"Hahahahahahaha!"
Just like half a month ago, Shinjuro burst into laughter, but this time his laughter was less mocking and more hearty.
And Ryan, in Kanao's arms, also laughed; he was defeated but glorious.
Compared to last time, this time the Flame Pillar retreated twice, drew his blade, and even used a Breathing Technique to counter his attack; the situation was incomparable.
Although he was ultimately thrown away and caught by Kanao, Ryan didn't feel ashamed at all.
Shinjuro evidently felt the same way, and after his hearty laugh, he walked forward proactively.
"Haha, I admit your progress this time is truly astonishing. Did you have an epiphany?"
Ryan had just gotten out of Kanao's embrace and stood on the ground, about to organize his words to muddle through, when Shinjuro slapped him on the shoulder, making his whole body tingle.
Was this revenge?
After the small interlude, the master and disciple resumed their sparring, and Kanao cheered for her brother once more.
At the same time, in front of the Yan Ren Martial Hall.
Two beautiful figures slowly approached.
"Sister, isn't this just an ordinary martial hall? Why would the Flame Pillar come here?"
"It is said that Mr. Purgatory came to this martial hall to teach the Breathing Technique."
"I think he probably just wanted to clear his head."
"Oh my, let's go find the hall master here. We'll greet him on behalf of the Master and inquire about the Flame Pillar's recent situation."
"Uh, Master actually knows the hall master here?"
"Yes, this hall master once learned Flame Breathing and helped the Demon Slayer Corps a lot. Remember to be polite when you meet him later."
"I know, I'm not a child."
Thus, the Butterfly Sisters successfully met Henry Yanguang with their token.
Kanae first delivered greetings and financial compensation from the Demon Slayer Corps' Master. After some pleasantries, the three of them began discussing the Flame Pillar.
But truthfully, there wasn't much to talk about regarding Rengoku Shinjuro. If they had to talk, it would only be awkward small talk; they couldn't possibly discuss his daily drinking habits, and such a setting wasn't appropriate.
Henry Yanguang racked his brains, trying his best to describe Shinjuro's recent situation with subtle or neutral language, but his vocabulary was too limited, and he quickly ran out of things to say.
"…In short, that's the situation."
"Oh my, so that's how it is."
Kanae also knew the Flame Pillar's temperament, so she could only smile helplessly.
"…"
Shinobu, not good with words, simply sat to the side, acting like a block of wood.
In this way, the three of them successfully killed the conversation, followed by an awkward silence.
As the host and the elder, Henry Yanguang, seeing the atmosphere turn sour, desperately searched for a topic in his mind. After much deliberation, he finally found one.
"Oh, right, I'll tell you some interesting stories about the Flame Pillar and his disciple. That young man Ryan…"
Once Ryan was mentioned, the hall master's words flowed much more smoothly, with less formality and more sincerity.
After the topic change, the Butterfly Sisters also breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, they didn't have to talk about the Flame Pillar, and the atmosphere immediately lightened.
Listening to Ryan's interesting stories, Kanae smiled and nodded occasionally, even asking a few questions in between. Shinobu no longer wore a stiff expression, and her face became much more natural.
Half an hour later, both parties were pleased. After Kanae learned the Flame Pillar's residence, she and her sister rose to take their leave.
Next, the two would visit Rengoku Shinjuro to fulfill the Master's instructions.
On the way, Kanae looked at her sister's face and couldn't help but say, "Shinobu, don't frown so much. Be happy. How about we go shopping after we visit Mr. Purgatory?"
"Sister, I told you not to treat me like a child. I'm just thinking about something."
Shinobu puffed out her cheeks, her seriousness mixed with a touch of cuteness.
"Oh my, I'm sorry, Shinobu. Can you tell your sister what you're thinking about?"
"Sister, after hearing so many stories about the Flame Pillar's new disciple, do you think the Flame Pillar will change under his influence?"
"Hmm… I haven't met that young man named Ryan, so it's hard to say. But according to the hall master's description, I think Mr. Purgatory's drinking problem should improve."
Hearing this, Shinobu pouted and said, "How is that possible! Sister, you're thinking too optimistically. Maybe that disciple named Ryan has also picked up a drinking habit. In that case, we might see two drunkards fighting over alcohol later."
Kanae, however, didn't mind her sister's rebuttal and instead teased, "What, are you interested in that Ryan?"
"Of course not!"
Kanae showed a loving smile.
"Oh my, Shinobu is so cute!"
At the sight of that smile, Shinobu lost her temper. She simply ran forward.
"I can't stand you. We've reached our destination. I'll knock."
"Oh my, oh my…"
Inside the courtyard, Ryan and his master had sparred for several rounds, leaving behind shattered traces. At this moment, Kanao was helping to clean up while listening to Rengoku Shinjuro recount past demon-slaying missions.
Meanwhile, Ryan endured the post-battle soreness throughout his body while pouring wine for his master, creating a harmonious scene.
"Thump-thump-thump!"
The sudden knocking sound broke the harmony.
"Kanao, open the door. It must be Senjuro."
"Okay."
Kanao replied, put down her broom, and ran towards the gate with her short legs.
"Master, please continue. What exactly was that demon's Blood Demon Art, and how did you defeat him?"
"Hmph, I've lost interest. I'll tell you next time."
Ryan didn't mind and poured another cup for him.
"Alright, alright, next time. Master, please drink."
Shinjuro, observing this familiar scene, immediately guessed his good disciple's intentions and sneered, "Heh, it's that trick again. You just want to get me half-drunk and then make me tell stories, right?"
Ryan said with a cheeky smile, "How could that be? I just saw your cup was empty."
With that, he raised the full wine cup.
The question is, do you want to drink it or not?
As long as the other party's alcohol addiction remained, he wasn't afraid of his intentions being exposed.
"Hey! I'm not drinking now, get out of here!"
Looking at his good disciple's smug smile, Shinjuro felt a burst of annoyance, an annoyance that even temporarily overcame his alcohol addiction.
Ryan was surprised for a moment. Why the sudden change of heart? Something was fishy! He simply held the wine cup to the other's mouth.
"Master, this is freshly warmed fine wine. Drink it while it's hot; it loses some of its flavor when it cools."
Looking at the wine cup at his mouth, Shinjuro was in a dilemma. If it were anything else, even money, with his personality, he would have slapped it away long ago. But this was fine wine, and he couldn't bear to.
After a moment of struggle, he turned his face to the left.
"You, who don't drink, know nothing about flavor! Take it away! I'm quitting drinking today."
No matter how much he loved wine, he still had his pride.
Seeing Shinjuro's unusual demeanor, Ryan also became interested.