Chapter 24: Chapter 24: Chains of Sorrow
Here's the revised translation, with all non-English words replaced by their closest English equivalents and removed:
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"What did you and my sister talk about?"
Tonight was注定 (destined) to be restless. Shortly after seeing off Kanae Kocho, Li Mo received a second visitor.
Shinobu Kocho stood before him. The height difference forced Li Mo to look down at her.
"Your complexion looks terrible."
"None of your business! Just answer my question!" Shinobu bit her lower lip, speaking stubbornly.
This day was the darkest of her life.
Her parents had passed away one after the other, leaving only her and her sister相依为命 (relying on each other). Could there be anything more painful than this?
"Such a stubborn child. Why not try crying? It might make you feel better." Li Mo gently patted Shinobu's head.
Shinobu didn't push his hand away. Instead, she lowered her voice and said, "I just want to know the answer. So… Mr. Li, what did you and my sister talk about?"
"Really, Shinobu. Aren't you supposed to be strong?"
"If you keep talking, I'll cry right here." Shinobu threatened.
Li Mo raised his hands in a mock surrender, "I give up. You're such a difficult child. Fine, I'll tell you. Miss Kanae asked if I支持 (supported) her joining the Demon Slayer Corps."
"The Demon Slayer Corps? I want to join too."
"Shinobu, I don't think you should join the Demon Slayer Corps. You're too weak." Li Mo stated the残酷 (harsh) truth.
In the future, Shinobu would be the only Demon Slayer unable to decapitate demons because she lacked the strength.
She simply wasn't suited to be a Demon Slayer.
Shinobu asked, "Are you going to join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Yes."
"Then I'm joining too."
"Ah, this… Aren't you being too stubborn? Do I have to be blunt? Do you really want to hold others back?"
"The Demon Slayer Corps has a selection process. Once you become a member, it means I won't be holding anyone back. Besides, I don't think the only way to kill demons is with a Nichirin Blade. If they're living beings, that means they can be poisoned."
Li Mo said in surprise, "You even know that? Did you hear it from the 'Kakushi'? Seems like someone has a big mouth."
"So, do you支持 (support) me?"
"Since you've gone this far, it seems I have no choice but to支持 (support) you. After all, your legs are your own. If you run off to join the Demon Slayer Corps, there's nothing I can do. Really, you and your sister are the same. You've already made up your minds, so why bother asking for my opinion?" Li Mo showed a苦恼 (troubled) expression. These sisters, though one seemed gentle and the other暴躁 (fiery), were fundamentally the same. Once they decided on something, they wouldn't动摇 (waver).
Li Mo then smiled and gave Shinobu a thumbs-up, "But I'll try to kill all the demons before you become an official member."
"Did you say the same thing to my sister?"
"Yes?"
Then, Li Mo noticed Shinobu's expression darken further. Sigh, her expression had always been this unhappy, hadn't it? Was it because he kept teasing her that it was starting to backfire?
"About today… I want to thank you. Also, I know you mean well, but no matter how dangerous it is, I'm going to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
Just like you and my sister. She didn't say this out loud, only in her heart.
Shinobu spoke, her eyes lowering to the blood-stained bandages on the ground. The血腥 (bloody) and残酷 (cruel) scene had happened just a few hours ago. How could she forget?
She wanted to escape, but every time she thought of her parents lying in pools of blood, overwhelming悲伤 (sorrow) filled her heart.
—Why do demons have to exist in this world?
Every time she thought of this,悲伤 (sorrow) turned to怒火 (rage). She felt as if a明王像 (statue of a wrathful deity) resided within her.
So…
She wanted a world without demons.
"You really are a stubborn little brat. Fine, I won't bother with you anymore. I've made my stance clear." Li Mo said, "I'll try to make demons history before you become a member."
"Anyway, I think there's plenty of time. We can take it slow."
Shinobu felt a vein pop on her forehead, "Do you really think it'll take me that long to become a Demon Slayer?"
"Yes." Li Mo nodded sincerely.
Looking at Li Mo's innocent expression, Shinobu took a deep breath. This man, years older than her, always managed to step on her nerves.
Shinobu said, "I can't be bothered to argue with you. I have one last thing to say."
"About this afternoon's conversation. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have misunderstood you."
This afternoon, Li Mo had said he fought野兽 (wild beasts) in the mountains all night. She hadn't believed him, seeing only dirt and dust on him, but no blood. She had thought he was a吹牛大王 (braggart). Now, she realized she had been completely wrong.
He hadn't been fighting野兽 (wild beasts). He had been fighting demons.
Demons that turned to ash in sunlight, leaving no trace behind.
"It's fine. I'm not angry."
"I still want to apologize. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Okay, that's it. I'm leaving before you make me mad again!"
Shinobu left.
But before she did, she said, "Also, I'll allow you, like my sister, to call me Shinobu."
With those words, she left for good.
Li Mo stroked his chin and smiled.
...
Later, Shinobu went to take a bath. The warm water enveloped her body, calming her down. When she came out, she saw her sister standing at the door.
Kanae Kocho, wearing a bathrobe, said, "Shinobu, will you sleep with me tonight? How about it?"
Shinobu followed her sister, replying, "Okay."
"Shinobu, you'll have to take care of me tonight. I might have nightmares."
Shinobu looked at the smile on her sister's face. How could she still joke at a time like this? Sister, what are you thinking?
Then, Shinobu felt a light flick on her forehead.
"Shinobu, people always need to look forward. For now, let's try to smile more. I think Father and Mother wouldn't want to see us crying."
"Okay."
"Shinobu, don't be so冷淡 (cold). Did I say something wrong?"
As they chatted, the two sisters entered the bedroom. After arranging the bedding for two, they climbed into bed together. It was already very late. Under normal circumstances, the two would have been asleep for hours.
But there was one more step before真正的睡眠 (real sleep).
—The whisper session.
"Shinobu, are the Demon Slayer Corps members all settled?"
"Yes, they've all gone to bed."
"Thanks to them, the main hall was cleaned up so quickly."
In the darkness, Kanae spoke.
After Gyomei Himejima arrived, the "Kakushi" helped收敛 (collect) their parents' bodies temporarily, allowing the sisters to handle the funeral arrangements later.
Shinobu asked, "Sister, I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"I know, Shinobu. We'll join the Demon Slayer Corps together and save others like us."
"Okay."
In the darkness, the two sisters shared their plans for the future. Joining the Demon Slayer Corps, learning how to kill demons, and then eliminating them.
Demons that eat humans are pitiful. But they are also憎恶 (hated). Their existence only perpetuates pain and sorrow. Kanae didn't like that.
The chain of sorrow needs someone to break it.
Right now, she couldn't do it. Because she herself was entangled in that chain of sorrow. But in the distant future, that chain would be broken.
Until then, those bound by the chain could only bury their sorrow and pain deep in their hearts.
Soft sobs emerged in the dark bedroom. Who cried first?
Kanae? Or Shinobu?
Neither of them knew who let out the first cry.