Demon Slayer: You call paying to get stronger "lightning"?

Page 85

Sanemi didn't believe in that at all.

Life experience taught him that unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft.

He slapped the candied apple out of Genya's hand and growled at Ryosuke.

"We don't need it! Stay away from my brother!"

After saying that, he gripped his two younger brothers' wrists tightly and turned to leave without looking back.

"This kid is really wary."

Ryosuke looked in the direction they disappeared and smiled helplessly.

"But I remember he seems to like hagi mochi and matcha, I'll try that next time."

Chapter 81 Ordinary, Noisy

Sanemi Shinazugawa held Shuya's hand with one hand and grabbed Genya's hand without any hesitation with the other.

The three hurried through the streets, with Shimi keeping a straight face and glancing around from time to time.

Xuanmi lowered his head and remained silent, not daring to say anything even though his wrist was being gripped painfully by his elder brother.

He felt a little wronged and a little scared.

What's frustrating is that the black-haired gentleman really didn't look like a bad person.

The fear stemmed from the fact that Sanemi was clearly suppressing his anger.

He knew his older brother's temper: wary and irritable.

After their father died, the eldest brother and mother took on the responsibility of protecting the family.

That toughness beyond his years made Xuanmi both dependent on and afraid of him.

He noticed all of this and reached out his little hand to tug at Sanemi's clothes.

"Big brother, don't blame second brother. It was because I wanted to eat that candied apple that I stopped."

He paused for a moment, still wanting to defend Ryosuke.

"And that gentleman was really nice. He bought a lot of delicious food, saying we should bring it back for you and your younger siblings..."

He pointed to the bulging oil paper package in Xuanmi's hand.

Sanemi paused for a moment, the fierce look in his eyes gradually fading.

He rubbed Jiu Ye's head, his voice softening.

"I'm not angry, but remember what I said, there aren't many good people out there. Don't just take things from strangers, understand? What if they're bad people?"

He nodded obediently, "I understand, big brother."

Then he opened his arms and made a soft request.

"Big brother, carry me, I'm tired from walking."

Seeing his younger brother acting cute, Sanemi couldn't maintain the last bit of seriousness on his face.

He bent down and muttered something.

"You're such a busybody, come on up."

With a cheer, she skillfully climbed onto Sanemi's back, her little head nestled affectionately against his shoulder.

Sanemi steadied him, then glanced at Genmi, who was bowing his head, and ultimately said nothing more.

"Let's go home."

Xuanmi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed behind the two.

Back in that cramped yet warm little home, the voice of her mother, Shizu Shinazugawa, came from the stove.

"Are Sanemi and Genya back? Perfect timing, I brought back some vegetable leaves and broken rice today, come and eat... Hey, how old are you? Why are you making your older brother carry you again?"

There were several other, even younger children in the house. When they saw this, they were also carried back and immediately surrounded the house, chattering excitedly.

"That's it! Why did you make your older brother carry you?!"

"Big brother, I want to carry it too!"

"That's unfair! So you'll cheat too!"

The small room was instantly filled with the sounds of children playing and laughing.

Zhijin looked at the children and smiled as he invited everyone to eat.

Under the dim light, the food was simple and the room was old, but the warmth that belonged to the family was enough to ward off any coldness from the outside world.

Ryosuke was squatting on a rooftop not far away, taking in all the laughter and chatter from inside.

This is good enough—ordinary, noisy, yet warm and comforting to be alive.

Without lingering, he flipped over and leaped down, disappearing into the night.

Even with government crackdowns and bustling night markets, the ingrained darkness in Jingqiao District cannot be cleansed overnight.

Some evil spirits, unable to resist their craving for flesh and blood, will always stir and make their move.

Ryosuke moved like a ghost, constantly darting through alleyways and secluded corners.

Every time the Nichirin Blade is drawn, a demon perishes.

He did his best to nip any potential danger in the bud.

Ryosuke didn't return to his temporary room to rest until dawn broke.

Even if he is physically strong, he is still human and needs sleep after a busy night.

When he woke up, it was already afternoon.

After eating a quick bite, Ryosuke got up and went out.

Due to the involvement of the government and the Ubuyashiki family, several streets in Kyobashi Ward are currently undergoing renovations.

The government hired a lot of people, including some teenagers who had started working at a young age to supplement their family income.

Ryosuke scanned his surroundings and quickly spotted a familiar figure.

The thin boy was struggling to carry a stone slab, his face flushed.

Ryosuke quickly walked over and reached out to take it.

Genya was startled, looked up, and was stunned to see that it was Ryosuke. A mixture of gratitude and lingering embarrassment appeared on his face.

"Ah...it's you, sir, thank you so much..."

"You're welcome."

Ryosuke shook his head: "It was nothing."

Genmi wiped his sweat with his sleeve and spoke somewhat embarrassedly.

“Um… sir, I’m sorry about last night. My older brother was just too worried about us. He has a bit of a temper, but he’s not a bad person…”

He tried hard to defend Sanemi.

"It's okay, I understand."

Ryosuke didn't seem to mind: "Do you often come out to work like this?"

Xuanmi nodded.

“My mother works very hard, and my older brother and I want to help her share some of the burden.”

He pointed to the construction site: "They provide lunch here, and you can even earn a little money."

Ryosuke was deeply moved: "Yes, that's remarkable."

"Well, it's nothing..."

Genmi was a little embarrassed by the praise.

Ryosuke said softly, "I'll help you."

"Ah? Sir, but..."

Before Genya could react, Ryosuke quickly got to work.

He could only follow behind and thank them repeatedly.

Just then, Ryosuke seemed to notice something and looked towards the corner in the distance.

A figure vanished in an instant.

Ryosuke understood, but didn't expose it.

In the shadows around the corner, Sanemi stared blankly, biting into a hard, dry steamed bun.

He wanted to rush over when he saw Xuanmi struggling, but this guy beat him to it.

Then he saw Xuanmi talking to that guy, and saw that guy smiling at Xuanmi...

This made him extremely unhappy, but he couldn't find a reason to lash out.

Finally, Sanemi swallowed the food in his mouth, picked up the wooden plank at his feet, and strode away.

The work has temporarily come to an end.

Genya walked up to Ryosuke and thanked him again.

"Sir, thank you so much for today."

Genya looked at Ryosuke's sword at his waist and his slightly disheveled clothes, and asked hesitantly.

"Sir, are you a wandering traveler? What is your name?"

Ryosuke replied: "Ryosuke Yasui."

"Mr. Yasui...Ryosuke."

Genya read the name aloud and said very seriously, "My name is Shinazugawa Genya! You are such a good person."

Ryosuke chuckled upon hearing this: "Perhaps."

He stood up and looked at Xuanmi.