Inaba Tsukiyo and Fu Hua first took a plane to Canghai City in Guangzhou. To avoid arousing suspicion from others, the two took a civilian flight.
Upon arriving in Guangzhou, they did not immediately go to investigate the Honkai Energy location. Their initial purpose for coming here was to scout whether Anti-Entropy members were present.
A few days later, Himeko also arrived in Guangzhou to meet up with the two and share their existing information.
"It's pretty much confirmed that Anti-Entropy will send people to snatch the xuanyuan sword used to seal Chiyou inside his body. However, we haven't found any trace of Anti-Entropy; they're probably hiding."
"Hmm, these past few days we've been investigating intelligence about 'Jiuyou.' Classmate Inaba has been helping to watch out for any suspicious individuals approaching."
Even if her eyes couldn't see, Inaba Tsukiyo's 'eyes' could play a very significant role; at least, those Anti-Entropy people couldn't approach them without being detected.
Inaba Tsukiyo was responsible for observing hidden places, while Fu Hua was responsible for dealing with enemies in the open.
Unlike ordinary Valkyrie, Fu Hua's combat strength was not as simple as it seemed; with just one encounter, she could knock down her opponent.
During their investigation, they discovered a silk book recording information about Jiuyou. This was a very crucial clue, something from a long time ago.
However, just when they thought they could find the detailed address of Jiuyou from this silk book, there was no address information inside. Instead, it was a bunch of cooking recipes.
If it weren't for the significant historical importance of this silk book, the short-tempered Himeko would probably have torn it to shreds by now.
"What does it matter? Perhaps the person who left this silk book recorded these things to document the favorite foods of someone they loved. Although the handwriting is a bit blurry, it's clearly a Boy's handwriting."
Although somewhat messy, it was evident from here that it was a Boy's handwriting.
Since it was a Boy's handwriting, then recording these recipes must have been to document the tastes of the person he liked.
"Why do I feel like your words are directed at me? Are you implying that the reason I don't understand is because no Boy cooks for me?"
Himeko glared at Inaba Tsukiyo, annoyed. She always felt that Inaba Tsukiyo was deliberately saying these things to subtly point out her status as a single, older woman.
"How could that be… You are a very beautiful girl. Your figure is the best among all the people I know."
Himeko's figure could indeed be described as top-notch; even Kallen or Yae Sakura couldn't compare.
However, everyone has their own unique charm. While her figure might not compare, Inaba Tsukiyo preferred Yae Sakura more, perhaps due to Kallen or because she preferred the 'wife' type of girls.
Of course, her love for Victorica would never change; Victorica's cuteness was incomparable.
Just as Inaba Tsukiyo and Himeko were bickering, her gaze shifted to a spot not far away.
Although there were obstacles blocking the view, Inaba Tsukiyo could very clearly sense a very familiar person there.
'An-Mar… Hehehe~ I didn't expect you to come along this time too? Perfect, perfect. We can settle the score for hurting Bronya before.'
Inaba Tsukiyo had long wanted to deal with this person, but because of Bronya, she hadn't acted. Now she finally had the chance.
While Fu Hua and Himeko were tensely searching for information about Jiuyou, Kiana, sitting on the other side, kept asking the waiter for more dishes.
In some ways, Kiana and Theresa were very similar. This mission only needed her, Fu Hua, and Himeko, so why did Himeko bring Kiana along later?
"I say… is it really okay for you to eat so much? We've barely eaten anything; it seems like you've eaten all of this."
Inaba Tsukiyo only ordered a steamed custard bun she liked, Fu Hua drank tea, Himeko drank alcohol, and almost all the steamer baskets on the table were Kiana's masterpiece.
This girl… she wasn't polite at all. The first thing she did upon arriving at the restaurant was eat, constantly eating. She ate so much, yet her stomach didn't seem to change.
Inaba Tsukiyo's words drew the attention of Fu Hua and Himeko. Seeing the baskets in front of Kiana, Fu Hua pushed up her glasses, and Himeko looked at her with a face full of black lines.
"The reason I asked you to come along was for the mission, not to treat you to a meal."
Himeko seriously doubted if she had invited a lord over. Why was she so foolish to bring Kiana along?
"What does it matter? Don't people in Shenzhou say: 'People are iron, rice is steel; one meal missed makes you weak.' If you don't fill your stomach properly, how can you complete the mission?"
Most importantly, these were Shenzhou dishes! Both the variety and taste were excellent. As a foodie, Kiana couldn't control her desires and wished she could order every dish on the menu.
"You only use the right words for things like this. Why don't you apply this careful thought to your studies? Then the last tutoring session wouldn't have been so painful."
This girl clearly healed her scars and forgot the pain. Had she forgotten the previous hell? She truly didn't understand why she had such a big heart.
"Let me make it clear, I didn't bring that much money this time. We're going Dutch, so you'd better have money to pay. We won't help you."
Kiana, who was happily eating, suddenly froze. Thinking of something, her forehead gradually became covered in cold sweat.
The month hadn't even passed yet, and her allowance hadn't arrived. This month's money was mostly spent on games last time, so she had no money to pay the bill.
"No! Sister Himeko! If you don't help, I'll have to stay here and wash dishes! I believe the beautiful and kind Sister Himeko definitely wouldn't let such a thing happen, right?"
To avoid staying to wash dishes and to prevent Himeko from taking her money, Kiana completely infantilized herself, clinging to Himeko in a childish voice, looking at Himeko with teary eyes, pleading.
(fuhai: For this action, you can refer to the manga extra where Kiana plays Honkai Impact 3, specifically the part where Kiana asks Fu Hua to borrow money to buy outfits.)
If a Boy saw Kiana's pouting, he might have fallen for it, but Himeko was a girl, and a girl with very rich life experience at that.
Himeko, covered in goosebumps, glared at Kiana with a # mark on her face, ready to pick her up and throw her back to her seat.
"Alright, now is not the time to cause a commotion. Anti-Entropy's people are still unknown, and it would be too troublesome to expose ourselves prematurely. I'll pay your bill this time, but when we go back, I'll ask Academy Director Theresa for it. Afterward, I'll have the Academy Director deduct the cost of your meal from your allowance."
"Eh? H-how can you! I'll die without pocket money! I can't even afford instant noodles anymore!"
Kiana looked at Inaba Tsukiyo with some despair. She was almost out of money for food, and the price of this meal might be more than her entire month's allowance.
If Theresa really deducted it from her allowance, then several months' worth of her allowance would be spent on this one meal.
(fuhai: This reminds me of an episode of Doraemon, the check that can overdraw future assets.)
Inaba Tsukiyo didn't continue to pay attention to Kiana's consciousness; instead, she sat quietly in her seat, as if asleep, ignoring Kiana's actions.
Fu Hua was searching online for information about Jiuyou, but the information only stated that Jiuyou was in the deepest part of the underground.
However, they had already searched many places before and couldn't find the detailed address of Jiuyou, which made Himeko very anxious.
Actually, the reason for coming this time, besides preventing Anti-Entropy from getting the divine key that sealed Chiyou, was also for Himeko's lifespan issue.
Ji Xuanyuan was the first person to possess a Stigmata. If they could find Ji Xuanyuan's traces, they might be able to find a way to deal with the Stigmata on Himeko's body and extend her life.
Himeko was truly very hardworking; a large portion of the Valkyrie from her generation had left this world due to the Stigmata.
For years, Himeko had been fighting her destiny, and her strong will kept her alive.
"Oh? You're looking for Jiuyou? Maybe I can help you."
At this moment, a strange Boy came to their table, completely unfazed, and casually joined the conversation of the four charming girls.
This Boy's actions attracted the attention of many people in the restaurant. In fact, many had already been watching Inaba Tsukiyo and her companions since they sat down.
It's worth noting that Inaba Tsukiyo, Fu Hua, Himeko, and Kiana were all beautiful girls. This place was a dream for every Boy, and many Boys wanted to come over and say hello.
Now, seeing a Boy actually approach, everyone else in the restaurant was drawn in, curious to see what would happen.
Himeko thought he was trying to hit on them and didn't give him a kind look. The others were also busy with their own things, completely ignoring the Boy's intentions.
Seeing himself ignored, the Boy didn't get angry. He smiled and pulled out a comic book from his person.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm a manga artist, more or less. This is my work."
"Huh? This... isn't this... Haxxor Bunny Adventure! And it's the latest edition. Are you the author of Haxxor Bunny Adventure, Teacher Mu Yue!"
Kiana excitedly looked at the Boy who had approached them. As one of the readers of Haxxor Bunny Adventure, she was very familiar with it.
..."Haxxor Bunny Adventure?"
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