Why does the world show a health bar? !

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Traces



Here's the translation of the provided text, with all non-English words and letters removed:

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Kanae Kocho, aged 12, was a well-known beauty who helped her father manage a medical clinic called "Butterfly Mansion." She was kind-hearted and the type of person who absolutely disliked killing.

A Buddhist would call her a true practitioner.

If Li Mo hadn't realized who he was dealing with upon seeing her, he certainly did when he met her younger sister, the second daughter of the Butterfly family.

Shinobu Kocho, currently 9 years old, was a tomboy with short hair. She looked nothing like the mature older sister she would later become.

"Your eyes look really dangerous! I knew we shouldn't have taken you in!" Shinobu said sharply, noticing Li Mo's gaze.

She vaguely sensed a mischievous aura emanating from him.

The words of a 9-year-old held no real threat. Li Mo rubbed his hands, feeling the urge to pat the child's head.

"The hot water will be ready soon. Stop staring, and by the way, you do know how to bathe, right?"

"Miss Shinobu, I've been fighting wild beasts all night. Can't you be a little gentler with me?"

"Gentle? That's my sister's job, not mine! Besides, I'm not in the mood to be nice to someone who lies!"

"How did I lie?"

"If you were fighting a wild beast, why don't you have any blood on you? Is that axe of yours just for show? I think you were just running from a beast all night." Shinobu scoffed at Li Mo's explanation. At only 9 years old, she had already seen all kinds of people through her father's work. She was no stranger to boastful types who exaggerated minor incidents into grand tales.

Li Mo stroked his chin. Actually, when a demon's neck was cut, it would bleed. However, compared to humans, the bleeding was minimal. Moreover, a demon's blood would turn to ash upon contact with sunlight, just like its body. That's why there was only dust on him.

"Little Shinobu is so clever to notice that. You're right, I was just running from a beast all night. I was just bragging earlier. I'm scared of pain, you see. I thought holding the axe would scare it off, but it charged at me, and I had no choice but to run."

Li Mo spoke with a grin, his tone playful.

Shinobu said, "It's gross to be praised by you! The hot water's ready, and you know where the bathroom is! I'm going to help out front. You can carry the hot water yourself! Hmph!"

With that, the tomboyish little girl stormed off in a huff.

"Really, is it okay to leave a stranger like me alone in the kitchen?"

"It's fine, Mr. Li. You're a good person."

The speaker was Kanae Kocho, standing at the doorway with a gentle smile.

At 12 years old, Kanae was in the bloom of youth. Her simple clothes couldn't hide her charm. But upon closer inspection, her allure came from her demeanor—a gentle, water-like charm that was irresistibly attractive to men.

Li Mo wasn't inexperienced, so he didn't make a fool of himself. He scooped hot water from the pot into a bucket and carried it to the bathtub. He planned to take a bath soon.

"I don't think I'm a good person. At best, I just avoid causing trouble for others."

Kanae said, "Being able to do that already makes you a good person."

"Whether I'm a good person or not, I don't care. Miss Kanae, did you need something from me? If you need my help, I'll consider it. As long as it's not too much, I'll agree. After all, you've allowed me to stay here."

After arriving at the Butterfly Mansion, the clinic run by the Butterfly family, and exchanging a few words with them, Li Mo had successfully secured a place to stay.

That's why he was in the kitchen, having just helped Shinobu boil water. After finding a place to stay, the first thing he needed was a bath. He hadn't bathed in days.

Kanae said, "I do have a favor to ask."

She then explained her request. Her father, the man who had brought Li Mo back—let's call him Dr. Butterfly—wanted to go up the mountain to gather herbs. Kanae hoped Li Mo could help persuade her father not to go today, as many people had gone missing on the mountain recently.

"I hope you can help convince my father not to go up the mountain today. Many people have gone missing there recently," Kanae said with concern.

She knew that those who had disappeared had likely met a grim fate. But since no bodies had been found, there was still a sliver of hope, no matter how small.

"I think your father won't listen. He's the type who won't change his mind once he's made a decision."

"Yes, I know. But the mountain is too dangerous… I still hope you can help."

"I'll accompany your father up the mountain. I'm not too tired anyway," Li Mo said.

Li Mo had observed the mountain environment. The trees were dense, and sunlight was blocked by the leaves. Demons could move freely in such conditions.

Kanae looked surprised. She hadn't expected this turn of events.

She said, "No, no, you're a guest. How can I let you put yourself in danger?"

"Don't worry, I'm very fast when it comes to escaping danger. I'll bring your father back safely. I'm just worried you don't trust me. You heard my conversation with your sister earlier. Are you willing to trust a coward like me? If not, I'll still try to help persuade your father, but I can't guarantee success."

"—No, I believe you, Mr. Li. I believe you fought that beast," Kanae said. "I trust you. My father is in your hands."

Such trust… Li Mo didn't know how to respond to the girl's radiant smile.

Li Mo replied, "Alright."

...

...

After taking a hot bath, Li Mo followed Dr. Butterfly up the mountain. Tall and carrying a sharp axe, Li Mo looked quite intimidating. In Japan at the time, his stature made him stand out like a crane among chickens.

The herb-gathering process went smoothly. Dr. Butterfly seemed to know the mountain well, finding the herbs he needed without much trouble.

"Thank you for accompanying me. I've disturbed your rest," Dr. Butterfly said on their way back.

As the father of Shinobu and Kanae, the man exuded a scholarly air. From their earlier conversation, Li Mo learned that Dr. Butterfly had studied in Tokyo.

"It's no trouble. Safety is what matters," Li Mo said. "Dr. Butterfly, have you heard of 'demons'?"

"Demons like Shuten-doji?"

"No, man-eating demons."

"Man-eating demons?" Dr. Butterfly pondered for a moment, then said, "I think a swordsman asked about that recently. But a tall, blind man quickly changed the subject."

Li Mo asked, "A tall, blind man?"

"Yes, he was even taller than you. He said we should close our doors and windows at night and stay safe. Oh, and his tear glands were very active."

"Where are they now?"

"I think they went into the mountains. I'm not sure. The village chief received them. They gave me the impression that they were tracking something."

Li Mo said meaningfully, "I see."

Were they members of the Demon Slayer Corps?

That's what he thought.


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