[{"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-78":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},2336004,4566,"Chapter 78: Sometimes the human heart is more poisonous than the deadliest poison","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-78",78,"\u003Cp>\"I believe the Pillar currently present here, a swordsman of the [Initial Breathing] from the Warring States period, is the most elite and strongest of this generation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zero, Gyomei, Shinobu, Kyojuro, Muichiro, Giyu, Sanemi, Tengen, Mitsuri, Kanao, Rui—I look forward to you all shining brightly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubuyashiki Kyojuro gazed at each Pillar before him, his heart filled with boundless emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Zero—since joining the Demon Slayer Corps, he has brought unprecedented reforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mount Natagumo examiners, curse healing, Hinokami Kagura, the great battles against the Upper Moons and Kokushibo himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His exquisite medical knowledge and brilliant mind have also upheld half of the Demon Slayer Corps’ intelligence network!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After every battle, he always writes detailed reports for everyone’s reference, minimizing casualties among swordsmen below Pillar rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, he infiltrated the Infinite Castle and gathered intelligence on every Upper Moon, allowing everyone to more accurately understand the Twelve Kizuki’s combat data.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison, Zero’s status within the Demon Slayer Corps is hardly an exaggeration to say second only to Ubuyashiki Kyojuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But all of this owes much to Kanao—had she not accidentally encountered Zero all those years ago, the Demon Slayer Corps might have met a different fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, even if Zero does not consider the Demon Slayer Corps, he must consider Kanao and Mitsuri, the two girls he loves, and his younger sister Xiao Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is also a small personal desire of Ubuyashiki Kyojuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone has a little bit of personal desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, why do you approve of the Kamado siblings?\" Shibui Shinobu asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubuyashiki Kyojuro said nothing, only turning his gaze toward Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone else turned their eyes to him too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zero merely sighed slightly and said: \"Do you remember the family I saved when I first encountered Kokushibo years ago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded, indicating they remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That family lives in my estate—Kujira-san is the mother of the Kamado siblings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shibui Shinobu suddenly recalled the gentle woman in Zero’s estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He occasionally visited Zero’s estate to spar with him, and that gentle woman often made sweets to welcome him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her busy back figure reminded Shibui Shinobu of his own mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a child, his mother was just like that—always tender and attentive, caring for everyone in the household, working from dawn till dusk…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I concealed some details back then. I only told my lord, and I asked him to keep it secret from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Nezuko became a demon, she has broken free from Kokushibo’s control! I originally intended to bring her back with me, but… even if I had, I couldn’t guarantee her safety!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" Shibui Shinobu asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a demon existed within the Demon Slayer Corps, who do you think would spare her?\" Zero replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present fell silent in thought, except for Tomioka Giyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Shibui Shinobu—with his violent temper, he certainly wouldn’t let her live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero continued: \"Moreover, I cannot guarantee whether her escape from control is temporary or permanent…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To put it bluntly, before I met Kanao and the others, I would have only taken Xiao Yue and found a way to leave this world—I could have completely ignored the fate of this world! Now, even if I don’t care for you, I must care for Kanao, Mitsuri, and Xiao Yue!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A parent’s love is pitiful—no parent can endure seeing their child transformed like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all hold an unyielding grudge against demons, but Kujira-san only wants her child to live well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Imagine—if Nezuko were your closest kin, your brother or sister, and she became a demon yet never harmed anyone—what would you do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean no disrespect—I only wish to tell you that demons were once human, and the true culprit behind all this is Kokushibo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sometimes, the human heart is more poisonous than the deadliest poison…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a corner, an unremarkable figure knelt, trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice—the pressure radiating from the Pillars was simply too overwhelming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when restrained, it was still palpable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could barely breathe…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero saw this and said: \"Murata, leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes! Thank you, Pillar Zero!\" He carefully exited the room, closed the wooden door, and fled as if escaping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meeting lasted until nightfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting ended, Zero went to Chouji’s house, spoke briefly with Tanjiro, then returned to his estate carrying the wooden box with Nezuko inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Kujira Kamado and her children embraced Nezuko and wept together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this family, reunion was the most beautiful thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero and Xiao Yue watched this scene, and it felt profoundly beautiful to them too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, inside the Infinite Castle, Kokushibo held a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned only the Lower Moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single string pluck, and the remaining three Lower Moons appeared in various corners of the Infinite Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the twisted, upside-down architecture, the Lower Moons looked bewildered, unsure what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Lower Moons were:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lower Moon One—Enmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had medium-length black hair with magenta tips and longer blue-green ends, looking effeminate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his cheeks were three large yellow squares and three small yellow squares; he wore a long black coat and white-striped pants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lower Moon Two—Rokuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like a middle-aged man, with long black hair and a full beard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lower Moon Six—Kanroji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A 【 Gong 】 character was tattooed on his face; a short maple-leaf-shaped ponytail was tied at the back of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji looked around and noticed three Lower Moons were missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lower Moon Three, Four, and Five had not appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another string pluck, gathering all the Lower Moons together on the platform below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji immediately realized and looked up at the platform, where two demons now stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a woman in a kimono, graceful and elegant; beside her knelt another woman holding a shamisen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Kokushibo had taken the form of a woman, standing atop the platform, looking down with contempt at the three bewildered Lower Moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were filled with disdain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke in a man’s voice: \"Kneel before me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Lower Moons involuntarily dropped to their knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Kokushibo… it’s Lord Kokushibo! I didn’t even sense it! His form and scent are completely different—this mimicry is so precise, so terrifying!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat instantly drenched his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rui was killed—he was Lower Moon Five!… Lower Moon Three and Four are dead too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibo’s voice sounded calm, but inside, his rage was boiling over!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deaths of other Lower Moons meant nothing—but Rui was his favorite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I only want to know one thing: why are the Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki so weak?! Though the Twelve Kizuki are few, this is not an end—it is a beginning…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In over a hundred years, the Upper Moons have remained unchanged—the ones who have slain Demon Slayer Pillars are always Upper Moons! But the Lower Moons? How many have been replaced over time?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Kokushibo spoke, he forced back his fury, gazing at the Lower Moons before him as if they were trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji dared not contradict him, thinking: \"Even if you asked me, I wouldn’t know…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Even if you asked me, I wouldn’t know]—what exactly? Tell me!\" Kokushibo, having read his thoughts, asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanroji turned pale—he hadn’t expected Kokushibo could read his mind: \"My thoughts are exposed! This is bad…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is it bad? Speak up!\" Kokushibo roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kanroji unable to speak, Kokushibo’s arm twisted into a monstrous shape, opened its jaws, seized him, and lifted him high into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Kokushibo, forgive me! Please spare me! Have mercy! I’m so sorry! Truly, so sorry!\" Kanroji begged in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kokushibo’s eyes showed no emotion—he mercilessly commanded the monstrous arm to open wide and swallow Kanroji whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed everywhere as Kanroji was devoured, splattering Enmu and Rokuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rokuro trembled uncontrollably; Enmu stared at Kokushibo with glazed, rapturous eyes, his face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibo continued: \"I am dissolving the Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki—the Upper Moons alone are sufficient. Finally, the two of you—do you have anything to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rokuro immediately spoke: \"I’m still useful! I can serve you! Give me time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Then tell me—what use are you? With your current strength, what can you possibly contribute?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Blood…!! If you grant me blood, I will adapt—I will become stronger and fight for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Kokushibo’s veins bulged with rage: \"Why should I obey your orders and give you blood? You shameless wretch—what use are you?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-no… Lord Kokushibo, forgive me…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Rokuro was also swallowed by Kokushibo’s monstrous arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, only one Lower Moon remained: Lower Moon One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally, do you have anything to say?\" Kokushibo asked the remaining Lower Moon One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gekko Ichiji said excitedly, “It feels like a dream—I’m honored you’d personally handle me, and hearing the dying screams of other demons brings me such joy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I love seeing others’ misfortune and suffering—what a beautiful dream this is. Thank you for saving me until last!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yami’s flowery words plunged Muzan into thought, then he smirked wickedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deformed arm sprouted a bony spike, piercing Yami’s neck and injecting his own blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re impressive. I’ve chosen you. I’ll share my blood with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glug! Glug!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the blood flowed in, Yami endured the agony of corruption, his adoration for Muzan deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you can’t adapt to my blood, you’ll die. But if you embrace it, you’ll gain greater power—and serve me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying on the ground, Yami remained entranced, as if Muzan’s treatment was a divine gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go eliminate the Demon Slayers! If you kill the hunter with the flower earring, I’ll give you more blood…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muzan paused, then continued, “If you kill the Demon Slayer Pillar who wields the Sun Blade Scythe and bring me his head, I won’t mind promoting you to Upper Moon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, Mukago plucked her shamisen, hurling Yami out of the Infinite Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yami stared at the memories Muzan had given him, his excitement and euphoria intensifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s figure and Zero’s back appeared in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These… are Muzan’s memories… Ha… ha… If I kill these two… I’ll get even more blood… This is… incredible… Just like a dream… Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Spider Mountain incident, two or three days had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Kie Kamado occasionally brought the children to visit Tanjiro, speaking with nothing but concern and comfort, urging him to rest well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This filled Tanjiro with happiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must grow stronger quickly, eliminate Muzan Kibutsuji soon, and remain with his family forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, Murata arrived early at Butterfly House to visit Tanjiro and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you guys!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Mr. Murata! You’re safe—that’s wonderful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Spider Mountain battle, Murata had only suffered minor skin abrasions on his fingers—no other injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d been summoned to the Pillars’ Meeting, but only to report on the Spider Mountain battle—nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, recalling that night’s scene left him vividly haunted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d nearly pissed himself from fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro, who’s that?” Zenitsu asked beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s Mr. Murata—he fought with us at Spider Mountain!” Tanjiro replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murata watched the two chatting happily, feeling a pang of envy and despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I envy you so much… Compared to me, it’s terrible! What a hell… The Pillars are terrifying… Even though today’s swordsmen are far stronger than before, some old-school ones still refuse to obey…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murata sat beside Tanjiro’s bed, venting endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he complained, the Butterfly sisters appeared behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Pillars! Lady Butterflies! Hello! Goodbye!” Murata, terrified, leapt up and bowed deeply before fleeing in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So beautiful~” Zenitsu stared at Kanao, eyes sparkling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rushed up to her, smiling nervously, “Hello, beautiful lady—do you have a lover? If not, could I court you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao smiled gently. “Oh dear, I’m sorry—but I already have a husband who adores me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh???!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop! Splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded as if Zenitsu’s heart had shattered like glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah! Why does such a beautiful girl have a husband?! I can’t accept it! Who is he? Where is he?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu’s fury boiled inside him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to know who Kanao’s husband was!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was ready to challenge him to a duel—to prove to Kanao who the real man was!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh dear~ My husband is standing right behind you~ Hehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao pointed behind Zenitsu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu turned—and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero… Zero-nii… Hehehe… So the beautiful lady’s husband is you? Amazing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero said nothing. He tapped his chin in thought, then turned to Shinazugawa Kyojuro, who was handing out medicine, and said, “Kyojuro, Zenitsu’s recovery may take a long time. Please double his dosage—get him healed quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Zero Pillar,” Kyojuro replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nooo! Not again! I already got double the dose—why add more?! Aaaahhh!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu collapsed onto the floor, thrashing and screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyojuro grabbed the back of his robe and tossed him onto the bed, then held a cup of medicine before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu opened his mouth to refuse—but saw Zero holding a black object emitting crackling blue sparks, grinning at him with terrifying warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately pinched his nose and gulped the entire cup down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Zero turned to Tanjiro. “Tanjiro, you’ve recovered well. It’s time to begin physical function rehabilitation training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Physical function rehabilitation training? What’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s to prevent stiffness and deterioration during recovery—muscle contraction exercises, joint mobility drills, things like that—to accelerate healing,” Kanao explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Tanjiro and Inosuke were taken first for rehabilitation training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu, still not fully recovered, was temporarily excluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Shan Yi’s body had not yet fully recovered, he did not participate for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2242,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2343f54bba9bd9202882c5da232e726c8d8be62eefed46d517d48929d3d7c604","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-79","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-77",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]