I am a former Flame Chasers

As the saying goes, "the closer to home, the more timid one becomes." From books alone, one can't truly understand that timidity; only by experiencing it firsthand can one comprehend the sorrow. It's like Sakura always reminiscing about the cherry blossom trees in her hometown, yet she never went back. That small town has been abandoned, leaving only bones and ruins. What's the point of going back then?

Hua's situation was slightly better than hers, but a quick glance revealed that "better" was limited, even making Ryan's face fall. He was indeed a bit upset, just as Sakura had thought. Some memories surfaced in his mind, and when they collided with reality, they definitely didn't bring happiness.

"Back then, I often practiced swordsmanship in the small river. Are those few little brats who imitated me still alive? And there was a stall by the stone bridge; the old man who sold cold cakes is probably dead, right? Even that village school has been converted into a barracks. Are the teachers who tricked me into going to school still alive?"

Ryan thought quietly, with no answer ever appearing. He was only a teenager when he came to this town, where he studied for several years, essentially laying the foundation for his fighting style. Even with the addition of Honkai energy now, those things were still fundamental. Most importantly, he was then under strict surveillance by the Fire Moth. He had no sense of belonging to his family since childhood, coupled with his uncertainty about the future.

'Only this Jiangnan town could give me peace. If I hadn't come back then, would I still be bearing my current responsibilities?'

This question also had no answer. Ryan felt very similar to Elysia; they had seen enough darkness and depravity, but there was always a period when they saw light and kindness, and one thing he could guarantee: without this experience, he wouldn't integrate into this world and would become a colder transmigrator.

"What human civilization, what working-class people, what Thirteen Flame-Chasers? Aren't they just a bunch of NPCs? Why should I care if they live or die? Just use them as survival tools."

"A bit sad?"

"No, I'm a bit fortunate. It's a good thing I came here back then; otherwise, I might not have gained your recognition." Ryan replied with a smile, without explaining, and steadily stepped onto the stairs. Self-awareness does not mean selfishness; some thoughts can truly only be changed by the environment.

He saw a spacious courtyard, with several wooden dummies in the corner. Ryan clearly remembered the punch marks on them; they were left by him practicing boxing in the middle of the night. This strength wasn't gained through cheating, at least not before encountering the Third Herrscher.

"Spring, summer, autumn, and winter, I practiced boxing here, and then participated in actual combat through the Fire Moth, integrating my boxing techniques into battle." Ryan caressed the punch marks, stepping over the bluestone slabs covered with footprints.

"Blood Ghost?"

"Ahem, that's just a nickname. But it's true that before Qianyu Academy, I killed more people than Honkai beasts."

Ryan spoke lightly, but the bloody scent in his words was so thick it was inseparable, as if he was treading on countless withered bones. Sakura also had inherited sword techniques and had also practiced killing since childhood, which resonated with her somewhat: "When I was in my hometown, I also practiced diligently, splitting trees with a wooden sword, and my hands were full of blisters in the dead of winter."

"It seems we both went through hardships. Now, looking back, it feels like a dream." Ryan patted the wooden dummy. He could now turn it into dust with a slight effort. "That's why sometimes I envy Kevin; that guy didn't suffer much."

"Heh heh, no wonder you beat him so badly." Sakura also laughed. Kevin was indeed different from them, belonging to a novel plot, accidentally involved.

"It's a bit of a relief, but as a friend, it's good that he didn't go through these pains." Ryan put his hand down; there was nothing to be proud of. He didn't want to kill, nor did he want to hover between life and death, but what could he do? He could only blame his bad luck.

"Hey, who are you two?! Why are you in my courtyard?!!"

While they were chatting, a loud shout made Ryan close his mouth. He turned his head and saw a man standing at the door beside the courtyard. He was wearing a black martial arts jacket with a diagonal opening, broad-shouldered and stout, about 1.9 meters tall, with graying hair tied in a small braid, a full beard, and light blue eyes as wide as copper bells. He was holding a stick thicker than his arm.

He looked very fierce, fierce enough to scare ordinary people, but Ryan and Sakura had seen so many big scenes that they were naturally not intimidated by this aura.

"Is this Hua's father?" Sakura quietly asked.

"Yes, her most feared natural enemy, and also my master, named Fu."

Sakura sized up the other person. This rough and bold appearance indeed had nothing to do with gentleness, and how could such a coarse man give birth to such a beautiful daughter? The genetic mutation was quite strong.

"Hey, what are you mumbling about? Are you going to get out yourselves, or should I beat you out!?" The man took a horse stance, holding both ends of the stick, in a strange posture.

"Master, you're still researching the Inch-Heart Staff these days." Ryan knew the other party's temper and quickly took off his hood.

The man immediately narrowed his eyes, looked closely, and then suddenly released his hands, kicking with a perfect back-spin kick. The posture was very handsome, and the power was great. The wooden stick was as fast as a javelin, but it was too slow for Ryan. He reached out and grabbed it, lightly propping it on the ground, and then saw a figure pounce closer, hugging him like a bear, patting his back with loud thumps.

"You brat finally came back! You haven't even called for so long, are you trying to betray your master and ancestors?!"

"It's only been three years, don't make it sound like I haven't returned for ten." Ryan let him hug him, feeling that the fists that once made him wince were now like a massage. "Besides, I asked for your phone number, but Hua wouldn't give it to me."

"This girl, she hasn't come back for over a year herself, and she won't even let you pay respects to this old man. Forget it, I know you're busy, doing great things." Fu didn't really know much about their work, only that they joined the Fire Moth. He then released his hands, pressed Ryan's shoulders, and a smile appeared on his rugged face.

"Not bad, not bad, you brat has become stronger. It's a pity I can't contact those old brothers; otherwise, I don't know how jealous they would be. This body is like iron. Have you carried forward my Inch-Heart Fist?"

"Yes, I've killed many bad people with my fists and saved many people." Ryan nodded solemnly.

"That's good. My Inch-Heart Fist is meant to uphold justice." The old man stroked his beard contentedly, then looked at Sakura: "You're Rin's older sister, right?"

"Hello, Master Fu, thank you for your trouble during this time." Sakura held the hilt of her sword and bowed in greeting.

The young girl was full of heroic spirit, like a sharp blade hidden in its sheath. This feeling of similarity made Fu nod slightly, and he also muttered to himself.

'That girl has no chance of winning.'

Even for his own daughter, he had to admit that in terms of appearance, figure, and even strength, she was superior to Hua. He couldn't help but complain about his daughter's bashfulness.

'Your mother was so fierce back then, she "justified" your father on the spot in the cornfield by the small river, and only got married after conceiving you. Why can't you learn from her?'

He had long regarded Ryan as his son-in-law, and the Inch-Heart Fist could only be carried forward in his hands.

"Master?"

"Ah, Rin is very well-behaved; she's practicing boxing in the backyard."

"Practicing boxing?" Sakura was a bit surprised; her sister couldn't endure hardship and had never been exposed to swordsmanship since childhood.

"Yes, she kept pestering me to learn, but she has a good foundation, maybe she's another martial arts prodigy. Hmm, anyway, I'm bored, so I'll teach her." Fu stroked his big beard, looking very satisfied.

To be chosen by Honkai to become a Herrscher, she must definitely be a prodigy. Ryan wasn't surprised. To become a Herrscher vessel, one must first have extremely strong Honkai energy resistance, and anyone who possesses it has extremely high talent, which in a sense can guarantee them a spot for supersoldier surgery.

"Alright, it's good to have some self-defense ability in this world. Since she wants to help, let her learn." Ryan smiled and waved his hand, then saw Sakura bow slightly and quickly walk towards the backyard. This sister-complex had been impatient for a long time, and he might even be quite happy. Just as he was about to follow, his shoulder was pressed down again.

"Shouldn't you come have a few drinks with me, you brat?"

"What does Master want to talk about?"

"About you and Hua. Why hasn't there been any progress for so long?"

Ryan's scalp tingled, and he probably guessed Hua's third reason for not wanting to come back: Fu was desperately trying to set them up, and the girl was thin-skinned, really unable to bear it.

'If Hua had come back with me, I reckon the invitations would have been sent out and the buffet prepared.'

Ryan knew his master's uninhibited personality better than anyone, but before he could speak, he was already dragged into the house.

It was evening, and the clanging of woks and spatulas came from the kitchen. Ryan paced the living room, a smile never leaving his face. The entire layout was no different from eight years ago, as if he had returned to the time when he was traveling and learning martial arts. Back then, Ryan was weak and had to put in some effort even against firearms, but he had no burdens and couldn't foresee the apocalypse.

Occasionally, he would encounter a few Honkai Beasts, and the Fire Moth, like a secret organization in a novel, would quietly resolve them without disturbing the peaceful daily life.

How many years had it been?

He didn't usually feel it, but truly sinking into memories made everything feel like a dream. In just a few years, the world had become like this, yet some things stubbornly remained unchanged, especially evident in this familiar living room.

"Brother Ryan!"

Just as he was lamenting, a surprised voice came. As he turned around, he saw a pink figure pouncing over, crashing into his chest. Ryan took half a step back, saw the girl rubbing against his chest, and then lifted a bright, small face.

"Long time no see."

"Rin, you've grown up too." Ryan patted her head. After more than a year, the girl was almost as tall as his chin.

"I'm fourteen now, don't treat me like a child like my sister does." Rin wrinkled her nose, her still childish face looking very cute. Then she took half a step back and raised her fair arms, "Master Fu even praised me for my natural strength; no one in town can beat me. Come, I'll show you a set of Inch-Heart Fist."

As sisters, her personality was completely different from Sakura, appearing extremely lively. Before Ryan could agree, she began punching powerfully.

The setting sun through the window was like a spotlight on her. Ryan glanced at Sakura, who wore a faint smile in the shadows, then looked at the photos of previous Inch-Heart Fist masters around the living room, finally settling on a photo of a woman who looked seven parts like Hua.

The world had become strange, but some stubborn things remained in the past.