Tracking

In the evening, at a small restaurant on the commercial street outside St. Freya Academy.

"Are you serious? You've been carrying that thing for three hours? It's just a sword, what's with the huge grin?"

Kiana, sitting opposite Sheng Jiu in the restaurant, covered her face with a look of utter exasperation.

Sheng Jiu, with the Jueying strapped to his back, waved his fork excitedly, his face beaming. "You wouldn't understand a man's romance! I earned this with my own effort, of course I'm happy! Let me tell you, this sword is made from the skull of a Honkai Beast. It's bound to be way more durable than those mass-produced katanas..."

Yae Sakura whispered to Bronya beside her, "It's been a long time since I've seen Sheng Jiu this happy."

"Bronya understands the idiot Sheng Jiu. This is a warrior's honor."

Just then, Sheng Jiu spotted a familiar figure outside the window and his torrent of words came to an abrupt halt. "It's the Headmaster! It's Saturday tomorrow, but where is she going so late?"

Everyone followed Sheng Jiu's gaze. A short, cloaked figure, acting suspiciously, walked by outside. The large cross on their back revealed the passerby's identity.

"Huh? Auntie seems to be heading towards the naval port!"

"Should we follow her?" Bronya voiced everyone's thoughts.

"...Never mind. I'm sure the Headmaster has her reasons for dressing like this and probably doesn't want us involved. Let's just not go," Sheng Jiu said after a moment's thought. He then stood up to pay. "Let's head back too. It's getting late, and I'm so tired. I need to sleep in tomorrow."

As soon as Sheng Jiu watched them disappear from his sight, he quickly picked up his pace, heading in the direction Theresa had gone. Halfway there, he suddenly bumped into someone. "Ouch, that hurt!"

"Are you okay... Huh, Sheng Jiu? What are you doing here?"

"Teacher Walter?" Sheng Jiu was very surprised to run into an acquaintance so late at night.

Walter glanced at the Jueying on Sheng Jiu's back and then at the sweat on Sheng Jiu's forehead. "Why are you out here so late instead of going back to the dorms?"

Sheng Jiu put on an act of being utterly exhausted. "I'm doing some weighted training, Teacher. I just finished a ten-kilometer run with weights and I'm on my way back to the dorm now."

Walter stared at Sheng Jiu for a long time, then chuckled. "You kid, you remind me of myself when I was young. I know you have your reasons for being here, and I won't pry. But remember, be careful."

Sheng Jiu thanked Walter gratefully and quickly left. Watching Sheng Jiu walk away, a flicker of red flashed in Walter's eyes. It lasted only a few seconds before disappearing instantly. He turned and walked into a dark alley...

Sheng Jiu soon caught up with the slowly walking Theresa and watched her enter the port.

Unexpectedly, the port was bustling tonight. Searchlights lit up one after another, illuminating the dark night sky. Valkyries were moving in and out of the Hyperion, transporting combat supplies, and a crane was slowly loading artillery shells into the ship's magazine. It was clear that this giant vessel was about to set sail on a mission.

Sheng Jiu hid in the grass near the port, observing every move within the harbor. Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound from the bushes not far behind him.

Without thinking, Sheng Jiu chopped down with his hand. To his surprise, he hit something soft. "Huh? It doesn't seem too..."

"Pervert! Take this!" A familiar voice came from the bushes, and a slender leg suddenly shot out, kicking straight towards Sheng Jiu's face.

Sheng Jiu reacted quickly, dodging the flying kick with a sideways movement. He grabbed the leg and dragged the attacker out of the bushes.

Now, Sheng Jiu saw the attacker's head full of white hair and immediately let go.

Kiana, clutching her head in distress, angrily grabbed Sheng Jiu's ear. "Oww... That hurts! Why did you hit me so hard! I'll twist your ear off!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Sheng Jiu let Kiana twist his ear. Suddenly, his usually slow reflexes finally kicked in, and he grabbed Kiana's face. "Wait a minute! Why are you here, you white-haired furball?! Didn't you go back to the dorms?!"

"You're the white-haired furball! Stop pinching my face! I knew you weren't up to anything good, so I've been secretly following you!"

"How dare you! I am a hero of justice, how could I be up to no good? No, you need to go back right now!"

"No? I? Don't want to!" Kiana shook her head stubbornly. "I should be asking you that! Why are you following Auntie!"

Sheng Jiu looked at Kiana, his expression suddenly turning serious. "Do you remember what I told you today? It seems something formidable has emerged from the Honkai forces within Changkong City."

Kiana froze, then immediately recalled their discussion in class. "I remember, but what does that have to do with Auntie?"

"You're so dense! When has the Headmaster ever carried Judas to a meeting? It's obvious the Headmaster is going to eliminate the newly born Herrscher. If even I can guess the source of the Honkai Beast surge in Changkong City, how could someone as cunning as the Headmaster not know?"

Kiana finally understood. "So, you want to follow Auntie to Changkong City! No way, I'm going too!"

"No! It's too dangerous, you can't go!"

"Why not! You can go, so why can't I? I'm going, and if you get yourself killed because you're so careless, who will collect your body? If I go with you, I can collect your body!"

Sheng Jiu knew that the tsundere Kiana was worried about him. Looking at Kiana, who had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, Sheng Jiu felt a surge of warmth.

Sheng Jiu pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "But what about Yae Sakura and Bronya?"

"Don't worry! I'll tell them I'm going to be playing online games with you all day for the next couple of days. As long as we're back by Monday, it'll be fine!"