The field was silent, broken only by the heavy breathing of a few who had yet to recover.
Shi Hanfeng’s gaze swept over the Hashira, each with different expressions, before finally settling on Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
The latter gave a slight nod, his pale face showing a near-reverent focus as he waited for what would be said next.
“The plan isn’t complicated.”
Shi Hanfeng spoke, shattering the tense atmosphere.
“I need you to first find a cave that’s deep and hidden enough, then set it up to look like a secret research base. The key is, at the very deepest part of the cave, leave only a single door.”
He extended a finger, pointing into the air.
“A normal-looking door. Nothing special. Behind that door, I’ll use the Dust Song Pot to replicate that section of the cave exactly.”
He paused, making sure everyone was following.
“As long as Muzan steps through that door, he’ll be in the Cave Heaven within the pot. Then, close the entrance to the pot. At that point, no matter his power to divide, he can’t escape that world. He’ll be trapped.”
On this point, he had no other options. His Dust Song Pot wasn’t the Zijin Hulu from Journey to the West; it couldn’t forcibly suck someone in just by calling their name.
The Dust Song Pot was only a logistical base. For outsiders to enter, he needed their consent.
He could only use such deception to get them to agree to enter.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s slender brows drew together slightly. He leaned forward, fingers unconsciously rubbing the wheelchair armrest.
“This arrangement is bold, yet entirely reasonable. Muzan doesn’t know about the Dust Song Pot. He may be wary of traps, but he wouldn’t guard against a single door.”
“But, forgive my bluntness, Sir Qingyuan, Muzan is suspicious and cunning by nature. Would he really fall for this? Just for a supposed secret base…”
“He will.”
Shi Hanfeng cut him off, his tone firm, without hesitation.
“Sometimes, the most direct play is the best bait. What’s Muzan’s greatest obsession? The Blue Spider Lily.”
Tengen Uzui touched the diamond on his headband, confusion in his voice.
“But would Muzan really believe it? He’s searched for the Blue Spider Lily for over a thousand years. How could he easily believe we found it?”
“He’ll believe.”
Shi Hanfeng’s tone was full of confidence.
Controlling Muzan was too easy. His greatest weakness and deepest desire were well-known even to the Demon Slayer Corps.
Even the combined weight of the Ubuyashiki clan didn’t match the importance of the Blue Spider Lily in Muzan’s heart.
“Because it’s an open scheme. We’ll spread word that the Demon Slayer Corps not only found the Blue Spider Lily, but discovered it only blooms under sunlight.”
“More importantly, to prevent Muzan from seizing it, we destroyed all flowers and seeds, leaving only a few for researching how to turn demons back into humans.”
He paused, watching understanding dawn on the others’ faces.
“Muzan’s obsession with the Blue Spider Lily is engraved in his bones. Even knowing it might be a trap, he would never let go of the only chance to overcome sunlight. For him, being unable to walk under the sun, forever living in darkness, is unacceptable.”
A simple plan, but deadly effective against Muzan.
The logic was sound, the motivation reasonable—fitting the Demon Slayer Corps’ usual ways.
They’d rather destroy it than give it to the enemy. But for Muzan, what did this mean?
It meant the eternal life under the sun he’d pursued for a millennium, his only hope, was in his enemy’s hands—and could be destroyed at any time.
Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance it was true, his desire and obsession with evolution would make him leap into the trap, even knowing it was an open scheme.
Tengen Uzui frowned.
“But what if he remains unmoved?”
“That’s why there’s a second step—weakening his vigilance.”
Shi Hanfeng continued, his eyes sweeping the Hashira.
“For a while, the Demon Slayer Corps will have to suffer some ‘accidents.’ Maybe one or two Hashira get severely injured fighting Upper Moon, so badly they’re forced to retire from the front lines.”
“Muzan would never believe the Corps would use its own Hashira as bait. If he thinks our strength is greatly reduced, his wariness will fall.”
“And finally, the most crucial step.”
He raised a finger.
“Let the information reach him through someone he trusts. If he accidentally finds the entrance to the secret cave, everything will be in place.”
The hall fell silent as everyone digested the plan, leaving only the sound of breathing.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at Shi Hanfeng, his gaze growing complicated.
He hadn’t lied when he said he’d read books from across the sea.
He had read about the Cave Heaven within the pot—and more of strategy.
Among them, the idea from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, ‘With Righteousness, Meet the Enemy; With Surprise, Gain Victory,’ was embodied perfectly in this plan.
To openly release news of the Blue Spider Lily was a direct ‘righteous’ move.
Using the Dust Song Pot to set the trap was the surprise.
Even he would find such temptation hard to resist.
I’m telling you directly: the Blue Spider Lily is in my hands. Believe it or not, if you don’t come, you’ll never see the sun.
It’s a trap you’re forced to walk into.
Combined with the sacrifice of one’s own arm to lower the enemy’s guard—
Finally, laying the true killing blow where they least expect it, severing all retreat.
This Sir Qingyuan…
Kagaya thought with an inward sigh.
His methods were so shrewd, it was almost at odds with his youthful appearance—truly cunning.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki fell silent, then finally voiced his only and most important concern.
“The plan itself is flawless and strikes directly at Muzan’s weakness. I have no objections. With Sir Qingyuan’s strength, slaying Muzan is surely within reach. Carving a cave and spreading information—my Ubuyashiki clan has the means to support these costs.”
He glanced at the five Hashira beside him, eyes full of pain.
“My only regret is for those Hashira who must serve as ‘expendable pieces’ to lower Muzan’s guard.”
He raised his head, his gaze passing over Gyomei Himejima, Kochou Kanae, Sanemi Shinazugawa.
His eyes held real, unfeigned heaviness.
“Each one is a precious pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, a warrior who survived countless deaths to reach this day. I… would rather be bait myself than see any of them sacrificed for this plan.”
This was his last, most stubborn kindness as Lord.
Gyomei Himejima pressed his hands together.
He’d been a Hashira the longest and knew how gentle this young Lord’s heart was.
Tears still wet his face, but his giant frame radiated calm like a mountain—unmovable.
“Amida Buddha… Lord, your compassion moves us all.”
His voice was deep and steady, carrying the peace of one who has seen beyond life and death.
“But as Sir Qingyuan said, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to destroy evil. To kill Muzan and end the demon scourge is our shared vow. If this broken body can be bait to save the world, it would be the best fate I could ask for. Please, Lord, allow it.”
“Hey! Big monk, don’t go making decisions on your own!”
Sanemi Shinazugawa slammed the table, glaring at Gyomei Himejima.
“Playing dead and acting wounded—you look too honest for anyone to believe it! If we need bait, of course it should be me! I’m Rare Blood! I attract demons more than anyone! No demon would think the Corps would use a Hashira with Rare Blood as bait! In terms of value and credibility, it has to be me!”
He strained his neck, looking fierce—not as if fighting over death, but over a great achievement.
“No.”
Gyomei Himejima shook his head slowly.
“Precisely because you are Rare Blood, you must survive for the final battle. It is safer for me to act as bait.”
“Tsk—You stubborn blockhead!”
Sanemi Shinazugawa was so furious he almost jumped, hand going to his sword as if an internal fight was about to break out.
Kochou Kanae took a quiet breath, stopping Koyori Giyuu with a look as he seemed about to speak.
He just moved his lips, then fell silent again.
She stepped forward, facing Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Her violet eyes had lost all their gentle laughter, replaced with a warrior’s resolve.
“Lord, we understand your feelings. But as the Stone Hashira said, this is our vow. Whether it’s the Stone Hashira, Wind Hashira, myself, or anyone else—we are ready to give everything. With dawn before us, how could we hesitate for fear of our lives? Please, Lord—allow us.”
Her voice was soft, yet carried undeniable determination.
Tengen Uzui nodded as well. He straightened his flashy coat, his tone solemn.
“Lord, Kanae is right. We became Hashira knowing life and death meant nothing. To slay Muzan, this price is nothing.”
Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at his five subordinates, who, despite their defeat, argued to be the first to die for the plan.
Their eyes were as one, filled with unwavering resolve and courage.
He was silent for a long time, his chest roiling with unspeakable emotion—pain, pride, and guilt.
At last, all of it turned into a long sigh.
He suddenly laughed, the sound free and even a little relieved.
“I understand. I’ve been too indecisive, forgetting you all long since abandoned fear of death.”
Watching this scene of loyalty and sacrifice, Shi Hanfeng unexpectedly smiled, breaking the heavy mood.
“Everyone, don’t rush to act out the tragedy just yet.”
He spread his hands, voice light.
“Who said being ‘expendable’ means dying? Losing an arm, a leg, becoming unable to fight on the front lines, that’s just as effective. Why only think of death as the only path?”
At this, Sanemi Shinazugawa’s face darkened instantly.
He clenched his fists, barely holding back from cursing.
Of course, this wasn’t because he couldn’t beat Shi Hanfeng—but because he didn’t want to ruin the mood.
“You make it sound easy!”
He growled, anger in his voice.
“To a swordsman who’s fought to this day, a crippled life is no different from death!”
This was the feeling of all the Hashira.
Not being able to protect those important to them was worse than dying.
“Oh? Is that so?”
Shi Hanfeng raised an eyebrow, as if waiting for this very objection.
In the next moment, under everyone’s stunned gaze, he suddenly drew his Zanpakuto: Shallow Hit from his waist.
A flash of steel.
Shila!
The sharp blade sliced through his own left elbow, severing his forearm.
Blood sprayed instantly, splattering onto the ground.
“What are you doing—!”
Sanemi Shinazugawa’s shout stopped halfway, stuck in his throat.
Shi Hanfeng’s right fingertips glowed with a soft, vibrant green, like pure life essence.
He pressed the green light to the hideous wound.
Where the light passed, flesh squirmed and regenerated as if alive.
The gushing blood stopped, muscles, veins, and nerves healing at a speed visible to the naked eye. Skin reformed, smooth as ever.
The entire process took only a few breaths.
Shi Hanfeng flexed his left arm, now as good as new, as if the terrible wound had been a mere illusion.
The physique of the Xianzhou people combined with the Life Force of Abundance wasn’t as simple as one plus one.
With the Life Force of Abundance, the body skipped the recovery process, achieving regeneration in a heartbeat.
He shook his hand, glancing at the stunned group.
“I’m not just a fighter. I sometimes double as a doctor. As long as there’s still breath, I can probably pull you back. Losing an arm or leg is nothing.”
He paused, looking at their faces—shock, joy, and the expression of facing a monster all at once.
“So, about the whole ‘expendable’ and ‘sacrifice’ thing, everyone’s clear now, right?”
Kagaya Ubuyashiki stared at Shi Hanfeng’s unscathed arm, then at his faint smile.
If it weren’t daylight, with warm sunlight shining, he would’ve thought the Demon King was toying with them.
After a long moment, the last trace of gloom vanished from his face, replaced by a brightness never seen before.
Even his sickly features seemed to glow.
“Sir Qingyuan,” he shook his head, laughter deep and joyful, “just how many more surprises are you hiding?”
“That…”
Shi Hanfeng deliberately dragged out his answer, eyes glinting mysteriously.
“Who knows? Maybe there’ll be more in the future.”
Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s smile faded.
He pressed his hands to the wheelchair, bowing deeply to Shi Hanfeng.
“Then, we leave everything to you, Sir Qingyuan.”
He turned the wheelchair to face the five Hashira, excitement in his voice.
“Everyone, the chance we’ve waited hundreds of years for is finally here. Let us end this thousand-year nightmare—together!”
“Yes!”