36: Persuade to join the department

Shinazugawa Sanemi's words caused the atmosphere in the courtyard to shift abruptly. "So you're the official representative? I didn't expect the helper promised by the Department to be you." The hostility in his tone clearly diminished, but his scrutinizing gaze remained sharp. The other Hashira also showed looks of realization—if he was someone sent by the Department, his extraordinary methods made sense.

Lin Luo, however, gently shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Shinazugawa, you misunderstand. I am not an official staff member of the Special Affairs Management Department, much less an official representative."

This answer caught everyone off guard.

"Then the power you used just now..." Uzui Tengen couldn't help but press further, the kunai in his hand ceasing its rotation.

"This isn't some special government method. Anyone can obtain it through cultivation."

Lin Luo spoke these words nonchalantly, yet they stirred even deeper waves in the hearts of the Hashira than before.

"Anyone?" Shinazugawa Sanemi questioned almost immediately, his voice sharp with disbelief. If this power truly could be obtained through cultivation, what would that mean for the Demon Slayer Corps?

Lin Luo nodded slightly. "Theoretically, yes. However..." He shifted his tone, "Cultivation requires talent, and more importantly, a suitable Cultivation Technique. The Legacy held by the Department Headquarters is indeed more systematic, but at its source, these powers already exist within Heaven and Earth, waiting to be recognized and utilized."

He casually plucked a leaf from the nearby wisteria trellis and rolled it between his fingers. "It's like your Breathing Techniques. In essence, they are also a way of utilizing a certain type of energy; it's just a different path."

This analogy caused Tomioka Giyu's eyes to flicker slightly. As the Water Hashira, he understood the essence of Breathing Techniques better than anyone.

"You mean," Himejima Gyomei said, facing Lin Luo as tears continued to stream down his face, "this method of cultivation has commonalities with Breathing Techniques?"

"All methods share the same source." Lin Luo gently released the leaf, letting it swirl and fall. "Breathing Techniques strengthen the Physical Body and stimulate potential; cultivation methods draw Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into the body to temper the Divine Soul. Ultimately, both are about elevating the level of life, just with different focuses."

Uzui Tengen's question cast the courtyard into a delicate silence.

"So, if we wanted to learn, would you teach us?"

The gazes of all the Hashira focused on Lin Luo; even the usually indifferent Tomioka Giyu subconsciously held his breath.

Lin Luo's gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally settling on Uzui Tengen. A meaningful arc curled his lips. "Secrets are not shared lightly; the method I cultivate has never been taught to outsiders."

This statement caused various expressions to appear. Shinazugawa Sanemi's brow furrowed, and the smile on Uzui Tengen's face dimmed slightly.

But Lin Luo shifted his tone again, becoming formal. "However, if you all are willing to join the Special Affairs Management Department, there is indeed a chance to come into contact with these Legacies."

This turn of events left the Hashira looking at one another in surprise.

"Join the Department?" Himejima Gyomei pressed his palms together, tears still falling. "Amitabha... Does the benefactor mean for us to abandon the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"Not at all." Lin Luo shook his head, then showed a hint of confusion. "The Department and the Demon Slayer Corps are not in opposition. In fact, I don't understand why you don't choose to join the Department instead of obtaining help through this cooperative arrangement."

He looked around at the Hashira, his tone sincere. "If you officially join, you can not only obtain a more complete cultivation Legacy but also mobilize the Department's massive resource network. By comparison, this current limited cooperation is not the optimal choice for either side."

Himejima Gyomei's prayer beads slowly turned between his fingers. "Amitabha... The benefactor may not know. The Demon Slayer Corps has a thousand-year Legacy and has always acted independently. If we merged into the Department, I fear..."

"You would lose your autonomy?" Lin Luo finished for him, then gently shook his head. "The Department never forcibly interferes in the internal affairs of partner organizations. Moreover—"

"According to what your Master said, the Demon Slayer Corps has suffered heavy casualties in recent years, and the Hashira-level swordsmen are replaced frequently. Relying solely on the Demon Slayer Corps itself, I'm afraid it will be difficult to completely resolve Kibutsuji Muzan."

His voice was calm, but every word carried immense weight. Shinazugawa Sanemi's fist subconsciously tightened, and Tomioka Giyu's lips pressed into a straight line—they all thought of their fallen comrades.

"Your numbers are few, yet demons are everywhere." Lin Luo continued, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces. "My encounter won't be an isolated case; a single demon has already caused dozens of deaths."

He took a step forward, his voice carrying a heavy power. "Once a calamity breaks out, that kind of scene isn't something you'd want to see, right? A single Upper Rank Demon could slaughter an entire town. If Muzan himself acts, or if multiple Upper Ranks cause chaos simultaneously..."

He didn't finish, but everyone present understood the unspoken picture. Kochou Kanae gently closed her eyes, seemingly unable to bear imagining such a tragedy.

"Every generation of our Hashira has followed one after another." Himejima Gyomei's voice carried a sob. "But... as the benefactor says, the casualties caused by demons far exceed the range we can protect."

Lin Luo's words echoed in the courtyard with unquestionable weight.

"Actively integrating into this world won't be a bad thing for you. Discarding old ways of thinking, the Special Affairs Management Department might be a better home for the Demon Slayer Corps, rather than blindly pinning hopes on individual heroism."

He looked into the eyes of every Hashira, his tone calm yet firm. "I have a clear understanding of myself; my strength won't increase significantly in a short time. After fighting Akaza and observing your performances—I'm not targeting you specifically, but the truth is, you are not yet enough to contend with an Upper Rank Demon."

This blunt, almost cruel evaluation caused the air to freeze instantly.

Shinazugawa Sanemi's knuckles turned white from gripping, and the veins on his forehead bulged, yet he rarely didn't immediately retort. As someone who had fought an Upper Rank Demon, he knew that desperate gap in strength better than anyone.

Uzui Tengen dropped all his flamboyant posturing, the kunai coming to a standstill at his fingertips. He recalled the move Lin Luo had shown earlier—that was indeed a Realm that couldn't be reached by relying on individual bravery alone.

Himejima Gyomei's tears fell silently, and his prayer beads made a faint clinking sound in his trembling hands. This eldest Hashira understood the painful price the Demon Slayer Corps had paid over a thousand years better than anyone.

"You're right."

Tomioka Giyu suddenly spoke, his voice low but clear. Amidst the surprised gazes of all the Hashira, he continued, "We are indeed not strong enough. Last time we fought an Upper Rank Demon, if it weren't for..."

He didn't finish, but everyone understood the unspoken end. The chasm in strength between a Hashira-level swordsman and an Upper Rank was a bloody reality.

Kochou Kanae sighed softly, her gentle voice carrying a weight. "Every one of us knows this fact. It's just..."

"Just unwilling to admit it?" Lin Luo took over her words, his tone softening slightly. "Admitting your shortcomings isn't cowardice. On the contrary, it's exactly the first step to becoming stronger."

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "The Department is an organization established by the Dragon Kingdom to manage anomalies; it is a Pillar of the State."

He paused intentionally to let the words 'Pillar of the State' sink deep into everyone's hearts. "What it can provide you is not a replacement, but a supplement. Systematic training methods, a complete support System, and an advanced intelligence network—all of these can help you gain greater power while maintaining your own Legacy."

Just then, Ubuyashiki Kagaya slowly approached, supported by his wife. His gentle yet firm voice rang out, "Mr. Lin Luo is right." The Hashira all bowed as they saw the resolute expression on their Master's pale face. "For a thousand years, our Ubuyashiki Clan has led the Demon Slayer Corps to fight Muzan alone. But now, perhaps it is time to make a change."

Ubuyashiki Kagaya's words echoed in the courtyard, but only he knew the mental journey behind this statement. In fact, he was the one who had most opposed being absorbed by the Department at first. As the head of the Ubuyashiki Clan that had led the Demon Slayer Corps for centuries, he valued the organization's independence more than anyone.

It wasn't until his private conversation with Lin Luo that he truly understood the gravity of the situation. Ubuyashiki Kagaya's fingertips felt slightly cold; the scene of his closed-door talk with Lin Luo just now was still vivid in his mind.

He had originally thought this young man with a unique aura would be the key to breaking the deadlock, and even secretly hoped to gain more room for maneuver through personal friendship. But Lin Luo's response completely shattered his illusions.

"Mr. Ubuyashiki, pinning your hopes on me personally is a bit unfair."

Lin Luo had spoken with a calm expression, even showing a bit of helplessness. "My abilities are indeed limited. I struggled against Upper Rank Three, let alone their master. Why would you rather ask a Cultivator for help than rely on the power of an entire nation?"

These words were like ice water poured over his head, making Ubuyashiki Kagaya instantly sober. He remembered the depth shown by the Department representative during the previous visit—those seemingly ordinary office workers, the information network and resource dispatching capabilities revealed in their conversation, were far beyond what the Demon Slayer Corps could match. The cooperation framework they proposed back then had indeed given plenty of respect.

"The reason the Department remains restrained," Lin Luo continued, "is out of recognition for the Demon Slayer Corps' contributions over the millennium. But if the demon calamity continues to expand..." The unspoken words were understood by both. When a private organization is unable to control the situation, the way national power intervenes would not be so gentle.

Standing in the courtyard now, Ubuyashiki Kagaya looked at the concerned gazes of the Hashira and finally made up his mind. He coughed lightly, his voice weak but reaching everyone. "Everyone, I have decided to accept the Department's proposal for full cooperation."

Under everyone's surprised gazes, he continued, "This is not a compromise, but to better end this thousand-year war. From this day forward, the Demon Slayer Corps will serve as a collaborative unit of the Special Affairs Management Department, sharing intelligence resources and receiving technical support."

Himejima Gyomei's hand turning the prayer beads paused slightly. "Master, this means..."

"This means we finally don't have to fight this battle alone."