"Lone Star youth, your blood..."
"Shut up, hurry and absorb my blood. You are the flame burning in this darkness, illuminating the path forward for people, bringing them warmth. Will you vanish when the sun rises? What about the people plunged into darkness? Those feeling the cold? Can you bear to let them endure this?"
"Think of Tanjiro. He carried his sister alone in the snow, feeling the cold, and enduring the pain of his family's murder. If one warm flame like you is missing, how many more will fall into darkness and cold! Can you bear it!"
After hearing Li Xing's words, Kyojuro's heart ignited a blazing flame. Yes, the demons were not yet all slain, Muzan had not been defeated. For the sake of those in the daylight no longer suffering, the Demon Slayer Corps existed. Therefore, he should not evade. He must live, he must live, only by living could he slay more demons.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Xing. You are a stronger person than anyone else. I deeply admire people like you." Kyojuro no longer harbored thoughts of death. He looked up at the sky, as if seeing his mother smiling at him.
"Mother, I will do better than before. Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you."
Tanjiro also saw Li Xing and Kyojuro at this moment. He noticed that Kyojuro no longer had the scent of impending death. This must be something Mr. Li Xing had done.
"Thank you, Mr. Li Xing, for saving Rengoku-san."
Li Xing smiled faintly. "It's what I should do. Don't forget, I am also a member of the Butterfly Mansion. You should know what the Butterfly Mansion does."
...
The sun had fully risen, and the Kakushi arrived on the battlefield. They found that all passengers on the Infinity Train were out of danger. They then proceeded to Kyojuro's location.
Li Xing, Kyojuro, and Tanjiro were happily chatting. This mission was a complete success; everyone was protected, and no one died. Only Kyojuro was severely injured and would not be able to get up for three to four months.
"Flame Hashira, how did you sustain such a serious injury? Someone, there's a severely injured person here, quickly, someone!" Gotou, seeing Kyojuro's state, couldn't help but admire him.
His stomach had a gaping hole, yet it was merely bandaged with clothes to prevent excessive bleeding. He was here, laughing and chatting with others. Truly worthy of being one of the Nine Hashira.
...
Back at the Butterfly Mansion, Li Xing sat at a table and recounted the events of the mission to Shinobu. Kanao was helping Li Xing clean the wounds on his face.
"You're saying you felt your blood could save people, so you gave it to Rengoku to drink?" Shinobu was somewhat curious about Li Xing's constitution. He had recovered quickly from injuries before and was unaffected by Doma's Blood Demon Art. He didn't seem like a normal human, yet he appeared to be a normal human.
"Yes, Miss Shinobu. If you don't believe me, I can give you some of my blood for research. Perhaps one day you'll develop a life-saving medicine. After all, I am human too. I can't save people solely with my own blood. What if I die before saving anyone? The Butterfly Mansion cannot be without me!"
"Stop your nonsense. Since you're willing to offer your blood, then come with me. I promise not to take too much," Shinobu said with a smile. Her benevolent demeanor sent a shiver down Li Xing's spine.
'It's over, Shinobu's cunning personality has been activated!' Li Xing lamented inwardly. He shouldn't have said that.
Meanwhile, due to Li Xing's presence, Tanjiro and his companions did not sustain any serious injuries, so they went to Rengoku Kyojuro's home to visit him.
After having his blood drawn, Li Xing felt completely drained. Shinobu was too cunning. She said just a little, but ended up taking a lot.
"Brother Li Xing, are you alright? Shall I get you some food?" Kanao could now communicate normally with others, though she was still a person of few words.
Seeing Li Xing's pale face, Kanao felt a pang of discomfort. Li Xing was somewhat pleased. His "strategy" was still effective. Unfortunately, now was not the right time. He had to wait until Muzan was eliminated before making a formal breakthrough. This seemed to be a tacit understanding between them.
A few days later, Mitsuri Kanroji arrived at the Butterfly Mansion. Mitsuri had heard from Kyojuro that Li Xing had saved him, and she rushed over to thank Li Xing immediately, as Mitsuri was Kyojuro's adoptive daughter.
"Mr. Li Xing, thank you so much for saving Rengoku-san," Mitsuri said as she entered Li Xing's room.
This startled Li Xing, as he was currently soaking in a large wooden tub.
"Ah! I'm sorry! Mr. Li Xing, I didn't know you... My apologies, I... I'll leave now." Mitsuri, upon entering, saw Li Xing lying in a wooden tub, which made her blush profusely and stammer.
"It's alright, Mitsuri. Is there something you need today? If you have something to say, please do so! Since I have some free time now, I might be going on a mission in a few days."
Hearing Li Xing say this, Mitsuri felt too embarrassed to leave. She said hesitantly, "I came specifically to thank you for saving Rengoku-san. I brought some food for you as a token of my gratitude. I hope you don't dislike it."
With that, Mitsuri produced a bag of food. Although Li Xing was in the tub, he clearly saw what it was. Good heavens, it was all sakura mochi.
"Perfect, I'm a bit hungry too. Bring it over. Sakura mochi, I've never tried it before."
Mitsuri's face instantly turned crimson, like a ripe apple. "Bring it over? Is that appropriate? I..."
Li Xing was puzzled. Otherwise, would he get up himself?
"Yes, bring it over. Do you want me to stand up and get it myself? I'm taking a bath. Just put it beside me. I'm not asking you to feed me, though I wouldn't mind if you did."
Mitsuri felt nervous and closed her eyes as she placed it beside him. As she put down the sakura mochi, Mitsuri couldn't help but glance at Li Xing. Who wouldn't want to take a peek in this situation?
"Mr. Li Xing, I'll leave it here. I'll be going now." With that, Mitsuri quickly ran out, her face red.
"Oh my, Mr. Li Xing's physique is too good, so sexy. No, my heart is racing." Mitsuri, outside, clutched her chest, feeling incredibly shy and a bit nervous.
Li Xing was somewhat speechless. Mitsuri was too easily embarrassed. Miss Shinobu, on the other hand, felt no awkwardness at all. Even if Li Xing was bathing, she would barge in if she needed something, without blushing. She showed no reaction even when looking at Murata on Mount Natagumo. After all, she was a doctor.
Li Xing stopped thinking about it and picked up the sakura mochi to eat.
"Mmm, this sakura mochi tastes very good. If Mitsuri made it, it would be even better. I assume Mitsuri made it herself? Heh heh, Iguro Obanai, you can just be envious of me!"
(I've hinted at this throughout. Someone should understand, right? Kanao was hinted at from the beginning. Although Mitsuri has less screen time, her charm is too great. I learned about Mitsuri while researching. She's too cute. If you don't like it, you can leave. After all, writing this fanfiction is just to satisfy my own desires. Pure love warriors and cuckoldry warriors can leave. Also, Demon Slayer is just a beginner's village, and the storyline won't be too long. I'll try my best to finish it. The worlds after this are to be determined. It's a practice novel anyway, so readers can take it as they please. Even if no one reads it, I will. I don't mind bad reviews; I'm happy if anyone comments.)
Thank you all here. I wish you all good health, prosperity, and to find your significant other soon!