Heroes Return

"Teacher! You're here!!" Justin's face lit up with excitement upon hearing the voice. Almost simultaneously, Lin Jie appeared before them.

As for the cultists the man brought with him? They had all been taken down sometime during the night.

"Get out! Don't ever tell anyone outside that you were brought out by me! It's shameful! I actually let this kind of scum get into a corner!" Lin Jie didn't get close to Justin, and directly grabbed Justin by the collar and threw him back onto the rooftop: "If your fists were faster, your punches would be faster, and your range of motion would be wider, and you could easily take down this guy."

"Teacher, I'm sorry."

Hearing Lin Jie's words, Justin lowered his head helplessly.

"Forget it, I shouldn't blame you this time. There's been a lot going on these past few days." Lin Jie sighed helplessly, then looked at Kuror who had just run over: "Sorry, something came up, so I couldn't make it to the concert on time."

"Thank you, Mr. Lin Jie. Thank you for saving us." Hearing Lin Jie's words, Kuror simply smiled and said to Mr. Lin Jie, "Thank you too, Mr. Justin."

"Speaking of which, who exactly are these people? Why did they arrest you?" Looking at the person on the ground, Lin Jie no longer felt sorry for him, because he had just received an investigation order that the president of the local hero association had been murdered in his office.

"They seem to be called something like the Church of the Gods..." Upon hearing this, Kuror thought for a moment and replied, "They said they wanted me to go with them or something."

"The Church of the Gods? That name sounds familiar." Hearing the other person's words, Lin Jie couldn't help but feel puzzled: "First the Council of Truth, and now the Church of the Gods? These cults are getting increasingly rampant lately! Or are there just a lot of people with chuunibyou these days?"

Even so, Lin Jie still had a vague feeling that something big was about to happen.

……

"Heh heh, no wonder he's called the Awakening Master! He actually ran away while we were talking!" Solomon sat back down in his seat with a hint of regret. "If he hadn't created an illusion and escaped immediately, we might have already taken down a member of the Council of Truth. But as expected of the Scepter of Truth! It actually fooled my eyes!"

She gazed at the surrounding scenery, still elegantly sipping her black tea. However, a cold flame burned within her gaze.

Chapter Four

"The Church of the Gods, speaking of which, there have been a lot of people marching in the streets lately, and they seem to be using the Church of the Gods' slogans." While thinking, Mary suddenly spoke up to the crowd.

"Huh? A parade?" Lin Jie was taken aback upon hearing the other person's words.

"Hey, are you even a hero? Don't you know something like this?"

"I've been busy lately, haven't I? So I've accumulated quite a few games that I haven't played, so I've hardly gone out at all," Lin Jie said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Hey, with so many big things happening lately, how come you haven't noticed at all?" Even Mary was surprised to hear Lin Jie's words.

"Mr. Lin Jie is an excellent hero! He just needs a little rest." Kuroru couldn't help but suddenly say to Lin Jie, "Also, Mr. Lin Jie, remember to treat me to a meal since I'm late for the concert!"

"Huh?" Lin Jie was somewhat puzzled by Kuror's words, but nodded nonetheless. Almost simultaneously, Leng Yan appeared in the local Hero Association, observing the scene before him. Leng Yan calmly addressed an official beside him, saying, "We now have grounds to arrest those members of the Church of the Gods. Their attack on the Hero Association and the killing of the local Hero Association president are enough to classify them as a terrorist organization."

As he spoke, the cold flame intensified, the blue flames burning continuously, the unusual coldness causing everyone present to feel a chill.

"A bunch of foolish and ignorant people! Just because of a few words about a cave, they're going to do something like this?" At this point, the temperature around Leng Yan dropped again: "They give up the freedom to walk with their heads held high, to be seen and respected, and instead choose to be lazy? You're trash without even dignity!!"

After saying this, Leng Yan walked straight outside.

Just as they arrived, the man who killed the local hero association president had vanished, leaving only traces of the battle.

“We just received news that Kuroro seems to have also become a target of the Church of the Gods.” The Master of Miracles’ voice suddenly rang in everyone’s ears: “Fortunately, it’s all over now.”

"Are you alright?" Hearing his words, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

"Send people to protect her immediately!! If possible, take her to the Hero Association headquarters." Leng Yan calmly issued his orders once again. After all, that was the only truly safe place in the world.

"Is an idol really that important?" Upon hearing the other party's order, an S-class hero suddenly asked.

“Her identity is very special, and she may very well become the key to solving this incident!” Master Miracles answered the question, but he did not intend to say anything more.

……

"Even today, large numbers of people are still gathering in front of government squares around the world to demonstrate," a reporter said in a live broadcast. "We are currently doing our best to calm the public."

During the live broadcast, large numbers of protesters appeared on the screen. These people gathered in front of the city hall, chanting, "It's not superpowers that can make our lives better; only God can protect us forever!"

"Get those freaks out of here! This world shouldn't be ruled by them! Our lives shouldn't be dictated by those freaks!!"

"Superpowers are dangerous and should be strictly regulated! God is the one who guides humanity's future."

"We need God's guidance, not the guidance of freaks!"

"Gods truly exist in this world! We should believe in faith and divine guidance, not just those with superpowers!!"

"Those freaks aren't heroes! We should worship the coming of God!!"

Such language permeated the entire space; shouts echoed everywhere, and all these people carried similar symbols—the symbols of the Church of the Gods. Many also held up placards bearing images of Zero, except that Zero in the photo had been crossed out with a large red X. They seemed to be trying to express their stance: they didn't need superheroes to oversee crime; they needed God to guide them.

Almost immediately, news of these marches and the impending return of the gods spread throughout the world. In the past few days, the number of people marching in the name of the Church of the Gods has steadily increased. The Church of the Gods can be seen in almost every major city.

According to our latest report, in City O, members of the Church of Gods attacked the local Hero Association and killed its president. The incident is extremely serious! Further investigation is underway. It is understood that a similar incident occurred in City M, where the Church of Gods demanded independence. These protesters shot and killed police officers and Class D heroes who came to maintain order, and caused disturbances in City M, looting ordinary people's homes. The Hero Association and local forces have begun suppressing these individuals.

Another breaking news report: Just hours ago, in U City, protesters calling themselves the Church of the Gods, in an attempt to proclaim the imminent arrival of their so-called God, killed an A-level hero who came to maintain order and crucified him!

We have now classified them as thugs! Anyone involved in inciting unrest in the name of the Church of God will be arrested!

A beautiful young girl is sitting in front of the television, watching the latest news broadcast on the screen.

"Are you still watching TV? Come and eat." Lin Wan's voice suddenly rang out.

"I understand," the girl said, then left the room and headed towards the restaurant.

"Xiao Meier! There's something I really want to ask you before we eat!!" Just as the girl arrived at the table, Lin Wan, her forehead covered in bulging veins, suddenly spoke up: "Did you take apart my new cleaning robot?"

"Sister Wan'er... um..." Hearing Lin Wan's words, the girl said somewhat shyly, "Actually, I was just curious. After all, I've been asleep for seven thousand years, and I never expected that human tools would become so interesting when I woke up. They can create such interesting mechanisms without using any spells or magic."

"But you've been here for a month, haven't you? You've already dismantled thirty pieces of furniture!!" Hearing this, Lin Wan finally couldn't hold back anymore: "Do you know how hard it is for me to buy electricity every day? Thanks to you, our family is in serious financial trouble this month."

"I'm sorry, Sister Wan'er, I'll try my best to be more careful in the future. Unless I'm really curious, I absolutely won't take it apart!"

"Hey! Are you saying you'd take things apart if you find something interesting?" Lin Wan covered her forehead upon hearing Xiao Meier's words. Since bringing Xiao Meier back, Lin Jie had returned to his otaku lifestyle, spending all his time playing games in his room. As for Xiao Meier, she adapted to modern life quickly. The only price, however, was breaking thirty electronic devices in a month.

"There's no way around it, I used to be an expert in mechanical arts. Of course I'd be interested in something new." Xiao Meier said to Lin Wan with a smile, "I know Sister Wan'er is the best, so please forgive me. I'll try to think of a way to solve your financial problems later."

"Sigh..." Seeing Xiao Meier's adorable way of acting cute and coquettish towards her, and remembering that she was actually an ancient person from a thousand years ago, Lin Wan ultimately didn't say anything more. However, after spending some time together, she found that Xiao Meier's personality was quite different from the gentle and demure type of women from ancient times.

"Well, after all, the times we live in now are vastly different from those of a thousand years ago. It's normal for you to be curious."

“Speaking of which, Sister Wan’er, there’s something I’ve never understood,” Xiao Mei’er suddenly said. “Did my father say before he died that the future world should belong to humanity? Looking back a thousand years later, humanity has indeed become very powerful, but why are we still so foolish? Our foolishness hasn’t changed at all over the past thousand years.”

"Huh? Foolish? You're saying people today are just as foolish as people in ancient times?"

"Yes! They haven't learned a single lesson from the past!" Xiao Meier said with a smile, "They're already free, yet they still insist on being used as pawns. They clearly have the ability to make independent judgments, but when others instigate them, they blindly believe no matter how unreliable the idea is, and then willingly become pawns and tools for others. In the end, it's still their own people harming their own people."

"You mean the recent protests?" Hearing Xiao Meier's words and seeing the smile on her lips, he sighed helplessly, "Who knows! But things are really chaotic outside lately. Even Mu Mu is on holiday. That bastard of a brother of mine is nowhere to be found today and hasn't come back for dinner yet. You shouldn't go out either. You're so pretty; it wouldn't be good if you ran into any trouble."

"Don't worry. I'm not that easy to deal with. Besides, I actually saw those so-called gods on TV a thousand years ago." Xiao Meier said with a smile, "In fact, if no one worships them and forgets them as much as possible, those gods will disappear. But they insist on being slaves to the things they imagine. I really can't understand it."

"There are too many things in this world that are hard to understand." Just as Xiao Meier was speaking, Lin Jie's voice rang out.

"Brother's back!!" "Mr. Lin Jie!"

Almost immediately, Tristan and Mumu, who were eating at the table, ran straight to the door.

"Is Junior Brother Lin back?" Upon hearing Lin Jie's voice, Xiao Meier smiled and looked at Lin Jie.

"Hey, you look younger than me, right? Shouldn't you call me senior brother?"

“No! She’s over a thousand years older than you! She should be your senior sister no matter what,” Xiao Meier replied.

chapter Five

"Speaking of which, bro! Did you get fired by the Hero Association because of those negative news stories? Did they revoke your hero license or something?" Just as Lin Jie was talking to Xiao Meier, Lin Wan's gaze suddenly fell on Lin Jie: "But don't worry, bro, even if everyone outside thinks you're a freak, I'll still believe in you. After all, you're a great hero!"

"...Weiwei! What the hell is this negative news about me? You even saw that ridiculous report? I suddenly feel like I might as well just die!!!" Hearing Lin Wan's words, Lin Jie couldn't help but show a pained expression: "And how exactly did you deduce that I was fired!!! Have some faith in your older brother, okay!"

“But…brother, haven’t you been staying home for a week already? Plus, with all the recent negative news about you, I’m wondering if your hero license has been revoked and you’re too embarrassed to tell us…” Lin Wan said, while looking at Lin Jie with sympathy.

"Hey, are you that kind of sensitive person? If my hero license gets revoked, I'll definitely tell you frankly. That way you won't be able to call me out to work every day! And I'll have a reason to go back to my original life." Lin Jie said to Lin Wan with a smile.

"While there's some truth to what he said, and my brother would certainly do that, why does it make me want to punch someone after hearing it..." Lin Wan clenched her fist as she pondered Lin Jie's words.

"Don't worry, I went out today, didn't I?"

"Isn't that because your game console and game discs were taken apart, bro?" Lin Wan immediately responded after hearing Lin Jie's words.

"Could we please not mention this..." Upon understanding Lin Wan's words, Lin Jie immediately clutched his chest and revealed a sorrowful expression: "My game console, my computer, my tablet, my communicator, my... I don't want to think about them..."

"I'm sorry, Junior Brother Lin, please forgive me. How about I compensate you with the Eastern Emperor Bell?" Xiao Meier patted Lin Jie's shoulder apologetically.

"I don't want it! Who wants that kind of thing! I want my gaming equipment!" Lin Jie shook his head without hesitation.

"Alright, I'll make you something new when I have time." Xiao Meier was quite carefree, and said to Lin Jie with a smile, before returning to the dining table: "Speaking of which, Sister Wan'er's cooking is really delicious."

"Hey, why do you call me 'sister' when you're with my sister, but when you're with me, I become 'junior brother'?!" Lin Jie asked unhappily after hearing Xiao Meier's words.

"Although I'm over 30 years old, my physical age is actually only 17! There's nothing wrong with calling you Sister Wan'er! As for you, I entered the sect more than a thousand years earlier than you! I should be considered your senior sister no matter what!" As she spoke, Xiao Mei'er made a face at Lin Jie.

"Speaking of which, what kind of person was Master Xiao Sansheng? What was he like during his lifetime?" Lin Jie suddenly asked Xiao Meier with some doubt.

"Dad? To be honest, I haven't seen my father that many times. After all, since I was old enough to understand, my father has been an enemy of Kunlun, and I've always lived with my mother. The few times I did see my father, he always had a smile on his face! No matter the situation, my father was always smiling." Xiao Meier recalled, "It's like my father only knows how to smile. In my memory, my father is always smiling. Even when my father was at odds with everyone, the smile on his face never disappeared."

"Always laughing? That really does sound like your father's name! Laughing Three Lives." Lin Jie thought for a moment and then said, "Speaking of which, why did Senior Laughing Three Lives make enemies of everyone?"

"I don't remember. Back then, all the cultivators in the world joined forces to set up a grand scheme, but it seems that my father ruined it in the end." Xiao Meier thought for a moment, and then said, "But one thing I am very clear about is that my father is much more handsome than you."

"There's no need to talk about this, and don't bring up a man's face. It's just that you women don't know how to appreciate it," Lin Jie said helplessly, then turned his gaze back to the news on TV.

……

Meanwhile, while Lin Jie and his family were chatting, in a certain city, a newspaper office was also busy. The editor-in-chief, Thomas, was reviewing the latest material. As an editor known for digging up scandals of heroes, he had a considerable following. After all, in an era where heroes saving lives was commonplace, scandals involving heroes were more likely to grab attention.

In Thomas's eyes, heroes are undoubtedly the best money-making tool.

If Thomas were to describe the present era, he would only praise it, because it is an era in which everyone can speak freely, and as one of the editors of the Free Press, he enjoys a very high social status and public profile.

In Thomas's own words, "Even those superpowered freaks have to treat me with utmost respect. If they anger me, they'll be ruined!"

Indeed, as a news media outlet, while he cannot slander heroes, he can use ambiguous and specious language to mislead his readers, guiding them to interpret things in the way he desires. Hiring online trolls to stir up trouble and smear a person or place is incredibly easy. After all, he doesn't need to be held accountable for his actions.

In fact, Thomas didn't even feel the slightest bit of remorse. In his view, this was a divinely bestowed ability, a superpower. How he used it was entirely up to him. He was the representative of public opinion, the symbol of the people, the voice of the people, because he believed his words represented the majority online.

"Editor-in-chief, will we continue reporting on the scandals of those heroes in this issue? We're ready to continue interviewing the victims of the previous story about a hero called 'Club Man' harassing people in the women's restroom," a junior reporter said to Thomas.

"Who wants to deal with such trivial matters!" Thomas interrupted the young reporter's report. "I have no interest in such things! We should be reporting on the big issues!"

"But other media outlets are reporting on those big events, aren't they?" the young reporter asked, puzzled.

"I'm referring to recent news about the Church of Gods."

"That? But all the media outlets have been reporting on it lately, and it's already been designated as an incitement to terrorism." The reporter asked疑惑地, "Editor-in-chief, is there some new information?"

"Of course, I'm going to interview a few of the Church of the Gods marchers," Thomas said with a smile. "Since everyone is reporting on and smearing them, let's do the opposite! Hahaha! I'm sure my readers are looking forward to seeing a twist, to satisfy their fantasies about conspiracy theories. And since we're going to grab attention, we naturally have to write something different from everyone else."