Executive [Shadow of the Mist]

Shi Hen said with a smile.

"The Key of Erosion..." Upon hearing this, Gray Serpent immediately realized, "No, impossible, even with that Divine Key, you couldn't have done it so quickly..."

"Mr. Gray Serpent, do you remember when you first came to the idea that you were invincible?"

Shi Hen asked with a smile.

When he decided to take action against Gray Serpent, Gray Serpent's fate was already sealed.

"You..."

The Gray Serpent stopped abruptly after uttering just one word.

He thought the other side had only been planning the attack for half a month, but in reality... when the first Gray Serpent started losing contact, the entire Gray Serpent network had already been compromised.

The subsequent actions were merely to lull him into a false sense of security.

"It seems Mr. Gray Serpent has already understood."

He smiled and nodded Shi Hen.

Even when there aren't enough samples of Gray Serpent, he can't grasp the entire Gray Serpent network, but he can still implant some ideas into it.

Only if he believes in his victory will the Gray Serpent refrain from doing anything strange.

Otherwise, if Gray Serpent were to fight with all its might, Shi Hen wouldn't know what other trump cards the opponent might have up its sleeve.

"What exactly do you want to do!?"

The Gray Serpent roared, its voice now tinged with hysteria.

Only then did he realize that his defeat was inevitable.

"I've already said it, I only want to be a leader in the world." Shi Hen said calmly, his finger on the trigger gently tightening. "So, goodbye, Mr. Gray Serpent."

After all, he was the one who guided him into the World Serpent, so Mr. Gray Serpent's farewell always needs a bit of ceremony.

Bang!

As Shi Hen pulled the trigger, the other Gray Serpent followed suit.

Bang--

A thousand gunshots rang out together, and the administrator, Gray Serpent, was instantly blasted into a pile of iron.

The only Gray Serpent to break free of the Gray Serpent Network disappeared.

Looking at the Gray Serpent that had completely lost its breath, Shi Hen couldn't help but sigh softly. He looked at the body he had taken over and said in a low voice, "From today onwards, you are the new manager."

With the change of leadership in the Gray Serpent Clan, the power structure of the entire World Serpent Organization quietly shifted as well.

Chapter 179 Cadre [Kasumikage]

Thousands of miles away, at the foot of Mount Tai Xu.

Looking up at the towering mountain, a hint of excitement flashed in Himeko's eyes. "Big sister, are we going to play here next?"

"It's not for fun, it's to find an Armed Puppet called the [Book of Cang Xuan]."

Yae Sakura corrected.

"Armed Puppet... why is it named after a book?"

Nodding knowingly, a hint of doubt immediately appeared in Himeko's eyes.

Among her fragmented memories were descriptions of Armed Puppet.

"I don't know. Lord Hen only said that the doll might be here."

Yae Sakura shook her head helplessly.

In fact, she had only recently learned about the concept of Armed Puppet.

Moreover, it took the boy a long time to get her to distinguish between the Armed Puppet and the Onmyoji shikigami.

After all, for this Miss Miko from five hundred years ago, gods, ghosts, and demons were much easier to understand than science and technology.

"Possible?"

Himeko blinked.

"Yes, because Lord Hen doesn't seem too sure either."

Yae Sakura explained.

"Oh."

Himeko nodded obediently.

Bite--

The phone beeped, Himeko quickly took it out to look at it. Her face lit up with joy. "Big brother said he's waiting for us at a barbecue restaurant in the town ahead."

Although Mount Tai Xu is quite famous, the surrounding terrain is undulating and not suitable for urban development, so there is only a small town at the foot of the mountain.

"Did Your Excellency say what it is about?"

Yae Sakura asked.

"It seems like the big brother has something to give us."

"Himeko said happily."

"But isn't he still in the Far East?"

Yae Sakura looked puzzled.

As far as she knew, it wasn't time for the Far East Academy to take a break yet.

"Oh, we'll find out when we get there."

With a smile, Himeko grabbed Yae Sakura's wrist and ran forward.

Looking at the pink-haired girl in front of her, who was as lively as a little sparrow, Yae Sakura couldn't help but smile, letting the other girl drag her forward.

Before long, the two arrived at the small town at the foot of Mount Tai Xu.

Using her phone's navigation, Himeko quickly found the barbecue restaurant mentioned in the message.

"Gray Serpent..."

Upon noticing the black-robed man at the outdoor table and chairs, Yae Sakura's body tensed instantly.

The reason is simple: I've developed an instinctive reaction to killing Gray Serpent lately.

"Please sit down, Miss Sakura."

The boy's voice rang out, and the black-robed man pointed to his empty seat.

Hearing that familiar voice, Yae Sakura finally reacted and asked, "Lord Hen, did you succeed?"

She had heard the boy mention that if the Gray Serpent matter went smoothly, then Gray Serpent that appeared afterward could be considered as his will.

"Of course." Nodding gently, Shi Hen moved the barbecue on the table aside. "Himeko, these are yours."

It was precisely because of this little fox that he chose to meet at the barbecue restaurant.

"Thank you, big brother."

Crispy and authentic, Himeko didn't hesitate to pick up a few skewers and start eating, a joyful smile immediately spreading across her face.

Although she was a little disappointed not to see the boy in person, being able to eat delicious barbecue was enough to make her happy.

Looking at the Gray Serpent body in front of her, Yae Sakura pursed her lips and said, "Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Hen."

"Miss Sakura has also helped me a lot."

Shi Hen nodded slightly.

Without Yae Sakura, it would have taken him much more effort to defeat the Gray Serpent Clan.

There's nothing I can do; he's still in St. Freya.

Moreover, unlike Fu Hua, he doesn't have the opportunity to leave the academy all the time.

To date, he hasn't even carried out a single combat mission.

Normally, students who haven't yet earned the title of Valkyrie won't have combat missions. At most, they'll go to the edge of the battlefield for an internship each semester to experience the atmosphere.

Not everyone can defeat Emperor-class Honkai Beast while only being at the B-rank.

For most trainees, a single ordinary Chariot-class Honkai Beast would be enough to take their lives.

Of the more than 300 graduates of St. Freya each year, less than one-tenth can become B-rank Valkyrie; the vast majority of them can only become clerical Valkyrie in charge of logistics.

Talent, ability... this is the reality that mortals must face when Anti-Honkai.

"I only did a tiny, insignificant thing."

Yae Sakura lowered her head slightly, appearing very low-key.

Throughout the entire incident, all she did was draw her sword and slash people; even finding her way was done by Himeko.

"Miss Sakura is too modest." Shi Hen shook his head slightly and patted a silver box about four feet long at his feet. "Miss Sakura will keep this item for the time being."

"This is?"

A look of confusion crossed Yae Sakura's face.

"The Seven Thunders of Sin's Purge, a fairly decent sword."

Shi Hen explained simply.

Although World Serpent is unable to recreate a Divine Key, it can still repair it, though it will be more fragile than before.

There was no way around it; the damage from the Seven Thunders of Sin's Purge was simply too severe.

If we really want to completely repair it, we'll probably have to go to the Elysian Realm and find Vill-V, the creator herself, to take action.

But... if the Seven Thunders of Sin's Purge were truly handed over to the other party, Shi Hen himself might not dare to use this weapon anymore.

Who knows what backdoor that Flame-Chasers will install? Perhaps it's even uncertain whether he can get it back at all.

Apart from a few honest people, the cunning and scheming among the Flame-Chasers are all quite numerous.

Even though they share the common goal of Anti-Honkai, these Flame-Chasers have never been good people.

Or rather, what ordinary people perceive as "good" and "bad" is completely meaningless to them.

"I will use it properly."

Upon hearing this, Yae Sakura nodded solemnly.

Although the boy said the knife was only of decent quality, the last thing he gave her was a Herrscher Core.

The Miko believed that this knife couldn't be anything too simple either.

"There is also a detector inside that can help you find the Book of Cang Xuan."

Shi Hen added.

Five hundred years have passed, and the Fuyun Temple where Fu Hua once lived is probably gone without a trace. Finding the Book of Cang Xuan would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But with the technological capabilities of the World Serpent, they can at least make this matter a little simpler.

"This... the Book of Cang Xuan, is it important?"

Hearing the boy bring up the matter again, Yae Sakura finally couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm." Nodding slightly, Shi Hen explained, "I have a friend who has always lived with a mask on, and the Book of Cang Xuan can make it easier for her to take off the mask."

The stage behind the scenes in this world can only belong to him alone.

Yae Sakura: "..."

How can you have the nerve to say something like that, wearing a mask all day and lying to people?

"In short, it would be best to find one within six months."

Shi Hen concluded.

Based on various intelligence reports, it is estimated that Himeko and her group will have to go to the Nine Nether to catch the sea in about six months.

Even if you want to expose the immortal's identity, you still need to arrange a reasonable reunion, right?