The Strict Teacher of the Sakura Nation

Li Tianming followed, his skepticism evident in every step.

It was impossible for him to completely resolve his inner turmoil in such a short time.

Yet, Xie Shenhong had made some valid points, particularly that he couldn’t afford to remain stagnant.

After all, his efforts thus far had been solely to protect Xie Shenhong, to prevent her from contacting the remnants of the Sakura Nation. Now that Xie Shenhong was about to formally involve herself in the events, even for his own selfish reasons, he was obligated to risk his life to shield her.

Furthermore, things might not unfold as smoothly as Xie Shenhong imagined, especially when even Duanmu Yun had failed to locate the person in question.

“I’ve already pinpointed their location.”

As they made their way to the rendezvous point, Xie Shenhong addressed Li Tianming’s doubts.

“How is that possible?”

If it were Xie Haizhu in her prime, it would be no surprise. However, Xie Shenhong, whose post-transformation strength had only reached the Battle Lord rank in recent days, and who was still highly unproficient in magic manipulation at that rank, intended to surpass Duanmu Yun in the unfamiliar realm of intelligence gathering?

Li Tianming, at least, refused to believe it.

“There’s nothing particularly special about it. The other party was incredibly adept at counter-reconnaissance; even Sister Yun couldn’t find a single trace. But even the most meticulous plan can have a flaw, and they left behind some scientific means.” Xie Shenhong pulled out her phone, opening a tracking and positioning system within it, a hint of awkwardness coloring her face. “Uh, yes, to ensure her safety, I’ve always placed a transmitter in her personal belongings…”

“This is… heart rate and body temperature?” Li Tianming peered closely at the phone screen, realizing the functions displayed were far more complex than simple positioning. Well, even positioning itself wasn’t simple.

“In any case, this aspect is no longer a concern,” Xie Shenhong quickly diverted the conversation. “Can you understand now? While I may not possess much combat ability at the moment, I have plenty of methods to assist the team.”

Li Tianming had, in fact, always been aware of this.

Rather, the team benefits Xie Shenhong provided were far more crucial than her mere combat prowess.

At a national level, it went without saying. Under her influence, the kingdom flourished in every aspect, be it military, cultural, economic, or otherwise.

However, more astonishing to Li Tianming than her already recognized greatness was how Xie Shenhong, even without her memories, behaved exactly as she had before.

She remained unbound by conventional methods.

“Thinking of my past self again?”

Moreover, compared to just recently, she exuded significantly more confidence, no longer shying away from topics of her past.

Of course, Li Tianming was beginning to discern what lay behind this newfound composure.

“Aren’t you planning to recall your memories?”

“Hmm… if you’re worried I won’t perform well as the Saintess, I can only say that I will improve.”

Li Tianming had no doubt about that.

In fact, towards the end of their last encounter, he had clearly perceived Xie Haizhu’s low-tier healing magic becoming more proficient; she had even begun to experiment with multiple spells.

Given time, it wouldn’t be strange for Xie Haizhu to become as powerful as she once was.

After all, whether in the past or the present, Xie Haizhu was the same person. It was merely the difference in memories that made it emotionally challenging for those who knew her from before.

Yet, for Xie Shenhong herself, perhaps there was truly nothing wrong with it.

“But if that’s the case, how did you convince the Seven Heroes? I distinctly told them…”

“What you told them was merely not to hinder my memory recovery, not to reveal too much information about the past to me, right?” Xie Shenhong chuckled. “That doesn’t conflict much with me asking for their help, asking them to assist you in completing the mission. Rather, everyone has been very worried about both of us and has long wanted to lend a hand.”

“……Is there anything else you want to ask?”

After a moment of hesitation, Li Tianming finally decided to ask:

“What do you plan to do with her afterward?”

“…”

****

Mizuki Aoi was born into misfortune.

The Sakura Nation, the easternmost, largest, and most ancient country in the small alliance known as the Sacred United Empire, was steeped in tradition.

It was also the nation that valued tradition above all else.

Thus, from the moment Mizuki Aoi was born, she became the heir to the Heavenly King.

Interestingly, the Heavenly King, despite being the nation’s supreme leader, was merely a symbol.

Even though the Heavenly King’s strength and abilities, bolstered by their inherent bloodline, far surpassed those of the Shogun, this established order remained immutable.

In a magic-centric world where power reigned supreme, such a dynamic was almost inconceivable.

Consequently, the Heavenly King rebelled.

The rebellion, however, failed.

To prevent future Heavenly Kings from harboring rebellious intentions, the High Priest of the shrine cast a curse of physical disability upon the Heavenly King’s descendants.

Thus, Mizuki Aoi lost the ability to run while still an infant.

Concurrently, she lost her parents.

Fortunately, the existence of a Heavenly King was deemed essential, allowing Mizuki Aoi to grow safely to the age of nine.

Yet, with age came knowledge.

And with knowledge came curiosity and a spirit of exploration.

Filled with anticipation for the outside world, Mizuki Aoi seized the opportunity while the Sakura Nation was preoccupied with war. With the help of her servants, she escaped the royal palace.

Then, along her escape route, she encountered a red-haired youth.

“To be pursued by the Shogunate’s Chosen Squad… who are you?”

The red-haired youth, only a few years older than Mizuki Aoi, was a general from the Vermillion Bird Kingdom, an enemy of the Sakura Nation.

Considering the palace servants’ usual depiction of the Vermillion Bird Kingdom, Mizuki Aoi was instantly struck speechless with fear.

“I don’t understand this. You’re clearly fleeing towards our Vermillion Bird Kingdom, yet you fear our nation. Are you perhaps looking for trouble?”

Ah… it seemed that was indeed the case.

Mizuki Aoi also realized that while the red-haired youth’s words seemed impolite, he treated her with genuine sincerity, showing no reservations. He neither overly expressed concern nor inexplicably disliked her.

He was unlike anyone she had ever met.

The events that followed only confirmed her suspicions.

After learning the situation from the servants, the red-haired youth’s deputy, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy named Li Tianming, immediately showed her an expression of sympathy and concern.

“This child is truly pitiful, Lord Shenhong. How about we help her? Although she is the Heavenly King’s daughter, the Heavenly King holds no real power and poses no threat to us. If she could stand with us, it would surely be excellent propaganda, wouldn’t it?”

Li Tianming’s reaction was much like that of a newly recruited palace servant: driven by his conscience, he instinctively wanted to offer her aid.

However, such shallow and simple reasons, coupled with thoughtless actions, would only exacerbate matters.

This was also the most exasperating part—

“Don’t worry, no one here will hurt you… Ah, I mean no harm, there’s no need to be scared… Are you shy? I won’t come closer, you don’t have to be afraid…”

Such people always assumed that merely by displaying a helpful stance and a sympathetic expression, she ought to respond with closeness and gratitude.

But the red-haired youth was different.

“Ah, Lord Shenhong, what are you doing? She’s such a small child, why did you suddenly hit her?”

“Oh, I almost forgot, you’re not much better.”

He gave Mizuki Aoi’s backside a sharp smack, then ordered Li Tianming to run a hundred laps outside, using his magic.

“Do you know why I hit you?”

Mizuki Aoi didn’t know; she merely stared at the detestable red-haired youth with indignation and grief.

Although she was only the powerless next Heavenly King in the palace, even officials who secretly despised her would never dare to treat her this way.

Upon realizing this, Mizuki Aoi, despite her anger, understood something crucial.

She wasn’t afraid of the red-haired youth in the slightest.

For the red-haired youth wasn’t acting out of malice.

Nor did he desire any reward from her.

Instead—

“Why do you adopt such a haughty attitude when faced with someone’s kindness?”

“Don’t pretend to be a child. I know you understand these principles I’m speaking of.”

“I don’t care what your status or position is. Since you are now dependent on others, you ought to recognize your place and adopt the appropriate demeanor. Of course, I will also fulfill my duty and guide you properly.”

On that day, Mizuki Aoi gained a strict teacher.