Stop! This Is Not Repaying a Favor!

As for Ying's sentiments, Liu Bai simply smiled.

Although Mei has always been a noob, that's because of the difference between ordinary people and battle veterans and Fusion Warrior.

Sakura sighed, "But if two complete newbies really started fighting, do they really think they can be easily defeated by anyone? After all, she's learned boxing from him."

So, coming back to the point, the person fighting Yae Sakura right now is the Hokushin Mei that Yae Sakura mentioned last year, right?

Liu Bai remembered this matter very clearly because his name contained the character "Mei" (Ya).

"Aren't you going to stop it?"

Looking at the two people fighting on the field, Liu Bai saw that Yae Sakura was clearly at a disadvantage. Although she hadn't bled, under Hokushin Mei's relentless pressure, Yae Sakura's shrine maiden outfit was almost turning into a beggar's rags.

"Moreover, this person's mind should be in a state of being corrupted by Honkai Energy... Hmm, it doesn't seem too serious. Knocking him out and taking him back to rest for a few days should be enough."

"No rush, this is a good opportunity to hone Sakura's skills."

Although Sakura monopolizes Rin all day long, she is very good to Yae Sakura, after all, she is her student.

"Sakura is only fifteen years old now, and this is the perfect time for her to accumulate some combat experience."

To be honest, I was definitely not as strong as Yae Sakura is now when I was fifteen, but unfortunately, that's the limit of this era.

She could teach Yae Sakura what she knew, but due to the times, Yae Sakura could never completely catch up with her—excluding Fusion Warrior, this was also true in terms of martial arts alone.

There was nothing in this era that could allow Yae Sakura to "sharpen her sword".

As for Yae Sakura's current enemy, that female swordsman with a beautiful face, well, a proper swordsman, her skills are about the same level as hers, or even a little more profound. After all, Sakura doesn't care much about so-called "skills," she's the typical type who just wants something useful.

If she hadn't been so aggressive due to the impact of the Honkai, and instead calmly sought out an opening before attacking, Yae Sakura probably wouldn't have lasted three rounds.

With such relentless pursuit, this person definitely won't be able to defeat Yae Sakura in a short time. In fact, right now, Hokushin Mei's aura is already too weak to be controlled, and she's about to lose control of Yae Sakura.

Of course, another part of it was because Yae Sakura was really frustrated by the beating—"I just didn't want to kill anyone, do you really think I wouldn't dare to cut you down?"

These two people with Sakura in their names felt fierce in their hearts at critical moments.

Yae Sakura is now launching a fierce counterattack.

Sakura was very satisfied with this situation, so she simply used Hokushin Mei as Yae Sakura's whetstone.

"These two... well, we'll see who wins in about five minutes."

Sakura calmly estimated a number.

So Liu Bai and Ying were practically ready to sit on small stools and watch the women fight...

Yae Sakura, completely focused on the battle, was unaware that the person she was waiting for had arrived beside her.

Time passed quickly, and the battle between the two swordsmen came to an end—even though Hokushin Mei's mind was a bit off, she was still a swordswoman, and the improvement in her physical abilities under the influence of the Honkai was no joke.

During Sakura's counterattack, Hokushin Mei caught her out of a way.

When--!

Sakura blocked the attack with her sword.

That's the end of it.

When your own students fight to the end, they don't really think rationally anymore. It's like you've lowered your IQ to the same level as your opponent, so what's the point of fighting?

"You... donkey demon?"

Hokushin Mei first looked around at Sakura and Yae Sakura with a bit of confusion, then looked at the ears on Sakura's head and spoke.

Snap!

A blade hilt appeared instantly.

Still completely bewildered, Hokushin Mei was knocked unconscious on the spot.

Then Sakura kicked Hokushin Mei on the ground with a slight sneer.

Although I don't mind if people misunderstand my ears, I won't be polite if you say that with your beautiful face.

"...teacher?"

"Go back and summarize today's problems. Oh, and carry this person back with you too."

Even though it was a surprise attack, the fact that the other person called her "Mei" and had a "Mei" face meant that there was a familial bond between them.

"Oh..."

Yae Sakura nodded. Although she didn't know why her teacher would take in this dangerous woman, with her teacher and the Lord God around, she didn't care about the danger.

That last slash from the other party had truly terrified her. If it had hit her, she probably would have been cut in half. So Yae Sakura, who was initially quite agitated, was now very calm—well, she had been calmed down by the shock.

After carefully sheathing the other person's sword, Yae Sakura silently carried Hokushin Mei on her back. In the meantime, Sakura had already made her escape.

"..."

Even though my teacher has left, why do I feel like I've been fed a dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection)?

Damn it, why did the Lord God bind their own teacher to them?!

The idea of your beloved being monopolized by a woman who looks exactly like you... well, that's just too sad.

Hokushin Mei was unconscious for two days.

During this time, the fact that such a large cherry blossom tree in the shrine was gone could not be kept secret from the whole village. However, due to the power of the Fox God, the villagers only asked a perfunctory question and did not want to know the specifics of what had happened.

After all, there was that strange earthquake that day, and after the earthquake, their own sacred tree was gone. Although they really didn't know what had happened, the whole thing seemed very bad.

The villagers, who had just experienced a severe drought, had no intention of angering the Fox God.

"Hmm..." Hokushin Mei opened her eyes.

Ah... an unfamiliar ceiling.

How did I get here?

"Oh, you're awake. Would you like some water?"

Hokushin Mei turned her head and found a lively pink-haired little girl next to her.

Pink hair... Hmm, I think I vaguely remember it.

"... Thank you, could you please get me a glass of water?"

Hokushin Mei was completely exhausted. After struggling to sit up, she nodded to the girl beside her.

Ah... what exactly happened?

Watching the girl run off, Hokushin Mei began to try hard to recall her memories.

If I remember correctly, she took on a demon-slaying quest in Shinano. The pay was generous, and the demon didn't seem particularly strong based on the description.

Then... when I arrived at the place, I encountered a monster, and after fighting it for fifty or sixty rounds, I killed it.

Well...

Hokushin Mei covered her head.

It seemed like a black mist was emerging from the monster's corpse, and then... yes, then my mind was filled with killing and fighting.

Fortunately, the place was in the middle of nowhere. He wandered aimlessly until he came to a small village and found a swordsman who, like himself, could slay demons...

Even when Hokushin Mei is in a frenzy, she still possesses considerable rationality, which is why Hokushin Mei can actually recall this matter. The more she thinks about it, the paler Hokushin Mei's face becomes.

Damn it! I almost killed innocent people indiscriminately!

Hokushin Mei herself was also covered in cold sweat.

Although she enjoys challenging strong opponents and considers herself somewhat like a war demon, she is not the kind of person who indiscriminately kills innocent people.

It is something that Hokushin Mei despises most to attack the weak, let alone when she is controlled by the aura of a demon before its death.

Hokushin Mei really felt that the fact that she could still see an unfamiliar ceiling was a miracle.

To be honest, if we put ourselves in her shoes, Hokushin Mei would definitely have finished her off. After all, she was attacked and almost killed, so no one could say anything if she chose to finish her off in that situation.

Even the usually cold and resolute female swordsman couldn't help but show a look of relief at this moment.

"Give me water."

"Thanks..."

Hokushin Mei took the water from the pink-haired girl and drank it all in one gulp.

"Um... Swordswoman, my brother wants to see you," Rin said after seeing that Hokushin Mei's complexion had improved.

"Brother? The head of your family?"

"Um... yeah~"

Rin thought about it and realized that Liu Bai was indeed the head of the family, no doubt about it.

Father?

Do I have that thing?

"It was also your brother who asked your sister to carry you back."

"..."

Oh, so this person is my savior.

Hokushin Mei looked conflicted, but she nodded and stood up, gesturing for Rin to lead the way.

On the way, Hokushin Mei took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision.

"Bro~ I've brought the person over~"

Rin opened the door, and Hokushin Mei saw a man and two women in the room.

Looking at the young man in the main seat, Hokushin Mei was amazed. She immediately knelt on one knee and said, "Young master, I have no way to repay your life-saving grace. If you do not mind, I am willing to give myself to you."

"???"

Chapter 536 Stop! This isn't repaying a debt of gratitude at all!

"Eh?! A proposal?!" Rin's surprised yet excited voice broke the silence.

The others couldn't sit still any longer.

"Beichen, say it again?"

Upon hearing Hokushin Mei's words, Yae Sakura and Sakura were both utterly shocked and exploding.

"Aren't you a swordsman? What swordsman would offer himself in marriage just because he's in trouble?"

—I know that anyone who wears Mei's face and calls Mei's name is no good!

The two tried to keep smiling, stood up and put their hands on Hokushin Mei's shoulders.

"Is there a problem with offering yourself in return?"

Hokushin Mei seemed completely oblivious to the pressure emanating from these two people.

This wasn't a decision Hokushin Mei made on a whim.

Hokushin Mei knows her own situation best. She's good for nothing but wielding swords and spears. She's a swordswoman, but also a ronin.

In other words, there's no money.

She couldn't even scrape together ten copper coins, and her clothes were tattered and barely functional. Did they really think she enjoyed fighting with her breast wrap showing? There were plenty of clothes that didn't hinder her movements. She was only dressed like that because she was broke. In fact, if she had money, she wouldn't even accept the commission to exterminate demons!

Her most valuable possession was actually her treasured sword, but it had been chipped several times during her fight with Yae Sakura, so it was no longer presentable.

Furthermore, judging from the decorations of the Yae Shrine along the way, Hokushin Mei knew that this was a wealthy and influential family that didn't lack money.

Besides, this was a life-saving grace and a mercy to spare her life. As a pure swordsman, Hokushin Mei really couldn't shamelessly brush this off with a simple "I'll be your slave in my next life."

Of course, as a ronin, Hokushin Mei also has her own rules for survival. If she receives a favor normally, Hokushin Mei can simply say, "I'll help you kill two people, and then we'll be even."

But... looking at Yae Sakura and Sakura, Hokushin Mei thought that if they really wanted to kill someone, they wouldn't need her. The one with ears was much better than her.

So, Hokushin Mei started thinking about how to repay the debt of gratitude on the way.

After thinking it over, Hokushin Mei realized that... well, she wasn't a money-loser after all. After all, she was a living, breathing swordsman. She could accept that she couldn't beat that long-eared guy who clearly wasn't human, but bullying others was no problem—at least not in the Far East.

To be honest, from her debut until she met Sakura, Hokushin Mei had never lost. She was only a step away from being the so-called "unrivaled" in the Far East. Hokushin Mei had defeated every single turf in the Far East; without a doubt, she was invincible.

Of course, Hokushin Mei didn't initially intend to repay his kindness with her body. Rather, she was more practical, thinking that she had no way to repay his great kindness, so she was prepared to sell her life for him for ten years.