[{"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-26":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},2335952,4566,"Chapter 26: Mother Complex Shi Lang","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>Shi Lang led Zero to the second-floor room for rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the journey, Zero analyzed Shi Lang’s data using his [Analyzing Glasses].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Analyzing… Analysis successful]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Shi Lang — Male]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 32 years]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Person he loves: Ju Shi]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Pet: Cha Cha Wan]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Enemy: Kibutsuji Muzan]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Blood Demon Art: Eye Concealment]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Personal Information: In the past, when Shi Lang was gravely ill, Ju Shi saved him. Near death, she gave him her blood and turned him into a demon. He survives on only small amounts of human blood; because Ju Shi saved him, Shi Lang has since been deeply in love with her.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Note: This demon is secretly in love with Ju Shi — a severe mother complex! Every line of his diary revolves around Ju Shi.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the data on the [Analyzing Glasses], Zero finally understood why Shi Lang clenched his teeth and grew irritable whenever he heard Ju Shi’s name — it was because of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with what had just happened, he now understood why Shi Lang always resented others speaking to Ju Shi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So Shi Lang likes Ju Shi, secretly pining for her… He’s a total mother complex!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero spoke these words aloud without hiding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang, ahead of him, stumbled and fell to the ground, then scrambled up and turned to Zero shouting: “You little brat… what the hell are you talking about!? I would never… how could I possibly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intended to call Zero “brat,” but upon seeing Zero’s demon-slaying gaze, he remembered the three different models of roasted chestnuts he’d just received, and immediately changed his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Shi Lang’s nervous expression had already betrayed him — it was an outright confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s writing that diary where every sentence is about Ju Shi? Even when Ju Shi calls out another demon’s name, he turns into a child?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang’s pupils shrank; the words he had just begun to say froze in his throat. He couldn’t understand how Zero knew his secret!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this guy read his thoughts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “Huh? Did I hit the mark?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang: “I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “Tell me — do you really like Ju Shi? Have you ever confessed to her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang’s face turned bright red; he couldn’t utter a word, and steam seemed to rise from his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero: “Strange? Whose water kettle just boiled? Oh — it’s you, Shi Lang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang stopped speaking, fearing that if he said more, Zero would expose even the color of his underwear. He turned around and led Zero to the resting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here we are. This is your room for tonight!” He brought Zero inside, then turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to depart, Zero called out: “Shi Lang! If you really love Ju Shi, just confess already — you won’t lose anything! Better than living with regret!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang hurried away at once, but inside, he kept replaying Zero’s words — the more he thought, the more agitated he became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch, like you need to tell me! You little brat, I know how to handle my own affairs!” Shi Lang muttered inwardly — then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duang~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, Shi Lang once again walked to the underground laboratory with a giant roasted chestnut on his head, assisting Ju Shi with her research…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At dawn the next day, Ju Shi left the laboratory early, changed into a clean kimono, and arrived at Zero’s room door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, are you still resting? I’m coming in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coming! Just a moment!” Zero heard Ju Shi’s voice, rose, and walked to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he reached for the handle, he noticed the window faced the sun — sunlight streamed through the glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Shi was still a demon — she couldn’t be exposed to sunlight. He rushed back to pull the curtains shut, ensuring not a single ray of light penetrated, then relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned on the lights and opened the door for Ju Shi to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Shi looked around the room and smiled: “I didn’t expect you to be so thoughtful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You flatter me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m here to fulfill the condition I promised you last night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Shi sat before Zero and revealed what she knew about Kibutsuji Muzan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero took out a notebook from his [Nanospace] and recorded everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Ju Shi, Kibutsuji Muzan’s features were: pale skin, slender frame, blood-red pupils, and long black hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could alter his appearance — sometimes male, sometimes female, sometimes adult, sometimes a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These details confirmed Zero’s suspicions from the previous night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Ju Shi told Zero that Kibutsuji Muzan could give his blood to humans to turn them into demons — she herself had been transformed that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Kibutsuji Muzan not valued her exquisite medical skills and kept her by his side, she would have been eliminated long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Shi also told Zero that during the Sengoku period, while traveling with Kibutsuji Muzan, they encountered Tsugikuni Yoriichi and fought him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to defeat Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Kibutsuji Muzan split himself into over eighteen hundred pieces and fled — barely escaping death. Since then, he had hidden away, refusing to show himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely then that Ju Shi realized Kibutsuji Muzan’s control over her had weakened…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the few details I know about Kibutsuji Muzan. So, Zero — though he lost to that man, he is still immensely powerful! His attacks are too fast to see — even breaking through dimensions!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, his attacks carry his own blood. So if you ever face him again, be extremely careful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recording all of Ju Shi’s information, Zero closed the notebook and returned it to his [Nanospace]. Though limited, the knowledge was enough — the rest he would have to uncover himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed he wouldn’t need long to find the answers he sought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ju Shi, thank you for telling me all this — it’s more than enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for thanks. I should be thanking you — the blood you brought has advanced my research.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry — if I collect more Upper Moon demon blood in the future, I’ll give it to you. I hope you’ll soon develop a drug to defeat Kibutsuji Muzan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero rose, took up his weapon, and prepared to leave. The journey back from Asakusa to the Demon Slayer Corps would take about half a month — he’d use the time to clear out demons who avoided their duty and hid from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… are leaving now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I still need to remove the curse from the Demon Slayer Corps’ lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then please, be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shi Lang, see Zero off!” Ju Shi called out toward the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Ju Shi-sama!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was daytime, Shi Lang could only escort Zero to the courtyard — a place untouched by sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go straight ahead from here and you’ll leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks. Oh — here, take this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero handed Shi Lang a rectangular, elegantly wrapped box containing a red rose. “Shi Lang, give this to Ju Shi yourself. And I wish you success in confessing to her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Lang took the box — then Zero’s words made his face flush red again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, enough — just go already! I know what to do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, I won’t disturb your two-person world then! Goodbye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet before Zero had taken a few steps, Shi Lang called out again: “Zero… be careful! Don’t die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Shi Lang called Zero by name. Zero smiled faintly — he hadn’t expected Shi Lang to have a tsundere side. He replied: “Thanks! Goodbye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zero depart, Shi Lang returned inside, staring at the red rose in the box, remembering Zero’s words, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shi Lang, has he left?” Ju Shi appeared behind him, asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah? Yes, Ju Shi-sama — he’s gone!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that in your hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… this… is from Zero for you!” As soon as he said it, he regretted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But words spoken are like water spilled — impossible to take back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero gave this to me?” Ju Shi took the box, opened it, and saw the red rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How beautiful!” She admired the rose, growing fonder with each glance, then fetched a small vase and placed the rose inside to keep it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Shi Lang felt regret — why had he said the wrong thing…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! Help me! I don’t want to die!” A demon without limbs struggled desperately — to no avail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero gripped the demon’s hair in his hand, dragging it step by step toward the cave entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As sunlight streamed through the entrance, the demon felt utter despair — how had this hunter found this hidden place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been starving for days. Finally, a human wandered in — but when he saw the man’s face and the scythe in his hand, he realized his mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood now: this wasn’t a human — it was the terrifying demon slayer, a death god come to claim his soul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to flee — but couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cave walls were solid stone — no other exits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up! Who told you demons have no sense of duty? Don’t you know hiding like this ruins my record?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero held the scythe on one shoulder and the demon’s hair in the other, stepped to the cave entrance, gazed at the warm sunlight, and hurled the demon into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaahhhhh!!!” The demon burned to ash under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seriously? You scream just because I made you get some sun? Do you even have the dignity of a demon? If you keep slacking off, Kibutsuji Muzan will cut you down first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the days traveling from Asakusa back to the Demon Slayer Corps, Zero searched every hidden spot along the way — entering them to find demons who disrespected his profession and hid from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, there really were some—look, the performance landed right in my lap; I couldn’t possibly fail to complete it! Though those ghosts were forced into it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the ghosts didn’t think that way—if they knew Zero’s thoughts, they wouldn’t hide; they’d wait for sunrise and kill themselves outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being burned to death by the sun was far gentler than being tortured by Zero!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d never seen such a relentless ghost hunter before!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even more unexpected was that, not only was he relentless, he also doubled back…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was only the beginning; every day after that became a day of utter despair for the ghosts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Days passed one by one, and before they knew it, half a month had gone by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One night, Zero was traveling when, passing a small village, he spotted two suspicious figures lurking outside the fence of a house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, he crept silently to a spot just behind them, wondering what they intended to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you’re sure we won’t get caught?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely not—the ghost hunter hasn’t shown up in half a month; he’s definitely left!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then hurry up! I’ve been starving for days—that ghost hunter is terrifying! Let’s grab a few people, fill our bellies, and get out fast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! Let’s move now! I’ve got a bad feeling—like someone’s watching us from behind!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero, standing just behind them, heard their conversation and immediately felt the urge to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slung his scythe over his shoulder, crept up silently, and poked one of the goose ghosts in the back with his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t touch me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t touch you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero then placed a hand on the ghost’s shoulder and said, “I’m hungry too—can I join?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost! We don’t even have enough for ourselves—why should we…!” The two ghosts, thinking he was one of them, turned around ready to teach him a lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t one of them—it was a far more terrifying ghost hunter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dear little ghostlings, can I tag along? Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ghosts’ eyes widened in terror; they collapsed onto the ground and screamed, “GHOST!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their scream startled the household. Zero instantly swung his scythe, cleanly severing both ghosts’ jaws, then dragged each by one leg and vanished from the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s there?! Why are you screaming at this hour?!” The door opened, and a hunter stepped out, holding a hunting rifle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he saw nothing outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weird… Did I imagine it?” He gave up thinking about it, went back inside, shut the door, and blew out the lamp to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero dragged the two ghosts to a secluded grove. The ghosts, however, were not faring well—their heads had been dragged along the ground, rubbed raw until barely half remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“(╬◣д◢) You two bastards nearly got me caught—wait till I’m done with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took two ropes from his Nanospace, tied them to trees, then pulled out two scalpels, waiting for their heads to regenerate before deciding how to punish them further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>",2124,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4f11e8cc41bdc670c461b8e3db16226fc4bf44891dd28579caa3a499415f92d1","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-27","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-25",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]