"Gulp, gulp…"
"Master has a good alcohol tolerance. I heard about Flame Breathing…"
"Hiccup! That's all nonsense! The most important thing about learning Flame Breathing is…"
Drunkenly, Shinjuro had long forgotten about the limit of only three questions.
Riding the wave of his drunkenness, Shinjuro spoke endlessly about Flame Breathing. Under Ryan's deliberate guidance, some small tips not even recorded in the "Flame Breathing Explanation" slipped out of his mouth.
Watching Ryan take notes while looking at him with admiration, he spoke with increasing enthusiasm.
"Is this what it feels like to be a master?" Shinjuro couldn't help but recall the times he taught his two sons, feeling even more accomplished now than back then. So he took another big gulp, gradually losing track of what he was saying.
Finally, after finishing the fourth pot, Shinjuro collapsed.
"His speech became incoherent halfway through the fourth pot. It seems three and a half pots are his limit. His alcohol tolerance still needs practice."
Despite the regretful tone, Ryan revealed a smile of a successful scheme.
From the very beginning, he had ill intentions. What three questions? How many questions he asked after getting Shinjuro drunk was entirely up to him. As for how many could be answered, that depended on his guiding rhetoric and the other party's alcohol tolerance.
It was ironic, in a way. Only when half-drunk and half-sober was Shinjuro a truly diligent and responsible teacher.
After helping the completely drunk uncle into the room and covering him with a blanket, Ryan left, feeling satisfied.
Four days later, Ryan had digested the knowledge he gained from this session, benefiting greatly. Combining it with the "Flame Breathing Explanation," he gained a deep understanding of Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun.
"Isn't it just an upward slash?" Ryan, with his own insights, shouted loudly, and then…
There was no "then."
After a few days of private practice, he had a belly full of new questions. Without another word, he brought wine and visited his good master again.
However, this time the other party was on guard.
When Shinjuro woke up after that drunken night, he realized he had been tricked by this kid. And he couldn't really say anything, after all, Ryan hadn't forced him; he had just gotten too enthusiastic explaining things.
So this time, he was very resistant to Ryan's attempts to get him to drink.
Shinjuro: I'd rather listen to others tell me to quit drinking than listen to you tell me to drink. You little rascal have ill intentions.
But Ryan just smiled slightly, asked two questions, got his answers, and then took his leave.
"Uncle, you're still a bit too young. Wouldn't it be better if I came back after you're drunk?"
That evening, he returned with the remaining question. Shinjuro, who opened the door, was indeed half-drunk and half-sober. Regarding the third question, this good master launched into another lengthy discourse. Ryan listened with great interest, benefiting immensely.
Thus, through the continuous collaboration between master and disciple, Ryan's Breathing Technique learning entered the fast lane.
-------------------------------------
Meanwhile, at the Demon Slayer Corps.
As a hidden armed organization among the populace, the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen have been fighting evil demons on the front lines for centuries, both for revenge and to protect civilians. The swordsmen have sacrificed too much, yet ordinary people remain oblivious. Only the successive leaders of the Demon Slayer Corps remember the swordsmen's contributions.
These leaders all came from the Ubuyashiki family. The family has a long history, but unfortunately, each generation has a short lifespan and suffers from a curse.
This is because the original source of all demons, Kibutsuji Muzan, has a blood relation to the Ubuyashiki family.
The current leader, Yashiki Kagaya, is no exception. This curse has now spread to his forehead, and it might reach his eyes in a few more years, at which point he will go blind.
Dismissing these negative thoughts, Kagaya picked up a forwarded report in his mansion.
The report was very short, only detailing the recent situation of Rengoku Shinjuro. After reading it, a subtle expression appeared on Kagaya's face.
As the current Flame Pillar, he neglected Demon Slayer Corps missions, drowned his sorrows in alcohol all day, and grew distant from his comrades. Kagaya had observed all of this.
However, besides sending letters of sympathy, Kagaya did not interfere excessively. One reason was Shinjuro's impeccable past achievements, and another was that his grief over his wife's death was understandable.
He had expected Shinjuro to continue staying at home, taking a longer time to overcome his sorrow. He hadn't expected him to take his second son to a martial arts dojo.
This should have been a good start. If interacting with the outside world could help someone emerge from their self-imposed isolation, then there would still be hope for him to recover.
But in reality, he remained the same, even causing concern for the dojo master. As an ordinary person who understood the inner workings of the Demon Slayer Corps, the master must have been very confused. It was truly difficult for him.
"I should write another letter of sympathy to Shinjuro, and also write to console that dojo master. He has contributed by screening and recommending new blood for the Demon Slayer Corps. He deserves credit, and we must provide some financial support."
Kagaya quickly made a decision.
For the goal of slaying demons, this leader of the Demon Slayer Corps would not abandon any source of strength.
At the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Kyojuro Rengoku, who had just passed the Demon Slayer Corps new recruit selection, also received news from home.
"Father actually took my younger brother to Yoshiwara and moved into a kendo dojo."
Kyojuro was first surprised, then clenched his fists and muttered to himself, "Father has finally changed. This is good news!"
Although he missed his father dearly and wished he could immediately go to Yoshiwara to tell his father about every little thing, he had now joined the Demon Slayer Corps and had a new mission, so he could not leave freely.
"This time, Father will definitely recover, and my younger brother will also find new playmates." Suppressing his inner weakness, Kyojuro encouraged himself, "And I must also work hard to slay demons, to make Father look at me with new eyes!"
He instinctively used Flame Breathing, and his entire heart burned with fervor.
For Kyojuro, it was another day full of motivation.
Time flew by, and two months quickly passed.
As the coldest part of winter arrived, Yoshiwara during the day appeared colder than usual. There were fewer pedestrians on Flower Street. If not for their livelihoods, most people would prefer to stay indoors, warming themselves by the fire.
Speaking of this winter, a new type of honeycomb briquette suddenly appeared on the market. It was much easier to ignite and very cheap.
After trying it once, many people no longer chose coal lumps and firewood. Honeycomb briquettes quickly became the new favorite in the Yoshiwara market, even showing a trend of spreading to other cities.
Correspondingly, Ryan's monthly dividends increased. Nowadays, even after deducting the money for buying wine, he could still eat a medicinal meal every day.
"Ding! Host consumed one portion of ten-year medicinal meal. Skill Point Energy Progress +1.32%."
"Ding! Skill Point Energy Progress has reached 100%. One Skill Point obtained."
Ryan contentedly patted his stomach, enjoying his comfortable life.