Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 52 - 49 Outer Path Impermanence 3

Chapter 52: 49 Outer Path Impermanence 3

"I said supernatural power users are superior to ordinary people, only based on rational thinking," I answered honestly. "It’s fine for those who gossip behind my back, but when it comes to Changan, or anyone I can converse with normally, I just can’t bring myself to feel superior."

"So, if your rationality and emotions conflict, which side will you choose?" Zhu Shi asked.

I countered without thinking, "Do I look like someone who prioritizes reason?"

"...You’re right, it was unnecessary of me to ask," she acknowledged reluctantly.

"I understand why you value my answer so much, you want to confirm where I stand, right?" I said, "I can tell you directly now, I won’t side with those who think supernatural power users should integrate into society, nor with those who believe supernatural power users are beyond ordinary. I have no interest in your political affiliations, even thinking about it bores me.

"But, Zhu Shi, I will stand by you. Since you are Changan’s sister, you are also my friend. If someone becomes your enemy, they become my enemy too.

"Now, tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Zhu Shi slightly opened her mouth and after a moment, mixed with a sigh, she laughed, "It is against the rules to say that..."

"I was just speaking honestly."

Although there was a bit of showmanship involved; normally, I wouldn’t speak so imposingly.

But it was a heartfelt statement, and I truly meant to act on it.

"The truth is always the most unfair," she responded softly, then complained, "You might find the topic I brought up annoying, I find this kind of political conversation equally displeasing. What girl my age likes to discuss serious political issues? So I hope you won’t misunderstand me, I really wasn’t trying to politically persuade you."

"I won’t misunderstand," I promised.

"Good, then back to your earlier question..." she adjusted her expression and continued, "I hope you can hide your true power from Luoshan for now."

"If I reveal my true power, will someone harm me?" I was curious.

"On the contrary, most factions in Luoshan would break their heads trying to get you to join them. Unless they are brainless, they’ll definitely do so. You can freely choose from them and gain substantial benefits," she explained slowly. "The reason I make this suggestion is not because I want to represent my own faction and monopolize you. It’s merely a personal request."

"Why?" I inquired.

"I want you to observe carefully," she said seriously as she looked me in the eye. "Once you reveal yourself, people with various ulterior motives will approach you, uttering exaggerated words and feigning their stance. They won’t be showing their true selves. You can stay hidden, watch their true nature, and then decide your own path.

"Even if the path you eventually choose differs from mine, I hope it’s a path you truly desire."

I’ve said before that I’m not interested in such matters.

Though I wanted to say that, I felt Zhu Shi’s sincere goodwill.

And upon careful consideration, I realized it wasn’t suitable for me to expose myself to various factions at this time.

I don’t mind being caught in the so-called "political whirlpool." If I fall into it, then so be it; I’ll just do my own thing. If anyone tries to force me to do otherwise, I can simply ignore them altogether. But if someone tries to hinder me, they become my enemy. Simple as that.

The problem lies with Mazao.

Luoshan is currently actively hunting for Mazao, and Mazao is by my side. Although I don’t know which factions of Luoshan are involved, it’s necessary to hide Mazao from their sight.

The dark irony is that I’m not the good guy trying to protect a vulnerable girl from the bad guys; I’m just another bad guy.

Prior to knowing about the mutual repulsiveness between me and the oddities, getting a foothold in Luoshan would have been more critical, and I certainly wouldn’t have hidden my true power for Mazao’s sake. But now, Mazao is an indispensable choice in my heart, and Luoshan is secondary.

Noticing my agreement, Zhu Shi relaxed.

"Hiding your true power also benefits you in another way; others won’t know the right way to target you," she remarked. "Like with Agent Kong’s incident... If he had known beforehand that you could elementalize, he would have used methods aimed at harming the spirit to ambush you."

"Yes, fortunately he is only skilled in physical attacks," I also remarked, then asked, "Speaking of hiding, the battle with Agent Kong was quite loud, it’s not really something that can be hidden, right?"

"I’ll figure something out and let you know once I have a result."

"Alright, then about joining Luoshan..." I brought up the old topic again.

"To become a demon hunter of Luoshan, you need to pass a test. It’s not just about testing the level of strength, but also knowledge about oddities," she said diplomatically. "If you have never formally studied this knowledge before, then you need at least three years of study to pass the Luoshan demon hunter test."

"Is it really necessary for it to take that long?" I was surprised, "But I heard from Agent Kong earlier that you could be my guide... He made it sound like I could join Luo Mountain immediately."

"In Luo Mountain, the relationship between a guide and the guided is essentially that of a mentor and a student," she said with an embarrassed look, "What he meant was probably that you could become my student, learn by my side for a few years, and then join Luo Mountain..."

"I see, then, Teacher Zhu Shi."

Calling Sister Zhu "Teacher" was a first for me, and although I said it earnestly, I felt a bit embarrassed and experienced an undefinable sense of novelty and excitement.

It was Zhu Shi who seemed more flustered than me, she was shocked, "You really called me that?"

In such moments, the first to falter is the one who feels embarrassed, so I continued to keep a straight face, "Is there a problem?"

"Don’t you think I’m not worthy? Like considering age, strength..." she asked hesitantly.

"You know more than I do, and you have more experience. There’s a saying, ’Those who achieve are teachers,’ you are certainly deserving," I said honestly.

She scrutinized my expression, then deflated a bit like she was out of options, and said, "...Actually, to become a demon hunter, it’s not necessary to pass the test exclusively; there are other paths available."

"I’m eager to hear about them," I perked up.

She gave the answer, "That is to become ’Outer Path Impermanence.’"

"What is ’Outer Path Impermanence’?"

"Those Luoshan Demon Hunters who deal with anomalies and are referred to as ’Impermanence.’ The so-called ’Outer Path Impermanence’ refers to powerful demon hunters recognized by Luo Mountain but operating outside their system," she explained, "You can think of them as strategic allies to Luo Mountain. For Luo Mountain, most civilian demon hunters are considered potential threats rather than demon hunters, and hence, subjects to regulation. For those particularly powerful individuals, Luo Mountain intentionally grants credentials equivalent to those of official demon hunters."

I searched through the eclectic knowledge I had learned in the past.

Buddhism refers to its own teachings as ’Inner Path,’ and to others’ teachings as ’Outer Path,’ while ’Impermanence’ is the soul-caller of Taoism.

Outer Path Impermanence... I mulled over the term. Apart from its origin, it felt inexplicably cool and sinister, very much to my taste.

"How can I gain Luo Mountain’s recognition?"

"Don’t worry about that. Even if I could obscure your true power in my reports, that building you cleft in two is not something that can be hidden," she said, "Although Flame Ability Users are mostly recognized for their prowess in physical attack, if it reaches such an extent, Luo Mountain would likely have no choice but to acknowledge you. I will apply on your behalf."

"Then I leave it to you," I requested earnestly.

She briefly reverted to the "Sister Zhu" mode, nodding with a smile, "Leave it to me, Senior Brother Zhuang!"

-

Before parting, I asked Zhu Shi for another favor.

That was to investigate the source of my superpowers.

Zhu Shi could only determine that my superpowers did not originate from devilish or ghostly bloodlines; a precise examination was still needed. I was particularly concerned about the source of my superpowers. Upon learning of my desire, she took a few drops of my blood to take back and examine.

I didn’t go straight home afterward; instead, I called Changan and asked him to meet me.

Since the Fallen Demon Hunter incident ended ambiguously, the "Fireflies" I had left at his place hadn’t been withdrawn yet.

And just as Changan had said, to avoid getting the people around him involved when the "mysterious serial killer" came looking, he hadn’t been to school recently. Normally, one would think to go to crowded places in such situations, but his way of thinking seemed different.

The agents secretly monitoring him had by now been withdrawn, suggesting Luo Mountain likely deemed the Fallen Demon Hunter incident closed; thus, there was no need for further surveillance. Apparently, he had also received this news, as his demeanor had relaxed considerably, and he had even sent me a message last night.

We met at a fried chicken restaurant, and he arrived still dressed in garishly ostentatious branded clothes. It isn’t that I have a stereotype about branded clothing, but he pursues expensive clothes without any understanding of how to match them.

Zhu Shi, his sister, also didn’t seem to have much sense of fashion, but her style was simple, which didn’t seem detrimental; Changan, however, stood out ostentatiously, as if he had too much money and didn’t know how to spend it.

Yet, even his obnoxious outfit felt somewhat nostalgic to me now.

As he approached with a laugh, he spoke loudly, "Oh man, I’ve been going stir-crazy these past few days... Why did you suddenly call me out? Are you asking me to treat you to a meal? I’ll pay! Tell me, what would you like to eat?"

He had no idea I was there to end our friendship.

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