Chapter 93: Infiltrating the Flower Street

“Boss, are you serious? You really want to sell them to us?”

“Yes, Madam.”

The owner and madam of Shijin-ya stared in disbelief at the four little girls beside the tall man.

Especially the girl with white hair—clearly a noblewoman’s daughter.

But why would anyone willingly sell her to the Flower Street?

Probably a fallen noble family.

But none of that mattered to them—good business was good business.

The madam of Shijin-ya couldn’t help but be drawn to the tall, handsome Uzui Tengen.

She glanced at the four girls beside him, thought for a moment, then said: “In that case, I’ll pay double to buy them all…”

“I’m sorry, Madam, but you can only buy one from these three.”

Uzui Tengen pointed at Tanji, Inosuke, and Shinobu, feigning regret.

He still remembered Zero’s instructions before they left.

“Why? Is the money not enough? I’ll pay triple… no, quintuple—how’s that?”

“I’m truly sorry, Madam, but Zero has already been reserved by Kyojuro-ya.” Uzui Tengen made up a lie on the spot.

“Oh, I see. Then I’ll take this one—Tanji. She looks more trustworthy.”

“Thank you, Madam. I will work hard.”

Though the madam of Shijin-ya was disappointed she couldn’t buy Zero.

In her eyes, Zero, if properly trained, would surpass any courtesan in any other brothel.

Even Kyojuro-ya’s top courtesan might not match her.

Too bad Kyojuro-ya got there first—now the competition would only grow fiercer.

She had to settle for Tanji instead.

She’d originally wanted the Fat One, but though she looked beautiful, she seemed dim-witted—perhaps not quite right in the head.

As for Zenji, her eyes held a boyish shyness.

That kind of shyness, the madam had seen only on virgins.

But such a thing shouldn’t exist on a girl.

So, cautiously, she chose Tanji.

Tanji was slightly inferior to the others, but she looked honest, hardworking, and would make an excellent servant.

Fortunately, Zero’s makeup was strong enough—unless washed off by heavy rain, no one could tell the truth.

As for why Zenji showed such shyness, it was because he stood beside Zero and caught the unique scent of her body.

Add to that her beauty—it was a miracle he hadn’t been turned.

Then the madam handed Uzui Tengen double the agreed sum, but as she did, she casually brushed her fingers over his palm.

Couldn’t buy Zero—why not steal a little advantage from the handsome man? It wasn’t too much, was it?

Afterward, Uzui Tengen led the remaining three to other brothels.

On the way, they encountered a courtesan procession.

“What’s going on?” the Fat One asked, puzzled.

“That’s the Koika courtesan from Shijin-ya—this is the courtesan parade,” Uzui Tengen explained.

“Hey, isn’t that your wife? She’s so beautiful…”

Thwack!

Uzui Tengen gave Zenji a sharp knuckle rap. “Idiot, that’s not my wife!! The rankings list their names—you can see it right there!!”

The Fat One watched the procession, dug her nose, and muttered impatiently: “They’re moving so slow—if this were in the mountains, they’d be dead already.”

At that moment, a madam noticed the three girls beside Uzui Tengen and stared with unusual interest.

Especially Zero—her posture, her aura—unmatched by any woman alive.

“Excuse me, Boss, I’ll take all three of your girls. And for the white-haired girl, I’ll pay five times the price—is that acceptable? By the way, I’m the madam of Ogimoto-ya.”

Uzui Tengen quickly thanked her: “Really? Thank you so much—but you can only choose these two.”

He pointed to Zenji and the Fat One.

“Why? If money’s the issue, I’ll pay ten times!” the Ogimoto-ya madam pressed anxiously.

This white-haired girl had immense potential—she’d outshine every courtesan from Kyojuro-ya and Shijin-ya.

Once she dominated the scene, how could they not make a fortune?

“It’s like this—Zero has already been reserved by Kyojuro-ya. I’m truly sorry, Madam,” Uzui Tengen repeated the same lie he’d told at Shijin-ya.

“I… I see. Well then, these two girls are still quite good.”

Though disappointed she couldn’t buy Zero, the Ogimoto-ya madam still paid double and purchased Zenji and the Fat One.

Uzui Tengen took the money and smiled as he watched Zenji and the Fat One leave.

“Take care, Zenji! Fat One!”

Soon after they departed, Zero reached out her hand to Uzui Tengen.

“Uh… what’s this?”

“Finders keepers—half for each. Since I’m so valuable, half isn’t too much, is it?”

“….”

Fine, he’d been defeated.

It wasn’t unreasonable—after all, what came next depended on Zero.

He split the money in half and gave it to her.

Zero didn’t refuse, nor did she care about the onlookers—she simply stuffed the money into her bosom.

Finally, Uzui Tengen led Zero to the last brothel—Kyojuro-ya.

Arriving at Kyojuro-ya, he found the madam.

They spoke briefly.

The madam saw Zero and was instantly stunned.

She had never seen such a beautiful girl.

“You… you’re serious? You really want to sell Zero… to my Kyojuro-ya?!” the madam could hardly believe it.

“Yes, Madam.”

“That’s wonderful! I won’t let you lose out—I’ll pay triple… no, quintuple! Wait here, I’ll get the money!”

The madam didn’t dare delay a moment—afraid Uzui Tengen might change his mind.

Such a beautiful, high-potential girl, if properly trained, would surpass even the Jueji courtesan.

Besides, lately the Jueji courtesan had grown colder, snapping and striking out for no reason.

She’d injured several 【Tou】 already.

Worse, the madam felt something… perhaps…

Though the Jueji courtesan brought in plenty of business, the madam only wanted to run a peaceful trade, not invite trouble.

If her suspicions were true, one day the Jueji courtesan might destroy Kyojuro-ya in a fit of rage.

So she wanted to train another courtesan.

Moments later.

The madam returned with a large sack of coins and said: “Boss, check if this is enough.”

Uzui Tengen didn’t even look. “I trust you, Madam. Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes, yes, please take care. Oh, I’m Sanjin—I hope you’ll come back for more good business anytime.”

Watching Uzui Tengen leave, she turned back to Zero.

The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.

“You’re Zero, right? Make this your home—I’ll train you well and make you the most beautiful courtesan!” Sanjin smiled.

Zero said nothing, only smiled and nodded.

Sanjin didn’t mind—she assumed Zero was just nervous in a new place. Once she got used to it, she’d be fine.

Then she led Zero upstairs to the best private room—its décor surpassed even the courtesan’s quarters.

Clearly, Sanjin had immense hopes for Zero as her future courtesan.

“Zero, for now, make do with this room. Later, I’ll assign two 【Tou】 to serve you. How’s that?”

“Thank you.”

Just two simple words—but to Sanjin, they sounded softer than the Jueji courtesan’s voice.

“Rest now. In a few days, I’ll send someone to teach you courtesan duties.”

“Mm.”

After giving Zero a few simple rules, Sanjin finally left the room.

Zero sat at the table and activated the drone’s stealth mode within her 【Nanomesh Space】, then released them all.

They flew out the window, monitoring everything around.

Not long after, Sanjin returned.

She brought two little girls, around ten years old, before Zero and said: “Zero, these two will attend to your daily needs.”

Zero nodded and smiled: “Thank you for your hard work.”

Sanjin smiled contentedly—Zero’s attitude was truly excellent.

After giving instructions to the two little girls, he left.

The little girls stood at the door, trembling slightly, too afraid to speak.

“Come here a moment,” Zero smiled and waved to them.

They obeyed, stepping cautiously toward Zero.

“What are your names?”

“I… I’m Shikiyuki.”

“I’m Hanaki.”

“Shikiyuki, Hanaki—nice names. I’m Zero.”

Seeing that Zero was easy to get along with, Shikiyuki and Hanaki gradually relaxed.

They opened up and chatted with Zero.

…………

Oginaya.

“Wow, Madam, these two girls are truly beautiful!”

One of the courtesans exclaimed, gazing at Zenko and Butako, who had been brought back by the madam.

“Of course! Though it cost several times more, once we dress them up, they’ll be more popular than Wakaba from Kyogokuya and Kairo from Tokimaya! It’s a pity we couldn’t buy Zero—had we done so, Oginaya would’ve become famous!”

“Madam, who is Zero?”

“Zero? She’s one of those girls too. Let me tell you…”

The madam recounted everything that had happened with Zero and the others.

The courtesans listened, stunned—could there truly be a girl so breathtakingly beautiful in this world?!

Yet the madam’s expression didn’t seem like a lie.

“Alright, you girls, take them around, show them the rules and routines of Oginaya, and treat them well.”

“Yes.”

Afterwards, Zenko and Butako were taken away by the other courtesans to learn their duties.

Zenko was assigned to play the shamisen and biwa; Butako was assigned to serve tea and water.

Zenko had assumed “hospitality” meant being fed and pampered—she never expected to be made to play the shamisen…

It would’ve been better to stay with Zero~

Maybe with Zero, she wouldn’t have to work at all, and could eat and drink well…

The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew—and her shamisen playing grew faster and faster, even outdoing the other courtesans beside her!

“Wow! This cute little girl plays the shamisen amazingly! Is she new?!”

“She is! They say the madam paid several times the price to buy her, and the other one’s just as adorable!”

“Really? Then the madam must’ve made a fortune?!”

Around them, courtesans murmured, growing even more curious about Zenko and Butako.

Tokimaya.

Sumi’s diligent, hardworking attitude won the courtesans’ favor.

“Sumi really is hardworking.”

“Yes~ Though she has a scar on her forehead, she’s undeniably cute. The madam didn’t waste her money.”

The courtesans chatted as the madam approached and said: “Stop gossiping—get back to work.”

“Yes.”

She then called out to Sumi.

“Sumi, come here.”

“Yes, Madam. Is there something I can help with?”

“We’re short-handed. Take these to Kairo’s room, then rest.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Under the astonished gazes of others, she effortlessly stacked the bundles, lifted them, and carried them to Kairo’s chamber.

“Wait… Sumi’s strength… is too great…”

“Y-yes…”

Her expression, utterly incongruous with her appearance.

Arriving at Kairo’s room, she saw two [Bald] girls whispering, overhearing something about “pulling feet.”

“What’s ‘pulling feet’?” Sumi set down the bundles and asked them.

“Oh, Sumi-nēsan.”

“You don’t know what ‘pulling feet’ means?”

The two girls explained “pulling feet.”

“Pulling feet” meant fleeing the pleasure district before settling one’s debts—if caught, the consequences were unknown.

“The former Kuma Kajō was also…”

Kuma! She was Uzui’s wife…

Sumi clearly remembered: before leaving, Uzui Tengan had told them the names of his three wives.

They were:

Kuma of Tokimaya.

Makiyo of Oginaya.

Hina He of Kyogokuya.

“Stop listening to rumors,” a beautiful woman entered the room, radiating grace and refinement.

She was Kairo, the top courtesan.

“Sumi, come here a moment.”

“Yes.”

Kairo handed Sumi a small bag of sweets and said: “Thank you for helping me. These are for you—eat them quietly somewhere alone.”

“Thank you… um, was Kuma really a ‘puller of feet’…?”

“Why ask about that?”

Kairo grew wary.

Seeing this, Sumi knew if she spoke wrongly, she’d never get the information she needed.

So she lied: “Actually… Kuma… is my… my… sister…”

But her face wore an oddly strange expression.

After all, the upright Tanjiro (Sumi) couldn’t maintain a normal expression.

Kairo and her two [Bald] girls were startled by the odd look.

Yet Kairo quickly regained composure, calmed herself, and said: “So you’re Kuma’s sister… after your sister, you were sold into the pleasure district too?”

“Y-yes. We used to write letters. My sister wouldn’t be a ‘puller of feet.’”

“I see… I never believed little Kuma would run away. She was a serious, grounded girl—even though she wrote in her diary that she planned to ‘pull feet’…”

Kairo recounted everything she knew about Kuma.

Sumi suspected Kuma’s “pulling feet” was fake—perhaps even the diary was forged…

…………

One night had passed since infiltrating the pleasure district.

Uzui Tengan stood on the rooftop, watching the bustling streets, lost in thought.

But no matter what, he would follow Zero’s plan.

Before departing, Zero had revealed his plan: if no news came within five days, he would detonate the bomb to create a disturbance.

And he would lure the Upper Moon demons out himself.

Uzui Tengan would rescue the hostages trapped in the underground caverns.

Tanjiro and the other two would evacuate the civilians.

And Zero had boldly deduced: Uzui Tengan’s three wives were still alive!

After all, if captured, they’d be interrogated for the Demon Slayer Corps’ headquarters and other vital intelligence.

“Zero, you’re magnificent! I’ll count on you to make it spectacular! Hahaha!”

…………