A Tribute to Tingyun, the Legendary Cat Trainer
As the sun gradually sank westward, the shadows of buildings and people stretched long, covering the roadside shops. One by one, the merchants folded up their awnings and let out long yawns.
The bright sky transitioned into splendid, fire-like clouds. The sunset's dying glow was replaced by deeper, leaden clouds, yet night had not fallen. Exalting Sanctum remained bustling and prosperous, with travelers coming and going and starcruisers flowing into the markets like clouds and mud. It was no less lively than during the day, displaying prosperity in full.
It was a picturesque sight, but Tingyun had no mind to appreciate it, because something far more captivating was before her eyes.
Watching Bai Jun's expression shift from surprise to terror, then hesitation, and finally lifeless resignation, Tingyun could not stop laughing to herself. Seeing such a rich range of emotions on that usually impassive face was a rare treat, and even her fluffy fox ears twitched with delight.
Though he was adorable, Tingyun was still somewhat dissatisfied that every time Bai Jun saw her, he looked as though he were facing some dreadful beast.
I just returned with the merchant group, timed it perfectly, and came straight here without even resting to wait along the road you always take home.
Of course, she could not say that aloud. At the very least, she had to make it look like a perfectly timed chance encounter.
"Long time no see, benefactor." Standing beside the railing, Tingyun took out her folding fan and spoke with a warm smile.
Bai Jun knew he could not avoid her, so he simply resigned himself and waved a hand. "The same to you, Miss Tingyun. I didn't expect you to return with the Minghuo Merchant Group so soon."
"Oh? From the sound of it, benefactor, could it be that you think I came back too quickly...?"
"How could that be? I'm delighted. I imagine this trip must have gone smoothly thanks to Miss Tingyun's wisdom and eloquence."
It was not that Bai Jun had any prejudice against Tingyun. It was probably because he had spent some time on Yaoqing, leaving him with an inexplicable fear of Foxkin women.
Tingyun smiled, half-closing her folding fan as her earlier resentment vanished. "Your silver tongue leaves this humble woman thoroughly outmatched, benefactor. But..."
"But?"
"Mm, considering the relationship between us, doesn't calling me 'Miss' sound a little distant?" Tingyun furrowed her elegant brows slightly, her tone carrying a trace of distress.
"Fine. As long as you don't call me benefactor, you can call me anything." As soon as Bai Jun said that, he noticed the loophole in his words and hurriedly added, "Of course, it has to be something within the bounds of common sense."
Unlike the well-received "Qing Yan," hearing Tingyun softly call him benefactor always gave him a strangely ticklish feeling, as if someone were brushing a feather beneath his chin.
"That will not do. A benefactor is a benefactor. I shall never forget the kindness you showed me on Yaoqing. Foxkin have always built their lives upon trust. If I were to disregard such a debt, I would be unworthy of serving as a merchant group ferrymaster for the Tianbo Division." Tingyun hid her smile behind her half-raised fan. Her gentle eyes showed a rare hint of determination.
They looked at each other for a moment before Bai Jun's defeat brought the exchange to an end.
He sighed helplessly. He had long grown accustomed to this outcome. "Fine. Have it your way."
The smile on Tingyun's face brightened further. Her clear, water-like eyes curved into crescents, and even her exquisite fox tail swayed continuously behind her. To her, nothing was more delightful than occasionally making Bai Jun suffer a little at her hands.
Bai Jun was like a proud little cat who did not cling to anyone. If she only teased him with a cat wand, he would surely grow sick of her eventually. That was why the catnip she used after teasing him was so important. If she followed his temperament and coaxed him properly, he would shed that cold exterior and reveal the soft, burning heart beneath.
In other words, it was time for the catnip to come in handy.
"Benefactor, I brought you some gifts during this merchant group expedition..."
Before Tingyun could finish, Bai Jun raised a hand to stop her. "Stop! It's always like this. There's no room left in my home for gifts, and I've emphasized this plenty of times already. So this time, I absolutely will not accept them!"
After saying that, he turned his head away from Tingyun, making his stance exceptionally firm.
"You always say the same thing, benefactor. I expected it, so I had someone deliver them to your doorstep. They should have arrived by now, I imagine?" Tingyun remained smiling gently as she stepped gracefully to Bai Jun's side.
"Besides, you needn't worry, benefactor. This time, I only brought one or two gifts. They will not take up much space. And if you find them troublesome and useless, you may simply pawn them. I can spend some money to redeem them afterward, can't I?"
As though picturing that scene, Tingyun lowered her eyes in feigned grievance and lightly tapped Bai Jun on the shoulder with her fan.
Bai Jun scratched his cheek in distress. That was not what he meant. Whether useful or not, every gift represented her feelings, and truthfully, he quite liked them.
It was simply that the gifts Tingyun gave him were too precious, leaving him uncertain how to repay her.
Those emerald eyes, clear as water, seemed to see through Bai Jun's thoughts every time. Before he could speak, the exquisite white-jade folding fan pressed against his lips. "All right, benefactor, there is no need to overthink it. If we are comparing the value of gifts, nothing I own can compare to this fan you gave me."
This was not flattering deceit. Merchants traveling beyond the skies generally carried weapons to guard against dangers on the road.
But Tingyun was an exception—at first, she had not intended to equip herself with a weapon. Yet during the incident on Yaoqing, Bai Jun had drawn his blade to save her. Otherwise, she would have long since died beneath the claws of that Buli person. It was that incident that made her resolve to carry a weapon.
But what kind of weapon to use left her troubled. Blades, spears, swords, halberds, and the like were too rigid and forceful, lacking elegance and softness.
But concealed weapons like throwing darts and silver needles made her seem vicious and underhanded, which was hardly dignified.
Just as she was at her wits' end, Bai Jun gave her a meticulously crafted folding fan. In his words at the time, "As a ferrymaster, Miss Tingyun, carrying a weapon on your person may harm goodwill and business fortunes. But a fan is refined and elegant while still displaying character. It is worth using."
From then on, this fan, faintly engraved with the words "Flowing Scene" at its end, had remained by her side.
Come to think of it, this folding fan had already solved countless problems for her. If she truly counted it all up, she probably could not repay the kindness she owed Bai Jun in this lifetime.
But it did not matter. If she could not repay it, then she could not repay it. At worst, she would simply offer herself to him as payment.
"It isn't anything precious. I just bought it from a young apprentice." Bai Jun froze, pinching his chin as he hurriedly denied it.
"Oh? Is that so?" With her folding fan resting against her thin lips, Tingyun stared directly at Bai Jun as though trying to find something on his face.
"Yes." Bai Jun even crossed his arms with righteous confidence.
What obvious nonsense. Even Master Gongshu could not forge craftsmanship this exquisite. How could it possibly have come from the hands of some insignificant apprentice?
Naturally, Tingyun had a way to respond to Bai Jun's clumsy excuse. "What I cherish is the sentiment behind it. And sentiment is something that cannot be bought, no matter what."
"Guh..." Bai Jun immediately deflated like a pufferfish and awkwardly looked away.
The fiery remnants of the sunset reflected on his fair face, and the warm golden tones made the atmosphere between them even more ambiguous.
Perhaps others could not figure out Bai Jun's personality, but for Miss Tingyun, who was deeply versed in the art of petting cats, it was much simpler.
After spending enough time with him, one would discover that if you expressed your feelings indirectly, Bai Jun would reject you indirectly with a heart of stone. But if you came at him directly, he would redden at the ears and look away.
Seeing his awkward expression, Tingyun's smiling gaze never left his face. Before long, Bai Jun muttered in displeasure.
"Why are you always staring at me?"
"Mm, because I am someone who appreciates beauty. Since my benefactor is so handsome, naturally I should look a little longer." Tingyun nodded as though it were perfectly reasonable. Then, as if recalling something, she leaned close to Bai Jun with a mischievous smile. "If you mind, I can imitate you and start looking from your legs upward every time."
"N-No..." Struck at his weak point, Bai Jun stiffened all over and stammered as he looked away.
His words denied it, but his cold expression and nervous demeanor were especially contradictory, inadvertently revealing a little too much.
Hehe, little Bai Jun was interested in me after all, wasn't he?
Tingyun's smile grew brighter. Striking while the iron was hot, she took out two tickets and lightly waved them through the air. "Benefactor, the Minghuo Merchant Group happened to have a few left, and they will expire if they are not used. Come stroll around the Starcruiser Sea Hub with me tonight."
"N—"
"All right, benefactor. I worked terribly hard on this trip. I heard the streetball championship happens to be tonight, with the Foxkin team competing against the Xianzhou team for the title. Come help me relax a little." Tingyun poked Bai Jun's cheek with a slender finger. The gesture was gentle yet faintly reproachful, abruptly cutting off the refusal at his lips.
This was not an invitation. From the beginning, Tingyun had never intended to leave Bai Jun any room to retreat. She would drag him completely into her rhythm through a continuous series of actions!
"If we get tired of watching, we can go to the Starcruiser Wharf to see some acrobatics. Afterward, we can listen to Foxkin drums and Xianzhou ballads. What do you think?"
"Th-That does sound rather nice..."
A trace of wavering entered Bai Jun's voice, and Tingyun rejoiced inwardly. Though surprised by how smoothly things were progressing, she steadied herself in time and immediately pressed her advantage.
A fragrant breeze carrying the scent of citrus surrounded him as her soft, warm body pressed against his without the slightest hesitation. Bai Jun immediately felt his arm sink between two soft masses like cotton, while a carefully groomed, fluffy fox tail quietly curled around his waist. "Right? And if we get sleepy, we can even go to the Yichen Inn. I have a membership there, you know~"
"Really!?" Bai Jun's throat moved as he looked at Tingyun with faint expectation. "I-I only need to accompany you for a little relaxation...?"
Tingyun pursed her lips in a smile and swore solemnly, "That's right, I promise! You only need to accompany me for a little relaxation. If we go to the inn, I will definitely book two rooms. I absolutely will not book only one room~"
Looking into Tingyun's eyes, which held feelings as calm as water and as unbroken as silk, Bai Jun's gaze trembled and his lips moved. "That... does sound rather nice..."
"Yes, yes, so agree already. Hurry and agree?"
Like a witch trying to lure someone into a bottomless abyss, Tingyun continuously whispered temptation into Bai Jun's ear. Faced with such an offensive, she believed he had no reason to refuse.
Yet the next moment...
Bai Jun's expression instantly changed. His earlier wavering vanished, replaced by resolve as firm as stone. "But I refuse!"
"W-What!?" Tingyun cried out in disbelief.
"One of the things I, Bai Jun, love most in this life is saying NO to people who are full of themselves!"
With a blank expression, Bai Jun pushed away Tingyun's soft face with one hand, casually peeled her large tail away from his waist, then turned to flee in one smooth, unhesitating motion.
The development was so far beyond Tingyun's expectations that her mind went blank for several seconds. But when she thought of the rare, perfect opportunity right before her, she knew that if she let Bai Jun slip through her fingers, finding another chance like this would be difficult.
Tingyun hardened her heart and simply put on a delicate, aggrieved expression. Moisture seemed to shimmer in her clear eyes as she gently tugged the corner of Bai Jun's clothes, refusing to let him escape. "Please, benefactor. Just agree this once. Only once~"
On the surface, it looked like a desperate struggle full of bad moves. Yet based on Tingyun's understanding of Bai Jun, as long as she acted cute toward his sharp tongue and soft heart, the results would be unexpectedly effective.
This was an open and honorable conspiracy—a scheme among schemes!
Sure enough, Bai Jun's earlier firmness disappeared. He frowned slightly and rubbed the corner of his lips with his thumb, seemingly deep in thought.
Tingyun swallowed softly. Seeing his hesitation, anticipation inevitably appeared in her eyes. Just as she was about to make another effort to change his mind, Bai Jun suddenly widened his eyes and pointed behind Tingyun in surprise. "They won! The Foxkin are champions!"
"Huh? Really!?"
Having always trusted Bai Jun completely, Tingyun turned around in delight, wanting to witness the team she had supported for so many years win the championship. But then she thought about it—the streetball game had not even begun. How could a winner possibly have been decided?
Besides, although Foxkin possessed keen senses and astonishingly nimble reactions, they were generally clearly inferior in physical ability to the long-lived Xianzhou people. Brave and powerful Foxkin were only a minority. Unfortunately, the Foxkin of the Luofu were among the weaker sort physically, and their team had never beaten the Xianzhou team in all these years. How could they possibly win just because someone said they had?
Realizing she had been tricked, Tingyun puffed out her cheeks and turned back in embarrassment and anger, only to find that Bai Jun, who had been standing beside her, had vanished without a trace.
"Huh? Where did he..."
After a brief moment of confusion, Tingyun belatedly realized that he had already escaped.
My fist is hard! My clenched little fist is hard!
Tingyun gritted her teeth indignantly, but in the end, she merely let out a quiet sigh and said nothing.
Perhaps she had been too impatient. She had probably frightened Bai Jun?
Fine, fine. Still, she had gained a great deal from this. She could definitely make use of it next time...
That was what she told herself, but she still could not help puffing out her cheeks in grievance. Touching the newly bought hairpin, she remembered that her carefully applied makeup had not received even a single compliment. Tingyun lowered her eyes, painted with cinnabar-red eyeshadow, in discouragement.
Honestly, he probably never noticed the change at all, did he?
Yet a voice from somewhere suddenly reached her ears.
"That hairpin is pretty nice. It suits you."
Hearing the gentle voice in the wind, carrying a trace of embarrassment, Tingyun froze at first. Then her crimson lips curled upward of their own accord, a faint blush blooming across her fair cheeks as her soft fox ears shyly drooped. "Oh my, always like this. But..."
A woman dressed for the one who pleased her. Though she knew Bai Jun had already gone far away, she still smiled sweetly, closed the finely crafted folding fan in her hand, and murmured in a voice only she could hear.
"This is exactly the kind of benefactor I like."
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Classical Mechanics Solves the Problem of Going Crazy
From high above Exalting Sanctum, Bai Jun leaned against a railing, propping his cheek with his left hand. Only after seeing Tingyun below regain her smile without noticing him did he slowly relax.
"Honestly. If I just made her angry, maybe she would stop bothering me next time."
Bai Jun helplessly curled his lips and instinctively reached for the saber at his waist. He had developed this habit at some point. Rubbing the cold hilt helped him quickly calm down, but after feeling around, he found nothing.
"Wait..."
Only then did he realize that when he skipped work—uh, no, when he got off work—he seemed to have forgotten to take his saber from his locker.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Bai Jun temporarily gave up on going home and turned toward the Public Office.
Under the governance of General Jing Yuan of Shence, the Luofu's public security was among the best compared to the other vessels of the Xianzhou Alliance. At least, that was true compared to Yaoqing. It was not the ideal world where no one picked up lost belongings and doors went unlocked at night, but martial spirit here was not as excessively abundant as on Yaoqing. The people lived and worked in peace; the local customs were not so fierce that someone might leap out at any moment to ask for a spar or challenge you to a fight to the death.
Most pedestrians Bai Jun encountered on the streets of the Luofu were ordinary, unarmed people. There was no real need to carry a weapon.
Bai Jun was not some kid who liked carrying a saber around to look cool, either. Perhaps he had once been, but those notions of righting wrongs with a sword and their rosy halos gradually faded into nothing with the passage of time and changes in reality. Those feelings had long since disappeared under reality's blows and the pressures of age.
The only reason he carried that saber with him was because it had been a gift from a friend, and he could not bear to neglect the sentiment behind it.
The sky gradually turned dim. Across the realm, lights had already begun to flicker.
The wind gently caressed people's cheeks, and from the landscaped strips built of marble slabs along both sides of the road came the faint fresh scent of earth and young grass.
As he lazily walked toward the Public Office, Bai Jun absurdly found himself thinking, Wouldn't it actually be nice to rest during the day and work the night shift? But he quickly dismissed the idea himself.
I must be sick, right? How could I think going to work was a good thing?
He shook his head vigorously, throwing the thought out of his mind, then silently quickened his pace. Before long, he saw the Public Office he both loved and hated.
He pushed open the main doors with practiced ease and saw the Pine Smoke Steward in the entrance hall, standing on tiptoe to pull a book from the bookshelf. Catching sight of Bai Jun from the corner of his eye, he widened his eyes in surprise. "Huh? Qing Yan, why are you back?"
"I came back to get something." Bai Jun walked over and used his height advantage to take down the book the Pine Smoke Steward could not reach from the top shelf.
"Thanks. So you came back for something. I thought you had come to keep me company on the night shift." Taking the book Bai Jun handed him, the Pine Smoke Steward smiled gratefully.
"It isn't even night yet. Why are you already talking in your sleep?" Bai Jun complained, his face darkening.
Before you continue