Heroes Return

"Are you willing to continue fighting as the embodiment of justice?" Dong Yang suddenly spoke up upon hearing Lin Jie's question. "Even if the identity of Zero is no longer usable, you can just adopt a completely new one, right? As long as you're willing, I can fully support you! Believe me, the Dong family can help you solve many problems that can't be solved with force! I might even become your source of intelligence!"

“In that case, why don’t you just strive to become the embodiment of justice yourself?” Hearing Dongyang’s words, Lin Jie suddenly laughed and said, “Me? I’m not planning to take action anymore! If the world continues to rely on me, it probably won’t be able to move forward, right? After all, there are already too many heroes in this world, aren’t there? And there may be more and more powerful people in the future! So, unless it’s a critical moment when humanity is on the verge of extinction, I won’t take action anymore.”

"Do you want us to solve this crisis ourselves?" Dongyang looked at Lin Jie in surprise. "But you are the embodiment of justice! You are the one who represents justice! Without you, what is the point of being a hero?"

"Justice can never be represented by any one person! Nor can it be represented by anyone! It represents universal values ​​that have stood the test of time! Justice represents only a spirit and a concept! And I don't think the existence of heroes is to represent justice! The existence of heroes is simply to convey a spirit!! To convey a spirit of justice!" Lin Jie said earnestly to Dong Yang, "So I am not a representative of justice, I also have an unjust side! And I am just trying my best to convey the spirit of justice! If you are willing, you can continue to do so! Maybe one day your achievements will be greater than mine! So there is no need to insist that I continue! After all, the future belongs to humanity."

"But if that's the case, are you really planning to continue fighting as a hero?"

"I've already said it! I won't intervene in the future! No wonder humanity has to overcome these challenges on its own! I think I'll only intervene if something truly outrageous happens!" Lin Jie said to Dong Yang with a smile. "If I had to describe it, I want to be like the Sweeping Monk of Shaolin Temple. I'll be watching over the development of humanity in the future."

"Is that so? Even though you don't plan to take action, you will still protect humanity?" Dongyang fell into deep thought: "As expected, you are still the greatest hero in my heart! Since you don't want to continue appearing as a hero, I won't force you!"

"Is that so? That's wonderful."

"By the way! I'm investing in heroes. Would you be interested in being my advisor? Since we're aiming to spread the spirit of justice, how about nurturing new heroes?"

"Never mind," Lin Jie finally refused Dong Yang. "I've already agreed to work for the Hero Association."

"Is that so? That's such a pity."

"But don't worry, the spirit of justice has already been spread, hasn't it?" Seeing Dongyang's disappointed expression, Lin Jie said to Dongyang seriously once again.

On the other side of the ocean, a man dressed in a red mohawk was intently reading a book titled "The Basic Education Methods of Heroes and the Spread of Justice." Then, with a simple gesture, he burned the book.

"That's bullshit!" the henchman said irritably. "Sure enough, if we're going to train newbies, we should use the teacher's methods."

……

P.S.: As the series nears its end, I'd like to give my new book, "I'm No Longer a Villain," a quick plug. Feel free to check it out if you're interested. The prequel, "The Beginning of the Heroic Era," will also be updated concurrently after its completion; it's about Lin Jie's growth.

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When Lin Jie left, what came into view was not just one person, but also Kuror, who was also on the rooftop of the building.

"Mr. Lin Jie, really! Why did you run away!" Kuror smiled as she approached Lin Jie and asked, "And Sister Dong Xue'er too, didn't we agree to be the tenth sister? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Um, I think he looks like he's in trouble, so..." Hearing Kuroru's words, Fuyuki suddenly felt a little embarrassed. Then she noticed that although Kuroru had a smile on her face, her eyes didn't look like she was smiling at all. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead.

"Is that so? So it's because Mr. Lin Jie is in trouble?" Hearing Dong Xue'er's words, Kuroru still stared at Dong Xue'er: "Is that really so?"

“Of...of course.” Hearing Kuroru's words, Dongxue broke out in a cold sweat. At the same time, Lin Jie, also on the rooftop, sensed the majesty and aura of a goddess. Clearly, Kuroru had unleashed her divine power...

"It's true, I was actually just about to contact you." Dong Xue'er couldn't help but say after hearing what the other person said.

"Really!? Oh, I see. Thank you so much, Dong-neechan." Kuroru looked at Dong Xue'er, her eyes still devoid of any smile. "We'll always be good sisters, right, Dong-neechan?"

"Yes...yes, we will always be best friends."

“Then I’m relieved. Actually, I have something to say to Mr. Lin Jie!” Kuror said, her gaze turning to Lin Jie once again.

"Hey! This is getting a bit ridiculous! Can't we just talk things out?" Lin Jie couldn't help but say, looking at Kuror's expression.

"Because I'm shy." As she spoke, Kuror's expression returned to normal. She reverted to her former innocent self, as if the terrifying, almost demonic scene from before had never existed, replaced by a girlish shyness.

"Speaking of which, is there anything you want to say to me?" Looking at Kuror's expression, Lin Jie scratched his head helplessly.

"..." Upon hearing Lin Jie's question, Kuror pursed her lips. No matter what, she wanted to say this before the other girls; only then would she have a chance, right? Thinking this, the girl unconsciously clenched her hands.

Looking at the girl's appearance, Lin Jie had a vague sense of unease.

"Let's date!!!" As if she had mustered all her courage, Kuroru said to Lin Jie with a blush on her face.

"Sigh..." Upon hearing Kuror's words, Lin Jie could only sigh: "I'm sorry, I may not be able to date you. After all, I already have someone I like."

Lin Jie didn't give a tactful answer to this matter, nor did he accept the girl's kindness or hesitate. Instead, he gave his answer without hesitation.

"..." Hearing Lin Jie's words, tears began to well up in the girl's eyes: "Can't it be with me?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't." Lin Jie said to Kuror with some helplessness, "I think it's better to make this clear to you as soon as possible. There will be many men better than me in the future. And they'll be more handsome than me, so I'm really sorry this time."

"..." Hearing Lin Jie's words, the girl wiped away her tears: "I understand."

After saying that, a smile returned to his face: "So, can Mr. Lin Jie and I still be friends in the future?"

"If you're willing, I can be your friend for life," Lin Jie said to Kuror with a smile.

"I understand! I'm sorry for causing you trouble, but you don't need to be sad for me. I'm not the kind of girl who gets easily discouraged." As if she had regained her energy, she said, "Actually, I think I already understood back in the desert. I just felt a little unwilling to accept it."

“There’s nothing to be resentful about. That’s just the kind of person he is. He seems carefree about many things, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he becomes quite decisive.” A girl’s voice rang out from the sky. Upon hearing this, everyone present showed expressions of surprise. The person in the sky was none other than Solomon: “In that case, why don’t you tell me as well? I also need your answer.”

After saying that, Solomon landed opposite Lin Jie.

"You should already know the answer, right? Do I really need to say it again?" Hearing their words, Lin Jie sighed helplessly: "I think it's unnecessary to say it again."

“But it’s better if you say it yourself,” Solomon said, sounding very serious. No one noticed that the girl’s eyes darted around as she spoke. Perhaps this was the only time in her long life she had ever felt for a man. And perhaps this was the only time he had ever taken the initiative? Therefore, she needed a definite answer.

"I'm sorry, we still can't do it." Faced with Solomon's questioning, Lin Jie finally spoke. It was time to put an end to this pointless farce. Hesitation had never been his style.

"Won't you reconsider? We look exactly alike! I can spend the rest of my life with you, can't I?" Hearing Lin Jie's words, Solomon simply smiled and said, "Or perhaps you'd like to try out the harem route?"

"Only scum would take that kind of route," Lin Jie said helplessly. "Besides, you're not a substitute, and I can't treat you as one either."

“I understand! In that case, let’s just forget about it! I originally thought we would be a good match. It’s such a pity.” Hearing Lin Jie’s words, Solomon just sighed: “Since you are unwilling, I will not force you.”

"Thank you!" Seeing that Solomon did not react, Lin Jie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"And what about me? Didn't you seem very interested in me at the beginning?" Dong Xue'er suddenly asked Lin Jie, "If you didn't care about me from the start, why did you act so interested? Were you trying to intimidate me or save me?"

"I'm sorry. At that time, I was focused on accepting reality and trying to change things with a new life. But when you rejected me that day, I realized that I couldn't let go at all. I apologize for that. You can hit me however you want! But I really can't accept your kindness," Lin Jie said earnestly to Dong Xue'er.

"So you're rejecting people like that?! That's really hurtful." Hearing Lin Jie's words, Dong Xue'er sighed helplessly, "Can't you just tell a few white lies to make people happy?"

"Sorry." Hearing Dong Xue'er's complaint, Lin Jie sighed helplessly. Not much time had passed, and in this short distance of ten miles, Lin Jie had already rejected the advances of several girls. Adding to the previous rejections by Chi Lun and the others, it seemed that Lin Jie had completely rejected all his romantic prospects today. However, Lin Jie did not regret it.

After all, Lin Jie had already made up his mind at this point.

Just as Lin Jie and the three girls were on the rooftop, Dao Qizhan finally arrived.

"The Lin family's matter is resolved, and you have no more worries," Dao Qizhan said calmly. "It's time to fight me."

"Yes! It's time to fight you." Hearing Dao Qizhan's words, Lin Jie couldn't help but sigh.

"Sword Hall, Dao Qizhan?" Upon seeing Dao Qizhan's appearance, Solomon subconsciously took a step back, while looking at Lin Jie with surprise: "Are you going to fight this person? Didn't you sense that this person killed the demon with just one sword strike!"

"I sensed it." Hearing the other party's words, Lin Jie said nonchalantly, "But I promised him a long time ago."

"Are you crazy? How could you accept this kind of duel!" This time, even the usually composed Solomon couldn't maintain his composure: "Even if you are the strongest in the world, you shouldn't accept his challenge!"

“But I’ve already agreed, and I have no choice but to fight this battle.” Lin Jie said, walking towards Dao Qizhan: “This time, you found the way really fast.”

"The matter was handled rather simply," Dao Qizhan said calmly to Lin Jie. "Shall we fight here, or somewhere else?"

"Of course we should go somewhere else. I don't want this place to be destroyed."

"Alright, I'll be waiting for you beyond the heavens." With that, Dao Qizhan transformed into a beam of sword light, soaring straight into the sky and disappearing into the heavens.

"Excuse me, everyone, it seems I must take my leave." He turned to the three women behind him and said. At the same time, Lin Jie placed something that looked like a rag in Solomon's hand.

"This is?"

"If I don't come back, give it to my sister. Let her pick out a few things to sell to the Hero Association. That should be enough for her for the rest of her life." After saying that, Lin Jie drew the Immortal Slayer Sword and stuck it into the rooftop.

"I'll go with you." These were the first words Lu Xian'er said. But Lin Jie shook his head.

"You wait here."

"Lin Jie!" Looking at the fragment of the Mountain and River Map in his hand, Solomon suddenly asked, "Is your rejection of everyone because of this duel?"

"Don't misunderstand, that's not how it is." As he spoke, Lin Jie had already disappeared from the spot, leaving only bewildered Dong Xue'er and Kuror, while Solomon looked at the sky with concern.

Outside Earth, a sword light flew swiftly towards a spaceship, and just as the sword light entered the spaceship, Lin Jie's figure also followed and boarded the spaceship.

"Did you steal another alien spaceship?" Lin Jie couldn't help but ask, looking at the aliens on the spaceship.

"They will take us to an uninhabited area in the universe," Dao Qizhan said calmly to Lin Jie.

"That's for the best."

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In the vast expanse of space, there are many uninhabited areas, and this star field before him is truly one of them. Looking at the starry sky, Lin Jie glanced at his phone, then handed it to one of the aliens.

"I'm sorry, but this is something I really can't take to space. It's very important. So, could you please keep it safe for me?"

Upon hearing Lin Jie's words, the aliens, dressed in white robes similar to Dao Qizhan's, agreed to his request. After carefully placing Lin Jie's phone into a special box, they opened the spaceship door for Lin Jie and Dao Qizhan.

In that instant, both of them vanished from the spaceship. Simultaneously, all the alien spaceships disappeared, using warp drive jump technology to leave this space. Looking at Dao Qizhan opposite him, Lin Jie simply nodded.

"This sword is called Annihilation of the Dao! If I die, plant this sword on the edge of the Sword Hall." As a voice transmission entered Lin Jie's ears, Dao Qizhan slowly drew his long sword.

"This sword is called Guixu. If I die, I can simply discard it into the void." The moment Lin Jie spoke, Guixu appeared out of thin air in Lin Jie's hand. Almost simultaneously, Guixu was everywhere in the world, omnipresent, yet it seemed to be right in Lin Jie's hand.

Even Dao Qizhan, looking at Guixu, couldn't help but nod in agreement.

The instant Dao Qizhan nodded, the two clashed. Dao Qizhan was the one who unleashed the first sword strike. Accompanied by the eruption of a powerful sword intent, the Guixu sword in Lin Jie's hand began to tremble continuously. For a moment, even with the activation of the Guixu power, Lin Jie was still unable to completely neutralize Dao Qizhan's sword energy.

The concepts of Lin Jie and Gui Xu have always been about eradicating the root of everything. Gui Xu, in its ancient origins, also carries the meaning of the source of all things.

Of course, Dao Qizhan's will was much simpler than Lin Jie's; his will was to destroy all enemies.

While Guixu was erasing Dao Qizhan, Dao Qizhan was also simultaneously erasing the will itself.

In an instant, the battle between the two strongest people in the world erupted completely in this starry sky. As Lin Jie swung his sword horizontally, Dao Qizhan's sword light also shifted direction.

However, a celestial body quite far away from the two of them was cleaved in two by this enormous sword light.

At the same time, Lin Jie also wielded the Returning Void in his hand. Amidst the starry river, a giant sword that pierced through the galaxy revealed its terrifying form and slashed towards Dao Qizhan.

Faced with this sword strike, Dao Qizhan made no attempt to dodge. The moment he swung the Extinction Sword, the space between the stars began to tremble and collapse. Around Dao Qizhan, one could even faintly sense the formation of a black hole.

Without any retreat, the sword returned to nothingness on its own!

The colossal sword, as large as the Milky Way, fell, but this time, it stopped at a certain point. Dao Qizhan's sword, the tip of its Extinction Dao Sword, touched the seemingly endless peak of Guixu. For a moment, Dao Qizhan's sword tip appeared to be pressing against the entire sky.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Jie arrived at the depth of Dao Qi Zhan and slashed his sword towards it.

Facing Lin Jie's second sword strike, Dao Qizhan's eyes flashed with light. As the light flashed in Dao Qizhan's eyes, he actually pushed back the Guixu Giant Sword in the sky slightly, and at the same time quickly swung his sword, colliding with Lin Jie.

However, in this clash of swords, Dao Qizhan was also kicked away by Lin Jie.

The starry sea retreated rapidly, and finally Dao Qizhan crashed into an asteroid belt. Accompanied by a series of impacts, Dao Qizhan actually spun through the entire massive asteroid belt.

At this moment, Dao Qizhan also stopped his divine nature. When Lin Jie caught up to this place, he was greeted by an incomparably powerful sword light.