Chapter 58: The Terrifying Weapon

Chapter 58: The Terrifying Weapon

"It's important to know how to pick up a weapon, but it's even more important to know when to put it down. The weapon in your hand can kill not only demons but humans as well."

Before Chu Yang began testing the weapon, Gyomei Himejima earnestly reminded him of this, showing how much he cared.

"Mr. Gyomei, rest assured, I understand the significance of the power I possess," Chu Yang responded sincerely, then walked over to carefully inspect the pile of heavy weapons.

Meteor hammers, spiked clubs, flails, giant battle axes taller than a person, and a massive horse-slaying saber with a blade as wide as a door.

Chu Yang broke out in a cold sweat.

Was he choosing a weapon or picking out instruments of torture? It felt more like a lineup of criminal tools!

Among them were even long-handled spears and sabers, deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.

Even Guan Yu would give his approval.

Gyomei's weapon was actually a modified version of a flail, with a broad axe attached to one end to further increase its lethality. To be honest, Gyomei hoped Chu Yang would choose something similar to his own weapon.

However, Chu Yang ultimately chose the horse-slaying saber.

At least it was still a sword, after all.

The others had nothing to do with the "Nichirin Blade," and Chu Yang didn't want to use them.

At worst, he could rename it "Tessaiga" or "Zangetsu"—both names would work since the blade looked similar enough.

Gyomei sighed, looking a little disappointed.

What's wrong with the flail? It had great killing power, was easy to handle, and could take down a demon with just one hit.

No appreciation for it!

Gyomei reminded, "You are not yet an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps, so the weapon in your hand is only temporary, just to allow you to participate in the final selection."

"Although the form of the weapon may differ, the techniques are mostly the same. You just need to be adaptable in the details."

Gyomei picked up his weapon and began demonstrating the sword techniques of the Stone Breathing style for Chu Yang.

Most heavy weapon techniques shared common principles. Gyomei hoped Chu Yang could find techniques that suited him and allowed him to fully utilize the strengths of the horse-slaying saber.

Chu Yang watched intently, memorizing every move.

Since the Stone Breathing style had very few successors, its techniques were fewer compared to other styles. Gyomei stopped after demonstrating up to the Fifth Form.

"That's all the techniques I know. From here on, it's up to you," Gyomei set down his weapon, pressed his palms together, and added, "If you have any questions, ask me now."

Chu Yang shook his head, indicating he had no doubts.

Seeing this, Gyomei couldn't help but sigh. There was a hint of melancholy. Teaching a genius like Chu Yang was certainly easy, but it made Gyomei feel like he hadn't achieved much.

Especially since the Stone Breathing style was the hardest to master among the five major breathing styles.

"For the next while, I'll be investigating demon activity and cleaning up demons in my jurisdiction, so you'll have to train alone here at the temple. Remember, light the Wisteria incense at night."

As he mentioned the Wisteria incense, Gyomei's expression turned somewhat unnatural, as if recalling painful memories. He returned to his room, packed his belongings, and gave Chu Yang a few more reminders before leaving.

After Gyomei left, Chu Yang fetched water from the mountain daily, and even though the water tanks in the backyard were full, he kept doing it tirelessly.

The results of his training were evident. Soon, he could return to the temple by noon, leaving his afternoons free for sword practice.

However, Chu Yang clearly didn't take Gyomei's warnings to heart, as he never lit the Wisteria incense that was placed in the temple.

Half a month passed, and Chu Yang practiced his sword techniques in the courtyard late into the night.

Suddenly, he caught a strange smell.

It was an odor difficult to describe.

Like a mixture of rotting food and corpses fermenting together.

The stench almost made Chu Yang vomit!

He quickly realized... this was the scent of a demon!

Immediately, Chu Yang activated his Observation Haki, finally sensing something rapidly approaching from outside the temple, like a ravenous beast spotting its prey.

Chu Yang held his breath, entering Total Concentration Breathing mode, his eyes fixed on the front gate.

Boom!!!

With a loud crash, the gate collapsed, and a shadow darted from the darkness, charging at Chu Yang under the moonlight!

At the same time, Chu Yang leapt high into the air!

With a powerful downward slash, he swung the horse-slaying saber at the shadow!

Stone Breathing, Second Form: Upper Smash

The tremendous force caused the air to ripple, and the fierce wind shocked the shadow that was ambushing Chu Yang.

This guy with the horse-slaying saber was no ordinary person!

As death loomed...

The shadow roared in its heart, dodging to the side with all its might to avoid the strike!

It succeeded!

The horse-slaying saber was originally aimed at its head.

But instead, it sliced from its right shoulder down to its right leg, splitting it in two!

"Arghhh!!!"

The shadow let out an inhuman scream, both from the pain and from fear.

With just one exchange, Chu Yang had severely injured it!

Had it not been a demon, it would already be dead by now!

After cutting the shadow in half, Chu Yang and it passed by each other, both turning their heads to see each other's faces.

The shadow was indeed a demon, and it took the form of a young boy.

But its face was twisted with malice, covered in eerie markings.

The boy demon's bloodshot eyes fixed on Chu Yang.

It seemed to be memorizing his face, planning revenge for later.

"I aimed for the head, what a pity…" Chu Yang muttered in frustration. It was his first time fighting a demon, and he had underestimated its speed.

Standing on one leg with half its body severed, the boy demon had no intention of fighting this swordsman who looked about its age.

It knew that fighting would only lead to one outcome: death.

Without a second thought, the boy demon leapt onto the roof, attempting to escape from this strange temple.

A gust of wind blew.

Once again, the shadow of death loomed over the boy demon, and it instinctively dodged to the right, just as the familiar giant horse-slaying saber swept past its left shoulder.

Splurt, another arm flew off.

Plop, the arm fell to the ground, joining the other severed limb.

This time, the boy demon didn't scream. It trembled violently, as if it had been thrown into an ice cellar, terrified of death far more than it feared pain.

"Oh my, quick reflexes. I missed again!" Chu Yang remarked in surprise at the boy demon. Its ability to sense danger was almost on par with his Observation Haki, having narrowly escaped death twice.

"Your Blood Demon Art must involve sensing danger, right?" Chu Yang stared at the boy demon, clearly displeased.

The boy demon's heart raced, for Chu Yang had guessed correctly. Its Blood Demon Art did indeed allow it to predict danger, enhancing its instincts.

The boy demon's body was rapidly regenerating, but it wasn't sure if it could hold out until it fully recovered. The young swordsman across from it, with that door-sized saber, could easily cut through its body.

Despite wielding such a heavy weapon, the youth's speed was like lightning!