Feeling the warmth in his palm, watching the brown liquid gently ripple in the porcelain cup, Ming Yu's eyes gradually lost focus, his thoughts slowly drifting away.
Glancing at the leisurely daydreaming Ming Yu, Hiyokumaru's attention also shifted from the fashion magazine in her hands.
After a cautious look around, the girl whispered, "Big Bro Yu, your body..."
Looking at Ming Yu, who seemed to have let his guard down, Hiyokumaru's heart couldn't remain as calm as his.
He had just launched a surprise attack on the Presidential Palace last night, and it was said that even the president was nearly assassinated. Wanted posters were now plastered all over the city, yet Ming Yu was brazenly sitting in a café in the city center.
Although the picture on the wanted poster was of a white-haired girl she had no memory of, this was still a bit too arrogant.
Thinking of Ming Yu's shocking wounds from last night, the girl couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. This was the first time she had been so close to Ming Yu's injuries, and this was the result.
She couldn't imagine how many times Ming Yu had been injured in his frequent battles against the Honkai.
Although Ming Yu had repeatedly explained that such severe injuries were rare even in his less-than-a-year-long career as a Valkyrie, in other words, Ming Yu didn't deny the frequency of his injuries.
It was only then that Hiyokumaru understood what Otto meant when he said Ming Yu wouldn't last a few years. At this rate, even a Kaslana's physique would eventually collapse.
According to standard procedure, Valkyries must take leave after a certain number of missions. Even if a Valkyrie could maintain a good mental state, a body that had endured Honkai Energy corruption needed time to adjust and recover.
The current ace of the Far East Branch, Murata Himeko, had retired to a behind-the-scenes role for this very reason. Unless absolutely necessary, it would probably be difficult for her to have the chance to step onto the battlefield again.
But the frequency of Ming Yu's missions had far exceeded the standard for an ordinary Valkyrie.
As for the reason... Ming Yu's own guilt, combined with Theresa's eagerness for him to grow, resulted in the heavy reality of the present.
And since a simple check-up couldn't determine Ming Yu's true physical condition, naturally no one would call a halt to this obviously wrong approach.
"Don't worry, it's very safe here. Those folks from World Serpent probably can't spare the manpower to come to Singapore right now."
Noticing the worry on Hiyokumaru's face, Ming Yu offered a gentle smile to comfort her.
He hadn't found any specific antidote at Wraith's place. Raven's toxin was a rare poison that specifically targeted Honkai Energy, and there was no record of it in Schicksal's database.
Fortunately, both the Jizo Mitama and the Dustless Sword on Ming Yu were extraordinary items, and they could just barely resist this now-rootless poison. Combined with his own special constitution and other healing potions from Wraith, his recovery was quite fast.
Although Ming Yu's body hadn't fully recovered and wasn't suited for intense combat, dealing with some small fry was no problem. A powerhouse on Raven's level wasn't a dime a dozen even in Schicksal, so it was impossible for them to be rampant in World Serpent either.
What's more, even Raven probably didn't have the energy to come looking for trouble with him now. In terms of injuries, she wasn't any better off than he was; she was probably still lying in bed at this very moment.
However, Wraith's expression when she heard the news about World Serpent did concern Ming Yu. It was clear that Schicksal knew something, but it was not something Ming Yu could interfere with. In the end, he was not in the innermost circle of Schicksal's hierarchy.
Even if Otto's tolerance for him was much greater than Theresa's, it was due to the Overseer's confidence in himself, not out of trust for Ming Yu.
All he could do now was to keep an eye on the Singapore government and wait for Otto to send someone to retrieve the Gem of Serenity.
A faint smile appeared on Ming Yu's lips at the thought that he had truly achieved his goal of coasting to victory. Although it was largely due to his injuries, the result was still satisfactory to him.
Seeing the utter lack of concern on Ming Yu's face, Hiyokumaru's heart gradually sank, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "But, the Honkai Energy corruption..."
The expression on his face instantly stiffened. The leisure in Ming Yu's eyes vanished in a flash, and his black pupils instantly regained their usual sharpness.
"You... know everything?"
The suspicion on his face gradually turned to certainty. Ming Yu's eyes turned into a field of blood-red, a hint of struggle flashing within them.
As the Honkai Energy corruption deepened, how could he, the one experiencing it firsthand, not feel anything?
Beneath the progress of becoming more and more adept at controlling the Key of Corruption and Honkai Energy, was Ming Yu's body being increasingly eroded by the Honkai.
The blood-red eyes that were revealing themselves more and more unconsciously were the best proof.
Facing Ming Yu's oppressive, blood-red eyes, Hiyokumaru showed no sign of backing down. Her tightly pressed lips remained silent, but her blue eyes were filled with stubbornness.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Seeing this, Ming Yu could only sigh deeply, his blood-red eyes returning to their deep black. "I promise you, everything will be fine..."
Hearing the determination in Ming Yu's words, Hiyokumaru could only silently lower her head.
Although this wasn't the result she wanted, she knew very well that once Ming Yu was serious, the decisions he made would not be changed, and on this matter, there would be absolutely no compromise.
However, Ming Yu did not see that in the eyes of the girl with her head lowered, a determination burned just as fiercely as his own.
In a sense, Hiyokumaru, who had always appeared gentle and weak, had an obsession deep down that was no less than Ming Yu's.
Since Ming Yu couldn't give her a satisfactory answer, she would find the ending she wanted herself. Even if it meant making a deal with the devil, she would not hesitate!
Seeing Hiyokumaru finally choose to back down, Ming Yu also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although the girl's stubborn look was also cute, the sense of pressure was truly considerable, and he was unwilling to face such a Hiyokumaru.
Taking a light sip of the slightly cool coffee, the person Ming Yu had been waiting for finally appeared before his eyes.
Long black hair was tied into a simple ponytail, a white T-shirt did little to hide the girl's excellent figure, and below her hot pants was a pair of enviably long legs.
"Regarding last night's events, Singapore needs an explanation!"
Pulling out the chair opposite Ming Yu and sitting down, the girl spoke in a low, cold voice, her gaze toward Ming Yu filled with undisguised hostility.
Slightly raising his eyes to look at the girl with a cold expression, a hint of surprise flashed in Ming Yu's eyes.
The person who had arrived was none other than Mo Xi, whom he had met once at the Presidential Palace last night, and who was also Singapore's representative this time.
Although he was a bit puzzled as to why Singapore would send a young girl, Ming Yu quickly figured out the key point, and a relaxed smile appeared on his lips.
"An explanation? I have one, of course. It just depends on which one you want..."
Pushing a glass of water in front of Mo Xi, Ming Yu said slowly, his half-closed eyes holding a cunning, fox-like smile.