webnovelvip Chapter 126 Becoming My Stepson
Chapter 126 Becoming My Stepson
A deafening shout made the carriage tremble slightly, and the air seemed to surge with it.
Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Zenitsu froze on the spot, their faces filled with astonishment and confusion.
No one expected that the legendary, majestic, and powerful Flame Pillar would make its appearance in such a lively and impactful way.
Only Inosuke's eyes lit up instantly, his wild gaze fixed on the front, his hands gripping his twin swords tightly with excitement, his fighting spirit boiling over.
Not far in front of them, the figure wearing a haori with flame patterns stood straight and tall, his posture as upright and dazzling as the blazing sun, and his smile as fiery as a burning red lotus.
He stood tall and proud, exuding an air of confidence and magnanimity. His voice was so loud it could almost echo throughout the entire train, making him stand out in the crowded carriage.
At that very moment, the same answer simultaneously arose in everyone's mind—
They have found the Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku, whom they were looking for.
What truly stunned the four of them was the actions of the dazzling figure before them.
Kyojuro Rengoku was holding a bento box in one hand and constantly putting food into his mouth with the other, swallowing it in large gulps.
While eating, he enthusiastically exclaimed, "Delicious!"
He was bold and full of energy, without a trace of arrogance, but rather like an ordinary person who was down-to-earth and extremely enthusiastic.
Zenitsu instinctively shrank his neck, moved closer to Nezuko, lowered his voice, and asked in a low voice with a hint of disbelief.
"Nezuko... Is he really the Flame Pillar?"
Ni Douzi blinked awkwardly.
Nodding slightly, he confirmed that the person in front of him with an enormous appetite and a booming voice was indeed Kyojuro Rengoku, whom they were to meet.
Inosuke could no longer contain his excitement and was about to rush forward to challenge, but Zenitsu grabbed him by the back of his collar with lightning speed, and no matter how hard he struggled, he could not break free.
Tanjiro looked at the noisy and comical scene before him, took a deep breath, tried to calm his surprise, and cautiously walked forward, attempting to say hello.
"Hello, Mr. Purgatory..."
"Five ants!"
Kyojuro Rengoku's hearty, deafening voice rang out again, causing Tanjiro, who had just taken a step forward, to freeze in place, almost losing his balance on the spot.
As if finally noticing someone approaching, Kyojuro suddenly turned around, his gaze instantly falling on Tanjiro, then sweeping over Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke behind him.
Upon seeing the faces of the Kamado siblings, he immediately put down the lunchbox in his hand, a brighter and more dazzling smile spreading across his face, his voice loud and clear.
"I remember you! Kamado Tanjiro, Kamado Nezuko!"
"Yes, Mr. Purgatory!" Mizuko stepped forward. "We are here to assist you on your mission, on the orders of our lord!"
"I see! Of course I will obey your orders, my lord! You can rest assured!"
Kyojuro still laughed heartily and openly, without the slightest displeasure or rejection, and his sincere tone was reassuring.
Tanjiro twitched his nose slightly, his keen sense of smell instantly catching the scent emanating from Kyojuro Rengoku.
There was no disgust, no wariness, no contempt whatsoever.
Only a sincere, fervent, open, and warm breath, like a blazing fire, filled his nostrils, allowing his previously anxious heart to finally settle down.
"Tanjiro."
Rengoku Kyojuro seemed to see through his inner concerns, looking at him with a firm gaze and speaking in a solemn tone.
"Although you are a demon, you have proven your true self through your actions. Furthermore, with the Lord's approval, I, Kyojuro Rengoku, also approve of you! You need not worry any longer!"
Zenitsu and Inosuke stood to the side, looking at the Flame Pillar, who had a cheerful personality, a loud voice, and was exceptionally kind, and both felt an unexpected sense of relief.
The imposing, aloof, and superior demeanor one might expect from a pillar is nowhere to be found in Kyojuro Rengoku. Instead, he is open-minded, passionate, and unreservedly trusting.
This allowed Zenitsu, who had been tense and uneasy, to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Conversely, Inosuke, wearing a boar's head mask, stared intently into Rengoku Kyojuro's bright, fiery eyes, his mind churning with strange and excited thoughts that kept him restless.
[Those big eyes...what an imposing presence! He really is a Pillar! So strong! I really want to fight him!]
The four took their seats one after another. Tanjiro and Nezuko sat side by side opposite Rengoku Kyojuro, while Zenitsu and Inosuke squeezed into the seats next to them, and the small area instantly became lively.
As soon as she sat down, Mi Douzi leaned forward slightly, her eyes filled with anticipation and seriousness, and spoke softly.
"Mr. Purgatory, I have a question I would like to ask you."
She secretly hoped that the Flame Pillar before her might be a veteran of countless battles.
It can point out to me the crucial path that the Water Breathing and Fire God Kagura could never truly merge.
Kyojuro Rengoku raised an eyebrow slightly, revealing a listening expression.
Midouzi took a deep breath and explained in detail her frustration at being unable to truly integrate the two breathing techniques despite her attempts to do so.
After listening to Nezuko's words, Rengoku Kyojuro pondered in silence for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he spoke loudly, his tone full of certainty.
"I understand! You don't just want to imitate existing breathing techniques; you want to create a completely new breathing method that is uniquely your own!"
Mizuko nodded emphatically, her clear eyes filled with anticipation as she gazed intently at Kyojuro.
"You're very talented! To have such ambition at such a young age is remarkable! Absolutely amazing!"
Rengoku Kyojuro praised him lavishly, his tone full of admiration.
Then, he paused, and uttered three words with absolute certainty:
"It's very simple!"
As soon as those words were spoken, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke all turned to look at him, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
Even Shinobu Kocho didn't dare to offer any pointers on the breathing technique, and could only help her solidify her foundation. Yet, this Flame Pillar in front of her said it was "very simple."
Midouzi's heart suddenly raced, and she sat up straight with excitement, her voice filled with barely suppressed anticipation.
"Please enlighten me, Mr. Purgatory!"
Kyojuro Rengoku stood tall with his head held high, his smile as dazzling as the sun, and announced in a loud voice.
"That is—to become my stepson!"
The words fell.
The carriage fell into a deathly silence.
The four of them stood frozen in place, mouths agape, staring blankly at the still-laughing Flame Pillar, their minds completely blank, utterly unsure how to react.
No one spoke again; only the clanging of the train on the tracks continued into the darkness.
It was completely different from the lively and relaxed atmosphere inside the carriage.
Under the pitch-black night sky, a cold wind howled and a chilling atmosphere permeated the top of the Infinite Train's engine.
Four eerie and cold figures stood silently on the hood of the speeding car, exuding a chilling sense of oppression.
The ghost at the very front slowly turned its head, its scarlet eyes fixed on the depths of the carriage, and spoke in a chilling voice to the being beside it:
"Are you sure... that traitor has already gotten into your car?"