Chapter Text
It's been a few days after the invasion happened, after Shen Qingqiu contracted Without A Cure while ironically, the cure to it was clinging to the man. Not that they would have approved of him taking the cure anyway- what was Shang Qinghua thinking? Making the cure be dual cultivation with a Heavenly Demon? Or at least have its bloodline.
(mu qingfang was privately thinking about shang qinghua's suggestion of just turning the corpse or a piece of a corpse of a heavenly demon into a pill to cure shen qingqiu. however not only was he unsure if it would actually work if he did that, he also did not know where to find the corpse of a heavenly demon, half or otherwise. all the heavenly demons he knows were alive. (still unsure about tianlang-jun's status, however getting to that corpse would have been hard anyway))
On Bai Zhan, the Liu siblings were sparring as Liu Qingge promised to help train Liu Mingyan to become stronger. Although Liu Mingyan was his sister, it was very clear he was not going to go easy on her- which left her panting on the ground, a far cry to the elegance one would expect from her as a disciple 'fairy' sister of Xian Shu. However, neither sibling cared at the moment, especially Liu Mingyan who took in her tired state and the bruises forming on her skin as a sign that she must grow stronger. That she was going to get stronger.
Just as Liu Qingge was about to order her to come at him again, Shen Yuan took their attention in the chat which had been silent during their spar as presumably Shang Qinghua was going to deal with his paperwork and Shen Yuan recuperating in his bamboo hut.
NotCured: There’s??? Anime??? In the B-points store???
ImSorryBro: theres huh
NotCured: Anime! In the b-points store!!
ImSorryBro: w h e r e?
NotCured: 4 Pages in, the first thing you see.
ImSorryBro: oh damn there IS anime :O
“What’s anime?” Liu Mingyuan questioned her brother, slightly breathless, her brother only shook his head. How would he know? He knows it’s been mentioned before, but like other things in the chat that were mentioned by the transmigrators, he didn’t know what they were. “Should we go to Mu-shishu and ask him? He might know?”
“Later, training first.” Liu Qingge gruffed, determined to make his sister stronger- he would make sure that she would beat whatever thing the System had in store for her! Not to mention have her beat Luo Binghe on her own if she had to, he intensely disliked the idea of his sister becoming lovers with the damned half-demon brat.
He would absolutely do it on his own, but Shen Qingqiu would no doubt fuss over it and call him names. Putting stress on his already unstable meridans, and complain. Yue Qingyan forbade him from beating the damned brat anyway.
ImSorryBro: i guess this exlains the stream feature- we could do a watch party if we waned!!
ImSorryBro: ooohh the animes demon slayer too!! i dont think ive watched that one yet
NotCured: Neither have I…
NotCured: I was supposed to though, with my sister.
NotCured: She wanted to watch it with me the next time she visited, it’s something we usually do. Watch anime together whenever we could when we visited each other.
ImSorryBro: oh…
Liu Qingge paused his stance, a grimace on his face while Liu Mingyuan covered her mouth slightly.
It was times like this that reminded Liu Qingge that Shen Yuan had not only died young, but had left behind a beloved family.
He couldn’t imagine leaving behind Liu Mingyuan in life via death, he couldn’t imagine breaking all the promises he made for her because of such separation- and he didn’t have to. Because it happened in the original world, the original story of Proud Immortal Demon Way.
It would not happen here though, that he was sure now. Thanks to Shen Yuan himself.
ImSorryBro: well, the animes p cheap for b points
ImSorryBro: wanna watch it together?? i got mor than enugh b points 4 it :)
NotCured: Really?
ImSorryBro: sure, i always heard good things about it, lets watch it bro!
NotCured: Right now? Don’t you have paperwork to do?
ImSorryBro: i can take a break!! lets do this dude!!!
NotCured: If you’re sure…
NotCured: Thanks, Qinghua.
ImSorryBro: np bro :))))
ImSorryBrohas bought Season 1 Anime ; Kimetsu No Yaiba!
ImSorryBrohas started a voice call!
ImSorryBrohas begun streaming!
NotCured has joined the voice call!
Both siblings jolted as their attention was suddenly pulled towards the ‘stream’ and accompanying 'voice call'. It seemed like a video was playing but—
【Darkness. Snow. Heavy Breathing. A young man, carrying an injured young woman.】
“What… what is this?” Liu Mingyuan questioned softly, having never seen the form of ‘video’ before- granted, she was new to the whole chat. But the videos that she had seen were at least grounded in reality, but this? This was different , like reality but not.
【 Why? Why did it end up like this?’ Strange music playing as the boy trudged through snow, fear and desperation clear on his face.】
“The girl’s injured.” Liu Qingge mused softly, not even feeling irritated by the training interruption at the moment. He’ll be honest, even he was awed and curious about this ‘anime’. Not to mention the title of ‘Demon Slayer’, it definitely caught his attention so it would be interesting at least.
Though they both noted, the boy spoke in a language they didn’t recognize, and only understood because of the words that flashed below on screen.
【The boy is begging the young girl not to die, promising to save her. “Your big brother will definitely save you, you hear?”】
Liu Mingyuan winced while Liu Qingge’s fist clenched. So they were siblings? Something awful must have happened to the poor boy’s sister. Potentially, to the boy’s family as well.
They exchanged a look before nodding, training was put on hold anyway. They might as well sit down and watch this ‘anime’ together.
SQQ: What an ominous start- did you pause the stream?
SQH: No? Hold on, let me check something... Ah! So the stream's on 'pause if voices are detected', so if we talk, it'll stop and we won't miss anything.
SQQ: Hm.
SQH: Want me to turn it off?
SQQ: No, keep it on, it's what my sister and I used to do anyway, pause the anime to talk to each other properly. At least we don't have to do it manually this time.
SQH: Cool! Okay now SHH! Let the anime play!
"I don't suppose it applies to us." Wei Qingwei drawled to Mu Qingfang who hummed in agreement, it only worked for those who were truly in the chat, or rather the 'voice call' that was going on right now.
They were currently within Wei Qingwei’s office, they had been discussing the fact that the System could apparently replace people so long as their bodies didn’t have their original souls and yet somehow it wouldn’t register at all with Hongjing.
Although Wei Qingwei’s sword was mostly known for its ability to sense malicious possessions and spirits, it should still have sensed Shen Yuan’s possession of Shen Qingqiu’s body, regardless that he was not a malicious entity or not. The fact that it couldn't was very concerning and it miffed the blacksmith to the point of actual frustration.
Their conversation was temporarily put to a halt when this ‘anime’ started, and the opening of the young boy with the injured sister was enough for their attention to stray from their original topic. The sight of the 'anime' was breathtaking, and Wei Qingwei wondered what it was- were they seeing another world? Was that something Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua's old world could do? Shang Qinghua had supposedly 'created' their world, was this another creation by someone else?
Shang Qinghua had wrote them into existence, then what was this? A view to another's story? Another world?
That type of thinking was going to give him a headache so Wei Qingwei shelved it for now, his attention going elsewhere, to this anime he and Mu Qingfang (and the others he presume) were now seeing. They could continue their original conversation afterwards, this was too interesting to ignore.
【The boy stands up, a basket full of charcoal on his back. “Tanjirou?” A female voice asked from off screen as the boy turned.】
“Is that his name? Tanjirou?” What a peculiar name, and a peculiar language. Mu Qingfang pondered, wondering what the name meant in this new language, and what the language was called.
They watched a woman who was supposedly the boy’s mother, call him over as his face was covered in soot. “They’re a poor family that mainly sells charcoal.” Wei Qingwei observed, noting the charcoal and what was obviously a furnace for making charcoal. There was no derision in his words, much to Mu Qingfang’s appreciation, Wei Qingwei never did care about others upbringings which was something to be admired for.
In the next few minutes, they learn that Tanjirou was the eldest among five other siblings with only their mother. Their father had passed away beforehand, and it seemed that Tanjirou was taking responsibility as the new patriarch of the house; and what a responsible young man he was! Mu Qingfang thought with a smile, happy for the family and how caring Tanjirou was towards them, he was even willing to work a bit more and sell more charcoal for their sake when he didn't have to.
It is a very heartwarming scene, seeing such a close family. They may not be as rich as others, but it was clear that they loved each other very much no matter what.
Which made the opening segment very worrying, Wei Qingwei thought to himself as Tanjirou was bade farewell and safe travels by his family.
【Tanjirou walks down the mountain while narrating. He ends his narration ominously. ‘And… when happiness meets its end, it always carries the smell of blood.’
SQH: MMM! Very ominous! The family is going to die aren't they?
SQHSQQ: Maybe, we don't know. We only saw Nezuko injured, we don't know the state of the rest of the family.
SQHSQH: Oh come on bro! We know this trope, protagonist suffers a life-changing, traumatic and horrible event; his family is going to die.
SQQ: Yeah but we don't know HOW yet- so shh!
Mu Qingfang grimaced, sharing a sad look with Wei Qingwei who merely sighed in return. Shang Qinghua was most likely right, a lot of stories and protagonists suffer through tragedies. Just look at their own resident 'protagonist' Luo Binghe, his mother died, he'd been bullied as a child merely for being poor and his bullying hadn't stopped until after Shen Yuan transmigrated as their martial brother Shen Qingqiu.
Most stories start with tragedy, Mu Qingfang can only hope that this one ended happily.
The stream shows a top down view of town, Wei Qingwei noticed the strange lines and tall poles holding those lines. He eyed them curiously, wondering what they were and why they were all over the place.
Mu Qingfang smiled once more as he sees villagers greet Tanjirou, one man even thanking him for fixing his door before and asking charcoal. A testament to just how often the boy went down the mountain, he was well-liked by the villagers and—
【A man attempts to flee from an open door, halted by a woman. He's bleeding from the mouth and crying, he notices Tanjirou and breaks free from the angry woman's grasp. "I'm being accused of breaking this plate! Help me out, will ya?" He pleads, presenting the broken pieces to the boy. "Give it a sniff!】
"Sniff?" The healer repeated, both he and Wei Qingwei watching with surprise as Tanjirou leaned in to sniff the plate. The boy looks surprised and looks at the woman, saying it smelled like a cat. To his surprise, the woman seemed to believe Tanjirou's words. "Enhanced sense of smell?" He murmured as the stream paused.
SQH: Is that his superpower in this anime? Being able to smell things?
SQQ: Considering he's a normal guy right now, it's actually impressive he can smell things like that and even tell them apart.
SQH: I guess, and it WOULD be useful in smelling out things like poison...
Shen Yuan had a point, considering that Tanjirou was just a normal mortal boy, his enhanced sense of smell was rather impressive. Wei Qingwei could only imagine how much better his sense of smell would be when he began cultivating.
【A man calls out to Tanjirou, asking help with the luggage he'd been carrying. The screen cuts to a darker environment, with Tanjirou walking down a snowy path.】
It was a bit jarring, to see the brighter lights and colors abruptly interrupted by a darker surrounding. Tanjirou had sold all of his charcoal and was about to head home when he was halted by a man whose house was right by the path. The boy tried to reassure him that he would be fine, secure in his sense of smell however the man was firm in telling him to come inside. He would let Tanjirou stay the night.
【Tanjirou was hesitant, "But..."
"Don't argue, get over here!" It cuts to the man's face, he looked serious and a bit afraid. "Before the demons show up."】
Both peak lords tensed at the mention of demons, wondering just what would happen should the demons show up. Wei Qingwei if demons were the same in that world compared to theirs.
Tanjirou acquiesces, giving in and coming inside. He eats the offered dinner the man makes, thanking him after eating. He asks the old man about demons and what they were like. The man says that demons have always been around, roaming the lands after dark as he lays out a spare bedding for Tanjirou on the ground. He tells Tanjirou to sleep if he's done eating, he could head out at dawn.
Tanjirou lays down, he continues asking about demons, wondering about them aloud. The man replies to him while smoking a pipe.
【 "Then, wouldn't everyone end up being eaten by demons?" A moment of silence. "That's why the demon hunters protect us by slaying demons. As they always have."】
Cultivators have also been called demon hunters before, there were some cultivators who prefer to be called that way as they made a living hunting demons. Wei Wingwei hummed lowly, watching how the man cuts the light and Tanjirou thinks to himself with his eyes close. The man, Saburo, as Tanjirou calls him, had always been alone ever since he lost his family. The boy thinks he was lonely and thinks of bringing his siblings to visit him and that it was fine.
There were no demons to be afraid of.
A small feeling of dread curls in Mu Qingfang's stomach just as he felt puzzled by Tanjirou's words.
Though, Tanjirou remembers that his grandmother used to say the same thing when she was alive.
"Does he not believe that demons exist?" Both peak lords shared their disbelief- demons were a fact of life! Everyone knew demons existed, even children knew that demons existed.
How could he not believe in demons?
The feeling of dread grows.
It's morning shortly afterwards. Saburo bids Tanjirou farewell and to be careful, the boy smiles and waves his goodbyes, heading back home. It's quiet during his walk back, with only the caws of birds in the distance and then Tanjirou's voice comes in once more.
【'Whenever happiness meets its end, it always carries...
Tanjirou pauses, sniffing the air with wide eyes. "The smell of blood!" He runs.】
Strange music, eerie and high-pitched sound along with Tanjirou's pants. Quiet at first.
But gradually getting louder as Tanjirou spots two bloodied bodies in front of his home.
It was Nezuko and Rokuta.
Mu Qingfang winced while Wei Qingwei curses.
SQH: I was right!!
SQQ: SHH!
【Tanjirou's scream was full of pain, he abandons his basket and runs towards the bodies. He's asking what happened, looking panicked and fearful. He turns his head to look into his home.
Blood covered the doors on the ground, Tanjirou steps inside, his voice weak. "Mom..." The scene cuts to behind him, the audience cannot see it properly, but it was clear that Tanjirou's home was splattered with blood. Tanjirou looked devastated. Only when Tanjirou fell to the floor, did everyone see the dead bodies of Tanjirou's family.
"Mom... Hanako... Takeo... Shigeru... Nezuko... Rokuta...!"】
A family of seven.
And only two survived.
And thus, they're back to the beginning; Tanjirou carrying Nezuko in the snow. The boy wonders, if it was a bear who couldn't hibernate that killed his family.
SQQ: I— You know what no, thinking into it, I take back what I was about to say.
SQH: Oh? What were you going to say bro?
SQQ: I was about to say he should've thought it was demons, but that's because we both know it was demons from meta standpoint. Regular people wouldn't assume demons right away, especially if they didn't really believe them in the first place. Of course he assumes it was a bear, because he believes and knows bears are real not demons.
SQH: Ohhh, yeah I get that. I get that.
"So he really did not believe demons were real." Mu Qingfang murmured with a frown, what a dangerous line of thinking. Why put your guard up against something you didn't believe was real? Or didn't even know exist? (like the system)
Wei Qingwei nods, though he had to wonder what 'meta' meant. Was it another words for an outsider's view?
The two transmigrators go silent once more to let the anime continue.
Mu Qingfang hoped that Tanjirou would be able to get his sister to town, to have a doctor look over her injuries. Wei Qingwei's brows furrowed slightly as he saw something change for a moment in the anime, Tanjirou- he looked the same but there was just, something fundamentally different during that moment Tanjirou climbed over a fallen log and nearly stumbled in place. It only happened for a moment, and the anime continued.
It warmed the healer's heart to see Tanjirou so determined to save his last living relative—
【Nezuko's head lifts, her eyes blank. Veins bulge on her face, fangs form in her mouth and she starts to growl.】
"What?!" Mu Qingfang gasps, gasping again when Nezuko's struggles causes Tanjirou to slip, leading to them falling off the cliff-side road.
Tanjirou lands in the snow and Wei Qingwei sweats slightly, "What happened? What happened to her?" Don't tell him...
【The boy sits up, looking for his sister and finds her standing ways away from him. "Nezuko, are you alright?" He sounds so concerned, but his sister is silent. "You don't have to walk! I'll carry you to town, okay? Nezuko!" As soon as he's close, Nezuko finally lifts her head. Showing slitted eyes, bulging veins and sharp teeth. She pounces.】
"She's turned into a monster!" Had whatever attacked, cursed her? Turned her into a monster after its carnage? Wei Qingwei thought to himself, thankfully Tanjirou had acted quickly, using the handle of his axe to fend off Nezuko's attempted bite.
SQH: Ah yikes! She's turned into a demon didn't she?
SQQ: Obviously, poor Tanjirou...
Both Peak Lords stiffened, a demon?
There were curses that turned humans into demons, but they were extremely rare and vile and one of the darkest arts of demonic cultivation. It was very hard to convert a human into an actual demon, but to see this young girl, the kind girl they'd only saw in a moment, be turned into a demon. That was- "Poor Tanjirou indeed." Wei Qingwei murmured.
SQQ: Well, this will be his motivation throughout the series then. Demons turned his sister into a demon, he kills demons.
SQH: Ah shit, are we going to have to watch him kill his sister? He's such a kind kid!
SQQ: He might have to, he's just a normal child. He either kills his sister or dies. Or- hm, maybe someone else intervenes?
SQH: Maybe!! Let's shush and watch!
【They fall unto the snow. 'Sh-she's... a demon!' He thinks, and thinks back to Saburo warning him about demons. Images of the past show, of Nezuko smiling, of baby Nezuko and little Tanjirou meeting for the first time. He denies that she's a demon, however... 'Her scent is no longer the same. But she couldn't be the killer!'】
Honestly, Mu Qingfang hadn't even thought of the possibility of Nezuko being the one to kill their family. But Tanjirou explains how it looked like she'd been trying to protect Rokuta and that there wasn't any blood on her mouth. "Observant. So it really was another demon who killed them instead, and then somehow turned her into a demon." Tanjirou confirms it, thinking firmly that there was one more scent at the scene.
【All of a sudden, Nezuko started to slowly grow, growing twice in size, towering over Tanjirou. Growing bigger, growing stronger.】
"He won't hold out at this rate." Mu Qingfang winced at his martial brother's truthful words.
SQH: Dude! You had no idea your family was being murdered, don't say you were just being carefree-
SQQ: Survivor's guilt, Airplane. Now shush!
【"Nezuko!" He cried out tearfully, straining against her strength. "Fight against it Nezuko! Don't give in! You gotta hang in there!" A flash of someone running. "Don't turn into a demon! You've got to stay strong! Hang in there! Hang in there!"】
"Someone's running towards them, thank goodness. Tanjirou might be sav—"
【Tears. The slits of her eyes disappear, and tears start to fall from Nezuko's face. A flash of a sword's hilt, multiple flashes of someone running. A boy, with blue eyes and a sword.】
Both Peak Lords were taken aback from the tears themselves, accompanied with the light, sad music- it hit them somehow.
At the flash of the sword's hilt, Wei Qingwei's sparked slightly. Had a cultivator finally arrived?
But what would happen to Nezuko, whose sanity seemed to have return?
【It's by a hair's breath that Tanjirou forced Nezuko to dodge, his own hair, cut from the sword's slash. Snow kicks up violently from the attack as the siblings roll from the dodge, Tanjirou hitting a tree with a pained thump. Nezuko shrinks to her original size.】
A stranger stands before the siblings, a cultivator- no, demon slayer? He's older than Tanjirou, with long hair, blue eyes and a uniform of black with an outer layer of red, green and yellow. His eyes seem lifeless, and his sword glints.
Immediately Wei Qingwei is drawn to the sword, the Peak Lord of Wan Jian is absolutely enamoured by it, having never seen such a sword before. Similar swords perhaps, but the sword in the 'anime' is something that his immediate interest as a blacksmith, as a swordsmith at heart.
"Who is he?" Mu Qingfang asks with Tanjirou.
"A demon slayer perhaps, more importantly, that blade." Wei Qingwei says with a creeping grin, the stream giving a close up to the man's blade. Such a beautiful blue tint, and though he could not understand the carving of letters, he knows that it is something powerful. Something worth carved into such a gorgeous blade.
SQQ: I have to ask, is every sword in PIDW based on Chinese saber swords? I'm struggling to recall if you've ever described like, a Japanese katana in your novel.
SQH: Well, considering it's a wuxia novel I'd say it's all Chinese saber swords? At least used by cultivators, and I DON'T THINK I made use of katanas in my novel? Didn't really think it'd fit, being honest...
SQQ: It IS a goddamn stallion novel, you're more interested in describing how unrealistically boobs bounce in place than someone's actual sword.
Any tension about the anime was drained at the reminder that their world was a, stallion novel as Shen Yuan just described it. It made Qian Cao's Peak Lord sigh while Wan Jian's laughed. Although he also noted the swords types they said, so the swords that he usually crafted and studied were based on 'Chinese Saber Swords' huh? And the sword in the anime must be a 'Japanese Katana'.
How interesting.
If there was one thing he was going to enjoy about this whole unfortunate predicament, was the information he could get that could possibly broaden his knowledge about swords.
SQH: It was for the sake of my living situation bro! Besides, how would YOU know how boobs realistically bounced?! I don't think you ever mentioned a girlfriend!!
SQQ: I didn't, but there's always porn you idiot! AND EVEN THEN! I don't think boobs, no matter WHAT SIZE, can bounce like fucking basketballs just from the force of someone's thrusts! Protagonist strength be damned! ONE CHAPTER HAD THEM BOUNCE RIGHT INTO THE WIFE'S FACE, HOW REALISTIC IS THAT YOU HACK?!
SQH: I mean, if she's upside down...?
SQQ: SHUT UP! THE WIFE WAS RIGHTSIDE UP- ACTUALLY NO!!! I'M NOT HAVING THIS DISCUSSION WITH YOU, LET'S WATCH THE DAMN ANIME.
SQH: You were the one to bring it up though.
SQQ: I SAID SHUT!
Thank goodness, Mu Qingfang thought with a heated face from second-hand embarrassment. Yes, get back to the anime, that was more important than their usual bickering about Shang Qinghua's writing of sex scenes of their world involving a future half-demon and this multiple, multiple, promiscuous wives.
For some reason, it felt even more embarrassing listening to their argument instead of reading it in the chat. (privately, he had to agree with shen yuan about the unrealistic factor of bouncing breasts that were supposedly large enough to reach a woman's face. the strength alone would have surely broken her hips, nay, her entire lower half! even as a cultivator! (maybe a demon???) but he kept that thought to himself.)
Wei Qingwei was choking down his laughter, the man couldn't tell if even half of his repressed laughter was out of genuine hilarity or hysterical disbelief. He was still getting used to the fact the chat existed and both his martial brothers were otherworlders and such, he was not used to them arguing about the realism of such intimacies. Their voices in his head was not helping as he couldn't help but imagine them arguing in real life- he might actually die from self-asphyxiation if that happened.
Thankfully the anime continues before he puts more thought in Shen Qingqiu's scowling face saying 'bouncing boobs' to Shang Qinghua.
【"Why are you protecting that thing?"
"She's my sister! She's my younger sister!" A moment of silence, before Nezuko starts growling and struggling once more. "Nezuko!" Tanjirou tries to hold on to her, stop her from struggling.
The slayer's face stays neutral, "You call that thing your sister?" It's not long before he rushes forward, Tanjirou gasps and ducks down with Nezuko, only to realize she's no longer in his arms. No, she's suddenly at the man's side, her hands bound in his grip behind her back.】
The previous tension seeps back in easily as the anime continues, "He's fast. And strong." Wei Qingwei notes, impressed on how fast the culti-the demon slayer managed to get Nezuko from Tanjirou and how he kept her still by his side. "Do you think he'll really kill her? It doesn't seem like he's interested in turning her back." Was it even possible to turn her back into a human?
Mu Qingfang bit his lip, "I do not know."
【"Nezuko-!" "Don't move. It's my job to slay demons, as such, I will behead your sister as well."】
Behead? Is that how they kill demons in that world? Beheading is usually a good way to kill something, or at least make sure it stayed dead. (though there were a very few rare creatures that could survive a beheading.)
【"Hold on!" Tanjirou pleads, "She hasn't killed anyone! Back at my house, there was another scent. One I had never smelled before! It probably belongs to the one who killed my family!"】
SQQ: They just met, I don't think he'd believe his words about the scent thing just yet. I wouldn't.
SQH: I mean, the guy's a demon slayer right? Maybe he would? You never know, someone who slays demons definitely has their quirks or like, powers or whatever. Plus they hunt actual demons! A guy with an enhanced sense of smell wouldn't be unbelievable in that trade.
SQQ: I guess you're right, still...
【"It's quite simple, her wounds were exposed to demon blood, so she turned into a demon. That's how the man-eating demons multiply.】
"Brother, have you ever heard of such a thing?" Liu Mingyan asked quietly, perturbed by the very thought of demons multiplying simply because their injuries were exposed to a demon's blood. In their world, demons multiplied like every other living existence, through procreation.
Thankfully, her brother shook his head with a grim face. "No, I've never heard of a human turning into a demon from something like that." And hopefully it would stay that way. Their world was already dangerous, and had demons that were already numerous without this despicable and frankly unnatural (even for demon standards, surely) way of creating more demons.
The very thought of those demons multiplying simply for sharing blood... It sends chills down his spine.
It's strange though, watching this 'anime' and know that Tanjirou had doubted the existence of demons. A fact of life in Liu Qingge's world, but a hushed yet still fearful existence in Tanjirou's. As far as Liu Qingge could tell, this 'anime' thing was another story brought to life, a view to a world somewhat like his own but so very different both in looks, in sound, and more.
He could compare this to watching a play, almost. But not nearly as engaging, then again, he was never the type to watch plays or even read stories. And even then, he naturally would have preferred something that involved battles and swords, he wanted action- he was the Bai Zhan War God after all.
【"Nezuko would never eat humans!】
This though? It captivated him for some reason.
Maybe it was the fact it was showing him of an older brother trying to save his sister, maybe it was because of how different it was to plays or stories that he knew of, maybe because it was something from both transmigrator's world, maybe it was because of the strange similar-sounding yet very different language he was hearing, or maybe it was because this anime, this story was called; Demon Slayer.
(he correctly assumed that 'kimestu no yaiba' was just the translation of it, remembering shang qinghua had called it so.)
Liu Mingyan watched Tanjirou insist that his sister would not harm him, the slayer didn't believe him and honestly, even as she saw the girl's tears earlier on; she probably wouldn't have believed Tanjirou either. The poor girl was thrashing in the slayer's grasp, growling, snarling- she was still dangerous. She was a demon now after all. But seeing Tanjirou plead for his sister's life, swearing to hunt down the one who slaughtered their family and turned her into a demon, he sounded so desperate—
【Please, don't take anyone else from me. Tanjirou bows low, getting onto his hands and knees in the snow, bowing lowly to the demon slayer. "I'm begging you. Please. Don't kill my little sister."】
Tears prickled slightly in her eyes, "He really cares for her."
Liu Qingge glanced at her and nodded, "Of course. She's his sister, and a good brother will always care for his siblings." They don't mention the fact he inches to sit closer to her. She takes comfort in his presence in the wake of Tanjirou's begging.
An uncomfortable thought comes to her head, would Liu Qingge do the same for her?
Would she?
It settles an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
She forgets it temporarily as the demon slayer shows gritted teeth-
【"Don't show your back to your enemies!"】
Tanjirou gasps in shock, but he's not the only one surprised. Liu Mingyan hadn't expected the slayer to react that way to Tanjirou's begging, she had expected him to stay emotionless, to kill Nezuko regardless of the boy's pleads. Her shock lessens into distaste when the slayer scolds Tanjirou for his pleading, calling his groveling pathetic, and saying that if it had been the least bit effective, his family wouldn't have ended up dead! "That's going too far! How else is he suppose to react?!" His family had died! His sister was to be executed by the slayer in front of him for being a demon! Liu Qingge said nothing, eyes narrowed and lips thin.
【"You're a weakling— a coward who folds at adversity! You'll cure your sister? Hunt down your enemy? Don't make me laugh! The weak have no rights or options! Their fate is to be crushed by the strong! The demons might know a way to cure your sister, but don't think that even a single demon will listen to your hopes and wishes!】
SQQ: Harsh, but he has a point though, I doubt that the demons would listen to his pleading. I don't think the demon that turned Nezuko and killed their family listened to any of their pleadings...
SQH: Mhm, mhm. Most demons really don't listen to beggings from things they consider weaker than themselves, those that do at either an outlier or a sadistic liar who plans to doublecross and use whoever is pleading for their own nefarious gains.
SQQ: Speaking from experience?
SQH: Hm? Yeah, but not from my King! He's an outlier! He listens to me- most of the time.
SQQ: Isn't he still using you anyway?
SQH: Well, yes, but he's kinder than most other demons!
SQQ: He beats you up, Qinghua.
SQH: Not lately! I haven't been beaten up by him in months! It's actually kind of concerning, but I'm not complaining! But trust me bro, compared to other demons I know? My King was- IS treating me much, much better.
Liu Qingge makes a face at the reminder that the An Ding Peak Lord was a treacherous spy for a Nothern Demon, it's always irritating to be reminded that however he knows that the weak lord had no other choice but to serve the demon in the first place as said by Mu Qingfang and Yue QIngyuan. The System had forced Shang Qinghua in that direction and kept the man shackled to the demon.
He's looking forward to meeting either the System or Mobei-Jun just so he can make them pay for what they've done.
Doesn't mean he still can't be annoyed by Shang Qinghua's betrayal, most of his annoyance though came from how the rat kept defending the demon and calling him 'My King'. The demon beat him up regularly! Threatened his life! And yet, he was still Shang Qinghua's favorite character! He doesn't understand Shang Qinghua, not one bit.
But traitor or not, creator or not, the man was his martial brother and they were supposed to take care of each other.
Liu Mingyan frowned at Shen Qingqiu's first words, but she would reluctantly concede that he and the slayer had a point. But did he have to be so harsh on the kind Tanjirou?
She also didn't understand Shang Qinghua that much, her martial uncle's relationship with the demon seemed so bad but she really couldn't help but notice the fact that the demon hasn't been beating Shang Qinghua up these last few months. She couldn't help but wonder, what changed?
Elsewhere, a certain ice demon was seriously contemplating what to gift his human. He has much to make up for after all.
The anime continues, and the slayer continues to berate Tanjirou's previous actions. Why throw himself on her when he had an axe? Why didn't he swing his axe? Why turn his back on the slayer?
【"All those blunders led to your sister's capture! I should've skewered her along with you!"】
"Don't you d—" She starts angrily but is interrupted by the slayer's inner thoughts.
【Don't cry. Don't despair. Now's not the time for that. I know you're devastated right now. Your family has been massacred, your sister turned into a demon, it must be painful. You probably want to scream. I get it. If I'd gotten here even half a day sooner, your family might still be alive right now. However, there's no way to turn back time. Feel the anger. The pure, unforgiving wrath will become your unwavering drive forward! With such a fragile resolve, protecting or curing your sister, let alone getting revenge will be impossible!】
The still unnamed slayer moved his sword- a katana, they remember- and stabs Nezuko. (elsewhere a certain swordsmith had greatly enjoyed the previous close up flashes on said katana.) Liu Qingge notices that the stab was light compared to what he really could have done, his sister though let out an angered shout alongside Tanjirou's panicked yell.
SQQ: Again, he's not really wrong. He's being an asshole, clearly, but assuming that he's been in a similar situation previously or even experienced it himself, he's trying to get Tanjirou to become- ugh, I don't want to say STRONGER per say. But he wants him to just, not bow to him and plead for his sister's life?
SQH: I'm getting what you mean bro, don't worry. He wants Tanjirou to feel resolved, maybe he saw something in him that wanted him to try that? 'Cause I don't think he'd be doing it to EVERY brother who lost their sister or sibling, or family.
SQQ: Yeah, could also be because Tanjirou is the main character here though but yeah.
SQH: He was still kind of a dick though.
SQQ: Mhm.
"Definitely kind of a dick." Liu Mingyan couldn't help but agree aloud, wincing slightly at the look she got from her brother.
He hadn't expected her to agree much less be crass about it! Though, for as elegant and primly Liu Mingyan was, he couldn't help but remember how boyish she acted when they were younger, covered in dirt and muck from playing outside and insisting on joining his training. There was a reason why he was shocked she joined the Xian Shu Peak instead of his own after all.
Their attention is swiftly taken back to the anime as Tanjirou throws a rock at the slayer, who defends from the throw with just the hilt of his blade. Strange music kicks in as the boy runs, Liu Qingge notes in just a brief moment of items in Tanjirou's hands as it quickly then shows the slayer standing there with Nezuko still in his grip.
【Tanjirou throws a rock as he passes a tree, something that the slayer easily dodges. The screen shifts to show Tanjirou seemingly about to swing his axe, yelling as he rushes towards the slayer. Time slows down and the slayer's thoughts sound to the audience. A straightforward attack driven solely by emotion. "You fool!" The slayer sneers before quickly slamming the hilt of his sword into Tanjirou's back. Knocking him down into the snow, unconscious. Nezuko seemed shock to see him that way.】
Liu Qingge wasn't very impressed with Tanjirou's rushed attack either, but he noticed it in time with the slayer. Hadn't the boy...
【Where's his axe? Just as he thought about it, he noticed the incoming axe, he looks shocked but he still dodges it with a tilt of his head. His eyes drift to the axe besides his head, Right before he hid behind the tree, he threw that rock at me, and, simultaneously, tossed the axe into the air. He his his hands as he pretended to attack so I wouldn't realize he was unarmed. He knew he couldn't beat me. He tried to take me down after I struck him! This kid...】
SQH: YEAHH! That's my boy! Go Tanjirou!!
SQQ: Haha, that was smart. Didn't work out for him, but it was smart.
Liu Qingge smirked, nodding in approval for Tanjirou's actions.
Liu Mingyan was briefly happy, smiling at Tanjirou's attempt against the slayer but frowned as Shen Yuan reminded her that it was unsuccessful. She hoped dearly, that both Nezuko and Tanjirou would be alright. It occurs to her for a moment, how strange it was that she was hoping for the well being of a demon- no. Nezuko had been human, once, and it was clear earlier on that she was somewhat coherent! She wasn't a mindless monster, she was- she was Tanjirou's sister!
Nezuko was human, and surely, she will be human again.
(doesn't change the fact she's hoping for a demon to live though.)
She gasps as Nezuko finally freed herself from the slayer's grasp. Kicking him away.
【Damn it! He thinks as Nezuko reaches out for Tanjirou. She's going to devour him!】
A fear sparks in the heart of many who are watching, but not all.
The spark dies though, as they watch alongside the slayer with widening eyes with Tanjirou's voice in their heads.
【Nezuko... Nezuko's different! Tanjirou's voice exclaims as the sister kneels in front of Tanjirou's unconscious body. Glaring and snarling harshly at the slayer. She'd never eat humans! 】
SQH: NEZUKOOO BABY GIRL YES! Prove that dick wrong!
Liu Mingyan cheered with Shang-shishu and, unknowingly, Ning Yingying. Liu Qingge snorted at that, but quietly let out a small, relieved sigh that he would never admit to.
【A long time ago, the slayer thinks to himself, someone once said the same thing only to be devoured by a demon. He steps back as Nezuko rushes forward, the screen shows the image of a newly turned demon devouring someone. When a demon is starving, it will consume even its own family. Because for them, humans are nutritious. I've seen it happen more times than I can count. This girl has been wounded, and she's expending energy to heal those injuries. The slayer is easily dodging Nezuko's attempted attacks. Her transformation must have also drained her greatly. That means she's undoubtedly severely starving right now. She must've wanted to feast on a human as soon as possible. Yet she protected him instead, even going so far as to threaten me...】
SQQ: Ah, well no wonder he didn't believe Tanjirou's words.
SQH: Yeah, looks like he DID witness this before- well, witness someone plead that their newly turned family member wouldn't eat humans. But I bet he's never witnessed a newly turned demon NOT eating humans! So hah!
SQQ: I have to wonder though, is Nezuko's ability to resist eating humans and her own natural instinct and starvation something inherit to her and or her family or is it just because she's the protagonist's sister?
SQH: Could be both for all we know.
Her cheers stopped the moment she saw the picture of the demon eating presumably their own family member. She felt somewhat nauseous, seeing the picture and hearing the slayer's thoughts about starving demons. She... hadn't really considered that. She thought the slayer's actions were very harsh, but it also it was very fair in retrospect. She knows demons were dangerous, she had grown with the teachings and warnings of her world where demons were abundant however she had become too quickly attached to Nezuko and Tanjirou.
Still, the fact that Nezuko was able to resist her starvation and was instead, protective of Tanjirou made her feel hope and washed the nausea away.
(the idea from earlier comes back again, she tries her best not to think about it too much.)
【 There might be... The slayer sheathes his sword. Something special about them. Time slows down as Nezuko closes in, however all it takes, is a chop to the throat to knock her unconscious.】
SQH: Nezuko survives! She gets to live!
SQQ: You too can be knocked unconscious by a single chop to the throat- I wonder how accurate that is compared to reality.
SQH: Which one? Our old one or the current? 'Cause I'm pretty sure here it's very possible to do, if a bit hard maybe since you'd have to aim well and stuff. Old one though? Eh, that's debatable.
It did take skill for one to knock another unconscious with a single throat chop, and a knowledge of just where to hit. Although, Liu Qingge doesn't think he's ever had to throat chop someone into unconscious before... (a small part of him wants to try it out now.)
(mu qingfang was thinking somewhat the same, as a healer, he knew just where to hit to knock people unconscious. although, throat chopping wasn't exactly something he would first think to do when knocking someone unconscious. you had to be very precise and careful because the throat was a fragile place to aim for. just the wrong type of pressure and you risk killing someone instead of temporarily knocking them down.)
Liu MIngyan grinned at the fact Nezuko would now get to live! Sure, she was a demon, but she was alive. And surely, Tanjirou would find a cure for her. There had to be one, right?
Once again, her smile slipped as she sees Tanjirou surrounded by his dead family in the darkness in the anime. It was jarring to see them again, especially since they were murdered so horribly just a few minutes earlier. (it's already been a few minutes hasn't it? yet it feel so much longer.) They all looked so concerned for him.
【 Kamado Kie, the mother, kneels down and hovers above her unconscious son's head. Forlorn and sad, "I'm sorry for leaving you behind, Tanjirou. Take care of Nezuko for me, all right?" Immediately, Tanjirou reaches out and grasps something. Tanjirou wakes up with tears in his eyes, hand clenched on a blue robe that covers his unconscious sister's body. A strange bamboo gag is tied around her face, covering her mouth.】
SQH: Awww, Mama Kamado...
SQQ: Rest in peace, Kamado family.
"Must have been his family's spirits visiting him before they leave for the afterlife." Liu Qingge murmured to himself, though his sister hears it and her hands clench. He notices her inching closer, to the point they're truly sitting side-by-side now, he says nothing. She says nothing as well as he reaches out and clasps his hand in hers.
It is a small comfort, for the two of siblings. They repeat Shen Yuan's words.
Rest in Peace, Kamado Family. You clearly would be missed.
Liu Qingge feels nothing but sympathy for Tanjirou, wincing slightly as he sees the close-up of Tanjirou's silently crying face, wide-eyed in disbelief. As an older brother, he too, is relieved to see that the boy's younger sister is still alive. He's conflicted as a cultivator though, even though Nezuko showed clear signs of resistance to her initial murderous instincts, she was still no doubt dangerous. Just how long will she be able to stave off her starvation? What would Tanjirou when that happens?
Nezuko was the only family he had left now, would he be able to kill her when she ends up eating someone?
(a horrible thought comes to his mind, and immediately he feels nauseous and tries to discard the thought.)
((would he be able to kill liu mingyan in the same scenarior as tanjirou?))
【"You awake?" It's the slayer, who leans against a tree. Overseeing the two siblings. Tanjirou immediately sits up, taking Nezuko in his arms protectively. The slayer continues. "Go see an old man named Urokodaki Sakonji who lives at the foot of Mt. Sagiri. Tell him that Tomioka Giyuu sent you." He finally reveals his name.】
SQH: We got the dick's name!
Tomioka Giyuu. The name of the Demon Slayer before them, who first attempted to slay Nezuko but changed his mind when it was clear she was different. Liu Mingyan didn't care that he changed his mind, she doesn't forget his harsh (if a bit fair) words and how he treated both siblings at first. It will take more than that for her to forgive him, no matter how handsome he is!
【"She seems to be alright since it's cloudy now, but make sure she's never exposed to the sun." With that, he disappears.】
SQH: Huh??? What's that mean? Is she like, a vampire now then? She can't be exposed to the sun or she burns? That's more vampire than demon to me.
SQQ: I'm going to guess that it's an essential weakness for demons- I mean, there's a reason why these demons are less known. They're weak to the sun, their movements to go anywhere are only limited to night. You could argue they can use umbrellas but you know how finicky those things are, it's still very risky.
Elsewhere, two certain demons thought of how stupid that weakness was. While the cultivators who watched lamented the opposite, wishing that demons had the same weakness in their world. Things might be a bit more easier for them, or so they think.
"Are there any demons weak to sunlight, brother?" Liu Mingyan asks curiously.
Liu Qingge shrugged, "I can't recall anything at the top of my head, but perhaps." You never know after all, especially with Shang Qinghua as the creator.
The mood lowers as it then shows Tanjirou and Nezuko back at their home, with five freshly dug graves at the side. "Ah." Liu Mingyan says quietly, feeling sad at the sight of Tanjirou kneeling in front of the graves. Nezuko standing behind him.
When they see Tanjirou with his dirty hands, pressed together in prayer. She can't help but do the same, praying for a smooth transition to the afterlife for Tanjirou's dead family and for both his and Nezuko's safe passing from here on forward. Seeing his sister pray, he follows after a moment of consideration.
(they are not the only ones to do so. only the transmigrators and demons do not pray, for differing reasons.)
【Tanjirou stands up. "Let's go." He walks, clasping Nezuko's clawed hand as they walk. Leaving behind their home, their dead family. He only looks back once before he and Nezuko run off into the woods. The screen blackens and the words "Episode 1 Cruelty" is all that's left. The silence doesn't last long, and a song starts to play along with visuals.】
The music was unexpected, there had been some music through the- the 'episode'? In varying forms, accenting the scene showed. But this? This was different. It showed different scenes that both siblings were confused about for a moment before they realized that perhaps, they showed bits and pieces of the future? It showed of Tanjirou training, of a man in an angry red mask with a long nose, and more and more other things. People they did not know of (did that boy have a boar head on? was he a demon as well??) in places they did not know. It showed Nezuko's brief time as a human and current form as a demon.
More importantly, it showed Tanjirou swinging with his sword covered in water. Something that Liu Qingge immediately watched with a keen eye, enraptured by the sight of the sworstyle. His opponents were demons of course. He was disappointed when it didn't show more of the sword technique that Tanjirou was doing, but he did observe the other characters- they even saw Tomioka Giyuu once more, darkened with a moon and several other people- no, other demon slayers behind him.
Soon enough, the blond boy and boar boy (demon???) was shown, with the blond's sword style seeming to be connected with lightning. It sparked interest in Liu Qingge who huffed at the quick glimpse of the future.
His sister was just as enraptured but she enjoyed the music more than he did. She gasped in awe at the sight of Tanjirou with a water dragon beside him, a sword technique that he was going to learn?
It ends quickly, and all that's left is a bunch of fast-moving text that scroll upwards. They don't understand it, but it doesn't matter as finally Shang Qinghua and Shen Qingqiu speak once more.
SQH: Ah!! I forgot how much I missed watching anime! Oh this is fantastic- I'm already hooked!
SQQ: It wasn't a bad first episode, it set things up for things to come. I'm looking forward to the rest- let's watch the second.
SQH: HOLD UP FIRST BRO! We gotta establish something- are we binging ALL the episodes all at once? Or just do like, a few episodes here and there- this is important. I kinda want to do just, a few episodes because I DO STILL have to do paperwork after this. As much as I'm enjoying myself, letting that paperwork pile up and shit isn't good.
SQQ: Hmm, how many episodes are there in season one?
SQH: Lemme check— about twenty-five episodes so yeah, DEFINITELY gonna cut this up into smaller pieces. We cannot binge the entire season today. Sorry bro.
SQQ: It's fine! I'd rather we watch a few episodes now and then watch again at a later date when you're a bit more free. I mean, we could also stop here and now if you're THAT busy with paperwork.
SQH: Mmm, NAH- well, kinda. I also don't wanna DO paperwork, you get me? Also it's been SO FUCKING LONG since I've watched anime- I GOTTA watch another episode dude!
SQQ: Fair, fair. Let's watch, hmm... Three? Four? More episodes? If that's okay with you?
SQH: Hmm, that'll be... almost a couple of hours worth of anime? I can handle that, yeah. Let's do this! Episode two, let's go!! ACTUALLY WAIT— lemme get some snacks for myself.
SQQ: Ooo, yes, same.
ImSorryBro has paused the stream!
Another episode? That had been- 23 minutes? Were all episodes about that time? So if they were going to watch more that would be...
"Brother." Liu Qingge blinked, his attempt at figuring how long this 'anime stream' was going to be was interrupted by his sister who looked uncomfortable but thoughtful. Her grip on his hand tight. "I..."
Dare she do it? Dare she ask? It's not a question she'd ever thought to ask but... Would she even want to know his answer? Her brother was not Tanjirou, yes, he could be kind when he wanted to but her brother was rather bullheaded and more prone to fights than the kinder boy in the anime. They were different people, so she shouldn't expect the same answer but... "If i was... If I were to ever end up like- like Nezuko somehow... what would..." She trailed off, looking even more uncomfortable and very unsure in finishing her question.
She doesn't have to though, because Liu Qingge immediately thinks back to that one thought he had earlier on. If he and his sister had been in Tanjirou and Nezuko's place, would he have done the same? He couldn't even find an immediate answer in himself, and that puts him at a loss.
His sister seems to notice and quickly, she waves it off with a cough. "Nevermind! It was- it was a rather inane question. You don't have to answer, brother. It's fine." Except it really wasn't, especially to Liu Qingge.
Before he could even try, the stream unpaused.
ImSorryBro unpaused the stream!
SQH: Alright, I got my snackies- melon seeds, I got some water. I'm ready to go!
SQQ: I was lucky that Binghe had made some afternoon snacks for me, he's such a kind boy!
SQH: Aw, that's nice! How's having the protagonist wait on you hand and foot bro? Enjoying his cooking?
SQQ: Ha. Ha. Ha. He's not waiting on me hand and foot! He's just very concerned, but yes. He's such a good cook!
SQH: Not gonna lie, bit jealous. I want someone to cook for me too... Oh well, on with the show!
Elsewhere, the chefs of a certain palace simultaneously have heart attacks when their ice demon lord suddenly appeared in their kitchen.