Chapter 43

Chapter 43: I'm Willing?

【Bright Future Chat Group】

Talk of the impending war had everyone quite engaged — after all, Cangcheng's fate seemed to concern two of the group's veterans.

Wangshu, and a Jingliu whose current mood was anyone's guess.

Plus there was a show to watch.

Herta██: "I don't know much about Xianzhou warfare, but when you're in danger, try the anti-organic equation. Good chance it'll cause effective large-scale damage. If it doesn't work... as I said, I don't know much about Xianzhou warfare."

Asta: "Ms. Herta, please don't just guess about this kind of thing!"

Herta██: "So, would you like to test Emperor III's latest upgraded anti-organic equation?"

Wangshu: "Thanks, boss, but that's really something I can't handle."

The anti-organic equation was contagious... If the quarantine wasn't airtight, the Xianzhou would be kicking off a second Golden Man Incident.

It might not cause a catastrophe per se, but a tactic that killed 1,000 enemies while costing 800 allies was genuinely unnecessary.

Xing: "Not going to consider my offer? I can provide more conventional assistance... compared to Ms. Herta above, much more conventional."

Wangshu: "I don't even know what I need. And I feel like whatever the IPC has, Cangcheng already has too."

Jingliu: "Armor. You need a set of quality armor. You're not a long-life species — extra defense is always worthwhile."

On the battlefield, excellent armor was even more valuable than a divine weapon. The best defense was a good offense, sure — but that was incredibly difficult in practice. An extra layer of solid armor meant a tangible boost to survival.

Jingliu: "Though on second thought, you're not exactly a foot soldier. The enemies you'd face probably won't care about a bit of plating."

Asta: "The people I know all seem to charge into battle in casual clothes, and... well, they all look really good doing it. But some defense is still a good idea, right?"

Wangshu: "Little Jingliu already bought me the armor."

Xing: "...As expected. Women really are the primary consumers."

March 7th: "That's a completely different context!"

Jingliu: "..."

Jingliu: "Get to sleep early tonight. With your talent, doing some early sparring won't count as forcing a premature bloom."

Herta██: "So is anyone going to test the latest anti-organic equation? Just send me fresh data afterward."

Xing: "Can I have a copy?"

Asta: "..."

Wangshu: "You're IPC. Why do you want that?"

Xing: "Hasn't the IPC always been collecting anti-organic equation data? Oh right, I almost forgot — most people probably aren't aware of the IPC's core strategy."

Xing: "With the universe in turmoil, if the IPC could crack the anti-organic equation, it might just restore cosmic order."

And incidentally, raise the IPC's standing. And her own.

Universal upheaval meant someone in Strategic Investment like her needed every edge she could find to boost her influence.

The group chat seemed to have facilitated another dirty deal. Here's hoping Xing's side could clear the disaster. Hopefully.

Bellies full, the journey home began. Passing by the academy, Wangshu and little Jingliu each hugged their large armor cases, trudging at a leisurely pace along the road back to their home near the school. The setting sun stretched their shadows long.

Suddenly, Jingliu — walking ahead — stopped without warning.

"What's wrong?"

Wangshu was puzzled.

Jingliu stood in place for a moment, then turned to look at a familiar figure in the distance.

A petite silhouette in a simple, elegant dress sat on stone steps, her small head bobbing — so bored she seemed about to doze off.

It was Huoshi.

"Didn't you say she was a Swarm Lord?"

Jingliu's voice was flat, emotionless.

"She is."

Was the Alluring Swarm Lord really here waiting for her jianbing guozi?

"Then go ask her if she'll help you."

"...Me?"

Wangshu pointed at himself with case-laden hands, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

He still owed Miss Huoshi an outstanding deal — one he was planning to default on.

It couldn't be helped. He'd intended to squeeze her dry, but time waits for no one. Cangcheng's war had apparently accelerated, leaving him no bandwidth to deal with the Swarm Lord situation.

"Of course! You two were chatting so happily, weren't you?" Little Jingliu was perfectly justified. "If she won't help, then open your eyes wide and take note — bad women like her only make promises with their mouths. They're completely unreliable."

Though Jingliu still didn't buy that Huoshi could be a Swarm Lord. At most, the girl was a chuuni.

"Nah — a bad woman like that obviously won't agree."

Wangshu decisively sided with little Jingliu, his tone unwavering. Jingliu nodded in satisfaction, a slight smile curving across her fair little face.

Little Wangshu was growing up. He'd learned to guard his countenance, and he knew who his real family was.

"I'll do it."

A familiar, delicate voice shattered her sweetness in an instant.

Little Jingliu turned, face expressionless. The bad woman who'd been drowsily nodding off seconds ago was all radiant smiles now — not a trace of sleepiness.

"Fine then — tag along!"

Jingliu didn't make a fuss. She jutted her chin toward little Wangshu.

She wanted to see just how long this bad woman could keep up the act.

"Okay."

Huoshi went with the flow, smiling as she nodded and walked over with light steps, as if she'd merely accepted the most ordinary invitation to walk together.

She would never, for the sake of personal amusement, do anything that might put herself at risk. But an Abundance battlefield? That was different. Propagation's children would never fear Abundance's followers.

She genuinely didn't mind.

Little Jingliu was left a bit wrong-footed — she wasn't even sure anymore. Was this bad woman actually going to tag along and cause trouble?

Wangshu spoke up with regret: "Unfortunately, Miss Huoshi, Cangcheng's general won't allow you on the battlefield."

After all, Propagation's children were viewed as villains by virtually everyone — the kind that shared a table with Abundance's monstrosities.

Letting such an entity onto your own battlefield? That would absolutely never happen.

Huoshi's smile deepened: "Would that general allow me to stay here, then?"

Her gaze drifted, ultimately settling on Wangshu's face. Her voice was gentle: "Or would you rather leave me in a Cangcheng... without you?"

What a weird way to put that. Little Jingliu's crimson eyes went wide. What did she mean, little Wangshu wouldn't want to leave her in a place without him?

Where was this sudden suggestiveness coming from?!

Wangshu's mouth opened. Did you really have to phrase it like that?

He took a deep breath, suppressing his exasperation, his expression striving for sincerity and gravity: "Don't worry. I trust you."

At this point, trust was all he had left to give. If Huoshi wanted to run, nobody could stop her. Even if she followed them to the battlefield, she could leave at any time.

Huoshi tilted her head, studied Wangshu for several seconds, but still couldn't read the truth behind his words.

"I'm honored by your trust. I'll take good care of this little girl for you."

She broke into a final sunny smile, restored to her pure and harmless facade.

As for the battlefield — don't be ridiculous. Propagation's children might not fear Abundance's followers, but a safety margin of only ninety-something percent wasn't exactly comfortable.