The specially made carriage came to a steady stop in front of the serene garden of the Ubuyashiki Estate.
A Kakushi Squad Member respectfully opened the carriage door.
Mr. Cheng Mo stepped out first, with Himura Ruri following nervously behind him.
Although it wasn't her first time here, the previous conflict had clearly put considerable psychological pressure on her.
Two Kakushi Squad Members carefully carried the dark-red crystal samurai statue out of the carriage.
The faint scent of wisteria flowers permeated the air, allowing Himura Ruri's tense nerves to relax slightly.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was not waiting in the usual guest reception hall, but in a more private side room facing the garden.
As the paper door slid open, he sat kneeling on a cushion, his complexion still pale, but his spirits seemed much better than when they last met.
A gentle smile played on his lips.
Lady Amane sat quietly beside him.
"Mr. Cheng Mo, you've arrived."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice remained calm and gentle.
"And Miss Ruri, you've had a long journey."
Himura Ruri hadn't expected the Demon Slayer Corps' leader to speak directly to her.
For a moment, she was flustered and quickly bowed: "Y-yes! Master, good day!"
"There's no need for such formality."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded slightly, his gaze turning to the samurai statue gently placed in a corner of the room.
Complex emotions, admiration and regret, showed in his eyes. "Is this your father, Mr. Himura Senichi? Even in this form, I can still feel his unyielding will."
"You two, father and daughter, defied fate. I have heard of Mr. Himura's battle against the Upper Moon at the Butterfly Mansion. The Demon Slayer Corps thanks you for your contributions and sacrifices."
Receiving recognition from the highest leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Himura Ruri's eyes reddened slightly. She shook her head vigorously: "No, we didn't do anything... It was Mr. Cheng Mo, and everyone at the Butterfly Mansion, who saved us."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled gently, then turned his gaze fully to Cheng Mo, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.
"Mr. Cheng Mo."
He spoke slowly, every word carrying significant weight.
"On behalf of the Demon Slayer Corps, and indeed all humans who fight against demons, I express our immeasurable gratitude to you. Slaying Upper Moon Four is a feat unprecedented in a century."
"You tore open the heaviest darkness under Muzan's rule, bringing a true light of hope. Any words would be pale to describe this achievement."
Cheng Mo calmly accepted his thanks, simply responding: "We each got what we needed. Muzan and the Upper Moons are also my targets."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed to have anticipated his answer.
He didn't mind this 'aloofness,' but continued: "Precisely because I understand your ambitions lie elsewhere, I feel this gratitude is even harder to repay."
His tone subtly shifted, still gentle, but with an underlying meaning:
"Speaking of which, Mr. Cheng Mo, I can feel that the faint, centuries-old connection between 'Kuroha' and my clan has been completely purified and dissipated. He is now entirely and truly your companion."
His tone was not a question, but more like a confirmation, carrying a sense of relieved candor.
Cheng Mo looked up at him, neither admitting nor denying, just waiting for him to continue.
Kuroha on his shoulder gently moved his beak, his crow eyes deep.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't press further; instead, he showed a relieved smile: "Please don't misunderstand, I have no other intentions. On the contrary, I believe this is a liberation and an inevitability. Kuroha has found his true home, which is far luckier than being bound by an ancient contract."
He paused, lowering his voice slightly: "I can sense, Mr. Cheng Mo, that you seem to have always been exploring deeper mysteries of power, pursuing the roots beyond Breathing Techniques and Blood Demon Arts."
Cheng Mo's gaze shifted slightly, silently acknowledging his statement.
The other party seemed to have noticed what he had been exploring, including his strong interest in Blood Demon Art replication and soul research.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed softly twice, and Lady Amane promptly presented an ancient wooden box.
The wooden box was not made of precious wood, yet it exuded a warm luster.
Its surface emitted an extremely faint spiritual glow, as if it had carried a long history.
"Precisely because of this..."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice, though weak, carried a sense of resolve.
"On behalf of the Ubuyashiki Clan, I have decided to present the core essence of our family's highest secret transmission from its millennium-long heritage — the Heart and Soul Secret Canon."
He gestured for Lady Amane to bring the wooden box before Cheng Mo.
The lid opened, revealing not the expected scroll or volume.
Instead, it was a palm-sized, warm and translucent white jade book, with what looked like clouds flowing within its jade interior.
"This secret method is not a combat technique."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained earnestly.
"It focuses on tempering the soul, solidifying the will, and elevating the essence of the spirit. It is a soul cultivation technique that our clan painstakingly explored and summarized over countless generations to combat the curse within our bloodline."
"It may not directly enhance your power, but I hope it can offer some different directions and concepts for the path you are currently exploring."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki had already shifted his thinking; investing in Cheng Mo was investing in the future.
Cheng Mo's strength was the greatest hope for defeating Muzan, and he had proven his stance through repeated actions.
Giving away the secret essence could further solidify this strong relationship and mend any tiny rift that might have existed due to the connection within Kuroha.
Perhaps... it could also, through the hands of Cheng Mo, this person who constantly creates miracles, find a faint possibility for the family to completely break the curse.
Cheng Mo looked at the jade book, able to feel the calm yet profound spiritual power it contained.
He remained silent for a moment, not declining, and reached out a finger to gently touch the surface of the jade book.
The moment his fingertip made contact, a cool, gentle sensation spread.
He did not immediately delve into it with his spiritual power, but instead looked up at Kagaya Ubuyashiki: "Thank you, this gift is very valuable."
He offered no excessive praise, but this acknowledgment was enough.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled with satisfaction: "If it can be of some help to you, that is its greatest value."
Cheng Mo put away the wooden box, glanced at Himura Ruri beside him, who was even more nervous after hearing profound terms like 'millennium secret transmission' and 'soul tempering,' and prepared to take his leave.
He thought for a moment and added to Kagaya Ubuyashiki: "If I am temporarily absent later, I hope the Demon Slayer Corps can look after the father and daughter on my behalf."
Upon hearing this, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's body subtly stiffened.
He raised his eyes, which, though nearly blind, seemed to perceive everything, and looked in Cheng Mo's direction, remaining silent for a very brief moment.
He immediately realized that Cheng Mo's words might mean he was about to leave as he had before, and possibly for a considerable amount of time.
A deep sense of regret and an almost imperceptible urgency swept through him, but he ultimately asked nothing.
This mysterious powerhouse came and went like the wind.
The world he faced seemed far vaster than what the Demon Slayer Corps faced.
Finally, Kagaya Ubuyashiki simply 'gazed' deeply at Cheng Mo, then nodded gently and solemnly: "Please rest assured, Mr. Himura and Miss Ruri will be important companions of the Demon Slayer Corps; we will do our utmost."
"Thank you."
Cheng Mo nodded, said no more, and turned to leave with Himura Ruri.
Outside the door, the Kakushi Squad Members who had heard the commotion also entered. After bowing, they carefully lifted Himura Senichi's statue.
Himura Ruri quickly bowed again to the Master and Lady Amane, then hurried to catch up with Cheng Mo.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki quietly watched them leave, and only after their footsteps completely disappeared beyond the corridor did he let out a soft, almost silent sigh.
His voice was filled with complex expectation and a hint of hidden worry: "Amane, I hope this decision of mine is truly correct..."
Lady Amane gently held his hand, offering silent support.
In the garden, wisteria flowers quietly fell.