He was waiting for those with ulterior motives to step forward, hoping to purify the area and eradicate the troubles at their root, so as not to alert the enemy and prevent the remaining poison from being completely eliminated from Xianzhou Luofu.
This is certainly risky; the exposure of hidden dangers and the outbreak of disaster are not much different. But from Jing Yuan's point of view, there may be no better choice.
"Please wait, sir of the Xianzhou. We thank the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry for saving our caravan when it encountered Interstellar Pirates, but could we please take our goods with us?"
Not far away, several merchants dressed in alien attire followed the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry soldiers.
"We have a contract with our partners and we have to deliver the goods before a specific deadline. We are just taking a temporary break in Xianzhou Luofu."
"This is a routine inspection. According to regulations, any ship arriving at Xianzhou Luofu Port must have its cargo inspected, and only after passing the inspection can we be sure it is safe."
"Yes, yes, we know there are routine inspections, but hasn't this taken a bit too long? Given the size of our ships, shouldn't it have been done in a day before? It's been two days already..."
"My duty is to patrol Xianzhou Luofu and ensure the safety of the waterway. As for specific inspection details, please consult the Shipyacht Department."
"We came here to find someone precisely because consulting was useless! The only response we received was that the waiting list for inspection was too long and it would take more working days to process, without specifying how long it would take. We're supposed to wait forever!"
The alien caravan's tone grew increasingly agitated, eventually even bordering on argumentative.
Himeko understood the Xianzhou Alliance's position in the universe better than March 7th and Hoshino, and therefore she also understood just how serious the situation was that a merchant from an ordinary Planetary Civilization could stop the Cloud Knight soldier and make such a fuss.
"This is..."
"Someone has started making a move."
By subtly invoking the ubiquitous Hunt's Rhythm on the Xianzhou, Hua Yi, who already had some understanding of this destiny, easily prevented the sound from spreading outwards.
" The Stellaron warning we brought should only be known to the Six Emperors and higher-ups. The movement of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry should also be very secretive, but the Shipyacht Department has strengthened its entry and exit checks, so this change in procedures cannot be concealed..."
"Are there problems with those businessmen?"
"Nothing seems amiss; they've simply been used."
From the perspective of ordinary people, and even from the perspective of many members of the six departments, this may not be a big problem.
However, Hua Yi, with his keen insight, noticed the hidden dangers behind it all.
"For enough profit, some merchants are even willing to risk their lives. If they cannot get their goods back for a long time and risk violating the contract, they even dare to quarrel with the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry and the Shipyacht Department."
"Is someone inciting them?"
"No, no one is instigating it. The group behind it might even quietly appease them and keep the chaos within a reasonable range. Otherwise, if the alien merchants really cause trouble, the Department of Terrestrial Measurement can just arrest them directly, which would be a quick and easy way to quell the situation—they are deliberately occupying Xianzhou Luofu's administrative resources, constantly adding weight to the camel's back."
For ordinary criminal organizations to cause trouble in [Hunt]'s headquarters is tantamount to courting death.
Using "battle veterans" to describe the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry is an understatement.
Which soldier hasn't participated in hundreds of battles and wielded battle swords for hundreds of years? Their martial prowess, if placed in the context of ordinary Planetary Civilization, would be enough to take on ten thousand enemies single-handedly, and outdated weapons wouldn't even be able to penetrate their defenses.
Only forces like the Abundance followers and the 1.5 Antimatter Legion can pose a real threat to the Xianzhou.
"... The Shipyacht Department is like a camel; will it collapse?"
"No. Unless the person behind it exposes their true colors and sends their own people to attack the ships around Xianzhou Luofu, it is far from enough for a small group of space pirates to cause trouble and throw the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry and the Shipyacht Department into chaos."
Perhaps the Stellaron has already been sent to Xianzhou Luofu. Increasing the quantity of imported and exported goods is a subtle way of putting pressure on the Shipyacht Department and raising security risks, but it is just a means of diverting attention.
Remembering that Helmsman Yukong had stayed up all night to visit him early in the morning, Tingyun, as the Pilot Envoy, was also bound to be busy, Hua Yi changed his course.
"I'm going to take a walk around. You guys can go shopping as you please. It's just a minor administrative matter, the calm before the storm. It won't cause any big waves."
Chapter 326 The pawns are hiding behind the scenes; the player has already been captured.
Why do I feel like I've made a lot of people stay up late?
Qingque is one, Yukong could also be considered one, and Fu Xuan probably didn't sleep well either. As for Phantylia, who initially wanted to push for the Stellaron Calamity—
Hua Yi obviously didn't need to consider whether she was doing well inside the Godfall Sword.
The Lord of Ruin has no objection.
The current commotion in Xianzhou Luofu is inextricably linked to Phantylia; she is obsessed with the internal collapse of civilization and has already made her move.
Most of these pieces may not even know of Phantylia's existence, yet they are drawn to the brewing turmoil, pushing it forward in an attempt to follow their own path or to profit from the chaos.
"How long... how long do I have to wait?! If this drags on any longer, I'll really breach the contract and go bankrupt!"
"Me too. To make a lot of money, I invested all my savings and borrowed a large sum of money from the bank. If Xianzhou holds onto this batch of goods and doesn't give it to me, I'll really be bankrupt!"
"After arriving at the Xianzhou, I have been called an outsider more than once. At first, I did not understand what this word meant, but later I realized that it means that I have not received any education and am a barbarian... Call me whatever you want. Ordinary people like us do not live for more than a hundred years. We are indeed not as good as you Long-Life Species beings, but at least give us 11 ways to live!"
"Yes! Give us a specific timeframe. When exactly will the review be completed?!"
On the streets of Xianzhou Luofu, many of the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry on guard duty were mistaken by merchants and travelers for official representatives. They surrounded them, questioning them and making a ruckus, which had already affected the traffic in the cave.
Ordinary Cloud Knight soldier, having not received orders from their superiors, could not give accurate answers and could only try their best to appease the crowd and maintain Order.
"Please remain calm and cooperate with the cargo inspection process according to the procedures."
"How long are you going to drag this out? I'll kowtow to you if you want. This is making me so anxious, I'm about to die."
Hua Yi knew the term "outsiders" and understood how anxious the alien merchants were.
The Xianzhou people certainly have their own pride.
They consider themselves Long-Life Species, distinguishing themselves from short-lived species, and refer to those outside the Xianzhou Alliance as outsiders. Whether their so-called enlightenment is the Protection the [Hunt] or the [ Abundance ] blessing that initially granted them longevity, no one can say for sure.
The Xianzhou people themselves are both the embodiment of the [Hunt] in the universe and the strongest Abundance followers, having won several War of Abundance. They have every reason to be proud.
However, the Xianzhou Alliance will not incorporate other civilized planets into its sphere of influence, which is different from the Interastral Peace Corporation, which continues to expand its territory, and is also very different from those Abundance fiend that cause trouble everywhere.
The alien merchants were quite agitated in Xianzhou Luofu. In order to secure their place in the world, they surrounded the Cloud Knight soldier and asked them questions, not because they were particularly strong, but because the laws of the Xianzhou were clear.
They themselves believed that even unarmed, they would not be in danger against the Cloud Knight soldier wielding their battle swords.
If it were Antimatter Legion and Abundance fiend, no one could reason with them.
No one would be foolish enough to get close.
What's unfolding across Xianzhou Luofu now is a farce, but it also indirectly demonstrates the positive image of the Xianzhou Alliance in the Star Sea.
The surrounded patrol guards felt helpless and, of course, would not resort to force. They could only try to appease the situation until the uniformed deacon arrived.
The vast majority of them, with two horns on their heads, are the Vidyadhara from Xianzhou Luofu.
"Please be patient, everyone. We believe that the Shipyacht Department will expedite the process."
"How long is that? We are a short-lived species, we really dare not gamble on the time concept of Long-Life Species."
"This..."
Beep.
At the same time, the official Jade Abacus of Xianzhou Luofu personnel sounded, indicating that they had received an emergency notification.
After reading the contents, the Cloud Knight soldier a sigh of relief.
"Currently, the total detention time for all compliant goods undergoing review will not exceed three days. All losses caused by the delay will be compensated by the Shipyacht Department. We will subsequently increase manpower to shorten the review time to two days."
"Good! That's good."
The turmoil has temporarily subsided.
Ships engaged in interstellar trade cannot have their voyage plans too tight, leaving no time for even two or three days.
The chamber of commerce representatives breathed a sigh of relief.
Once the fear of going bankrupt disappeared, he stopped acting impulsively and regained his rationality.
They suddenly realized what they had been doing—
They surrounded the guardians of the Xianzhou, shouting and making a ruckus.
Hiss, could Cloud Knights's face under his armor have turned black?
On a minor level, it affects the security of Xianzhou Luofu; on a major level, it's a provocation against the Hunt, making them feel that the hunting party is no longer sharp.
"Sir, I was a little excited just now..."
"Don't be nervous. The Xianzhou Alliance welcomes guests from all directions. Recently, the number of foreign merchants and travelers has continued to increase. The Shipyacht Department has not been able to handle it properly, which is why you are anxious. We completely understand."
The stories told by the deacons of the Dragon's Kin were largely the same.
However, upon closer examination, from Xianzhou Luofu's perspective, stating that " the Shipyacht Department is incompetent" is not entirely appropriate.
Hua Yi had been observing the various activities on the Xianzhou for a while and could tell from their clothing that these Vidyadhara were not affiliated with the Shipyacht Department.
The interpretation was excessive and the reasoning lacked rigor, damaging the reputation of the Shipyacht Department.
Some people are fanning the flames, using foreign merchants and travelers to disrupt Xianzhou Luofu, and treating them as tools to be exploited.
However, the one who fueled the flames was not the player, but a pawn that Phantylia had placed long ago, or even a pawn of a pawn.
In the eyes of the Lord of Ruin, those people were all insignificant and trivial.
Foreign merchants, the Vidyadhara deacons present, and even those behind the scenes who can command these enlightened beings are all on the chessboard.
Hua Yi quietly observed this game of chess, which had already been decided long ago, and sent a message to Tingyun using his Smart Terminal.
"Are you in Temple of the Clock?"
"Yes, the Shipyacht Department has been quite busy lately—but I have reserved time for you, and I am ready to act as your guide at any time!"
"At the cost of working overtime and staying up all night? I don't have anything urgent here, but I see many merchants surrounding the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry, asking about the time limit for cargo inspection."
" The Shipyacht Department has already issued a special notice regarding this situation, just now."
"Hmm. In addition, several teams of Ming -Vidyadhara at the scene to appease the public, saying that the Shipyacht Department had failed to properly handle the increased passenger flow. They all gave the same story, and I think you, and even the Shipmaster Yukong, should be informed."
"... I understand."
Xianzhou Luofu has clear laws, and from the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry to the Six Departments, the Six Imperial Guards, and the Generals, everyone follows the rules. Hua Yi is willing to respect this process.
Undercurrents were surging, and the lake surface remained calm for the time being.
After the Shipyacht Department issued a new announcement, merchants and travelers were relieved, and the streets and alleys returned to their normal bustle. Vendors shouted and sold their wares, and kind-hearted residents were even willing to offer a few words of comfort to foreigners.
Children could be heard making noise in the open space separated from the shopping street by red walls and white tiles.
"Little blind boy, go up to the platform! You can get up, but you can't get down! You'll tumble and tumble down!"
Hua Yi knew immediately that it was a brat.
Chapter 327 The Blind Girl
The little girl stood on the railing at the edge of the pond, timidly wiping away her tears, while a group of annoying and arrogant children surrounded her, gloating.
"She can't get down! Hehe, she can't get down!"
"Hey, you barbarian over there, what are you doing standing around watching? Is this something you should be meddling in?"
"I'm warning you, don't meddle in other people's business. Our boss can punch the Abundance fiend and kick the Annihilation Legion. You can't afford to mess with him."
Hua Yi didn't say anything, but just glanced at them.
The slightly stern gaze directly evoked the child's instinctive fear, as if a tiny creature was being targeted by a giant beast, and its fate was no longer in its own hands.
The brat who was spouting nonsense just a moment ago was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground, trembling.
As the monster in human skin took another step closer, fear unleashed their full potential, forcing them to scramble and scatter in all directions, their cries mingling with sobs.
"Waaaaah, I want to go home."
If a naughty child makes a little girl cry, I'll scare them a bit so they'll cry too—that's fair and just.
This lesson should help the young shoots of Xianzhou Luofu grow healthily.
After chasing away the annoying fellow, Hua Yi arrived at the pond and stared at those dull eyes for a moment.
The naughty kids had said that this little girl was blind, and it was true. She couldn't see and didn't know what had happened. She carefully pricked up her ears and could only hear the gloating naughty kids crying and running away, as well as the sound of footsteps heading straight towards her.
"Don't be afraid, I'll put you down."
Her voice was gentle and pleasant to listen to, and it felt warm to hold her hand.
The image of a handsome older brother appeared in the girl's mind, but she couldn't guess what he had done before, that he could chase away bad kids without saying a word.
"Thank you... thank you for helping me, big brother."
"Are you hurt anywhere?"