Chapter 101
Having witnessed all of this, Tingyun let out a mournful cry characteristic of foxes.
Her beautiful yet fragile girlish heart, preserved since her youth, finally shattered in the pain of being plundered.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yukong, who was walking back to the Tianbo Division, suddenly stopped and reached out to touch the top of his head, but he couldn't touch anything.
She chuckled helplessly, deciding to dismiss it as her own imagination.
She thought it was just a leaf stuck in her hair.
P. S.: There are only 364 days left until the New Year! It feels like just yesterday we celebrated the last New Year. Here, I wish everyone a Happy New Year 2026!!!!
Chapter 130 A Threesome Must Have Ideas
The lobby was quiet.
The Palace of Astrum in the Starcruiser Sea Hub is different from usual.
The busy pilots and navigators had all vanished without a trace.
Although the Shence Mansion was officially the place where Luofu General handled official business, it mostly served a political symbolic role.
When receiving foreign guests or issuing important orders, Jing Yuan invariably chose the Palace of Astrum, located in the Starcruiser Sea Hub.
Today was no different. In fact, in order to receive General Tianji, who was also one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals Merlin's Claw of the Imperial Bow, all irrelevant personnel in the Palace of Astrum were temporarily cleared out to facilitate the consultation and discussion between the generals. Even the Helmsman of the Tianbo Division, Yukong, left the place.
Jing Yuan stood in front of the projection sand table in the main hall of Palace of Astrum, glanced at the wall clock, and yawned boredly.
"Everyone says that Yaoqing's Merlin's Claw is always swift and decisive, striking first. Being so late today is not like her at all."
"Aha ~ General Jing Yuan, you are mistaken. My lady arrived early this morning, but as you have probably heard, she is always unrestrained. As soon as she got off the Starskiff, she disappeared without a trace, saying she had something to do. We couldn't stop her. She will come to visit me in person after she finishes enjoying the scenery. Please allow me to apologize to you on her behalf."
The man standing opposite Jing Yuan appeared to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He was tall and elegant, with shoulder-length pink hair. The collar of his white undershirt was slightly open, and the cuffs of his shirt were rolled up to the middle of his arms, revealing his fair skin. The crimson sleeves embroidered with elegant bamboo leaf patterns hung behind him, complementing the hairpin in his hair.
Her features were delicate and refined, her face shape perfect, and her slender, soft eyebrows rippled gently, while her squinting eyes seemed to always be smiling.
However, cold sweat occasionally trickled down her calm face. Jiaoqiu kept complaining in her heart about her husband's willfulness, insisting on handing over the troublesome task of dealing with General of Divine Strategy to her, a physician. At the same time, she kept hoping that he would return soon so that she and the fool beside her could be freed.
The idiot next to Jiaoqiu wore a dark purple hood, had white hair and dark blue eyes, fair skin, and was tall. He wore black and purple clothing and had chiseled, handsome features. He was a cool and handsome man who would score nine out of ten. However, at this moment, he was more like a broken record.
Like a silly goose, all it could do was keep uttering nonsense like "um," "ah," "that's right," "you're absolutely right," and "me too," completely unable to share even a fraction of Jiaoqiu's burden.
However, this was just a small complaint in Jiaoqiu's heart. He knew very well that negotiation was not Moze's domain, nor was it something he was good at. Even though he was considered half a staff member of Merlin's Claw, in the end, his main job was just a doctor.
Confronting and talking with the general of Xianzhou, who was known for his wisdom and strategy, was far from easy. In fact, it was far beyond Jiaoqiu's expectations. The other party spoke casually in a friendly, approachable, and human manner, and Jiaoqiu would easily fall into the other party's trap if she was not careful.
Jiaoqiu couldn't help but wonder how much of Jing Yuan's smile was genuine and how much was feigned—every time she saw it.
Jing Yuan walked up the steps. On the wooden table in front of the main seat was a message sheet sent from the Ten Lords Bureau. He picked up the sheet and slowly read its contents:
"The wicked prisoner Hoolay is the leader of the Abominations of Abundance Buli person, the chief of their battles and the Denfather, a great enemy of the Foxkin. He has long enslaved the Foxkin, using their blood to make medicine. He is responsible for two thousand one hundred and twenty-three wars of aggression and their associated crimes. Due to his cruelty and tyranny, the number of murders he has committed is countless. He is sentenced to the deepest Prison of Deep Seclusion, to suffer the punishment of the Unending Sword Tree until the end of time, with no mercy..."
Upon reading this, Jing Yuan put down the blank sheet of paper, as if trying to see into Jiaoqiu's heart, and narrowed his pale golden eyes.
"Since Merlin's Claw has not yet arrived, I have a question I would like to ask you both... The transfer of Hoolay to Luofu was an order personally given by the Marshal, so I presume that you are also on the Marshal's orders for this visit?"
"No, this visit is solely at Yaoqing's internal request."
"Oh? So you two mean that the Marshal's orders have now fallen to the point where they can be easily ignored, or... that the Marshal is no longer in the eyes of Yaoqing's men?"
Jing Yuan's languid tone had somehow lost its nonchalance, replaced by a sharp edge.
Only then did Jiaoqiu realize that Jing Yuan was questioning them.
Just as Jiaoqiu was struggling with how to respond.
"Sorry I'm late--"
A third person, not one of them, interrupted Jing Yuan.
"I ran into an old friend on the way, which caused a slight delay. Please allow me to sincerely apologize."
Jiaoqiu and Moze immediately turned around with Jing Yuan, only to see Foxkin- woman in a white coat revealing a charming smile, naturally raising a hand, and walking towards them with a friendly smile.
"Alright, that's all for you. You can go now. If there's anyone you want to see, go catch up with them. They should be right outside the door."
Feixiao smiled at Jiaoqiu and Moze, then looked away.
Then, Feixiao looked at Jing Yuan on the steps.
"Our negotiations are expected to last for some time, probably not until noon. Don't worry about me, go have lunch with him first."
Feixiao rested one hand on her slender waist, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Excuse me, General Jing Yuan, I must take my leave..."
Jiaoqiu and Moze nodded with relief, bid farewell to Jing Yuan, and Buli Palace of Astrum.
"I have long admired Merlin's Claw's reputation, and seeing him today confirms it. You must be tired from your journey."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. I should be apologizing for being late. Thank you for taking the time to greet me."
After Jiaoqiu and Moze left, Jing Yuan, who was standing on the steps, and Feixiao, who was standing in front of the projection sand table, looked at each other and communicated in a peaceful tone. Then, as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for many years, they silently and consciously sat down in the seats on the steps of Palace of Astrum facing each other.
"It's wonderful to have a friend from afar. When I first heard from the Tianbo Division that you were going to visit Luofu, I found it hard to believe. After all, you are the famous Merlin's Claw. It makes Luofu's reception seem rather simple and shabby."
"It's alright, it's alright. Keeping things simple is best. Besides, being able to come to Luofu has fulfilled a long-held wish of mine."
The two men spoke freely, as if they were intimate friends who knew everything. However, the atmosphere between them was one of scheming and intrigue.
"In that case, let's skip the trivialities. I'm sure Merlin's Claw heard my question to the two advisors earlier. This question shouldn't be difficult to answer. I'd like to hear your thoughts."
Feixiao never hid his identity; he was open and frank, stating the purpose of his trip without hesitation. "Their viewpoint is my viewpoint. Due to the internal changes in Yaoqing, the purpose of this trip is to escort Hoolay to Yaoqing to appease the people. Besides, the Marshal only suggested transferring Hoolay to Luofu; there doesn't seem to be any explicit stipulation that Hoolay must be imprisoned in Luofu, does there?"
Between the Buli person and the Foxkin, there is a deep-seated hatred etched in their blood and souls.
Many might wonder why Hoolay, the Foxkin's greatest enemy, wasn't imprisoned in Yaoqing and handed over to the Foxkin for disposal, but instead transferred to Luofu as an answer. However, anyone with a better understanding of the internal situation in Yaoqing will surely be able to understand the Marshal's intentions.
"I've heard that the Foxkin of Yaoqing are particularly similar in blood to the Buli person, and some of their fox descendants, like the Buli person, can uncontrollably fall into a madness called 'Moon Rage.' Merlin's Claw must have heard of this."
Jing Yuan crossed his arms, his face maintaining a calm smile, revealing no change in emotion.
"Why can Buli person control Moon Rage?" "Can the Foxkin break this curse?"... People will always ask these questions, even if everyone's intentions are good. However, all roads leading to disaster are paved with good intentions.
To the Foxkin of Yaoqing, "Hoolay" was not only the leader of the Buli person, but also a monster, and an excellent subject for their research on Moon Rage. He became a deadly poison that corrupted people's hearts without their knowledge.
Jing Yuan could indeed hand over Hoolay to Feixiao, which would not cause any loss to Luofu, and would also earn him a favor from Yaoqing.
However, perhaps because of a tragedy that once occurred on Luofu that should serve as a warning to future generations, Jing Yuan, for a selfish thought and for the sake of so-called good deeds, even if it meant conflict with Yaoqing, did not want such a tragedy to be repeated.
Feixiao, sitting opposite, did not respond immediately; his calm face also revealed no emotion.
Jing Yuan sighed softly. Just as he thought this plan was doomed and he would have to find another way, Feixiao, sitting opposite him, suddenly smiled and slowly said:
"The Marshal believes this matter is inhuman, no different from Buli person's. Therefore, to prevent anyone within Yaoqing from harboring malicious intentions, the Marshal has imprisoned Hoolay in Luofu. This is not an honor, but more like a warning, both temporarily quelling the evil intentions of the Yaoqing Foxkin and serving as a warning to the Xianzhou Luofu, which has experienced chaos... General Jing Yuan thinks this way, right?"
The smile that appeared on his face was a long-suppressed joy.
Just as Jing Yuan was surprised, Feixiao was not merely a puppet controlled by her superiors, but also someone who understood better than anyone else that Hoolay's handover of Luofu was the Marshal's "weighing of options" and a necessary step.
The Marshal was telling Luofu and Yaoqing that the Xianzhou Alliance was not just a one-man show by the Xianzhou native; only through the alliance of the Foxkin, the Vidyadhara, and the Immortal Xianzhou native could there be a future.
"General Jing Yuan, if... destroying the remnants of a corrupt system is a necessary prerequisite for establishing a new Order, then isn't it also correct to promote integrity and eliminate corruption?"
After a brief moment of stunned silence upon hearing Feixiao's heartfelt question, Jing Yuan was greatly surprised for some reason and burst into laughter.
Jing Yuan had once discussed matters within Luofu with Bai Jun, and the idea of "purifying the corrupt and promoting the pure" coincided with Feixiao's current thoughts. He felt as if he had met a trustworthy confidant and laughed heartily from the bottom of his heart.
Unlike Jing Yuan's strategy, Feixiao wanted to use Hoolay as bait to lure out the rebellious forces hidden within Yaoqing that were hindering Yaoqing's progress.
Feixiao seemed to have no intention of hiding it anymore, and said:
"Since the day I joined the army, I swore an oath to spend the rest of my life as the spearhead of the Xianzhou, aimed at the Abominations of Abundance. Now, the old fogies within Yaoqing have been restless for a long time. It's a good opportunity to take advantage of their evil thoughts of transferring Hoolay and teach them a lesson, showing them that Yaoqing is no longer something they can easily touch."
"It's very simple, no complicated procedures. So... General Jing Yuan, what's your answer?"
Jing Yuan wiped away his tears, and that familiar lazy smile returned to his face.
Those who know him well know that this is a sign of Jing Yuan's approval.
Upon exiting the main gate of the Palace of Astrum, one is greeted by the magnificent Astral Gate, with its underground passageway continuously accommodating Starskiff and boats of all sizes.
Bai Jun leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the railing, staring blankly at the Jade Omen screen.
"Ugh, why won't Tingyun answer the phone? It's so annoying. It's all that idiot Feixiao's fault..."
He looked up in distress, and the sunlight shining from the eastern sky above the Astral Gate illuminated the main road of the Starcruiser Sea Hub.
"Hey, stop sneaking around. How old are you? Why are you playing these childish games?"
Bai Jun tilted his head slightly. Across the street not far away, there were two figures stealthily approaching the street behind Bai Jun. They seemed to have been following him all the way from Palace of Astrum.
"Oh my god, how did you find out about us?"
"Long time no see. Your strength has increased. You couldn't detect me before... Damn it, how could I, as a Shadow Guard, be discovered? This is such a dereliction of duty."
Jiaoqiu's eyes, which had been narrowed to slits, widened in surprise. Moze, who had been fooling around with Jiaoqiu, covered his face as if he were ashamed, genuinely regretting that he shouldn't have listened to the pink-haired fox's trickery and done such a shameful thing.
Surrounded by the noise of the surroundings, the three people stared at each other silently across the bustling street, then burst into laughter.
I spotted you two as soon as you left Palace of Astrum.
Bai Jun put Jade Omen back into his pocket, and his eyes, as he looked at Jiaoqiu and Moze, held both nostalgia and the joy of seeing old friends.
"Stop bragging. Do you think you're a general, able to sense us from that far away?"
Jiaoqiu smiled and waved her fan, completely disbelieving Bai Jun's nonsense.
Bai Jun was not lying. Ever since he was tricked by Feixiao, he had stopped suppressing his senses. Now, not only could the two of them not get close to him, but even Feixiao could not get close to him quietly.
However, Bai Jun shrugged helplessly, too lazy to argue with Jiaoqiu: "Believe it or not, what about you two? I'm curious how you two found me."
"Of course it's the smell! Sometimes, the sense of smell is far more sensitive than the sense of sight!"
"Smell?"
Faced with Bai Jun's question, Jiaoqiu's pink fox ears twitched, then she proudly raised her fair chin and said boastfully, "Mmm, that's right, your taste is very special, very much like a green lime, both refreshing and with a lingering sweetness—mmm!"
"Okay~ that's the end of that boring harassment topic. Do you guys know how disgusting it is to hear men say things like that?"
However, before Jiaoqiu could finish expressing his thoughts, Bai Jun tightly covered his mouth.
Meanwhile, Moze, who had been nodding in agreement with Jiaoqiu's words, froze, his stiff gaze meeting Bai Jun's icy stare.
Then, without a face as thick as Jiaoqiu's Moze immediately squatted down and curled up into a ball.
This is commonly known as the "frog squat".
"I'm hated, I'm hated, I'm hated..."
A dark aura of despair emanated from Moze as he whispered something and landed on the stone floor, crouching down and looking down.
If someone who knows the "Crow-Feathered Weirdo" were to see Moze so disheartened, they would surely doubt their own eyes.
However, Bai Jun only kicked him in the butt and said irritably, "Why are you still so fragile? The most important thing in life is to eat and drink well. Come on, let's go eat hot pot!"
Bai Jun and Jiaoqiu exchanged a helpless glance, then each grabbed Moze's arms from one side and forcefully dragged him toward Xuan Ye Avenue.
P. S.: I got severely penalized by the censors, so the update is a bit late. Sorry.
Chapter 131 The young couple is having quite a few fun games.
"Thousand Cauldrons Pavilion" is located on Xuan Ye Avenue in the Starcruiser Sea Hub.
It is one of the many hot pot restaurants on the main street of Starcruiser Sea Hub Area, and it is also a place that Bai Jun often comes to. On the north side away from the intersection, just look for the sign with the food cauldron and chili pepper pattern.
The signature dish of "Thousand Cauldrons Pavilion" is a spicy beef tallow broth that resembles rubies simmered in hot water. Many diners are captivated by its intense flavor that burns their taste buds and stomachs, attracting countless hot pot enthusiasts who love spicy food to come and take photos. Today, this hot pot restaurant has been around for over a thousand years and can be considered a well-known establishment on Xuan Ye Avenue.
The brilliant daylight hangs high in the sky, and "Thousand Cauldrons Pavilion" is still thriving today.
If this hot pot restaurant has any unique feature, it's that there are no private rooms, and everyone sits together in the main hall of the restaurant – that's probably its most distinctive feature.
Initially, this was just a last resort due to the small size of the shop. However, as business improved, the owner did not choose to expand the private rooms like other hot pot restaurants. Instead, in order to maintain the lively atmosphere of the restaurant, he only expanded the area of the main hall.
Even though this might displease some diners, over time, people have come to regard it as a unique feature of "Thousand Cauldrons Pavilion".
Surrounded by the lively chatter of diners and the fiery atmosphere of the hot pot, it certainly has a unique charm.
However, some people frowned at this.
Why wasn't it a yin-yang hot pot this time?