Yanqing led the group straight to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
There, Jing Yuan was in conversation with the Zhuming General—Huaiyan.
After introductions and pleasantries, the Astral Express crew and the others became acquainted.
At this moment, Huaiyan, noting Yanqing's impressive demeanor, stroked his beard and turned to Jing Yuan. "And this young friend beside you is…?"
"My disciple, Yanqing. He's still young, so I keep him by my side as an attendant, hoping to temper him through experience. For this Martial Exhibition ceremony, he will represent the Luofu Cloud Knights, defending the stage and accepting challenges from all sides."
"Good, good, good! To meet so many young talents in one visit makes this old man's trip worthwhile." Huaiyan then pointed to a corner. "Oh, right, old age makes one forgetful… Over there is my grand-disciple, Yunli…"
A barefoot girl slowly stepped forward.
Yanqing's eyes widened. "It's you!"
"Oh, it's you. Hello."
"What a stroke of luck—I thought it'd take ages to track you down."
Huaiyan's eyes lit up, sensing gossip. "Oh? My curiosity's piqued… Tell me, how do you two know each other?"
Yanqing explained, "This young lady helped subdue an escaped Borisin prisoner at the Starskiff Haven. Yanqing thanks you for that. But when you left… you also took my flying sword."
Yunli frowned slightly. "Flying sword?… Oh, I was wondering why there was an extra short sword in my bag. So it's yours."
"Exactly. Since we've met again, I hope you can…"
"I'm afraid that's not possible."
Yanqing doubted his ears. "Not possible?"
"You want the sword back, right? Fine, but not like this. Zhuming's rules are clear: a sword lost on the battlefield must be reclaimed on the battlefield.
That little sword is no exception. It flew through the air, meant to strike the fleeing Borisin. But its master's heart was unsettled, and like a kite with a broken string, it lost its aim.
If I hadn't caught it and guided it to its target, that Borisin would've escaped long ago."
[????]
[Little sister?]
[So that's Zhuming's rule? You can just snatch an ally's sword on the battlefield?]
[This is straight-up unreasonable. How can she say that?]
[I get they're trying to set up a playful rival CP, but isn't this too much? Too forced.]
[This segment is genuinely dumb.]
[Stealing someone's stuff and acting righteous about it? This is the Luofu!]
— —
Yanqing's tone grew colder. "Miss Yunli, you took my sword without a word, and now you casually refuse to return it?"
Yunli tilted her head. "Luofu swordsman, is that all you've got?"
"What did you say?"
"If you can openly, honorably take your sword back from me, Yunli will accept it with respect. But you didn't. You thought you could brush this off and have me return it in front of everyone, like it's nothing…
Frankly, you show no respect for the blade that helped us slay enemies and protect lives. You don't deserve this sword."
[Hahaha, I'm actually pissed off laughing.]
[She dares say that in this setting? Does General Jing Yuan not get any face?]
[Honestly, it's hard to judge. Is this really miHoYo's level of writing?]
— —
At this moment, Stelle squinted at Yunli, thinking, "This girl! She's more abstract than my Galactic Baseballer self. Yanqing calls me teacher, so I can't let this slide without getting justice for him."
She then curled her lips into a slight smirk.
March 7th leaned toward Dan Heng, whispering, "Look at her face. Is she about to pull something big?"
Dan Heng shook his head. "Doesn't matter. She knows her limits."
Yanqing, meanwhile, was fuming at Yunli's words. "Miss, hasn't anyone taught you that taking without asking is theft? If you insist on settling this with swords… fine, just the two of us, one-on-one, right now…"
As the tension peaked, Jing Yuan called out, "Yanqing."
Yunli, unfazed, continued, "Now that's more like it. But be careful—I'm not as easy to deal with as a Borisin."
Huaiyan, now anxious, interjected, "Enough, apologize to little brother Yanqing!"
"Grandpa, whose side are you on?"
"Grandpa…" Huaiyan paused. "Er, grandpa's on no one's side!"
Jing Yuan stepped in to ease the mood. "A small misunderstanding—'apologize' is too strong a word. I've heard that Zhuming's swordsmanship and craftsmanship are renowned, with the 'Eightfold Flame Wheel' famed across the ages. Seeing Miss Yunli, listed among them, truly displays a fiery spirit and temperament."
"What fame? Some busybodies love making up titles and stirring trouble for the Cloud Knights. Yunli's just a kid, shy and rough around the edges. Please forgive her rudeness."
Jing Yuan's peripheral vision caught a shadow in the dim light, sensing new guests had arrived. He assigned tasks to the group.
After seeing Yanqing and the others off, Jing Yuan returned to the earlier topic. "It's an honor for the Luofu's Martial Exhibition to have your presence.
But for a mere ceremony to draw both the Zhuming and Yaoqing's Heavenly Generals at once—surely it's not just for the spectacle? General Huaiyan, does the Marshal have any orders?"
"You're overthinking, Jing Yuan. As I said, I'm here to let the kids see the world. I've no intention of meddling in the Luofu's affairs. As for the Yaoqing General's plans, that's not for me to comment on either.
Do you remember? When you first took office, I told you, 'The battlefield of the Reignbow Arbiter's generals isn't just beyond the Xianzhou.' Fighting enemies and mediating within… the title of General carries far more weight than its name suggests.
You've done well all these years. But for the Xianzhou people, living too long is a curse. Every mistake made in life lurks in the shadows, waiting to catch up and swallow you whole.
The Marshal is fully aware of the Ambrosial Arbor calamity on the Luofu. And the Yaoqing's General of the Sky-Striking Thunder… she's here for you.
But strangely, where is she? They say the Yaoqing's General moves like lightning, always striking first. Being this late isn't her style."
"General Huaiyan, you're mistaken. My superior arrived early this morning. But as you both know, her temperament is unrestrained." A pink-haired foxian, fanning herself with a feather fan, approached Jing Yuan, accompanied by a shadow guard.
"She bolted the moment we disembarked, saying she had business to attend to. Couldn't stop her."
Jing Yuan smiled faintly. "You two must be the envoys from the Xianzhou Yaoqing."
— —