Betraying One's Teacher and Ancestors (Continued)

What's so hard to understand? That's just how things are these days.

[When a bad person commits wrongdoing, they ask, "What did I do wrong?" But when a good person fails to do something well, they not only blame themselves, but others will also jump out to condemn the good person.]

[Regardless of the dimension, it's always the good guys who suffer, and the bad guys who revel. So, this system thinks...]

You don't expect me to abandon all moral boundaries and become a beast, do you?

"Yes, that's right. Just look at Otto."

He did a bunch of horrible things, yet some people are ignoring these facts and frantically trying to whitewash him.

[Then look at Welt, who worked tirelessly to save the world until his body was covered in wounds, only to be severely reprimanded for not managing his subordinates properly.]

Actually, I don't think it's something to praise that Old Yang didn't manage Cocolia well.

Yes, but that's how the market is now. Doing bad things gets you praised to the skies, while doing good deeds incompletely gets you trampled into the gutter. Faced with this situation, your choice is, of course—

Who would want to be a shameless beast?

Looking at Fu Hua, who was still blaming herself, Lin Yu said to the system in an annoyed tone.

I'd rather be a person with a bottom line, someone who worries about nothing, than a wicked creature who harms others and feels at ease with it.

Perhaps the latter would indeed be incredibly pleasurable, but my parents' upbringing dictated that I would never choose that monstrous path.

It's alright if Master doesn't understand what she's done; I'll help her recognize what she's done.

[Oh, is it coming? Your signature verbal sparring tactic!]

Is it possible that I'm just going to tell the truth?

"Master, I came here today hoping to have a good talk with you, but to be honest, I am very disappointed."

Looking at Fu Hua, whose eyes flashed with surprise, Lin Yu spoke to her with an unfriendly Fu Hua.

"My master is the Crimson Heron Immortal Shenzhou. He is a pioneer from the Previous Era who carried the remaining beliefs of his companions to this day. He is also the mentor who taught me divine skills and found divine artifacts for me."

Why should you feel guilty about the good deeds you've done?

"From the past to the present, you have protected countless humans and helped them defeat countless monsters, becoming one of the most dazzling heroes in this world. You have done so many good deeds, could it be...?"

"Shouldn't we be proud?"

[Yes, look at what our apprentice said!]

What did I Fu Hua, do wrong? I did absolutely nothing wrong!

[Sigh, the apprentice always cares more for his master—let me out! I need to talk to my apprentice!]

Shut up!

After angrily rebuking the struggling consciousness within her body, Fu Hua's gaze towards Lin Yu became even more complex.

"Lin Yu, perhaps in your eyes, I really am that kind of person."

"But everyone's perspective on others is completely different from their perspective on themselves."

"I failed to complete the plan left by my companions, which led to the deaths of the other companions who traveled with me."

"And since then, as a pioneer, I have been unable to lead others forward. I can only use the power I obtained from my companions to stop the evil deeds of the Honkai with the lowest level of violence."

"Even in the end, I was still unable to teach and protect my apprentices well, and I and my apprentices faced some hardships that we should not have had to face."

"In your eyes, I am the renowned Crimson Heron Immortal, but in my own eyes..."

"I've always been a loser."

[How dare you, Herrscher, speak like that?!]

[I, Fu Hua, did my utmost to resolve the Honkai. Could I have foreseen that the Kindling Project those guys left behind would go awry?]

This isn't my fault! And those seven wicked creatures betraying me isn't my problem either!

[The rule "Those Entering Demonic State must be eliminated" essentially means eliminating those severely corrupted by Honkai Energy and at risk of becoming Meele at any moment—where is this rule wrong?! Where did our actions go wrong?!]

[And Lixue —it wasn't Otto who insisted on causing trouble; I had already defeated Sirin by then. Lixue's death was entirely Otto's fault!]

Yes, but what about Lin Yu?

My apprentices don't think there's anything wrong with me, so why should I think there's something wrong with me?

[You are Herrscher, a Honkai of the Honkai, you are my enemy!]

The more the enemy opposes me, the more it proves I'm right!

Faced with the Herrscher of Reason's almost sophistry, Fu Hua was too lazy to continue paying attention to him.

This type of conscious individual has a mature logic that helps her improve her self-awareness.

No matter what Fu Hua says to her, the Herrscher of Reason will eventually use various methods to circle back to her and conclude that "you Herrscher are disturbing my mind, I am Fu Hua."

Enough, enough, we shouldn't have wasted our time on this guy today.

"If failure means not doing everything perfectly, then there are no successful people in this world."

Faced with Fu Hua's self-reproach, Lin Yu once again moved closer to Fu Hua's body.

Faced with this 'disciple' who kept getting closer to her, Fu Hua originally wanted to distance herself from him.

But in the end, despite having this thought, Fu Hua inexplicably forced her body to remain in place.

"Master has already done almost everything he could. Under these circumstances—is self-condemnation meaningful?"

"... You really think too highly of me."

Listening to Lin Yu's praise, Fu Hua tried her best to calm herself down after arguing with the Herrscher of Reason, and then spoke softly to Lin Yu.

"Five hundred years ago, after I was severely injured, I became Otto's ally..."

"No, he calls me an ally, but in reality I've become his subordinate. He just gave me some face and didn't boss me around. Instead, he called me an 'old friend'."

[Hmph, if he weren't worried that I'd explode if he pushed me too far, would he be treating us this well?]

Ignoring the words of the Herrscher of Reason, Fu Hua continued speaking to Lin Yu.

"But whatever my identity was, I genuinely assisted Otto."

"After I realized his true intentions, I was very clear about how foolish I had been in the past."

"You may already know that Otto is not a good person, but you may not know..."

"—He may never have been prepared to fight the Honkai from the very beginning."

"Instead of standing up to stop someone who allows the Honkai to develop, I became his ally and objectively assisted him in his actions of allowing the Honkai to develop."

"After learning about my past with Otto, Lin Yu, do you still think the so-called 'Crimson Heron Immortal' is a dazzling hero?"

"Yes, I still think Master is a dazzling hero."

After speaking frankly and directly, Lin Yu pointed to Fu Hua, whose gaze had suddenly begun to dart away from him, and said, word by word.

"Master may have made some mistakes, but after making mistakes, you can clearly recognize that your actions were wrong, and then try to make amends."

"You are just a flawed hero. You don't need to let these reasons plunge you into endless guilt and regret."

It won't work.

I really can't go on.

Just by looking at him, I felt myself becoming weak.

"Hey, you sense weakness? That's great! Let me out, I want to chat with my apprentice!"

Hey, don't run away!

Fu Hua, who no longer wanted to face Lin Yu, suddenly turned around and left in front of Lin Yu.

But at that very moment, a crimson barrier enveloped the area where the two were located.

"Lin Yu, you—"

"I'm sorry, Master, I won't let you escape today."

Seeing Fu Hua's astonishment, Lin Yu took a step forward and suddenly pulled Fu Hua into a tight embrace.

"Moreover, Master has always pushed himself too hard."

"My master, who has been forcing himself to fight, is probably exhausted by now."

"What are you doing!"

Feeling a sense of security for a moment, Fu Hua suddenly began to struggle wildly in Lin Yu.

"Let me go!"

"Don't want."

Lin Yu, who was holding Fu Hua tightly, could feel that although Fu Hua wanted to break free from his embrace, she did not want to hurt Lin Yu's body at the same time.

Perhaps because Fu Hua had punched through Lin Yu's body under the interference of the Honkai Consciousness and the Herrscher of Reason, causing her severe PTSD, Fu Hua had almost recovered to her peak strength at this time, but because she dared not use her strength, she was easily suppressed by Lin Yu.

"Are you crazy?!"

Fu Hua, who was still struggling, coldly and angrily rebuked Lin Yu with a fierce but weak tone.

"You're not even listening to your master anymore! What exactly do you want to do?!"

"Master Fu Hua, I am a greedy person, insatiable. In fact, I have never been just a pure vengeful ghost."

Lin Yu, who was embracing Fu Hua, looked at her extremely flustered face and spoke Fu Hua to her.

"I, in my greed, hope that everyone around me... no, all the good people in this world, can obtain the happiness they deserve."

"And this includes you, Master."

"Master, you are a dazzling hero, but you have always forced yourself to act without ever considering your own feelings."

"After ignoring your own personal feelings, you..."

"—And how can you obtain the happiness you deserve?"

"My happiness?"

Hearing Lin Yu's explanation, Fu Hua was slightly taken aback.

Then she struggled even more fiercely.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

"You know very well what I want to say, Master."

"If Master cannot find happiness, then I will strive to bring Master happiness, so..."

Facing the woman in front of him, Lin Yu suddenly pushed Fu Hua to the ground.

As a violent impact came from her back, Fu Hua was stared at by Lin Yu with a direct gaze, and she didn't know what to say.

"Master, please don't blame your disciple."

"Now, disciple must prepare to 'betray his master and destroy his ancestors'."

Before Fu Hua could utter a single word, the boy sealed her lips with his.

Within the Phantasm Lantern Barrier that no one can see...

—Lin Yu and Fu Hua achieved a great harmony in their lives.

Tai Xu Mountain

At the Tai Xu Mountain, Mei, Bronya, Yuno, who had set out early this morning, looked at the Tai Xu Sword Sect members who had blocked their way and simultaneously revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Sir, we really are... acquaintances of the immortal."

"We have important matters to discuss with the immortals today."

"We don't expect to be received by immortals, but—at least let them know we're here?"

Looking at the Far East girl in front of him, Li Pu said to Raiden Mei with great difficulty.

"Miss Raiden Mei, having met you once before, I know that you were once a colleague of the immortal who lay dormant on the side of Schicksal."

"Actually, it's not just you. I know that Miss Yuno, Miss Zaychek, Lord Lin Yu, and the Immortal are all acquaintances."

"Hmm, you know we're acquainted with the immortals, so why won't you let us up?"

Looking at the man with a troubled expression, Bronya calmly asked Li Pu.