Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 239 - 225 Sincerely advance

Chapter 239: 225 Sincerely advance

Mazao first paused, then closed her eyes, and gave a reply: "...I feel pretty good, I should be able to bring out more power than before."

This response was not very clear. If she were to fight now, I wonder to what extent she could perform. While thinking this, I suddenly realized that the last time Mazao took action was probably against the Shadow Swapping Monster.

Ever since then, she has always been in a supporting role. Although she actively participates in the bizarre incidents, I have seized all the opportunities for battle, leaving her no chance to show off her skills. Since the Shadow Swapping Monster, all the enemies have either been the dangerous card-up-their-sleeve sort like the creators of those monsters, or rank-and-file enemies led by Chen Long; it wasn’t likely for me to let her step in.

It seemed that for the time being she couldn’t describe just how much fighting power she could muster. It wasn’t that we couldn’t try to find out, but it was still better not to stress test one’s own soul if unnecessary. So the topic stalled once again.

I must make a change sooner rather than later.

Having Mazao believe that my relentless dedication to her was due to "love" certainly carried powerful persuasive force, but this was not necessarily a smart move. Even without considering the current situation that hampered my actions, the truth I was hiding could easily be exposed. I’ve mentioned before that my pursuit of the bizarre in Saltwater City is no secret. Zhu Shi even told me that some of the Luo Mountain agents are aware of it. The only reason Mazao has been kept in the dark is because of her lack of social connections there.

Now, even though we have left Saltwater City, I can’t hope that this secret will remain hidden from Mazao forever. As my reputation spreads in Luo Mountain, news related to my past will inevitably become widely known there. Sooner or later, Mazao will hear of it. It is better for me to be proactive in revealing the secret than to let it be exposed on its own; this might leave a better impression.

Besides, even if I were to reveal my desire to pursue the bizarre, it’s not certain that Mazao would immediately jump to the conclusion that "Zhuang Cheng might desire the advent of Doomsday". The proof lies in Zhu Shi; she knows very well what kind of person I am, yet she did not seem to - at least it didn’t appear that she did - recognize my anticipation for Doomsday.

Of course, this unfortunate possibility does objectively exist, and it is substantial. After all, Mazao and I are to live side by side; even if she doesn’t initially make such an association, as time passes - especially considering we are on the path to investigating the truth of Doomsday - she may very well discern my true feelings from my attitude towards Doomsday. I have never been particularly skilled at pretense, and cannot guarantee that I will always be able to conceal my thoughts.

Anyway, I must disclose my true feelings.

Even in the worst situation, if Mazao learned all there was to know about me and wanted to leave, I had one last ace up my sleeve: the second Little Bowl.

Currently, the only person who could potentially help Mazao get in touch with the second Little Bowl is me. If at some point the second Little Bowl forgets its name again and finds itself on the verge of Sin demonization, the only one capable of turning the tide, in Mazao’s mind, would be me. Just for this reason alone, Mazao would be bound to me.

With this thought, I felt reassured about revealing my true intentions. Just in case, I’d better prepare for Mazao’s possible responses and doubts, draft several versions in advance, and then have Zhu Shi review them. Zhu Shi is a woman, an insider, and also supportive of me speaking the truth; seeking her advice on this matter should be error-free.

Perhaps she could even help me practice my delivery to be completely prepared.

As these thoughts occupied my mind, I took Mazao to a quiet part of the city, and then fired a Fireball straight up into the night sky.

The Fireball turned ninety degrees upon reaching high altitude and traveled northwards at dozens of times the speed of sound. Within just thirty seconds, the Fireball arrived above the target province and landed in a small wooded area on the outskirts.

Using this as a teleportation marker, I activated Flame Transmission to arrive at this location, a thousand miles away.

Soon thereafter, through the teleportation marker on me, Mazao also teleported to my side.

According to the arrangement mentioned by Mr. Zhu, a liaison would arrive shortly to take us to a nearby Luo Mountain base. Fa Zheng would then meet with me there later.

This "later" should not mean immediately. Mr. Zhu had mentioned that it might take another three or four days for Fa Zheng to meet with me. It did not seem to be a matter of pretension; he probably could not come right away. If there is some sort of antagonistic relationship between Impermanence behind the Divine Spear and Fa Zheng, then it’s possible that there has already been an underwater struggle about Mazao, and Impermanence’s choice not to act personally could be related. At this moment, the two parties might be in a state of intense confrontation.

If Fa Zheng were to suddenly come to my side under these circumstances, Impermanence behind the Divine Spear might notice it. However, if that’s the case, can’t other communication methods be used? Or does Fa Zheng value the formality of a face-to-face conversation?

I turned to look at Mazao. Perhaps aware of the need to be discreet, she had once again put on her cat whisker mask, which made it even harder for me to discern changes in her expression. A breeze blew by, and her shoulder-length hair fluttered lightly in the wind.

I felt the slight chill in the breeze. Even though Zhu Shi had said that this province should be quite cold, I couldn’t feel much coldness. Standing here in summer clothes was not out of place.

Before the liaison arrives, I don’t plan to just idly wait. Through the "Firefly" left at the Zhu family’s villa in Saltwater City, I saw Zhu Shi sitting on the couch in the living room looking at her phone. Seizing this opportunity, I decided to take the time to consult with her about telling Mazao the truth afterward.

The "Firefly" turned into a small Fireball and formed a sound organ, then made a sound: "Zhu Shi."

"Hmm?" Zhu Shi put down her phone, "Zhuang Cheng? What’s up?"

"It’s like this..."

I described in as much detail as possible what I was planning to do next.

After hearing this, Zhu Shi fell silent.

"...So you’re saying, Senior Brother Zhuang, that to confess to Mazao... to confess to a thirteen-year-old girl, you want me to give you advice?" she asked.

"It’s not exactly confessing..." I said.

"Confessing also means ’revealing one’s true heart’," she said.

"Then yes, I’m indeed planning to confess to Mazao."

"And it’s not just asking for my consultation, but also my help with practice?" she said.

"That’s only if you don’t mind," I added.

Her tone turned inexplicably: "You’re not planning on practicing kisses with me, are you..."

"There are no kisses in the plan."

"That’s not what I meant!" she said with a mix of laughter and helplessness, "Alright, I get your point. I support you in telling Mazao your true feelings. To be honest, I’ve repeatedly told you so many times before, and you’ve finally made up your mind, I’m happy for you.

"You said you’ve prepared some drafts, right? Don’t worry about practicing, just tell it to me casually."

Upon hearing this, I seriously recited the words I’d prepared. It’s not necessary to go into the details; it’s just a straightforward apology for past deceptions, and then stating my true desires. Listening to these words, Zhu Shi nodded her head repeatedly and smiled.

"Yes, that’s right. That’s how it should be, Senior Brother Zhuang!" she said with a smile, "You just need to keep on speaking your true heart like you always do, that is the demeanor that suits you. Lying, acting, those things are totally unfit for you, this is the right way now."

"I think so too, but just get apprehensive when it comes to the point," I said.

"Are you some lovesick girl? You weren’t so indecisive when wielding the Godslayer Spear," she teased, "If you had been half as undecided in killing as you are now, you wouldn’t have ended up opposed to Impermanence."

"Since when did being indecisive become a good thing in your eyes," I said.

"Because most people lack acceleration, but you’re different, you lack the brakes."

As she spoke, she tossed her phone aside, then looked at the ceiling, her face showing deep thought: "But love, eh..."

"What’s wrong?" I asked.

She pondered for a moment and said: "Senior Brother Zhuang, do you know what my grandfather thinks? I mean, about the relationship between you and me."

"Mr. Zhu probably hopes that you and I will get married," I said.

She asked tentatively: "Then, what do you think about this?"

"Even without that kind of thing, I would still help the Zhu family," I said.

"That’s not what I mean..." she said in a strange tone, "I mean... do you not have any feelings for me?"

I carefully scrutinized Zhu Shi and searched my heart for my feelings for her.

Zhu Shi is a very beautiful woman. Although I always thought that scoring a woman’s appearance is a vulgar act, if I were really forced to score, I would give her a ten without hesitation. She has the dignified features of a water ink painting when she’s quiet; when speaking or doing something, she carries a sharp spirit, with her garb of a straw hat and raincoat naturally fitting, the sight of her holding a sword and battling enemies is full of heroism.

She embodies both feminine gentleness and masculine strength in her temperament, yet this doesn’t make her unapproachable. In everyday life, she’s like the girl next door, talking to people in an easygoing manner, making one feel close and comfortable.

I like it when she calls me Senior Brother Zhuang, and when she doesn’t, I feel a bit lost. In my heart, whether external or internal, she’s a woman without any flaws to pick. So, if you ask whether I have feelings for her, my answer can only be one.

"Yes," I said honestly.

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