Chapter 225: Sage King Kongming, The Captain and Kongming Reunite!
Arc City, Airport.
Su Mu parked the car at the airport entrance, with Theresa sitting in the passenger seat. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he lazily focused his gaze on the main gate. The number of travelers coming and going was even larger than expected; after all, it was currently the May Day holiday, and people from all over the country were traveling during this long break.
"Grandpa said he's already off the plane, but there are too many people along the way, so it'll take a little longer." Theresa glanced at her chat messages with Otto, leaned against the back of the seat, and stretched.
"Did Mr. Otto say what the purpose of this visit is?" Su Mu looked at Theresa beside him, his expression somewhat playful. Even though he and Lord Otto knew of each other's existence, this was their first real meeting.
Otto had visited Arc City once before but hadn't met Su Mu. although Su Mu had thought about visiting the CEO—after all, Schicksal had invested a lot of money in MiHoYo, and one couldn't neglect a shareholder like Otto—Theresa had talked him out of it at the time. As for the reason... Theresa had been vague over the phone, but Su Mu wasn't without self-awareness; it was likely because Theresa was streaming the plot of Honkai Kingdoms back then...
"Grandpa just said he wanted to see me, nothing else." Theresa shook her head. With their grandfather-granddaughter relationship, even if Otto had another motive, saying he wanted to see his granddaughter was an easy excuse. "But I expect he's actually here for you."
"Mhm, I've guessed as much."
"Then why ask? you clearly have some self-awareness, don't you?" Theresa rolled her eyes. Rumors had been flying all over the internet recently, practically tying Su Mu and Theresa together. Some people even believed the ridiculous rumor that they already had children... it left Theresa not knowing what to say. Given her grandfather's personality, even if he knew it was a rumor, he probably wouldn't feel at ease until he flew over and confirmed it personally.
"Sigh, harsh words cut deeper than a March chill. I never thought I'd be the subject of rumors one day..." Su Mu sighed. He was caught in a romantic scandal. Fame was a double-edged sword; it always brought strange troubles to your doorstep even if you stayed at home.
"I should be the one saying that! Do you know how many times I have to answer fan questions every day during my streams? Even though I've made a public statement, people still keep asking... I've truly had enough," Theresa said crossly.
"This situation isn't that simple." Su Mu shook his head. "Usually, when something like this happens, people just joke around and it passes. The fact that this rumor is still fermenting suggests someone is pushing it from behind."
"A pusher? But what benefit do those people get from these rumors?" Theresa curled her lip. "Does spreading rumors about us help them make more money?"
"In times like this, you need to think in reverse. Think about the purpose of those spreading the rumors, or what impact these rumors have on us."
"That..." Theresa was at a loss. she really couldn't see the motive of the people hidden behind the rumors at the moment.
"Although it's just my theory, they probably want to create conflict between MiHoYo and Schicksal," Su Mu shared his view. "Think about it, the cooperation between MiHoYo and Schicksal is common knowledge. And you just happen to be Otto Apocalypse's granddaughter, the apple of his eye..."
Following Su Mu's reminder, Theresa understood. "With Grandpa's personality, he will definitely get to the bottom of it. Even if it's a rumor, he will subject you to all sorts of questions and tests... their goal is to create a rift between you and Grandpa, to sow discord."
Su Mu nodded. "That matches my thoughts. However, in my view, this attempt at discord will likely fail."
Theresa was startled. "Why?"
Su Mu shrugged. "A rumor is just a rumor. Things between us are clear. As the saying goes, a straight tree casts no crooked shadow. I trust your grandfather's ability and vision; he'll surely see it's just a fabrication."
"Haha, true... As long as there's nothing between us, the rumor will collapse on its own, and even Grandpa won't say anything more..." Theresa's gaze shifted uneasily. she knew Su Mu was right; if the rumor was just a rumor, Otto wouldn't make things hard for him. They wouldn't have any rift...
Provided... it really was just a baseless "rumor" with no evidence to be found.
"Theresa, why has your face suddenly turned pale?" Su Mu looked at Theresa with confusion. Facing Su Mu's gaze, she didn't dare look back and instead stared directly out the car window. One could clearly feel Theresa's body tensing up, as if she were feeling guilty about something.
"N-no, I was just thinking, it's a good thing there's nothing between us, right?"
"Yeah." Su Mu nodded. "Fortunately we're just friends, otherwise we'd never be able to clear our names."
"The Yellow River is full of silt; you can't wash anything clean in it anyway," Theresa roasted, but her gaze looking out the window held a trace of loneliness.
Yeah. Fortunately we're just friends...
"Theresa, that should be Mr. Otto, right?" Just then, Su Mu noticed a man and a woman appearing at the airport entrance.
One was a handsome man with blond hair and green eyes, wearing a sophisticated small suit and a black hat. The other was a beautiful woman with cascading cherry-pink hair, pulling a white suitcase.
"...Auntie Sakura?" Seeing the newcomer, Theresa was startled, her face filled with confusion. "Grandmother Kallen didn't come this time?"
Su Mu's expression turned somewhat peculiar. Yae Sakura and Otto coming out of the airport together? The fact that these two appeared together was already f*ing ridiculous...
Theresa and Su Mu got out of the car. At Theresa's wave, Otto and Yae Sakura quickly found them.
"Grandpa, Auntie Sakura!" "Theresa, Grandpa's good granddaughter, come let Grandpa hug you!" "No way! I'm a grown-up, Grandpa, pay attention!"
Theresa avoided Otto with a look of disgust and dove into the embrace of Yae Sakura beside him. Their intimacy made them look like sisters.
"Theresa, long time no see~ you've become even prettier." Yae Sakura smiled and pinched Theresa's cheek. "Mhm, you're looking more and more like Kallen."
Theresa was curious: "Speaking of which, did Grandmother Kallen not come this time?"
"About that..." Yae Sakura looked up and exchanged a look with Otto. Both of their faces became... awkward. "There was something at the Kaslana house that Kallen had to handle. But she said she didn't feel at ease with a certain CEO traveling alone, so she sent me to be his bodyguard."
Yae Sakura crossed her arms and spoke with some annoyance. "It's unavoidable, after all, a certain CEO is so frail. If he got kidnapped, Schicksal would be in chaos."
Otto was not to be outdone. "It's still broad daylight; stop dreaming. I'm not so weak that I need your protection... if anything, staying with you has polluted the air in the cabin... I think you're more likely here to rob and murder me."
The air was thick with the scent of gunpowder. Su Mu was one step away from bringing out a stool and popcorn.
Exciting. Too exciting! This battle between century-old love rivals—Su Mu felt he had to watch it sitting down, lying down, and while cracking sunflower seeds!
Unfortunately, before Su Mu could watch for much longer, Theresa introduced him to the two. This made Su Mu regretfully pack up his snacks, looking like a security-class player who finally set up his ultimate gadgets at site B only to be told the enemy planted the bomb at A and had to pack up his junk to retake.
"Truly, meeting is better than hearsay. Su Mu, hello, I am Otto Apocalypse."
Being a mature and reliable adult, Otto switched to a smile in a second and extended his hand toward Su Mu. This CEO of the Schicksal Conglomerate, a legend in the business world, and also the man from Honkai 3rd who left the deepest impression on Su Mu in his previous life... finally, they met in person today.
Actually meeting Otto, Su Mu understood why he could create a conglomerate like Schicksal in this world. That aura of a superior seemed innate, exuding nobility from the bone.
"Hello, Mr. Otto, it's a pleasure to meet you." Su Mu also put on a professional smile and shook hands with Otto, keeping it perfectly neutral. However, as a model youth with a firm belief in Marxist Materialism, he naturally wouldn't bow or fear any power.
"This is our first time meeting face-to-face like this, isn't it? It's incredible. I imagined many scenarios for our meeting before coming, but this is still a pleasant surprise."
Although this was Otto's first time meeting Su Mu, it wasn't Su Mu's first time "meeting" Otto. As an "Old Captain's Ghost," he knew Otto only too well.
"So, Su Mu, let's be blunt. you should more or less guess why I've come? you—" Otto's words were cut off by Yae Sakura.
"Hello, Su Mu. This should also be our first time meeting in reality. Regarding Rin's matter before, thank you truly..." Yae Sakura smilingly nudged Otto aside.
"Teacher Yae, I'm the one who should be thankful. The quality of your studio's manga has always put me at ease..." Su Mu and Yae Sakura naturally knew each other. As mentioned before, Yae Sakura's current job was running a manga studio with her sister. Coincidentally, the Sakura Samsara manga was drawn by her studio.
The reason they knew each other was that Yae Sakura was dissatisfied with the tragic fate of her sister Rin in the game's story. Although Kallen stopped her from coming over with a sword, the sister-obsessed Sakura wasn't going to let it slide. she got Su Mu's number, intending to have a showdown over the phone, but Su Mu opened by asking if she wanted to form a band... no, draw manga.
never underestimate Su Mu's intelligence network; he knew exactly what Yae Sakura and Rin did for work! Through this, Sakura's studio was officially recruited by Su Mu to handle the official Honkai 3rd manga. This also freed Su Mu from the fate of being slashed to death by Yae Sakura. A happy ending indeed.
Otto glanced at the "fox": "I say, as a bodyguard, you lack a bit of situational awareness, don't you? Right now, I am the one chatting with young friend Su Mu."
Yae Sakura remained smiling. "Heh, does that look like a chat? being aggressive from the start—one would think you're interrogating a criminal suspect."
"I merely wish to bond with young friend Su Mu. Ms. Yae, could you please not interrupt a conversation between men?"
"Bonding isn't a task for Mr. Otto, is it? Rin has instructed me multiple times to build a good relationship with Su Mu; it concerns our studio's future cooperation~"
"Ms. Yae, your studio doesn't generate much profit, does it? In my view, why not sell it early? My staff just happens to lack a capable cleaning lady. How about 30,000 Euros a month as salary?"
"I won't trouble Mr. Otto. To us, manga is like a work of art. For instance, I very much like the story of the Sakura Samsara we drew. What do you think?"
Good, good, good! Su Mu felt he could continue selling seeds and soda. A battle of dragons and tigers! A truly magnificent match! Fortunately, Theresa smoothed things over and got everyone into the car. However, the passenger seat changed from Theresa to Otto.
Whether it was an illusion or not, Su Mu felt Otto was constantly sizing him up. He turned his head; Otto was watching him with a smile, his gaze perfectly centered. Su Mu looked back at the road. It wasn't an illusion; Otto's gaze was blatant and followed him unceasingly.
Sigh. He sighed internally. What was meant to come finally came; it was a trial indeed. After dropping the group off at Theresa's villa, Su Mu wanted to return to the firm, but Otto kept him there.
"I've already had Rita handle your leave at the office... more importantly, I'm tired after the long journey. Coincidentally, the large bath here is quite nice. Why don't we soak together first?"
Facing Otto's invite, Su Mu declined instantly. Are you joking? Bathe with Otto? do you take me for a fool? What happened to those who bathed with Otto? He knew only too well! Dog Otto, I have no grudge against you; why invite me to a bath!
"Fine, but if possible, please stay the night. I have some game-related matters to ask of you. Please do not hesitate to teach me."
Since Otto put it that way, Su Mu couldn't refuse—after all, he was a shareholder. However, Su Mu didn't expect that after his bath, Otto really did come to ask for advice on game development. He brought out his long-in-development Kallen Fantasy, wanting Su Mu to play it and give modification suggestions.
It had to be said that those who become CEOs of Schicksal have high IQ and EQ; Su Mu found the chat with Otto quite pleasant. He wasn't stingy either; after playtesting, he provided Otto with much professional guidance. The two hit it off, chatting for half the night.
When Theresa got up in the night, she saw the lights on in Otto's room. The two men were in pajamas, talking about game development. This made Theresa sigh into her hands. Su Mu was a total workaholic when it came to games. Otto was no different; he was a fanatic gamer himself, not to mention he wanted to push Kallen Fantasy globally so everyone would know Kallen was the world's cutest!
The two together created a strange chemical reaction. Theresa felt that if they kept talking, Su Mu might become sworn brothers with Otto. Then wouldn't I have another grandfather? That's too terrifying!
Due to their immersion, the next morning at 9:30 AM—about half an hour before the maintenance ended and the new version "Lone Star of Long Night" launched: Su Mu and Otto were squeezing in front of one sink brushing their teeth, with dark circles under their eyes. It was clear they hadn't slept at all and had stayed up until now.
"I say, I understand you're like-minded... but don't forget, I have a stream today!" Theresa looked at the two men helplessly and spoke with annoyance.
"Men always have moments like this," Yae Sakura said as she placed a hand on Theresa's shoulder. "I thought the atmosphere would be tense, but now it seems... I probably won't need to step in."
Theresa was startled.
"Actually, Kallen had another purpose for me coming: to keep an eye on Otto." Yae Sakura smiled. "The rumors lately have been quite a stir. you don't know the look on your grandfather's face when he found out. Kallen was worried he might do something reckless, so she sent me."
Theresa realized... Grandmother Kallen actually considered that; as expected of her!
"Did Grandmother Kallen say anything else?" "Mhm... she said no matter what, she will support you." "Support... support what?" "Your romance, of course. though I didn't expect Theresa would like a boy like Su Mu..." "Ha, Ha? Auntie Sakura, what nonsense are you talking!!"
Theresa's face turned red in a flash, but her flustered manner betrayed her thoughts. "Theresa, Kallen and I watched you grow up. How could we not know your heart? with your ability, suppressing these rumors wouldn't be hard, right? a little push from the Schicksal branch could easily bury the noise..."
Yae Sakura looked at Theresa with a knowing smile, her eyes possessing a magic that seemed to see into the soul. "But you didn't do it. Was it because you couldn't, or because... you didn't want to?"
Theresa stammered, unable to speak. she felt she had no disguise before Yae Sakura, completely seen through. she admitted that when she saw the rumors, she was actually happy...
"But, I..." Theresa looked down, fiddling with her hem like a child who did something wrong. "I can't... I'm Kiana's aunt. How could I do such a thing? It goes against social ethics."
Yae Sakura was confused: "And why does that matter?" Theresa: "?"
Yae Sakura shrugged. "So I ask: why does it matter? That's not a reason at all. Theresa, you need to understand one thing: before you are Kiana's aunt, you are yourself. If a person cannot learn to love themselves, how can they know how to love others? And as for ethics... that doesn't really matter, does it? Remember, Kallen was already married back then, but she still stayed with me."
Theresa was speechless. Right, ethics mean nothing to Yae Sakura, do they? she never followed those things to begin with... I can't expect someone without 'ethics' or 'morals' to understand me. Theresa smiled bitterly. There really are a lot of weirdos around me.
At 10:00 AM sharp, maintenance for Honkai 3rd ended. Theresa started her stream and introduced her guests to the audience: Otto Apocalypse and the Evil Old Thief Su Mu! Yae Sakura didn't participate; she wanted to visit the MiHoYo headquarters to exchange experience and insights on drawing.
Seeing Su Mu and Otto appearing together with their virtual avatars made the chat explode.
[Whoa? The Old Thief and Otto are guests together?]
[Is this real? I must be dreaming!]
[Wait, Old Thief, how do you have the nerve! Look at how you wrote Otto in the game; aren't you afraid Lord Otto will strangle you?]
[I came to watch a stream! What are you doing! don't let this turn into a crime scene mid-broadcast!]
[Children, I think we should call the police in advance. I can't think of any reason Lord Otto wouldn't strangle the Old Thief!]
For the viewers, the shock of these two appearing together was no less than a planet collision, or a group of sea cucumbers beating Japan 7-0... Are you kidding! Hasn't Otto been persecuted enough in the plot? Su Mu's crimes are beyond count! Otto didn't blow up seeing the Old Thief? It's unscientific! Completely unscientific!!
"I can only say today's entertainment value will be explosive," Senti remarked. "Recording teams, start now! I have a strong feeling, brothers! Today will definitely see a broadcasting accident!" Senti went all in. The content today is 'The Day You and the Stars Disappeared'—it's Kongming's home field! If that bastard Su Mu pulls something in the plot, Otto will explode him in seconds!
"I can only say the Old Thief really understands streaming. his entertainment value is always top-tier. After all, have you ever seen someone use their own life as bait?" Senti began a silent prayer for the audience. "We can only pray he doesn't end up at the bottom of Tokyo Bay. Friends in Tokyo, keep an eye out, or Honkai 3rd might actually end."
As Theresa logged into her account and opened the The Day You and the Stars Disappeared interface, the soft BGM began, and Kongming's beautiful figure appeared. Theresa officially entered the event plot.
Before the story began, the game used comic panels and dialogue to lead the audience through a recap from the Captain's perspective.
["For some reason, though our appearances differ, seeing you makes me instinctively think of an old friend."]
["I (孤 - Gu) am merely slightly interested in you, this fellow who calls himself 'Captain'."]
["Heh... anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."]
This was from the end of Odd Drifter. Having played the Honkai Kingdoms plot, players understood that Kongming had recognized the Captain at that point. But back then, the Captain didn't recognize her. The Day You and the Stars Disappeared followed the end of Odd Drifter, with the Captain being sent back to the Hyperion by Kongming's formation.
However, when the Captain opened his eyes again, he found himself in the undersea ruins! While wondering how he ended up there, he saw a girl with the exact same appearance and dress as Kongming being pursued. This "Kongming" recognized the Captain instantly and was surprised by his presence.
[Eh? This outfit, the feather fan... is it really Kongming?]
[Wait? Reunited at the start? That was fast!]
[Whoa? Did Kongming calculate the Captain would appear here and waited for him?]
[Wait! This Kongming isn't the one! Look at those silly, clear-yet-stupid eyes! And that tone!]
While many were surprised by the reunion, sharp-eyed viewers noticed this "Kongming" was an impostor! That tone, that "clear-yet-stupid" gaze... The Captain in-game also recognized her true identity!
["you are Theresa... Celestial Maiden Teriri, the Sage King of the Empyrean Empire?"]
[Theresa froze, then smiled bitterly: "even you recognized me. My disguise really was a failure."]
However, Theresa told the Captain not to call her that anymore; she was no longer the Sage King, but a fugitive. This left the audience confused. What's the situation? They knew Celestial Maiden Teriri—same looks, but a different person from Kongming. In Honkai Kingdoms, Theresa was the Sage King. why was she a fugitive now? Did Schicksal and the Pirates win the faction war?
The Captain was equally confused, but before he could ask, enemies caught up. Ultimately, the two couldn't escape the ruins and were captured by guards and taken back to the Empyrean Empire. Inside the palace, the Captain finally met the real Kongming.
But the Kongming before him was entirely different from the one he remembered.
["Ha... is this person a fool? In this day and age, who doesn't know..."]
["Her Majesty the Sage King Kongming, who ended the War of the Three Kingdoms single-handedly and unified the world!"]
Amidst the guards' fanatical words, Kongming sat upon the Dragon Throne. Her expression was cold and haughty, radiating a terrifying pressure. she looked every bit a monarch who ruled over all!
This haughty, cold Kongming made the audience's hearts race with excitement! [Whoa! Kongming is too cool!]
[The aura of this Sage King Kongming is too strong! I can, I truly can!]
This overbearing Kongming naturally enchanted many players. Since they were streaming, Otto—while wanting to scream like a marmot and show off his mental state—maintained his elegant and composed posture for Theresa's stream and commented: "I truly didn't expect Kongming could have such a domineering side... mhm, like a solitary emperor. she is truly beautiful."
[She's cool, but... don't you think Kongming looks a bit strange?]
[I find it weird too. why did Kongming capture Theresa? And those guards said she ended the War of the Three Kingdoms... did Empyrean destroy Schicksal and the Pirates?]
Some viewers sensed something wrong. This Kongming was too far from the one they knew; she was practically a different person. In their impression, Kongming was a girl carrying a heavy responsibility, disguising herself as an adult, with a sharp tongue and a soft heart. she had her own persistence and was willing to give everything for her important people... compared to this high-and-mighty emperor, the contrast was too strong.
["Theresa... so you disguised yourself as me. I didn't know you had such a hobby."]
["However, even so, you cannot escape my palm."]
Kongming's voice was filled with shiver-inducing coldness, making the Captain stare in shock.
["Mr. Kongming, how is it you?"]
Knowing the Sage King was Kongming, the Captain felt relieved. Having parted from her recently, the feeling of meeting an acquaintance made him relax. He asked her: before he left, Theresa was the Sage King. Mr. Kongming should have abdicated long ago, saying she didn't care for fame and wanted to be a recluse. so he thought there must be a misunderstanding.
["As expected of the Captain, remaining calm at a time like this. It interests me somewhat... but the fact that I am the Sage King is absolutely true."]
[Though she said she was interested, her eyes lacked any spark of starlight, merely sizing me up coldly.]
[Those eyes were like a black hole, devouring all light, making the Captain shiver.]
[What scared him wasn't the expression itself, but that it appeared on the face of someone he knew.]
After this, Kongming dealt with Theresa in front of him, having maids dress her in magnificent clothes. she made Theresa a singing bird, forever singing for her in the palace. The Captain had a stomach full of questions, but Kongming cut him off. she couldn't answer him yet; there were more important things at hand. Kongming had the Captain sit beside her, inviting him to watch a show with her... that way, his questions might be answered.
To the Captain's surprise, two familiar faces appeared in his sight. Though their clothes had changed, he recognized them: Yae Sakura, Pirate Queen of Jormungand, and Himeko, Hero King of Schicksal! From their dialogue, the Captain learned that Empyrean had indeed unified the world. Both Jormungand and Schicksal were gone.
What surprised and even terrified him further was that Kongming demanded Sakura and Himeko take the sharpest spear and the strongest shield and kill each other to determine a winner!
["Mr. Kongming, you are gambling with human lives!"]Kongming's cold laughter sent chills down his spine. Her words were heartless to the extreme. ["Haha! Even the world can be used as a wager... what do two measly lives matter?!"]
Himeko eventually defeated Sakura, yet Kongming never intended to spare anyone from the start. she killed Himeko as well without expression.
["Fate may be unfair, but death never is."]
Cold, cruel. Treating life like grass... at this moment, the audience finally realized: this Kongming... was no longer the one they remembered. she was a cold-blooded tyrant!
END OF CHAPTER
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