Honkai's Thousand Laws, Abducting Kiana at the Start

Fortunately, this weakness was exposed early, giving him more options.

Moreover, while this was an unavoidable setback for Su Jue, for the Herrscher of Domination, it was merely the beginning of another plan.

The puppet [Su Jue] stopped its performance. Under the gaze of golden eyes, it spread its arms, bowed in thanks, and then the curtain fell.

On the stage, the artificial eye from Gray Serpent emitted a faint red glow. Raiden Mei's katana was stuck in the ground. Meanwhile, in a distant corner of the city, a girl was relentlessly searching for someone's trace. The drawing tools clutched in her left hand and the broken, blood-stained hairpin held in her palm also signified a new choice.

Plans and oversights often hinge on a single thought.

After 'accidentally' revealing information about World Serpent to Himeko, Su Jue finally managed to get rid of the troublesome woman who had been lingering at his place. Following this, Su Jue's life finally returned to its daily rhythm. Having too many puppets was one of its drawbacks; he always forgot that he was still a high school student enjoying a wonderful campus life.

However, upon seeing the thick stack of homework piled before him, Su Jue fell into deep thought.

What kind of brilliant mind invented homework, this source of all evil? If he ever became a Stigmata, he would definitely have a serious talk with them about life.

Su Jue looked around, instinctively searching for a tool to help him solve this problem. Unfortunately, the only one in the room who could match his gaze was Tread Snow.

"Watch me do it, meow?"

Forget it. He'd see if he could muddle through at school.

He haphazardly shoved the homework into his backpack and began his student life. As a diligent student, he had only gone to school twice in the past week, and even then, he had just started to study when he received a response from the Kiana mark. But this was an act of God, so Su Jue couldn't be blamed, meow~

Ahem, almost switched voice packs.

"Good morning, Jian Yun." The morning breeze was cool, the sun was pleasant, and he had a female classmate to walk to school with every day. Could there be anything more idyllic?

"Uh, Su Jue, did you just wake up?" Jian Yun looked surprised at Su Jue's energetic demeanor.

Su Jue quickly recalled that he had lied earlier to cover up the difference between himself and the puppet, and he hadn't expected anyone to remember it. "Probably?"

"What do you mean 'probably'? Is there a 'probably' when it comes to whether you're awake or not?"

Indeed, there is.

Su Jue held back the words, not saying them aloud.

Seeing Su Jue's slightly unusual expression, Jian Yun looked at him suspiciously. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, "I heard from classmates that some boys like to reward themselves, and they say that overdoing it can lead to memory loss. You're not like that, are you? Sometimes you seem listless and don't react when I greet you..."

"No, that's completely not the case." Su Jue's expression turned serious as he replied earnestly. Whether it was true or not, he absolutely couldn't admit it to a female classmate.

"Okay, I don't know what 'rewarding yourself' means, but Su Jue, please don't be like they say. I think... that's not good."

Although he knew Jian Yun was just concerned about him, Su Jue still felt a bit strange and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, have you finished your homework? Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, I think I need some reference."

"I knew you wouldn't have done it. Here, I happened to have an extra copy." As if she had expected Su Jue not to have done his homework, Jian Yun opened her schoolbag and took out a pile of homework, neatly categorized. It was clear she had planned this.

"Uh, are you sure it was accidental?"

"Hmph, what are you thinking? I would never specially write an extra copy for you." Jian Yun pursed her lips and turned her face away, not looking at Su Jue.

"Alright, thank you." Feeling indebted, Su Jue thought for a moment and then treated her to breakfast at a street-side eatery.

The suburbs didn't have the wide variety of breakfast shops found in the city center. Most were ordinary people who woke up early and stayed up late, pushing tricycles and setting up stalls by the roadside. The options were limited to simple soy milk, fried dough sticks, and tea eggs. But Jian Yun seemed very happy after eating breakfast, and they walked side-by-side. She drank a cup of soy milk with loud gulps and occasionally stole glances at Su Jue's profile, making him feel quite uncomfortable.

"What? Not enough to drink?" Su Jue said, offering her his own cup of soy milk.

Jian Yun paused and instinctively reached out to take it, but Su Jue quickly pulled the cup back. "Are you silly? Mine is empty."

"Tch, so stingy." Jian Yun's cheeks flushed as she realized her mistake. To hide the thought that had just popped into her mind, she took several quick steps, intending to get to school before Su Jue.

However, before she could enter, she was stopped by a student prefect. "Classmate, breakfast is not allowed in school..."

"...Alright." By the time she finished drinking, they entered the school gate at the same time.

So, what was the point of all that?

Chapter 59: Distant Scenery

Adolescent girls often get lost in their thoughts. Perhaps it's the unreachable scenery on the horizon, the fairytale castles in dream worlds, or simply a yearning for a beautiful future, a desire to spend their remaining years with the one they love.

At this early morning hour, everything is at its most beautiful beginning. Every day is a new start, and small joys in the morning can make one happy all day. She wanted to go shopping, she wanted to travel, but in the end, Jian Yun could only obediently stay in the classroom.

Boring teachers, dull lessons, and nutritionally void, chaotic knowledge wore away at the otherwise beautiful morning hours. Glancing at the balding teacher and seeing that he wasn't paying attention to her, Jian Yun propped herself up on her desk and secretly looked at the person beside her.

"?" Su Jue gave her a questioning look. It was a perfectly normal expression, but Jian Yun acted as if she had found a treasure and chuckled.

Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived. A piece of chalk suddenly hit her on the head.

"Jian Yun, stand up!" The balding teacher, whose face showed displeasure, seemed listless during his lectures but his voice became exceptionally loud when punishing students, attempting to assert his dignity as an educator through sheer volume.

Jian Yun looked nervously at the fierce-looking teacher. Normally, she was a diligent student who paid attention in class, but today, for some reason, she had been caught daydreaming.

The balding teacher didn't look at Jian Yun. Instead, he scanned the classroom, looking at the listless students, and snorted, "I know many students in this class have secretly started dating. Although I'm well aware that with your family's financial situation, you'll likely never get into the city center in your lifetime, I still advise you to focus on your studies. Otherwise, when you grow up, you'll only end up like your parents, stuck in the impoverished district your whole life, never even seeing what the big city looks like."

This was a deeply insulting statement, but for the students, it didn't carry much weight. They continued to sleep or space out as usual. Why? Simply because they were all accustomed to it.

The teacher, expecting to see expressions of fear, was disappointed. It was like punching cotton; he felt inexplicably annoyed. His eyes darted around and landed on Jian Yun.

"Jian Yun, isn't it? If I recall correctly, your father only works in a factory in the suburbs. Do you know how hard they work to send you to school? They've been poor their whole lives, just to get a glimpse of the big city, and this is how you repay them by daydreaming in class? As expected, people without ability only raise useless children. Even with a lifetime of effort, they won't see the city's splendor."

"Perhaps your parents had to pull strings to get you into this garbage school. I say, it would be better for you lot to go work on the assembly line with your parents instead of attending this school. At least it would ease your family's financial burden."

The teacher's words pierced Jian Yun's heart like needles. Especially as she stood there alone, she felt as if the entire class was looking at her, as if they were judging a rare specimen. She bit her lip tightly, lowering her head to prevent herself from crying. Her once beautiful mood had completely vanished.

"But Teacher, you're so outstanding, how is it that at 50 years old, you're still stuck in our garbage school? Doesn't that mean you're the useless person you're talking about?" Seeing Jian Yun silently standing beside him, Su Jue sighed and could only answer for her.

"You little brat! Is that how you talk to your teacher?" Su Jue's words clearly hit a nerve with the balding teacher. He immediately grabbed the glass cup from his desk, intending to hurl it at him, but then he remembered it cost him a good few dozen, and he felt a pang of reluctance. All he could do was curse, "You ill-mannered brat. It's no wonder this garbage school doesn't have many decent people."

Su Jue didn't care about the teacher's insults. He knew he wouldn't have any future connection with people like him. However, Jian Yun, standing beside him, looked at him with teary eyes, prompting him to say a few more words, "Hmm, it really is a garbage school. But why are you here, teacher? Is the school in the city center too far from home? Or perhaps you can't stand the meager salary in the central district? It couldn't possibly be that no one wants you, right?"

Seizing the opportunity, he gently pulled Jian Yun, who was still standing, to sit down, and stood up himself. His gaze was sincere, as if he were a well-behaved student genuinely concerned about his teacher.

"You..." The balding teacher was somewhat enraged, taking a deep breath before regaining his composure. "I've dedicated myself to the cause of education. If it weren't for teachers like us, what would you lot do in the future?"

Seeing the unfolding drama, the students in the classroom stopped dozing and started whispering, "No way, no way. Does someone really think they're a teacher just because they're standing on the podium? They can't even recognize the words in the textbook. I think they didn't even know Su Jue's name before." (This is for plot purposes and is not directed at anyone, nor is it meant to belittle friends who don't recognize obscure characters. This viewpoint is solely from the perspective of the novel's characters and has no connection to the author.)

"Speaking of which, what does he teach again? 'How to Make Shoe Insoles Crispy When Grilled,' Oh~ So he used to be a barbecue chef."

Although the classmates seemed to be whispering, they made no effort to lower their voices. The balding teacher's face flushed and paled, changing colors like a performer. Just as Su Jue thought he might pass out from anger, he managed to recover. With a scowl, he walked out of the classroom, likely to report to the school administration.

"Tch, boring." After seeing the teacher's breakdown and departure, the chatter in the classroom became even more unrestrained, with no one caring about what had just been said.

This was the school Su Jue currently attended, and it was a common scene in suburban schools. The teachers here were basically rejects who couldn't make it in the city center. They hadn't learned the qualities of those teachers but always felt superior, looking down on their students with an arrogant attitude.

The knowledge taught in the school wasn't proper academic subjects. It was mostly just basic vocational knowledge intended to give students some shallow skills for future employment. Whether they could learn it or not was none of their business; as long as the school received subsidies from the Land of the Divine, its purpose was fulfilled.

Therefore, the students here mostly adopted a laid-back attitude. They hadn't been to the city center or seen the outside world, so they might as well seize the time to enjoy their most beautiful and leisurely moments.

"Thank you..." After Su Jue sat down, Jian Yun tugged at his sleeve and whispered softly.

"Consider it repayment for doing my homework for me."

"But you already bought me breakfast."

"That was an advance payment for the next assignment."

"..." The sunlight fell on Jian Yun's profile, causing her to squint slightly. The tears still lingering in her eyes blurred her vision under the light, making it impossible for her to see Su Jue clearly.

Perhaps what she desired wasn't distant scenery or a noble castle.

Chapter Sixty: Equality

"Ahem, Jian Yun, Su Jue, could you explain why your homework has the exact same handwriting?" In the office, the female teacher responsible for Chinese language pushed up her glasses, her inquisitive gaze fixed on the two of them.

Jian Yun, still recovering from the shock of the balding teacher incident, lowered her head, afraid to meet the teacher's eyes. Su Jue, however, was completely unfazed and calmly explained, "As you can see, I don't have the habit of doing homework, so I specifically bribed Jian Yun with breakfast to do it for me. This is mutual help between classmates, and the transaction doesn't involve anything illegal. Do you have any other questions?"

Hearing Su Jue shamelessly state this, the female teacher's mouth twitched. She wanted to lecture them about doing their own homework and self-study, but seeing Su Jue's impatient expression, she swallowed her words.

"Ahem, it's best if there isn't a next time."

Although he didn't know what his self-aware puppet's usual school life was like, Su Jue didn't completely see himself as a timid student. Having finally found a period of peace, he believed school life was for relaxation, not for enduring mistreatment.

As they walked out of the office, Jian Yun, who had been holding her breath for Su Jue, looked at him with admiration, "Su Jue, you were so amazing today. Just like... just like when I first met you."

"..." Honestly, Su Jue couldn't recall what he was like back then. He only remembered that he had just been chosen as the Herrscher of a Thousand and was trembling with anxiety about his future, though outwardly he appeared very tough, like a snail in the mud, protecting itself with its fragile shell.

His interaction with Jian Yun was also just a part of the Herrscher of a Thousand Plan. In his distant memory, Su Jue recalled that Kiana had saved this child's life. At the time, he thought that if he and Kiana were both saved by her, he could legitimately clear his name.

Unfortunately, the Honkai consciousness saw through his plan to escape. It directly gave him the authority of the Herrscher of Domination, which led Su Jue to change his mind and devise a plan called [Abduction].

Now, the plan had changed. As for Jian Yun, it was best for her to remain an ordinary person.

He saw the thoughts of the young girl, understanding this nascent admiration. However, in his view, it was merely a simple personality flaw.

Excessive dependence on others and being overly concerned with their opinions. When such a personality encountered a more dominant person, they would subconsciously cling to them. The more dominant Su Jue appeared, the more severe this situation became. If Su Jue's target hadn't been Kiana, Jian Yun would have been sold off countless times without anyone knowing.

"Haven't you considered changing?" As they walked side-by-side, Su Jue looked out the window at the school's main building. The old school was dilapidated everywhere except for the imposing main building in the administrative area.

"Change what?"

"From the homework you wrote for me, your humanities grades are excellent. You're far beyond any student in this school. With your abilities, getting into a good school shouldn't be a problem. Don't you think this place... is terrible?"

It seemed Su Jue's sudden question caught Jian Yun off guard. She frowned, unsure how to answer.

Useless teachers, students wasting their lives, and this chaotic school like a mire – everything exuded an uncomfortable aura.

For the Herrscher of a Thousand, this was an excellent breeding ground. But for Su Jue, it was merely a stinking ditch with no value to dominate.

"I think... it's probably because of fairness?" Jian Yun stopped walking and leaned against the window with Su Jue. "Everyone living in the suburbs isn't wealthy. We're all children from ordinary families. We don't have the courage or strength to compete with the city center. We only have the weak huddling together for warmth."

Jian Yun's words made Su Jue look at her sideways. He had initially thought she was just a child with a dependent personality, but he hadn't expected her to have her own ideas.

"Everyone living here is equal. No one is nobler, and no one is richer. Living here, we don't have to endure others' discrimination or worry about being ostracized."

Just like the Herrscher of a Thousand.

"It's strange, isn't it, that I would say something like this?" After saying this, Jian Yun showed a relieved expression, as if she had finally voiced the emotions she had been suppressing in her heart. "But this is my true thought. If everyone is the same, then we don't have to care about what others think."

The gentle breeze caressed the girl leaning by the window, stirring her soft hair. She smiled faintly, becoming a beautiful sight along with this school.

If—it could just continue like this.

In this world, Honkai doesn't visit like a polite gentleman, dressed impeccably and bearing carefully prepared gifts. It barges into your life like a ruthless bandit and mercilessly destroys everything you know.

When Jian Yun came to her senses, all she saw were collapsed ruins. Splattered blood and viscera painted a picture of despair on the broken walls. The wails and cries of her classmates poured into Jian Yun's mind like a nightmare, shattering all her common sense.

"What happened?" No one could answer her. Only the shadow cast by the blocked sunlight enveloped everything. The Honkai Beast standing amidst the ruins ruthlessly destroyed the buildings of human civilization, grinding the children buried beneath the rubble into a bloody pulp.

Fortunately, Jian Yun only sustained minor injuries. She still held the confession letter she had prepared for Su Jue, but nothing mattered now.

Supporting herself with effort, Jian Yun slowly stood up and moved towards a safe area. She could already feel the Honkai Beast, whose presence blotted out the sky, letting out a bloodthirsty roar.

Plop.

Her foot seemed to kick something. She looked down and saw a mostly bald head with its eyes wide open. She had kicked it aside, and it was bleeding profusely.

Those eyes were looking at her.

Chapter 61: Only Death Is Equal

Fear, like a long-hidden python, shot out from its hidden swamp the moment she let her guard down, constricting Jian Yun's throat and making her eyes widen, unable to breathe.

Jian Yun…

Those eyes still held the harshness of that teacher, deeply branded into Jian Yun's mind. Just a few hours ago, he was still verbally abusing his students, and now he had died in the same manner as the good-for-nothings he despised the most—life might not be equal, but death was the only fairness.

Mangled limbs were scattered everywhere. The desperate eyes of familiar classmates stared at her, like demons from hell, waiting for the next victim to join them.

"Didn't you say everyone was equal? Why aren't you coming to join us? With us."

"Go to hell!"

"No..." Jian Yun choked out a low moan, gripping her own throat tightly.

"Don't look at me, don't look at me..." She kept running, closing her eyes to avoid looking at the corpses, but despair never let go of any tasty morsel. It would follow closely, dragging the child into the abyss once they were too weak to struggle.

They heard, they saw, and they began to hunt, destroying all living creatures.

BOOM—

The main building, renovated with a large portion of public funds, easily collapsed under the tearing of Honkai Beasts. Once the obstruction to her vision disappeared, a Temple-class Honkai Beast wielding a spear had already spotted the fleeing Jian Yun. Its crimson eyes began to glow, its massive body started to move, and in an instant, it destroyed everything.

Death arrived as expected…

No, it didn't.

She only felt herself being held in a warm embrace, tumbling several times on the ground. Jian Yun looked up and saw the face she had been hoping for.