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"Hmm…" Jing Yuan exhaled heavily through his nose, crossing his arms and closing his eyes in deep thought.
This might be the most difficult problem he had ever faced in his military career.
To be honest, the benefits of using the [Human Emperor Banner] were enormous, while the cost was minimal. Training a new Aeon of Elation might not require much more than raising an ordinary Pathstrider.
But the problem was, the risks were equally immense.
If Miss Haha truly had no connection to the Aeon of Elation, then it would be straightforward.
The [Human Emperor Banner] could control souls, and presumably also modify wills. If Haha 'voluntarily' protected Xianzhou, given the Aeon of Elation's personality, THEY probably wouldn't intervene—and might even take a keen interest.
But that "if" was not something one could gamble lightly on.
A single misstep here wouldn't just doom the Luofu; it could bring Xianzhou itself to ruin.
Moreover…
Jing Yuan glanced at Haha, in a pitiful state, and gently shook his head.
The people of Xianzhou always repay kindness and avenge grievances. Why involve an innocent in such misfortune?
At that thought, he made his decision.
Exhaling a long breath, the spark returned to his eyes.
He smiled calmly. "Shopkeeper Sylvester, let's set this plan aside for now."
"Huff~" The group, led by Lingsha, all exhaled in unison, their hearts finally settling.
It was a regrettable choice, but not unexpected.
Given enough time, they likely would have made the same decision.
Still, the temptation of this opportunity was so great that, without a general's definitive ruling, they had lingered in their daydreams a little longer.
"Impressive resolve," Sylvester nodded to Jing Yuan.
To choose one's conscience over absolute power is no small feat.
At the very least, that character deserved respect.
He raised a third finger and spoke slowly, "Then this final strategy… it—"
"Stop!"
Just as Sylvester began, Jing Yuan raised a hand to halt him.
Having heard the previous two strategies, he was starting to get a little PTSD.
I thought the point of these plans was to resolve conflicts?
Why do these strategies all strike at the vital points instead?
Sylvester dealt in Curio barrels, opening powerful, often priceless items.
That alone was impressive—generous at the least, and morally upright at most.
Xianzhou's leadership held him in high regard.
Yet in just these few minutes today, Jing Yuan's opinion of him had flipped 180 degrees.
This guy had more ill intent than I do.
He pleaded in a conciliatory tone, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, do you have any gentle, conciliatory strategies—methods to turn enemies into allies?"
Hearing Jing Yuan's earnest plea, Sylvester, who had been speaking casually, suddenly fell silent before the group.
He withdrew his fingers from counting, pinched his chin, and actually went into deep thought.
Everyone looked at one another, their expressions grimmer than Sylvester's.
They realized one thing.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester… don't tell me… there isn't one?" Jing Yuan asked with difficulty.
All your thoughts… are just toxic strategies?
Earlier, we were discussing how it would be a waste to let Huohuo fight, and now it seems not letting her go was the true waste of talent!
"Ah?"
Sylvester looked up, slightly confused, finally realizing his earlier actions may have given them the wrong impression.
He smiled lightly. "You misunderstand. I do indeed have a gentle solution."
"But… it's a bottom-tier strategy."
Jing Yuan nodded firmly. "That doesn't matter. Please, Shopkeeper Sylvester, guide us."
Even a terrible idea is good if it solves the problem.
But Sylvester shook his head.
"No. You shouldn't ask me."
He pointed to another person present. "You should ask Lingsha."
"Me?" Lingsha tilted her head, her crimson fingers tapping atop her own head, eyes full of confusion.
The others were even more bewildered.
Yukong asked this relatively new colleague, "If Lingsha has a method, she would have mentioned it by now, right?"
Gongshu shook his head and said bluntly to Sylvester, "Shopkeeper, perhaps you should make yourself clearer. I'm not very good at this kind of mind game."
Only Jing Yuan seemed to catch on. "Could it be that Lingsha obtained a usable Curio that can solve this problem right now?"
"Exactly!" Sylvester nodded.
He addressed Lingsha in an oblique way: "Uh… Lingsha, you remember the little mishap during the last trash can opening, right? How it was resolved?"
"Last time…"
Lingsha had barely spoken the two words when her face flushed crimson. She pressed her lips together, eyes glancing sideways, unable to look at anyone directly—a stark contrast to her usual composure and elegance.
How could she forget?
The Curio she had drawn, the [Doctors of Chaos's Prescription Machine], was said to cure all diseases. Yet when it scanned for a master, it accidentally scanned her…
Afraid Sylvester would see, she had instinctively shielded herself, which naturally looked intimate.
But, by sheer misfortune, Qingque had witnessed the entire scene!
Had they not crafted an amnesia pill on the spot, she would have had to hide away for days to avoid social disgrace, possibly even returning to Zhuming.
Recalling that embarrassment, Lingsha forgot to speak.
To everyone else, this looked… different.
Sylvester had brought up something only they knew, and Lingsha's face flushed uncontrollably, heart racing.
Naturally, the question arose—what could it be?
And really, what else could it be?
Though no one asked directly, everyone 'understood'.
Gongshu leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard, his expression tinged with nostalgia. "Ah, youth…"
Yukong muttered to himself, "That child, Qingni… must be at that age now, huh?"
Only Guinaifen's eyes remained puzzled. "Did… something happen between you two?"
"No." Lingsha slammed the table in indignation. "Nothing happened! That day was just a normal trash can opening!"
"Oh~~"
So, something really did happen.
This time, everyone—including Guinaifen—sent her a synchronized look that said, I understand, I get it.
And then all of them turned to scrutinize Sylvester.
It was just one barrel-opening—how could something develop this quickly?
"What are you all thinking?" Lingsha demanded. She couldn't read minds, but she could tell at a glance that they were imagining things.
She hurried to defend herself: "That day, we just… just…"
The words barely left her mouth before her momentum collapsed, leaving her voice no louder than a mosquito's.
There was no way she could tell the truth.
For a moment, she felt utterly helpless.
And to everyone else, it looked almost like an admission.
Flustered and ashamed, Lingsha glared at Sylvester.
It's all your fault! You said only the heavens, the earth, you and I would know. Why bring it up again?
Sylvester merely smiled helplessly, silently cursing.
All for the sake of saving the Luofu, of course.
He cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Ahem. Everyone, this concerns the safety of the Luofu. Let's leave other matters for later."
"Reasonable," Jing Yuan nodded. "We'll revisit this topic later."
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