Chapter 181: The Village of Eternal Life—Ascension Ceremony!
All changes are as swift as the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves, and as hidden as the gentle rain that moistens the earth.

For nearly a month, the Demon Slayer Corps did not find any trace of demons. It was as if with Muzan's death, humans were the only ones left in the world.

Even the former Changshi Village, after a thorough search, seemed perfectly normal.

"It's not so glamorous! Hiding everywhere!"

The tall man with white hair and a diamond-studded headdress came back empty-handed once again and said loudly in frustration, "Come out quickly so I can take care of you in style!"

Although he was born a ninja, he now prefers to be aboveboard.

"Lord Yuzhuang Tianyuan! Lord Yuzhuang Tianyuan!"

A gorgeous raven covered in jewels landed with a letter in its grasp. "It's a letter from Hinazuru-sama!"

The man thought of his three wives who were out investigating, and took the letter.

"Tokyo Prefecture's [Shengxian Conference]? What the hell is that? A new festival?"

There wasn't much on the letter, except for the normal greetings. It mainly mentioned that in ten days, the Tokyo Prefecture would host an unprecedented [Ascension Ceremony] led by the government, and everyone was welcome to attend.

"But since Hinazuru wrote it, let me go over and see if it's gorgeous or not!"

The crow called out, "Master Tianyuan, are you going alone?"

"Let's follow the Lord's arrangements. After all, it may be related to ghosts, and it's not very elegant to act on our own."

……

then.

After two days of gathering, the team was led by [Sound Pillar] Uzui Tengen and [Snake Pillar] Iguro Obanai, and accompanied by Kamado Tanjiro, Agatsuma Zenitsu, Hashibira Inosuke, and Mizutani Akashi. A total of six people rode on a carriage and arrived in Tokyo.

Although there is still some time before the so-called celebration, the red decorations hanging everywhere can already be described as extremely lively.

At this time.

Three beautiful girls with very different temperaments came to the hotel where the six people were staying, and threw themselves into Uzui Tengen's arms like young swallows returning to their nests.

Seeing this, Agatsuma Zenitsu, whose biggest dream was just to find a virtuous girl to marry, had red eyes and wished he could tear the winner in life in front of him to pieces with his own hands.

Make a fuss for a while.

Uzui Tengen hugged them and asked, "Hinzuru, Makiu, Suma, you specially wrote about this festival on the letter paper. What did you find unusual?"

The young crane with a ponytail was the most steady among the three: "No...it's better to say that we found it than to say that it was right under our noses."

She pulled out a flyer from the overly cool decorations and said, "It's daytime now, so you probably didn't see it. People hand out this kind of stuff every night."

Several people leaned forward.

Four lines of bright red text are arranged vertically from left to right.

[Travel through the path of evolution, spread the dawn of new life, follow the rituals of immortality, and step into the happiness of the eternal. 】

"Changsheng... No wonder the elder sisters said it was related to ghosts!"

Zenitsu saw the wooden box behind Tanjiro open a crack, and immediately read out the words, showing himself off in a serious manner.

But before he could see Nezuko's admiring eyes in his imagination, the white snake bit his ear because of the crowd, and he howled on the spot.

"Dybun." Xiao Banei touched the white snake's head, letting it open its mouth and wrap around his arm.

"Have you investigated the people who distributed the flyers?" He looked up at the three girls.

"We investigated and found that they were all ordinary people." Maki, who had black and blond hair, answered, "It is said that the distribution of leaflets was ordered by a high-ranking figure... But the government agencies were heavily guarded these days, and we were unable to sneak in."

Xiao Banei nodded and asked everyone quietly: "Do you want to ask the Lord to come forward?"

The Ubuyashiki has been passed down for thousands of years, so it is impossible that it has no influence at the national level. This can be seen from the fact that they guaranteed the rescue of the Rock Pillar who was mistakenly believed to be a murderer.

"Wait a minute." Uzui Tengen stroked his chin and said, "It's really a disservice to my magnificent temperament to ask for assistance on the first day I come here."

"I suggest that we investigate on our own first. If there is really no way to solve the problem within two days, it won't be too late to ask the lord for help before the celebration begins."

Xiao Banei thought about it and agreed: "Okay."

He looked at Chi, who had been silent since just now: "Can you feel Su Beixun's position now?"

Chi shook his head.

"I haven't felt the same thing since the last time we met... But I think as long as he's here, we'll definitely meet."

After discussing for a while, they went to bed with their clothes on, ready to get enough rest for a big job in the evening.

soon.

The night opens.

The stars in the sky are twinkling, competing with the world on the ground for beauty.

The capital city of Tokyo is decorated with lights and crowds of people, and the brightness of the lights and the flow of people are no less dazzling than the Milky Way.

“There are so many people!”

Tanjiro sighed as he pulled the energetic Inosuke closer: "It's ten times more lively than the Asakusa area I went to last time!"

Hinazuru behind him explained, "Because during the festival, the government ordered all schools and companies to close for the day, so everyone has time to join in the fun."

"I see." Tanjiro thanked with a smile, put on the mask on his face, and slowly moved forward in the crowd.

On the first night, the Demon Slayer Corps did not plan to act alone. The rest of the people, including Inosuke, put on masks of various colors and stayed together, collecting information in their own way.

They hid the knives on their bodies and looked no different from ordinary tourists.

"Hey! What is that?"

Zenitsu suddenly pointed at the vaguely visible building structure in front of him, and said in disbelief: "Is it a stage? So big?"

As they got closer, a huge platform appeared before everyone.

It is about three meters high. It is hard to estimate how big it is exactly, but it feels like it is more than enough for 100 people to stand on it.

A dozen men wearing thick white makeup and dressed gorgeously were dancing Kabuki on it.

"Strange, there was no one here yesterday."

Suma, who had blue irises, was puzzled, and then explained: "It is said that this is the final stage of the [Ascension Festival], but I have never seen it used before today."

"Has there been a change?"

Xiao Banei narrowed her eyes: "It seems we have arrived at the right time!"

A few people simply stayed aside to see what would happen next.

As the Kabuki performance came to an end, a man wearing a tall crown and dressed in priest clothing walked out amid the cheers of the surrounding crowd.

He was about 30 years old, with a pale face and a wooden hu in his hand. He always had a gentle smile on his face, and his black and red robe made him look particularly noble.

But Uzui Tengen's expression changed instantly!
"Hey! Iguro! Could that person be..."

"Ah~!"

Xiao Banei stared at the man, his heterochromatic pupils shrinking under the mask, and he said briefly: "It's a ghost!"

He looked at the man who was enjoying the cheers of the crowd, and unconsciously thought of the evil ghost worshipped by his disgusting family, and suddenly he felt murderous intent.

"Oh yeah! Look at me, Master Inosuke, go and kill him!"

Inosuke was very excited. He untied his belt and was about to draw out the Nichirin Sword. Seeing this, Tanjiro quickly held him down.

"Calm down! There are too many people here. If a fight breaks out, there will be heavy casualties!"

Uzui Tengen also held down one of Inosuke's shoulders: "Kamado is right, implicating the masses is the least glamorous thing to do!"

His eyes never left the man on the stage: "Besides, I want to see what he wants to do with all this fanfare."

The man on the stage was smiling, and his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear without any tool.

"Everyone! Welcome to our celebration!"

He looked around the stage, his eyes seeming to linger on everyone's face.

"Today, I appear here just to tell you a piece of news!"

"A piece of news that is real, no matter you believe it or not, agree with it or denigrate it!"

The celebratory atmosphere was suppressed by his serious tone.

In the empty night, the man's voice was solemn and dignified.

"god!"

"It's coming!"

The crowd was suddenly in an uproar.

They looked at each other, whispered to each other, and discussed whether this was a comedy show at the celebration. But the man's next move surprised everyone!
——He took out a small silver knife, inserted it into his chest, cut a bloody hole downwards, then reached out and forcibly pulled out the beating heart.

The warm blood seemed to splash onto the faces of the onlookers, causing them to scream loudly.

"Everyone! Please look!"

The man's voice was louder than theirs.

"God has granted me eternal life!"

He stretched his hands toward the sky and held up his heart.

"The gods have given me an immortal body!"

He stripped off his clothes, leaving his upper body naked, and his hideous complexion healed little by little.

"God has given me supreme power!"

He swung his fist in the air, and the air pressure caused the people in the front row to fall down.

"God has also given me the right to select spokespeople for him!"

The man smiled and looked at the shocked people below.

"From now on, Tokyo Prefecture will cut off external traffic. Only inbound traffic is allowed, not outbound traffic."

"And those of you who participate in the festival will compete for a place to be blessed by the gods in seven days."

"As long as you can get first place in any list, you will be qualified to become a servant of the gods!"

The audience in the audience didn't know what they saw and exclaimed in surprise.

Uzui Tengen frowned: "Iguro?"

"I have one too." Xiao Banei stretched out her hand and poked through the air in front of her, but didn't touch anything.

"Is it an illusion?" He stared at the list that seemed to appear on his retina, and thought of the abilities of Su Beixun that his lord had inferred.

"Doesn't this mean... that we are also like Kyojuro and Muichiro, being dominated by each other without knowing it?"

Xiao Banei's face looked extremely ugly.

He looked at the people around him who were all in amazement: "It can actually influence so many people... Is it a god..."

The man on the stage was covered in blood.

Now that she knew that [Ascension Ceremony] was related to Su Beixun, and considering the man's words, Xiao Banei immediately understood the other party's position.

He paused and looked intently at the font on the list.

[Agriculture - 1. How to maintain or increase soil fertility during farming? 2. How to arrange farming according to seasons and weather? 3. How to store grains and food? 4. ...]

[Medical——1. Why can't both sides of the carotid artery be checked at the same time? 2. What diseases are associated with a decrease in pulse pressure? 3. What are the characteristics of abdominal vascular murmurs and how to auscultate them? What diseases are associated with them? 4. ...]

……

Nearly a hundred lists of all kinds appear before your eyes, and you can enlarge or reduce them or fill in the content according to your thoughts.

Iguro Obanai said in a cold tone: "What does he mean? To compete for the qualification to become a ghost through an exam and catch all the elites of mankind in one fell swoop?"

Uzui Tengen's expression also turned serious: "The wolf's ambition is obvious, it's really not gorgeous at all!"

He grasped the hilt of the knife hidden under his clothes and said firmly: "There are still seven days before the so-called ceremony begins. Before then, we must destroy it!"

Xiao Banei did not object.

He once again reached out and brushed his hand through the vision in front of him, pursing his lips.

Although it is very likely that I will die in an unclear way in a hallucination like Kyojuro and the others, but there are some things that can never be avoided.

He looked up subconsciously, and after realizing that the iconic crow was left in the hotel for fear of conspicuousness, Obanai turned his attention to the white snake on his shoulder.

He tore off a piece of cloth, but couldn't find any pen or ink, so he simply bit his finger, wrote a letter for help, and stuffed it into the white snake's mouth.

"Kabimaru, find a way to leave Tokyo Prefecture. There are members of the Anbu stationed outside. Give this to them."

The white snake raised its upper body, rubbed it on Xiao Banei's face, crawled along its limbs to the ground, and disappeared after a few swims.

"that……"

Suddenly a confused voice came.

Tanjiro interrupted hesitantly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Uzui, Mr. Iguro...but what list are you talking about, and where is it?"

Xiao Banei was stunned and squinted his eyes: "Can't you see it?"

Tanjiro was confused: "You mean..."

The [Snake Pillar] and the [Sound Pillar] exchanged a glance and asked, "Who else can't see the list?"

In addition to Tanjiro, another hand slowly raised up - it was Aka!
"Are there only two?"

Xiao Banei frowned and then quickly relaxed: "Forget it, at least it's not the worst case scenario."

"listen!"

He chuckled, "From now on, the two of you are not allowed to eat anything, even if we offer it to you!"

"No problem!" Tanjiro agreed first, then asked: "Uh... why?"

"Because of Su Beixun's [Blood Demon Technique]."

Uzui Tengen explained: "According to the Lord's speculation, judging from the demon blood contained in the prescription, his ability is likely to cause hallucinations in those who take his blood, thereby controlling their behavior."

"Since you can't see the list, it means you haven't been affected by his [Blood Demon Technique]. So, don't give yourself the chance to be affected."

Seeing the two nodding in confusion, Xiao Banei said solemnly: "We must hurry! Otherwise, as time goes by, you will most likely run out of energy."

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the man on the stage: "After he leaves, we will follow him and find Su Beixun's location!"

Uzui Tengen took out a few green pills from his arms, put one of them into his mouth, and took out another one and handed it to Xiao Banei.

Then he took out a bag of black pills and placed them solemnly in Tanjiro's hand.

"Like I told you, because we have been affected by the [Blood Vampire Art], it is very likely that we will regard you as an enemy under the influence of the other party."

"But don't worry. I've taken a deadly poison. To relieve the poison, you must take the antidote in your hand every ten minutes."

"So, if we are controlled and hinder you, don't be embarrassed, just buy enough time."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Banei swallowed the pill without hesitation.

"…Mr. Uzui, Mr. Iguro…"

Tanjiro was stunned.

After a long time, he came to his senses, put the bag in his arms, and said solemnly: "I understand!"

He could understand the resolute expressions of the two [Pillars] and knew that any pretentiousness or hesitation would be an insult to them!

"Wait a minute!" A hand suddenly reached out: "I want to go too!"

Inosuke took the green poison from Uzui Tengen's hand.

"Think it over carefully... After you eat it, even if you find a way to detoxify it later, I'm afraid you won't be able to continue to be a swordsman."

"Humph, I'm not afraid!" Inosuke raised his head and swallowed the medicine: "Don't even think about abandoning me when it comes to defeating the Demon King!"

"Eh...Eh?!"

Zenitsu looked left and right, pointed at himself and said sadly: "I... I don't want to eat it too..."

"No." Banai shook her head: "You are not a [Pillar], and you are not as indispensable as Tanjiro and the others... If you don't want to eat, you can stay here and wait for support, which can also play a big role."

Zenitsu was silent for a moment, then slowly picked up the last pill: "Actually, I don't care whether I can be a swordsman or not. It's just..."

He suddenly turned around and looked at Tanjiro with tears in his eyes: "Tanjiro, if I eat it, can you marry Nezuko to me?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, he swallowed the pill and shook his head frantically: "No, no, no! You don't have to answer me! Just let me indulge in fantasy for a while, I don't want to return to reality so soon!"

"Zenitsu..."

Tanjiro curved his eyebrows and smiled gently.

Uzui Tengen looked at the three wives who were not swordsmen behind him and said softly, "Go back. If we die, tell the next batch of swordsmen who come to support us about the situation here."

The three girls were in tears: "What if you come back?"

Uzui Tengen was silent for a moment, then smiled gently.

"Then let's find a place and retire to the mountains."

(End of this chapter)