The fame would help Yusei on one hand, but most importantly, it would be an even greater help to their magical association.
Anyway, whether Yusei fought the Sword King or not, he wouldn't lose out. It would be better to use the Sword King to boost his own fame… at least, that's what Erica thought.
But Yusei hadn't considered any of that. The magical associations had nothing to do with him. Not wanting to fight the Sword King was simply because he didn't want to do anything pointless.
He currently had only two tasks:
Destroy the History Compilation Committee.
Have Athena sign the god-servant contract.
Based on the current progress, Yusei felt the second task could be completed soon, while the first was very easy. With his current power, even Susanoo was merely his prey.
That night, Athena did not choose to sleep with Yusei.
Although she had subconsciously accepted Yusei as her partner, Athena was still very conservative.
She believed that without a sacred marriage, a man and woman should not sleep in the same room.
Yusei didn't want to commit any crimes anyway, so he was fine with it.
However, it was worth noting that after obtaining the Gorgoneion, Athena did not absorb it immediately.
The specific reason was unknown. When Yusei curiously asked about it that night, Athena evaded the question vaguely, seemingly unwilling to explain.
…
Time passed quickly, and a week went by.
The Sword King, who was supposed to come for a duel, showed no signs of activity during this week.
Luo Hao he had rebuffed also remained quiet. It seemed as if, in an instant, the entire world had lost interest in him, the new King.
Yusei was happy to see this. During this week of preparation, he was almost fully ready.
Athena had also pinpointed Susanoo's location in the Netherworld, completely following Yusei's arrangements to gather intelligence.
However, on the seventh day, an unexpected person came looking for him.
...
In the Copper-Black Cross's residence,
Lu Yinghua, dressed in a suit and wearing cool sunglasses, stood behind the sofa like a bodyguard.
For him, Luo Hao's disciple, to stand attentively like a bodyguard meant the person he was 'protecting' could only be one person.
Dressed in a white Hanfu, her black hair was braided into three strands and tied up. Adorable floral hair accessories were pinned on both sides of her hair. Her cute face completely belied the fact that she was a figure from two hundred years ago.
Instead, her refined and ethereal and exquisitely beautiful and cute face made one instinctively think she was just an exceptionally striking teenage girl.
Luo Hao had come.
She had truly heeded Yusei's previous words, 'If you want to see me, come yourself', and had really come on her own.
Seeing Lu Yinghua standing nervously behind her, Yusei also subconsciously felt she meant trouble.
Thinking this, he instinctively grasped the hand of Athena beside him. It was small and soft, calming his heart considerably.
Indeed, Athena's usefulness is showing now.
Erica, as Yusei's knight, now served as the hostess receiving the guest.
After quietly serving tea to both parties, she stood attentively beside Yusei, just like Lu Yinghua, protecting Yusei as his knight.
Neither Luo Hao nor Yusei spoke first.
Just as Yusei was sizing up Luo Hao, she was also looking at him with curiosity.
Finally, Luo Hao was the first to speak, "Your name is Kazami Yusei, correct?"
"Yes."
Yusei nodded.
"With such fluent way of speaking, are you Chinese? I didn't pay much attention initially, but after gathering specific intelligence, I found you first appeared in Japan and were using the Authorities of Japanese deities."
"So what? Why would you care about such things?" Yusei spread his hands.
"Well, it's not important. Anyway, I'm not here to investigate that. Let's skip this topic."
Luo Hao didn't press further, but she quickly changed her tone.
"I originally didn't want to come out this time, but for the sake of cooperation, I've left Mount Lu. The strength to kill two Heretic Gods single-handedly qualifies you."
"I've heard you've always been holed up on Mount Lu, practically a super hikikomori," Yusei said with a laugh.
"What is 'hikikomori'? A new term? Never mind, I'll get straight to the point of the cooperation."
Luo Hao shook her head and went directly to the main point.
"Since you are in Japan, you should know about the Mariya Family, right?"
"Uh..."
Yusei truly didn't know. Seeing this, Erica behind him quickly leaned close to his ear and whispered.
"The Mariya Family has imprisoned Sun Wukong. This has always been considered a disgrace by Luo Hao. A hundred years ago, Luo Hao attempted to break the seal but failed."
Erica briefly summarized this piece of history, and Yusei also recalled that there seemed to be such an event.
Luo Hao naturally saw Erica's little action but didn't comment. Supplementing the King's missing knowledge was also a knight's duty. This wasn't interrupting the King's conversation and wasn't disrespectful.
Taking a sip of tea, Luo Hao waited patiently.
After learning the details from Erica, Yusei asked Luo Hao, "You want to join forces with me to release that Sun Wukong?"
"Correct."
Luo Hao nodded faintly.
After hearing this, Yusei pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Alright. But as part of the deal, I also need a favor from you."
"What favor?"
Luo Hao asked.
"Destroy the Japanese's History Compilation Committee."
"Oh?"
Luo Hao became interested upon hearing this. Without much thought, she directly agreed.
"Fine. I know you plan to kill Susanoo eventually. I'll help you deal with the remaining small fry. How about that?"
"That works. Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure doing business!"
Luo Hao stood up. Lu Yinghua, standing behind the sofa, looked astonished, 'How come the Master is letting it go so easily today? When I repeated this Kazami Yusei's words to Master before, I almost didn't survive!'
Just as he thought Luo Hao was about to leave, Luo Hao suddenly threw a punch at Yusei.
Yusei merely tilted his head slightly. A gust of fierce wind roared past his ear, but he completely dodged it.
This sudden attack put Erica on high alert, and she immediately positioned herself protectively in front of Yusei.
Athena remained calm. Her strength was considerable, and she could sense the other party had no killing intent… it was just a simple punch.