Why does the world show a health bar? !

In early summer, the temperature rose to an almost unbearable level. Clothing was swapped for lighter, more breathable outfits.

The birth of Kamado Hanako had undoubtedly injected a fresh burst of vitality into the family. That said, even without the arrival of a new baby, the Kamado household was always filled with laughter and joy.

Time passed quickly. It had already been a month since Hanako's birth. The baby, who had initially seemed unremarkable, had gradually become incredibly adorable.

It seemed as though the entire Kamado household now revolved around this newborn.

Li Mo, as usual, was out chopping firewood. Compared to last year, his breathing had become more steady. The work no longer felt as difficult as it once had.

"That's enough for today."

He turned around, gathered the chopped wood, and carried it on his back, heading back toward the Kamado house.

It was hard to imagine that he had adapted to life in the Taisho era. He had spent such a long time in a world without modern conveniences.

—Unbelievable.

Thinking about his cracked phone screen, he realized he had been away from modern society for half a year.

Country life was nice, but that was based on the convenience of modern technology. True rural life was actually quite ordinary.

When he returned to the Kamado house, Tanjiro told him that Tanjuro was busy making charcoal. As Li Mo approached the work area, he saw Tanjuro's thin figure sitting there.

"You've worked hard today, Mo."

"We've all worked hard."

Li Mo sat down beside Tanjuro and said, "There's something I want to talk to you about today."

Tanjuro said, "You're leaving, aren't you?"

"Yes, I think it's time for me to go."

"Do you have a destination in mind?"

"I already have one."

"When you leave, say goodbye to Tanjiro and the others. They really like you."

"I will. Tanjuro, after I leave this time, I might need to borrow the Kamado family's identity as heirs. Is that okay?"

"You've always been one of us."

"Okay."

Conversations between Li Mo and Tanjuro were usually like this—simple and efficient. Once the serious matters were discussed, there was often a long silence.

Tanjuro wasn't a man of many words. This had led to Kie being the more talkative one, often scolding or instructing the children.

But in reality, Tanjuro understood people well. He always approached situations with a calm demeanor, offering fair advice. This was why, whenever he visited the village, people would ask him to help resolve disputes or judge whether a child had broken a vase.

After spending half a year together, it didn't surprise Li Mo that Tanjuro had seen through him. He could even boldly guess that Tanjuro had understood him from the very beginning.

But that wasn't the point anymore.

Li Mo's focus now was on Kamado Kie, who stood before him.

"What? You're leaving?"

When it came to his departure, the first person Li Mo told was Tanjuro, and the second was Kie. So, after leaving Tanjuro, Li Mo went to find Kie.

Her reaction to the news was one of shock.

"Kie, this was decided from the very beginning."

"Where are you planning to go? Do you have a destination in mind? You could stay here, you know. The charcoal business is doing well," Kie said, adjusting her emotions and lowering her voice.

Li Mo replied, "Mount Sagiri."

A long time ago, Li Mo had already decided on his destination. The conditions for the dungeon were likely related to demons and the Demon Slayer Corps. He wouldn't join the demons, so he would seek out the Demon Slayer Corps.

There was no better place than Mount Sagiri. The trainer who had taught Tanjiro was there, and it was also the only place Li Mo could remember.

Besides, Li Mo had other reasons for wanting to kill demons.

"That place... I remember you mentioned it a long time ago. I understand. When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

Kamado Kie nodded and fell silent.

That night, the atmosphere at the Kamado dinner table was slightly off. Tanjiro and Nezuko seemed to have noticed, but their childlike nature made it easy for them to get distracted.

...

The next day, Li Mo didn't leave without saying goodbye. He wouldn't do something like that.

Besides... Kie usually woke up earlier than him.

"Mo, here's your luggage."

Li Mo had originally planned to pack his belongings after waking up, but Kie had beaten him to it. After he woke up, Tanjiro called him over, and Kie had already packed his luggage for him.

Kie spoke nonstop: "First, the clothes you wore when you arrived are folded at the bottom. I've also packed two extra sets of clothes for you. Inside, there's some money. On top are some dried rations and things you'll need for your journey. It's not much, but when you're outside, you need to be careful..."

Li Mo listened quietly to Kie's instructions. Keep warm, don't go hungry, stay safe...

These kinds of words seemed to be the same in every era.

"I understand, Kie."

"Before you leave, say goodbye to Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Takeo."

"Okay."

The three older Kamado children had a good impression of him. Even at his age, he could still play with the children and have fun, which naturally endeared him to them.

As a result, when Li Mo announced that he was leaving and going on a long journey, the youngest, Takeo, tugged at his sleeve and said, "Uncle, can't you stay?"

"Sorry, Takeo," Li Mo said, patting the boy's head to comfort him.

"Uncle, will you come back?" Tanjiro asked.

Nezuko stood beside Tanjiro. The looks in their eyes showed that they were eager for an answer.

Had he become so important to the children?

Patting the heads of the three children, Li Mo said, "I'll come back."

Tanjiro and Takeo whispered to each other for a moment. Then, the youngest, Takeo, reluctantly let Li Mo go.

Finally, it was Kamado Tanjuro's turn. His words were simple.

"I'll walk you out."

"Okay."

After half a year, Li Mo was very familiar with the path leading out of the mountains. He had also asked for directions to Mount Sagiri.

When Tanjuro said he would walk Li Mo out, he meant it. Along the way, he spoke more than usual.

"Don't worry about the family. The money Kie packed for you—don't be surprised by the amount. It's what you earned from hunting during this time."

"I know."

He really had been seen through, but this feeling wasn't unpleasant.

Tanjuro spoke slowly and clearly. Later, his advice was quite different from Kie's. He shared some practical tips for traveling.

"Finally, take this axe with you. After half a year, you're used to holding it, right?"

"I've also packed something you might need. You can use it."

These were his final words of advice.

Li Mo looked at the axe in Tanjuro's hand. It was the same axe he had used to chop firewood all this time. In his spare time, he had even taken it deep into the mountains, returning with game.

He had mastered interspecies combat.

"I understand."

Li Mo took the axe and said seriously, "Tanjuro, when I come back next time, the story of the sun earrings can be told to others."

Tanjuro's eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled faintly.

He said, "Then I'll wait for that day."

"Safe travels, Mo."

Li Mo smiled and then left.

Don't look back, Li Mo. Don't look back.