[{"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-93":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},2336019,4566,"Chapter 93: Infiltrating the Flower Street","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-93",93,"\u003Cp>“Boss, are you serious? You really want to sell them to us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner and madam of Shijin-ya stared in disbelief at the four little girls beside the tall man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the girl with white hair—clearly a noblewoman’s daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why would anyone willingly sell her to the Flower Street?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably a fallen noble family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of that mattered to them—good business was good business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam of Shijin-ya couldn’t help but be drawn to the tall, handsome Uzui Tengen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry, Madam, but you can only buy one from these three.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen pointed at Tanji, Inosuke, and Shinobu, feigning regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still remembered Zero’s instructions before they left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? Is the money not enough? I’ll pay triple… no, quintuple—how’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m truly sorry, Madam, but Zero has already been reserved by Kyojuro-ya.” Uzui Tengen made up a lie on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I see. Then I’ll take this one—Tanji. She looks more trustworthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Madam. I will work hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the madam of Shijin-ya was disappointed she couldn’t buy Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her eyes, Zero, if properly trained, would surpass any courtesan in any other brothel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Kyojuro-ya’s top courtesan might not match her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad Kyojuro-ya got there first—now the competition would only grow fiercer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to settle for Tanji instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d originally wanted the Fat One, but though she looked beautiful, she seemed dim-witted—perhaps not quite right in the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zenji, her eyes held a boyish shyness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That kind of shyness, the madam had seen only on virgins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such a thing shouldn’t exist on a girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, cautiously, she chose Tanji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanji was slightly inferior to the others, but she looked honest, hardworking, and would make an excellent servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Zero’s makeup was strong enough—unless washed off by heavy rain, no one could tell the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why Zenji showed such shyness, it was because he stood beside Zero and caught the unique scent of her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that her beauty—it was a miracle he hadn’t been turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the madam handed Uzui Tengen double the agreed sum, but as she did, she casually brushed her fingers over his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Couldn’t buy Zero—why not steal a little advantage from the handsome man? It wasn’t too much, was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Uzui Tengen led the remaining three to other brothels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, they encountered a courtesan procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?” the Fat One asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the Koika courtesan from Shijin-ya—this is the courtesan parade,” Uzui Tengen explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, isn’t that your wife? She’s so beautiful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a madam noticed the three girls beside Uzui Tengen and stared with unusual interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Zero—her posture, her aura—unmatched by any woman alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen quickly thanked her: “Really? Thank you so much—but you can only choose these two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to Zenji and the Fat One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? If money’s the issue, I’ll pay ten times!” the Ogimoto-ya madam pressed anxiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This white-haired girl had immense potential—she’d outshine every courtesan from Kyojuro-ya and Shijin-ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she dominated the scene, how could they not make a fortune?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I see. Well then, these two girls are still quite good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though disappointed she couldn’t buy Zero, the Ogimoto-ya madam still paid double and purchased Zenji and the Fat One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen took the money and smiled as he watched Zenji and the Fat One leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take care, Zenji! Fat One!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after they departed, Zero reached out her hand to Uzui Tengen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… what’s this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finders keepers—half for each. Since I’m so valuable, half isn’t too much, is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine, he’d been defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t unreasonable—after all, what came next depended on Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He split the money in half and gave it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero didn’t refuse, nor did she care about the onlookers—she simply stuffed the money into her bosom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Uzui Tengen led Zero to the last brothel—Kyojuro-ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at Kyojuro-ya, he found the madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spoke briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam saw Zero and was instantly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never seen such a beautiful girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… you’re serious? You really want to sell Zero… to my Kyojuro-ya?!” the madam could hardly believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s wonderful! I won’t let you lose out—I’ll pay triple… no, quintuple! Wait here, I’ll get the money!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam didn’t dare delay a moment—afraid Uzui Tengen might change his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a beautiful, high-potential girl, if properly trained, would surpass even the Jueji  courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, lately the Jueji  courtesan had grown colder, snapping and striking out for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d injured several 【Tou】 already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse, the madam felt something… perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Jueji  courtesan brought in plenty of business, the madam only wanted to run a peaceful trade, not invite trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her suspicions were true, one day the Jueji  courtesan might destroy Kyojuro-ya in a fit of rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she wanted to train another courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam returned with a large sack of coins and said: “Boss, check if this is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen didn’t even look. “I trust you, Madam. Then I’ll be going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, please take care. Oh, I’m Sanjin—I hope you’ll come back for more good business anytime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Uzui Tengen leave, she turned back to Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re Zero, right? Make this your home—I’ll train you well and make you the most beautiful courtesan!” Sanjin smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero said nothing, only smiled and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin didn’t mind—she assumed Zero was just nervous in a new place. Once she got used to it, she’d be fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she led Zero upstairs to the best private room—its décor surpassed even the courtesan’s quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Sanjin had immense hopes for Zero as her future courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, for now, make do with this room. Later, I’ll assign two 【Tou】 to serve you. How’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just two simple words—but to Sanjin, they sounded softer than the Jueji  courtesan’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest now. In a few days, I’ll send someone to teach you courtesan duties.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving Zero a few simple rules, Sanjin finally left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero sat at the table and activated the drone’s stealth mode within her 【Nanomesh Space】, then released them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They flew out the window, monitoring everything around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Sanjin returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She brought two little girls, around ten years old, before Zero and said: “Zero, these two will attend to your daily needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero nodded and smiled: “Thank you for your hard work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin smiled contentedly—Zero’s attitude was truly excellent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving instructions to the two little girls, he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girls stood at the door, trembling slightly, too afraid to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come here a moment,” Zero smiled and waved to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They obeyed, stepping cautiously toward Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are your names?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I’m Shikiyuki.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Hanaki.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shikiyuki, Hanaki—nice names. I’m Zero.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Zero was easy to get along with, Shikiyuki and Hanaki gradually relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They opened up and chatted with Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oginaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, Madam, these two girls are truly beautiful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the courtesans exclaimed, gazing at Zenko and Butako, who had been brought back by the madam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, who is Zero?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero? She’s one of those girls too. Let me tell you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The madam recounted everything that had happened with Zero and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesans listened, stunned—could there truly be a girl so breathtakingly beautiful in this world?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the madam’s expression didn’t seem like a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, you girls, take them around, show them the rules and routines of Oginaya, and treat them well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Zenko and Butako were taken away by the other courtesans to learn their duties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenko was assigned to play the shamisen and biwa; Butako was assigned to serve tea and water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenko had assumed “hospitality” meant being fed and pampered—she never expected to be made to play the shamisen…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would’ve been better to stay with Zero~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe with Zero, she wouldn’t have to work at all, and could eat and drink well…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow! This cute little girl plays the shamisen amazingly! Is she new?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She is! They say the madam paid several times the price to buy her, and the other one’s just as adorable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Then the madam must’ve made a fortune?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around them, courtesans murmured, growing even more curious about Zenko and Butako.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tokimaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumi’s diligent, hardworking attitude won the courtesans’ favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sumi really is hardworking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes~ Though she has a scar on her forehead, she’s undeniably cute. The madam didn’t waste her money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtesans chatted as the madam approached and said: “Stop gossiping—get back to work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then called out to Sumi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sumi, come here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Madam. Is there something I can help with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re short-handed. Take these to Kairo’s room, then rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Madam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the astonished gazes of others, she effortlessly stacked the bundles, lifted them, and carried them to Kairo’s chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait… Sumi’s strength… is too great…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression, utterly incongruous with her appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at Kairo’s room, she saw two [Bald] girls whispering, overhearing something about “pulling feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s ‘pulling feet’?” Sumi set down the bundles and asked them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, Sumi-nēsan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know what ‘pulling feet’ means?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two girls explained “pulling feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pulling feet” meant fleeing the pleasure district before settling one’s debts—if caught, the consequences were unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The former Kuma Kajō was also…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuma! She was Uzui’s wife…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumi clearly remembered: before leaving, Uzui Tengan had told them the names of his three wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuma of Tokimaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Makiyo of Oginaya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hina He  of Kyogokuya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop listening to rumors,” a beautiful woman entered the room, radiating grace and refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was Kairo, the top courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sumi, come here a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kairo handed Sumi a small bag of sweets and said: “Thank you for helping me. These are for you—eat them quietly somewhere alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you… um, was Kuma really a ‘puller of feet’…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why ask about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kairo grew wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Sumi knew if she spoke wrongly, she’d never get the information she needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she lied: “Actually… Kuma… is my… my… sister…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her face wore an oddly strange expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the upright Tanjiro (Sumi) couldn’t maintain a normal expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kairo and her two [Bald] girls were startled by the odd look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes. We used to write letters. My sister wouldn’t be a ‘puller of feet.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kairo recounted everything she knew about Kuma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sumi suspected Kuma’s “pulling feet” was fake—perhaps even the diary was forged…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One night had passed since infiltrating the pleasure district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengan stood on the rooftop, watching the bustling streets, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter what, he would follow Zero’s plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before departing, Zero had revealed his plan: if no news came within five days, he would detonate the bomb to create a disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he would lure the Upper Moon demons out himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengan would rescue the hostages trapped in the underground caverns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro and the other two would evacuate the civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Zero had boldly deduced: Uzui Tengan’s three wives were still alive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if captured, they’d be interrogated for the Demon Slayer Corps’ headquarters and other vital intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, you’re magnificent! I’ll count on you to make it spectacular! Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2112,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d7dd5470fbd75108aac7423db38e19ba153f78f283a20979b80ec0259bda1e8e","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-94","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-92",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]