[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong-":3,"chapter-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-101":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Pillar in Demon Slayer Is Extremely Strong but Overly Cautious",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336027,4566,"Chapter 101: The Return of Empress Zero","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-101",101,"\u003Cp>One month later…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey hey hey! Kanae, Miku, calm down! This has to be mutual—I won’t accept any coercion!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero was slowly backed toward the bed by Kanae and Miku inside the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no escape left, he collapsed backward onto the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miku and Kanae both extended their “evil” hands, pouncing on Zero and clinging to him on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my~ I’ve long wished to meet the legendary Empress Zero—could you please grant me this one favor? My~ dear~ husband~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae cooed like a doting woman, her voice soft and intoxicating, impossible to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, I really want to see too—please, just this once, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miku gazed at Zero with innocent, pure eyes, looking so pitiful he wanted to bite her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… no way! I’m a man of principle!” Zero firmly resisted—he would never agree to either of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it happened once, it would happen again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it happened twice, it would happen a third, fourth, even fifth time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if they both became addicted? Then he’d be the one suffering!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he absolutely refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, Miku made a bold move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rose and sat beside Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She undid the ribbon holding her braided ponytail at the back of her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long pink hair cascaded down like a wavy waterfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making her appear even more adorable and enchanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she unbuttoned her blouse…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That deep abyss stared unblinkingly at Zero, and Miku said: “Zero, if you don’t agree, I… I… I’ll eat you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had the words left her lips than her face flushed crimson with blush—she was shy, yet her gaze remained resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this could be done anytime—she wouldn’t regret doing it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, giving herself to the man she loved most—Miku felt nothing wrong with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again… again…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once more pinned by that primordial abyss, he felt as if his very soul might burst forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero nearly lost control—a warm red stream gushed from his nose, and he fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ara~ Zero fainted again…” Kanae pinched his cheek, sighing helplessly: “We’ve seen it before—why does he faint so easily? It’s just too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miku, blushing furiously, covered her face with both hands, unable to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t expected herself to make such a bold move just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She peeked through her fingers at Kanae, afraid she’d be mocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kanae didn’t mock Miku.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she leaned close and whispered something in her ear, making Miku blush even deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Really do that? But Zero-kun’s unconscious—is that really okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ara, it’s fine—we’ll both become his eventually anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae didn’t finish, but Miku understood perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped Zero’s nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she placed a set of clothes she’d prepared earlier beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miku, meanwhile, steamed like a locomotive, white vapor rising from her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain short-circuited, and she collapsed unconscious beside Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae sighed helplessly—there was no choice now; she’d have to change Zero’s clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This outfit had been custom-made for him a month ago by a tailor she’d commissioned—she felt it suited him perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She and Miku had visited several kimono shops in Asakusa but found nothing satisfactory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to give up, she happened upon a Western-style clothing store filled with novel designs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She approached the shop owner and commissioned him to craft one specific garment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence the scene before them now, one month later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hss~ Why do I feel dizzy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero awoke from his unconscious sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come to think of it… why did I faint?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His memory before fainting felt fragmented—he couldn’t recall clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He racked his brain but still couldn’t understand why he’d passed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it—I’ll just go for a walk…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap… tap… tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he walked, the stranger it felt—he looked down and realized his metal knee-high boots had been replaced with women’s black high heels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes had been swapped for a red dress… a dress?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also wore black lace gloves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified, he rushed to the first-floor bathroom and stared into the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nearly turned pale from shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mirror stood himself, wearing a red Lottie lace-trimmed hat adorned with hand-sewn roses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was clad in a red wide-sleeved kimono, its fabric patterned with red roses and styled like a Western dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black lace edged the neckline as a delicate accent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with Zero’s natural aura and features, the outfit amplified his regal elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-how did this happen… while I was unconscious… what exactly happened?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, several heads popped out from both sides of the bathroom door, curiously watching him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko, Kyojuro’s mother, Takeo, Kanae, Miku, and the three wives of Uzui Tengen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ara~ Zero, you look absolutely beautiful like this~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm! Zero, I love you like this too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, everyone agreed Zero looked more captivating than any woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for his gender, no one would guess this person was male…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero finally realized—no doubt, it was those two who did this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then recalled the time in Yoshiwara, when he’d dressed as a woman before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A “disgraceful” memory resurfaced—and within him, the same trait from his cross-dressing days stirred again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe~ Looks like my two lovers need proper disciplining~ Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Empress Zero seemed to have returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kanae, Miku, come here for a moment?” Zero smiled coldly, forcing a deceptively gentle expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dame~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Women’s intuition told them they’d accidentally flipped some strange switch on Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew he wouldn’t hit or yell—he couldn’t bring himself to hurt them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the imperial aura radiating from Zero made them feel like kneeling in worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing trouble, they immediately turned and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero, seeing this, chased after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two mischievous little girlfriends—I’m catching you today and giving you proper discipline!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae and Miku moved with the grace of butterflies and nightingales darting through the forest, their laughter echoing joyfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how fast they ran, Zero caught them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leapt upward, wrapping both arms around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding one in each arm, he landed firmly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mwah! Mwah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae and Miku didn’t fear him—they each planted a kiss squarely on Zero’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Zero’s anger vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only sigh faintly: “I can’t do anything about you two… but just this once. Next time, if you do this again, I… I… I won’t be gentle…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already happened—what could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His girlfriends? He’d spoil them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three turned to head back, they found themselves facing Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife, Ubuyashiki Amane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The couple smiled warmly at the trio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d been wandering the Demon Slayer Corps grounds recently, with no urgent matters to attend to, savoring this brief peace—when they happened upon this tender scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero sighed, rubbing his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene… felt familiar…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene feels familiar...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry to make you two laugh,\" Zero said, slightly embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine, Zero. I can tell you truly love them both, and I’m happy for Kanae and Mitsuha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubuyashiki Amane’s body trembled slightly—she was clearly holding back laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting with Ubuyashiki for a while, Kanae and Mitsuha took our Zero Empress for a stroll around the Butterfly House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ubuyashiki couple held hands, watching the three figures walk away, and once again recalled how they had met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tan—ji—ro—nii—san~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu let out a saccharine voice, poking his fingers together, smiling warmly at Tanjiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro broke out in goosebumps under his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied shyly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zenitsu, don’t look at me like that. If you really want to see Nezuko, just go to Zero’s mansion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Nezuko returned to human form, she had come to the Butterfly House to thank everyone for their care and to visit Inosuke and Zenitsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, she also went with Tanjiro to the Rengoku family home to visit Rengoku Makio and his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, she visited Uzui Tengen’s residence to see him and express her gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu was delighted to see Nezuko restored to human form—she was so adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept pursuing her, but Nezuko spent most of her time at Zero’s mansion, helping her mother with housework and caring for her younger siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he rarely saw her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Tanjiro’s sword hadn’t arrived yet, everything was delayed, so Zenitsu decided to approach Tanjiro directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro was either completing Zero’s training tasks or chatting with Kanao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu could only try to catch him when he had free time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with a moment to spare, Zenitsu found Tanjiro and begged him to let Nezuko come play with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Zenitsu. Nezuko is my sister, but I can’t force her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro answered firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! My Nezuko! Aaaahhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a fragrant breeze passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu saw three beautiful girls laughing and chatting as they walked past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked closer—two were Zero’s girlfriends; the one in the center looked familiar, and her heartbeat sounded familiar too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Tanjiro recognized it: that was Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So...so beautiful~\" Zenitsu felt his soul being pulled away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dashed straight toward the girl in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the other two, he dared not entertain any thoughts—he feared getting beaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then asked politely: \"Beautiful lady, do you have a lover? If not, would you consider dating me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: (ー`?′(ー)?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is this urge to punch someone?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae and Mitsuha couldn’t help laughing—they hadn’t realized Zero’s feminine charm was so potent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t even the first boy to confess to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way here, several boys had already rushed over to confess to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all had been rejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each looked as if abandoned by first love, their faces filled with disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after learning that Zero was male did they reluctantly accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few, however, seemed even more devastated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero stared at Zenitsu with a sly smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her index finger, gently tilting Zenitsu’s chin upward, leaning closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu, gazing at Zero so near, felt his heartbeat quicken—he thought she was about to kiss him, his mind brimming with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero blew a soft breath onto Zenitsu’s face—he was instantly enchanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Zero said next shattered his hopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You? Dare to court the Empress?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\" Zenitsu felt he’d heard those words before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought hard—and suddenly remembered: wasn’t that exactly what Zero’s brother had said?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero’s brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe~ Little Zenitsu, you’re still too young~ The Empress has no interest in you~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu turned to stone—his inner world shattered like glass, scattering into a thousand pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-why...why...?! Aaaahhh!! Why?! I don’t want this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Zero strode forward with regal poise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Zenitsu alone, screaming at the heavens: \"It’s not fair!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro stepped forward, patted Zenitsu’s shoulder, and comforted him: \"Zenitsu, keep going. Don’t give up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu ignored Tanjiro’s words, crouched on the ground, drawing circles with his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero-nee-san, I want a hug!\" The three little ones from the Butterfly House surrounded Zero, reaching out for hugs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, alright~\" Zero didn’t mind; she picked up Kiyoshi, lifted her high, and spun around a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waaah! So nice~ I feel like I’m floating on the wind!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kiyoshi, lifted high, beamed with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koko and Saeho were no different—each was lifted and spun by Zero in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanae and Mitsuha watched, thinking this was quite delightful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinazugawa Aoi gazed at the three little ones, her eyes filled with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong, Aoi? Do you want a hug too?\" Zero smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-no... I... I have things to do... I’m leaving...\" She ran off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inosuke, eating his lunch, stared after Aoi in confusion, not understanding what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero noticed the bento box in Inosuke’s hand—it looked familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Shinazugawa Aoi’s bento box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be...\" Zero thought for a moment, then seemed to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s how it is... This might be quite nice too~ Inosuke and Shinazugawa Aoi... hmm, a good match, hehe~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Inosuke’s spring was finally arriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After playing a while longer with the three little ones, Zero bid them farewell—she had promised Kanae and Mitsuha she’d spend the entire day with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【The Swordsmith Village Arc, Departure】\u003C\u002Fp>",1991,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b84dcd957604dd9438b73472e1c416f5783cf8996e16ab1742581100982c1975","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-102","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-100",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]