Having found a demon, I've decided to raise her.

"What...did you just say?"

"Huh? I said Mom's here."

"Whose mother?"

"The master's mother."

"Chen Ming's... huh?"

In other words, her future mother-in-law came to visit? Afu was startled, and then panicked, not knowing what to do.

Cerberus, seeing the flight path become erratic, quickly said—

"Hey, hey, hey, watch out!"

"Ah, okay."

Afu snapped out of her daze, took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. After calming herself slightly, she realized that although the ugly daughter-in-law always has to meet her in-laws, she wasn't mentally prepared yet…

Afu's cheeks flushed slightly as he asked Cerberus—

"Did...did your mother-in-law say anything?"

"Um……"

Cerberus thought for a moment and said—

"Just say thank you for being there for your owner, that's all."

"I see."

Afu smiled happily. It seemed that her future mother-in-law was quite open-minded. If she had opposed them being with Chen Ming, she wouldn't have known what to do.

I looked into the situation.

Suddenly, a sword aura appeared ahead, but A-Fu ignored it and broke through it, continuing forward... There were probably few places in this world that could stop her.

However, this is the edge of the school. The sword energy surrounding the area is mainly to seal off the school gate, just like a regular school closing its gate.

However, the gates and walls here are filled with dangerous sword energy.

While it has no binding force on those who have completed their studies, it is still difficult for those like Dong Yi, who have not met the requirements, to surpass it.

I don't know how she managed to run away so many times.

Could there be a flaw in the formation?

But even if there's a loophole, with Dong Yi's limited strength, he'd still have to find a way to get through it.

As Afu pondered these things, he entered the school.

Upon arrival, I encountered an unexpected person.

Lü Bu.

He remained as solitary as ever, gazing alone at the distant sword energy, often for days at a time, seemingly lost in some unknown state of mind.

Or is it just pure boredom?

I don't know why Afu has such thoughts. Maybe it's because when she thinks back to the time when she didn't like anyone, she just guarded her sword all day long and didn't care about anything else. Now, looking back at herself, she feels like she's wasted her life.

At least she still has people she cares about, and that makes her feel warm.

Lu Bu sat cross-legged on his flying sword, watching A Fu return. Her flowing hair fluttered in the breeze, stirring her clothes, making her look like an ethereal fairy.

Many times, Afu felt that Lu Bu was somewhat similar to himself. They both followed the path of loyalty, both focused on swordsmanship, both had similar fighting styles, and both fought alone... although that was in the past.

Because of the similarities and the vast difference between them, Afu doubted her own worth. Now, she no longer has such concerns.

She nodded to Lü Bu and said—

"Yao, my classmate."

“…Senior Fu.”

The brief words were enough to say hello. Neither of them were talkative people. Afu nodded in acknowledgment and was about to leave.

Lu Bu, however, slightly lowered his eyes and said—

"I've thought about it for a long time."

"what?"

Afu stopped and turned to look at her.

With a wave of his hand, Lu Bu sent the flying sword steadily into her palm. She reached out to touch the simple, unadorned sword—a black hilt and a white blade, utterly unremarkable.

She walks the path of sincerity, needing no external aids, just like Afu, so both of them use ordinary swords.

Focus on self-cultivation.

Lu Bu looked at A Fu and said—

"At first, I thought Senior Fu had improved, but that's not the case..."

"..."

Ah Fu stroked Cerberus in his arms, waiting for Lü Bu's explanation.

She said—

"Senior Fu defeated me in a way that was a kind of 'non-competition,' but it wasn't true non-competition; rather, the object of his competition had changed... It wasn't about the sword anymore, but something else entirely..."

In terms of spiritual realm, there is no change; it is only that Afu himself has changed, so what he manifests will also be different.

She half-closed her eyes, smiled, and said—

"you're right."

"...Does Senior think this is a good idea?"

Lu Bu looked at A Fu and continued—

"This is just another form of escapism. Has it already... gone astray?"

That's really bold of you.

Afu looked at the girl in front of her and smiled. Of course, she knew her own situation; being too concerned about Chen Ming was already a bad thing.

but……

"I feel great right now. I'm happy being by his side, and that's enough."

A Fu didn't explain anything, she just smiled, but what was hidden in her smile made Lü Bu frown slightly.

Did someone force-feed me a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection)?

Chapter 181 Business Expansion to Sword Immortal School

Seeing A Fu's expression, Lu Bu pondered for a moment and then dropped the subject.

Turning to Cerberus in her arms, she said—

"You brought guests?"

"Yes, this is Cerberus."

Afu held up Cerberus's forelimbs and showed them to Lü Bu.

"..."

Lu Bu's expression turned somewhat strange. This thing, though it looks like a little puppy, is actually a very powerful heretic, right?

Senior Fu, what's wrong with your attitude towards ordinary puppies...?

Afu herself didn't realize that the more she spent in that house, the more she automatically became part of that identity, and her external identity became less important.

Compared to demons, sword immortals, or ordinary people, we are all one family, with no significant distinctions.

That's why she picked up the dog so casually, something she wouldn't have done before. After all, Cerberus is considered a senior figure; it's a bit impolite.

But now he's just a cute dog at home, he lets anyone hug him, and he enjoys being close to his family.

Of course, my favorite person is still my owner.

Cerberus was lifted from Afu's arms, its red eyes looking at Lu Bu's strange expression. It waved its front paw and said—

"Hello, I am Cerberus."

"...Hello, I'm Yao."

Lu Bu nodded to her, then said—

"Shouldn't we inform the teacher about the arrival of such a guest?"

"what……"

Indeed, the school should be informed that Cerberus has been brought here. After all, this is the Sword Immortal's stronghold, and the arrival of such a heavyweight figure should be announced and reported.

Afu nodded and said—

"Then I'll go talk to the teacher."

The two nodded and said goodbye.

Furthermore, you need to open a gate at school to go home afterwards, and you really can't do that without telling the teacher.

The school is our home, but protecting it depends on everyone.

Afu rode on a flying sword and flew towards a floating mountain.

……

"Is this Cerberus?"

The woman with purple eyes stared at the adorable little dog curled up in front of her, somewhat taken aback. She'd heard of Cerberus before, so seeing it in person was a bit of a surprise…?

She looked at A-Fu, who was holding him in her arms and stroking him, and smiled helplessly, saying—

"Fu, how can you be so rude?"

"Ah, this..."

Afu didn't think much of it at first, but after the teacher mentioned it, she started to care.

Cerberus blinked and said—