Who knew what that kid was planning by stocking up on so many swords? Keeping them locked away in display cases all day would make them cry, damn it!
Whenever Bai Jun saw Yan Qing carrying a sword over to his overflowing collection cabinet, a girl completely unlike him always came to mind, and he could not help but marvel at how interesting those two were.
Hearing Bai Jun say that, Jing Yuan nodded in sudden realization. "No wonder. I was wondering why Yan Qing had not been asking me for money lately like he used to. So he found himself a new creditor."
"But that is no matter. Qing Yan, if you are short on money, come find me. The Shence Mansion covers the general's daily expenses anyway, so my salary is rather unimportant to me."
Bai Jun shook his head. If he truly needed money, he could always go to Tingyun. That wealthy fox woman, who owned dozens of properties and four or five shops, would surely be more than willing to let him write an IOU. Borrowing a mere one or two million Credits would not be a problem.
But if he did that...
Imagining her threatening him with the IOU in the future, Bai Jun's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively shrank his neck. "A debt of money is easy to repay, but a debt of favor is hard to settle. Better forget it."
"Is that so? I do not think our friendship is so shallow." Jing Yuan did not mind, but he still chose to respect Bai Jun's wishes.
As the two spoke, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the training grounds, like high heels striking packed yellow earth.
Before Bai Jun could make out who had arrived, an angry, exhausted female voice rang out. "Jing Yuan, why did you sneak out to train again?! Why will you not listen to the healer's orders? What if it leaves you with lasting damage?!"
A female Vidyadhara hurried over. Her lovely face, shadowed by faint dark circles, was full of fury. She held a stack of unfinished documents in her left arm and gently cupped a tiny bundle in her right hand—the little sparrow. Her gaze was fixed solely on the white-haired general holding a Formation Blade.
As for why she dared call the general by name? Jing Yuan normally disliked being addressed by title, and after enough time had passed, she had begun calling him Jing Yuan as well. In truth, she still respected him greatly, but that respect did not apply right now.
"It is one thing to dump your case reports on me without finishing them. It is another to hand the little one over to me without caring for it. But who do you think the healer told to rest properly?! If you ruin your health, it will affect every citizen of the Luofu!"
"I am sorry, I am sorry. Forgive me this once for Qing Yan's sake."
A practiced apology drifted over from behind him. When Bai Jun turned around, Jing Yuan had indeed ducked behind him with an awkward grin, and he had shamelessly shoved Bai Jun forward to take the brunt of it.
Bai Jun's face darkened. He threw a blind elbow strike behind him, making Jing Yuan grunt and stagger back several steps.
After driving Jing Yuan away from his shoulders, Bai Jun scratched his cheek somewhat awkwardly and waved to Qing Que. "Morning, Sister Qing Que."
Qing Que froze slightly. Only then did she notice Bai Jun standing in front of Jing Yuan. She instinctively tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded with equal awkwardness. "Bai Jun? I was wondering who it was."
"Chirp chirp!" The little bundle in Qing Que's hand suddenly flew onto Bai Jun's shoulder and affectionately rubbed its beak against his cheek.
Bai Jun smiled and gently scratched the little fellow's soft belly feathers with a finger, making the adorable little titmouse narrow its eyes in comfort.
"This child really likes you. It barely comes to me anymore." Jing Yuan rubbed his aching chest and spoke with feeling.
"Rather than saying it does not come to you, it would be more accurate to say that you are usually too busy to care for it at all." Bai Jun did not agree with Jing Yuan's view. Small animals were usually like that. They grew close to whoever treated them well. In that regard, they were better than many people.
"By the way, Qing Que said you were sick?"
"Heh, just a little wind and frost... cough, cough." Jing Yuan casually brushed the dust from his clothes, but before he could maintain that carefree air for even a moment, an utterly uncooperative cough ruined it.
Qing Que irritably punched Jing Yuan's shoulder and sighed faintly. "Jing Yuan is always spouting nonsense. He was injured during this campaign. Last night, the healer told him to rest properly for a while, but he sneaked off to the training grounds first thing this morning to show off. He does not take his own health seriously at all."
Jing Yuan suddenly reddened, but he felt he still had some grounds to argue. "The healer also said I should exercise moderately to loosen my muscles and circulation. Besides, I have lived like this for years. Why make such a fuss?"
Then came more incomprehensible remarks like, "Life is but a dewdrop on a scallion, why quarrel over right and wrong at the tip of a snail's horn?" and, "Can a general's affairs really be called showing off?"
"Fine, forget it. I cannot manage you, so let Bai Jun manage you. I have other matters to deal with." Qing Que knew she could not persuade the general. She could only helplessly smack his back with the case reports, nod to Bai Jun, and leave.
"Take care of yourself. You even managed to anger her into leaving."
Bai Jun continued teasing the little bundle in his palm. He knew it would be extremely irresponsible to tell the person who made decisions for the entire Luofu to "please rest," but as a friend, he naturally did not want Jing Yuan treating his body like this.
"All right, all right, I know. Since it is still early, let us settle that unfinished game from last time!"
In the end, Bai Jun had no idea whether Jing Yuan truly listened. Jing Yuan simply dragged him into the main hall to play Star Array Chess.
Star Array Chess originated from the ancient history and culture of the Xianzhou Alliance. With a square board and round pieces, it imitated the old tales of ancient states vying for supremacy and unifying the land. In Bai Jun's eyes, Star Array Chess was not much different from Chinese chess; at most, the pieces had different names.
Bai Jun was not exactly uninterested, but Jing Yuan was obsessed with this game so similar to Chinese chess. He had even used quantum virtual particles to project an enormous Star Array Chess board in the main hall, so he could ponder new strategies whenever he had free time.
"You still remembered that unfinished game from three months ago? Are you really that competitive... Wait, whose turn was it supposed to be?" Bai Jun sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, staring blankly at their unfinished game.
"The game itself may be dull, but the players must still decide a winner. Come on, come on. This time, I have to beat you at least once."
Jing Yuan smiled and shook his head. While Bai Jun was distracted, he had already placed a piece.
"A grown man acting like a child." Bai Jun's lips twitched. Whatever. I will just play along and let Jing Yuan have some fun.
"How have you been lately? Have you adjusted to the work at the Earth-Balance Commission?"
As their pieces clashed back and forth, the players did not remain idle either. Jing Yuan lightly rolled a star piece between his fingers and casually asked about Bai Jun's recent situation.
"You have asked that so many times already. I am fine. Whether it is the Earth-Balance Commission, the Alchemy Commission, or even the Ten Lords Bureau, it makes no difference to me. Wherever I go, it is just a different way of living. What about you? Did everything go well on this Hunt campaign?"
"Same as always. I merely sank a few Winged Cloud-Piercing Ships and cut down several Huiyin vanguard warships. It was dull, but there were no complications. Compared to the endless heavy work in the files, heading out on a Hunt campaign is actually rare entertainment during my vacation."
Jing Yuan calmly recounted what had happened during the campaign. To him, it was truly too trivial to mention, but Bai Jun rubbed his lips thoughtfully.
Bai Jun was not pondering Jing Yuan's words. He had noticed something wrong with the Star Array Chess board before him. Earlier, his Cloud Cannon had moved right four and forward three, clearly landing on the baseline of Jing Yuan's formation. But now...
Where had that enormous Cloud Cannon gone?!
Realizing that another one of his pieces had been stolen, Bai Jun clicked his tongue in irritation and held out his hand toward Jing Yuan. "You are cheating again. Give it back."
"Haha, chess pieces are like people; each has its own mind. Once you and I place a piece, there is no regret. How could there be any taking it back? Qing Yan, surely you are not going to shamelessly deny it?" Jing Yuan smugly waggled a finger, with no intention of returning the piece.
Hearing that old cheat's twisted reasoning, Bai Jun's maintained smile suddenly cracked. Several veins bulged on his fair face, and his clenched fist made cracking sounds. Yet even so, there was not the slightest anger in his tone. He took a deep breath and silently moved a Cloud Pawn on the board one square.
Whether out of guilt or simply because he wanted to divert Bai Jun's attention, Jing Yuan pushed the fruit platter Qing Que had just brought over toward him, seemingly intending to make him eat some candy.
Bai Jun did not eat any. He pushed his piece forward another few spaces. "Cloud Chariot moves left three, forward four. Checkmate, General. You lost."
The settled Cloud Chariot and commander piece had already forced Jing Yuan's marshal into a dead end. No matter how he struggled, it would do no good.
"Wait, wait! Why did I not see that move? Go back—go back and redo it." A hint of panic flashed through Jing Yuan's eyes as he instinctively reached to push Bai Jun's Cloud Chariot back.
"Chess pieces are like people; each has its own mind. Once you and I place a piece, there is no regret. How could there be any taking it back? General, surely you are not going to shamelessly deny it?" Bai Jun naturally would not allow that. He threw Jing Yuan's own shameless words back at him. The boomerang of history finally struck Jing Yuan squarely in the back of the head.
"Oh dear, it is already this late. Important matters are keeping me busy at the Earth-Balance Commission, General. Please excuse me." He pretended to glance at the clock in the corridor, but in truth gave Jing Yuan no chance to react. Bai Jun stood and strode away, not forgetting to grab a large handful of candy for his pocket as he left.
"No, no! I refuse to accept this! Qing Yan, quickly play another game with me!" Jing Yuan belatedly reached out to stop him, his voice mournful and unwilling.
But when he looked up again, Bai Jun had already vanished without a trace. Jing Yuan's unwilling wail echoed through the vast main hall. Fortunately, the Cloud Cavalry Guards responsible for security had not yet arrived so early in the morning. Otherwise, given how loose-lipped outsiders were, Jing Yuan would probably have lost all face beyond the Starskiff Haven.
"Whew. Good thing I was one step ahead. Otherwise, Jing Yuan really would have cheated his way to victory."
The moment Bai Jun left the Shence Mansion, he produced two small objects from his pocket. On closer inspection, they were the star pieces from Jing Yuan's formation.
"Ah, Jing Yuan, Jing Yuan. You were still too careless. How could you push a fruit platter toward your enemy during a match and expose your weakness?" Bai Jun wore a mischievous grin as he tossed the star pieces high into the air. They rose to their peak, fell swiftly, and landed neatly in his hand.
This could not be called cheating. Jing Yuan did it first, so this should be called beating a cheat at his own game...
"Ding—"
Praise for noble morality +5 30/100
Oh, no. This should be called enforcing justice!
PS: 7k words. Please vote~
Come Out and Play Cards! ### As the most populous residential haven on the Luofu, Exalting Sanctum was as lively as ever today. Crowds packed into a newly opened restaurant across the street called Dingzhen Pavilion. Perhaps they wanted to try its novel dishes, advertised as no less impressive than Meizhan Pavilion's, but what most people really wanted was the thirty-percent discount for the grand opening.
Compared to that phenomenal stream of customers, the Public Office of the Earth-Balance Commission, tucked away in a corner of Exalting Sanctum, seemed far more deserted. Every so often, one or two newlywed couples bickering over a divorce came in, or foreign visitors who had violated regulations and been sent down from the Tianbo Division to await repatriation. Other than that, there were only matters involving lost cats and dogs.
This idleness might be a disaster for shops that needed foot traffic to make money, but for the attendants accustomed to being busy every day, it was practically paid vacation. It was happier than a construction worker seeing rain.
That did not mean they were slacking off or disgracing the name of the Six Commissions.
How did that saying go again?
All one wished for was that no one in the world fell ill, so why fear medicine gathering dust on the shelves? Doctors hoped there would be no more illness in the world, even if all the medicine on their shelves gathered dust. Was it not the same for the attendants of the Earth-Balance Commission? A lighter workload only meant that the people were living and working in peace, and society was thriving in harmony, did it not?
It was not as though the attendants could go out and create trouble when there was nothing to do. That would be insane!
So whether they slacked off, slept, or found some amusement, it did not matter. They only needed to enjoy this rare peace of mind. As it happened, there was something entertaining to watch today, so the attendants gathered in little groups, chattering in the Public Office like old men and women gathered at the end of a village lane, building an intelligence network of neighborhood gossip.
First was Pure Ink Steward Jing Yan, leisurely arranging flowers at her desk. There was nothing unusual about adding a flower arrangement to her empty desk, but this refined leisure appeared on the person least likely to display it. Jing Yan had shed her usual anxious, careworn look. Her flower-like smile made everyone in the Public Office realize that she was actually quite young; her constantly furrowed brows had simply made them overlook that fact.
Unfortunately, Da Hao had rushed off to a meeting at the General Affairs Department of the Starskiff Haven early that morning, so there was no way to question him and discuss what had happened last night. Still, it must have been quite intense!
And speaking of Jing Yan, one had to mention Pine Smoke Steward, who was often used as a negative example in comparison with her. He was usually lazy and unmotivated, and everyone had once assumed he was some well-connected hire. But after spending enough time with him, they discovered he did have some ability and was fairly easygoing. Still, it was hard for anyone to treat him with the same respect they showed Jing Yan and Da Hao.
The moment he arrived this morning, he drew everyone's astonished looks. It was not for any other reason. His badly swollen left cheek and bruised right eye looked especially absurd and comical.
Noticing everyone staring, Pine Smoke immediately began making excuses for his unusual appearance. The attendants all knew what he was like, so they drank tea and laughed at him. Some even teased, "Pine Smoke, did you go train to become Kung Fu Panda or something?"
Others shouted, "Pine Smoke! You definitely got beaten up!"
Pine Smoke tried hard to open his swollen eye wide. "You scoundrel, how can you insult my innocence with such nonsense?!"
"What innocence? You clearly got beaten up!"
Pine Smoke's face reddened, and the veins on his forehead bulged one by one as he argued even more forcefully. "I-I got this from falling down drunk last night! Besides, can a scholar's affairs be called getting beaten up?"
Then came more obscure words mixed with Xianzhou classical phrasing, making everyone burst into laughter. The Public Office was filled with cheerful air.
Since the two stewards and one steward officer had already been mentioned, it was only natural to mention the esteemed Mr. Bai Qing Yan as well. Yet surprisingly, the man who usually loved slacking off sat upright today. One hand holding a pen propped up his cheek as he carefully examined the case reports on his desk. He seemed troubled, doing nothing but furrowing his brow in faint frustration, completely out of place amid the relaxed atmosphere around him.
Everyone present had witnessed Bai Jun's work ability firsthand. No matter how difficult the problem, it was handled calmly and completed on time once it reached him. No wonder people said he had the real skill to slack off. If it were anyone else, they would have packed their things and been kicked out long ago.
For him to show such a serious, all-out expression was an unprecedented sight. Even Jing Yan, who was arranging flowers, occasionally glanced at Bai Jun with an expression of surprise and relief, as though she had finally seen her mischievous child shoulder a schoolbag and go to school alone.
The attendants in the Public Office did not disturb Bai Jun. Even when passing by, they consciously lowered their voices and deliberately left him a quiet space to focus on his work.
Bai Jun was naturally not putting on airs. He truly had fallen into a vicious cycle of unspeakable evil, though it had nothing to do with work. It concerned his very survival, even secrets that could be traced back to the mystery of humanity's continued existence.
—What should I eat for lunch today?
How plain and direct. How profoundly thought-provoking in this materialistic, money-worshipping society! The emotions contained in such a simple question were like a river surging forth in endless abundance, like steep mountains stretching without end...
All right, all right, no more jokes. The truth was simply that he had failed to collect his debt, and his wallet problem had become urgent. The money left in his pocket was only enough for one meal. He had reached the point where he had to choose whether to spend it on lunch or dinner.
No, no, calm down. Why did he have to consider which meal to eat? If he exchanged all his remaining money for steamed buns, it seemed he could last another day or two. If he saved a little more, perhaps he could survive for a week. But one week was the absolute limit. Yan Qing's return was nowhere in sight, and payday at the Earth-Balance Commission was still more than half a month away. After that, he could only rely on fate...
Bai Jun bit his thumb and carefully calculated with the tip of his pen on the case report, weighing how many steamed buns he needed per meal to keep himself alive. Yet in everyone else's eyes, his tightly furrowed brow and worried expression were the very image of diligence.
"No matter how I look at it, eating only half or one steamed bun a day is definitely terrifying for me."
Looking at the shocking numbers on the paper, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a meal plan for maintaining vital signs. Yet even that would only last him a week.
Bai Jun could not help clicking his tongue. His mouth suddenly felt empty, and he instinctively remembered the handful of candy he had deliberately stuffed into his pocket when leaving the Shence Mansion. It was finally useful now.
He unwrapped the foil, revealing a crystalline red candy resting quietly in its wrapper. It looked like it was strawberry-flavored.
"So sweet..."
The instant the candy entered his mouth, Bai Jun's tightly furrowed expression melted into the fruity sweetness. He happily narrowed his eyes.
He did not know how else to describe it. It was worthy of the Shence Mansion's candy. Both the flavor and sweetness were first-rate. In short, it was delicious. Bai Jun immediately tossed another piece into his mouth.
"Whatever. Things will work themselves out when the time comes. There is no point thinking so much right now. I might as well slack off for a while."
Perhaps the flavor of the candy let him temporarily forget his worries. Bai Jun leaned back in his chair without a care, tossing all concerns about food beyond the horizon. His long legs crossed casually as he lazily watched the street outside the window. Pedestrians hurried past, each moving toward their own goal, never stopping for any other reason... Wait, someone really had stopped.
Lost in sweet bliss, Bai Jun suddenly noticed a tea-haired girl in a grayish-blue dress standing on tiptoe outside the Public Office's glass window and looking at him. Her pretty, delicate face wore an adorable smile. Her dark arched brows lifted slightly over watery, shimmering eyes.
Their eyes met. Bai Jun recognized her identity, and Qing Que spotted him at once as well.
She raised a little hand and knocked on the glass several times. Though he could not hear Qing Que through the glass, judging by the movement of her cherry lips and the enthusiasm in her eyes, he could vaguely tell what she meant:
"Come out and play cards!"
The Sky Falls, and Qing Que Will Carry It ### "Come out and play cards!"
Qing Que clearly had not spoken, yet for some reason, that sentence suddenly popped into Bai Jun's mind. It was probably because the two of them often secretly slacked off and got together to play Imperial Jade Card Game every few days.
Bai Jun touched his empty wallet, and his first reaction was to refuse. But Qing Que was pressed against the window, looking at him expectantly. The overflowing enthusiasm in her unwavering gaze was truly hard to resist.
With a faint sigh, Bai Jun casually took a sheet of blank paper and a pen, then walked solemnly to Jing Yan's desk. Pointing at the blank page as though it were a case report, he said, "There is an error in this data. I need to go inspect the site..."
He was obviously lying through his teeth, but Jing Yan was in a good mood, and the Public Office was idle anyway. She did not even look at it before nodding. "Mm. You have worked hard all morning. Safe travels."
Bai Jun thought that he had spent the entire morning slacking off, so how could that be considered hard work? But since Jing Yan had said so, he accepted the praise with a clear conscience. After all, no one would make things difficult for themselves.
The moment he stepped outside the Public Office, Qing Que eagerly rushed over and happily tugged on Bai Jun's sleeve. "Come on, come on! Let us hurry up and play a few rounds of Imperial Jade Card Game to warm up!"
"Better not. I might not be able to play Imperial Jade Card Game lately."
Hearing Bai Jun mutter in hesitation, Qing Que's heart tightened. She asked worriedly, "What is wrong? Is something bothering you lately?"
"Not really. The main thing is that I cannot even afford food anymore, let alone Imperial Jade Card Game..."
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