Warping toward Xianzhou cuisine!

Refuse!

Refuse!

Refuse!

Don't answer!!!

Dan Heng desperately wanted to say that.

The reason was that, when Kafka mentioned Blade,

she showed the Astral Express a holographic image of him.

Wasn't this just taking things—

way too far!

Dan Heng couldn't forget Blade even in his dreams.

In the most literal, physical sense.

Why had he felt so relaxed after having Jiang Yao's food and coffee?

Because he hadn't had a peaceful night's sleep all this time!

Blade was extremely dangerous.

Dan Heng knew that all too well.

But this wasn't a good moment to warn everyone.

Kafka was still here.

Her conversation with Himeko was nearing its end, but it wasn't over yet.

Speaking up rashly now might interrupt Himeko's train of thought.

At least he knew now. He could warn them later, when they held their meeting to decide the next stop.

However, to Dan Heng's surprise,

Kafka didn't seem to have anything more to say to Himeko.

She had set her sights on Jiang Yao.

"What's with the staring, beautiful? Want a cup?"

Before Kafka could speak,

Jiang Yao spoke with a warm smile.

He even raised the pot, which had only a tiny bit of coffee left.

The world had turned upside down!

Wasn't this turning everything completely on its head?

Everyone knew

the Stellaron Hunters were a band of reckless lunatics led by a madman who claimed to see fate, chasing the most dangerous things in the universe.

And even among the astronomical bounties the Interastral Peace Corporation offered for the Stellaron Hunters, Kafka's was the highest.

What's more—

dead or alive!

Yet Jiang Yao had gone straight to provoking her!

Yes, to Himeko, Welt, and even Dan Heng, this was a provocation.

"Too bad you're a projection. You can't drink any."

Jiang Yao shook his head, seemingly genuinely sorry for Kafka.

To Himeko and the others, that confirmed he was provoking her.

They began to wonder whether Jiang Yao had some old grudge against the Stellaron Hunters.

In reality, though,

Jiang Yao genuinely felt sorry for Kafka.

He rather wanted to treat the Stellaron Hunters.

For no other reason than respect for the enormous bounties the Interastral Peace Corporation had placed on their heads!

How did that saying go?

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Even now, thinking of that idiot Qlipoth made Jiang Yao furious!

"A shame indeed."

Kafka smiled brightly.

"Judging by their expressions, you're very good at this."

When Kafka arrived, she had noticed

how relaxed and content everyone looked.

Considering where they were and their respective positions,

there was no doubt that Jiang Yao was responsible for their current peace of mind.

"Heh, I'll treat you to a meal sometime. By the way... could you do me a favor?"

"Pom-Pom... pfft, Sam treated me to a meal once, and I've always wanted to repay her. So I prepared a Light Cone for her. Would I have a chance to give it to her today?"

Jiang Yao spoke candidly, all smiles.

That made Kafka's brain stall a little.

Plenty of people knew about Sam.

But the Astral Express definitely wasn't among them.

Besides, how could Kafka not know Sam's situation?

Did he have any idea how much weight the name Mama Kafka carried?

Every last member of the Stellaron Hunters was a kid Mama Kafka had brought home!

Of course,

that wasn't what shocked Kafka most.

What truly puzzled her

was Himeko and the others' attitude.

Never mind March 7th and that ungrateful daughter, Stelle.

They had been whispering with Jiang Yao earlier.

But what about Himeko and Welt?

Especially the former.

She was the Astral Express's navigator.

By all rights, she was the most suitable person to negotiate with Kafka.

In fact, she had been the one negotiating with her all along.

Yet Jiang Yao's interruption now seemed to cause no ripples whatsoever?

Why?

Kafka grew even more interested in Jiang Yao.

"I believe the answer is yes."

Kafka's lips curved into a striking arc.

Much like the peaks beneath them.

Whether she considered Sam—or rather, Firefly—

or the error in Elio's script,

Contact with Jiang Yao wasn't a bad thing.

There might be risks.

But risk was often proportional to reward.

Jiang Yao might have his eyes on her assets.

But she could take everything Jiang Yao had!

Ever heard of Spirit Whisper?

Besides,

a Light Cone?

That was technology from the Garden of Recollection.

Was he connected to the Garden of Recollection, too?

Excellent.

Kafka was very satisfied with the value Jiang Yao had demonstrated so far.

He was prime prey.

All she needed to do was wait.

Did he understand the weight of "Patience Is All You Need"?

"Fantastic! Here, this is the Light Cone. How should I get it to you?"

Jiang Yao was a man of action through and through.

The moment Kafka agreed, he eagerly took out the Light Cone.

"Here are the Luofu's coordinates. If you're willing to go, we'll see you there."

Kafka offered her first option.

Then she looked at the solemn-faced Himeko and offered a second. "If you're unwilling to go to the Luofu, wait for this stretch of the star rail to be destroyed by a Stellaron again."

A threat!

No.

An overt scheme!

A blatantly overt scheme!

She was exploiting their principles to force their hand!

Kafka turned back toward Jiang Yao.

"In that case, I'll give you the coordinates of a Space Anchor. You can mail it there."

It was true that Kafka was very interested in Jiang Yao.

But that didn't mean she wasn't wary of Jiang Yao.

Quite the opposite: she was far more wary of Jiang Yao than of anyone else.

The reason was simple.

Jiang Yao was suspected of causing the error in Elio's script.

That information alone,

even if it was only a suspicion,

was enough to warrant the highest level of scrutiny.

"Well, I've taken up rather a lot of your time. Everyone aboard the Astral Express, though we pursue entirely different goals, the paths of the stars will ultimately intersect."

"I hope we can meet on the Luofu."

Finally,

Kafka left them with a polite smile.

The holographic image created through Aether Editing vanished.

After Kafka left,

the atmosphere aboard the Express briefly fell silent.

A moment later,

Jiang Yao broke the silence.

"Wait, don't you have anything you want to ask me?"

Jiang Yao gave in.

He had just been chatting with Kafka!

He was going to give Kafka's companion a present!

Did they seriously not have a single question?

"...Hm? Hehe."

Himeko looked at Jiang Yao with mild amusement.

"Every member of the Nameless has a past, but once we board the Express, we're companions."

"If you're willing to share, we're certainly willing to listen."

Jiang Yao nodded.

He understood what Himeko meant.

Good. That saved him the trouble of explaining.

After all, Jiang Yao preferred a harmonious atmosphere. It let him enjoy good food with greater peace of mind.

"Besides, I'd like to hear your thoughts."

Himeko's gaze was earnest.

"Do you think we should go to the Xianzhou?"

"The Stellaron Hunters are notorious, and Kafka is especially dangerous. But you seem to know her companion, so I'd like your opinion."

Jiang Yao pointed at himself.

"Me?"

He shook his head. "I don't mind either way, but I think you'll definitely go."

Jiang Yao shrugged. "Maybe you think you can't fully trust what Kafka said. But what if? What if a Stellaron really has erupted on the Luofu?"

"You might find it suspicious. How could the mighty Xianzhou Alliance be brought down by a single Stellaron?"

"But from what little I know of Kafka, I'm certain she's telling the truth."

"But she definitely hasn't told us everything."

"Well, that's how I see it. Whether we go is up to everyone. Trailblazers have to choose their own paths and goals!"

March 7th and Stelle stood on either side of Jiang Yao and said, "Not bad, Jiang Yao! You've really got the right mindset!"

Himeko, Welt, and Pom-Pom, meanwhile, were a little...

How should they put it?

Why did it feel as though Jiang Yao had said their lines?

"I see. Understood."

Himeko nodded.

She looked thoughtful.

A moment later.

Himeko looked at everyone and asked, "Since we're all here, please give some serious thought to whether we should change course for the Xianzhou. We'll decide by a democratic vote. Raise your hand if you agree; keep it down if you disagree."

"If anyone has any other thoughts, feel free to share them."

Himeko gave everyone some time to think.

As her words faded.

"Well..."

"I've got two things to add."

Jiang Yao suddenly held up two fingers.

"First, if everyone wants to go, I have no objections, and I'll come along too. But I have to remind you that I'm no good at fighting. Eating and cooking are all I'm good at."

That was absolutely true.

Although Jiang Yao was the Aeon of Voracity, he really hadn't fought much.

Whenever he ran into trouble, he just chomped his way through it.

So, I, the Aeon of Voracity, am no good at fighting. Nothing wrong with that, right?

"Second!"

Jiang Yao's expression suddenly turned serious.

"I'm leaning toward going. Putting everything else aside, isn't it about time we restocked the Express's ingredients?"

"You don't want to eat Egg Fried Rice and drink coffee every day, do you? No matter how good they are, you'll get sick of them!"

"I hear the Xianzhou Luofu has plenty of delicious food and top-quality ingredients. Even the best cook can't make a meal without rice. With better ingredients, I can naturally make tastier dishes."

As his words faded.

Stelle and March 7th shot their hands up.

"I'm going!" ×2.

"Not for any other reason. I just trust Jiang Yao's judgment. If Kafka/that woman wasn't lying, a lot of innocent people could get hurt if we don't go to the Xianzhou. Now isn't the time to be stubborn."

What did it mean to speak in unison?

This was what it meant!

Stelle and March 7th exchanged a glance, their eyes clearly saying, Stop copying me!

"I agree with Jiang Yao, Stelle, and Little March. I'm inclined to pay the Xianzhou a visit."

Welt adjusted his glasses.

He might have been more convincing if he hadn't instinctively licked his lips.

Xianzhou-style cuisine...

I'm really looking forward to it!

"Since the vote is unanimous, let's set off."

Himeko nodded to Pom-Pom.

Their destination was set. Time to blaze a trail!