Narume knowing the exact location, she couldn't teleport him!
By next night, would that bastard still be there?
Of course not! Who'd wait to be killed!?
Damn it! Bastard!
Unable to retaliate, Muzan's fury surged again! He went berserk once more!
This time, even Narume, hiding far, wasn't spared—Muzan tore her to pieces in his rage!
Fortunately, she reassembled and recovered, and the castle didn't collapse.
Meanwhile, in the mountains near Kusatsu, Horitake, having delivered his heart-piercing speech to Muzan, felt great. He could even imagine Muzan's impotent rage.
Done, he turned to Miri behind him.
Miri was stunned by his words!
She never imagined someone could so viciously mock and humiliate Muzan! Horitake-bro, doing this, was… too cool!
Horitake waved a hand in front of her: "Hey, Miri! Snap out of it! What're you thinking?"
"Huh?" Miri reacted, praising sincerely, "Horitake-bro, that was amazing! Muzan must be furious hearing that!"
"Not dead from anger, but maybe driven mad!"
"But…" Miri looked worriedly at Horitake, "Muzan will surely hold a grudge now. Aren't you in danger?"
Horitake smiled carelessly: "Since I killed Gyokko, Muzan's hated me. I'm already on his kill list. No big deal—more lice don't itch."
"Well… okay, but be careful, Horitake-bro."
"Don't worry, I'm not that easy to kill. Alright, Miri, let's move!"
"Huh? Where? Shouldn't we return to Kusatsu to check?"
"We'll go back to Kusatsu eventually, but there's other business."
"What business?"
Horitake explained: "Remember the female snake demon said Byouyo tested this plague in their demon hideout? That means there might still be plague sources there.
Luckily, it's deep in the mountains, so any leaks aren't too worrying.
Still, it's a hazard that needs destroying."
Miri realized: "I see, Horitake-bro, you're so thorough." Then, troubled, "Ugh, why do I always miss important things?
Horitake-bro, how do we clear the plague source in the hideout?"
"My plan: confirm the area, then burn the mountain."
"Burn the mountain?"
"No choice. This era can't disinfect deep forests precisely, so we burn it clean. It's efficient!"
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