Over the next few days, Duanmu Huai did not immediately go looking for the Little Demon King. Instead, he stayed in the castle. On one hand, he was taking the opportunity to rest a bit, and on the other hand… Duanmu Huai was also seeking guidance from Ling Nü.
Actually, at the very beginning, when it came to this so-called "guidance," Duanmu Huai had harbored a few fanciful thoughts. For example, he had once watched things like after-school tutoring by a female high school teacher.mp4, or an alluring off-campus teaching session by a female college student.mp4. The main content was basically those dense, clueless male students being hand-held by beautiful teachers or beautiful college girls in classrooms or their own bedrooms, being taught various "life experiences"… Well, he had to admit, it really was kind of addictive.
But when it came to the actual teaching… well, that was a completely different matter.
That was right. It was only after learning from Ling Nü that Duanmu Huai realized this was actually a real field of study.
According to Ling Nü, guiding the other party to experience the pleasures of the bed was not a simple matter at all. Strength, reactions, and timing all had to be just right. Sometimes you even had to cooperate with the other person, because everyone's reactions and sensitive areas were different. So it all required practice, and more practice…
To be honest, throughout the entire teaching process, Duanmu Huai was practically dizzy and overwhelmed. As for those earlier thoughts about hand-holding, close-contact instruction, they had long since been tossed to the back of his mind.
There were several times when Duanmu Huai couldn't help but recall his college days, when many classmates had envied male actors in adult films. Not only could they act opposite beautiful actresses, they even got paid for it—it was practically the pinnacle of freeloading. —Well, in reality, those male actors facing the camera probably didn't feel much better than he did now.
Enjoyment? Forget it. It was even more painful than doing a graduation thesis.
Honestly, there were quite a few times when Duanmu Huai wanted to burst into song—you cried and told me, fairy tales are all lies…
Of course, this was not something Duanmu Huai could practice on his own by facing thin air. Ling Nü's level was far too high, but fortunately, he still had a test subject—Saizer was prepared precisely for moments like this. Moreover, she was a demonkin, with physical qualities better than humans. Even if something went wrong, at least she wouldn't be tormented to death.
Saizer naturally suffered terribly. However, Ling Nü taught earnestly, Duanmu Huai learned earnestly, and there was also a "teaching aid" who could be summoned at any time even if unwilling. In less than half a month, Ling Nü announced that Duanmu Huai had officially graduated.
"You learn very fast. That's basically it for the foundational part. Next, the important thing is repeated practice, nya (=ω｀=)."
After finishing his studies, Ling Nü smiled cheerfully as she looked at Duanmu Huai and gave her opinion, while Duanmu Huai nodded to her in return.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. If this were at the female ninja training institute, it would be even more convenient. After all, everyone there is a girl, so you can spar and practice anytime. In your case… hmm, you can only go through more real combat."
As she said this, Ling Nü revealed a smile just like that of a cat and looked toward Saizer. Under Ling Nü's gaze, Saizer immediately shuddered. Clearly she was a demonkin, while the other party was only human. If Saizer wanted to, she could easily freeze Ling Nü into an ice pop. But after repeatedly serving as a "teaching aid" for several consecutive days of miserable life, Saizer had already developed a conditioned reflex. Just sensing Ling Nü's gaze made every hair on her body stand on end, scaring her badly.
"Then… if there's nothing else, I'll head back first…"
After saying this, Saizer ignored her trembling legs, spread her wings, and rushed out of the corridor without looking back. She leapt off the balcony and vanished into the sky.
Watching Saizer flee in panic, Duanmu Huai finally withdrew his gaze and looked toward Ling Nü, who was staring at him with her usual smile.
"So what do you plan to do next? Go to O.J to find that Little Demon King?"
"More or less."
Duanmu Huai nodded. During this period, he hadn't only been busy studying. He had also taken the time to explain the matter of the Little Demon King to Ling Nü. According to Duanmu Huai's thinking, since Ling Nü was a female ninja, she should be better at this kind of intelligence gathering. Maybe she would know something about the Little Demon King's whereabouts.
Unfortunately, Ling Nü said that she currently had no information on that front.
"Can you come along?"
"Of course there's no problem. Ling Nü is very familiar with O.J, you know. ＼(￣︶￣)/"
"But wouldn't that make you a runaway ninja?"
Duanmu Huai asked curiously as he looked at Ling Nü. He actually liked this female ninja quite a bit. Her personality was very outgoing, and she gave off the feeling of a carefree hedonist. This made Duanmu Huai subconsciously compare Ling Nü with another self-proclaimed ninja… Well, okay, there really was no comparison at all.
In fact, when Ling Nü returned to report in, Kanami couldn't help but spar with her.
The result… was like a king crushing Bronze III. It was so brutal that even Duanmu Huai couldn't bear to watch.
Ling Nü saying she was O.J's number one genius ninja seemed to be absolutely correct.
It was just that she didn't seem to have much attachment to Iga, which had trained her. She left a letter and then came back.
For Duanmu Huai, he actually welcomed Ling Nü very much. Setting aside the issue of using her body to entice others, even without that, Ling Nü's abilities in infiltration and assassination were top-tier. One had to know that Kanami had learned the infiltration techniques from the Dark Crow Guard that Duanmu Huai had taught her. Although she hadn't mastered them completely, the fact that Ling Nü could casually catch her out in an instant was more than enough to demonstrate Ling Nü's strength.
Hmm… Duanmu Huai was even considering whether he should recruit Ling Nü into the Assassin Court. After all, such excellent talent couldn't be wasted, right?
Alright, that was getting off topic. Back to the main point.
The reason Duanmu Huai asked Ling Nü this question was that Kanami had once told him that she herself was a runaway ninja. Back then, she hadn't wanted to stay in O.J, so she crossed Tenman Bridge and came to Lisass, collapsed unconscious by the roadside, and was picked up by Lia, who was still a princess at the time. In order to repay Lia for saving her life, Kanami stayed by her side and became her bodyguard.
The reason Kanami had fled to the continent back then was precisely because she was a runaway ninja. According to the rules, runaway ninjas were hunted down. If Kanami had stayed in O.J, she would have faced wave after wave of ninja assassinations at all times, until she was finally killed.
That was why Kanami had escaped O.J and come to the continent. And this time, upon hearing that Duanmu Huai was going to O.J, she had shaken her head like a rattle drum, looking utterly unwilling to return even if beaten to death.
Of course, Duanmu Huai hadn't forced her. After all, there was now Ling Nü, who was even more familiar with O.J.
Still, Duanmu Huai was curious. Kanami had been gone for so many years and was still afraid of being assassinated if she went back. Ling Nü had just betrayed them and immediately turned around to go back—was that really fine?
"Of course it's fine. After all, Ling Nü is the number one genius female ninja. ＼(￣︶￣)/"
Ling Nü laughed smugly, and Duanmu Huai didn't say anything more.
"Then we'll prepare a bit and set off in the afternoon."
"Understood (～￣▽￣)～"
Just as Duanmu Huai took the bouncing, energetic Ling Nü to have lunch, deep in a distant forest, a figure stood quietly within it, staring at the Inquisition's castle halfway up the mountain.
"That is the Inquisition's castle…"
The figure spoke faintly, with a calm tone and not the slightest trace of emotion.
However, soon another voice rang out.
"The Inquisition, huh. That man killed the former Demon King Jill, then consecutively killed four demonkin, and even captured one. At his side, Seth and Lisass are already showing signs of forming a united alliance. The balance of this continent is being broken…"
"I know."
The short figure stared at the castle, their gaze complex and tinged with contemplation.
"This is a huge threat."
"So what do you plan to do?"
"...…For now, observe and wait."
Saying this, the figure took two steps back.
"I will find a way."
As the words fell, the figure disappeared into the depths of the forest, vanishing without a trace.
After lunch, Duanmu Huai finished packing his gear. Then, together with Ling Nü, Shizuka, and Magico, he set off, riding the Electromagnetic Giant Rhinoceros toward O.J.
"You're not planning to use that flying castle?"
Sitting atop the Electromagnetic Giant Rhinoceros, Shizuka asked curiously. She had also participated in Seth's war back then, so she was naturally very curious about Duanmu Huai's sky city. In Shizuka's view, if they used that, they could simply sit on it and easily fly over O.J in no time at all. There was no need for so much trouble.
"There's no need."
In response to Shizuka's suggestion, Duanmu Huai shook his head.
"These things are only used when the demon race attacks humanity. Other than that, I won't deploy them."
"I see… I kind of wanted to ride it again…"
Shizuka couldn't help stretching lazily, and at that moment, on the other side, Magico hesitantly pushed up her glasses and raised her hand.
"Hey, look over there… isn't that smoke?"
"Hm?"
Hearing Magico, everyone turned their heads to look in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, pitch-black smoke was rising from the forest not far away, and it clearly didn't look right. Seeing this, Shizuka frowned.
"I remember that Kara we rescued before—didn't she live around here?"
"Hmm…"
Hearing Shizuka, Duanmu Huai thought for a moment and looked toward Ling Nü.
"Ling Nü, please go scout it out."
"No problem, nya."
As soon as the words fell, Ling Nü's figure flashed, and she vanished without a trace. It had to be said, this move was indeed impressive.
After a short while, Ling Nü reappeared in front of the three.
"Oh dear, oh dear, this is bad. There's an army fighting with the Kara tribe that lives in the forest."
"An army?"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow.
"Which country's army?"
"Pitch-black armor. It should be Hermann's army, nya."
"Hermann, huh…"
Hearing Ling Nü's answer, a cold killing intent surfaced in Duanmu Huai's eyes. Of course he hadn't forgotten how Hermann had once colluded with demonkin to attack Lisass. And now Hermann was running over here to attack Kara?
This country really loved stirring up trouble.
Thinking this, Duanmu Huai raised his head.
"Alright then, let's go join in the fun."
(End of Chapter)