In China, inside a villa in the Lu Residence.
Dressed in a training uniform, Lu Yinghua was practicing his stance in the courtyard.
As the direct disciple of the Martial King, Luo Hao, sixteen-year-old Lu Yinghua had honed his martial arts to an exceptionally high level.
Even within the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, founded by Luo Hao, few elders could claim victory over him.
At such a young age, with such profound martial arts skills, he was a rare talent in the entire world.
Even top geniuses like Lilliana and Erica couldn't compare to Lu Yinghua.
However, Lu Yinghua felt nothing special about this. He didn't even particularly value martial arts.
The only reason he trained relentlessly every day, rain or shine, was habit.
After all, he was someone Luo Hao had taken a liking to since childhood and made her personal disciple, despite his reluctance.
Because of Luo Hao's pressure, he grew to increasingly resent martial arts and women—especially beautiful women.
"Young Master, breakfast is ready."
The old butler of the Lu Family walked into the courtyard and spoke to the young man, who was closing his eyes and faintly snoring.
"Young Master?"
Yes, Lu Yinghua had trained himself to the point that, even when unconscious, his body would automatically wake at five in the morning to practice boxing.
Like today.
The old butler, noticing Lu Yinghua's lack of response, spoke softly.
"Breakfast at half-past five is a rule set by The Ruler of the Martial Realm."
*WHOOSH!*
Lu Yinghua's eyes instantly lit up. He clasped his hands, faced east, and knelt in one fluid motion.
"Disciple Lu Yinghua prays for Master's perfection in literature and martial virtue, eternal forever."
The old butler beside him was used to this. Since descending from Mount Lu, his young master did this every day.
It was nothing but habit.
Lu Yinghua sighed, stood up, and brushed the dust off his training pants, showing a weary and wise expression, as if he had seen it all.
"Old Lu, any new updates about King of the End in Europe?"
With a tired—or rather, emotional—expression, Lu Yinghua headed to the dining hall, asking the butler on the way to the restaurant.
"The information we've gathered has been placed on the dining table."
The old butler answered calmly, though his words carried a trace of pity for Lu Yinghua.
Hearing this, Lu Yinghua nodded, then arrived at the dining hall. While eating soy milk and steamed buns, he picked up the documents on the table and read them carefully.
He read for quite a while, then spoke with feeling.
"Not good, the situation is very bad!"
"What's wrong?"
The old butler, brewing tea, asked in confusion.
Lu Yinghua showed a pained expression and said, "Based on the current information, it's almost certain that this King Arthur is King of the End who vanished for fifteen hundred years."
"Could the information be wrong?"
The old butler asked with slight suspicion, as the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains wasn't particularly strict in controlling foreign factions.
Lying or deception was quite common.
"No way. Even though the foreign agents have their tricks, they wouldn't dare mess around with something like this."
Lu Yinghua shook his head and couldn't help but complain.
"Unless someone on the level of The Ruler of the Martial Realm is backing them, they wouldn't have the guts."
"That's indeed impossible."
The old butler's face grew serious, then he said with slight confusion, "But how do we report this kind of information to The Ruler of the Martial Realm?"
"That's exactly why I'm stressed."
Lu Yinghua sighed.
"If it's not reported properly, I'm afraid it'll lead to a bloodbath."
Thinking of his master, Lu Yinghua's body began to tremble.
King of the End's next target was the Martial King. And the other party had already subdued four Kings in Europe.
This information had to be reported to Luo Hao, but how to report it was another issue.
"And we don't know who's stronger between this King Arthur and Master."
At this point, Lu Yinghua showed a deeply helpless expression.
"According to the information, in Sardinia, he defeated the Wolf King with a single sword strike."
"And the Sword King apparently challenged King Arthur and fled after losing."
If Luo Hao was confident she could defeat King Arthur, everything would be fine. But what if she couldn't?
After all, King of the End was the King tasked with purging God Slayer and saving the world.
No one could say that before Luo Hao, there weren't God Slayer stronger than her.
It was said that Wang Mang, who founded the Xin Dynasty, was once a Godslayer and was ultimately purged by King of the End, leading to the dynasty's collapse.
They had to prepare for this.
Even advise The Ruler of the Martial Realm!
"If The Ruler of the Martial Realm loses, it'll be very bad."
Lu Yinghua said with slight worry, but for some reason, a faint joy stirred deep in his heart.
Not good, this is too good… no, too bad.
The moment he imagined that scene unfolding before his eyes, he felt a piercing pain, as if an invisible hand were squeezing his heart.
Yet, for some reason, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curled upward bit by bit.
No way, absolutely no way!
(How could I be happy about Master's death…)
Though he knew full well that if Luo Hao truly died, his fate as a disciple of the Devil King wouldn't be good.
Even if he was at the pinnacle of humanity, not yet a Godslayer, he wouldn't escape the purge.
But the thought of his master, who had oppressed him since childhood, being gone made Lu Yinghua want to laugh.
He even felt his phobia of women might be cured.
However, under his body's conditioned response, trained by Luo Hao for so long, Lu Yinghua's expression was extremely distorted.
Well, it could only be said that he was a very filial disciple with a loving master.
"Right now, it seems there's no choice but to warn Master."
Lu Yinghua waved his hand and said with slight despair.
"I hope this King Arthur doesn't intend to kill."
"We can only hope so."
The old butler muttered and sighed.
For an event this significant, what could they, non-God Slayer, do but worry?
They could only place their hopes in the heavens.
Just then, a young man in a martial arts uniform rushed in and clasped his hands.
"Latest news from England! King Arthur plans to visit The Ruler of the Martial Realm to discuss the destruction of the Monkey God."
"He's already boarded a plane heading to Jiujiang Airport, Mount Lu."
Lu Yinghua stood abruptly, his face pale, and said, "What's this about 'discussing the Monkey God'? I bet King Arthur has bad intentions!"
The moment he thought of Marquis Voban, defeated almost instantly, and Sword King Doni, who lost and fled, Lu Yinghua couldn't help but consider a terrifying fact.
King Arthur likely set a trap, which was why he could defeat both Kings so easily.
And not killing them wasn't likely out of mercy but because he couldn't.
Now, the other party was using sweet words to lower Luo Hao's guard, and when the Monkey God was released, they'd attack her together!
After analyzing Aslan's motives from an enemy's perspective, Lu Yinghua paced the hall and slapped his thigh.
"I'll write a letter immediately, reporting to Master to explain the dangers and benefits!"
"Young Master."
The old butler spoke in a heavy tone.
"In times of danger, you must clarify your stance."
Hearing this, Lu Yinghua's eyes narrowed slightly, then he nodded.
"Thank you for your guidance, Old Lu. After writing the letter, Yinghua will personally go to Mount Lu to help stop King Arthur!"
The old butler, seeing this, nodded in approval.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time, Aslan, with Athena and Lilliana, boarded a private jet heading to Mount Lu.
Before the plane took off, Aslan was on the phone with Guinevere.
"Keep an eye on Alice and the Black Prince. Don't let them make any sneaky moves."
"As for Erica, I'm entrusting her with integrating Southern Europe's forces. I hope she does well."
"If Alice performs well, I'll leave England's matters to her, and you can go integrate Europe's forces."
"Also, Madam Aisha—watch her. Don't let her run off again. Though I've sealed her Divine Authority, that woman's a bit strange."
"By the way, if there's news from America, wait for me to return to handle it."
"Alright, that's all. For now, in the secular world, we need to promote magic and develop Magic-Tech."
After arranging Europe's matters, Aslan put away his phone and sighed slightly.
Once again lamenting the shortage of manpower at his disposal.
At that moment, the plane was about to take off.
Just as the engines started, Lilliana, sitting across from him on the sofa, said with slight unease, "Your Majesty, is it too dangerous to bring just me to China?"
Aslan took the juice Athena handed him, sipped it, and said with a strange expression, "Dangerous? Why would it feel dangerous?"
"We're going to discuss handling that monkey, not to fight."
"Because…"
Lilliana opened her mouth, her face showing confusion. Finally, she gritted her teeth and reminded him softly.
"For some reason, my intuition tells me this trip to Mount Lu won't go smoothly."
(Your Majesty, do you really not know your identity? King of the End, tasked with purging God Slayer, is going with a Godslayer to discuss handling another Heretic God.)
(Do you believe there's nothing suspicious about that?)
Based on Lilliana's understanding of the Martial King who founded the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains, this was no different from sending a provocative challenge letter.
Conflict was inevitable.
"Your Majesty, forgive me, but if you clash with The Ruler of the Martial Realm, my strength likely won't be of any help…"
(It might even burden you.)
Lilliana didn't say the last part.
And she didn't understand why Aslan chose to bring her instead of Erica, who was more adept at etiquette and social skills.
Or Guinevere and Lancelot. Alice would've been fine too.
Why her, who couldn't offer any help?
At that moment, Aslan, sipping his juice, calmly interrupted Lilliana.
"Of course, it's because they all have more important things to do."
"I see…"
Lilliana sighed in relief, though a trace of sadness welled up in her heart.
So she was the most useless?
This also sparked a slight sense of crisis in her.