Simultaneous time travel: But our system is out of sync!

Chapter 23 Urokodaki Sakonji

"oh!"

"When did you find me?"

As soon as Lin Bei finished speaking, a person wearing a tengu mask emerged from the darkness.

He made no attempt to hide the curiosity in his tone.

Lin Bei turned around and looked at the strongest water pillar in the Demon Slayer world in the past, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"You must be Urokodaki Sakonji, the one Giyu Tomioka mentioned!"

"The incumbent water pillar, the strongest water pillar in history."

"As for how I discovered you."

"I spotted you the moment the demon first attacked us."

"However, I must say your methods of concealment are indeed very clever."

"If it weren't for that momentary leak of your aura, I would never have noticed that such a powerful swordsman like you was hiding so close to me."

"And if I'm not mistaken, you already spotted us when we were climbing the mountain, and you were already waiting here!"

"The reason you didn't show up immediately was probably to test our mettle with this evil spirit!"

Upon hearing Lin Bei's words, a look of surprise appeared in Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes.

He hadn't expected the young man in front of him to be so quick-witted, guessing his plan in an instant.

However, as the previous Water Pillar, he also had his own pride. Although it was a bit undignified for the younger generation to guess his thoughts, he did not lie or deny it because of this.

"That's right, you're right."

"I am Urokodaki Sakonji."

"Just like you said, the reason I didn't show up immediately was to see your qualifications."

"Is it as Giyu Tomioka said in his letter?"

"After all, I don't just accept any Tom, Dick, or Harry."

"If you can't even get past this hurdle, you should go back to where you came from."

"Don't even think about becoming a Demon Slayer. Even if you manage to join, you'll just be serving food to the demons."

However, upon hearing Urokodaki Sakonji's almost insulting words, Lin Bei merely raised the corner of his mouth and spoke calmly.

"As expected of Giyu Tomioka's teacher."

"His personality and way of speaking are very much like yours."

"In other words, just like Giyu Tomioka isn't disliked by the other Pillars."

"I'm sure you won't be disliked by the other Pillars in your cohort either!"

Lin Bei had just finished speaking when a "snap" was heard.

A piece of stone pillar where Urokodaki Sakonji was standing was abruptly missing, as if it had been suddenly and forcefully erased.

With his excellent eyesight, Lin Bei immediately noticed the traces of stone powder on Urokodaki Sakonji's hands.

Lin Bei immediately guessed that Urokodaki Sakonji, the previous Water Pillar, had been completely overwhelmed by his words.

Just like Giyu Tomioka back then, they truly are worthy of being master and disciple.

Unlike the subtle, veiled barbs in the language used by Hayashi Kita and Urokodaki Sakonji.

Upon hearing that Urokodaki Sakonji was already there, Tanjiro, who had recovered, recalled the scene he had witnessed when he entered the room and angrily demanded an explanation.

"Since you were already here, why didn't you save them?"

"Let them be killed by ghosts."

"They had just died when we arrived; you definitely had a chance to save them."

Upon hearing Tanjiro's question, the arena fell silent.

Urokodaki Sakonji looked at Tanjiro, at the boy who was furious because he couldn't save the lives that had been lost.

His voice was cold yet full of reality.

"it's useless."

"These people had already been arrested before I arrived here."

"They suffered terribly and were filled with fear."

"Even if we manage to save them, it will only mean that they will live in pain and fear for the rest of their lives."

"It would be better to die now and return to heaven sooner."

However, Tanjiro could not agree with Urokodaki Sakon's words.

Just like he wouldn't give up on the beans.

He would not give up on any life that could be saved.

So he glared at Urokodaki Sakonji and roared.

"How come it's useless now!"

"What do you even value your life for?!"

"No life should be given up lightly."

"As long as you're alive, there are endless possibilities."

"They are worth saving."

Upon hearing Tanjiro's words, Urokodaki Sakonji was startled.

He seemed to see another person in Tanjiro.

A person who is equally optimistic and hopeful.

But that person had already died at the hands of evil spirits.

When did I become so numb?

When one’s disciples die one after another?

Or even earlier, when he was serving as the Water Pillar and discovered that evil spirits could never be completely eradicated?

Then he suddenly laughed, a laugh that contained both appreciation and reminiscence.

"Hahaha……"

"As expected of the person that kid Giyu Tomioka has taken a liking to."

"So confident and energetic."

"I really am getting old!"

"They've even become lax in something as simple as saving lives from demons."

"If Sabito were still alive, he would definitely be cursing me like you."

"And you two will definitely become very good friends!"

Tanjiro's composure faltered upon hearing Urokodaki Sakonji's words.

He thought that someone like Urokodaki Sakonji, who was indifferent to life, would not agree with what he had just said.

Unexpectedly, he not only admitted it but also praised him.

This made Tanjiro feel as if he had used all his strength but punched a cotton ball.

I don't know whether to continue or give up.

Seeing Urokodaki Sakonji's appreciation for Tanjiro and Tanjiro's predicament, Lin Bei took the initiative to step forward and speak.

"In that case, what do you think of us?"

"Did I pass your test?"

Upon hearing Lin Bei's words, Urokodaki Sakonji turned his gaze to Lin Bei.

His brows were furrowed.

Unlike Tanjiro, he couldn't see through the young man in front of him at all.

Despite being quite young, she seemed to have a profound understanding of the world.

Especially those eyes—eyes that sent chills down his spine.

It was a gaze that terrified him even more than that of a demon.

What those eyes revealed was a cold indifference that treated everything the same.

It's like the merciless heaven and earth.

In the eyes of heaven and earth, whether it is a person, a ghost, or a flower, grass, or tree, they are all the same.

This is what Urokodaki Sakonji saw in Rinhoku's eyes.

The only difference between Lin Bei and the heavens and earth is that Lin Bei still sees Tanjiro and Nezuko.

As for Lin Bei asking them whether they had passed the test...

Urokodaki Sakonji actually already had the answer.

When he witnessed Tanjiro's first attack, he was amazed by Tanjiro's powerful strength and decisive attack.

In his mind, there was only one person who, at the same age, possessed the same power as Tanjiro.

The true monster and anomaly within that pillar could overwhelm a group of monsters among the pillars who possessed breathing techniques with its overwhelming power.

As for Lin Bei, who made his move later, he was just an ordinary person in his eyes as long as he didn't make a move, but once he did, it was like a thunderbolt, instantly unleashing unparalleled power. He was no longer someone that Lin Bei could evaluate or control.

Perhaps only my lord can tame such a powerful person!

However, before that, he still needed to do his best to polish these two people.

So he spoke.

"You two have completely passed my test."

"You are qualified to be my student."

"Come with me up the mountain now."

"After a good night's rest, we'll start formal training tomorrow."

"Until I believe you can pass the Demon Slayer Corps trial."

"You are now ready to graduate."

After saying that, he turned and walked up the mountain.

However, just as Urokodaki Sakonji took his first step,

Lin Bei suddenly stepped in front of him and blocked his way.

"Wait a moment!"