So, it wasn't about my brother coming back to be with me after all. But it's good that Father is finally willing to go out.
"Yes, Father!"
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Senjuro excitedly put down his wooden sword and went inside to prepare for the journey.
After Rengoku Shinjuro returned to his room, he wrote a reply and gave it to his Kasugai Crow.
Watching the Kasugai Crow fly away outside the window, Shinjuro's mind was filled with thoughts. Going to Yoshiwara was an impulsive decision. Even if he wanted to teach the young man named Ryan Carter, he didn't have to go himself. According to past practice, he could just write a letter in the name of a trial and have Ryan come here.
Ultimately, it was his momentary soft-heartedness; he couldn't bear to see his second son lonely.
"Consider it a change of scenery. Ruka, please forgive me for not being able to accompany you for now."
-------------------------------------
A few nights later, at Ren Martial Hall.
Ryan, who had been training all day, was in his room reviewing his Breathing Technique learning plan when a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Junior Brother, are you asleep?"
"Oh, it's Senior Brother. What's up?"
"Master wants to see you."
Huh? What could the Hall Master want with him at this late hour?
"Coming!"
With doubts, he quickly tidied himself up and followed his Senior Brother to the Hall Master's study.
The two walked in silence through the night, their footsteps quick. Ryan couldn't help but feel nervous.
Could he be looking for me so late because Kanao caused trouble? No, that's not right! She has a small talent in swordsmanship, and she's not a troublemaker. She's also very loved by the Senior Sisters, so nothing should have happened.
Is it me? The Hall Master praised me a few days ago, and I've been staying in the dojo practicing swordsmanship honestly these past few days. What could possibly happen?
Neither Kanao nor I caused any trouble, so why is the Hall Master looking for me?
Then... Ah, right! It must be something with the honeycomb briquettes. Either counterfeit products have appeared on the market, or those coal magnates can't sit still anymore. The Hall Master must be looking for me to ask about business or technical issues, so I need to prepare my explanation.
After entering the study and bowing, the Senior Brother immediately withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the room.
The Hall Master sat at the head of the room, his face stern, and the atmosphere was very oppressive.
Ryan sat upright, not daring to speak, his heart growing more nervous. It seemed the problem with the honeycomb briquettes was quite serious!
After a while, Henry Yanguang saw that the atmosphere was sufficiently set and got straight to the point:
"Ryan, do you truly wish to pursue the strongest swordsmanship?"
Huh? Didn't he want to talk about the honeycomb briquettes? What's this 'strongest swordsmanship' nonsense? Oh! I remember now, it was the boast I made in front of the Hall Master a few days ago to raise my value!
He's over forty years old; he couldn't have actually believed it, could he?
Although surprised that the Hall Master would ask such a childish question, Ryan wasn't stupid. According to the script, he just needed to loudly express his affirmation.
"Yes!"
Anyone could tell the young man was full of spirit.
"If a swordsmanship tradition that transcends the mundane were placed before you for you to learn, but afterward, you would have to risk your life to fight unknown enemies, would you still want it?"
Ryan froze at these words.
What kind of development is this? It sounds like a plot device from a fantasy web novel, but this is the Demon Slayer world; there's no such thing as a transcendent tradition! Unless you can produce a Breathing Technique, but can you? If you could, would you still be running a martial arts hall near the Flower Street? If you could, would you still care about honeycomb briquettes?
"I want it!"
His inner thoughts were dismissive, his words were resolute, and his expression was righteous.
Who cares about some transcendent tradition; Hall Master, you definitely can't produce it, and it'll still require me to go out and learn. By then, it wouldn't be too much to ask for a year's worth of dividends in advance, would it? Once the money is given, it wouldn't be too much to ask for a support team, would it? Once the support is given, for the safety of the group, it wouldn't be too much to take a detour and accidentally pass by Mount Taoyuan or Mount Sagiri, would it? If my legs get tired, it wouldn't be too much to rest on the mountain for a year or a half, would it?
In the span of a single sentence, Ryan had already made his calculations clink and clang in his mind.
A general outside can disregard some orders. I'll give the procurement staff and chefs more salary, learning Breathing Technique and eating medicinal meals without delay. I'm truly a genius at adapting! This is called... No!
No, I can't get too carried away. I still need to consider safety issues. What if I encounter a demon on the way? What if...
As he thought, Ryan's expression became serious.
Henry Yanguang had been watching Ryan, and seeing him become calm again after a brief moment of excitement, he nodded slightly.
"Since that's the case, then you must be prepared."
Is this a map change? I'm not ready yet.
"In a while, an expert will come to the martial hall to teach you."
An expert, that's good. This means an outdoor trial... Hmm? Wait, what did he say? He's coming to the martial hall to teach me personally? What kind of expert is so approachable?
"No, Master! Your guidance alone is enough for me!"
Henry Yanguang no longer maintained his solemnity.
"Haha, I can't teach you. The Master who is coming this time will teach you the strongest swordsmanship."
Tsk! What 'strongest swordsmanship'? Can it even deal with demons? I don't have time to waste on ordinary martial arts. How can I refuse?
"I think Flame Blade Swordsmanship is enough for me to delve into for a lifetime."
"Hahaha! I'm very happy to hear you say that, but my Flame Blade Swordsmanship is just a simplified version of that tradition. You'll understand when the time comes."
I don't need to understand!
Seeing that Ryan still wanted to say something, Henry Yanguang had to continue:
"Let me put it this way, that tradition isn't just about sword techniques; it's also a Breathing Technique."
So what? It's just a Breathing... Hmm, what did he say?
"Its name is Flame Breathing."
...
Flame... Breathing? Did I mishear?
At this moment, Ryan froze, like a family elder suddenly talking about anime with him, that indescribable strange feeling.
"It's normal that you haven't heard of it. In a few days, Rengoku Shinjuro will explain it to you in detail."
Nani! Shinjuro, that name... Isn't that Kyojuro's father? Right, at this time, he should still be the current Flame Pillar.
"But there's one thing I must make clear to you beforehand: this is not a tradition for killing people; it's for killing demons!"
When he spoke of demons, Henry Yanguang seemed to fall into some memory, his entire face both fearful and excited.
This... What kind of rhythm is this? A family elder not only talked about anime but also brought out a pile of figures?
"Don't make that face. Don't worry, I'm not crazy. I saw it with my own eyes. The demons I'm talking about aren't ghosts, but..."
Ryan then listened to the Hall Master's explanation with a strange expression, as if meeting him for the first time.
"...In summary, by learning Flame Breathing, you will have the obligation to kill demons. This is also the price of pursuing the strongest swordsmanship. Aren't you excited knowing all this?"