A few days later, the remnants of Butterfly Mansion were mostly cleared.
Important medical supplies and equipment had also been packed, ready to be transported to a new secret location.
The former Wisteria House was now nothing but scorched earth and ruins, the faint scent of blood in the air stubbornly reminding people of the brutal attack.
Kochou Shinobu stood on a recently leveled plot of land, gazing at the area that used to be patient rooms and laboratories, now just an empty space.
The smile on her face was less deliberate than usual, replaced by a genuine weariness.
The core functions of Butterfly Mansion had to be relocated; this place could only serve as an outpost from now on.
This decision weighed heavily on her heart, as this place held too many memories of her and her sister, but the relocation was necessary.
She glanced at Mr. Cheng Mo not far away, who was inspecting a peculiar "object."
Mr. Cheng Mo's astonishing feat of single-handedly slaying Upper Moon Four, who was almost at full strength, acted like a potent sedative.
It not only quelled any minor doubts within the Demon Slayer Corps that might have arisen from Butterfly Mansion's destruction but also completely dispelled the subtle rift in her heart, which she hadn't even clearly perceived herself, caused by Mr. Cheng Mo's inability to appear at the first instant.
In the face of absolute power, all dissenting voices seemed insignificant.
Uzui Tengen's arm was still in a sling, but he had eagerly returned to his jurisdiction.
Before leaving, he still called out to Mr. Cheng Mo with his flamboyant voice, "Hey, Mr. Cheng Mo, next time we meet, you absolutely must let me witness your flashy sword skills! This time, it wasn't nearly enough!"
Despite the complaint, his tone was filled with recognition for a strong individual and a hint of an imperceptible… relaxation.
With someone like him around, the hope of fighting Muzan truly increased.
Mr. Cheng Mo's attention was entirely on the "thing" before him.
Himura Senichi's body had, at some point, begun to slowly shrink.
His body was covered with a layer of hard, smooth, dark red crystal-like substance.
Eventually, he transformed into a seated samurai statue, about one-quarter the size of a human body.
The statue's form was identical to the majestic blood armor that had previously covered Himura Ruri, only scaled down several times.
He stood there silently, emitting a faint but stable energy fluctuation.
Himura Ruri knelt beside the statue, her face filled with worry and helplessness: "Father… how could he…"
Mr. Cheng Mo squatted down, a faint golden glow silently swirling in his eyes.
The Eye of Truth meticulously scanned the eerie statue.
"Life signs are very stable."
He spoke calmly, his voice interrupting Himura Ruri's panic.
"His consciousness has entered a deep sleep, like he's… in hibernation. His energy is slowly increasing, a very peculiar circulatory method."
"What does this mean?" Kochou Shinobu also walked over, her purple eyes full of curiosity and inquiry.
"I speculate it's a self-protection and recovery mechanism catalyzed by his unique bloodline."
Mr. Cheng Mo withdrew his gaze and looked at Himura Ruri.
"If a Demon refuses to eat humans, he cannot replenish his Consumption and repair damage through conventional means. This crystallization and slumber might be a way his body found to slowly recover stamina and strength without relying on human blood. Although it's slow, the direction is positive."
Himura Ruri suddenly looked up, hope igniting in her eyes: "Really? Father is okay?"
"Yes."
Mr. Cheng Mo nodded, reaching out to point at the subtle patterns on the statue's surface, resembling blood vessel networks.
"Look here, and here… As the energy grows, these 'blood colors' seem to be slowly increasing. The recovery method is indeed rare, but… it makes logical sense."
Upon hearing this, Himura Ruri let out a long sigh of relief.
The girl's constantly tense shoulders finally relaxed.
She reached out and carefully touched the cold, hard arm of the crystal statue, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Father… he's still here… that's enough…"
Mr. Cheng Mo stood up, looked at the girl whose emotions had somewhat calmed, and asked:
"Your injuries are mostly healed, and while your father's condition is special, it doesn't seem dangerous for now. What are your plans next?"
Himura Ruri hesitated for almost no time, suddenly looking up, her gaze firmly fixed on Mr. Cheng Mo, then at Kochou Shinobu beside him: "I want to follow you, Mr. Cheng Mo! Or follow Mr. Rengoku, that's fine too!"
Her tone was urgent, as if afraid of being rejected: "I have no other family left. It was you and Mr. Rengoku who pulled my father and me back from hell. I don't know where else to go; I just want to follow you, even if… even if I can only help a little!"
Her gaze was pure and direct, carrying a dependence like someone clutching the only piece of driftwood after a great calamity.
Mr. Cheng Mo nodded; this answer seemed to be within his expectations.
He had already planned to take the specially conditioned Himura Senichi to visit Tamayo, and Himura Ruri's blood was also very important.
The girl's voluntary request to follow saved him the trouble of figuring out how to ask.
"You can."
He agreed succinctly.
Kochou Shinobu's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
Perhaps she thought it would be better for the father and daughter to stay in the relatively safe new Butterfly Mansion, or perhaps for other considerations.
But in the end, she merely sighed softly and swallowed her words.
A gentle, faint smile returned to her face: "That's good too. Miss Himura Ruri is very strong, and perhaps she can learn more by following Teacher Cheng Mo."
Another day passed, and the aftermath work at Butterfly Mansion was mostly completed.
After Mr. Cheng Mo assisted Kochou Shinobu in finalizing the transfer plan for the last batch of injured and documents, he prepared to set off, taking Himura Ruri and the statue her father had become to find Tamayo.
Just as he was about to depart, a Kakushi Squad Member hurried over.
The Kakushi Squad Member's attitude was exceptionally respectful, even carrying a hint of barely concealed excitement, bowing deeply to Mr. Cheng Mo from afar.
"Lord Cheng Mo, the Master has an urgent summons request! The Kasugai Crow just arrived!"
"Urgent summons request?"
Mr. Cheng Mo raised an eyebrow slightly.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki rarely used such phrasing.
Was it because of the aftermath of slaying Upper Moon Four, or because he had sensed something about the Black Feather?
"Yes!"
The Kakushi Squad Member's head was bowed even lower, his voice filled with awe.
"A carriage has already been prepared for you and is waiting outside. The Master instructed that there is something very important to give you, so please proceed as quickly as possible!"
Mr. Cheng Mo nodded: "Lead the way."
Arriving at the outskirts of Butterfly Mansion, a specially made, completely sealed black carriage was already parked there.
The horses pulling the carriage were exceptionally spirited, and in the coachman's seat was another Kakushi Squad Member with a solemn expression and steady aura.
The crystal samurai statue, carefully wrapped in thick velvet cloth by the Kakushi Squad Member and placed in the carriage, was already inside.
Himura Ruri also followed, boarding the carriage with the assistance of the Kakushi Squad Member.
She looked a bit nervous and a bit expectant, sitting snugly beside her father's crystallized form.
Mr. Cheng Mo noticed that the carriage compartment seemed to have been specially reinforced, with soft cushioning materials lining the interior.
Evidently, this was to ensure the stable transport of Himura Senichi, this "special item."
The windows were also tightly covered, ensuring excellent privacy.
"Lord Cheng Mo, please."
The leading Kakushi Squad Member opened the carriage door for him, his posture humble.
Mr. Cheng Mo bent down and entered the compartment.
The interior space was a bit more spacious than it appeared from the outside.
Aside from the fixed seats, most of the space was reserved for the crystal statue.
Himura Ruri sat awkwardly in the only empty seat beside the statue.
The carriage soon began to move smoothly.
The journey was not short, and to maintain secrecy, it clearly took a roundabout route.
Periodically, the carriage would briefly stop at pre-arranged hidden locations.
The Kakushi Squad Member in the coachman's seat would silently exchange places with another Kakushi Squad Member who was already waiting there, and the next Kakushi Squad Member would continue driving the next leg of the journey.
All the Kakushi Squad Members who took over were taciturn, but their gazes towards Mr. Cheng Mo were filled with almost fanatical respect and excitement.
Clearly, the news of slaying an Upper Moon had already spread.
The carriage compartment was quiet, with only the rumbling of the wheels and the sound of hooves.
Himura Ruri was a bit nervous at first, occasionally looking at her father, then secretly glancing at Mr. Cheng Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed.
But the long, quiet journey gradually allowed her to relax, and eventually, unable to resist her weariness, she leaned against her father's cold crystal body and slowly fell asleep.