Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 92

Side Story – The Chronicles of Huili (Part 1)

(It is recommended to read Chapters 31–34 before this chapter. Skipping ahead with “King Crimson” may leave you confused.)

Planet Huili.

An endless grassland stretched before them, with nothing remarkable in sight—save for a single towering ancient tree.

From a cosmic perspective, a lone ancient tree might seem utterly mundane. But what if legends surrounded it? What if this tree was somehow connected to [The End]?

Every legend has its roots in truth. The most striking difference between this ancient tree and other flora on Huili was its peculiar growth cycle. The tree would gradually shrink, growing shorter and smaller until it reverted to a seed. After lying buried deep underground for days, it would sprout anew, rapidly shooting up into a colossal tree once more—only to begin another cycle of regression.

If this were its only oddity, it would merely be a curious spectacle. But what led the Huili elites to associate it with [The End] was its prophetic ability. On the first day of each cycle, strange patterns would appear on the tree’s bark—indecipherable murmurs, like the mad whispers of the Lord of Finality.

Yet, when [Huili], the leader of the Huili people, gazed upon these patterns, comprehensible words would surface in their mind—words that often foretold the future of the Huili race.

Thus, the Huili revered this enigmatic tree as their Sacred Tree. Each completed growth cycle marked a new year in the Huili calendar. However, since each cycle varied in length, a “Huili year” was as irregular as an Amber Era—never the same duration.

Huili Calendar, Year 106, Day 1

“Great Sovereign… what do you see?”

Countless Huili knelt on the ground, their voices trembling as they addressed the sole figure standing before them—[Huili], their leader.

“We will face a crisis. But this crisis… is also an opportunity.”

Huili Calendar, Year 106, Day 234

[Chi] returned to Huili.

“Great Sovereign, esteemed elders… the Sapphire Star System has fallen. It is now hunting grounds for the Borisin.”

The moment these words were spoken, several elders shot up from their seats.

“What?! Did the Borisin see through the [Illusory Star Veil]?”

“Ah… Elder Huilu, rest assured. As long as we do not attack, the Borisin will only see phantom ships.”

Elder Huilu’s tense expression eased slightly as they slowly sat back down.

“Then explain. Why were we driven back in such defeat?”

Chi rose and activated the Shared Dreamscape, projecting the battlefield like a recording for all to witness.

“At first, our ambush was flawless. The Borisin beast-ships detected nothing. But since this was once our territory, they grew suspicious despite their blindness to our illusions. Before entering the kill zone, they halted.”

“This time, the Borisin were cautious. They loaded hundreds of thousands of enslaved Foxians into long-range cannons and fired them in waves toward every potential threat.”

“I must admit… the Borisin’s biological preservation technology is impressive. When those Foxians landed near our fleet, over a tenth were still alive. And then… some of our brothers powered up their ships, hauled the half-dead Foxians aboard, and began feasting. That’s how we were exposed.”

The scene unfolded—Huili soldiers, faced with fresh meat, abandoned their posts. Some boiled water, others sharpened knives, lit fires, or chopped vegetables. Even scouts and commanders dropped their weapons to gorge themselves.

“Enough. We can guess the rest. Once our position was revealed, the Borisin struck. Their lunar frenzy already weakens our illusions. Defeat was inevitable. Those savages know only plunder, not true cuisine. Mark my words—they’ll get theirs someday!”

Not a single elder blamed Chi for the defeat. After all, the Huili were not just followers of Abundance—they were also devotees of Gluttony. To them, survival’s ultimate purpose was to feast. Sacrificing a meal for victory? That was sheer folly.

So what if they lost the battle? So what if they lost territory? Their soldiers had tasted fresh meat on the battlefield! Wasn’t that more important than war itself?

“Chi, any interesting encounters on this trip?”

At this, Chi perked up. “After the Borisin scattered our forces, the Wingweavers tried to scavenge the remains…”

The elders exchanged glances as winged Abundance-worshippers appeared in the dreamscape.

“According to reports from Kui and Xiao, the Feathered Emperor ordered all Wingweavers back to their planetary mother-tree to prepare for a migration—to seize another faction’s divine relic. Why are they here?”

“Worry not, Elders. The intel was sound. Unlike the Borisin, Wingweavers have no resistance to illusions. These stragglers thought to pick us off but walked right into a trap—proof they know little of us. Interrogations revealed their leader was disgraced, exiling the whole group. Running into us was pure coincidence. Ah, perfect timing… Surely the Elders and our Sovereign are weary?”

Chi dissolved the illusion as dozens of Huili soldiers hauled in several wooden barrels. A rich aroma filled the air.

“We plucked the Wingweavers’ feathers, marinated them in spices, and roasted them until golden and crisp. A most delectable dish. Our Sovereign and Elders labor tirelessly—let this meal restore your strength.”

At the mention of food, the elders brightened. After [Huili] selected the choicest portions, they swarmed the barrels, each claiming a roasted Wingweaver.

Soon, only piles of clean-picked bones remained. The elders sat, faces gleaming with grease.

“If only Borisin beast-ships tasted as good as Wingweavers. Their meat has that rare balance of tenderness and chew, yet the flavor… so bland.”

Elder Huilu wrinkled their nose at the memory of Borisin flesh.

After a brief respite, Chi resumed the report.

“From the Wingweavers, we learned the Feathered Emperor amassed their forces to seize the [Arboreal Abode]—the Xianzhou’s sacred Jianmu Tree.”

“The Xianzhou? Those Abundance followers do have refined palates. Pity they’re so weak—no special traits, just… food. We’d have loved to taste Xianzhou flesh, but the Borisin war kept us busy. Now the Wingweavers get first bite…”

Noting the elders’ disappointment, Chi turned to [Huili].

“Great Sovereign, the Wingweavers proposed an alliance—a joint Abundance fleet to attack the Xianzhou. They take the Jianmu; we take the population. Should we…?”

“Refuse.” Huili’s reply was absolute.

“The Xianzhou is no match for the Wingweavers. Why share spoils unless they plan to turn on us next? Let them focus on the Xianzhou—it keeps the Borisin off our backs.”

“As you command, Great Sovereign.”

With a thought, Chi shifted the dreamscape to an unfamiliar star system.

“The Wingweavers’ ambush threw us off course, leading us here… where we found a Swarm Plague consuming the system.”

“Initial scans show energy tides encircle this system. The Swarm’s reproduction and vitality are fearsome, but they cannot breach the tides. No outside force will notice them.”

“Good. Very good. An unexpected bounty.”

The Huili leaders stared at the sky-blotting swarm, drool escaping their lips.