Jing Yuan's Request

As Chasing the Moon entered Luofu's guiding Star Rail and prepared to land at the Starskiff Haven, Jingxing casually tossed aside the report on the future development of Yaxche sent by the Traditional Projects Department.

"In the end, I won't get a promotion, I'll just get a slight increase in bonuses," Jingxing complained.

However, he didn't care about the company's reaction, since this accident had given Jingxing some power from a higher dimension.

A fierce wind was blowing at the Starskiff Haven's anchorage. Fu Xuan stood on the stone steps at the wind's edge, still holding the jade slip of the Divination Commission in his hand. When he saw Jingxing come down the gangway, he deliberately bumped into his arms.

"The Star Lane is queuing up, and it's truly an honor to have the Lord Diviner personally blow the wind." Jingxing picked her up and spun her around, while casually taking the jade slip from her hand. Heaven knows what's inside, but he'll keep it for now.

Fu Xuan's ears twitched. He glared at him, but ultimately didn't snatch it back. After landing, he turned around and said, "Stop with the glib talk. Stay close."

In the following days, the officials under the Divination Commission noticed that the Lord Diviner was unusually punctual in leaving work, and his previous habit of working overtime had disappeared.

Jingxing did not purchase a residence on the Xianzhou, and as he had done before, he stayed at Fu Xuan's residence.

Before leaving home in the morning, Fu Xuan would habitually gather up the sketchbooks scattered on his desk; when he returned at night under the moonlight, there would always be a bowl of mushroom and bamboo shoot soup warming on the table, with a thick brocade underneath, so as not to burn the tabletop. Sometimes Jingxing would accompany her to Exalting Sanctum to pick out cinnabar, and sometimes he would shrink into the corner of the study to sharpen charcoal pencils.

At night, while peeling an orange, Jingxing casually asked, "Xuan'er, has your Divination Commission noticed anything unusual about Luofu lately?"

Fu Xuan took the orange and looked up at him. "What are you referring to?"

"Let's chat casually. Astrology, ley lines, contraband in ports, or even the divination results from the Divination Commission —anything goes."

Fu Xuan placed the orange segments on a porcelain dish, his expression turning serious. "Since we met the day before yesterday, you've asked this question so many times. Did you foresee something?"

Jingxing stopped peeling the orange. "It's just a feeling I had."

"Something's on your mind?" Fu Xuan, who knew his position well, frowned. "But Luofu hasn't had any serious problems recently."

"Peaceful days are certainly good, but if it's so calm that you can't even feel a ripple or a sound, then a hurricane is about to hit." Jingxing shook his head. "But it's alright, I'll stay here a while longer. Even if something goes wrong, I'll be here this time."

Fu Xuan stared at him, but didn't say anything more.

The next day, Fu Xuan activated the Matrix of Prescience at the Divination Commission and worked non-stop for the entire morning.

She sifted through all the records of her comings and goings in the Starskiff Haven over the past few months, and then used her divine eye to trace the cause and effect of the earth's veins to the bottom. By the time she got home, it was already midnight.

But the lights were still on in Jingxing's room.

"I've investigated." Fu Xuan's brows furrowed with barely concealed fatigue as he leaned against the couch, rubbing his temples. "The merchant ships that entered and left the capital have impeccable records; the divination results are all neutral; the causal lines are clean. There is not a trace of any external evil infiltrating Luofu."

Jingxing handed over a cup of warm bitter tea, pausing slightly upon hearing this. "Thank you for your hard work, Xuan'er, but it's good that you're alright lately."

Fu Xuan held his teacup, giving him a cold look. "But why do I see the slightest hint of pleasure on your face?"

"I trust Matrix of Prescience, and I trust you even more." Jingxing smiled, casually removing the hairpin from her hair and letting her long hair fall loose. "I guess I've been running around too much, making me paranoid."

But Fu Xuan's guess was correct. Jingxing didn't think that just because she could tell the divinations without any problems, it meant there were no real problems—after all, Fu Xuan's abilities were undeniable. If the source of the trouble was an Emanator, or even Aeon, how could she possibly have predicted it?

Fu Xuan gave a soft hum, took a sip of tea, and his tense shoulders and neck relaxed in the steam. After only a couple of sips, he slumped onto the couch and fell into a deep sleep.

After tucking her in, Jingxing looked down at his right palm.

Deep within his palm, the causal thread brought from Yaxche's "World Tree" lay peacefully, as still as stagnant water.

"I hope they won't need you," Jingxing muttered to himself.

Two days later, in the afternoon, a paper crane bearing the seal of the Seat of Divine Foresight flew into the carved window.

The letter contained only one line of wild cursive script. "[I received some newly roasted fine tea today. I hope Mr. Jing will come to my residence this afternoon for a chat. -- Jing Yuan]"

Fu Xuan straightened Jingxing's collar and advised, "His sudden invitation to you probably means he's up to something troublesome. Curb your carefree attitude and be more careful."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Jingxing replied with a smile, while casually pinching Fu Xuan's cheek.

The Seat of Divine Foresight was deserted in the afternoon.

Jingxing followed the guards through the long corridor, but instead of entering the main hall, he was led to the waterside pavilion.

Jing Yuan, dressed in plain white clothes, was squatting beside the artificial hill feeding the fish. He threw in a bag of bait, which caused the koi to scramble for it.

"Mr. Jingxing, you've arrived just in time." Jing Yuan clapped the tea leaves off his hands, smiled, and sat back down at the stone table. "Try the new tea I got from Fanghu High Elder."

Jingxing took his seat. "Since the general has invited me, I cannot delay."

As he spoke, he took out several boxes of pastries from his sachet. "General, why don't you try the tea and snacks I bought in Thousand Stars City?"

"That would be perfect, after all, it's difficult for me to leave Luofu, let alone sample the local specialties of Thousand Stars City." Jing Yuan laughed as he poured tea, but soon his smile faded, and a shrewd glint appeared in his eyes. "I invited Mr. Jingxing here today because I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"General, please speak."

"The child beside me, Yanqing," Jing Yuan, looking at the pool, "Has exceptionally high comprehension and flawless swordsmanship, but his vision is still too narrow. Born in Luofu and raised on the Xianzhou, his understanding of the powerful beings in the universe is still too shallow."

Jingxing took a sip of the slightly bitter tea. "So?"

"I'd like to ask Mr. Jingxing to broaden his horizons." Jing Yuan tapped his fingertips lightly on the table. "You don't need to teach him anything, just use those eyes that have traveled the world to lift the well cover for him and let him see that there are heavens beyond heavens."

Jingxing laughed, "General, you overestimate me. I have a sinecure at the company, and I just like to doodle on paper in my spare time. What could I possibly teach?"

Jing Yuan smiled knowingly, "But we probably know Mr. Jingxing's abilities better than the company does."

He leaned forward, his expression earnest. "To be honest, if you were to truly invest all your skills into the Xianzhou, their impact would be no less than rebuilding Luofu."

Jingxing chuckled, "General, your skill at making empty promises is even more adept than those executives at the company. Rebuilding the Xianzhou? I can't handle that."

Jing Yuan wasn't embarrassed at all when his secret was exposed. He smiled and called out, "Yanqing, come in."

His footsteps at the corner of the covered walkway were steady, devoid of any youthful impetuosity.

The curtain was lifted, and a young man in a smart outfit with a neat high ponytail strode in. His light armor was spotless, and the cold glint of his sword was faintly visible. He was like a sharp blade that had just been drawn from its sheath.

After the boy finished his military salute, his gaze swept over Jingxing like a knife.

The man in front of me was dressed in slightly wrinkled casual clothes, with charcoal ash on his cuffs and an old cloth bag hanging from his waist. He didn't even have a weapon, and his body was loose and full of flaws. He looked to be only a few years older than me.

Yanqing clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry. "Yanqing Cloud Knight Lieutenant, greets you, sir."