[{"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-94":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},2336020,4566,"Chapter 94: The Empress—Zero the Courtesan","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-94",94,"\u003Cp>Zero, the Empress\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s it going? Did you find her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Found her, found her! She’s at Kyōkyoku-ya, but the madam hid her away—we couldn’t see her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph! That madam of Kyōkyoku-ya—we’re regulars, and she’s this ungrateful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! And that Jueji  courtesan—lately she won’t even see us, after all the money we’ve spent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. I’m going to Kyōkyoku-ya these next few days—I refuse to believe I can’t see my Empress!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s MY Empress!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mine! Don’t you dare compete with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they argued, they nearly came to blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept quarreling over who Zero was the Empress of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zero were here, she’d realize these two were none other than the Fatty and the Skinny she’d stepped on…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyōkyoku-ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few days, Madam Sanjin had been constantly checking on Zero, visiting her room every so often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d ask if Zero ate well, or if she slept well these past days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared any problem might arise with this future courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, she’d sent courtesans to train Zero in courtesan arts, and found Zero mastered everything effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether tea ceremony, flower arrangement, or painting—Zero handled them all with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Madam Sanjin feel she’d truly struck gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She speculated Zero must have once been a noble lady, which explained why these skills came so naturally to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps her family had fallen from grace, which was why that handsome man sold her here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, with dawn breaking, Madam Sanjin came again to Zero’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her trailed several courtesans, each carrying piles of beautiful garments and jewelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one looked closely, one would recognize these as the attire and ornaments worn during a courtesan’s procession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at Zero’s room, she knocked and said: “Zero, are you awake? Mama’s coming in~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(In the Flower Street, madams always treated their courtesans like daughters, preferring to call themselves “Mama.”)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Sanjin pulled open the wooden door to see Zhixue and Huaqi curled up in Zero’s lap, smiling happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaqi and Zhixue immediately rose and stood behind Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Sanjin didn’t mind—she could tell, at least in temperament, Zero was infinitely better than Jueji .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, these are new clothes I brought you. Try them on—see if they fit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, understood. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Madam Sanjin went on with more tender inquiries, ordered the courtesans to set the items down, and tried to help Zero change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can do it myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero quickly stopped them from touching her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they helped her change, wouldn’t her secret be exposed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-sister, let us help you.” x2\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huaqi and Zhixue, two little girls, thought Zero was just shy, so they willingly offered to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, Zero had been kind to them—always sharing treats and often tucking them in to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, thank you for your kindness, but I’ll manage alone. Just guard the door for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, alright~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Zero went to the side chamber, and Huaqi and Zhixue obediently knelt on either side of the door, keeping watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero emerged from the side chamber, dressed, stepping lightly before the expectant gazes of the women, and opened the wooden door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Madam Sanjin, the courtesans, and the two girls were awestruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kimono, embroidered with countless floral patterns, clung to Zero’s form, and with the fan in hand, she looked like a celestial spirit descended to earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her exquisite face, paired with her meticulously styled long white hair and hairpins, enhanced her aura tenfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tiny dangling beads on either side of her hairpins swayed and chimed softly with every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow~ Zero is so beautiful~ Madam’s taste is impeccable!” one courtesan gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-sister, you’re so pretty~” Huaqi and Zhixue rushed to Zero’s side, gazing left and right, their eyes sparkling like stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Madam Sanjin, she was speechless—she only knew the money she’d spent that night was worth every coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The women chatted with Zero a while longer, then prepared to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, each had many duties still unattended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, rest well—we won’t disturb you further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Madam Sanjin led the courtesans out of Zero’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero gazed at her attire, and suddenly recalled another plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like tonight’s plan needs a slight adjustment—I refuse to believe this won’t draw you out!” Zero thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nightfall. Kyōkyoku-ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Flower Street at night remained as bustling as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guests poured in, flaunting their wealth and charm, vying for the courtesan’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet tonight, Kyōkyoku-ya’s business was even livelier than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rumor had spread: a stunning new courtesan had arrived at Kyōkyoku-ya and would make her debut tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ignited the men’s curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They flocked to Kyōkyoku-ya, eager to see for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Ogimachi-ya and Shiren-ya saw a slight decline in business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many regular patrons had left, heading toward Kyōkyoku-ya.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, Zero observed the scene—timing was ripe. It was time to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t believe Jueji  could still hold back if she stole all her clients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, these past nights, Zero had often sensed movement above the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her inaction clearly meant Jueji  was secretly watching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zero rose to leave, Madam Sanjin hurried in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero… you’re really going to meet guests?” Madam Sanjin could hardly believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d thought it was just rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No buts. Trust me—you’ll understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero rose slowly, left the room, and headed downstairs to stroll casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madam Sanjin didn’t know what else to do, so she ordered bodyguards to shadow Zero covertly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who dared harm Zero could be thrown out immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero was her costly investment—her golden goose. She couldn’t afford any loss!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she remained puzzled by Zero’s words: “You’ll understand…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had Zero said that to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she planning something? Or had she discovered something…??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guests downstairs had chosen their seats, waiting for the new courtesan’s debut—but hours passed, and she never appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They grew angry, feeling deceived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they were about to riot, someone in the crowd shouted: “The courtesan’s here—up there!” All eyes turned to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, they were stunned by her aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, the new courtesan descended the stairs slowly, fan in hand, wooden geta clacking beneath her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then took her place atop the platform where courtesans played the shamisen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fan concealed her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… so beautiful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eager guests involuntarily moved toward Zero the Courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before any could touch her, Zero whipped out a cane and struck the hand of the nearest man, just as it neared her robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She commanded: “Kneel before me, you scum!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud!…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closest guests dropped to their knees instinctively—as if subjected to a supreme ruler’s bloodline dominance over the lowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero, the Empress, rose and stepped before the kneeling men, looking down upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze, cold and contemptuous, regarded them as garbage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men on the ground lifted their heads to meet her eyes—and were stung by that look of utter disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt this Empress was so dazzling, and wished for more such treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trash, who gave you permission to look up at this palace lady?!” Zero Empress sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“S-sorry, Empress… I’m wrong… Please continue!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin, the madam standing nearby, swallowed hard at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had thought something major was about to happen, but never imagined Zero was this ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, Zero’s command nearly made her kneel in fear herself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Zero Empress set aside her elevated wooden clogs and stepped on the man’s head with her black-silk-clad foot, ordering: “I’m tired of standing. Bring me a chair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man quickly turned his mind, trying to decipher the Empress’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, inspiration struck—he understood what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly crawled to Zero Empress’s feet and offered himself as her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero didn’t hesitate—she sat directly on the back of this living chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the Empress on his back, the man’s face wore an expression of deep satisfaction (?ˉ??ˉ??).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other male guests all wore expressions of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to tear apart the “chair” beneath the Empress!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And take his place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire room fell quiet; everyone stood silently, encircling Zero the courtesan at a distance of one meter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a seemingly refined man gathered courage and approached Zero the courtesan: “Zero Courtesan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his only reply was Zero’s disdainful, contemptuous gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whip lifted the refined man’s chin as she coldly demanded: “Do you even deserve to speak my name?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refined man swallowed hard, his body trembling—Zero Courtesan’s aura was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet within him, a desire to conquer stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero Courtesan seemed to sense his thoughts and ordered: “You, kneel before me too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refined man immediately knelt before Zero Courtesan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Trash is trash—a refined scumbag, polluting the air around!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Zero raised her black-silk-clad foot and kicked the refined man square in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was flung backward, crashing to the ground, blood streaming from his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his face wore a lewd, foolish grin as he muttered: “So fragrant… Worth it~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, trashy vermin!” Zero rose from the “chair,” slipped back into her elevated clogs, and departed with Xue and Huaqi in tow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam!” the refined man shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin hurried over, apologetic: “Yes yes yes, I’m here—my apologies, sir, but Zero… she… she’s still new. If there’s anything…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow, I still want to see Zero Courtesan. I understand the rules…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Is there a problem? Do you think I can’t pay?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no, sir, I need to consult Zero first—she’s just starting as a courtesan, still doesn’t know much… Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to meet Fern Ji  Courtesan…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough nonsense! What’s Fern Ji  to me? She can’t compare to my Empress! I’ll be back tomorrow night—settled!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the refined man turned and left Jingjiwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… this…” Now it was Sanjin’s turn to be baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The refined man was a regular here—he’d met Fern Ji  twice already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he came to Jingjiwu, he demanded to see Fern Ji  Courtesan by name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No choice—she’d have to consult Zero later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse still, as Sanjin turned to leave, just a few steps away, several large men blocked her path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin panicked, clutching her collar: “Y-you… what do you want?! I-I… I’m not for sale, unless you pay extra…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost, who wants you?! Tomorrow night, I want to see Zero Empress—I know the rules!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get out, the Empress is mine, Sanjin Madam—I’ll pay double tomorrow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pay five times…!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chaos erupted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanjin’s head throbbed—she never expected Zero would cause such a stir on her very first night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen when she truly became a courtesan…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, not long after Zero left, a belt with a pair of eyes in the dark corner of the ceiling had witnessed everything clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That belt was Duoji’s detached belt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zero’s astonishing beauty again, she couldn’t help but lick her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the belt returned to Duoji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, you’re such a temptress~ Hehehe~ Your taste must be exquisite! I’ll capture you, and savor you slowly, all to myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duoji watched Zero depart as if she were a prized prey—Zero already seemed hers to claim!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Duoji didn’t know—hidden drones had already transmitted every image of her to Zero’s [Analytical Glasses].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every movement, every word, was under Zero’s surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, you want to hunt me? Duoji, you truly have no brain! Who will end up the victor? We’ll see~ Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The true hunter often appears as prey, to hunt the hunter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zero’s eyes, Duoji was now the real prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everything’s ready, Duoji—see you tomorrow night! Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………\u003C\u002Fp>",1922,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cdacf1f4c5182628d8dd4e02c108070eb7ce862fca328f37ea5cfd8d72efce97","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-95","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-93",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]