"For me, the Luofu's safety takes priority right now. Before I take on the honor of being its defending swordsman, I must first fulfill my duties as a Cloud Knight Lieutenant.
"All those tourists coming and going only want to watch an exciting sword fight. Anyone could take part in a match like that. Why does it have to be me?
"The real battle isn't in the arena aboard the Contest of Blades Ship. It's here. If we don't capture the fugitive and bring him to justice soon, Hoolay's vicious track record makes it certain he'll turn everything upside down.
"Someone clearly planned this prison break carefully, hoping to stir up chaos. If we let them succeed, what honor will the Cloud Knights have left?"
As the sensible Yanqing spoke those earnest words, applause rang out behind him.
"Well said." Feixiao smiled at them. "You may be no taller than a folding stool, but even the Luofu's little youngsters have ambition to rival Yaoqing's warriors."
"That has nothing to do with height, does it?" Yanqing said, looking at Feixiao.
Stelle seemed thoughtful as she sized up Yanqing's height. "Isn't 'no taller than a folding stool' a bit harsh? Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"I asked Yanqing to pick somewhere we could eat and drink our fill," Feixiao said with a smile. "Before a hunt, even the hunter needs to be fully prepared."
Yanqing narrowed his eyes, looking at Feixiao in mild bewilderment. "You really are General Tianji, keeping such a healthy appetite with disaster looming... Please make this quick, General Feixiao."
"I'm afraid that isn't up to me-pick up your chopsticks. I brought you here so I could watch you finish all of this," Feixiao said.
Yanqing stared at the two baskets of flatbread and four steamers of buns