It snowed in the morning, covering the ground in a layer of white.
However, in the distance, a town appeared amidst the snowy landscape.
"We've reached the town at the foot of the mountain; let's go in and take a look."
With that, Luo Men entered the town.
"Tanjirou, I need to buy some charcoal."
Soon after entering the town, Luo Men heard a shout.
If he wasn't mistaken, it was Tanjirou selling charcoal in town to help support his family.
After Tanjuro's death, as the pillar of the family, Tanjirou, possessing all the excellent qualities of a shonen protagonist, proactively took on the responsibility of supporting his family. Although Luo Men had left a good sum of money when he departed, Tanjirou was not the type to sit idly by and consume his savings. Even with the bad weather in the morning, Tanjirou would not waste time.
Luo Men followed the direction of the voice.
As expected, he saw Tanjirou, dressed in a green and black checkered haori, selling charcoal to a man.
Luo Men observed that once these charcoals were sold, Tanjirou would have finished selling his stock.
The sky was somewhat dim and gloomy at this moment, and Luo Men lost himself in thought: It couldn't be such a coincidence that today was the Kamado Family's day of tribulation, could it?
"Tanjirou."
Seeing Tanjirou, who was about to return to the mountain after selling his charcoal, Luo Men called out to him.
"Hmm?"
Tanjirou turned around, saw Luo Men, and said with a hint of joy, "Brother Luo Men, you're back?"
"Yes. Are you done selling charcoal and heading home?"
"Yes, I am. Do you want to come back with me?"
"I came back this time to see everyone. Let's go up the mountain together."
With that, Luo Men stood with Tanjirou, and they prepared to ascend the mountain together.
Walking alongside Luo Men, Tanjirou's tone became much more cheerful.
Although he hadn't spent a long time with Luo Men, their relationship was quite good. When facing Luo Men, Tanjirou, as the eldest son of the family, rarely felt like a younger brother, able to relax a little.
"Brother Luo Men, where have you been this past year? Did you become a samurai?"
As he spoke, Tanjirou looked curiously at the nichirin blade at Luo Men's waist.
"Something like that. I'm working for an organization that maintains order. Because I'm quite busy, I only just found time to come back and visit everyone."
Luo Men didn't tell Tanjirou about the Demon Slayer Corps or demons, because before he encountered them, such things were still quite distant for Tanjirou.
However, the Demon Slayer Corps could indeed be considered an organization that maintains order, so there was nothing wrong with that statement.
"Is that so?"
Hearing Luo Men's words, Tanjirou was a bit curious but didn't ask further.
"Tanjirou, are you going back up the mountain? It's too dangerous, don't go back."
Just then, an old man's head popped out of the window of a small house by the mountain road and called out.
"My nose is very keen; I'll be fine."
Hearing Lao Daye's words, Tanjirou replied with a smile.
However, Lao Daye's expression became more serious when he heard Tanjirou's words. He said, "I'm telling you to stay at my house for one night. Come here, come back!"
"But..."
"Don't say anything else, hurry up and come over, the demons are about to come out."
Hearing the conversation between the man and Tanjirou, Luo Men narrowed his eyes. He was quite familiar with this scene; if there were no surprises, today would be the day the plot began.
At this moment, Luo Men, who had been concealing his presence, smiled and spoke, "No need to worry, Sanlang Xiansheng."
"Hmm? Luo Men?"
Sanlang Xiansheng saw Luo Men, thought for a moment, and remembered who he was. He had seen him a few times before, so he spoke again, "You should also stay at my place for a night."
Hearing Sanlang Xiansheng's words, Luo Men shook his head and said, "No need to worry, I am a Demon Slayer swordsman, I am not afraid of demons."
Hearing Luo Men's words, Sanlang Xiansheng was stunned for a moment and then noticed Luo Men's attire: a nichirin blade hanging at his waist, and the Demon Slayer Corps uniform beneath his haori. He had seen such clothing a long time ago.
"Is that so? Why don't you have a meal at my place before going up the mountain?"
Sanlang Xiansheng pondered for a moment, looked at Luo Men and Tanjirou, and then firmly stated, "This time, don't refuse. You'll have the strength to go up the mountain after you've eaten your fill."
"Then it would be disrespectful to decline."
Luo Men looked at the hesitant Tanjirou and agreed to the arrangement.
"Sanlang Xiansheng, what are these demons you speak of?"
"Since a long time ago, man-eating demons come out after sunset, so you can't wander outside at night."
"Demons, they won't come into the house, will they?"
"No, they will come in."
"So... everyone will be eaten by demons?"
"That's why there are Demon Slayers who kill demons for us. They've existed since a long time ago. Luo Men should know more about this."
During dinner, Tanjirou also asked questions. Sanlang Xiansheng appeared somewhat stern and serious, but he was very patient in answering Tanjirou's inquiries.
"Brother Luo Men?"
Seeing Tanjirou look over, Luo Men calmly said, "The demons Sanlang Xiansheng speaks of are real monsters. However, what Sanlang Xiansheng doesn't know is that if you light wisteria flowers in your home, it will prevent most demons from causing trouble."
Hearing Luo Men's words, Sanlang was a bit surprised, but after thinking about it, as a Demon Slayer, Luo Men certainly knew more information than he did, and this method must be effective; he just didn't know about it.
However, was it only 'most' of them? Sanlang Xiansheng heard something different in that statement.
"So the Demon Slayer Corps is your organization of Demon Slayers?"
"That's right. It's a formal organization recognized by the government, existing with the goal of eradicating demons."
"That's amazing."
Hearing Luo Men's words, Tanjirou exclaimed.
With that, Luo Men also explained in detail to the two about demons as creatures and how to deal with them. However, for ordinary people, the best method was simply to plant many wisteria flowers.
"We've finished eating. Thank you for the hospitality, Sanlang Xiansheng."
After finishing their meal, Tanjirou politely bid farewell to Sanlang Xiansheng.
"Hmm, be careful on your way."
After confirming Luo Men's identity as a Demon Slayer, Sanlang Xiansheng felt much more at ease, so he didn't say much else.
After bidding farewell to Sanlang Xiansheng, Luo Men and Tanjirou continued up the mountain.
It was still early, so the Kamado Family should definitely not have encountered any problems yet. If Muzan were to appear here, it would most likely be in the latter half of the night.
The only slight doubt was whether Luo Men could handle the incredibly powerful Muzan. However, killing Muzan at this moment should be impossible, but delaying him until dawn had a high probability of success. He could only hope that Muzan would arrive a little later.