"You seem to be hiding something from me?"
Zhang Xiu suddenly turned and looked at Yaoshi behind him.
He was naturally sensitive to the emotions around him. Back at the Artisanship Commission, although he hadn't seen Yaoshi's expression, he had unmistakably caught the aura she released as her emotions fluctuated.
Faced with his question, Yaoshi readily admitted it. "Indeed, I have a thought, yet I know not how to discuss it with my husband."
"Aw, it's fine. We're married, aren't we? Whatever it is, just tell me." Zhang Xiu grinned, only to suddenly think of something. He swallowed, then said:
"As long as it isn't something too insane. Like, you know, there's no way I'm agreeing to 4i... And no swapping sexes either!"
Yaoshi was powerful enough to reshape bodies however she pleased. Never mind changing her own-she could even fit Zhang Xiu with a vagina, so he was still a little scared.
"4i? What is that? Why does it frighten my husband so?"
"Ahem, whatever you do, don't look it up. Even if you do, I won't agree. I'm serious."
"Very well. I shall never force my husband." Seeing Zhang Xiu's face tense, Yaoshi made her position clear. Then she said softly:
"Allow me to explain at leisure."
After hearing her out, Zhang Xiu lowered his head, his expression somewhat grave.
"My husband, thou must now understand my ideal in full. Wouldst thou accompany me?"
"No, I'm just so relieved. We share the same goal." Zhang Xiu gave voice to the joy filling his heart.
"It's just that I'm a very greedy man, so... let's talk about how to keep you alive, honey."
"Lord Diviner, you've returned!"
At the stationed Cloud Knight's respectful greeting, Zhang Xiu and the others all turned their gazes toward the little pink-haired shorty approaching them.
True to his usual outrageous behavior, Zhang Xiu raised his head and walked toward Fu Xuan.
"Fu Xuan? Where's Fu Xuan? Holy crap, does the Divination Commission have an invisibility technique too?"
The surrounding Cloud Knights watched the brave soul before them, inwardly marveling at his sheer audacity.
"You...! Never mind. I have uncovered the secrets of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus." Fu Xuan had wanted to explode, but with so many Cloud Knights present, she decided to address business first.
"Ah~ With the stellaron causing trouble and the Ambrosial Arbor sprouting, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, who've lurked aboard the Xianzhou for years with the aim of overthrowing it, certainly wouldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by."
Zhang Xiu spread his hands and stole the words right out of Fu Xuan's mouth.
Fu Xuan wasn't particularly angry at being cut off. Instead, she was surprised that Zhang Xiu already knew about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. "How did you know?"
"My wife, Stelle, and I investigated it earlier. Hehe, but Diviner Fu, you led from the front and personally scouted the enemy. That's truly admirable."
With that praise, Fu Xuan's earlier displeasure with Zhang Xiu vanished, leaving her even a little proud and bashful.
"W-well, it was nothing! As for divination, I am the Diviner, and the general personally appointed me to lead the troops. Naturally, I must brave the dangers and throw myself into the battlefield..."
"You waited for us because you need something else, didn't you?" Stelle, who had just returned from Dan Shu's side, planted her hands on her hips, looking rather exhausted.
Fu Xuan nodded meekly. "It seems you've already prepared yourselves."
Hearing that they had more errands to run, March 7th couldn't help sighing. "Ugh, when we first met your Madam Yukong, she said something really nice."
She cleared her throat, half closed her eyes, and placed her left hand on her hip, instantly getting into character. "This is an internal Xianzhou matter. There is no need for you to concern yourselves."
Her eyes widened again as March 7th lamented bitterly. "How come every miserable job got dumped on us in the blink of an eye? Even the corporation isn't as good at ordering people around as you are."
"Let me guess, what are you planning to have us do this time? Don't tell me we're taking the vanguard... and charging... alongside the Cloud Knights?"
"Let's go. Fighting on a battlefield sounds awesome." Zhang Xiu blinked, unable to help feeling a little excited.
"Hey, hey! Do you think everyone loves fighting as much as you do? Big battles make this girl dizzy! I'm not going, no way!"
Faced with these two jokers, Fu Xuan shook her head. "Alas, who said you were going onto the battlefield..."
"Jing Yuan instructed that you were to serve as an unexpected force. The Cloud Knights' frontal assault earlier showed the enemy our conventional strength. Now is the time to deploy the unexpected."
"Ah, what a hassle..." As though every bone had been sucked out of his body, Zhang Xiu promptly collapsed backward.
Yaoshi raised her small hands and steadily caught his falling body. "My husband must muster his spirits."
Aside from the Astral Express Crew, the only two people present who knew Yaoshi's identity were Li Ge and Chen Chang'an.
Watching the interaction between Zhang Xiu and Yaoshi, they had grievances they couldn't voice. After all, the pair were in love. Who were they to say anything?
But if they returned to that first audience with Yaoshi and were asked whether they dared propose marriage like Zhang Xiu...
The answer would naturally be no. All they could say was that Zhang Xiu was a badass.
"...Everyone, please follow me."
"Please wait, Lord Diviner." Chen Chang'an stopped Fu Xuan just then.
"Oh? I recognize you. Chen Chang'an, an outstanding member of Skydeep, and one of the finest soldiers among the Cloud Knights."
"You flatter me, Lord Diviner. To tell you the truth, Brother Li and I received help from Zhang Xiu and his wife. We speak up now because we wish to accompany them and repay that favor."
"Yes, yes! Exactly. Please grant our request, Lord Diviner."
Hearing their intentions, Fu Xuan was somewhat displeased. "Do you understand that we are currently at war? How can Cloud Knights leave their posts so lightly? Considering that you are..."
"Ah! Without Li Ge and Chen Chang'an! I... I can't use my Power of the King!"
The moment he heard Fu Xuan was about to refuse, Zhang Xiu unleashed his inner drama queen, stretched out his right arm, and began acting like a lunatic.
Seeing him like this, Welt played along. "Hmm... It seems this is a strategic redeployment."
"Exactly. You've been ordering us around for so long, and you won't even lend us two people?"
Stelle went further, declaring indignantly, "Down with Xianzhou tyranny! The world belongs to...!"
But before she could finish, Zhang Xiu clapped a hand over her mouth. "You can't just go around saying that."
"That... is certainly permissible." Fu Xuan nodded.
"Yay! Then let's set off!"
And so, they followed Fu Xuan away from where the Cloud Knights were stationed, until a towering, suspended elixir furnace came into view.
"The dawn bell wakes us from a dream within a dream; rosy mists gather and scatter, a body beyond the body... Everyone, you see it over there, yes?"
"What a huge elixir furnace. It's even smoking." Phantylia walked forward and came to Fu Xuan's side.
"This is where the alchemists of ancient times expounded on the way of immortality. They have built an elixir furnace here again, drawing on the Ambrosial Arbor's power to turn fanciful ideas into reality."
The wondrous mechanisms of the elixir furnace and its blazing blue flames, paired with the surrounding clouds and mist, truly made a marvelous sight.
"I once leafed through ancient Xianzhou texts and learned that this place was called the Cloudglow Violet Abode." Chen Chang'an gazed at the elixir furnace operating amid blue light and cloudy vapor, unable to help clicking his tongue in wonder.
Looking at the exquisite machinery, Welt couldn't help growing a little excited as well. "I've long heard that Xianzhou machinery ranks among the finest in the universe. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation."
"Truly, within the nine-three cauldron it simmers like cream; within the six-one furnace it congeals like rosy clouds." Yaoshi nodded gently.
"Holy crap, that's badass." Zhang Xiu and Li Ge voiced their admiration in unison.
"It's so beautiful." Stelle and March 7th offered heartfelt praise as well.
Before you continue