Chapter 42: Discussion

As soon as Kagaya Ubuyashiki finished speaking, a faint curve appeared at the corner of Shi Hanfeng’s lips.

He never needed to beat around the bush when talking to smart people; what he displayed openly was understood by the other party as well.

The other side neither questioned how he suddenly appeared nor doubted his motive for reaching out.

He went straight to the core—“how to cooperate”—and that directness hit Shi Hanfeng’s temperament exactly.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Hashira.

Shi Hanfeng cleared his throat, looking at Kagaya Ubuyashiki who was waiting for a reply.

“Very well. Since we’ve reached a consensus, I’ll also show my sincerity and share the information I know.”

“Please speak.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s response was concise and powerful. His thin fingers lightly rested as Shi Hanfeng nodded, then he threw out the most explosive name:

“First is the one you’ve all been thinking of—Kibutsuji Muzan, your old enemy, the progenitor of demons.”

He paused for half a second, watching the Hashira’s expressions grow heavy, then continued.

“Currently known abilities include the strongest combat power among demons, super-speed regeneration, changing appearance, mass-producing Lower Moons, and two more you likely haven’t seen.”

“Muzan isn’t afraid of having his head cut off by a Nichirin Blade, and if he can’t win, he’ll split himself into eighteen hundred pieces to escape.”

Muzan is hard to kill—his regeneration is one thing, but mainly, he lacks a true warrior’s heart. If he can’t win, he runs.

With his body’s characteristics, unless it’s a total overpower, no one can stop him if he decides to flee.

All present, including Ubuyashiki, felt their pupils contract.

Not afraid of having his head cut off by a Nichirin Blade—didn’t that mean the Demon Slayer Corps had no way to kill Muzan except by dragging him until dawn?

If what he said was true, and with Muzan’s ability to split, the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn’t be able to keep him at all.

Shi Hanfeng took in everyone’s reactions. He knew what they were thinking.

But unfortunately, even in the Infinity Castle Arc, with all means used and all restrictions applied—

A cornered Muzan, unless he’s forced to fight the Demon Slayer Corps out of pride, still has the advantage.

At his speed, if he refuses to tangle and just escapes into a forest for a day, he becomes Demon King again.

Not giving them time to process, Shi Hanfeng shifted the topic.

“As for the Upper Moons under him, there are currently six. Upper Moon One, Kokushibo, was a Demon Slayer Corps member centuries ago—the elder brother of the Breathing Technique founder, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.”

“He wields a weapon called the Demon Blade and uses Moon Breathing. His sword techniques cover a vast range, able to release countless crescent-shaped blade winds with every slash.”

“Upper Moon Two, Doma, is the leader of the Eternal Bliss Cult.”

His gaze swept over Kochou Kanae—this one was the vice-captain who shattered the Flower Hashira’s resolve and made her sister leave the Demon Slayer Corps to avoid death.

“He possesses the Ice Blood Demon Art, can create cold mists that disrupt breathing rhythms, and condense various ice constructs. He’s a nemesis in close combat. He likes devouring young women, is ruthless yet always wears a false gentleness, skilled at using sweet words to numb his prey.”

At this point, Shi Hanfeng’s gaze unconsciously drifted to Gyomei Himejima.

This Stone Hashira had the toughest body and the steadiest heart. In the original story, he could fight any Upper Moon.

But for sudden kills, this was the type restrained by Doma’s magic-based Blood Demon Art.

Just saying, as long as the Sleep Lotus Bodhisattva stalled a bit for Kokushibo to finish up, everything would be settled.

The final Infinity Castle Arc in Demon Slayer was filled with drama.

Revenge for grudges, paying back enmities, and even matching with ancestral strangers.

If Mingnu had swapped Doma and Kokushibo’s opponents, the outcome might have been completely different.

“Upper Moon Three, Akaza, specializes in destructive Blood Demon Art.”

He withdrew his thoughts and continued the introduction.

“This person has an extreme obsession with strength, only killing powerful individuals, and despises the weak. His Blood Demon Art can directly shatter opponents’ bones and organs. Even a Hashira would struggle to endure his blows.”

“Upper Moon Four, Hantengu, possesses the most unique abilities.”

Shi Hanfeng’s fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm speeding up and slowing down.

“He can split into forms representing different emotions—Joy, Anger, Sorrow, Pleasure—each with a unique attack style: Thunder, Wind, Soundwave, and Spear Techniques. If the main body doesn’t die, the clones remain immortal.”

“He also has an ultimate form combining all emotions. The only fatal weakness is the coward demon hidden nearby. Find and kill the coward demon, and Hantengu will die completely.”

It was a pity such an ability belonged to a cowardly turtle—this skill was truly a force to split into five for battle.

From mechanics to power, combined with Mingnu in the Infinity Castle, it was an invincible existence.

“Upper Moon Five, Gyokko, likes to use pots as weapons. He can create various pots imbued with Blood Demon Art, releasing poisonous demon fish inside whose teeth can bite through steel. He also has a Second Form. Upon entering it, anything his hand touches turns into fish—including human bodies.”

“Lastly, Upper Moon Six—Daki and Gyutaro, a brother and sister sharing a single rank.”

Shi Hanfeng watched the Hashira’s brows tighten, then added,

“Daki manipulates sashes to attack—these can both bind and slice like blades; Gyutaro wields dual sickles, moves at extreme speed, and carries deadly poison. To kill them, both heads must be cut off simultaneously—one alone won’t work.”

As soon as he finished, he tossed out an even heavier statement:

“In terms of strength, only the Stone Hashira in the current Demon Slayer Corps can handle the top three Upper Moons.”

In just a few minutes, he had revealed all the trump cards of the demons’ main forces.

With each name and ability of the Upper Moons announced, the air in the council hall grew heavier—finally thickening to an inky blackness.

Sanemi Shinazugawa could no longer contain himself; he slammed a fist onto the table.

The wooden table groaned under the impact, and half the tea spilled from his cup.

“Nonsense!”

He roared, the scars on his face twisting with fury, his expression fierce.

“The Demon Slayer Corps hasn’t been able to gather this much intel on the Upper Moons in hundreds of years—how could an outsider who just arrived know so much?!”

His words were like a stone thrown into a still pond, stirring up waves.

The other Hashira’s expressions ranged from skeptical to incredulous.

Over the years, encounters with Upper Moons were rare.

Each one almost always ended in one-sided slaughter, and few survived to report back—making it impossible to collect such detailed information.

Now, a foreigner who hadn’t even been here long produced intelligence the Demon Slayer Corps couldn’t gather in decades, even centuries—there were too many suspicious points.

The atmosphere instantly tightened, the air seeming to freeze.

“I have no reason to lie to you.”

Shi Hanfeng yawned, breaking the silence.

“Whether you trust the information I gave is up to you. If you meet an Upper Moon, you can test it for yourselves, rather than getting angry here.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed lightly, easing the tension.

He turned his wheelchair to face Shi Hanfeng, a probing look in his eyes, but his tone remained gentle.

“Mr. Jingyuan, forgive my bluntness—but how do you know all this? You’re a newcomer, yet even the Demon Slayer Corps with all our efforts can barely obtain such data.”

Shi Hanfeng chuckled, a meaningful curve at the corner of his lips, and didn’t answer directly.

His fingers traced lightly through the air, as if outlining an invisible pattern.

He spoke slowly.

“In my homeland, there is a pink-haired girl—small in stature, but mighty. She wields the Eye of Law, capable of observing all fate, her divination so precise that within the Eye of Law, nothing is hidden.”

He slowed further, voice distant.

“Whenever her Eye of Law opens, scenes of past and future, the threads of cause and effect, all become as clear as palm lines. The trajectories of all things cannot escape her sight.”

As he spoke, Shi Hanfeng silently apologized to cute Fuxuan in his heart.

Sorry, borrowing your name for now. After all, no one in this world can go to the Xianzhou to verify it—this excuse is perfect.

He truly wasn’t lying. Fuxuan’s Eye of Law does have this power. As long as no one can disprove it, the source of this intel becomes ironclad.

He never said the information came from Fuxuan’s divination—he merely introduced an acquaintance with such talent.

How the Demon Slayer Corps interpreted it was their own concern.

Gyomei Himejima pressed his palms together, lips moving in silent prayer, clearly in awe that such wonders could exist.

“Pink-haired midget? Never heard of her.”

At this moment, Koyori Giyuu finally showcased his linguistic talent.

One sentence, and Shi Hanfeng almost lost his composure.

You should be thankful Master Taibu isn’t in this world, or with that single line, you’d be in huge trouble.

The other Hashira lowered their heads, deep in thought, skepticism replaced by contemplation.

If someone like that truly existed, then the knowledge made sense.

But new questions soon arose.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki broke the silence first.

“If such a person exists…that would explain much.”

He nodded slightly, but his brow remained furrowed.

“But now there is a new problem. How can we defeat a Muzan who can split himself into eighteen hundred pieces to escape? Not to mention six Upper Moons interfering.”

“Forgive me,” Tengen Uzui interjected, frowning, “with the current information, even the combined strength of several Hashira would struggle to defeat one Upper Moon, let alone face Muzan and six Upper Moons simultaneously and prevent Muzan from escaping.”

The other Hashira nodded, faces clouded with worry.

Sanemi Shinazugawa clenched his fist, unwillingness in his voice.

“Are we supposed to just watch him continue his evil? Hundreds of comrades have died by demon hands over the centuries. It’s maddening.”

Shi Hanfeng looked at the downcast faces.

He drew out a simple, ancient pottery jug from his coat.

He placed the jug on the wooden table; its small body made a crisp sound as it touched the surface.

“This is the answer.”

He said, his fingers caressing the fine lines.

“Have you heard of the Cave Heaven within a Pot? There’s another world inside this jug—a self-contained space. Once sealed, it’s completely cut off. Even if Muzan splits into a million pieces, he can’t escape this world within a pot.”

A look of surprise finally broke through Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s calm. He widened his eyes and leaned forward.

“I’ve read tales from your homeland mentioning the ‘Cave Heaven in a Pot.’ So those legends were real?”

“More or less.”

Shi Hanfeng replied blandly, though he laughed inwardly.

Looks like the world’s stereotypes about overseas kingdoms are growing again.

“Who wants to experience it personally?”

He raised the pot, sweeping his gaze across everyone.

Gyomei Himejima was first to stand, his towering figure especially prominent in the room. He pressed his palms together, tears welling anew and rolling down his cheeks.

“Let me. If such a divine tool exists, I will be the one to test it first for everyone.”

He had his own reasons—the most suitable in the room was him. If there was danger inside and he couldn’t handle it, then no one else could.

Shi Hanfeng nodded and gently stroked the jug.

Under everyone’s gaze, Gyomei Himejima’s tall figure vanished, leaving only traces where he’d stood.

Sanemi Shinazugawa lunged at Shi Hanfeng, his Nichirin Blade half-drawn with a cold flash.

“You—”

“Calm down.”

Shi Hanfeng raised the Dust Song Pot: Cave Heaven Initial Version calmly, his tone utterly unruffled.

“The Stone Hashira will be back soon.”

Time ticked by, each second stretching like a year.

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s hand gripped his blade tightly, gaze locked on Shi Hanfeng as if ready to strike at any sign of trouble.

Kochou Kanae tried several times to ease the tension, but was stopped by Tengen Uzui’s sharp gaze.

Any unnecessary words now might make things worse.

Just as Sanemi Shinazugawa was about to lose control, a faint light flashed—and Gyomei Himejima reappeared.

He staggered, his massive frame wobbling, still not fully adjusted to the spatial shift.

Tears streaked his face, but in his eyes was unprecedented excitement, his voice trembling.

“It’s real. Inside is an island surrounded by sea, vast and boundless—with no visible exit!”

“I tried attacking the boundary—no gaps at all.”

Hearing this, Shi Hanfeng gave Gyomei Himejima a strange look.

What were you doing attacking someone else’s house?

He turned to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, pressed his palms together, and spoke firmly.

“Master! Once Muzan enters this world within the pot, escape is impossible! This is our best chance to eliminate him!”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly sat back in his wheelchair, fingers at his forehead, silent for a long time.

The Hashira held their breath, awaiting his decision.

After a long while, he raised his head. In his half-blind eyes flickered a complex light—joy, pain, and disbelief.

“To think such a divine tool exists in a distant land. If only we’d known earlier…”

“If only such a thing had existed, how many lives would not have been sacrificed in vain…”

His voice choked with emotion, filled with remorse for those lost.

A strange emotion filled the council hall—excitement at hope, yet sorrow for centuries of sacrifice.

After hundreds of years of struggle and countless lives lost, real hope had suddenly appeared, leaving everyone at a loss.

“But there is still one problem.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki quickly calmed. His instincts as a leader let him grasp the key point at once.

“Even if we can lure Muzan into the pot, how do we defeat him? Plus six Upper Moons. The Demon Slayer Corps lacks the power to face so many strong enemies at once.”

This sentence was like a bucket of cold water, dousing their freshly ignited hope.

The Hashira’s excitement faded, replaced by deep concern.

Hope was before them, but did they truly have the strength to seize it?

Even knowing the Upper Moons’ abilities, defeating them was no simple task—let alone the nearly invincible Muzan.

Shi Hanfeng slowly turned the Dust Song Pot: Cave Heaven Initial Version in his hand.

The vessel shimmered under the light, its patterns seeming to come alive, flowing across its surface.

“As for strength—”

He spoke, confident, a calm smile on his lips.

“I have my own arrangements.”

His gaze swept over each Hashira, finally settling on Kagaya Ubuyashiki.

“All you need to do is believe that when Muzan and his Upper Moons step into the world within the pot, they’ll find themselves the prey trapped in a snare.”

He didn’t explain any further, but the composed confidence in his presence made most swallow their doubts.

The simplest plan was to lure Muzan into the Dust Song Pot: Cave Heaven Initial Version, drag things out until dawn, then expose him to sunlight—perfectly clean ending.

But that was a waste. In Shi Hanfeng’s eyes, Muzan and the Upper Moons were walking treasure chests.

To do otherwise would be a terrible waste.

Besides, if Muzan died, the remaining Upper Moons wouldn’t need to be killed—they’d follow the boss into oblivion.

There’d never be another chance like this.

He met Sanemi Shinazugawa’s glare and nodded lightly.

“That’s right. I’ll do it alone.”

This relaxed reply pushed Sanemi Shinazugawa over the edge. His eyes widened, anger in his voice.

“So you’re saying I’m weak?”

“Sorry. I don’t mean you specifically.”

Shi Hanfeng shrugged, face expressionless.

Sanemi Shinazugawa’s expression softened a bit, thinking the other was apologizing.

But in the next moment, Shi Hanfeng’s words set him off again.

“I mean, everyone here is not strong enough.”

“Got it. We’re all unqualified weaklings.”

Koyori Giyuu delivered the final line.

Then earned a round of glares from everyone.

If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute.