How Did I Become the One Being Pursued?

"Big Sister! Are you feeling better?"

"I am fine. I have made you worry, little sister." Xue Yi did her best to smile as she stepped forward and gently stroked Hanya's hair as usual. It was a habit from when she had still been human.

"As long as Big Sister is okay, that's all that matters..." Hanya pressed Xue Yi's utterly warmth-less hand to her cheek and looked at her tenderly. "Oh, right, Big Sister. I won't be accompanying you tomorrow when you Return to Life."

"You will not accompany me... That is fine. I cannot trouble you with everything, little sister." Though she said that, Xue Yi's voice still could not help but dip with disappointment.

"As compensation, Bai Jun can accompany Big Sister tomorrow!"

"Anything is fine... Huh? Really?!" Xue Yi's eyes widened. Even her mechanical body could not hide the joy in her heart.

"Of course! Bai Jun has already agreed..." Hanya's voice grew quieter and quieter, while the irritation in her heart grew stronger. She did not know why, but she still forced herself to keep smiling as she delivered the good news to her sister.

Xue Yi did not notice the slight change in Hanya's expression. Instead, she was immersed in the joy of being able to spend time alone with Bai Jun. Just as she was about to ask for the details, an extremely familiar scent suddenly entered her olfactory system.

Following the scent, her gaze locked onto the bag in Hanya's hand. "Little sister, what is that? Why can I smell—"

"N-Nothing! I have something to do, so I won't stay with you, Big Sister!"

The moment the subject came up, Hanya's voice abruptly rose. Panic was plainly visible on her face as she hugged the bag tightly against her chest and hurried away.

Xue Yi watched her flustered retreating figure, unable to keep herself from feeling puzzled.

Was it just an illusion? No, Bai Jun's scent was definitely coming from that bag...

Tingyun Is Not Allowed

After returning to the Earth-Balance Commission, the hands on the wall clock had moved to around three in the afternoon. Bai Jun brewed a pot of hot tea and began methodically handling the case files left over from the morning beside the steaming teacup.

Pot after pot of Linyuan Spring disappeared, and he refilled the tea several times in between. Before he knew it, the brew had turned weak and bland, while the sky had grown steadily darker.

By the time the tea in his cup had completely lost its color, it was nearly time to leave work. Bai Jun tidied up his cluttered desk and bid farewell to each colleague passing by on their way out.

"Good work, good work! Remember to get some proper rest when you get home, okay?"

"See you tomorrow, Qing Yan. You looked really handsome this afternoon."

"W-Want to go out?"

"..."

By the time he left the Public Office, it was already evening. The setting sun at the edge of the sky sank into a bowl of hot tea, like an orange-red flower blooming upon the Starcruiser Sea. Flowers had their time to wither as well. The cold evening wind scattered its petals, which drifted down across the streets of Exalting Sanctum.

After the daytime bustle, Exalting Sanctum was finally able to catch its breath. The crowded streets had become much quieter, though a few Xianzhou residents could still be heard chatting about recent major events by the roadside.

"Hey, did you hear? That famous interstellar idol is coming to the Luofu for a tour!"

"A big idol? I'm usually not interested in that stuff. Who are you talking about?"

"You don't know Guinaifen? Isn't your wife obsessed with her 'Lonely Swing'?"

"Oh! So it's her. I've heard her songs. They're just average, aren't they? Not as good as our Xianzhou opera."

"Shh... Watch your mouth, brother. Do you know how unhinged some fans can get? If they hear you say that, they'll never let it go!" His friend hurriedly covered his mouth and made him lower his voice. Unhinged fan groups were not to be provoked—a bloody lesson countless people had learned.

Bai Jun, who had bought some dumplings from the dessert shop across from Exalting Sanctum Plaza and was munching on them as he walked, paused by the entrance and quietly listened in on their conversation.

When he saw that they were no longer discussing it, Bai Jun put away his curiosity and headed home.

Walking leisurely beneath the sunset, Bai Jun popped one dumpling after another into his mouth and happily narrowed his eyes. Life's greatest joy was probably no more than this. At the same time, the Jade Omen in his pocket rang. In a good mood, he took it out and looked at it closely, only for his expression to gradually turn strange.

Luofu's Handsome Gentleman: You there?

Nan Liujing: No. Also, what the hell is that ID? It's disgusting...

Luofu's Handsome Gentleman: I tried a gacha game called "Xianzhou Beauty Collection" yesterday. The limited card "Luofu's Handsome Gentleman" felt strangely familiar, so I borrowed it. Besides, you need an interesting name when surfing the web, right?

Nan Liujing: "Using your real name online" would be better. So what exactly do you want from me? Get to the point.

Luofu's Handsome Gentleman: Come drink with me tonight!

Nan Liujing: Let me refuse. Also, you already drank all the alcohol in my house. There would be nothing left even if you came.

Luofu's Handsome Gentleman: Hahaha, don't be so heartless. Worst case, I'll bring the alcohol myself. I finally managed to dig myself out from a mountain of trivial matters, so let me relax and chat with you for a while.

Bai Jun did not reply to Jing Yuan. He merely sighed, tossed the plastic bag that had held the dumplings into a trash can, then changed direction and went to a nearby convenience store to pick out a bottle or two of decent spirits, along with some cocktails.

After hesitating for a while at the checkout counter, Bai Jun ultimately added another three bottles of spirits—four bottles of high-proof liquor in total, plus two bottles of cocktails.

The reason was simple. Though Jing Yuan looked fairly reliable in everyday life, he was actually an out-and-out drunkard in private. His favorite pastime was coming to Bai Jun's home to mooch alcohol.

His high tolerance was one thing, but he never stopped until he was drunk. After drinking himself senseless, he would insist on dragging Bai Jun up to the terrace to recite poetry. Once that was over, he would definitely sprawl across Bai Jun's bed and sleep until the sun was high, leaving Bai Jun no choice but to spend the night on the floor. It was truly intolerable.

How could another man be allowed to snore beside his bed?

Holding the box full of alcohol, Bai Jun thought that he absolutely could not let Jing Yuan drink too much this time. Even if the worst came to pass and Jing Yuan really did get drunk, he would definitely kick him out the door. He could not let him steal his bed again.

Complaining all the while, Bai Jun expertly pushed open his front door one-handed, set the bags of alcohol and clothes on the entryway floor, then took off his coat and shoes.

That was the Xianzhou for you. Though its technological advancement was extremely high, it remained remarkably traditional in many customs and matters. Take the lights in his home, for example... He flipped the hallway power switch, and with a click, the whole room gradually brightened.

The walls were clean and bright, the floor neat and free of clutter. In the center of the living room stood only a sandalwood dining table and several chairs.

A bookcase rested beside the edge of the desk, its shelves neatly packed with all kinds of books and magazines on weapon forging and design—more than a dozen in all. Gray pipes and connected wall lamps were embedded in the wall on the right.

Everything was so simple that it was almost excessively desolate. It did not resemble the home of a man living alone at all. The only trace that someone actually lived here was probably the unmade bedding on the bed.

Although there was no need to be overly particular with Jing Yuan, he was still a guest. Bai Jun deliberately made the bed, folded the blankets, and smoothed the sheets. Just as he was wondering whether he should cook something, a series of urgent knocks suddenly came from the door.

Bang, bang, bang—!

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Are you in such a hurry to reincarnate..." Bai Jun grumbled as he opened the door. The instant he clearly saw Tingyun standing outside with a bright smile, his expression froze.

Tingyun also lifted her head slightly and met his eyes. The already quiet night instantly became even more deathly silent.

"Long time no see, Benefactor." Tingyun stood outside the door, produced a folding fan, and spoke first with a beaming smile.

Bang—!

The front door slammed shut. Bai Jun stood behind it and vigorously rubbed his eyes, then unwillingly poked his head back out from behind the door.

Her familiar, exquisite features, her ever-beautiful tail, and her incomparably graceful figure were all there. The only flaw was that her expression was somewhat terrifying.

"What does this mean, Benefactor?"

The smile she maintained showed faint signs of cracking, but she still forcibly suppressed her anger and spoke expressionlessly.

"Tingyun, why do you look... kind of scary today?" Hearing the faint anger in her voice, Bai Jun quietly swallowed and drew his head back without a sound, turning to close the door again.

But Tingyun clearly would not let him have his way this time. A pair of fair, beautiful hands firmly gripped the door that was about to close, her slender arms erupting with a terrifying strength unlike anything before.

"Tingyun, stop! The door will break!"

When he felt the door showing signs of being forcibly pulled back open, Bai Jun's face nearly turned white with fright. More importantly, he was afraid of hurting Tingyun's hands and did not dare exert any force. He could only watch helplessly as his front door was gradually pried open.

"Then open the door! Why are you avoiding me?" Tingyun's suppressed fury finally erupted at that moment. How she wanted to straddle Bai Jun and loudly demand what exactly those women had that she lacked—but first, she needed to get this door open.

"First, I'm not avoiding you. Second, anyone who saw you like this in the middle of the night would be scared enough to hide inside!"

"I don't care. Open the door right now, or this little lady will refuse to leave today!"

Bai Jun tried to loudly complain in hopes of making Tingyun stop, but it clearly had the opposite effect. Tingyun's long, fair leg slid directly into his home, followed by half her body forcefully squeezing inside.

"Gah, n-no! This is trespassing! According to Article Fifty-Six of the Xianzhou Personal Property Code: Anyone who uses tools to violently dismantle or illegally enter another citizen's residence without authorization shall be sentenced according to law to a fixed-term imprisonment of no less than thirty and no more than fifty years..."

With things having developed to this point, Bai Jun dared not use force even more, afraid that he might hurt her. In the end, he could only be invaded in his own home while loudly reciting the statutes of Xianzhou law.

Thud—!

With a loud crash, the two of them fell to the floor at the same time. However, this happened to suit someone's wishes perfectly.

"You cannot run, Benefactor!"

Tingyun pounced on him. Her soft, light body pressed down on Bai Jun without hesitation. Like a beast that had caught the scent of blood, she reached out and pinned his cheek, leaving him unable to exert force or resist. At the same time, her fluffy, beautiful fox tail seized the opportunity to wrap tightly around his thigh.

"Please, kind big sister, just let me go! What heavenly law did I break?" Bai Jun pleaded innocently. Tingyun had pinned all four of his limbs beneath her. Any attempt to struggle would inevitably bring him into contact with her skin, and if he touched somewhere he should not, he would be finished!

Seeing how well-behaved his hands were, Tingyun became even angrier. Her soft fingers viciously pinched his cheek. "Then tell me! Who was that woman you were shopping with today?"

"A woman!?"

Bai Jun immediately knew Tingyun was asking about that afternoon. Though he wanted to protest, he knew this was precisely when he could not panic. He put on an innocent look of sudden realization. "A colleague! She was a colleague! We were just discussing something together!"

"Liar! Since when did Sushang become your colleague?"

"You know Sushang!? Th-That really needs an explanation..."

Before Bai Jun's terrified eyes, Tingyun's expression gradually crumbled, and her smile gained a trace of intoxication and obsession. "Benefactor, are you usually so free of desire? Rather than letting them have you, why not let this little lady have you? I am not that bad, am I?"

"One is not enough? You want two, right? Fine. But at the very least, I have to be first!" As she spoke, Tingyun began wildly tearing at Bai Jun's clothes. She quickly ripped half his shirt off.

Bai Jun realized that words alone would likely have little effect on Tingyun in her current state. Just as he prepared to rise up and fiercely teach this fox a lesson, a gentle, steady voice carrying a hint of concern came from outside the door.

"Bai Jun? I heard a huge commotion from your place. Why did I hear Tingyun's voice too... What happened?"

Tingyun and Bai Jun immediately widened their eyes and stared toward the door in terror.

That voice was—!?

A Record of a Night Stroll Through Exalting Sanctum

On the night of a certain day in a certain year, Yukong finished handling the Tianbo Division's affairs early and returned home unusually soon. In the past, she rarely left the Tianbo Division. Even when there was nothing to do, she would dutifully remain in the office. But today was different.

Within the "Yellow Bell" resonance system, she had encountered an old friend—or rather, a junior she had not seen in more than twenty-four years.

General Sans-Wu: Long time no see, Sister Yukong. It has been over twenty years since we last parted, hasn't it? Have you been well lately?

That familiar form of address brought many old memories back to Yukong.

More than twenty years ago, she had still been a vanguard of the Yaoqing's "Green Hills Army," while Yukong herself had been a pilot of the Luofu's Drooping Rainbow Guard. Who would have thought that when they met again, she would be the general of an entire ship, while Yukong had already given up flying... Thinking about it, it truly felt like a lifetime ago. After all, who could have imagined that the little fox who once followed behind her would become one of the seven great generals of the Divine Bow?

Perhaps life was simply like that. There would always be unexpected miracles.

Feixiao was still as she had been in Yukong's memories, always calling her "Sister." Though Yukong had sternly corrected her countless times, Feixiao never tired of it. Her current status clearly should no longer permit her to speak so casually to a mere retired pilot... Perhaps in that regard, Feixiao had not changed at all.

Still, being able to meet again was a good thing. Foxkin did not live as long as Xianzhou natives. They might pass away before even reaching three hundred years, never to have another chance to reunite. That would be far too regrettable.

She and Feixiao talked and reminisced for a long time. The sky grew ever darker, yet neither woman's enthusiasm diminished in the slightest.

General Sans-Wu: From what Sister Yukong has been saying... Could it be that you have taken a liking to a boy much younger than you?

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: Shh... Feixiao, what nonsense are you talking about?! I-I never said I had any feelings for him... I only occasionally think that, as a friend, he is quite dependable.

General Sans-Wu: Oh? Then can Sister Yukong let me see what that boy looks like? Or you could tell me his name.

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: His name is... Wait, why are you asking that? No, no, I cannot tell you.

General Sans-Wu: Ha, you will not even tell me his name. Just admit that you are interested in him, Sister.

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: Feixiao! If you keep this up, I will stop talking to you!

General Sans-Wu: No, no, do not get angry, Sister. I did not say anything. I just think Qingni has grown up too, and you do not need to keep putting so much pressure on yourself. You have done everything very well, so try to relax a little and pursue what you truly want.

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: I... I am already past the age for romance, and Qingni and Tingyun still need me to look after them...

General Sans-Wu: Sigh, Sister, you are so indecisive. What if another woman steals him away one day? Is the famed Fox of Starlight supposed to crouch in some corner and cry?

General Sans-Wu: Let me teach Sister a move. It is guaranteed to work!

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: You will teach me...? I have never heard of the Yaoqing's victorious general having any romantic scandals.

General Sans-Wu: Not at all. As it happens, I have had someone in my heart these past few years too. Like Sister, it is a boy much younger than me, so I suppose I have some experience. Though he has run away now... Ahem, that is getting off topic. Listen carefully now. I will only teach you once, okay?

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: Y-You tell me...

General Sans-Wu: Next time you meet, just kiss him. He will not be able to handle it.

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: ???

General Sans-Wu: Personally tested and proven effective. Better yet, pin him against a wall, gently lift his chin with your fingers, then lower your head and thoroughly taste him...

Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456 has logged off

Yukong quickly shut off her Jade Omen and vigorously rubbed her burning cheeks. Her fox ears drooped slightly from embarrassment. "Ah, honestly, she says nothing but nonsense. Feixiao has become so improper too!"

"But she has someone in her heart as well... That is nice."

Perhaps she had drunk too much tea, or perhaps she was too excited. Lying in bed, she was unable to close her eyes for a long while. Moonlight entered the room. The moonlight within the realm was brighter than usual that day, and as she watched it spill in through the window, Yukong felt the urge to take a nighttime stroll. She quickly dressed, took a Louryu Lantern, and headed outside.

Her home was also located in the Starcruiser Sea Hub. For convenience's sake, it was close to the Tianbo Division. Just a few steps outside, she could see the majestic halls of the Tianbo Division, their soaring eaves shaped like ship prows. Since she had nothing better to do, she stopped in to inspect the place and make sure nothing had gone wrong.

It seemed that two young new women were on duty in the main hall that day. One kept yawning, barely managing to stay awake, while the other had simply fallen asleep with her head on the desk.

Seeing this, Yukong quietly walked over to the two of them, draped her fur coat over the sleeping girl to keep her warm, then slowly left beneath the other girl's utterly horrified gaze.