Ye Ming sifted through his memories of the original novel, recalling the tragic fate of Zhen Gu. She had died during this very selection on Teng Xi Mountain, her limbs torn off and devoured by the Hand Demon. A cruel and pitiful end.
But now that he was here, he wouldn't let history repeat itself.
Determined, Ye Ming locked onto Zhen Gu's location, ensuring she wouldn't slip from his sight. If he let her perish despite knowing her fate, it would be an unforgivable sin.
Soon, the examiner overseeing the selection arrived—a woman Ye Ming didn't recognize. She was likely just a minor character, someone of little significance.
"Thank you all for coming to the final selection of the Demon Slayer Corps tonight. Within Fujiki Mountain, demons captured by swordsmen are imprisoned. Due to the wisteria flowers blooming all year round from the base to the mountainside, these demons cannot escape."
"But beyond this point, the wisteria does not grow, and demons roam freely. Surviving here for seven days will be your qualification for passing the selection."
"Now then, I wish you all a safe journey."
She bowed, her words carrying an eerie finality.
Ye Ming's mouth twitched. Hey, hey, hey… if you don't know how to encourage people, just don't say anything. A 'safe journey'? You make it sound like we're marching to our deaths.
As soon as the woman left, the participants poured into the dark and foreboding forest. The dense trees blocked out even the moonlight, plunging everything into pitch-black darkness. But this level of darkness was meaningless to Ye Ming—his Six Eyes allowed him to see clearly.
Keeping a fair distance, he shadowed Zhen Gu's movements, ensuring he never lost sight of her.
Not long after entering the forest, Ye Ming sensed two demons creeping toward him.
"Already? That was fast. Seems like the demon density here is pretty high."
Gripping the handle of his sword, he smoothly unsheathed the Sun Wheel Blade.
In an instant, he spun around, his pink blade cutting through the air in an elegant arc.
"Flower Breathing: First Form—Falling Snow."
The strike was as graceful as drifting snowflakes—swift, delicate, yet deadly.
Before the first demon could even react, its head separated from its body.
"Agh—!"
Its scream was cut short as it began to disintegrate into ash.
The second demon, perched on a tree, hesitated. It had witnessed the ease with which its companion was slain. With a feral growl, it lunged at Ye Ming in desperation.
"Flower Breathing: Second Form—Plum Blossom Veil."
Ye Ming sidestepped effortlessly, his blade flashing as he delivered a clean decapitation.
Why did I dodge instead of blocking? Ye Ming smirked to himself. Because it looks cool, obviously. Crushing weaklings instantly is boring. I should at least enjoy the fight a little.
Sheathing his sword, Ye Ming continued tracking Zhen Gu. She had gained some distance, but with his enhanced vision, he had no trouble keeping up.
Along the way, he encountered more demons, swiftly dispatching them while saving several struggling swordsmen. He advised them to withdraw if they lacked the strength to survive, rather than foolishly throwing their lives away.
Two days passed in this manner.
By the third day, Ye Ming was still trailing Zhen Gu when a massive presence entered his vision.
A hulking demon, four to five meters tall, covered in grotesque, writhing arms.
"Finally… the Hand Demon."
Ye Ming tightened his grip on his sword, prepared to intervene.
Ahead, Zhen Gu had already encountered the beast.
A sinister chuckle escaped the Hand Demon's twisted lips.
"Here you are again… my adorable little fox."
Zhen Gu stiffened. She had no idea what the demon meant.
"Still not talking? No matter," the Hand Demon sneered. "Every one of Urokodaki Sakonji's disciples ends up the same way—inside my belly!"
Without hesitation, Zhen Gu attacked.
"Water Breathing: First Form—Water Surface Slash!"
Her blade shimmered with flowing water as she lunged, severing one of the Hand Demon's arms.
She danced around the monster, striking swiftly, searching for an opening.
"Why do you know my master's name?" she demanded.
"Of course, I know him," the Hand Demon snarled. "It was Urokodaki who imprisoned me here in the first place!"
Zhen Gu's grip tightened.
The demon grinned. "That was long ago… during the Keio era, back in the Edo period."
Zhen Gu's heart pounded. This thing had been alive for that long?
"And you… you're the twelfth one."
Zhen Gu froze.
"Twelve?" she whispered.
The Hand Demon cackled. "The twelfth disciple of Urokodaki to fall into my hands. Heh… I remember each and every one. The masks they wore… the way they screamed…"
His laughter was maddening.
Zhen Gu trembled, fury blazing in her eyes. Her brothers and sisters—all slaughtered by this monster.
"You… You bastard!"
Tears stung her eyes, but her rage overpowered them.
"Water Breathing: Third Form—Flowing Dance!"
With a burst of speed, she weaved around the Hand Demon, her blade flashing in a deadly flurry.
Yet, blinded by anger, her strikes lacked precision.
Seizing the moment, the Hand Demon lashed out with four of its massive hands, attacking from all sides.
Zhen Gu's eyes widened in horror.
"No… I can't dodge in time!"
The Hand Demon grinned. "Time to tear you apart, piece by piece."
Just as its claws closed in—
"Flower Breathing: Fourth Form—Crimson Petals Unfold."
In the blink of an eye, a streak of pink light flashed across the battlefield.
Four grotesque hands were severed mid-air.
Zhen Gu gasped as she was yanked backward, landing safely at someone's side.
A familiar voice spoke gently.
"Are you alright?"
Zhen Gu turned and met Ye Ming's steady gaze.
For the first time in days, a sense of relief washed over her.