"If it's just about observing fate and ignoring morality and principles, I actually have a simpler and more efficient method. It's none of your business."
Hua Yi continued to polish the Godfall Sword.
"I shared the news that the Xianzhou was brewing a crisis, but did not take any further action because I was here, and it was destined that no one would shed blood. Those with ulterior motives will take the initiative to jump out, and virtuous people will also shine. Why should I rush to kill the former and make the latter feel confused or even wary? At that time, it will be difficult to deal with the arrows that Xianzhou Luofu summoned from Lan."
"This is difficult... Just who are you?!"
"I already said you're human. You could ask me what kind of person I am, but I don't need to explain, Miss Captive."
Sensing the approach of two intersecting Path Fluctuation near the residence, Hua Yi stopped fiddling with the Crimson Greatsword.
"Your lookout duty is over for today. Stay in your cell now."
As soon as he finished speaking, the "window" that had allowed Phantylia to make a sound was closed, and the Godfall Sword was once again completely intact.
Outside the mansion, Tingyun was carrying the breakfast she had personally bought, still steaming hot, while being scrutinized from head to toe by a certain Lord Helmsman.
" Lord Yukong, do you have something important to tell me in person?"
"I've come to see the guests on the Astral Express."
"So early?"
"It is indeed early morning, so I didn't plan to knock on the door directly, but Tingyun, you don't seem to be like that."
I bought so many breakfasts so that people could have a hot meal without leaving the house.
Does the scope refer to the entire Express crew, or just one person?
Yukong stared intently at Tingyun, whose expression was shifting, his scrutinizing gaze deepening.
Chapter 315 Host and Guest, Friends
Yukong understood Tingyun; this capable young woman, who could lead a merchant fleet on a voyage across the stars, would never easily lose her composure.
"What were you thinking when you stepped out of your house to buy breakfast, and when you arranged for the Express crew to stay in this house not far from your home yesterday?"
"I... I didn't think about anything... No, I was thinking that I couldn't fail in my hospitality..."
Tingyun stammered, her usual shrewdness gone, and she seemed inexplicably embarrassed, as if she had been caught red-handed by an elder for doing something wrong.
Such a reason was certainly not satisfactory to Yukong.
Xianzhou Meeting Room always operates in a formal and businesslike manner, without any arrangement of a private courtyard or special meal delivery service.
However, further questioning is not very meaningful.
"Since you brought breakfast, it's not good to wait too long and let the food get cold."
Knock knock knock.
Yukong didn't care about superiors or subordinates, and Ming, who was already carrying a large box of breakfast Tingyun, went up to knock on the door again.
She raised her hand herself, with just the right amount of force.
Adding even a fraction would make it too heavy, subtracting even a fraction would make it too light.
If someone in the courtyard had already woken up, they should have heard the knocking. If they were still fast asleep, the noise wouldn't have disturbed the Express crew's sleep.
The technology of the Xianzhou is top-notch in the entire universe. The antique-style building has an Internet of Everything system built in, which can connect to the Jade Abacus. However, Yukong felt that the passengers on the train were newcomers and probably not yet familiar with it.
It was Hua Yi who opened the gate to the mansion.
"Good morning, Shipmaster Yukong, Miss Tingyun."
"How did you find your first day at the Xianzhou Luofu?"
"As a vehicle that travels through planetary rivers, the Astral Express does not have sunrise and sunset. I thought I was on a planet and stared at the day and night cycle of the Xianzhou for a long time."
"The celestial phenomena of Xianzhou Luofu are all ingeniously designed, and the Wind and Rain Platform of the Department of Terrestrial Measurement is responsible for them, which is a major feature."
"Really? It's not managed by the Shipyacht Department. As the name suggests, the Department of Terrestrial Measurement is in charge of matters on the ground, while the Department of Celestial Mechanics is responsible for the airspace. The weather should also be in the sky."
Seeing Hua Yi's curious and intrigued expression, Tingyun covered her mouth and chuckled.
" The Six Departments of Xianzhou each have their own responsibilities, which are quite complicated. Now that you've come to Xianzhou Luofu, you can learn about them at your own pace."
Strictly speaking, Tingyun is the owner of this mansion, Hua Yi is just a guest.
Therefore, it would seem odd to treat the two Miss Fox with excessive formality at this time.
While chatting casually, Hua Yi naturally stepped aside, gesturing for Yukong and Tingyun to come inside and sit down. Hua Yi's social skills came into play, and Tingyun completely forgot about hospitality, excitedly placing the food box on the table.
"I've specially selected some traditional Xianzhou Luofu snacks; please try them while they're hot!"
What else can you do Yukong?
I had no choice but to help the girl who was talking to herself fill in the gaps.
" Tingyun thought that since our distinguished guests are new to the city, they might not know where to buy breakfast nearby, so I apologize for disturbing you so early in the morning."
"I'm so grateful to both of you for providing me with such a delicious meal without even leaving home—so, does the Lord Helmsman have something more important to discuss with me?"
Different meanings can arise from the wording, expression, and tone of voice.
Hua Yi grabbed a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, not putting on airs, turning what should have been a meeting between representatives of the two sides into a private chat.
Eliminating a lot of formalities and etiquette makes communication much easier.
"Judging from your Helmsman, are you perhaps working late into the night on the Stellaron issue? I feel like you're the one who should be eating more. Since the others don't seem to be up yet, you might as well follow the principle of finishing food while it's at its best and have a little bit too."
"This..."
"I've long heard that Miss Tingyun is a rising star in the Shipyacht Department. Now that she's bought so much breakfast and come with the Helmsman, she must be thinking of taking care of Lord Yukong's health while she's busy with official business in Xianzhou Luofu."
Really? How come I didn't know that?
Yukong glanced at Tingyun, who was acting far from being a guest and had already lost her composure. He immediately understood that Hua Yi was using a joke as an excuse to speak up for her.
"Regarding the information previously shared by the Astral Express, I contacted the Xianzhou Luofu Division and found that there were indeed some doubts."
"I don't think I've become a suspect, do I?"
"You flatter me, esteemed guest. The Divine Strategy Hall and the Divination Commission may be discussing matters with you all in the coming days, so I came to inform you in advance. I hope you can spare some time."
Given the unclear situation, it's difficult for Yukong to issue a clear invitation for cooperation, or even to offer mutual support and assistance to the Astral Express...
Even Helmsman doesn't have that much power.
Ultimately, the decision on how Xianzhou Luofu should treat the Nameless rests with the general of the Divine Strategy Hall. At this moment Yukong to confirm whether his polite refusal yesterday has created a negative impression on the Express crew.
While she was still composing her thoughts, Hua Yi made a decisive statement.
" The Luofu Xianzhou is one of the important forces in maintaining the Order of the universe, and we are certainly willing to have more dealings with them—well, to clarify, this does not mean that Miss Tingyun should deliver breakfast to us every day."
" Tingyun has just completed a long voyage and is currently on vacation, so our esteemed guest need not worry too much."
Moreover, I don't think this is a burden for Tingyun.
Conversations between intelligent people always save a lot of trouble.
Especially among friends with good intentions, there is even more openness and honesty.
Having heard Hua Yi's explanation, Yukong had already gotten the answer he wanted. With a smile in his eyes, he stood up after exchanging a few more words.
"Then we won't bother you any longer."
"Ah?"
Tingyun let out a reluctant murmur, causing Yukong to raise his eyebrows.
" The Trailblazer need rest. Our casual conversations in the living room are just making noise."
Why not just not talk in the living room?
The clever and resourceful Foxian- girl seems to be awakening her extraordinary wisdom as well, and she and Xing become like-minded best friends who share common interests.
She didn't voice her true feelings, but Hua Yi had already sensed something was amiss.
After all, it was he who sealed off other people's Remembrance, causing Tingyun to be affected by her subconscious and lose her former ease and control.
We can't stand idly by at this time.
"We will tour the Luofu Xianzhou on our own. The Shipyacht Department is very busy with official duties, Miss Tingyun would be better off helping the Lord Helmsman and relieving his worries. Don't let the fox sister get dark circles under her eyes from staying up all night."
According to the social views of other civilizations, the age difference between you and me cannot be summarized by simply calling me "big sister".
The same goes for Tingyun.
Yukong shook his head with amusement.
" The Shipyacht Department has issued travel permits to all the friends on the Astral Express. You can freely enter and exit most of the cave heavens in Xianzhou Luofu."
Chapter 316 The Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry, the White-Haired Man
This vast majority of the area, of course, does not include the crucial part of the grotto-heaven.
So Hua Yi decided to just wander around aimlessly; it didn't matter where she went.
Xuan Ye Avenue, a bustling street in the central hub of the Star-skiff Sea, is lined with shops. Last night, when I was getting ready to go to sleep, I could see the streetlights lit up here through the window.
It was still lit the next morning, the light having stayed on all night.
Although the Xianzhou Alliance is not as known for its wealth as the Interastral Peace Corporation, its commercial development is still a rare sight in the universe.
Foxian have a lifespan of three to four hundred years, while the Xianzhou people are theoretically immortal, but due to the existence of the [ Mara-struck ], their average lifespan is about a thousand years.
It's no exaggeration to say that things have remained unchanged for a thousand years.
Hua Yi found a corner by the window on the second floor of the Nightless Lord Teahouse and sat down, stroking the Golden Credits given to him by the Shipyacht Department.
The Star Shard, the circulating currency within the Xianzhou, is shaped like an arrow or a leaf. It was a physical coin when the Xianzhou Alliance was first established, but it evolved and became digitalized along with the development of the Xianzhou before trading with the Interastral Peace Corporation.
The collectible value of the physical Xun 06 Dysprosium coin far exceeds its actual value, so of course it shouldn't be spent.
I chose to scan the code and use Shipyacht Department's payment code.
Hua Yi ordered a cup of "Immortal's Joy Tea" from the small-statured proprietress, who was shorter than Hook Belobog. Hua Yi knew that appearances could be deceiving, especially in Xianzhou Luofu.
At one end of the street is the Rice Immortal, and at the other end is the Lotus Root Cake Immortal. There are also vendors selling calligraphy and paintings, and jade. Immortals are everywhere, each one truly deserving of their name, possessing hundreds of years of work experience, and having worked for more than the average person for several lifetimes.
"You're buying Immortal's Joy Tea again? Drink less of it, it's high in calories."
"Nonsense, it doesn't even list the calories!"
"Exactly! And it's frozen after it's made. The ingredient list says it contains L-Carnitine. Add ice and sugar, and you'll get thinner the more you drink it. Watch me get as thin as lightning!"
The sounds of customers laughing and joking could be heard from downstairs from time to time. Hua Yi didn't have to wait long before the young proprietress brought him his cup of "Immortal's Joy Tea".
It's basically just milk tea, you can add ice or less ice, and you can also choose ice cream foam. It's universally recognized as an unhealthy drink, but drinking it will bring a smile to your face.
Xianzhou Tea, made by immortals, has an exceptional flavor.
Outside the window, a storyteller was speaking eloquently.
With hundreds of years of work experience, they can readily use various terms and ancient secrets from several generations ago, which may only be the first half of the life of the Xianzhou people.
I experienced it firsthand and remember it clearly.
"Several hundred years ago, the Emissary of Abundance of the Abundant Prefecture, Shuhu, led his army to Luofu in order to seize the Ambrosial Arbor Xianzhou Luofu. He almost destroyed half of the cave heavens and killed so many of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry that not one-tenth of them survived."
"The [ Blood-Soaked Prison Realm ] of that Emissary was extremely strange and beautiful, as if stars were expanding and contracting, and the universe was falling into an abyss."
"In the blink of an eye, Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae transformed into a dragon and engaged in a fierce battle with the ever-changing shadow of flesh and blood, fighting to the point of madness."
" Bai Heng, another hero of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry, charged into battle alone, raising aloft an absolute dark sun, enabling the Xianzhou Alliance soldiers to break through the Blood-Soaked Prison Realm, but he himself perished on the battlefield. Admirable, yet tragic!"
The storyteller is telling the story of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry.
Drive away the Buli Ren fleet that invaded Tarasa; disrupt the alliance between the Huiyin Tribe and the Wing Creators in the Abundance Alliance.
When the Abundance followers besieged the Xianzhou Alliance and gazed at the Eye of the Xianzhou Sea, the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry traversed dangerous terrain, successfully broke through the formation, and shattered the living star [ Ketu Mirage ] awakened by the Abundance Alliance, thus saving the Jade Palace from destruction.
"... Alas, the heavens are jealous of talent. The legendary era of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry was extremely short, lasting less than a century, before they scattered to the four winds. If you enjoyed the story, please feel free to give me a reward. You can pay with Star Shard or Credits!"
Beep.
Hua Yi used his Smart Terminal to scan the code to support the payment. The electronic notification sound of successful payment made the white-haired man, who was also sitting quietly drinking tea in a corner on the second floor, turn around.
"My friend, do you think the storyteller is good?"