Chapter 58: The Terrifying Weapon

“Knowing how to wield a weapon is naturally important, but knowing when to lay it down is even more crucial. The weapon in your hand can kill demons, but it can just as easily kill people.”

Before Chu Yang began testing the weapons, Xing Mingyu Xingming earnestly imparted this admonition, showing deep concern.

“Mr. Xingming, rest assured, I understand the true meaning behind the power I carry,” Chu Yang replied sincerely, then approached the pile of heavy weaponry for a closer look.

Meteor hammers, wolf-tooth clubs, chain hammers, giant battle axes taller than a man, and broad-bladed swords almost as wide as a door panel.

Chu Yang broke out in a cold sweat.

This was less a matter of choosing a weapon and more like selecting instruments of torture—a full-blown crime scene lineup!

Among them were even ancient Chinese-style long-handled broadswords and spears.

If Guan Yu were here, he’d surely give his approval.

Xing Mingyu’s own weapon was essentially a modified chain hammer, with a broad axe attached to one end to enhance lethality. Frankly, he hoped Chu Yang would choose something similar.

But in the end, Chu Yang selected the broad-bladed sword.

At least it was a sword.

The others bore no resemblance to the “Sun Wheel Sword,” which Chu Yang preferred not to use.

He could always rename it “Iron Fang” or “Moon Cleaver”—both fitting enough, given its appearance.

Xing Mingyu sighed, visibly disappointed.

What’s wrong with the chain hammer?

It’s powerful, easy to handle, and deadly against demons—one strike, one down.

No appreciation at all!

Xing Mingyu reminded him, “You’re not yet an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps, so your weapon is provisional, just enough for you to participate in the final selection.”

“Though the weapon shapes differ, their techniques are largely similar. You just need to adapt the details appropriately.”

He then picked up a weapon and began demonstrating the Earth Breathing sword techniques for Chu Yang.

Most heavy weapons share common handling methods, and Xing Mingyu hoped Chu Yang could find techniques that suited him and enhanced the strengths of his broad sword.

Chu Yang watched intently, committing every move to memory.

Because Earth Breathing has few inheritors, its techniques are considerably fewer than other styles. Xing Mingyu stopped demonstrating after the fifth form.

“That’s all the techniques I know. From here on, it’s up to you to complete your training,” he said, setting down the weapon and pressing his palms together. “If you have any questions, ask now.”

Chu Yang shook his head, indicating no doubts.

Seeing this, Xing Mingyu couldn’t help but sigh, a trace of loneliness in his eyes. Teaching a prodigy like Chu Yang was easy, but the ease left him with little sense of accomplishment.

Especially since Earth Breathing is the most difficult of the five major breathing styles.

“Recently, I’ll be out investigating demon activity, responsible for clearing demons in the area. So you must stay alone in the temple to train. Remember, light the wisteria incense at night.”

When mentioning the wisteria incense, Xing Mingyu’s expression grew a bit unnatural, as if recalling some sorrowful memory. After packing his belongings and giving Chu Yang one last reminder, he departed.

After Xingmingyu left, Chu Yang fetched water from the mountain daily. Even once the water jar in the backyard was full, he remained diligent.

The results of his training were evident—he could return to the temple by noon and even free up entire afternoons to practice swordsmanship.

Yet Chu Yang clearly ignored Xingmingyu’s instruction; he never once lit the wisteria incense in the temple.

Half a month later, Chu Yang was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard late into the night.

Suddenly, a strange stench caught his attention.

It was a hard-to-describe foul odor.

Like a pile of rotting food and corpses fermenting together.

The stench nearly made Chu Yang vomit!

He suddenly realized… this was the scent of demons!

Immediately, he activated his Observation Haki and detected something rapidly approaching the temple perimeter, like a starving beast sensing prey.

Chu Yang focused, holding his breath, expertly entering full concentration breathing mode, his eyes fixed on the front gate.

Bang!

With a loud crash, the gate collapsed, and a shadow lunged from the darkness, sprinting toward Chu Yang under the moonlight!

At the same time, Chu Yang leapt high!

His broad sword swung downward with tremendous force!

“Earth Breathing, Form Two: Crushing the Sky!”

The powerful strike sent shockwaves through the air. The violent gust startled the shadow, who had attempted a sneak attack.

This broad sword wielder was no ordinary person!

On the brink of death, the shadow roared in fury, desperately trying to evade the blow.

It succeeded!

The sword was originally aimed for its head.

Instead, it cleaved from its right shoulder down to its right leg, slicing the creature in two!

“Ahhhhhh!”

A blood-curdling scream erupted from the shadow, borne of both pain and terror.

After just one encounter, Chu Yang had severely wounded it!

If it weren’t a demon, it would surely be dead by now!

After severing half its body, Chu Yang passed by the creature, and both turned simultaneously to see each other’s faces.

The shadow was indeed a demon, taking the form of a delicate young boy.

But his face was twisted, covered in eerie runes.

The boy’s eyes glowed crimson as he stared intently at Chu Yang.

It seemed as if he wanted to memorize Chu Yang’s face to seek revenge later.

“Such a shame… I clearly aimed for the head,” Chu Yang muttered uneasily. His first battle against a demon had underestimated its speed.

The half-bodied boy demon stood on one leg, unwilling to fight the swordsman who looked as young as himself.

He understood that fighting desperately would only lead to death.

Without hesitation, he leapt onto the eaves, preparing to escape by scaling the temple walls.

A gust of wind blew.

The boy demon, haunted by the shadow of death, instinctively veered right—only to have the familiar massive broad sword swipe past his left shoulder.

A wet sound—another arm flew off.

Thud—the severed limb landed on the ground, pairing with the first.

This time, the boy didn’t scream. Like he’d been thrown into an ice cellar, he trembled wildly, his fear of death overwhelming the pain.

“Oh wow, quick reflexes! I swung off course again!” Chu Yang was surprised, gazing at the boy demon. His danger prediction rivaled Chu Yang’s own Observation Haki, managing to escape death twice.

“Could your Blood Demon Art be some kind of danger prediction?” Chu Yang asked coldly.

The boy’s heart skipped a beat. Chu Yang’s guess was correct—his Blood Demon Art indeed enhanced his instincts, allowing limited danger prediction.

The boy’s body was regenerating rapidly.

But he wasn’t sure if he could hold out until fully recovered. Across from him, the young swordsman’s massive blade was like a door panel, capable of cleaving him apart with ease.

Despite wielding such a heavy weapon, the boy was struck by the swordsman’s lightning-fast speed.