"Young Master Lu, it's been almost more than two years since we last parted, hasn't it? I didn't expect we'd meet again under such circumstances."
With a friendly, smiling expression, this kind of negotiation was Erica's specialty. The other women also paused for a moment to observe how the situation would unfold.
Lu Yinghua, the direct disciple of Cult Leader Luo Hao, the eldest young master of the Lu family in Hong Kong.
Exceptional in lightness skill and unmatched palm power, though still young, he was already quite famous in the magic world—a prodigy on par with Erica and Liliana.
"Yes, although it's only been two years, Sister Erica has become even more beautiful. I heard that you and Sister Liliana are now both knights serving the same king. Congratulations from me!"
With an innocent, harmless smile, Lu Yinghua spoke in the tone of someone meeting an old friend.
"Although I really want to catch up with Young Master Lu, we still have to hurry back to the king's side. Could you let the sisters pass first?"
Despite being very worried about Sora's situation, Erica maintained a calm and composed smile. If possible, she really didn't want to waste time with Lu Yinghua here.
Although she, Liliana, and Lu Yinghua were all prodigies of the new generation, that was in terms of overall ability. If it came to pure combat and breakthrough power, the youngest Lu Yinghua was actually above both her and Liliana—something Erica had to admit.
She and Liliana had the king's blessing, but Lu Yinghua might have the Cult Leader Luo Hao's blessing. Although she had many sisters and could probably beat this guy, as long as he wasn't foolish, he wouldn't recklessly fight her sisters. If Lu Yinghua intended to stall them, it would be a headache for Erica.
"That won't do, Sister Erica. Although I want to let the sisters pass, if it disturbs my master, I'll be in big trouble!"
"So, dear beautiful and kind sisters, please be kind and stay here with me for a while. If you get bored, I can tell you some of my treasured jokes to lighten the mood!"
His eyes narrowed slightly, still smiling, but Lu Yinghua radiated a strong aura, standing firmly in the middle of the path with no intention of moving.
"Young Master Lu, as far as I know, you've suffered a lot under the Cult Leader's hand since childhood, right? Is it really good to be so loyal to her? Why don't you go easy on us? We won't tell anyone."
Though still smiling, Erica and the others tightened their grip on their weapons. If this guy didn't get the hint, they would have to take him down first!
"Erica, don't talk nonsense!"
"My master has been as kind as a mountain of grace to me. If you dare to slander my relationship with her again, I won't be polite to you!"
Like a sudden explosion, Lu Yinghua jumped up and shouted fiercely at Erica.
His expression was fierce, filled with endless hatred, as if anyone who dared to speak ill of his master would be his enemy for life.
Seeing this, Erica and the others were stunned. What suddenly got into this guy?
Erica was puzzled. According to the information she had, Lu Yinghua should have a deep grudge against Cult Leader Luo Hao.
Luo Hao was not a gentle girl-next-door type. As her disciple, Lu Yinghua had a prestigious identity and strong power, but he had been tormented by that woman countless times.
He had often hovered on the edge of life and death. When the Cult Leader was in a good mood, she would train him to the brink of death. When in a bad mood, she would beat him mercilessly. The fact that Lu Yinghua had survived to this age was a miracle!
Moreover, because of Cult Leader Luo Hao, a strange shadow had been cast on Lu Yinghua's young heart since childhood—he hated women, especially those who were both beautiful and capable!
Although he had been smiling while talking to Erica, his eyes always showed a hint of disgust. It wasn't personal against Erica, but because of the shadow left by his master, this child who had suffered so much hated any beautiful and capable woman.
With such a tragic childhood, Lu Yinghua should have resented Cult Leader Luo Hao deeply, right? Erica couldn't understand it either, but she didn't want to think too much now. Since he wouldn't let her sisters pass, they would have to force their way through!
Just then—
"Ahem… Sister Erica, how can you say such things so loudly? If Master hears, I'll be in big trouble!"
Covering his mouth with his palm, Lu Yinghua coughed twice softly and spoke quietly, while blinking at Erica.
At the twitch in the corner of her eye, Erica and the other girls, who were originally ready to rush forward, all stopped immediately, feeling a wave of speechlessness in their hearts. So this guy was just acting all along…
"Hehe, since Young Master Lu is so loyal to the Cult Leader, then the sisters will have to get tough!"
Snapping back to reality, a strange light flashed in Erica's eyes, and she immediately coordinated.
"Lily, Ena, you two come with me to rush to the King's side."
"Karen, Ichibei, you stay here and play with Lu Yinghua for a while. Cult Leader Luo Hao is too dangerous. If things get really urgent, you can come over to help."
Thinking quickly, the tactically skilled Erica had already made arrangements, secretly transmitting her instructions to the girls through magical communication.
They all nodded in agreement, having no objections to Erica's plan.
"Fly, Hermes' Boots!"
Without hesitation, Erica, Ena, and Liliana cast the [Leap] spell and broke through towards Lu Yinghua.
"Hmph, I won't let you disturb Master. Take this!"
Putting on a look like he absolutely wouldn't let them pass, Lu Yinghua made a gesture with both hands, instantly producing several small stones in his palm, which he flicked towards the three girls.
[Finger Flick Technique], one of Lu Yinghua's signature moves. He had used this trick to attack Erica and the others before. The stones he flicked were tricky and fast, even more powerful than bullets.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Erica's mouth. The three girls knew this guy was deliberately holding back, and they cooperated well, swinging their long swords to easily block the flying stones.
"Ah, I didn't expect the sisters to be so strong. My [Finger Flick Technique] is useless. Master, oh Master, I've done my best. You can't blame me for this!"
Watching Erica and the others break through and get far away, Lu Yinghua muttered with a face full of "regret."
As long as he could shirk his responsibility and not give his ruthless master a reason to punish him, this guy was more than happy to cause some trouble for his master!
"Sisters, what do you want to play next? I'm happy to join in!"
Turning around, Lu Yinghua smiled cheerfully at Karen and the nine secret sword maidens who had already surrounded him.
"I've heard of Young Master Lu's reputation for a long time. Since it's a game, just spar with the sisters."
Karen, the little maid, smiled and stepped forward, twisting her small wrist.
"Alright, alright, which sister wants to go first? I can feel it — each of you looks very powerful!"
Feeling a bit excited, Lu Yinghua agreed.
"Young Master Lu, you might be mistaken about something."
Ichibei stepped forward, drawing his long sword, dressed in heroic military attire, standing beside Karen with a strangely cold and sharp smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Mistaken? What am I mistaken about?"
Curious, Lu Yinghua asked.
"Our master taught us that those who have the advantage but don't use it are fools. We never intended to fight you one-on-one from the start. We're going to attack you together!"
Attack you together… attack you together… attack you together…
Seeing the girls closing in on him, each with a devilishly cold smile at the corner of their lips, Lu Yinghua was dumbfounded, cold sweat dripping down his forehead…
…
Just like his unfortunate disciple, Luo Hao was now surrounded by three shameless guys.
All of them had revealed their weapons—the Death Scythe. Athena and Metis both wore expressions full of excitement and eagerness to fight.
Although this woman gave off an extraordinarily powerful aura, and if it were a one-on-one duel they wouldn't be very confident, the three of them attacking together was absolutely enough to crush this arrogant woman!
"King Kusanagi, daughter of the heretic gods, as kings and deities, how could you commit such disgraceful acts? Don't you think this insults your own status?!"
Finally snapping out of her shock, a strange blush rose on Luo Hao's stunning face, and fury instantly surged in her heart.
What were these guys trying to do, attacking her without regard for their status as king and god?
So shameless! Truly shameless!!!
"Hehe… Leader Luo Hao, if we all attacked together, we could easily defeat you. Why would we want to duel you one-on-one?"
"Status? The dignity of a king? You want it? Then I'll just give you mine."
Infuriating beyond reason, Sora not only showed no shame but grinned mischievously at the leader sister.
Metis on the side didn't care much; as long as it was the master's order, whether it was a gang-up or a solo fight, she just needed to fight.
Athena, however, felt extremely awkward inside. But after being dragged into this mess by Sora multiple times, this once proud goddess had fallen. Gang up if you want—dignity and status be damned. Right now, she just wanted to cut down this woman!
Seeing these three shameless guys closing in without any awareness, Luo Hao's anger made her chest tremble. Suddenly, a surge of heroic spirit rose in her heart. Three against one? Fine. Today, she would fight them all alone and show them!
However, the leader sister's heroic spirit lasted only three seconds before fading…
"Speak! What exactly do you want to settle this duel with me?!"
Gritting her teeth, Luo Hao felt she had never been so humiliated in her life. But the situation was against her. As the one and only in heaven and earth, today she was going to fall to these three shameless guys!
A flicker of admiration appeared in Sora's eyes.
As a woman proud to the extreme, she should have been fiercely fighting back against the three of them, right?
Sora realized this woman, though proud, was definitely not stupid! No wonder she was famed for her unmatched wisdom and courage.
Everything was unfolding exactly as Sora hoped. A wicked smile curled at the corner of his mouth…