Heroes Return

Chapter 20

Leaving aside the envy and jealousy many people felt towards Dou Dou, somewhere in H City, Tian Xiaoshu sat anxiously in her room. Looking at the girl who appeared before her, Tian Xiaoshu couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Qian? Are you that you?"

"What do you think?" Hearing her question, Solomon simply smiled and said to Tian Xiaoshu, "Actually, I'm not dead!"

"I don't believe it. You're not Xiaoxi." Upon hearing Solomon's words, Tian Xiaoshu shook her head directly.

Recently, quite a few people have come looking for her. As Lin Jie's old classmate, and especially since Lin Jie had always helped her during the Zero Era, Tian Xiaoshu naturally received a lot of special attention. However, even so, she doesn't seem to intend to completely reveal Lin Jie's disappearance.

"Hehe, you noticed? It seems Xiaoxi has done a lot of different things these past few years." Hearing Tian Xiaoshu's words, Solomon couldn't help but say, "Now I'm actually a little envious of this puppet."

"A puppet?" Tian Xiaoshu was puzzled when she heard Solomon's words.

“That’s right. Actually, Xiaoqian was just a stand-in for me from the very beginning, the one whose bed photos were used to take my place at work.” Solomon sat down on the sofa in front of Tian Xiaoshu and said softly to her, “I just didn’t expect that she would develop an independent will after that.”

"Even if that's the case, is there any evidence?" Facing Solomon's statement, Tian Xiaoshu didn't elaborate directly. Perhaps because of his face, Tian Xiaoshu subconsciously frowned when she saw him. Her tone also seemed to deliberately contradict him.

"What, you don't like her at all? If I'm not mistaken, you two should know each other, right? In the past. And you seemed to have a pretty close relationship."

“Our relationship is terrible! I hate that girl the most.” Hearing Solomon’s words, Tian Xiaoshu suddenly spoke up to Solomon, “If it weren’t for her, Lin Jie wouldn’t have… wouldn’t have…”

At this point, Tian Xiaoshu couldn't continue.

"Hehe, it seems you really like Mr. Lin Jie." Solomon chuckled, looking at Tian Xiaoshu's expression.

"..." Upon hearing Solomon's words, Tian Xiaoshu suddenly calmed down: "What exactly did you come here for? What do you want from me? You devil."

Seeing Tian Xiaoshu suddenly calm down, Solomon was somewhat surprised, but a smile quickly returned to her lips. It seemed she was right; this woman really did know everything. And since she knew everything, her relationship with Lin Jie must be quite extraordinary, right?

For a moment, Solomon's mind flashed back to the scenes of Lin Jie, Xiao Qian, and Tian Xiaoshu spending time together in the past. For some reason, she felt a strange envy for Xiao Qian.

"I just came to ask you a question, do you think that's okay? I know everything about what happened between Mr. Lin Jie and Xiao Qian in the past." Seeing Tian Xiaoshu's puzzled expression, Solomon suddenly said, "Mr. Lin Jie has already told me everything! About you and Xiao Qian."

"Lin Jie?" Tian Xiaoshu looked surprised when she heard her words.

“Don’t worry, I promised Mr. Lin Jie that I wouldn’t tell anyone about these things. Demons still keep their contracts.” Solomon said as he came to Tian Xiaoshu’s side: “All surveillance here has been cut off, and no one can hear our conversation now. Besides, you don’t need to hide anything from me, I know everything that happened in the past.”

"Really? Lin Jie told you everything?" Hearing her words, Tian Xiaoshu finally sat down. There was an inevitable hint of sadness in her expression.

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. You should know why Lin Jie did all this. But do you really think this is a good thing?" Looking at Tian Xiaoshu in front of him, Solomon spoke again: "If Lin Jie really is Xiaoqian, then you'll have no hope left."

"I know! But... I can't stop him!" Hearing her words, Tian Xiaoshu suddenly couldn't help but say, "I don't have the power to stop him either. Lin Jie has already given enough, and now he wants to pursue his own happiness. I can't stop him. At least I don't want to see him lose the chance to see that bad woman again."

"Since you already know that Xiaoxi is a bad woman, why do you still say that? It's a contradiction to think that way!" Solomon asked Tian Xiaoshu again.

"I know! But Lin Jie was very happy when he was with Zi Ai!" After saying this, Tian Xiaoshu said nothing more. She just sat there calmly watching Tian Xiaoshu.

After a long silence, Solomon suddenly spoke to Tian Xiaoshu, saying, "Do you know why you can't beat Xiaoqian?"

"..."

“Because Xiaoqian is a demon herself, and for demons, they’ll get what they want no matter the means. So we demons will seize what we like without hesitation, and you seem to only give in. Giving in under the guise of making the other person happy.” Solomon said, his gaze turning to Lin Jie again: “Do you think it’s really good for Lin Jie to continue like this? If he really succeeds, how will Xiaoqian react when she sees all this? You should know very well, right? After all, you’ve spent five years with Xiaoqian.”

“Xiaoqian…” Hearing Solomon’s words, Tian Xiaoshu’s eyes became somewhat dazed, and Xiaoqian from his memories began to appear little by little.

Yes, if Xiaoqian saw Lin Jie risking so much harm to revive her, would she really be happy? This wicked woman seems to only care about herself. In that case, Xiaoqian probably wouldn't care, right? On the contrary, she'd be very happy, wouldn't she? After all, she is... she's that kind of girl...

But, if Xiaoqian saw Lin Jie now... would she really be happy?

Tian Xiaoshu was so absorbed in her thoughts that she unconsciously forgot about time.

"Maybe... she won't be happy?" Tian Xiaoshu said, sounding uncertain.

"So, what are your true feelings?" Solomon said again, "Hehe, I'm very curious about what your true feelings are."

“I…” Upon hearing Solomon’s words, Tian Xiaoshu’s eyes once again showed a confused expression.

"Alright, I won't bother you any longer. I think I need to prepare myself too. Although he's very powerful, I guess I have no choice but to find a way to fight him now. I hope we'll meet again in the future." Solomon said, getting up to leave Tian Xiaoshu's side.

"Do you like him too?" A sudden question rang in Solomon's ears. Hearing this, Solomon froze. After a long, stiff silence, he turned to Tian Xiaoshu and said, "We're enemies now, so let's not talk about this. I'm sorry to bother you, I just wanted to chat with someone before fighting Zero."

"Is that so? I understand." Tian Xiaoshu replied upon hearing her words. Although it was unclear what Tian Xiaoshu understood, Solomon did indeed leave the spot.

……

"Miss, where do we go next?" A magical girl appeared beside Solomon.

“Let’s go. It’s time to contact Leng Yan. Although we know there’s a huge difference in strength, it seems we can’t accept the challenge.” Alice said, pointing towards the Hero Association. “We have to fight, no matter what.”

……

Inside her room, Tian Xiaoshu looked at the scene outside and asked, "Lin Jie... what will happen to you after this?"

At this point, images of the three of them from the past flashed through Tian Xiaoshu's mind once again. There was no doubt that Lin Jie was doing something wrong, and this action could potentially indirectly harm many innocent people. Tian Xiaoshu was well aware of this, but she also knew Lin Jie's character perfectly well.

If Lin Jie succeeds, he will bear a deep sense of guilt. Perhaps this is why he not only refrains from killing this time but also believes in providing people with a chance to defeat him? If Lin Jie fails, he will naturally suffer the blow of shattered hope.

Whether he succeeds or fails, what awaits Lin Jie is only harm, right?

However, Tian Xiaoshu was powerless to do anything about it, as she had no power whatsoever. She was just an ordinary person, seemingly incapable of doing anything.

"Finally found you." Just as Tian Xiaoshu was lost in thought, a girl's figure suddenly appeared in Tian Xiaoshu's room.

"you are?"

"Um, nice to meet you, my name is Lin Yu." The girl smiled involuntarily when she saw Tian Xiaoshu: "Grandma Tian was so beautiful when she was young."

"Huh?" Tian Xiaoshu was at a loss for words when the girl looked her up and down as if she were a rare animal.

"Oh, I almost forgot, I actually came here from the future," Lin Yu said to Tian Xiaoshu with a smile. "But it seems more appropriate to describe parallel worlds."

"Huh?"

Hearing the words spoken by the suddenly appearing girl, Tian Xiaoshu's mind was momentarily unable to process them.

"Never mind, I'll explain to you slowly when I have time. I actually came to give this to you." Lin Yu said, handing an envelope to Tian Xiaoshu: "Really, what era is this? Great-grandmother still uses such an old-fashioned way to send letters."

……

On the other side of the desert, where Lin Jie was, a beautiful girl with transparent wings appeared in front of him. The girl looked like a beautiful angel.

"Hey, I've made myself perfectly clear, haven't I? Is it really necessary for each of you to come over and try to persuade her?" Lin Jie said helplessly, looking at Kuror in front of him.

"Um, Mr. Lin Jie, I didn't actually come to advise you! I just wanted to talk to you." Kuror said to Lin Jie with a slightly flushed face. At the same time, Cupid had already drawn his bow and aimed it at Lin Jie in the distance.

Chapter 21

"Huh? Didn't you come here to persuade me?" Lin Jie was somewhat surprised to hear Kuror's words. After all, almost everyone he had encountered here in the past few days had come to advise him, except for Angela.

"Well, I actually just wanted to come and see Mr. Lin Jie, and I didn't want to stop Mr. Lin Jie. After all, Lin Jie is my savior!" Kuror suddenly said to Lin Jie, "I haven't formally thanked you yet."

"Should I say thank you? No need, it'd be too awkward..."

Just as Lin Jie and Kuror were talking, Cupid's voice rang out in Kuror's mind: "I'm ready, Kuror! Help me divert his attention."

"I understand," Kuror answered in her mind, then grabbed Lin Jie's arm: "Um, can we take a picture together?"

"kindness?"

“I didn’t expect to see you using this identity. I’d like to take a picture with you.” Kuror said, grabbing her phone and pulling Lin Jie to look at it. “Let’s just say it’s for a few years.”

Although somewhat helpless, Lin Jie, being pulled along by Kuror, did not resist. He simply allowed Kuror to pull him closer.

"A perfect opportunity!" In the distance, Cupid, already drawing his bow, gleamed with a glint in his eyes: "A perfect opportunity!!!"

Just as Lin Jie was distracted taking pictures with Kuroro, Cupid seized the opportunity and struck. Risking his archer's honor, he was determined to hit Lin Jie. As a chief god, although his combat strength wasn't great, his understanding of the laws of love was the strongest in the world. Cupid was confident that whoever was struck by his arrow would inevitably fall deeply in love under the blessing of the laws of love.

Similarly, if Zero could have a completely new relationship, then what he's doing now might not be necessary. After all, all he wants is to resurrect his lover.

The arrow flew towards Lin Jie and struck him directly...

Seeing this, Cupid's face lit up with excitement: "I'm afraid I'll hit him! Chloe."

Hearing Cupid's words, Kuro finally put down her phone, her face slightly flushed as she looked at Lin Jie beside her. It was at this moment that Kuro noticed Lin Jie's change; right in front of her, Lin Jie froze. His expression momentarily paused.

"Um, what's wrong?" Kuror asked Lin Jie in confusion.

"Well, it feels a bit strange." Lin Jie nodded and said to Kuror, "I don't know why... it felt like something bumped into me."

"Collision? Huh?" Hearing Lin Jie's words, Kuror was somewhat surprised. Then she saw Lin Jie turn around and look behind him. In that instant, Kuror was shocked to find that Cupid's Sword of Love had actually pierced Lin Jie's clothes. But it hadn't penetrated Lin Jie's body at all.

"It didn't even go in!" Looking at Cupid's arrow, Chloe's expression could only be described as bizarre.

"How strange! Logically, my arrow should pass right through a person's body when it makes contact, and then disappear inside. Why can't it go in?" Cupid, watching the scene from afar, was also somewhat surprised: "Never mind, don't worry, at least no one except the gods can see my arrow."

"Ah! So that's where it is." Cupid had barely finished speaking when Kuror's expression changed. Lin Jie had already grabbed the bow and arrow in front of him, and then, to Kuror's astonishment, snapped the arrow in two...

"This is..." Kuroru was speechless for a moment when she saw the scene before her.

Don't worry, they probably just hired archers to deal with me. But their power is really weak. Can these bows really be used in combat?

"Wait, let me fire one more shot. Try to distract him again!" In Kuror's mind, Cupid's roar echoed: "I, Cupid, a god for thousands of years! But when it comes to shooting, I absolutely cannot tolerate such an insult! This bastard actually said my shot lacked power!!"

Hearing what the other person said, Kuror could only nod helplessly and then said to Lin Jie, "Take another picture with me! The last one won't do!! My hair was a little messy in the last one."

"Oh." Lin Jie nodded subconsciously as Kuror grabbed his arm once again.

At that very moment, Cupid, atop a distant hill, conjured a longbow two meters long. He placed a short leg on the bow and pulled back the string with all his might. The instant he drew the bow, the surrounding atmosphere shifted dramatically. A massive pink energy enveloped the entire bow and arrow, making everything about it far surpass the power of his previous sword strike.

"Go find love! You pathetic single dog!!" With this roar, Qiu Bi's arrow shot straight towards Lin Jie in the distance. This arrow had undoubtedly broken the speed of sound, and even a bullet was far inferior to it.

Just as Lin Jie and Kuror were taking another photo, a powerful attack imbued with divine force flew towards Lin Jie. Even at a speed of two kilometers, the arrow's flight time was only a fraction of a second. Along the way, scenes of love appeared everywhere; many desert creatures, under the influence of divine power, all became pairs.

With such power that it could even affect the surrounding creatures, the arrow finally struck Lin Jie in the back in an instant, hitting his heart directly in the back.

then……

With a 'clang', the bow and arrow broke and fell to the ground. As for Lin Jie's heart? It was as impenetrable as a copper wall or an iron fortress.

Kuroro naturally saw this scene as well, and this time her expression changed once again.

"That was fast this time, but did that archer buy a fake?" Looking at the broken sword behind him, Lin Jie muttered to himself with some doubt: "Come to think of it, it's like a back massage, it doesn't have any killing power at all."

"What?! That bastard! I'll teach him a lesson today! How dare he say my Arrow of Love is fake!!" Cupid, watching from afar, finally had veins bulging on his forehead: "Kuro, distract him one more time! I'm going to make this 'birth dog' fall in love today!!!"

As Cupid spoke, a fierce expression finally appeared on his face.

"..." Although somewhat speechless, Kuroru subconsciously agreed with him: "This photo won't do either! I didn't use any beauty filters!!"

"Hey, you're already pretty enough, there's no need to use any beauty filters, right?" Lin Jie said helplessly after hearing the other person's words.

"What do you know? This is basic photography for girls! Besides, I never mind looking prettier." With that, Kuror grabbed Lin Jie's shoulder again. Lin Jie had no choice but to agree to Kuror's request. Although he didn't know what Kuror was planning, he didn't care. Besides, there seemed to be only one harmless archer nearby.

Meanwhile, as Kuror and Lin Jie were talking, Cupid's boasting reached a new level. A ballista appeared before him, its massive siege crossbow fully drawn. Empowered by divine power, a several-meter-long siege bolt was launched. Naturally, this crossbow bolt was far faster than his usual projectiles, shooting towards Lin Jie in the blink of an eye.

However, in that instant, Lin Jie turned and faced the siege crossbow bolt head-on. With a deafening roar, Lin Jie actually caught the giant arrow with one hand. After casually tossing it to the ground, Lin Jie couldn't help but say, "Hey, haven't you heard of 'third time'? Still trying to sneak up on me?"