I, Herrscher Slayer

Putting aside the possibility that that female pervert had truly lost her mind and done something to Shen Gonglin in the bar, Shen Gonglin's body was still pristine, without any strange traces left behind.

Of course, Kiana only intended to keep this to herself and tell no one. If Shen Gonglin found out, he would definitely start threatening to die again or shouting that all Valkyries were perverts. So, for his sake and the reputation of all Valkyries, she would bear this burden alone.

"Tch, so it can't be sold for money? I subconsciously thought my first kiss had to be worth a fortune... Then how about this? Let's sell your first kiss, Kiana. We'll split the proceeds fifty-fifty. I'm confident I can sell your first kiss for a price that'll make us laugh in our sleep, as long as you shut up and don't say anything."

As though he were seriously considering it, Shen Gonglin proposed this highly feasible plan. After all, if Kiana did not speak, she could still count as a beauty. Other than someone as pure-hearted as Shen Gonglin, there would definitely be plenty of people willing to pay a high price for Kiana.

"I've decided. In a moment, I'm throwing you into the place with the most Honkai Beasts. You can take that rotten heart of yours and struggle to survive!"

Staring at Shen Gonglin as though he were some kind of crawling insect, Kiana said something that sounded entirely genuine. What exactly was this guy thinking?

"Please, absolutely do not do that! I'm begging you!"

Fellow cultivators, do not panic.

It hasn't been dropped, don't panic. I just argued with my mom and was forced to admit I was wrong. It'll resume tomorrow, very soon.

The Villainous Female Character

A little earlier, the two girls stood before the police station and took deep breaths. They had finally arrived. The whole way here, they had been mentally preparing themselves, and only now had they barely accepted the fact that Teacher Himeko had molested a minor and been caught by the police. Humans truly were the most complicated creatures. How someone acted in public did not prove how they acted in private. On the way here, Mei had thought it through. Teacher Himeko often shouted about getting married before drinking herself senseless; this time was probably the same. She had gotten drunk, then accidentally lost control and made a move on a boy. Mei absolutely could not say anything to provoke her. She would pretend none of it had happened.

"Let's go, Mei. Hurry up and get Teacher Himeko out."

Fu Hua glanced at Mei beside her and walked forward first. Today, Fu Hua was still wearing that handsome, cool outfit Shen Gonglin liked—the one with a bronze-ring-like ornament at the waist. Fu Hua and Mei now looked like two ordinary, beautiful girls. No one would have guessed that they were actually Valkyries who fought Honkai.

"Ah, okay, Class President... Coming into a place like this again feels strange."

Mei nodded and followed Fu Hua. A long time ago, she had also come to a place like this. Because of her father's problems, she had been brought here for questioning. Returning now inevitably gave her a strange feeling. Calm down. Those things are all in the past. Don't think too much about them.

The girl shook her head. Thinking of those unpleasant memories reminded her of Kiana. That girl had stayed by her side during her lowest point. She wondered how Kiana and Shen Gonglin were doing now. Come to think of it, they should be passing through this city too. If she had come earlier, perhaps she could have met them. It really was worrying to let Shen Gonglin and Kiana go out together. If she had known, she should have applied to go with them.

"Hello. We're the St. Freya Academy negotiators who contacted you before. We're here to take Murata Himeko back."

Holding the document signed by Principal Theresa, Fu Hua and Mei entered the police station and found the person in charge. However, the long-haired policewoman who had been napping at a nearby desk raised her head upon hearing that name. Someone had actually come to claim that woman? She had still been planning to make Himeko confess to her crimes. Seeing the document in Fu Hua's hand, though, the policewoman knew they would probably have to let her go. Damn this evil power!

"Very well. Please wait a moment. We've already sent someone to call that lady."

The person in charge nodded after looking at the document in Fu Hua's hand. This was not really a major matter. They had not used torture or anything like that. Himeko had merely been placed in an unused office, where she had been fed and treated well. There should not be any trouble.

"W-wait. So that woman really is a military officer?"

The policewoman hurried over and asked. That document undoubtedly proved Himeko's identity. No way—was that lolicon archmage really an officer, or even a teacher? When had society become like this? This was so infuriating! Why could she not deal with military personnel?

"Yes, Major Himeko is indeed an officer. Is there a problem?"

Fu Hua looked at the policewoman beside her in confusion. It felt like she harbored some faint hostility toward Teacher Himeko. What was going on?

"...Nothing. I'm merely voicing my dissatisfaction with this damned society. You have to handle this matter properly. You can't go easy on her just because she's an officer and a teacher. That child is adorable and pitiful. If it weren't for me, she would definitely have left him with serious psychological trauma... It's so frustrating. I clearly promised that child's guardian I would deal with this severely, but... I'm sorry to them."

Uh... what was going on?

Watching the policewoman suddenly collapse over the desk, beating her chest and bawling her eyes out, Fu Hua and Mei were utterly bewildered. Although they had no idea why, both of them somehow felt like they were the villains abusing their power. But neither of them had done anything strange, right? If anyone had, it was Teacher Himeko. It had nothing to do with them. They were innocent.

"I already said I didn't do anything like picking up a drunk person! That kid got drunk, and I only planned to take him back somewhere to rest. You've been misunderstanding the whole time. What do I have to say for you to believe me?"

Himeko's resentful voice drifted over. Yet after she finished speaking in such a bitter tone, she discovered that everyone in the office was staring at her with extremely strange expressions. What did those looks mean? It was one thing for strangers not to believe her, but why were her own two students looking at her like that? After all this time, did they not understand her?

"Teacher Himeko... That behavior already counts as taking advantage of a drunk person. Please, don't ever do that again, okay? It's so embarrassing..."

The thin-skinned Mei had already begun bowing to apologize to the police officers. At last, she knew where that inexplicable guilt had come from. Teacher Himeko still did not think she had done anything wrong. It felt as though they had really become those villainous female characters who relied on their power to act willfully.

"Huh? What did I do? What have I done that's embarrassing? Mei, why are you apologizing nonstop... And why are you apologizing too, Fu Hua?!"

Seeing even Fu Hua lower her head in apology, Himeko became completely confused. What kind of image did these people have of her? None of them believed her. Was she really the kind of person who would casually make a move on young boys? Although she had indeed planned to make a move on a young boy this time, the meaning was different!

"I'm sorry our teacher caused you trouble. We'll have a proper talk with her when we get back. Come on, Teacher Himeko, apologize with us too. Just say you'll never make a move on underage boys again. It's only an apology. It'll be fine."

Fu Hua and Mei stood together and bowed in apology, while Fu Hua tried to pull Himeko along too. After all, this was Himeko's fault. This refusal to admit it was simply too ugly. Fu Hua did not remember Himeko being this kind of woman. What had happened this time?

Could it really be because she had gone too long without a man? But hadn't Fu Hua spent all these years the same way? She truly could not understand it.

"Wait a minute. Fu Hua, although we're both A-rank Valkyries, I'm still your teacher. You must show your teacher respect. Besides, I refuse to promise something like that. Hey, someone picked up Shen Gonglin yesterday, right? Hurry up and tell me where they went. If you delay this young lady's lifelong happiness, I'll make you regret it!"

Perfectly fitting the role of a villainous lolicon young lady, Himeko planted both hands on the desk and demanded an answer. Fu Hua and Mei froze upon hearing that name.

Shen Gonglin? How did he get involved again?

Fellow Cultivator, Help Me

"You think I'll tell you something like that?! So what if you're in the military? He's such a handsome boy, and he definitely has a bright future ahead of him. Why are you asking about this? Are you still refusing to let him go?"

The policewoman slammed her hand on the desk and rose to confront Himeko angrily. This woman was far too arrogant! She was already displaying those intentions before even leaving the police station. The policewoman wanted so badly to arrest her again, but why was a woman like this still a military officer? Damn it. Even if she could not deal with this matter, she could not reveal that boy's information. This was the only thing she could do for him!

"What are you thinking? I just want to talk to him. Where's the statement you took yesterday? Let me see it."

Himeko gritted her teeth as she spoke. What kind of grudge did this policewoman have against her? What did it have to do with her? Could she not just make things convenient? Did people not say the military and police were family? Why did this woman treat her like an enemy? Could it be that this older single woman saw Himeko getting close to finding true love, became jealous, and wanted to make trouble for her?

Yes, that was very possible. Himeko looked into the policewoman's eyes and considered that possibility. After all, she was very familiar with that sort of look.

"E-excuse me, Teacher Himeko. The Shen Gonglin you mentioned... what is this about?"

Mei and Fu Hua exchanged glances. Both girls detected a possibility in each other's eyes. Mei hesitantly tugged on Himeko's clothes. Could this Valkyrie teacher, who was outstanding in every way, really be as she and Fu Hua suspected?

"Shen Gonglin, obviously. I only learned his name yesterday. He's a very handsome-looking boy... Mei, wait a moment. Let me get his information first."

Himeko had only learned Shen Gonglin's name yesterday. It seemed that the person who had come to pick him up had left it in the statement. Merely knowing his name was definitely not enough for Himeko. She wanted to know more. Was the person who picked him up yesterday his older sister or his girlfriend? It should have been his sister, right? He was so young; he should not have a girlfriend.

"Wait, Teacher Himeko. The person you molested yesterday... couldn't have been Shen Gonglin, could it?"

Fu Hua reached out and grabbed Himeko's shoulder. Her jade-green eyes were filled with sternness, and for some reason, Himeko thought they even seemed to be faintly turning red. Murata Himeko was deeply helpless. What did she mean, molested? Why did they all think she was that kind of person?

"It wasn't molestation! I already said it was a misunderstanding. What's wrong with you, Fu Hua? And you too, Mei. Why are you reacting so strongly to hearing that name? Is there a problem? I think it sounds pretty nice. What's gotten into you two?"

It seemed she would need to let them understand what she was really like someday. Did they see her as the kind of pervert who would spot a cute boy on the street, pant heavily, follow him around, get him drunk when she found an opportunity, then take him home after he passed out? Himeko was so helpless. They were her students, for heaven's sake. This was enough. Did she really look that much like a shotacon?

Though this time, she had indeed intended to go after a young boy. But that did not mean she was a shotacon. It only meant the person she was interested in happened to be a young boy.

"Tell us what that Shen Gonglin looks like first. How tall is he? Is he fat or thin?"

How could Fu Hua not care? Though she had no intention of admitting it, Shen Gonglin had learned martial arts from her, so he was her disciple after all. Even if a disciple interested in his master's body was awful, she could not just throw him out for someone else to take advantage of. If word got out, it would be her reputation as his master that suffered. Fu Hua still wanted Shen Gonglin to pass on all Five Principles of Taixu. It would not do if Himeko gave him psychological trauma.

"Hm? You're interested in this too, Fu Hua? Let me think... He's a little shorter than you, probably around Bronya's age, and he's blond..."

Although she did not know why Fu Hua suddenly asked, Himeko hesitated for a moment before describing Shen Gonglin's appearance, seeing the serious expression on her face. His age should not be a problem, right? Himeko was a woman of the modern age. Besides, there was not that much of an age gap. And she really was more interested in boys younger than herself. As long as she explained it properly, Fu Hua and Mei should understand her.

"Teacher Himeko, are you talking about this person?"

After hearing Himeko's description, Fu Hua and Mei's expressions immediately turned grave. Mei tapped on her phone and held it out before Himeko. On the screen was a photo of Shen Gonglin. Now all they needed was for Teacher Himeko to confirm it... This was probably real.

"That's him! Mei, why do you have his photo... And why is it in that pose? Mei, what's going on?"

At that moment, Himeko and Fu Hua both turned their gazes toward Mei's face. The phone indeed displayed a photo of Shen Gonglin, but what was with the dark-haired girl lying beside him, her face slightly red? Wasn't that Mei? Why was she lying next to Shen Gonglin?

"Ah... I-I only lay down there because it happened naturally. There was no other meaning. I was just tired from taking care of him, so I rested for a moment."

Mei's face instantly turned bright red. Why had she pulled out that photo? Shen Gonglin had so many solo photos. Whenever Shen Gonglin was unconscious, Mei liked to photograph him out of boredom. That particular photo, however, was one she had needed great courage to take after lying down beside him. It had normally been tucked away at the very bottom of her phone album, yet for some reason, she had been possessed just now and deliberately found that one to show them. The girl faintly realized that this was probably the work of that other her.

Why did this girl have photos of that boy on her phone, and in such an intimate pose? Could it be that everyone in this organization shared the same hobby? That boy was in danger.

The police officers in the office looked at Himeko and the other two with increasingly strange expressions. No wonder they were teacher and students—like teacher, like students. The teacher was planning to take advantage of a drunk person, while the student had already lain beside that boy. This was... this was far too chaotic!

"Let's get outside first and talk there. Teacher Himeko, this Shen Gonglin is also from St. Freya Academy, and you may even know him. As for you, Mei... I won't say anything. Let's leave this place first."

Fu Hua pressed at her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Why was every single one of them interested in Shen Gonglin? Right in front of his master... Honestly. Did they not know he was her disciple?

Fighting Honkai

"You mean he was that angel who beat me to a pulp before? No way. Wasn't that angel a girl at the time? Shen Gonglin is a boy, right? He has to be a boy, right?"

Outside the police station, Himeko stared at Mei in utter disbelief. What had this girl just said? She said Shen Gonglin was the angel who had appeared when Himeko first encountered Kiana and the others in Sky City. Though Himeko had not clearly seen that angel's appearance at the time, she had been deeply impressed by the angel who had suddenly entered the battlefield. Even after using the Hyperion's engines to power the Nexus system, she had not lasted long against that angel. Now Mei was suddenly saying Shen Gonglin was that angel.

Could Mei be making up such a lie just to make her give up on Shen Gonglin?

Himeko looked at Mei with an extremely strange expression. This child was too wicked. Himeko could still tell men and women apart. Someone as cute as Shen Gonglin had to be a boy.

"Yes, he really is a boy. I can guarantee that. But he should also be the suspected angel who fought Teacher Himeko back then, although he apparently has no memory of that period."

Fu Hua nodded at the side. She could deeply relate to Himeko's disbelief. She had felt the same way when she taught Shen Gonglin Mindful Essence. But considering how he lusted after her body, as well as what she had seen in the bathroom that time, Shen Gonglin was obviously equipped. Whenever Fu Hua thought of it, her teeth ached. Why did she still remember it so clearly? She had clearly wanted to forget.

Why could the Class President guarantee that?

Mei glanced at Fu Hua in surprise. The sharp-minded girl immediately sensed that something was wrong, but after thinking it over, nothing seemed contradictory. Perhaps she was simply overthinking things.

"So that means this wasn't my first time meeting him? Our fate runs even deeper than I thought! Or rather, this is what fate truly means. I understand now. This is the so-called romantic destiny... No, this is the so-called fate!"

Yet Himeko had this kind of reaction instead. Amid Fu Hua and Mei's dumbfounded expressions, Himeko's eyes shone as she felt their profound connection more and more strongly. If this was not a match made in heaven, Himeko truly did not know what fate was. They said that one thousand glances over the shoulder in a previous life earned one meeting in this life, yet she and Shen Gonglin had met so many times and formed such ties without even knowing each other's identities. Himeko felt she had already sensed heaven's hint!

He was handsome, exactly her type, and now she knew he possessed that kind of strength. He fit Himeko's standards for a partner perfectly. Besides, she bore some responsibility for his memory loss. No, Himeko was brimming with energy now. It seemed she really ought to consider this carefully.

"Uh... maybe it is fate. But Teacher Himeko, Shen Gonglin is underage, so some things..."

Mei had a headache. Teacher Himeko seemed a little strange. She knew Shen Gonglin was very handsome, but his personality was truly difficult to praise. Teacher Himeko had probably only been bewitched by Shen Gonglin's looks. The two of them definitely would not be suitable for each other. Teacher Himeko wanted someone to marry, while Shen Gonglin was still too young.

Fu Hua felt the same. Shen Gonglin was young; this was precisely the time for him to dedicate his beautiful youth to fighting Honkai. How could he occupy his precious training time with trivial feelings like this? To be honest, Fu Hua had high expectations for Shen Gonglin. Since he had mastered Mindful Essence so quickly, perhaps he could rapidly comprehend the other Principles as well. That was why he could not waste his prime thinking about such messy matters.

Wasn't learning martial arts with her far better?

"What's so scary about being underage? Mei, Fu Hua, remember this: we're women of the new era. Our thinking cannot be so old-fashioned."

Himeko raised a finger and waved it before Fu Hua and Mei. Why were Mei and Fu Hua, despite being so young, so outdated in their thinking? Did age really matter? Being underage was admittedly a problem, but it was not as if Himeko could not wait for Shen Gonglin to grow up. They could start dating now, then get married the moment he came of age. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

No, no, no. It was not that their thinking was too old-fashioned. Himeko's was simply too avant-garde. How were they supposed to destroy this terrifying idea of hers?

Watching Himeko sink into thoughts of who knew what, Mei and Fu Hua both felt their hearts sink. Logically, they should support Himeko having such thoughts, but for some reason, when they thought of Shen Gonglin as the other party, all they could think about was how to stop Himeko. Maybe it was because the target was Shen Gonglin. For both Shen Gonglin and Himeko's sake, they had to find a way to ruin this.

"Right, you said he and Kiana were out on a mission, didn't you? I've got nothing to do anyway, so I'll go with them. Honestly, letting a trainee Valkyrie lead a boy with no experience whatsoever—Theresa must have lost her mind. At a time like this, an experienced Valkyrie needs to accompany them. That settles it. Since I'm out of the police station now, Fu Hua and Mei, you can go back. I'll go support them."

Since he was with Kiana, that meant that girl had been the one to pick him up last night. Even if they had left today, they should not have gone too far. If Himeko hurried after them, she should be able to catch up.

"No!"

Yet just as Himeko prepared to turn and leave, Fu Hua and Mei stepped forward together. How could they possibly let Himeko get her wish? The two Valkyries silently made up their minds—they would spare no effort in stopping Himeko!

"Why not... Hm? Over there... It's Honkai!"

Himeko looked at Mei and Fu Hua in surprise. She had not said she would do anything to Shen Gonglin. She merely wanted to lead them as a senior and prevent accidents. Love at first sight was important, but Himeko would never do anything to a child she had just met. The looks in their eyes made her extremely unhappy. It was as though they were looking at some kind of criminal!

Before Himeko could say anything else, however, a violent explosion rang out from another corner of the city. As Valkyries, Himeko, Fu Hua, and Mei immediately felt a faint sting on their skin. There was no doubt about it. This was Honkai.

The three Valkyries exchanged a glance, then burst forth with superhuman speed and rushed toward the source of the Honkai. Whatever else happened, fighting Honkai would always be a Valkyrie's foremost duty!

A Serious Kiana

The breeze stirred the dust. Shen Gonglin turned his gaze ahead, looking at the ruined city before him as he slowly climbed down from Kiana's back. While fighting Honkai Beasts, he had not felt much, but seeing this devastated city now gave him his first real impression of Honkai. Setting aside someone like himself, who possessed the strength to protect himself, Honkai was undoubtedly a disaster for ordinary people.

It was not just the broken walls and shattered ruins. With his eyesight, Shen Gonglin could even see bloodstains within the collapsed buildings. The sight made him slightly uncomfortable. Kiana beside him, however, seemed accustomed to scenes like this. Though she was saddened as well, her azure eyes were still filled with determination. Humanity would absolutely defeat Honkai. No matter how long the process took, that was certain!

"Is it a little hard for you to take? Shen Gonglin, there are many people in this world who are like us, yet unlike us. We are alike because we all possess beautiful lives. But we are different because we have the strength to protect our own beautiful lives, and even those of others. This is Honkai. Its appearance means disaster. Try to get used to it. I'm sorry to make you see a world like this, but even if this world isn't so beautiful, it's still important. And what we must do is make this world beautiful again."

Pulling Shen Gonglin's arm so he turned away, Kiana held his head and pressed it against her chest, comforting him. Shen Gonglin's strength was powerful, yes, but accepting a sight like this was still difficult for him. Since awakening, Shen Gonglin had only seen the beautiful side of this world. Besides strength, mentality was important too. Consider this his first lesson in this world. It might not be beautiful, but they had to give everything for this world.

"Who said I can't take it? And you, why are you suddenly acting like some mature, understanding big sister? You suddenly gave this young master a faceful of boobs. Let me tell you, with your size, you're still far from being able to obscure this young master's vision. It's just Honkai. What's so impressive about it? Kiana, get serious. This doesn't even sound like you!"

Yet Shen Gonglin did not appreciate it that much. He wriggled out of Kiana's embrace with obvious disdain. He might have found it hard to take before, but being held and comforted by Kiana like a child was more than he could endure. Not to boast, but Shen Gonglin believed he utterly surpassed Kiana in maturity. Seeing this girl put on the act of a caring big sister irritated him. Even Kiana could endure it, so what could he not endure? After breaking free from her embrace, Shen Gonglin pinched her cheeks. This idiot—did she think he was some fragile, cowardly boy?

Even if he truly could not take it, Shen Gonglin would never show it in front of Kiana!

"What?! It was rare for this young lady to want to comfort you, Shen Gonglin, and you're acting tsundere at a time like this? You were practically about to cry just now, and now you're putting on that tough... tough what was it? Right, that fierce outside but weak inside act. Can't you just admit your inner weakness? Big Sister Kiana's embrace is waiting for you right here! And don't you dare say my size isn't enough. My figure is better than Bronya's, the Class President's, and Auntie Theresa's. Among people my age, I'm considered pretty well-developed!"

Her composure shattered in an instant. Kiana, who had finally acted serious before Shen Gonglin once, immediately returned to normal. Refusing to lose, Miss Kiana reached out and pinched Shen Gonglin's cheek as they tussled. Kiana, whose brain did not usually work that well, had actually come up with an idiom to attack Shen Gonglin this time. This idiot—she was clearly comforting him, so why was he making personal attacks? And blind, random ones at that. Was he blind? What was wrong with her figure?

It was obviously far better than certain scarce ones.

"Tch, what are you so proud of? That red-haired big sister I met last night had a figure way better than yours. Her chest alone was nearly bigger than your head. If there hadn't been interference, maybe I could have experienced something like that. What are you so pleased with yourself for? There are tons of people in this world better than you!"

That older sister from yesterday had the best figure Shen Gonglin had ever seen. If possible, he wanted to see her again. She had not needed to get him drunk at all—she only had to curl a finger at him.

"What?! You're still thinking about last night?! Shen Gonglin, tell me honestly. Did you deliberately get yourself drunk because you wanted that woman to pick you up? I knew you weren't any good! As your guardian, I need to teach you a proper lesson. Don't eat things from strange women, and don't go off with strange women!"

As usual, the topic went completely off track. Shen Gonglin and Kiana started wrestling amid the ruins. In the end, Kiana, whose physical abilities vastly surpassed Shen Gonglin's, won. Shen Gonglin, temporarily out of power, could not possibly be a match for this super-strong idiot. How humiliating. He could not even beat Kiana. Was there any need for him to keep living?

Shen Gonglin remembered this. Pinned to the ground by Kiana, he wrote down this incident in thick, bold strokes in the little notebook in his heart. Kiana had bullied him again today. Sooner or later, he would make her pay it back. Once his power recovered, he would give her a full course of treatment.