Chapter 696: My Beloved, My Flesh (5)

"The story is true. But one code returns to one code, your new habit, I really…"

Lu Ka: "Hahaha, don't worry! At most it'll last until this trial ends, I promise—hey, have I promised too many times today? That's not a good habit… Anyway, the trial I arranged is down to the final step. You two, thanks for walking with us a bit further!"

Xi Er lowered her head and stepped on the snow beneath her feet: "... We've come this far, quitting now would be a pity to myself as well. Speak, what do you still want to do?"

Lu Ka spread his hands on his hips: "The final step of this training—challenging the big boss Shi Wa Luo!"

——

Jujutsu Kaisen.

???

Hu Zang had a puzzled expression.

This is no longer a question of whether there's a flaw; it's clearly a serious illness!

Shi Wa Luo's strength is evident to all; even without relying on heat weapons, his massive mechanical fists can easily crush flesh.

In the end, even if Lu Ka were stronger, he's still just a mortal body, how could he possibly shake the machinery?

Of course, if he were someone like Yan Qing, Luanpo, or Jingliu—those gifted, genetically modified, sword‑training masters whose practice spans longer than Beroberg's founding history... then he wouldn't have said that. But if he's none of those, still wanting to challenge Shi Wa Luo is simply incomprehensible.

"Oh? This kid is somewhat interesting; finally seems to be getting serious,"

Lu Ziyun was rather intrigued by his choice; if the trial merely selected easy opponents, that would be a wasteful mindset. The trial should pick those who appear "absolutely unbeatable" as strong foes.

"It's not that he's getting serious; there's definitely something wrong…" Xiaozi exhaled a slow puff of smoke, her gaze complex as she looked at Lu Ka against the sky.

Based on the brief acquaintance so far, Xiaozi could almost conclude that Lu Ka is not a combative person, nor one who likes to invite trouble for himself; as an Earth Fire officer, he should know what throwing a punch at Shi Wa Luo entails.

Yet he still decided to set the trial target as it, which likely hides some plan he must conceal…

——

"You still dare say you have no flaw?!"

"Calm down, don't get carried away, Xi Er! I've already said I'm sober; every word I say is serious! I set the final goal of this trial days ago. Think about it—are there any opponents in the lower district more worth challenging than big boss Shi Wa Luo?"

Xi Er waved her hands repeatedly to refuse: "... No, I can't agree; you're just asking for trouble! Not to mention whether you have a chance, the relationship between Earth Fire and Shi Wa Luo has only just been repaired…"

"I'm not going to provoke him; don't overcomplicate things. I'm asking him for a fair and just duel, just like on a boxing ring!"

"You're insane!" Xi Er thought him unreasonable, "Shi Wa Luo is a robot; he doesn't understand any ring etiquette! Unlike us, his fists aren't made of flesh—"

Lu Ka quickly picked up where she left off: "... Then we finally have a worthy opponent, right?"

"You know what I mean, stop being clever! I just think this makes no logical sense…"

"Hahaha, I understand your worry, Xi Er! But you must know I'm a fighter… constant training, constant strengthening is my duty. There's always been a strong opponent I wanted to challenge, yet I could never get close to him… that feeling is so frustrating! Thanks to you all making peace with Shi Wa Luo, I finally have this chance—I absolutely don't want to miss it!"

Having said that, Xi Er knew she couldn't dissuade him, so she reluctantly agreed to his idea and went to talk with Shi Wa Luo.

"But to be blunt, if he refuses to acknowledge you, the challenger… we'll leave this place immediately."

——

fate/Wei Gong family's meal.

"Eh? Xing Ganggang just finished the Holy Grail War and then headed to Beroberg again? This girl really can't stay idle."

Lancer looked up at the scene unfolding in the sky, gulped a full mouthful of beer, then let out a crisp belch: "Burp—I'm used to drinking Su Le Da in Pinokangni, now drinking beer feels a bit unfamiliar… Should I buy some soda‑flavored syrup drinks next time?"

Lin lifted a burger patty and pointed at Ku Qiulin: "Hey hey, you're the one with the least right to say that, aren't you? Who stayed in Pinokangni so long, hopping between bars and motorbike races, even cleaning monsters for the hound family… you seem to enjoy it, Lancer~"

"Of course, that's the 'Star of the Grand Event' Pinokangni! The Holy Grail was destroyed; who knows if we'll ever be summoned to Pinokangni again. So we should take the chance to stroll around, staying longer isn't strange, right?"

Recalling the drink Miss Shu‑Weng mixed for him, Ku Qiulin felt a bit regretful that the time left for him was too short.

Caster gently set down the teacup: "Hearing you say that, I'm a bit tempted. If I could take Lord Zong Ichiro on a trip to such a place…"

"Traveling there would indeed be nice, but if it's about fighting in the Holy Grail War, that's another story. If Saber hadn't unleashed a Noble Phantasm to destroy the Grail, I might still have to explain there—moreover, until the war ends, I still don't know who Rider is."

"You should be glad we didn't encounter him," Archer said lightly. "Rider has never left the Starry Train; his master is the rabbit conductor on the Starry Train. His identity is watchmaker Mihaier—Lancer, you should know how much that name carries locally in Pinokangni, right?"

——

"Did you already inform the boss about going to find Shi Wa Luo?" Xi Er asked.

"Hahaha, that's all you want to ask? I'm not the type to tell the master everything."

"Um…" Xi Er felt her headache worsen.

The three proceeded without obstruction and easily found Shi Wa Luo, but faced with the unfamiliar Lu Ka, it hadn't yet retrieved any data.

"Yo, nice to meet you, big boss Shi Wa Luo! I'm Lu Ka, an Earth Fire officer just like Xi Er."

"Accessing backend database. Searching... Search complete. Lu Ka, native of Melt‑Hammer Town, champion of the 28th Panyan Town Combat Arena, beloved disciple of Earth Fire proxy leader Ao Lie Ge."

"... Whoa, impressive! Thanks for saving me a long self‑introduction."

"Lu Ka of Earth Fire, what's your purpose in seeking me?"

Lu Ka looked up at the massive figure before him, brimming with aura: "Straight to the point, just as I like—I'm here to challenge you, big boss Shi Wa Luo!"

"... Challenge?" In Shi Wa Luo's usually flat mechanical voice, a rare tremor appeared, as if hitting his information blind spot. "Intent unclear. Xi Er of Star and Earth Fire—can you provide an explanation?"

Xi Er quickly turned her face aside: "... It was his sudden brain‑wave idea. Whether you agree or not is up to you, Shi Wa Luo."

"Right! I have no grand scheme, just want to spar a few moves with the lower district's recognized strongest, see how much I'm actually worth. So, interested?"

"Hmm… evaluating… target's motive unclear. Hostility level: zero. Lie‑detector result: passed. Assessment: target truly came for a sparring match."

Shi Wa Luo immediately nodded in agreement: "—I accept to duel you, Lu Ka of Earth Fire."