Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

Aside from the Slime King and Queen, Slimes dressed in various official robes lined up in two rows, standing on either side of the hall.

Led by Helot, Yang Yu and his group greeted the Slime King.

The largest blue Slime bubbled internally, emitting a human voice:

”You may rise.”

As soon as the Slime King finished speaking, the Slime officials all began to wriggle, swell, and transform into a sticky half-human, half-Slime form, indistinguishable from the humanoid Slimes seen in most games, like a paradise for mucus enthusiasts.

Dressed differently, looking no different from humans, He Meng seemed completely out of place among them, quite an anomaly.

Did these Slimes transform into human shapes deliberately?

Is it to facilitate communication with us, or is there some other reason they must take this form in front of humans?

The enormous Slime King transformed into a middle-aged man, and alongside him, the Slime Queen turned into a beautiful noblewoman, sitting hand in hand on the throne, their gaze fixed on He Meng.

Even if He Meng didn’t explicitly state her identity, all the Slimes knew who she was.

”He Meng.”

Suddenly called upon, He Meng reluctantly stepped out from behind Yang Yu and greeted her parents:

”Father, Mother, long time no see.

I’ve made you worry.

But there is a reason I haven’t returned all this time...

Please listen to my explanation.”

The Slime King glared angrily at He Meng:

”What reason?

We’ve told you since you were a child, the outside world is dangerous, you must never sneak out.

Even if you go outside, you mustn’t leave a certain area.

And what happened?

You suddenly vanished, sneaking outside like a smuggler, disregarding your safety; do you know how worried we were?

Do you know how much time and effort we spent searching for you?”

He Meng lowered her head, quickly apologizing:

”I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Father, I know I was wrong, but there really is a reason, could you let me finish explaining?”

The Slime King intended to continue scolding but paused as his wife gave him a reproachful look.

Taking the opportunity, Helot intervened timely, saying:

”Father, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise. Although my sister’s sudden disappearance caused us trouble, it’s not entirely a bad thing.

As you can see, He Meng has perfected the ability to mimic human form, which many advanced Slimes cannot achieve.

She has gone through various hardships outside and is now a different person.

I feel that she is far superior to the scholars we trained in routine manners.

Moreover, on the long road back, He Meng has likely paid a heavy price for her impulsive actions.

She has returned after enduring many hardships; please show her the warmth of family, don’t blame her any further.”

The Slime King remained silent for a long while, slowly calming his temper, giving both He Meng and himself a way out:

”He Meng, now let’s see what you’ve learned outside.

If you’ve merely been protected back here without any growth...

I won’t be satisfied.

You wasted over three years. I don’t want my child to live like a fool.

But if your performance exceeds my expectations, I’ll let your departure from the Slime Kingdom slide.”

He Meng patted her chest confidently: ”Then let me show you the difference between the current me and the old me.”

Subsequently, He Meng began demonstrating what she learned over the years in the hall.

He Meng first showcased her skill of arbitrary transformation, turning into an elaborate skyscraper one moment and a giant tiger the next, manifesting many things Slimes had never seen before or recorded in books.

Then, like a juggler, He Meng continued to display her acquired skills, causing Slime officials to applaud and exclaim in admiration.

Even the Slime King was extremely surprised.

As a child, He Meng was very intelligent but didn’t love to study seriously.

Other royal Slimes excelled in school, but He Meng showed no interest, like a lazy fish, living a lackadaisical life, barely passing the elementary graduation test.

Since young, He Meng was a treasure and adored by the Slime King and Queen, indulging her laziness and willfulness.

When He Meng went missing, they were frantic, realizing their educational philosophy had failed, and regretted it deeply.

Such was He Meng before she ventured outside, returning as a hard-working individual with so many learned skills, making the Slime King quite grateful.

But as a king, he must always maintain his dignity, especially in front of outsiders; he can no longer show He Meng excessive affection.

He Meng returned, having grown, and if he rushed to her now, saying, ”Dad missed you so much, I’d love to play like before, putting you on my head,” not only would his authority be lost, but He Meng who had finally matured might revert to her old, headstrong ways.

Therefore, the Slime King desperately held back, for the sake of his daughter’s growth, as a father, he had to sternly educate her.

He Meng’s growth exceeded his expectations; how much pain had she endured for such growth, the Slime King could hardly imagine.

His immediate reaction was distress, but he absolutely could not show this distress, only continuing to keep a stern face, watching He Meng’s performance.

Seeing the Slime King unmoved, Slime Minister suddenly began pleading for He Meng.

Among those ministers were human scholars, intrigued by He Meng’s worldly experiences; combat enthusiasts, keen on He Meng’s strength, wanting to understand how she became so strong.

The Slime King sighed and said to He Meng:

”Indeed, you’ve grown. In view of so many pleading for you, I won’t pursue this further. Let this be a warning.”

Maintaining his kingly demeanor, the Slime King turned his gaze to Yang Yu and said:

”Next...

I thank you for returning my daughter, later, I’ll give you the appropriate reward.”

Yang Yu bowed again, expressing his request:

”Your Majesty, I appreciate your reward, but rather than material compensation, I need the help of your Slime tribe.....

Yang Yu’s words hadn’t finished when the Slime King decisively refused without hesitation:

”If you wish us to go to the surface, allow me to refuse!”