16: Senior's Words
"How's retirement life? Are you enjoying it?" On the computer screen, a girl who looked to be only in her twenties smiled and greeted Bai Ling.
The girl had short gray hair and looked very capable overall. Faintly, Bai Ling could even see the luxurious interior decorations of the room behind the girl.
This girl was Bai Ling's old friend and also the human bigshot who had single-handedly discovered Bai Ling, this precious gem.
"Somewhat... I don't know what I should do." Bai Ling sat on the bed hugging her legs, her eyes full of confusion. "Little Ya has her own life. I don't know what I can do for her."
After two days together, Bai Ling discovered that she was actually the one who needed to be taken care of. She had almost no common sense about daily life—she couldn't even do things like boiling water.
Was there really any necessity for the existence of a sister like her?
The gray-haired girl showed an unsurprised expression. She had long anticipated the various problems Bai Ling would encounter after returning to ordinary life.
"The meaning of life needs to be discovered by yourself. My suggestion is to go out more and make some friends."
"Friends?" Bai Ling softly repeated those two words.
In her twenty-plus years of life, she had never had friends. As a child, she was ostracized by her peers because of her unusual hair and eye color, making friendship impossible.
Later, she became Stellar Sword Saint. As the Sword Saint, she had no friends and no comrades—she was always alone.
The person she had the best relationship with was probably the airplane pilot. Bai Ling would take that plane every time she went on missions.
Naturally, she had also become familiar with that muscular uncle who looked somewhat fierce but had a very good personality.
"I originally wanted to suggest you find a boyfriend, but seeing how you are now, it's better to take it slowly." The girl chuckled a few times. Her voice gave people a feeling of trustworthiness—whether this was her natural talent or her ability was unclear.
"What are those retired heroes doing now?" Bai Ling asked.
She wasn't the first hero to retire, nor would she be the last.
Before her, many heroes had left the Hero Association for various reasons and became part of the general populace.
The most famous among them should be those seniors who had turned the tide during humanity's first contact with non-human races thirty years ago.
When Bai Ling joined the Hero Association, those seniors had already faded from people's view—in other words, they had retired.
"This is top secret information." The girl winked at Bai Ling. "But since you're asking, it's not impossible to tell."
"'Great Sage' became a teacher after retirement. His teaching ability is quite outstanding, and students really like him; 'Songstress' returned to her old profession and is now a popular singer; 'Lightning Fire Fist' became a fitness instructor and is quite popular too."
The girl casually mentioned several great heroes who had been famous just a few years ago. Their retirement lives were quite colorful.
"They're living well." Whether it was envy or some other emotion, Bai Ling said quietly.
"They all had character flaws when they were heroes, but now they've overcome those flaws." The girl paused, then continued, "And in my view, your problem, Little Bai, is the easiest to solve."
"Make a few friends and play with them, and you'll gradually adapt to this world."
"For example, that little girl downstairs from you—you could totally be friends with her. She's about your age, just a bit of a shut-in."
Her? Leticia? Bai Ling's expression became interesting.
Was Senior Sang being serious?
"I've looked into this girl named Su Qianqian. She has a clean background and good academic records before. I just don't know why she became like this after graduation."
"That... Su Qianqian, she..." Bai Ling wanted to remind the gray-haired girl of Leticia's true identity, but the words reached her lips and she swallowed them back.
If Senior Sang found out that Leticia lived here, something bad might happen.
If a battle broke out in Central City, Bai Ling wouldn't have the spare capacity to protect the city's safety and the lives of its residents.
The current Leticia seemed harmless, but Bai Ling knew clearly that deep in that black-haired girl's heart still lived a Demon King unwilling to accept mediocrity.
It was just that this Demon King was now deeply sealed, but when the time was right, the Demon King would break the shackles on her body and once again declare her return to the world.
"I'll work hard." Bai Ling nodded.
So the best method was for her to act as the strongest chain. As long as she didn't let Leticia leave her sight, the Demon King would have no possibility of returning.
This way, it could also be considered contributing to the world.
"I feel like you're hiding something from me, Little Bai." The gray-haired girl held her chin thoughtfully.
"Mm." Bai Ling didn't deny it.
"Can you tell me what it is?"
"Su Qianqian is very strong." Bai Ling looked up and said seriously, "I'll keep her in check."
"Ah, this..."