I became the emperor in the comic book series.

[A special building bearing traces of extraordinary features has been detected on the host. System update in progress.]

[System upgrade successful]

[The Thousand Emperors Training System 2.0 is at your service]

[A brand new main storyline begins: Divine right of kings, theocracy]

[As emperor, please quickly acquire your own shrine, ascend to the divine throne, and be rewarded with authority: Bonds (Completed)]

[As emperor, please acquire your own subjects as soon as possible. For every 1000 subjects, the number of times you can be granted a divine mandate will increase by 1 (in progress: 113/1000)]

[As the emperor, please bestow an official title upon a civilized subordinate deity as soon as possible. For each subordinate deity you possess, you will receive a guaranteed bonus of +1 to your attribute value and +1000 to your daily Qi (in progress)]

Since Akira Higashino took over the shrine, the system has been triggered to upgrade and has started to advance automatically, just like when he first took over the property and successfully activated the system because he owned the land.

Upon receiving the mission, since the deity originally worshipped by the priests of the Kōyō-hime Shrine for generations had passed away, there was no question of disrespect. Akira would not refuse the request of Akira Higashino, the current chief priest of the shrine. So, he wrote down his name and stamped the paper with his seal, and it was sent to the deepest part of the main hall where the deity's body was originally enshrined.

The information on Akira Higashino's personal panel also changed accordingly.

[Emperor: Akira Higashino]

[Spirit: 9]

[Constitution: 6]

[23.7 views]

[Authorities: Aura Observation, Imperial Conferment, Affinity Formation]

[Land area: 2.37 square kilometers]

[Harem: 2]

The 2.37 square kilometers of land is only about one in 160,000 of the total area of ​​Japan, but for Akira Higashino, it represents an unprecedented daily monetary reward starting at 237 million yen.

Akira Higashino could save up the 168 billion yen lost by the Toyokawa Group due to Shoko Toyokawa's father's poor decision-making in just about seventy days.

As long as he doesn't compare his assets with behemoths like the Shinomiya Group, money really isn't much to Akira Higashino these days.

He was even considering how to expand his business as quickly as possible to cover up this huge income, or even how to spend some of the money by hiring more employees. Otherwise, if the money was only coming in and not coming out, even if the system legitimately handed the money over to him through various traceable channels, over time, all of it would be illiquid deposits, which would be very conspicuous and might even shake the economic environment of the entire island nation.

Of course, money shouldn't be spent carelessly. No matter how much money Akira Higashino has, not a single penny is superfluous. If spending money doesn't bring him any benefits in other areas, then it's just a pure waste.

Using it to increase the number of subjects is an ideal direction.

Subjects are not like close advisors, so there's no need to worry about revealing secrets to them. Higashino Akira doesn't intend to rely entirely on his own imperial decrees, as that would be too exhausting. Any imperial decree would consume his energy, and the importance of imperial decrees to him is self-evident.

Before he has enough power to protect himself, Higashino Akira tends to preserve and accumulate as much energy as possible.

Therefore, the way to increase the number of subjects should probably be from the perspective of naturalization.

Acquire more properties and hire more people.

Then, if the money is high enough and the benefits are good enough, someone will eventually be willing to work there. The only solution is to never hire them again.

Once the number of subjects reaches the required standard, one can attempt to bestow divine titles. This is the crucial way to truly enhance Akira Higashino's own strength and provide him with sufficient combat power in the mystical realm of supernatural beings.

No matter how much money you have, it's all the same if you're gone.

As long as you're alive, you can always save money again.

The next day, after bidding a reluctant farewell to the reluctant Amamiya Akira, Higashino Akira got into Hiratsuka Shizuka's car, and the three of them and their cat returned to Tokyo.

Who is the third person?

This is Motoyo Nagasaki, a high school student with a melancholic air, who is also a widow from Tokyo.

The day after the New Year, this person went to Okumizome alone, intending to find Higashino Akira directly. However, he was busy with his grandfather's funeral arrangements and was rarely at the shrine, returning only late at night. Faced with this situation, even a god like Nagasaki Motoyo couldn't say much. He could only befriend Amatsume Akira while staying at the shrine to help out and try to find out about Higashino Akira's situation, attempting to discover the reason why he and Kosho might have crossed paths.

Seeing that she had indeed been helping in a down-to-earth manner and was actually quite normal when it didn't involve Toyokawa Shoko, Higashino Akira didn't take her little thoughts to heart and directly told her that he and Shoko were a couple.

Xiangzi, on the other hand, was extremely annoyed by Su Shi's daily private conversations with Higashino Akira about how good the members of CRYCHIC used to be, what stories had happened, and her attempts to contact Su Shi through Higashino Akira.

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P.S.: There are still 33 chapters left. I'm still writing, but don't wait, read them when you wake up tomorrow morning.

Chapter Forty-Three: Did I kill Ku Lai Xi Ku?

And so, on his way back to Tokyo, he found himself lying in the same bed as Akira Higashino.

As soon as she turned back into a human, Toyokawa Shoko took out her phone, found Nagasaki Motoyo's account, and unblocked her.

When Toyokawa Shoko saw the dense array of unread messages and red dots, she felt a chill run down her spine.

Xiangzi: 'I can never go back to CRYCHIC. If Su Shi still considers me a friend, then please stop bothering me!'

Su Shi: 'Xiao Xiang! You finally replied to me!'

People can actually laugh when they're speechless!

Higashino Akira held Toyokawa Shoko in his arms. Despite Shoko's blunt words, Nagasaki Motoyo was surprised and overjoyed when she saw Shoko's reply, not sad. She couldn't contain herself when Shoko replied.

Suddenly, a hellish joke popped into his head.

Everyone says rock bands play rock, jazz bands play jazz, and rap bands play rap, so what should girl bands play?

hiss…!

This girl band is so harmful!

Maybe Lonely Rock really made the right decision this time!

Xiangzi: 'If you really like bands that much, just find a keyboard, stop nagging me! No one is indispensable!'

Su Shi: 'No! Xiao Xiang is special! CRYCHIC is only complete when Xiao Xiang is present!'

Su Shi: 'Because Xiao Xiang is the soul of CRYCHIC!'

Su Shi: 'I know Xiao Xiang has his own difficulties. We're in this together, so let's support each other, work together to overcome these challenges, strive to make the band successful, achieve commercialization, debut, earn money, and solve Xiangzi's problems. Just like Deng Xiang did, let's build a great band for life!'

Su Shi: 'This time I won't let you bear this alone, Xiao Xiang, come back.'

You can feel the intense obsession even through the screen. If this woman were to suddenly disappear, she would probably become a terrible evil spirit.

Akira Higashino couldn't help but think this.

At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of charm Xiangzi possessed that could bewitch such a perfectly good high school girl like this, as if she were under a spell.

This is way too weird!

Xiangzi: '...'

Xiangzi: 'It's not about the money. 168 billion is a lot, but it's not enough to bankrupt the Toyotakawa family.'

Xiangzi: 'I have someone I like, the one you met before. He's quite possessive and doesn't want me to perform with the band. He comes to see me every day, and I really enjoy being with him, so... that's it.'

The message was sent, and then the person was blocked again.

I can't take it anymore; if we keep talking, I feel my blood pressure is going to rise.

On the other end of the call, Nagasaki Motoyo typed rapidly.

'A lie!'

'Xiao Xiang is lying to me, isn't he?'

'How could that kind of person be Xiao Xiang's type!'

Before the message was sent, the red exclamation mark reappeared, prompting that the other party needed to be added as a friend first.

Even after her phone slipped from her hand and foot onto the bed, Nagasaki Motoyo, her hands and feet ice-cold, was still muttering to herself, "A lie...it was all a lie..."

The light in the girl's eyes gradually dimmed, and a shadow fell over them.

Xiao Xiang must have been deceived. They actually tricked her into abandoning everyone she cared about. That person doesn't deserve Xiao Xiang's affection at all. She will definitely find a way to prove everything to Xiao Xiang and then bring her back.

Even at the cost of everything...

……

Akira Higashino was unaware of Nagasaki Motoyo's emotional state, only knowing that he was starting to lose control after seeing the chat messages.

No, how can you eat melon seeds and end up eating your own head?

So, it was I who killed CRYCHIC?

Hajixiang, you'll say anything to avoid trouble. You're really only thinking about yourself!

He subconsciously used a little force, which made the girl in his arms let out a soft moan.

"I didn't know Xiangzi liked me so much, this is wonderful."

"I'm so sorry, I was confused for a moment and said something so irresponsible. I will definitely make it up to you with those stockings!"

“I think compensation can be made now.”

Higashino Akira was trying to push his luck, but Toyokawa Shoko forcefully brought her legs together again. "No, there's simply not enough time. If I turn back halfway, I'll die!"

"Even I would be unhappy."

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko turned around, blushed, closed her eyes shyly, gently kissed him, and asked in a trembling voice.

"Is this...okay?"

Higashino Akira didn't answer. Instead, he lowered his head and captured the girl's delicate lips in a long, deep kiss that nearly suffocated the inexperienced girl.

Looking at the girl who had opened her eyes, her gaze trembling, her eyes brimming with tears, Higashino Akira said seriously.

"That was Xiangzi's affection for me, this is my possessiveness towards Xiangzi."

He's just that petty; he takes revenge on the spot and tries not to let bad moods linger overnight.

Toyokawa Shoko gazed at him with somewhat unfocused eyes, her moist lips reflecting the dappled light.

He hadn't made a move before to give Toyokawa Shoko time to accept reality, but now that she had taken a step forward, Higashino Akira was no longer going to remain indifferent.

"Do you have any ideas about the strange changes that happened to Xiangzi?"

To succeed in local elite circles without being ostracized, having the right connections is essential. Sometimes, success depends not on having a market or sufficient capital, but on whether others will dislike you and deliberately cause trouble.

The Toyokawa family's background will be a good springboard for Akira Higashino's future development.

Once a suitable spirit is found and conferred the title of deity, we can then attempt to solve Xiangzi's problem. Therefore, it is also a good time to start the investigation in advance to obtain enough information to pave the way for future actions.

Upon hearing this, Toyokawa Shoko nodded, but did not elaborate. She had originally planned to ask Higashino Akira for help, but when she thought about the potential dangers involved and the fact that he had two younger sisters who needed his care, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

It's despicable to make others risk their lives for your safety.

If he were to die unexpectedly as a result, Toyokawa Shoko didn't know how she would face the two girls who would be left with no one to rely on.

Higashino Akira could roughly guess some of her thoughts and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm not that reckless. I will definitely make preparations before taking action and try to hire people to do it. If things don't work out, I will prioritize my own safety."

"After all, Xiangzi can now last for about half an hour, and he might be able to last even longer in the future. Even if he doesn't take any risks, it's actually enough."

Honestly, although I appreciate your frankness...

But it doesn't make me happy at all!

When the time was up, Toyokawa Shoko turned back into a kitten, sighed helplessly at the person, and crawled into bed to sleep.

She plans to reconsider whether or not to tell him she'll accept his help.

Although he is indeed very reliable, it involves some unpredictable situations that cannot be resolved with just fists.

Chapter Forty-Four: A Corner for Master Mu!

Seeing the bright number 63 above the head of the kitten that Xiangzi had transformed into, Higashino Akira smiled.

What era are we living in? Still playing the tsundere card? This already puts her at the passing grade.

For some reason, Xiangzi reminds me of a slut. I didn't give her any gifts, but I touched and pinched her every day, and occasionally teased her by poking her. Seeing her shy and crying expression, I ended up having such a high level of affection for her without even realizing it.

Although Xiangzi's favorability towards him has been slowly increasing since he learned that he planned to help her break the curse.

It seems there's a chance it could break seventy, and if it successfully resolves Xiangzi's problems, it might even surpass eighty.

But after taking such a huge risk, this little growth is probably less appealing than bullying Xiao Xiang!

Choosing the right method is more important than hard work. If Nagasaki Motoyo were to go up and hug Toyokawa Shoko, and give her a monthly QQ Space membership, she could turn the breathy Shoko into a soft and cuddly Shoko!

Who knows, I might have the talent to become a corner master!

"Xiangzi".

Suddenly called by name, the kitten crawled out of its bed and looked up at him.