[{"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-80":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},2336006,4566,"Chapter 80: The Slasher Demon [Upper]","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-80",80,"\u003Cp>Tap… tap… tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A series of footsteps echoed as a train conductor patrolled each carriage of the moving train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not know that, just a short distance ahead in one of the carriages, a pair of eyes were fixed intently on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing his patrol, the conductor turned to head back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the lights inside the carriage flickered erratically, and the atmosphere grew eerie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow hiding in the dark suddenly appeared, extended its claws, and instantly killed the conductor, spraying blood everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“P-please… p-please… s-spare me…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon’s neck was tightly choked, producing sharp snaps as it struggled to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it stood the hunter known as the 【God of Death】, who now regarded the demon as if it were merely an ant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goodbye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swinging the Sun Wheel Scythe, he severed the demon’s head before its terrified eyes, reducing it to ash that scattered into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the last demon in my jurisdiction. Kyōjūrō has been on his mission for a day already. Now… I should set off to check on the Infinite Train.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately retrieved the 【Solar Flight Device】, strapped it to his back, stored the Sun Wheel Scythe inside the 【Nanospace】, and set off toward the location of Kyōjūrō’s mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After flying for over ten minutes, he arrived at a small town near the train station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Might as well—since I’ve got nothing else to do, I’ll take a look around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retracted the flight device into the 【Nanospace】 and prepared to walk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Help…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he heard a faint cry for help—so quiet, yet clearly coming from nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately traced the sound’s origin, estimated its location, and rushed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zero arrived at the scene, he found a young woman lying on the ground, her clothes soaked in blood, her face severely injured!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached the woman and assessed her condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s still breathing!” He swiftly retrieved a first-aid kit from the 【Nanospace】 and administered emergency treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zero treated the injured woman, several footsteps approached from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Zero?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomers were Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō, followed by two members of the Shadow Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve arrived just in time—I’ve already administered emergency care. Quickly, take her to a safe place and treat her wounds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Lord Zero!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shadow Division members carefully lifted the woman onto their backs and swiftly departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Shadow Division members left, Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō could not help but ask: “Zero, why are you here too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My territory is clear of demons. I figured I’d come over and lend a hand if needed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum! That’s good! Now that you’re here, I’m at ease! Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō laughed heartily—he trusted Zero completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll patrol the surrounding area and see if I can find any trace of that demon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Meet up at dawn—I’ll send 【Yao】 to guide you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Yao】 was the name of Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō’s Hashira Crow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. See you then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two parted ways. Zero activated his 【Analytical Glasses】 and began a systematic search…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the demon was too cunning or had become wary, hours of searching yielded not a single trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the rising sun in the distance and decided to temporarily abandon the search, preparing to rejoin Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gaaah! Lord Zero! Master Kyōjūrō has sent me to guide you to him!” A Hashira Crow flew in from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō’s Hashira Crow—Yao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that Hashira Crows mirrored their masters’ personalities—and this one was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It spoke loudly and with great boldness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.” Following Yao’s lead, Zero headed toward the rendezvous point with Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived at a small restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance, Zero heard loud cries of “Delicious!” coming from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pushed open the door and saw Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō sitting there, devouring udon noodles, with at least ten empty bowls already piled on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the restaurant seemed to be struggling—there were very few customers, only a handful scattered about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Delicious! Delicious! Huh? Zero, you’re here! Sit down and eat with me—this place’s udon is great!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zero had arrived, he invited him to sit and share the meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I won’t be polite.” Zero sat down opposite Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss! Another bowl of udon for my companion—and one for me too!” Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the boss prepared the food, Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō said: “Zero, I feel this mission of mine isn’t simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. I sensed it too—that strange undercurrent. Though it’s only a guess, I suspect your mission involves an Upper Rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Hahaha! Even if it does, I won’t back down! I’m eager to know just how far I am behind an Upper Rank! But now that you’re here, I’m even more confident!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two talked, the boss brought over two bowls of udon and placed them before them. “Your noodles are ready.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wum! Thank you! I’m going to eat… Delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero picked up his bowl, took a bite—the flavor was quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, your food is excellent. Why does your business seem so slow?” Zero asked casually, still eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can I do? For the past month, the railway line has been plagued by that ‘Slasher’—passenger traffic has plummeted! My staff are all idle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the boss picked up a newspaper and continued: “Just a few days ago, we heard the train conductor was killed! And the so-called Infinite Train has stopped running entirely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I heard at least forty passengers have vanished without a trace! It’s become terribly unsafe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected the so-called Slasher was the demon responsible for severely injuring the young woman last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero’s intuition told him this was not so simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Slasher was merely bait—designed to create chaos and distract attention!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps it was preparing some larger plan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resolved within himself: he would investigate the Infinite Train tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief conversation at the restaurant, Zero left first, preparing to gather any useful intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arrived at the train station, where only a handful of travelers waited on the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Slasher had made the station eerily quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, madam! Would you like to buy something?” As Zero pondered, a girl’s voice called out beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to see a young girl with glasses and a small red cap, her hair braided into twin pigtails. She carried a large wooden tray filled with snacks and food—she looked quite adorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little one, you’ve mistaken me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah?! Sorry, sorry! I—I thought you were…” The girl realized her mistake and apologized profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero found her embarrassment amusing but did not mind—after all, he wasn’t the first person mistaken for someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, really. Give me a bottle of soda.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.” The girl handed him a soda. “That’s ten sen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the soda and paying her, Zero asked casually: “Little sister, why are there so few people here? Shouldn’t the train station be crowded?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh…” The girl sighed faintly. “I don’t know. Ever since those people disappeared, the station’s been empty…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I don’t know… Sorry, I have to go—help my grandmother run the shop.” The girl hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zero noticed—she was hiding something. Her expression held more caution than innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wandered nearby, recalling Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō’s information: this station was where the conductor’s body had been found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But given the current situation, no anomalies were apparent—so he left to search elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would return here at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyōjūrō Kyōjirō arrived at the train station, accompanied by a swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perched on the swordsman’s shoulder was a Hashira Crow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is where the conductor’s body was found. Wum! Let’s split up and search.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Flame Hashira!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two prepared to separate, Zero appeared behind them once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You’re here too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, you’ve come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero Pillar, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I found no useful leads during the day, so I decided to come back here tonight,” Zero said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, then the three of us should split up—it’ll be faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the train station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl who had spoken to Zero during the day now sat before her stall, holding a red bean bun, sighing helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Fu, stop sighing and eat your red bean bun,” said the elderly woman behind her, her hair white as snow, wearing glasses and holding a cookbook on gourmet cooking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl’s name was Xiao Fu; the elderly woman was her grandmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… no customers today either…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve told you many times—after dark it’s dangerous. Come help at noon tomorrow. Ghosts appear at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no such thing as ghosts! You’re making up nonsense again—we need to sell our bentos! Mom’s pregnant now, and Dad’s restaurant isn’t doing well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Fu’s grandmother put down her book and said, “Let the adults worry about such things. I’ll handle the morning and evening shifts alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What if the Ripper attacks you?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I can shield you from harm, it’s worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandma!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two spoke, three figures appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three were naturally Zero, Rengoku Kyojuro, and the swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro and his companions had found no useful leads at the station and came over upon hearing the voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good evening! What a splendid moonlit night! I’m searching for ghosts—have you seen any?” asked Rengoku Kyojuro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This startled the swordsman; Zero also felt helpless, surprised Rengoku had asked them so directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rengoku, you’re too blunt!!” cried the Sound Hashira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Rengoku Kyojuro, Xiao Fu’s grandmother stared in disbelief, a figure flashing through her mind…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Fu immediately stood up, placing herself between Rengoku Kyojuro and her grandmother, though her body trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghosts? What’s with this nonsense? Don’t come any closer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Danger! You’re shaking so badly, your precious red bean bun’s going to fall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!!!” Zero stared in shock—how could his focus be so off-track?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t come closer!!” Xiao Fu, terrified, hurled the red bean bun at Rengoku Kyojuro’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro showed no anger; instead, he removed the bun from his face and took a large bite: “Delicious!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know anything about ghosts—how could such things even exist?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xiao Fu’s grandmother placed her hands on Xiao Fu’s shoulders and said, “Xiao Fu, don’t be afraid—he’s certainly no evil person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zero spoke: “I apologize—my companion is this blunt by nature, but he means no harm. We’re here only to investigate. If we frightened you, I apologize on his behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!” Xiao Fu recognized Zero—the boy who had bought her soda that morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calming down, Xiao Fu spoke slowly: “I’m sorry. The Ripper case has left me on edge lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro paid no mind to the earlier incident: “From what I heard, you prepare bentos before dawn and bring them here to sell? That’s truly admirable! People like you must not be harmed. Don’t worry—we’ll handle the Ripper.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who exactly are you…?” Though still nervous, Xiao Fu began to trust Rengoku Kyojuro because of his strange behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believed he would not harm her or her grandmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, farewell!” With that, he turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three prepared to depart, Xiao Fu suddenly called out: “Um… this… could I… ask you to buy a bento?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course! Then… I’ll take them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Rengoku Kyojuro bought every bento, and the three left the station carrying them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, now we have a fine gift for the team. You’ve done enough—leave the rest to me and these two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, understood, Flame Pillar, Zero Pillar—please be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After packing her things, Xiao Fu prepared to return home early with her grandmother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who were those three people? I’m glad they bought bentos, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry home, Xiao Fu. I have a terrible feeling—my spine is chilled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Rengoku Kyojuro and Zero prepared to board the train, Zero asked, puzzled: “Rengoku, why are we taking this train?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the return train to the factory—it goes straight to the Infinite Train. We’re taking it to find it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…” Zero, speechless, grabbed Rengoku Kyojuro’s arm as he stepped onto the train: “The Infinite Train is no longer in the depot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I investigated during the day. According to my findings, the Infinite Train was transported this morning to a fully equipped repair shop—it’s being prepared for re-deployment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, I see. My mistake, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. From this direction, we’ll reach the Infinite Train’s repair shop soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, under Zero’s guidance, Rengoku Kyojuro sprinted with the bentos toward the Infinite Train’s repair shop.\u003C\u002Fp>",2085,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3850b58892db0621687608ea4350e42d4b27b1a3ae9174c6d41b752ce0ac1479","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-81","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-79",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]