Starting in The Boys to Become the Ultimate Lifeform.

170. Chapter 170: Is Muzan Crazy?!

"Excuse me, if I may be so bold, may I ask if Mr. Xia Shang is a human, or a demon?"

Obanai Iguro, who had been lying on a thick tree branch, flipped over and leaped down, landing lightly on the ground without making a sound.

"Does that matter?" Xia Shang suddenly opened his eyes. Immediately after, a series of extremely muffled sounds emanated from his body. Bang! Bang bang!! The sound was like war drums pounding, shaking the heart.

"This is the sound of a heartbeat caused by blood flowing violently. It's incredible that it can be heard outside the body..."

Gyomei Himejima clasped his hands together, shedding tears as he spoke with emotion.

"Interesting, truly interesting." Sanemi Shinazugawa, standing nearby, looked at Xia Shang with a curious gaze. "Your breathing is gradually deepening, pulling in the surrounding air and rushing into your lungs, providing a continuous source of power for your heartbeat. It's hard to imagine that your Breathing Style is Water Breathing. This is much stronger than Giyu's."

Giyu Tomioka didn't speak, but a hint of solemnity was revealed in his eyes. As the sound grew louder, his own heart inside his body began to beat along with it. It's important to know that one change affects the whole body; a change in heart rhythm means his breathing will be disrupted. Once his breathing is disrupted, it becomes very difficult to successfully perform his Breathing Style.

This ability of the opponent is too detrimental to the Demon Slayer Corps.

The others also noticed the change in their heartbeats. Sanemi Shinazugawa frowned, feeling quite uncomfortable.

"Heart Resonance... Your ability is very special, but please put it away."

Due to his blindness, Gyomei Himejima's sense of hearing was exceptionally sharp, and he was the most affected. He even heard seven distinct heartbeats with minimal differences within Xia Shang's body. At first, he thought he had misheard, but just as he was about to carefully distinguish them, the sound of the heartbeats abruptly stopped.

Just at this moment.

Two ethereal voices rang out.

"Oyakata-sama has arrived."

Soon, a figure wearing a white Haori slowly walked out from the dim room. Only when he had completely exited the room did Xia Shang get a clear look at his face.

Ghastly pale purple scars covered the upper half of his face. His light purple pupils were slightly pale, as if just a shade lighter they would be exactly like Gyomei Himejima's. His appearance caused the Hashira present to immediately bow and kneel, and even the somewhat defiant Sanemi Shinazugawa appeared quite respectful.

"My lovely swordsmen, I am happy to see you." Kagaya Ubuyashiki had a faint smile on his lips. His voice was steady yet gentle, making anyone who heard it feel pleasant.

"The weather is truly nice today, and none of the familiar faces are missing."

He looked at the clear blue sky and said with a smile.

"It is truly a joyful thing to see Oyakata-sama in good spirits and health." Kyojuro Rengoku's voice was loud and full of spirit.

"Thank you for your concern. You must be Edogawa Xia Shang, whom Sakonji Urokodaki mentioned in his letter. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Xia Shang." Kagaya Ubuyashiki shifted his gaze to Xia Shang. His purplish eyes made one doubt if he could see clearly.

"I am the 79th head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. You can just call me Kagaya."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled at Xia Shang and nodded.

"Good morning, Mr. Kagaya." Xia Shang responded.

"Allow me to introduce the two distinguished guests who have arrived today, Mr. Xia Shang and Miss Tamayo. Although they have not joined the Demon Slayer Corps, they share the same purpose as us. I believe you have heard of Mr. Xia Shang's strength..."

Suddenly, several hurried footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard.

"Report! Oyakata-sama, an urgent message from Tokyo Prefecture!" "Report! Oyakata-sama, an urgent message from Osaka!"

"Report..."

Seeing more and more Demon Slayer Corps information personnel arriving to report, a sense of foreboding gradually spread throughout the entire courtyard.

"Speak one by one, there's no need to rush." Kagaya, whose speech was interrupted, was not annoyed. Instead, he told them to speak slowly.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's gentle voice slightly eased the panicked expressions on the faces of the information personnel. "A letter from the personnel stationed at the Tokyo Prefecture branch reports that a foul demon is extensively transmitting blood. One hundred and seventy-six people have already died, and twenty-three have turned into foul demons."

"Is Muzan crazy?!" Sanemi Shinazugawa said with a ferocious look on his face.

"It wasn't Muzan Kibutsuji. According to survivors, the foul demon transmitting blood emerged from a colorful pot, and the words 'Upper Rank Five' were carved into its eyes."

"Gyokko."

Obanai Iguro said softly.

"The situation in Osaka is similar to Tokyo Prefecture, but the casualties are far more severe than in Tokyo Prefecture. The local government organized official forces, declared it a plague, and sent troops to begin hunting down the foul demons, but with little effect. Furthermore, the foul demon that appeared this time held double sickles, and the words 'Upper Rank Six' were carved into its eyes."

Soon after.

The Twelve Kizuki, with the exception of Upper Rank Four, Lower Rank Two, and Lower Rank Four, appeared one by one.

However, the Lower Ranks did not transmit blood or create foul demons; their appearance seemed to be solely for the purpose of creating panic. "Also, Oyakata-sama, a foul demon with six eyes, before disappearing, carved the words 'Blue Spider Lily' onto the wall of a house. When the Shogunate learned of this, they sent people to ask us what the Blue Spider Lily is, why it is causing the foul demons to go mad, and demanded that we return the Blue Spider Lily to the foul demons within a short period."

As soon as the information officer finished speaking.

An utterly enraged Sanemi Shinazugawa fiercely drew his pale blue Nichirin Blade. The hand gripping the sword hilt had bulging veins, and the scars on his face became even more ferocious.

"Damn Muzan! Is he threatening the Demon Slayer Corps?!"

"I will definitely cut off his head and avenge the dead."

"Calm down, Sanemi."

Gyomei Himejima fingered the prayer beads in his hand, as if silently reciting sutras for the deceased. Drip... drip, at this moment, he was already in tears.

Tears could be seen constantly dripping onto the ground along his chin.

"Calm down? How can you tell me to calm down! Muzan is completely insane! Who knows how many people he wants to drag down with him!" Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes were splitting with rage, filled with bloodshot veins. He wished he could leave immediately and kill all those evil demons.

"For now, let's discuss how to resolve this matter." Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who could foresee the future, had not anticipated that events would spiral to an uncontrollable point. Xia Shang's sudden appearance seemed to have completely disrupted his ability.

"How to resolve it? Do you mean we should give him the Blue Spider Lily? Oyakata-sama, once Muzan obtains the Blue Spider Lily, it will be even harder for us to kill him."

"Besides, we don't even know where that thing is. How can we give it to him?"

(End of Chapter)