"Situ, our dear Angel will be entrusted to you for now. You must take good care of her. And Angel, have fun and don't feel any pressure. Just think of it as visiting people on my behalf."
"Okay, Uncle Book!"
Angel nodded seriously. She wore a black and red Gothic Lolita dress, looking elegant, cute, and extremely well-behaved.
Situ Qinghong twitched the corner of her mouth and put on an awkward but polite smile.
As the official representative of Shenzhou, her task was indeed to invite members of the Mount Taixu forces for a visit and exchange.
In name only, it was an exchange, but the goal was naturally to pull this super-standard force that originally belonged to Shenzhou into the official government.
Now, it's members have indeed been invited, but why send the little apprentice of Immortal Phoenix!?
It's not like they haven't experienced this before. Cheng Lixue was a guest previously, but Immortal Jingwei never showed up. Cheng Lixue herself kept silent about her master's attitude, made it clear she was a junior and a vassal, and eventually went to Schicksal to become a Valkyrie.
'Good grief, this time she's directly a Valkyrie of Schicksal! Are we bringing back another little child who can only be coaxed?'
Situ Qinghong smiled and could only nod helplessly in acknowledgment of Book of Fuxi's smiling, pretending-to-be-confused expression.
"Well, we can't expect to achieve everything at once. As long as there is progress."
She comforted herself and led Angel away from Mount Taixu.
...
Later, with a bit of worry between her eyebrows, Fu Hua walked out of the house and approached Book of Fuxi.
"Is this really okay?"
"Are you afraid they will harm Angel, or that Angel will be fooled by them?" Book of Fuxi turned her head and asked slowly.
Fu Hua thought about it and shook her head.
"Angel's Edge of Taixuan is formidable, and she has a Divine Key. I am not worried about her safety. It's mainly that the current officials are too persistent. They have always hoped I would help them."
"I understand. Your principle is to protect but not interfere with Shenzhou's development. Being pursued by the modern regime must be a headache for you, right?"
"It's not just because of the principles of Project Ember, but more importantly because of the current world situation. Today, Schicksal and Anti-Entropy each dominate a hemisphere and control everything about the collapse and the fate of civilization. Shenzhou's independent development can be ignored by both parties for now, but if I get involved, it will be too conspicuous—if nothing else, at least Otto's reaction will be unpredictable."
Fu Hua rubbed her temples worriedly.
It's not that she doesn't want to see Shenzhou's power develop and support the future of civilization. However, compared with Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, which each hold part of the legacy of the previous civilization, Shenzhou has too little foundation. Low-key development is their only choice.
Moreover, with the appearance of the Herrschers one by one, and Finality is approaching step by step. In this situation, it is better to have as few dominant voices as possible—the result of a pluralistic and chaotic power structure was demonstrated by the previous era, and Fu Hua does not want to see the same disaster again.
"You can tell me these things slowly when you have time. I'm not bragging, but you can beat hundreds of me in fighting Honkai beasts. However, in terms of politics and people's hearts, the gap between us is vast. So leave these problems to me. When you have nothing to do, you can be more dazed or practice boxing. This is your job."
Book of Fuxi suggested seriously and patted Fu Hua's forehead lovingly, like patting a big dog at home.
Fu Hua agreed but also smiled awkwardly.
"Well, I do have a big problem now, and I want to discuss it with you."
"And we have to avoid little Angel because of it, right?"
"How did you know?"
"Who do you think I am? I am the chief steward of Mount Taixu, the personal little book spirit of the Immortal Phoenix, and the smart and wise Book of Fuxi! I can see through your little tricks with my eyes closed!" Book of Fuxi tilted her head in disdain.
Just by looking at Fu Hua's thoughtful, hesitant look in the middle of the night, Book of Fuxi could guess most of it.
And this is the main reason why she temporarily sent Angel away.
It can only be said that the smart and wise chief steward of Mount Taixu is a well-deserved title of her!
So the courtyard was set with simple but delicious tea and snacks, and a group of Mount Taixu elders sat around and listened to Fu Hua's story about Angel.
The birth and conspiracy of the Herrscher of Thunder, the fall of Nagazora City, Angel's past of losing her parents and being bullied, then awakening and killing some bullies, then entering school, and now... she is afraid of the truth that is so close.
After a short story, the courtyard was left with only the cool mountain breeze blowing, and no one spoke.
Ji Lin drank tea silently, feeling the smooth touch of the cup, and lowered her eyes in silence.
'It's really a strange feeling to hear this from others.'
The hatred for her parents cannot be forgotten.
Although those emotions have been alleviated with the disappearance of the mastermind Cocolia, Angel is far from indifferent and perhaps will never be able to be.
She can say she's not affected, but that's just a surface wound.
Book of Fuxi pressed her forehead and sighed. "I knew you blockhead would bring me a big problem!"
"Sorry."
"Don't, I don't blame you. I'm just saying Angel's problem is very serious. It's not easy for this child to get to where she is today. We must make a perfect plan and can't let her get into trouble again."
That's what she said, but Book of Fuxi understood how difficult the problem was.
It's easier to deal with if you don't know the truth, but when you've guessed the truth and stopped there, it's really hard to say where start.
"Personality and ability are shaped by the environment. The child's caring and extremely vengeful nature is probably brewed in the despair of losing everything. Behind the child's well-behaved and sensible appearance, her emotions and reason have already been shaky. We must be cautious and think twice before acting. Ji Lin, what do you think?"
Seeing Ji Lin's indifferent expression, Book of Fuxi asked casually.
Ji Lin blinked blankly.
Uh...What did they just say?
I take care of people because I like them, and I have already maxed out my housework proficiency, so I just do it casually.
As for holding a grudge, I held a grudge in my previous life.
For example, the old classmate who stole my topic has not graduated yet because of my little manipulation. It has nothing to do with the experience in this world, right?
Ji Lin took a sip of tea, moistened her lips, then slapped the table.
"I think Fuxi-chan is right. Angel is too pitiful. We have to support her!"
Book of Fuxi, Fu Hua, and Ah Lin all nodded, expressing their approval of Ji Lin's correct nonsense.
Then everyone in Mount Taixu fully exchanged their opinions.
It was mainly Book of Fuxi who analyzed the situation. Fu Hua occasionally interrupted, and the confused Ah Lin and the pretending Ji Lin nodded in agreement throughout the process.
However, in the end, no perfect strategy was discussed.
It should be said that there is no perfect strategy for this kind of problem.
Angel will always be hurt, it's just a matter of degree.
After thinking for a long time, Book of Fuxi shook her head tiredly and sighed. "In fact, at this point, advance arrangements are meaningless. What's important is that on the day the truth is revealed, we must have the confidence to protect Angel no matter what. In other words, the key now is not Angel or others, but you, blockhead!"
"Hmm?"
"You have become weaker, so weak that Otto Apocalypse can easily control you, so weak that you can't even protect Angel's life in the current situation. The weak have no choice, and this is your source of anxiety."
Book of Fuxi spoke decisively, turning to Fu Hua with a sharp light in her eyes.
Fu Hua's hands trembled, and after a moment, she pursed her lips and lowered her head speechlessly.
Yes, if she was still the invincible Immortal Jingwei, then whether to support Angel to the end, to stop the conflict between Angel and Saint Freya's people while ensuring safety, or to make other choices, it was Fu Hua's freedom.
But now, no matter which way she takes, it was not absolute.
The reason she has no choice is that she lacks strength.
"My injuries are too severe. Both my body and spirit are overwhelmed... You are right. The reason why I am so uneasy is because I know that even if I risk my life, I can't absolutely protect Angel."
"The problem is simpler. Don't worry too much about the injuries that are too late to prevent, but focus on the day that is destined to come! On the day when Angel is most vulnerable, we must ensure that she survives intact before talking about the future."
"But, even Otto doesn't have a good way to deal with my injuries. It is impossible for me to get better!"
"Don't panic. I have other ways. I have been communicating and preparing for them. In addition, don't forget the two silly girls over there. You are not alone, blockhead."
There was a hint of a smile in Book of Fuxi's voice.
Fu Hua followed her instructions and looked over. She saw Ji Lin and Ah Lin looking at her with smiles on their faces. Their beautiful eyes, like clear gemstones, were full of support and encouragement for her.
Fu Hua was stunned for a moment, and then her anxious mood for Angel suddenly eased a lot.