Starting as a Magical Girl, I Alone Shall Rule for Eternity

Chapter 151: Pairs Everywhere

"A Full Bloom mental landscape can be compressed and used as a Dao Seed, and it can be used externally even in non-transformation states. Its potential is immense, and it can serve as the Magical Girl's method of protecting her path."

"This is an excellent opportunity for Azure Cloud Sect. In the future, besides clearing Disaster Beasts and the Witch Association, sect disciples should pay more attention to Heart Image Remnants; they can serve as disciples' trials."

"Noted."

"Although An Shiyu cannot join Azure Cloud Sect, we must monitor her movements and daily life. As a Great Emperor remnant, Mùjǐn's experience and knowledge about Magical Girls are invaluable for laying the foundation for the sect's future Full Bloom Great Emperor path."

Bingtang listened while taking notes.

The two of them rode back in a vehicle. They could have flown, but Bingtang felt it would be too conspicuous.

So she insisted on making Jiang Si take the bus.

Along the way, listening to Jiang Si recount the Mirror Kingdom and his time with Mùjǐn, Bingtang found it thoroughly entertaining.

It felt like three years ago—Jiang Si used to do this in the sect, endlessly telling her those fantastical cultivation stories.

In truth, Bingtang had never found those tales particularly interesting.Leveling up by killing monsters, stumbling onto treasures through chance encounters, getting stronger and defeating people you couldn't beat before—those things didn't give her much pleasure.

Of course, she didn't hate them either. It was like listening to some girls in class gossip; not especially fun, but not boring.

But listening to Jiang Si tell those stories was interesting in itself.

Jiang Si, normally cold and indifferent about most things, became loquacious about cultivation tales or about what he gained in the Mirror Kingdom.

That version of Jiang Si was so different from usual that it made him immediately captivating.

"I gained a lot this trip. Once I've integrated everything and come out, I can pass on what I learned. Arrange a day for me to lecture. Yumo and the others should be scheduled for promotion."

"The Mirror Kingdom may have no lineage, but their technology is impressive. Technological cultivation is a sideline, but if cultivated well, it could be another Dao. Gather more intel on the Mirror Kingdom. If we can adapt their tech for cultivation, that would be ideal."

"If we can get Mirror Kingdom technology, Azure Cloud Sect's financial issues could ease," Bingtang said with a smile. "The price of Grief Seeds has already started to fall. Aside from class B Disaster Beast Grief Seeds, low-level Grief Seeds are being ignored. Yet Azure Cloud Sect's expenses haven't decreased, especially now with increased operations against the Witch Association and Disaster Beasts—the expenditures are the highest they've been in years."

Jiang Si didn't really care about such matters, but he didn't interrupt; he only nodded to show he heard her.

He just didn't understand.

"If this continues, Azure Cloud Sect's internal cash flow will hit problems. I could maneuver some funds through Ice Color Group to subsidize things, but that's not sustainable. For the group's long-term growth, cash flow needs to stay healthy. I've been worrying about future operations. For example, our 'Beihai Idol is a Legend' project planned to launch the Magical Girl idol band Magic Collection Card, but with so many Magical Girl idols from the Disaster Control Bureau, the debut failed. Their first cover 'Hakimi' hasn't even been released before the 'Graduation Statement' scandal hit."

That was a lie.

Azure Cloud Sect was not short on money. Rather, it held many high-quality Magical Girl talents—both inner and outer disciples had exceptional abilities and unique skills. The seven true-transmission members were astounding in will, endurance, and technique, and the honored true-transmissions already caused surprises as undercover agents across industries.

They even had support from the remnants of the Ice Color era group.

If Xilan was still in financial trouble, it would only prove Bingtang's capability.

In reality, merely purchasing and packaging the works of Bai Family's Eighth Sister and others into intellectual property would have long since started returning huge profits.

With the sect's ancestral reputation, passing songs down for generations would be trivial.

Needless to say, the rest...

"...In any case, I've designed many plans, even thought about collaborating with the Disaster Control Bureau—outer disciples are suited to serve as temporary workers..."

The messy business talk made Jiang Si recall tedious commercial aspects from urban cultivation stories.

Back then he could skip such chapters or, if they made him furious enough, delete the book and walk away.

Now, faced with Bingtang's business plans, Jiang Si could only pretend to understand and nod.

"If we can get Mirror Kingdom tech, I can publicly form a partnership between Ice Color Group and Azure Cloud Sect, and with profit sharing we can legally stabilize the sect's finances and expand Azure Cloud Sect's scale and influence."

Azure Cloud Sect wasn't large. Although recruiting Jiang Si had caused a lot of fuss, making it seem as if the sect was everywhere, much of that visibility actually came from Qinghua's work—using puppets to keep up appearances. In terms of sheer numbers, Azure Cloud Sect still couldn't compare with the Disaster Control Bureau.

When Jiang Si disappeared and Bingtang tried to expand the search, she realized the sect's influence was too small. In South China, some Disaster Control Bureau branches hadn't even heard of Azure Cloud Sect.

For example, the bureaus in Chenming, Zengcheng, and Nanning—three South China cities affected—were bewildered until the Central Bureau called them.

After Jiang Si tasted success with the Heart Image Remnant, he would probably keep hunting them for adventure.

Whether for Azure Cloud Sect, for Jiang Si, or for herself, Bingtang had to increase the sect's influence.

At the very least, she needed to prevent the Witch Association from exploiting loopholes to manipulate television broadcasts into declaring war against Azure Cloud Sect.

Seeing Jiang Si dozing, Bingtang smiled.

She actually knew that whenever she talked about these topics, Jiang Si would pretend to understand even if he didn't.

But because it concerned Azure Cloud Sect's lineage and his cultivation path, he would force himself to act as if he comprehended.

For Bingtang, making Jiang Si sleepy with such talk was itself amusing.

They were on the coach—Bingtang wanted to report slowly during the trip—so as they neared Beihai they boarded the bus.

There weren't many passengers, but enough. As Jiang Si nodded off, Bingtang leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

They looked like lovers.

Particularly the nearby uncles and aunts, smiling broadly and complimenting how well-suited they looked. Bingtang was embarrassed and offered them some snacks.

That was the value of taking the coach...

It did make keeping some conversations private a bit tricky.

But as Magical Girls, that was easy. The bus passengers were ordinary people.

To be safe, she had inform Four Leaf and Six Leaf to be ready.

They could twist the bus passengers' perception at any time.

Unfortunately Jiang Si only dozed briefly. When he hadn't heard her speak for a while, he snapped awake. "Finished?"

"Mm."

"I trust you with Azure Cloud Sect's affairs. I won't ask more."

In truth, he couldn't have answered even if he wanted to.

Bingtang snorted in mock annoyance.

She planted her head on Jiang Si's thigh and flopped down.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm slow, callous, and heartless. I'm going to sleep."

"Getting upset over two words is extreme. Honestly, it's a little hurtful."

Bingtang buried her head in Jiang Si's thigh and bit his leg out of mock spite.

It felt like biting steel rebar—she didn't bite hard, but her teeth hurt.

"Don't disturb my sleep!"

.....

Twins had a dream. In it, Lady Bingtang fished her out of the sea, cradled her, soothed her for her hardships, and praised her for a job well done for delivering the Mirror Kingdom news.

Twins hugged Lady Bingtang and sobbed, describing her grievances: how hateful the Mirror Kingdom Prince was, how, after guiding him back, she was betrayed when she tried to seize the Mirror Kingdom's key, and how the Prince wanted to kill her.

He was heartless and shameless!

Twins had risked her life, painstakingly piloting the Prince's yacht to the Heart Image Remnant. Along the way there was barely any food—just fancy seafood and endless champagne, no rice or water.

She drank so much champagne her stomach gave out, and she had to endure days of frequent, unsatisfying urination and sleeplessness.

To serve His Highness, Twins had suffered greatly, leaving her body scarred and ill.

Bingtang was stunned and then curiously asked where exactly the hardship was.

Twins cried even harder.

Bingtang hastily comforted her, held her, and apologized until Twins finally stopped sobbing and asked Lady Bingtang to feed her.

Then a bucket of cold water woke her.

When she woke, she found herself tied to a chair.

Ropes bound her from feet up to her forehead, pressed tight against the seat.

In Twins' mind there were only two immediate thoughts.

It's over.

She would lose her purity.

Darkness, restraints, a basement.

Anyone could imagine what would happen next.

But it was okay—Twins had made a decision.

If anything happened, she would bite her tongue and die to preserve her innocence.

Everyone knew being violated was an indelible stain. If a female character was defiled, even with rebirth or parallel worlds or clones, that label never left.

Death was small compared to losing herself!

Wait—what if the corpse couldn't be disposed of either? Would her body still count as preserving her purity?

"You're finally awake."

Twins instantly went into combat mode, looking around, and saw the familiar figure in the mirror.

She relaxed at once.

Thank goodness—it was the Prince. Twins instantly regained confidence.

"Do you know you're declaring war on the Witch Association?" the girl snapped from the chair. "How dare you mess with the Witch Association's undefeated Captain's number-one sworn sister, legendary Complete Witch warrior Twins—do this and the Witch Association will cut you into pieces! Release me now and maybe the Witch Association will spare you!"

"Idiot, did you even forget how you came here?"

"You jerk—how dare you use such a despicable trick on me! Let me go now and Twins will overlook it. If you persist, don't blame Twins for being merciless!"

The Prince, momentarily angered, raised a knife from beside the mirror. "Wanna test my blade?"

Twins bared her teeth and hissed, "Twins' fangs are no less sharp!"

Then she froze. "Wait—why is your hand coming out? Pull it back, pull it back!"

The Prince sneered and not only did not withdraw, she slowly stepped out of the mirror. "When the Mirror Kingdom's seal is lifted, we will no longer need those pitiful, useless Alices. We will cross into this world ourselves!"

Twins was shocked. "No—that key was stolen by people from Saint Hall!"

Stepping from the mirror into the pitch-black basement, the Prince said coldly, "Just a glance is enough, you fool. Who do you think I am?"

"That's not fair! They stole the key! Your plan failed so you should stay sealed. Why should you be freed? You never told me you had photographic memory—retroactively adding traits! Do you even have an outline?"

"Stop screaming like that."

The Prince drew closer. In the dark, had Twins not been bound, she would have knelt.

"Twins was wrong, Twins was wrong! Your Highness! Twins is but a country mouse; you might catch the plague touching me, I never went to school, you'd be defiled by touching me..."

When the Prince approached and lightly stroked her chin, Twins nearly fainted.

This was it. No running away now...

"You're really noisy."

Twins paused—what? That voice became so melodious all of a sudden.

Her eyes widened as she looked over.

The basement light was dim, but as the figure approached, Twins could make out the face.

Although the clothing was somewhat masculine, there was no doubt—it was a girl.

White long hair, blood-red pupils filled with disdain and mockery.

A beautiful face, made regal by a golden crown.

The basement fell silent for a long moment.

"Well, this is a Magical Girl world—how could the villain be a man? Haha..." Twins laughed like one who had escaped disaster. "Your Highness, you are truly divine..."

"Flattery won't work. I can tell when it's insincere."

"Not mine—this time Twins truly means it!"

The Prince eyed her curiously. "Really?"

"Absolutely." Twins blurted out. "You're the third most beautiful girl I've ever seen!"

The Prince was puzzled. "Who's first and second?"

"Uh..." Twins coughed. "My father and my mother."

"Your father is pretty?" the Prince asked. "Is your father a woman?"

"Just like Your Highness is a girl," Twins said matter-of-factly. "My father can be a girl too!"

The Prince had no retort and then nodded, seemingly pleased with the compliment. "If you're sincere, that's fine. I do have some looks. If your parents appear prettier in your eyes, that's understandable. But I'm still the most beautiful."

How shameless.

"C-can you let me go, beautiful Prince..."

"Do you know how you got in here?"

Twins blankly said, "How would I know?"

"It was the Witch Association who sent you to curry favor with the Mirror Kingdom."

"C—Jialan!" Twins suddenly remembered she had been reporting to Jialan. "She praised me for a job well done—our Witch Association always backstabs allies; I'm getting a promotion..."

"So she backstabbed you, too. That's the Witch Association's style, isn't it?"

"Maybe... No! I won't forgive her, Jialan!"

The Prince dragged a knife across her throat, silencing Twins.

"But you'll get this chance. If you obey me, I'll give it to you."

Twins asked in a small voice, "Aren't you cooperating with Jialan?"

"The Witch Association likes to backstab," the Prince whispered in Twins' ear. "Does the Mirror Kingdom not do the same? Jialan tried to contact the Disaster Control Bureau to block our restoration. A little revenge from us isn't too much, right?"

The Prince's whisper made Twins' ears tingle. She trembled and tucked her chin. "Not too much, not at all—it's perfectly justified!"

"So long as you cooperate, you'll have plenty of chances to get back at Jialan."

"If the Prince spares me, Twins will pledge to be your sworn sister and die for you!"

"No need to swear," the Prince chuckled softly as if wary of making noise. "Just accept a little monitoring from the Mirror Kingdom."

Although worried, Twins nodded immediately. "No problem. About that Marquis of Ten Thousand Households thing—"

The Prince laughed. "You said whether it'd count?"

"Hehe, no need for Ten Thousand Households, a Hundred Households will do."

"Get out."

"Okay!"

No more haggling. Any issue could be handled later.

"So you want me to infiltrate the Witch Association and help the Mirror Kingdom eliminate them, right? Twins is perfect for that—leave it to me!"

"Of course not."

The Prince pressed a seed gently into the Blood Cross on Twins' forehead. As the seed sank in, Twins felt a shock like an electric jolt in her brain.

"The Witch Association is still our cooperating partner for now. I'm not like those idiots back then who made such a fuss and ended up isolated with no public support. If the Disaster Control Bureau sent another Full Bloom Magical Girl after us, we'd be in trouble."

Great—now another, bigger problem had appeared...

"Put the Witch Association aside for the moment. Once the Mirror Kingdom gains a foothold, we'll deal with them. Your current mission is to find the people who stole our things from the Heart Image Remnant."

The Prince's handsome face darkened. "Saint Hall, the Demon Squad—how dare they steal so many of my precious things. I won't let them get away. Find them. I want Saint Hall uprooted!"

Twins stared blankly. This one held grudges that far?

Or were the stolen items so valuable that the Prince personally wanted them back?

"Of course."

The Prince smiled again and with a gesture cut the bindings on Twins, setting her free.

"And Magical Girl Shion—find her location and notify me at once."

"Let her see what my Mirror Kingdom's dedicated Alice for Shion can do!"

Twins beamed brightly. "Mission accepted!"