Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

When Li Minghu was harshly reprimanded by his mother in his room, Yan Yu also got up from the sofa and began to wander around leisurely.

By the time he truly began to rise in his previous life, Li Minghu had already sacrificed himself... or more accurately, it was because of Li Zhaojiang's rebellion that the higher-ups developed extreme suspicion and wariness towards cultivators, which to a certain extent greatly promoted the special military project of "mortal cultivators" that came afterwards.

Of course, Yan Yu was inclined to believe that "mortal cultivators" would also appear in this life.

After all, if left unchecked, the gap between cultivators and mortals would only grow wider, and relying on the cultivators' own morals for social stability was hardly a reliable act.

In his previous life, as a "mortal cultivator," Yan Yu carved out his own tactical system, but in many areas, he actually drew inspiration from Li Minghu's way of fighting.

The Valkyrie, due to physical limitations, could not engage in prolonged battles, so she had to rely on a large number of detailed maneuvers to enhance the effectiveness of her attacks, and the endurance of mortal cultivators posed a similar issue. Hence, when Yan Yu first saw the manuscripts left by the Valkyrie, he treasured them like wealth, studying them tirelessly all night.

Without the Valkyrie, there would be no "mortal warrior" Yan Yu of later times!

In a sense, it could even be said that in his past life, he "grew up sucking the milk of the Valkyrie," although this metaphor was slightly indecent, it wasn't an exaggeration.

Of course, in this life, Li Minghu had not yet become the Valkyrie, and even if he knew the cause and effect, he would still not acknowledge Yan Yu as his apprentice.

But that didn't prevent Yan Yu from showing her respect, as well as wanting to know more about her.

He observed around the living room, where a dehumidifier was placed in the corner, several dishes from lunch were covered with a mesh cover on the table. The refrigerator was covered with various magnets: Ultraman and Kamen Rider, as well as Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura.

Everything had a strong sense of the old days.

The corridor on the side of the living room led to the bedrooms of Li Minghu's parents, Li Minghu, and Li Zhaojiang.

Yan Yu walked to the doorway and glanced inside. Li Minghu's bedroom door was open, with a bamboo mat laid out on the bed for summer, and a mosquito net hung on the outside. The walls were plastered with various certificates: for being an excellent student, ranking top ten in age group, outstanding class officer, and first place in drama performance competitions.

The Valkyrie could act in dramas? But with her physical condition, she indeed couldn't participate in any sports, so acting in dramas was a matter of course... just like how Chen Lingyun chose chess over basketball when she was in junior high.

Behind him, the sound of a door opening was heard. Li Minghu walked out of her mother's bedroom, surprised to see Yan Yu standing at the door to her room, but she quickly regained her composure and said,

"Would you like to come in and sit?"

"Hmm." Yan Yu didn't feel any embarrassment at being caught, but calmly accepted the invitation.

The two entered the room, where her desk by the window was covered with a large sheet of glass.

Under the glass were various photos, including her childhood pictures, sibling photos with Li Zhaojiang, family portraits, and generational photos, along with some food ration coupons and clippings.

"Most of the stuff in this room was moved from our old house," Li Minghu explained, "So a lot of it may seem antiquated."

She moved a stool over for Yan Yu to sit on, which had no backrest and was painted brown, the legs fixed to the seat with nails—indeed, it was an old piece of furniture.

"It looks like no one has lived here for a while, there's a smell," Yan Yu detected a faint musty scent in the room... or perhaps it was a damp, dusty smell.

"It was originally intended for me," Li Minghu replied, "But neither I nor Ah Jiang come home much these days."

She propped up a mirror on the desk and began combing her split ends.

"So what did your mother say?" Yan Yu asked.

"I've explained to her," Li Minghu said indifferently, "My mom is still somewhat unwilling to believe. I got a bit irritated, and just let her be."

"Your mom seems really eager for you to find someone," Yan Yu joked with her, "It's definitely because your brother is in a relationship. Now that her son is settled down, she's pushing her daughter."

"Yeah, maybe," Li Minghu meticulously examined herself in the mirror, continuing, "But that's something you can't rush."

Yan Yu also observed her in the mirror: her clear brows and beautiful eyes, thick hair, and fair skin made for the classic beautiful face of a Hong Kong film heroine, and her delicate and soft figure exuded youthful vitality.

But honestly, the charm of the Valkyrie wasn't in her appearance, but in her deeds from the past life—fearlessly burning her life away, standing alone with only her sword to block the Allied Forces at the Southern Border, slaying the Witch King with one strike, parting the sea and driving back the enemy with another... merely thinking about it filled one with awe and aspiration.

Beautiful young ladies are common, but the Valkyrie... there was only one in all of Lu Country!

"Anyway, you really did help me out this time," Li Minghu put down the mirror, pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked, "The thing you said before, it still counts, right?"

"What?"

"That is..." She seemed a bit uneasy, looking out the window and saying in a low voice, "You said, if there ever comes a day when I feel like I'm about to die, just..."

"Hmm," Yan Yu nodded. "Count it."

"Alright then," Li Minghu paused for a moment, revealing a shallow smile as he stood up and said, "Let's go back then. Don't want to make them worry."

You mean, don't want them to find out, right? Yan Yu did not expose her euphemism; he just stood up as well:

"Let's go back."

This girl is indeed as her mother said, thoughtful and decisive—an aspect of the Valkyrie I had not understood in my past life.

Quite good.

After bidding farewell to Li's mother, the two flew towards the villa, Sword Control from the balcony.

Yan Yu sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere... if he had to describe it, the "psychological distance" between Li Minghu and himself seemed to have closed a bit.

Probably because of something her mom said that made her think better of me?

Yan Yu's guess was not off. Li Minghu appeared calm, but inside she was somewhat troubled.

Earlier in the bedroom, her mother had said to her:

"...Your elementary school teacher Mr. Jiang told me you were too aloof, with no children willing to be your friend. It improved a bit in middle school, but not because you opened up, but because you learned to hide your true thoughts. You've always been too mature for your age, and with your poor health, you always felt your life wouldn't be long and didn't want to burden friends or family, right?"

"Don't be hasty to contradict. I'm telling you, with the advancements in science and technology, diseases that couldn't be treated before might be curable someday. Besides, you're a cultivator now. Everyone at school is saying that your generation will live forever, so how could something like incomplete lung function not be treatable?"

"I'm more worried about your personality than your body. I'm afraid that you might get used to going solo and still won't want to deeply interact with others... It's rare to have a boy whom you don't dislike, so why don't you get to know him better? I think Yan Yu is not bad; when I nagged you to bring him home to explain, he was willing to save your face..."

Li Minghu could refute the other comments, but the last one, "he was willing to save your face," was irrefutable. She couldn't shamelessly claim that a favor owed never happened.
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Maybe I could give him some compensation... but what do I have that could be used as compensation?

"Yan Yu," Li Minghu said, "I owe you a favor this time."

"Oh, can do," Yan Yu pondered for a moment, then laughed, "How do you plan to repay it?"

"What would you like?" Li Minghu asked softly.

Though she was outwardly composed, she was subconsciously a bit anxious inside. What if he were to say, "I don't want to wait any longer, be my girlfriend now"? How would I respond?

"Hmm, I don't seem to have any needs," Yan Yu mused for a while. "However, Lin Ning in the team is usually paired with me for sword practice, and she's probably getting used to my style. Could you take my place and spar with her for a while?"

Li Minghu laughed in disbelief and responded:

"Sure, but sword practice is beneficial for both parties, so it can't count as repaying a favor."

"Then let's consider it a standing debt for now, and we'll talk about it next time," Yan Yu said.

Considering his earlier speculation about her increased fondness for him, if he were to confess to her now, there might really be a chance for success.

But Yan Yu actually had no intention of pursuing the Valkyrie; his goal from the start was to prevent her from meeting the tragic fate of sacrificing herself in her past life. Saving someone to be thanked as a good person was one thing, but it made no sense to then put himself on the line.

Even the so-called "a romance before death" was really about going back to stop her from dying.

Pursuing her was an impossibility, impossible in this lifetime.

Of course, if the Valkyrie were to be moved and offer herself willingly, that's a different story to negotiate separately...

Thinking this way, Yan Yu suddenly noticed that they had arrived at their destination below and brought down the flying sword with Li Minghu.

No sooner had they landed than they saw Lin Ning standing at the villa entrance, clearly displeased, metal spatula in hand.

"It's almost past mealtime, where have you been?" She glanced at Li Minghu, then fixed her eyes on Yan Yu with a somewhat dangerous tone, akin to a wife who caught her husband with a mistress.

Just as Yan Yu was about to explain, he suddenly felt a heavy aura emanating from Lin Ning, almost suffocating him just by its approach.

You know this trick too?