[{"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-98":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},2336024,4566,"Chapter 98: Fated","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>Yoshiwara’s pleasure district had become a pile of rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the ruins, four women were frantically searching through the debris for Zero and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were Maki, Hina He , Suma, and Nezuko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maki: “Lord Tengan! Where are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hina He : “Lord Tengan, please be safe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suma: “Waaahhh! Lord Tengan, don’t die on us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maki slapped Suma’s firm, bouncy rear with a sharp crack, snapping: “Idiot Suma! Don’t talk nonsense like that—Lord Tengan wouldn’t be in danger!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah～ Waaahhh～ Maki’s bullying me again～”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, look over there!” Hina He  pointed to a distant mound of rubble, where a blue-glowing hemispherical object lay half-buried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maki instantly drew two kunai, eyes sharp: “Could the demon still be alive?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She crept forward cautiously to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hina He  and Suma also drew kunai, following slowly behind Maki, shielding Nezuko behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRASH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rubble exploded outward, revealing Zero and the other four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengan had used his own body to shield Tanjiro and the three children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earlier explosion had triggered Zero’s [Quantum Shield], forming a three-meter-radius hemispherical barrier that protected all five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Zero’s excessive caution—he’d pre-charged the [Quantum Shield] with [Energy Crystals]—none of them were hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nezuko, relieved to see them all unharmed, lunged toward Zero—only to smash into the [Quantum Shield]’s surface, arms and legs splayed in a “big” shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero immediately deactivated the protection mode; Nezuko dashed into his arms, nuzzling her head against his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There, there, Nezuko—we’re all fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm～”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then slipped off Zero and ran to check on her brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nezuko! You’re safe too—thank goodness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro, seeing Nezuko unharmed, exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Uzui Tengan, he was currently basking in the tender embrace of his three wives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women circled him, meticulously scanning him from head to toe, checking for injuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were practically ready to strip off his clothes and pants for a full inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his name called, Zero turned and saw Kanao and Shinobu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The butterfly sisters, upon seeing the massive explosion from afar, had rushed forward, fearing for Zero’s safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived, Yoshiwara’s pleasure district was already a smoldering ruin, flames raging everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, no one had been seriously injured; as the Hidden Division arrived to assist, Kanao began searching for Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him unharmed, she nearly burst into tears, launching herself into his arms and clinging tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afraid it was an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There, Kanao, don’t worry—I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kanao said nothing, only held him tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak. Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu, watching Uzui Tengan surrounded by his three wives, gritted his teeth with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really had three wives?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinobu stared at Uzui Tengan, her eyes darkening—she was already plotting how to teach him a lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long ago, at Butterfly House, he’d kidnapped Kanao and Kanae without permission and taken them to Yoshiwara to help him complete his mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of place was Yoshiwara? What could possibly happen to children that young there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t been at Butterfly House then, but she’d remembered this grudge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, sensing something ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around but saw nothing unusual, dismissing it as a trick of the mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zero’s reassurance, Kanao calmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll check the surroundings again. There may be some matters here that will require your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm. Be careful. I’ll wait for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without caring who was watching, Kanao kissed Zero on the lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d kissed so many times before—what was one more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm～ What a splendid youth～” Uzui Tengan sighed, watching the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Lord Tengan—they’re so sweet～” Hina He , sensing the faint pink bubbles around them, felt a sweet warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suma, eyes full of envy, turned to Uzui Tengan: “Lord Tengan, I want to try too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Mo saw this and looked at him with envy, saying to Uzui Tengan: “My lord Tengan, I’d like to try too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maki slapped Suma’s rear again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suma, what are you saying?! There are children here!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah～ Lord Tengan, look—Maki’s bullying me again～ Waaahhh～”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after Zero left, Ikkyu Shobu arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Upper Rank Six… Six, huh? Even though he’s the lowest of the Upper Ranks, defeating him is still commendable—I’ll praise you for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared, unsure how to respond, only feeling awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re mistaken. I didn’t defeat Upper Rank Six—it was Zero. He killed him alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of Zero, Ikkyu Shobu bristled—but then thought better of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Kanao was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. So it was Zero? Of course. He dares to punch Muichiro himself—how could he fail against a mere Upper Rank Six? He wouldn’t deserve the title of Pillar otherwise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ikkyu Shobu sneered, then turned and walked away without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iebi Kaban sneered and turned away without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke. Silence settled over the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a faint scent of vinegar lingered in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to guess who it came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Given the force of the explosion, they must’ve been thrown this way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the blast’s direction, Zero quickly located the severed heads of Jigoro and Daki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the siblings were arguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daki: “Brother, you’re supposed to be strong! Why didn’t you save me?! Why did you lose?! If you’d killed that white-haired demon hunter sooner, none of this would’ve happened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jigoro: “Didn’t you see I was fighting a Pillar?! That Pillar isn’t easy to beat! In Infinity Castle, all the Upper Ranks and Muichiro himself couldn’t touch him! And another Pillar was watching us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And why didn’t you kill those three brats first and come help me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daki: “I was about to! Those three brats gave me no chance! That brat with the earrings—he used some trick that stopped me from regenerating!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jigoro: “Then why didn’t you just run?! How can you fail at something so simple?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero stood nearby, watching the two heads argue, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though their backstory was tragic, they had harmed humans—they must pay the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only fate’s cruel irony that they were born in such a harsh age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-nii.” Tanjiro arrived with Nezuko to see what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother Zero.” Tanjiro arrived here with Nezuko to see what was going on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence—watch, and you’ll understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up! You call yourself Upper Rank Six, yet you got killed by three brats?! You’re an idiot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jigoro roared, and the siblings fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if wounded, Daki snapped: “...You’re not my brother! You’re a monster! We’re not even related—you don’t look anything like me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re useless! Aside from being strong, you have no redeeming qualities—zero worth! Now you’ve lost, you’re worthless! Just a pathetic monster!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daki vented every bitter thought, blaming her brother entirely, never considering herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell?!” Jigoro shouted, lashing out: “I saved you countless times! You’d be dead without me! You’re the useless one! Weak, worthless! I regret every second I protected you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d never been born, my life wouldn’t be like this! Why must I keep cleaning up your messes?! You shouldn’t have been born in the first place—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were cut off as Tanjiro clamped a hand over his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… you don’t mean it. You’re lying…” Tanjiro couldn’t bear to see them keep fighting—he covered Jigoro’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell—Jigoro didn’t mean those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make peace. You’re siblings who rely on each other. No one will forgive what you’ve done…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one will be your ally—so at least stop hurling insults at each other…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words left Jigoro and Daki silent, staring at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Daki’s head began to vanish, she cried out: “I’m sorry, brother! I just… I can’t accept it! I don’t want to die—I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Fallen Maiden’s head was about to vanish, she cried out: “Sorry, brother! I just can’t accept it… I really can’t accept it! Quickly think of a way to save me, I don’t want to die, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Duoji  could finish speaking, she turned to ash and vanished before Jigoro’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mei!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jigoro shouted his sister’s human name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Memories in his mind flashed by like a revolving lantern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I remember now—my sister’s name is ‘Mei,’ not this ugly name ‘ Duoji .’ No, even ‘Mei’ is an ugly name…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jigoro recalled his past with his sister…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were born on the banks of the Rōshōmon River, the lowest part of the pleasure district…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At birth, they nearly died several times…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he was ugly, he was always shunned…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He often went hungry, eating poisonous insects, snakes, and ants when hungry, drinking water from filthy gutters when thirsty…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His toys were the sickles left behind by clients…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing he ever took pride in was his little sister—Mei—who, even as a child, possessed a beauty rivaling any angel’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he discovered he was a skilled fighter, so he became a debt collector…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the year his sister turned thirteen, Mei poked out a samurai’s eye with a hairpin…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his sister was innocent and easily influenced, he often told her: “Before others take from you, take from them first! Before others demand from you, demand from them first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, he returned to find his sister bound and burned alive by the samurai and the madam…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After killing the samurai and the madam with his own hands, he carried his sister alone through the snowstorm-lashed streets…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one offered them help…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the siblings’ lives were about to end, Upper Rank Six, Dōma, encountered them and gave them his blood…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I cannot be happy, neither shall anyone else…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jigoro had no regrets about becoming a demon—only guilt toward his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for me, she might have lived a better life…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Mei, you and I are not the same.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Jigoro’s head also turned to ash and dispersed into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro felt sympathy for the siblings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he would not forgive their deeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero-brother… do you think they’ll reconcile?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. After all… they are the only family who can rely on each other.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Then that’s wonderful…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. We need to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Zero took Nezuko’s hand and rejoined the group, preparing to leave Yoshiwara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, Zero suddenly noticed something else:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro’s sword—was it alright…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the previous two lessons, every time Tanjiro fought a Lower or Upper Rank demon, his sword broke…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time shouldn’t be any different…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro, I have a question for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it, Zero-brother? Ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is your sword?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My sword…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro suddenly realized—his sword was gone again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, my sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He panicked and ran back to search frantically for his Nichirin Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently prayed—please, let nothing be wrong with it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still trembled at the memory of being hunted down by Kōtetsu Hanae.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… ah, your sword Zhongjiu  still couldn’t escape this tragic fate… Is this destiny?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he left with Nezuko.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky gradually began to lighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero had Nezuko return to her wooden box to avoid the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around—the Insect Hashira members were handling matters, and everyone else had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tanjiro seemed off—he sat alone atop the rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero went over to see what was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over… the sword broke again… it’s over…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro kept repeating the same phrase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faintly, Zero thought he saw a white spirit floating out of Tanjiro’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In its hand, it held his Nichirin Blade—broken cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, Zero had timely protected everyone with his [Quantum Shield].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the instant of the explosion’s shockwave, Uzui Tengen, carrying three people, stumbled and fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro, due to inertia, also fell to the ground, losing his grip on the Nichirin Blade, which flew away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he returned to search, he spent a long time finding it—buried beneath the rubble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he found it, it had been crushed into two pieces by fallen wooden beams and bricks…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword… how to put it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still couldn’t escape its fate of breaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah~ Tanjiro, perhaps… this is your destiny,” Zero patted Tanjiro’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could do nothing about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only leave it to fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Zero decided to buy several watermelons on the way back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, your battle was magnificent! By the way, would you like to come to my place for a hot spring bath?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uzui Tengen, accompanied by his three wives, invited Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My house is quite large—several people bathing together won’t be a problem at all~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero, carrying Kanao’s body, thought for a moment. Since there was nothing urgent ahead, a hot spring bath sounded good—he agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. I can’t refuse such generous hospitality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! That’s magnificent! You’re always welcome with your magnificent presence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyojuro, walking beside Zero, pondered how to retaliate against Uzui Tengen for his earlier actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>",2125,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d541cd3929cddba38e7c64a39ce5e9e44cb5cfdfde95f6834e60fab4cde6ab2e","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-99","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-97",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]