Chapter 40

Moriki Mansion, which was a bit desolate on weekdays, became even more desolate after Chinana Rukawa went to Kyoto Prefecture to run the Moriki family's business half a month ago.

Especially after old man Moriki sent back all the servants responsible for boiling water and doing odd jobs, the deep Moriki Mansion looked more like a big coffin.

In the words of old man Moriki, he was actually used to living alone, and the mansion later was rejuvenated a little bit because of Chinana Rukawa, which was actually quite good.

However, looking at old man Moriki leaning on a cane, Shinichi felt a little uncomfortable in his heart, but the old man was very open-minded. Without servants, he personally cooked a pot of hot wisteria tea for Shinichi, and the two sat face to face on a small table, just like the scene when they first met.

Mr. Mori was still kneeling meticulously, and Shinichi was also sitting cross-legged casually.

"How was it? What did you experience on this trip? Tell me about it." Mr. Mori handed a cup of steaming wisteria tea to Shinichi.

Looking at the wisteria flowers floating in the teacup, Shinichi was a little absent-minded, then picked up the teacup and slowly told everything he had experienced in the past six months.

Starting from the first evil ghost Yinjian encountered in Terasi Village, he talked about the recent return to the Mori Mansion because of the slaying of the cow ghost and the breaking of the forest dragon.

"What a wonderful experience, Shinichi, I believe you must have learned a lot during this period of time? Do you still have the same hatred for evil ghosts as you did at the beginning?" Mr. Mori asked with a smile.

Shinichi thought for a moment and said calmly: "Yes, at the beginning, I did hold great hatred to kill all the evil spirits I met. I disdain to understand the experience of those evil spirits. Killing those evil spirits is just to enhance my own strength. The motivation for all this is my own hatred.

However, during this period of time, I have seen too many people who lost their loved ones because of evil spirits. I deeply understand their hatred. Gradually, I found that if it is really just compared to the hatred of evil spirits, many people's hatred is actually deeper than mine.

And those evil spirits, even if I deeply hate ghosts, sometimes I have to admit that some ghosts were indeed pitiful people when they were alive, and the darkness in some human hearts is more terrible than them. From then on, I also roughly understood that my obsession was too deep. I should not be bound by my hatred. What I want to become is the existence that can truly reduce or even eliminate all the roots of all this!"

After the words fell, there was silence. Old man Morimu held a cup of already cold wisteria tea and remained silent for a long time. The turbid eyes contained no longer relief, but a deep shock.

"I understand, Shinichi, you are very good. In addition, I can also feel that your forest breathing has improved. You have comprehended the sword form after the seventh form, right?" asked Mr. Mori with emotion.

Shinichi also nodded and admitted, "Yes, I have comprehended the eighth and ninth forms."

"Good!" Mr. Mori smiled excitedly. The forest breathing was not only passed down, but also revived again. This was definitely the best news for Mr. Mori. The biggest regret of his life was settled.

After saying this, Mr. Mori also mentioned the last thing to Shinichi, "Do you still have any grudges against the Demon Slayer Corps?"

"......"

Shinichi did not speak, but still shook his head. In the past six months, several contacts with the Demon Slayer Corps have already changed his views. He really couldn't hate those brave swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps because of the frictions in Shirai Mountain.

"Then, are you willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Shinichi suddenly raised his head and looked at Grandpa Mori. Seeing the serious expression on the old man's face, it didn't seem like he was joking. "Grandpa, are you serious?"

"The regret of the Mori family has always been that no one can truly inherit the breath of the forest. Therefore, no one of the Mori children from ancient times to the present can deserve the title of 'Mori Pillar', but you, Shinichi, you are the most promising person I have ever seen. So, just for the last wish of this old bone, Shinichi, are you willing to inherit the surname of Mori and become the real 'Mori Pillar'?"

Boom! Shinichi's heart was shaken. Surname? Since he came to this world, he has no surname. How can an orphan beggar have a surname? Shinichi himself has never considered this matter, but now...

Looking at the hope in the eyes of the aging Grandpa Mori, and thinking of everything he has experienced, in this world, Grandpa Mori is really the best person to him.

Shinichi actually knows very well that Grandpa MoriThere is a reason why he has become so old in just half a year. Half a year ago, in order to pass on the Breath of the Forest to Shinichi as much as possible, Mr. Moriki forced the Breath of the Forest to operate almost every day, overdrawing his vitality, and striving to show the most perfect Breath of the Forest to Shinichi.

Shinichi saw all this clearly. In fact, Shinichi always felt that there was an inexplicable bond that connected him with the Moriki family. In his mind, the demon ancestor of the Moriki family and his own blood demon art that was closely related to the Breath of the Forest, everything seemed to be destined.

After a moment, Shinichi made up his mind and raised his head, "Grandpa, I..."

"Ahhh!" The sudden cry of little Yuanji interrupted Shinichi's words. Turning his head, Yuanji, with his ears drooping, looked aggrieved. As expected, without Rukawa Chinana, no one paid attention to the cute little dog. No one cared when he was hungry. The poor little Shiba Inu missed the big sister Chinana who liked to hold him and spin around.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In just two days, Shinichi, who had just returned to Moriki's mansion, once again carried his luggage. Well, it can't be said to be carried. All the big bags of things were put into the silver mirror hanging around his waist.

The broken Mori Dragon was still on Shinichi's waist. The broken part was taken back by the old man. The old man said that this was a sign from the ancestors. After all, Mori Dragon was not Shinichi's sword. Shinichi should have his own sword. Now the broken Mori Dragon should indicate that Shinichi is a new starting point, so the broken Mori Dragon was left in Shinichi's hand as a symbol.

Hanging the obviously shorter Nichirin Sword on the belt buckle on his waist, Shinichi took Enji and said goodbye to the old man Moriki in front of the gate of Moriki's mansion.

"Old man, we are leaving. Take care of your own body. I will bring back the glory of the 'Mori Pillar'." After Shinichi walked a distance, he suddenly turned back and shouted in the direction of the old man Moriki.

The old man Moriki, who was leaning on a cane, smiled and waved his hand, "I believe in you, Shinichi, you will definitely become the 'Mori Pillar'."

With a new goal, Shinichi, oh no, it should be said that Moriki Shinichi, set out on the journey again.