Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 472 - 442 Little Demon Zhu Shi

Chapter 472: 442 Little Demon Zhu Shi

Asking about the "preacher’s" mind doesn’t mean exploring his subjective memories; we’ve already dug up that information through Q&A sessions. I mean investigating his objective activities during his lifetime through Mazao’s historical retrospection skill later on.

"Why did you suddenly take this guy’s head out of your flame... I remember you said you couldn’t directly turn people into flames, right?" Zhu Shi said.

"To be precise, I can’t turn the living into flames, but this head is a dead object and counts as my spoils of war in my consciousness, so I can put it into the flame." I said.

"Taking other people’s heads as your own belongings, I feel your spirit is quite rotten in some sense." Zhu Shi said, "According to your heuristic mechanism, doesn’t it mean that as long as you can objectify all humans in your mind, you can turn anyone you encounter into your flame?"

"That’s correct." I said, "According to past experiments with my abilities, I can objectify insects, small animals, and almost all plants in my mind and then transform them into flames.

"There were volume limits for these targets before because one of the requirements for turning them into flames was that the target had to be my personal belongings. Since it’s portable, the volume can’t be too large. However, recently I discovered I can actually change the form and size, reconstituting a sufficiently large body with flames. Thus, objects like cars and buildings can also be considered portable-sized targets in my eyes.

"Of course, there’s a major premise for these practices, which is that I must be able to consider them as my possessions. Given my current state of being regarded as a God wherever I go, it’s not entirely impossible for me to develop a personality that objectifies anything... even anyone as my possession in the future..."

Zhu Shi hurriedly said: "I think you’re better off as you are now, Senior Brother Zhuang! Becoming someone who objectifies everyone and considers them private property is truly horrible."

"I think so too." I said.

Such a personality is actually not that rare on Luo Mountain. Extreme Extraordinaryists pursue a world where ordinary people are consumed as flesh resources. If someone like that had my superpower, they might easily accomplish what I described. Maybe Ming Zhuo is that kind of personality too.

The more uninhibited one’s mind is, the more extraordinary powers can be unleashed. I increasingly feel that the numerous restrictions of the Governance Ideology faction may not stand against the Extraordinaryism faction. Gua Tianshi seems to believe that a world where Extraordinaryism reigns supreme will eventually be defeated by the creativity of countless ordinary people, and civilization will inevitably return to a Governance Ideology order where demon hunters and ordinary people walk hand in hand. But will things really turn out as he said?

Or is it, as the Taoyuan Village Master said, that the current surging conflict on Luo Mountain over "which is more right between Extraordinaryism and Governance Ideology" is just a superficial and lower-dimensional debate?

Speaking of which, why are these Impermanences all so concerned about the world... This thought crossed my mind. But perhaps it’s normal, considering that for Impermanences whose every move can affect the mortal world’s order, thinking without using the world as a measure might actually be harder. Impermanences like myself and Ming Zhuo who are solely focused on themselves might be rather rare.

Maybe I’m just not used to it yet, and in the near future, I might unconsciously "have the world in mind." It’s not about vision or outlook; it’s just because I’ve reached this position.

"You should quickly put the ’preacher’s’ head away; it’s still dripping blood!" Zhu Shi’s words brought me back to reality.

I apologized, then put the head away and used flames to purify the bloodstains on the floor. Flames with a recognizable destructive effect are also great for cleaning, and the ashes can be absorbed back into the flame.

I neglected to consider that there were not only Zhu Shi and the unconscious Zhu Jiu in this villa but also Zhu Shi’s grandmother. Unlike the battle-hardened Zhu Shi and Mr. Zhu, Zhu Shi’s grandmother is not a demon hunter and shouldn’t be exposed to such bloody things.

Speaking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao appears; at this moment, Zhu Shi’s grandmother walked into the living room, treating me like a visiting child, and placed a fruit platter in front of me.

I met her once when I returned Changan, who was kidnapped by a strange shadow clone, to the Zhu family residence. She still appeared kind and amiable, her tone as gentle as a spring breeze, inquiring about my well-being and asking if I planned to stay for the night.

Zhu Shi asked curiously: "Huh? Zhuang Cheng can go home and sleep anytime; there’s no need to stay at our house, right? Although I don’t mind..."

"Don’t say that, Shi. You two are engaged; starting by sleeping in the same place makes sense, doesn’t it?"

Zhu Shi’s grandmother seemed to have heard many things from Mr. Zhu, including the engagement between Zhu Shi and me.

I sensed that Zhu Shi’s grandmother seemed to want to create a romantic atmosphere between me and Zhu Shi, while Zhu Shi herself seemed completely unaware and failed to catch that "sleeping together" meant more than just being under the same roof. She merely nodded: "That seems reasonable..."

Seeing her granddaughter’s oblivious appearance, Zhu Shi’s grandmother let out a deep sigh and said: "Shi, I’ve heard from your grandfather that you plan to establish a purely physical relationship with Zhuang Cheng, is that right?"

"Uh, that’s correct, but is there something wrong with that statement?" Zhu Shi said.

Zhu Shi’s grandmother advised earnestly: "You shouldn’t be content with just this layer of relationship, or you’ll regret it in the future."

"What do you mean ’just being content with this layer of relationship,’ it makes it sound like I’m a literal pervert for Zhuang Cheng’s body!" Zhu Shi exclaimed.

"Well, then I won’t disturb the two of you further. Grandma is getting old, can’t keep up the energy, and it’s about time to sleep."

Zhu Shi’s grandmother ignored and simply smiled, making a retreat before adding, "Also, I usually sleep deeply, and this house has excellent soundproofing, so no matter what noises arise at home, I won’t hear a thing. You two can enjoy yourselves tonight..."

Zhu Shi seemed to finally catch a hint of the underlying meaning and shouted anxiously: "Grandma—!"

Zhu Shi’s grandmother smiled and exited the living room, leaving just me and Zhu Shi sitting on the sofa.

"I’m sorry, Senior Brother Zhuang, my grandma is actually more serious usually..." Zhu Shi said wearily.

I felt like she’d said something similar about Mr. Zhu before.

However, Zhu Shi’s grandmother’s words made me naturally think along those lines. Mr. Zhu supported me being together with Zhu Shi, and Zhu Shi’s grandmother seemed to suggest and encourage a relationship between me and Shi. It was now a deep night with just the two of us alone. I, being mentally and physically sound, found it difficult to maintain a serene spirit facing the beautiful and graceful Sister Zhu.

Zhu Shi seemed to sense something in my gaze, her posture becoming awkward and cautious as she asked, "Um, Senior Brother Zhuang... do you want to do that with me?"

She swallowed nervously and added, "...tonight?"

Since we’ve agreed to have children together, that sort of thing is bound to happen sooner or later. Whether it has to happen tonight is another matter. Tonight might be too rushed; I’m not exactly burning with desire to that extent. Moreover, it wouldn’t be right to do it behind Mazao’s back; a formal report should perhaps be considered...

Many thoughts tangled in my mind. Suddenly, I felt that such a cautious and hesitant mindset was unnecessarily dragging things out, making me feel displeased with myself. So, I made up my mind and simply said: "Yes."

Hearing this, Zhu Shi became even more restless, a shy pink appearing on her cheeks. She looked like a healthy young girl, making it hard to believe that she’s actually devoid of romantic feelings. However, shame and romantic feelings aren’t necessarily intertwined; she was probably just embarrassed out of social norms. She was likely considering what words to use to refuse me.

Unexpectedly, after a brief pause, she gave this response: "Well... alright."

"Alright?" I was surprised.

"Yes, alright... but I’m still a little scared," she said, "I never thought I’d end up doing that so soon... Can you give me some time to prepare mentally? My body isn’t ready yet either... so not tonight, but give me a bit more time."

I could understand the mental preparation, but what did she mean by her body not being ready? Was she implying she hadn’t showered? A shower could be taken quickly... although I didn’t quite understand, I nodded and asked: "Are you really okay with it? If you’re forcing yourself, I won’t insist."

"I’m not forcing myself. Since deciding to have children with you, I’ve rehearsed this scenario in my mind many times. Finding a time to truly practice it would put my mind at ease." Zhu Shi said, "More importantly, I have pondered over things repeatedly. Senior Brother Zhuang is a guy, after all, and he must have a lot of pent-up stuff, being around a cute girl like Mazao might lead to something happening. But Mazao is still young, and it’s inappropriate if something were to happen."

I admitted: "That possibility can’t be entirely denied."

"Try refuting it a little!"

Zhu Shi first protested, then said: "But you guys should feel more relaxed after doing it, right? So I thought as long as Senior Brother Zhuang does it with me often, having an outlet, you’re less likely to end up in an improper situation with Mazao.

"Even if Senior Brother Zhuang gets a taste for it, there’s me, always ready to satisfy you."

Couldn’t imagine Zhu Shi saying such bold words! She must have mustered great courage to say it. After thinking it over, I nodded seriously: "There’s some sense to it."

"Right? Although I know what I said may seem shameless as a girl, but Senior Brother Zhuang, you can always come to me whenever you’re in the mood." Zhu Shi said earnestly, "But there’s one condition, and if you don’t agree, we won’t do it."

"What’s the requirement? I’ll do my best." I was curious.

She smiled and then said: "It’s very simple. You can always do it with me, but please, please, don’t fall for me, okay?"