Honkai: Oh No, I’ve Become the Herrscher of Corruption?! - Chapter 93

Side Story – The Chronicles of Huili (Part 2)

Huili Calendar, Year 108, Day 100 – Huili Star

The grand hall was eerily silent. The elders stared at the battle report before them, unable to speak for a long time—its contents were simply too shocking. If not for the Huili’s unique ability to share dreams and maintain instant communication, they would have suspected this to be fabricated by the Masked Fools or the fictional historians.

“The Wingweavers mobilized their entire race, driving the Shìròu to attack the Xianzhou—only to suffer a crushing defeat. Their forces were decimated, fleeing in utter disarray. Meanwhile, some Xianzhou humans struck a deal with the Suiying, greatly enhancing their combat prowess. One individual, possessed by the Suiying’s leader, stood at the bow of the Xianzhou [Yaoqing] and fired an arrow that pierced through the Shìròu, severing the Abundance’s divine relic—the [Jianmu]—on the Xianzhou [Luofu]. The attack also had an unknown effect on the Wingweavers’ Mother Tree…”

After a prolonged silence, Elder Huimeng finally spoke:

“Aren’t we all followers of the Abundance? The so-called ‘Feathered Emperor’ claims to be an [Emanator], yet in the critical moment, he was utterly useless. Meanwhile, the Xianzhou—look at them! That archer who shot down the Shìròu? Now that is what an [Emanator] should be!”

As Abundance followers, the Huili’s greatest enemies were other Abundance factions. Though [Huili] itself was incomparably stronger than any other member of the race—so much so that even all the elders combined stood no chance against it—it had never been an [Emanator]. The Huili and the Wingweavers had minimal conflict, and with the latter supposedly having an Emanator, the Huili had never provoked them.

But this battle proved one thing—the Feathered Emperor’s title of “Emanator” was self-proclaimed.

“Elder Huimeng, even if the Feathered Emperor is a fraud, that Xianzhou ‘Emanator’ isn’t real either. After firing that shot, he vanished without a trace. It was just a single attack, achieved at great cost, that reached Emanator-level power—”

“‘Just’? If our Sovereign could obtain that kind of power, the Feathered Emperor would already be boiling in a soup pot!”

“Ah, no, what I mean is… with the Xianzhou heavily damaged, the Wingweavers in retreat, and the Lupines willing to temporarily halt hostilities, now would be the perfect time to strike—”

At this, everyone in the hall licked their lips. None of them had ever tasted the flesh of the Xianzhou’s Celestial Race.

But [Huili] shook its head.

“We wait. First, the Lupines may not honor the ceasefire. If we send our fleet out, they might raid our pastures the moment we leave.”

“Second, though the Xianzhou is weakened, their morale is at its peak. Attacking now would only cost us unnecessary losses. As the Xianzhou saying goes: ‘The first burst of energy is fierce, the second wanes, the third exhausts.’ Let them believe the crisis has passed, let their vigilance fade, let their leaders turn to infighting—then we strike. That way, we achieve maximum gain for minimum sacrifice.”

The meeting concluded, and soon, only [Huili] and Chi remained in the vast hall.

“Does the Sovereign have further orders?”

“The Expeditionary Fleet is ready. After much consideration, I’ve decided to entrust the mission of finding a second homeland to you—your spatial abilities make you the best candidate.”

“The Sacred Tree’s prophecy last year… So it really is…”

In the 107th year of the Huili Calendar, the Sacred Tree had delivered a prophecy:

“Within one hundred planetary revolutions, I shall turn to ash.”

This was the first time such a thing had happened since the Huili reformed their calendar. Given that the Sacred Tree’s prophecies had never been wrong in the past 106 years, panic spread through the entire race. If the Sacred Tree turned to ash, did that mean Huili Star would face annihilation—perhaps a long-range strike from an enemy force, or even the complete occupation of their world?

Rumors ran wild.

“The Lupines’ technology is advancing rapidly—will the Huili become slaves?”
“Has an Emanator of Elation, or even Aha itself, infiltrated Huili Star to split the Sacred Tree in half?”

As followers of both the Abundance and Voracity Paths, the Huili were born with supernatural abilities. Yet, based on their experience, the only things they truly feared were other Abundance factions… and whatever chaos the followers of Elation might unleash.

After much debate, the Huili reached a simple conclusion:

They would form an Expeditionary Fleet to seek out a star system untouched by other Path followers—especially Abundance factions—and establish a second home before the prophecy’s deadline.

And, of course… to taste new prey.

“You will command the first Expeditionary Fleet. Mei, Wang, Liang, Xu, Tui, Xu, Ga, and Qi will also join the expedition under your leadership.”

Chi was stunned. “Sovereign, the others are one thing, but… Mei? Has the situation truly grown so dire? Couldn’t this just mean the Sacred Tree has reached the end of its lifespan?”

Huili shook its head. “Chi, what I received from the Sacred Tree was not just words—it was sheer terror. As if our entire race faces annihilation within one hundred revolutions of Huili Star… Mei is the most unique among us, the one most likely to survive. Protecting it is our highest priority.”

“Annihilation? Even if one of our enemies became an Emanator of Preservation, or if the Interastral Peace Company’s Market Development Department set their sights on our star system… annihilation seems impossible!”

“Sigh… It’s better to treat this as truth rather than risk otherwise. Besides, hunting in a star system free of other Abundance factions would be far safer for us. My decision is final—do not argue further.”

“Understood. This subordinate obeys.” Chi bowed and withdrew.

Alone in the hall, the Sovereign pondered, just as Chi had, yet neither could fathom what force could possibly bring about the Huili’s extinction.