Unwed Fiancés

Gu Yan had a highly advantageous angle. The remaining cores had either been cut to pieces or were exposed bare to the air, and he did not delay, destroying them.

Thus, the subjugation of the Emperor-class Honkai Beast Kui Niu was a success.

Only forty minutes had passed since the Honkai beast emerged. The greatest damage it had caused was merely ruptured eardrums among several sailors, something that could easily be treated with current technology.

Gu Yan exhaled and returned to the ship. The battle had not been particularly intense. In truth, it had merely been a pathetic clash between support and tank roles.

If a Herrscher had fought that Honkai beast, it would have been killed instantly in a single encounter.

"Good, good! Hahaha!" Qin Hong'an laughed heartily, and the fatigue that had plagued him after so long without sleep finally faded a little.

Was winning a battle worth celebrating? Of course!

Who wouldn't be happy about winning a battle without pain or death?

"Brother Gu, you certainly kept your abilities hidden!" Li Shi was also filled with admiration as he exchanged a friendly glance with Gu Yan.

"Going off on my own to provide support earlier was my mistake. I nearly caused casualties. I'll report Brother Gu's achievements to my superiors, and I'll also conduct some self-reflection." Li Shi rambled on and on, but he had no intention of actually doing that. He was hinting at someone else.

Qin Hong'an, who had not yet ended the call, flushed with embarrassment. Realizing that Li Shi was being sarcastic about him, he said, "Li Shi, that's enough. I know you're hinting at me."

By the end, his words had taken on a gritted-teeth edge.

"That won't be necessary. You didn't know the situation, so I don't blame you. Besides, I don't need any commendation." They were all just empty reputations. What use were money and status in the face of disaster?

He didn't want the credit? The young man had lofty ambitions—why would he refuse such a good opportunity? Qin Hong'an was somewhat puzzled, though only somewhat. Not coveting fame or wealth could also be a sign of noble character.

"Li Shi, ask him whether the monster's brain is intact." After Qin Hong'an finished speaking, Li Shi immediately understood his intention.

"Brother Gu, is the monster's brain still intact? The brain of a monster of this level would be a great help in deciphering information."

So they intended to investigate the Honkai this way? Understanding flashed through Gu Yan's mind, but he shook his head regretfully.

"I destroyed all of the monster's energy cores. Without an energy core to repair its body, it will soon disappear, and its brain won't be preserved either."

After a Honkai beast died, its corpse would not remain for long. Instead, it would turn back into Honkai Energy and seep into the world, spawning more monsters.

Qin Hong'an and Li Shi were both somewhat disappointed by this answer.

"It's fine. Brother Gu has already done more than enough. Rest here for a while."

"Oh? We don't need to go reinforce other places?"

Li Shi shook his head. "The disasters across the country have more or less been brought under control. There'll be further counterattacks soon. We might as well take this opportunity to rest and recover."

Gu Yan did not refuse again.

"Every time I think about fighting a Herrscher soon, I feel like my future is pitch-black."

"What? Tired?" Xu Muchi's voice came through the communicator.

"No, I just want to go home. I'm afraid that if I go back too late, my mom will already have bought a wreath for me."

"..."

"After we finish fighting the Herrscher, you can go wherever you want."

"But after we finish fighting the Herrscher, I won't even make it in time to attend my own funeral."

"..." Xu Muchi fell silent.

"I'm done joking. I'll wait in the Bohai Sea. Notify me when it's time to set out." Gu Yan coughed twice before getting down to business.

"All right. There's no need to rush the encirclement of the Herrscher. We still can't determine her location, so rest for two days first."

Morr could turn invisible, and if Ji herself wanted to conceal her whereabouts, finding her would be nearly impossible.

"By the way, can Ability Users heal those people who have contracted strange illnesses?" Gu Yan remembered the post he had seen a few days ago and couldn't help asking.

Although he had confirmed that his older sister was an Ability User, Mother Gu was still an ordinary person and at risk of contracting Honkai Sickness.

"Yes."

Gu Yan was pleasantly surprised by that answer.

"Don't worry. If you need someone, the higher-ups will arrange for one to be sent to you." Though that person was extremely difficult to invite.

"Then thank you."

The girl walked alone along the street.

The setting sun stretched her shadow long. She lowered her head. Patches of snow that had yet to melt remained by the roadside, glittering in the afterglow.

So tired...

Perhaps she lacked exercise, or perhaps her body was simply too frail. After walking for a while, her feet began to ache.

Maybe this was perfectly normal for such a petite, weak girl.

But the girl continued walking.

For some reason, her grandmother had rarely been home these past few days. Today, her grandfather had boldly brought his lover home. She hated such situations, so she had "thoughtfully" gone out to find somewhere to stay for the night.

She had left that house to her grandfather and his lover. Hopefully, they would happen to run into her grandmother while doing something disgusting.

Although she hated her grandmother just as much.

The filthy, greedy gazes were no longer surrounding the girl. Even in the bitterly cold wind, the setting sun shining on her back felt exceptionally warm.

She loathed those gazes, but she could not resist them. Countless fine yet powerful threads controlled her body. If the girl dared to break free, a gigantic hand would crush her to death like an ant.

An obedient puppet that disobeyed had to be taken apart.

The girl wanted to find somewhere that would let her stay for one night, but all alone, she could only wander aimlessly.

How could anyone show pity to a puppet controlled by strings...

The shadow beneath her feet grew more solid. Some unknown light covered and drove away the warm afterglow, and the girl's back once again turned icy cold.

She turned her head numbly. When she saw the familiar vehicle approaching, panic spread across her face.

That scumbag? How did he know I was here? It must have been Grandfather. No, no!

The girl tried to quicken her pace, but her aching feet stepped onto the slick pavement. Her steps became even more frantic, and she lost her balance from the waist down, about to fall.

Damn it!

Her heart turned cold, and a glimmer of tears flashed at the corners of her eyes.

The disgrace she had expected did not happen. Instead, she fell into someone's soft embrace.

The girl hurriedly steadied herself, like a startled fawn.

She looked up at the person. "Are you... Fornia?"

Fornia did not speak. She merely pulled the girl behind her, like a hen protecting a chick.

"Nelly, I've come to pick you up." Simon's car had already stopped in front of them.

Nelly hid behind Fornia, not daring to poke her head out to look.

If Simon took her away now, it would be more than simply letting her stay the night. She would rather freeze to death in the cold streets and alleys.

Simon was her nominal fiancé, but Nelly knew exactly what kind of person he was. If he devoured her and then cast her aside, both her chastity and her life would disappear with her.

"Duke Simon, Nelly is coming to my house as a guest, so please go back."

"I remember you. Fornia, right? You should know that Nelly is my fiancée."

Simon's eyes narrowed, and his gaze seemed ready to flay Fornia alive.

"Nelly, get in the car!"