"Lady Yukong... weren't you a survivor of war too?"
Tingyun tilted her head and smiled softly.
"In a hazy dream, I think someone once told me: a survivor's name is often 'misfortune.' But..."
"Lady Yukong, the gods above use people as game pieces, playing across the stars. They leave behind wronged souls, lonely graves, and mountains of bones..."
"Have you ever thought of making them pay?"
"..." Yukong fell silent for a moment, then answered honestly. "Every moment."
"But how can specks of dust like us avoid becoming sacrifices in their game?"
"If I had a choice, I truly wouldn't want you to be anyone's pawn."
"I only wish you could still be that happy little fox, with no need to get caught up in this war..."
Looking at Yukong's haggard face, Tingyun heard the weariness of years in her words, despite her youthful appearance.
"Don't be so pessimistic, Lady Yukong."
"Thanks to the great lord's favor, Tingyun gets to be a player in this game."
Tingyun smiled.
"You know, a staff can stumble, and an earthworm can bring down a dragon... The ones who leave generals at a loss are always nameless pawns."
"So now Tingyun will be a cunning speck of dust too, and make those hands pulling the strings..."
"Sneeze good and hard a few times."
Elsewhere.
Dreamville Border.
Welt had accompanied Sunday and Ruan Mei as they said goodbye to Robin.
It seemed his return to Penacony this time truly had been an accident.
"This way... I won't have to live with regret." Ruan Mei suddenly grew wistful. Standing by the terrace, he let out a sigh.
"So this farewell should be over now, right?"
"Yes." Sunday nodded slightly.
"Only one stop remains."
"But before we leave..." Sunday raised his head toward Welt, who was