Ying Ping gazed into Artemis's eyes and slowly said, "I don't care about any 'greater cause.'"
"I will only act for the sake of the people important to me, even if it means opposing the entire world for that person, I will not hesitate."
Artemis was stunned, having never heard such words before.
She reached out and gently touched Ying Ping's face: "Such willful words, you won't become a hero like that..."
"Hero?"
Ying Ping shook his head, then suddenly pulled Artemis into his arms, gently pressing the back of her head against his chest.
His voice was low and magnetic: "I was never a hero to begin with, but if you wish for me to be a hero..."
Ying Ping then looked directly into Artemis's eyes: "Then... right now, I only want to be the hero for you, Artemis, and no one else."
Artemis's eyes widened, her pupils trembling.
As a divine thought-form, she should have no heartbeat, but at this moment, she truly felt the sensation of a pounding heart for the first time.
Her body trembled slightly as she gazed up at Ying Ping's deep eyes.
"Artemis, I heard your cry for help."
Ying Ping gently caressed her cheek, "I will definitely save you from that monster."
"You... you knew? I'm sorry..."
Artemis's eyes welled up, and tears suddenly streamed down her face, "I unilaterally imposed such a difficult task on you..."
In the Lower World, deicide was a grave sin, a concept ingrained in everyone's bones.
It was a pity that Ying Ping was a transmigrator and wasn't afraid of such notions at all.
Ying Ping shook his head and gently wiped away her tears: "It's alright, because the person suffering the most right now is you."
These words completely shattered Artemis's last line of defense.
Like a wronged little girl, she cried in Ying Ping's arms: "I finally understand... why Hestia is always so happy when she's with you... She must have fallen in love with you..."
A gentle smile appeared on Ying Ping's face: "Yes... I also like Hestia very much."
Artemis suddenly extended her slender fingers and poked Ying Ping's cheek.
With tears still in her eyes, she pouted like a jealous girlfriend: "You dare to say that in front of another goddess... You're truly bold and a philanderer..."
In the moonlight, Ying Ping's smile held a hint of wildness: "Because I think goddesses are essentially girls too."
"Should I say I lack reverence for you all..."
His gaze suddenly deepened: "Or rather... I actually want to become a god like you all."
"No, an existence that surpasses you all."
"That way, I can break free from the shackles of all rules and be with you all forever. That is my lifelong wish."
Artemis blinked, unsure how to respond to such absurd and blasphemous remarks.
Finally, she just sighed deeply and slowly rested her head on Ying Ping's shoulder.
Ying Ping gently kissed her forehead, and Artemis, blushing, didn't refuse.
The blush on the Moon Goddess's face spoke more than any love words.
The night wind gently rustled, and tree shadows swayed.
The two leaned against each other quietly, as if time itself had stood still.
"Orion..."
After a long while, Artemis softly called out.
"Hmm?"
"If... I mean, if..."
Her voice trembled slightly, "If I'm still alive after tomorrow... and can still stay in the Lower World..."
"Would you... be willing to become my Familia?"
Ying Ping didn't answer immediately but cupped her face.
He looked at her seriously in the moonlight and said, "Artemis, would you be willing to wait for me to become stronger? Strong enough to rewrite the fate of gods..."
Hearing this, a flicker of excitement flashed in Artemis's eyes, but then it dimmed: "But... that's impossible..."
"How do you know it's impossible if you don't try?"
Ying Ping showed a confident smile, "Don't forget, I'm different from others; I'm the one who can pull out Orion's Spear."
Artemis gazed at Ying Ping's confident smile, a hint of bewilderment in her eyes, but eventually, a beautiful smile bloomed on her face.
"Alright, then I'll believe you... Would you like to dance with me?"
Artemis's cheeks flushed a faint red, and she suddenly extended her slender hand.
Ying Ping paused for a moment, then gently took her hand: "Of course, but I'm not very good at dancing, so I'll need your excellent guidance, Goddess."
Artemis chuckled, and her other hand naturally rested on his shoulder: "It's alright, just follow my rhythm."
There was no music, only the gentle sigh of the night wind and the rustling of leaves.
But the two, as if telepathically connected, danced gracefully in the moonlight.
At first, Ying Ping's movements were a bit stiff, but he quickly found his rhythm under Artemis's lead... Their figures spun continuously in the moonlight, as if they had rehearsed beforehand.
"I didn't expect you to learn so quickly..."
Artemis said with some surprise.
Ying Ping smiled gently: "Because I have the best teacher."
With the Shadow Monarch's level increasing, his intelligence had now increased many times over that of an ordinary person, so such words came to him effortlessly.
Artemis's cheeks flushed again, and she changed the subject: "Speaking of which... do you know what Hestia was like in the Heavens before?"
"Oh?"
Ying Ping showed an interested expression, "I'm all ears."
"She..."
A nostalgic look appeared in Artemis's eyes, "She used to be quite a reclusive goddess, always shutting herself in her temple, seeing almost no one except me."
She continued with a soft laugh: "But whenever I had time to visit her, she would pounce on me like a puppy, looking incredibly happy..."
Ying Ping imagined the scene and couldn't help but smile: "That does sound like something she would do."
"We often cried together, laughed together..."
"One time..."
Artemis's voice suddenly became even softer, "She secretly told me that she actually envied life in the Lower World, the kind with family, friends... with goals worth striving for..."
At this point, her gaze fell on Ying Ping's face: "Now she has finally found the person to help her achieve that goal... and that's you."
Their dance steps gradually slowed, but their hands remained tightly clasped.
"Orion..."
Artemis suddenly stopped and looked at him seriously, "Will you promise me one thing?"
"Tell me."
"No matter what happens tomorrow, no matter what my fate will be..."
Her voice trembled slightly, "Please, I beg you, take good care of Hestia. She... really likes you."
Ying Ping pulled Artemis's hand to his chest and gently pressed it against his heart: "I understand. I will take care of all of you... including you, Artemis."
A complex emotion flashed in Artemis's eyes, but it ultimately transformed into a gentle smile: "You're truly a greedy person..."
The night wind gently rustled, and tree shadows swayed.
Their figures gradually drew closer in the moonlight...