Chapter 15 – Hikigaya and Luo Hao
Hikigaya had actually imagined many different scenarios of meeting the Martial Arts King.
The one he looked forward to the most was telling the Martial Arts King stories—specifically stories from wuxia novels of his previous life.
Not to make fun of them, but because the development of martial arts in this world was entirely different from his past life, divided into two distinct categories.
One type, best represented by the Yomi style, had names and characteristics that corresponded to the martial arts of his previous life. Although this category differed slightly due to the influence of "qi" and became extremely powerful after reaching a certain level, at least it retained a familiar style.
But the other type had fused with sorcery, transforming into something one would only encounter in fantasy novels of his previous life. The prime example of this was China's Five Prisons Sacred Sect.
As the leader of the Five Prisons Sacred Sect, Luo Hao was the strongest practitioner of this style.
The style of martial arts she used was nearly indistinguishable from the protagonists of the wuxia novels Hikigaya used to read, and in fact, these types of martial artists were seen, like the knights of Europe, as the ideal archetype for those who wielded both magic and martial might in this world.
Thus, Hikigaya had been eagerly anticipating the chance to meet the Martial Arts King.
But the one thing he had never imagined—was this current scene.
So, what the hell is going on here?
Hikigaya looked at Luo Hao, then looked toward Sun Wukong, and stood there completely confused.
Just as he was about to ask, Luo Hao had already turned her gaze back toward the deity, her expression full of hatred.
"You are a hero of my country, and yet you allow yourself to be raised like a beast. So pathetic and disgraceful—have you no shame?"
"Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do. As you can see, I am a beast now," Sun Wukong replied nonchalantly to Luo Hao's criticism.
In fact, he looked rather pleased—perhaps he quite enjoyed verbal sparring.
"That actually... makes a lot of sense." Hikigaya couldn't help nodding in agreement.
The monkey's confident reply made him unconsciously want to give it a thumbs up...
"Japanese King, could you not speak?" Luo Hao glanced over in displeasure, clearly unhappy.
Her personality was clearly different from what Hikigaya had heard from Voban.
Although this girl's real age was probably a bit older—maybe just a few decades younger than Voban—but... judging by appearance alone, calling her a girl wasn't wrong.
"Sorry, go on." Hikigaya spread his hands to show he hadn't meant to interrupt.
"If you were not a king of equal rank to me, I would never forgive your rudeness. But since we both walk the path of tyranny, I shall pardon you this time. Be sure to thank me properly!"
"Ah? Oh... thank you..." Hikigaya replied dryly.
Now he was starting to understand why Voban said Luo Hao had a weird personality.
Their wavelengths just didn't match at all!
"And your shrine maidens as well—normally, just seeing me should be punished."
Luo Hao turned her gaze to Ena and the Mariya sisters.
Her gaze was strange. Though her words were full of contempt, there was no trace of scorn in her eyes.
Even so, it was enough to terrify the Mariya sisters.
Mariya Ikari kept saying "I'm sorry" over and over in fear, while Mariya Yuri clung tightly to her sister, trembling and begging Luo Hao to punish only her.
To Hikigaya, who was somewhat familiar with Qing Dynasty customs, this all seemed meaningless.
That era of China was the height of autocracy; people from that time, especially Godslayers, weren't the type to accept apologies.
"Miko, for a Japanese girl to interrupt our conversation, the proper punishment would be death. But considering... never mind, I'll forgive you this time too."
"S-sorry..."
"So very sorry, Master!"
The two sisters trembled as they apologized, but Luo Hao was no longer paying attention to them.
Her gaze once again landed on Hikigaya.
"Japanese King, you have yet to tell me your name."
Although her gaze seemed to conceal something, she appeared willing to speak calmly now.
Or rather, Hikigaya noticed—her personality was actually pretty interesting.
"Hikigaya Hachiman. No courtesy name." he replied mischievously.
As he hoped, he saw a flicker of distress on Luo Hao's exquisitely beautiful face.
As expected, this person had obsessive-compulsive tendencies, loved to criticize others, and her reasoning was often ridiculous enough to make people laugh out loud.
"You are a king of equal standing to me—why must you conduct yourself so disgracefully?"
The female leader of the Sacred Sect had already begun her lecture.
"I noticed you haven't properly behaved as a successor.
For people like us, who have reached the pinnacle of martial arts unfathomable to ordinary mortals, all we need from them is supreme reverence.
Ridiculous behavior only brings shame to our kind."
Hikigaya rolled his eyes. No wonder this woman was the top shut-in of the Godslayer world—her pretentious routine was completely outdated.
This wasn't just dragging others down—it was denying human evolution itself.
"Sis, you don't have to be like this, right?" Hikigaya kindly advised. "You know, you're coming off as kinda lame."
Then he saw Luo Hao's eyes widen!
"You called me... sis?" Her stunningly beautiful eyes even seemed to sparkle. "My impression of you has changed. It seems you're a promising young man."
She actually looked... pretty happy?
Hikigaya was instantly alarmed.
He'd heard of a certain kind of girl—one who liked to forcibly take younger brothers and then engage in unspeakably corrupted "life education."
He never expected to actually meet one!
Wait, was this how she killed her first god back in the day!?
"Missy! Please have some self-respect!" Hikigaya put on a serious face. "I have my dignity!"
"Good, good." Luo Hao clearly didn't understand human speech. "A martial artist must have dignity—but must not be too indulgent either. Brother, after this, come back to Mount Lu with me for training."
Go back to your damn Mount Lu Rising Dragon Fist!
Hikigaya suddenly felt Luo Hao would've been a complete weirdo even in ancient times...
While he was thinking, Luo Hao was already staring sharply at Sun Wukong.
"Great Sage, I, Luo Hao, will now release you—and then slay you. Are you ready?"
"Oh? You seem pretty happy. Is having a little brother more fun than arguing?" Sun Wukong seemed to have a lot in common with Luo Hao in some ways.
"Silence. As a deity, you should not rely on petty words. Show me your tyranny."
"Tyranny, huh..." Sun Wukong scratched his golden head, then turned to Hikigaya. "Outside, this territory should belong to you now, right?"
"More or less," Hikigaya nodded. "But if we're fighting in here, then it doesn't matter."
"Your kin wouldn't do this, you know. She wants me to return to my true form, but if I do, I won't stay here." Sun Wukong said with a grin, completely un-godlike. "And if I become Heretic again, I'll attack you too. Are you sure you don't want to gain power from me?"
"Oh? And what do you mean by that?"
"Your kind must defeat us in one-on-one battle to obtain our blessings—that much, I understand well."
Sun Wukong looked smug, like Columbus discovering a new continent.
But what he said wasn't wrong.
Since Luo Hao had entered, he was definitely going to be released.
Voban's whereabouts were still unknown, and under these circumstances, Hikigaya had no reason to yield.
"Sorry, Master."
Having made up his mind, Hikigaya leapt forward, positioning himself between Luo Hao and Sun Wukong. He clasped his fists together in the traditional Chinese martial salute.
"I've heard your martial arts surpass all others. Why not have a sparring match with me first?"
Luo Hao's expression changed, her eyes turning cold.
Her figure vanished.
"You must call me Sister..." Her voice still echoed by his ear, but a slender, delicate white hand was already enlarging before his eyes.
He could even see ripples in the air—evidence of the air being compressed and displaced.
So fast...
Just as that thought passed, a tremendous impact spread from his chest to his entire body.
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