Facing Lingchen's gentle gaze, the girl first met his eyes with a complicated look, then turned her face away, looking somewhat awkward.
"Lingchen, why are you doing so much? We've only just met, but... being a visitor from another world, having this healing ability-you didn't have to tell me any of that."
Her small hands unconsciously clenched. She had been the Diviner for so long, yet this sort of care and trust had come from a man she had only just met.
"We'll be living under the same roof for a long time, after all. Of course I should be sincere. As for the healing, consider it my rent."
Fu Xuan opened her mouth. In the end, she had no idea what possessed her, but she actually gave a little huff.
After huffing, however, she realized something was off. Her cheeks reddened, and she cleared her throat to change the subject.
"Well, you should be able to guess Jing Yuan's intentions. To ensure there are no problems, you may stay here for an extended period, until I determine that everything is in order."
"I'm usually at the Divination Commission anyway. This place would only sit empty, so it might as well have a little life in it."
Originally, Fu Xuan had planned to observe him for two months and leave it at that. That would certainly be more than enough time. But after Lingchen told her he was a visitor from another world, she felt that ten days or a fortnight would suffice for someone so sincere.
Yet what Lingchen had just said, along with his healing of her pain, left her unable to commit to that decision.
For the moment, she had no idea how to repay such kindness.
Only after experiencing it herself could she understand just how much she owed Lingchen.
Fu Xuan even wondered whether Lingchen had fallen for her at first sight.
The possibility was slim, but it wasn't nonexistent.
After all, although she was petite, her looks were quite decent.
But if that were true, she had no idea what she should do.
Single since birth, she had always devoted herself to work. As an emotionless divination machine and a workaholic who had long coveted the general's position, Fu Xuan had never considered marriage.
After all, which general on the Xianzhou was married?
But now... Lingchen was quite impressive in looks, bearing, and strength, and they were living under the same roof. If he really did have those intentions in the future, and she felt they were a good match, perhaps it wouldn't be out of the question. Besides, the more he healed her, the more she would owe him. Once that debt grew too large, she would never be able to repay it.
Having grasped hope, especially after experiencing this refreshing clarity, Fu Xuan could no longer accept the feeling of constant pain.
Even if she could endure it, just think about it: according to what Lingchen had just said, all she had to do was ask, and he would heal her.
How could she possibly resist?
Chapter 21: Then Thank You, Lord Diviner
Fu Xuan even wondered whether Lingchen had healed her just now precisely to make her owe him more and more, until she was finally unable to repay him.
Meanwhile, just watching Fu Xuan's reactions was enough for Lingchen to know he had this in the bag.
Teasing Fu Xuan a few times had left a deep impression on her, while the Path of Elation neatly explained why he had done so. The sincerity he had shown throughout increased the girl's trust, and the favor of healing her, followed by repeated treatments, would leave her unable to repay him.
After that combination, once they grew closer and he completely cured her mara-struck condition, the outcome would be all but guaranteed.
His smile deepened as he looked at Fu Xuan with gentle eyes.
"Then thank you, Lord Diviner."
"You need not thank me for anything. This is merely a decision made in accordance with Xianzhou regulations."
Fu Xuan kept her face stern, trying to make Lingchen understand that she meant nothing else by it.
In truth, all these thoughts were only arising because of the debt of gratitude. As for affection, she did have some. After all, without any fondness, they couldn't become friends.
But that sort of fondness wasn't romantic affection. It was still a long way from attraction between a man and a woman, let alone love.
Just as the atmosphere grew a little strange and Fu Xuan became restless, she suddenly relaxed.
Hmm?
Lingchen was puzzled. Just as he was about to say something, the reception room's doorbell rang.
"I'll see who has come to visit."
Fu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and walked over to the doorbell controls in a few steps. She pressed a button, and Yanqing's image appeared above it.
It was a one-way projection, something installed in some residences on the Luofu.
"Yanqing?"
Although Fu Xuan had divined that Yanqing would come, actually seeing him still left her struggling to maintain her composure.
She did often work overtime, so returning late at night was nothing unusual.
But it was already seven in the evening. Who visited at this hour?
Perhaps someone would if there were an emergency.
But considering that this was Lingchen's first day on the Xianzhou as a guest, it was rather exasperating.
Yanqing's temperament really did need some tempering.
Still, Fu Xuan could guess without even trying that Jing Yuan must have encouraged Yanqing's visit.
"Please forgive my unannounced visit, Diviner. I heard that an exceptional master had come to the Xianzhou, and in my excitement, I came to pay my respects."
Outside, Yanqing bowed slightly. After all, he was visiting an Emanator, so proper courtesy was necessary.
"I must ask our guest first. It is already late, after all."
Fu Xuan turned to look at Lingchen, who was still seated.
"Lingchen, Jing Yuan's disciple Yanqing has come to visit. Would you like to meet him? You heard what he said just now. He's a swordsman."
To keep Lingchen from feeling annoyed, Fu Xuan added that explanation.
"Let him in. Don't worry, I'm not that petty. Who goes to bed at seven?"
"Since he's come to visit, there's no reason to leave him outside."
Yanqing actually had a fairly good personality. He hated evil and was kindhearted. It was just that his exceptional talent with the sword meant most people on the Luofu, whether his peers or even those a generation older, were no match for him. Inevitably, he had the recklessness of youth, thinking he could challenge anyone. He lacked a little reverence and didn't understand that there was always someone better.
Still, by the Luofu's standards, he was certainly young, so it was understandable.
Who hadn't thought they were the strongest as a child? Pick up a stick, and you felt invincible. Slash at the weeds in front of you, and you imagined streams of sword energy. Plenty of people had done that.
"Cloud Knight Lieutenant Yanqing. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lingchen."
He had heard Fu Xuan call Lingchen's name earlier.
"Mm. Please, sit."
Lingchen pointed to the chair beside him. Yanqing certainly carried himself like a young prodigy.
"Thank you, sir. I came in a hurry and didn't prepare much of a gift. Please accept this modest offering."
Yanqing took out a bottle of liquor that looked like tea. At a glance, it was clearly from Du's Teahouse.
After all, of the many tea shops nearby, only that one served liquor in place of tea.
Judging by the packaging, it was definitely their most premium variety.
For a young fellow with Yanqing's personality, this was already a very respectful gesture.
"Although it isn't a Luofu specialty, this Five-Grain Jade Nectar certainly ranks among the finest liquors."
At the distillery in Talassa's Crystal Palace, the so-called five grains were diatom, salt artemisia, green velvet, earthsalt flower, and shipwreck grass.
This Five-Grain Jade Nectar was made from those five ingredients.
"That's thoughtful of you."
Although Lingchen didn't drink, it was already quite nice of a swordsman to bring liquor as a visiting gift.
"Did you come here for something in particular, Yanqing?"
Lingchen had actually guessed already, but he asked anyway.
He set the liquor on a nearby table, then conjured a cup of milk tea for Fu Xuan out of thin air.
Aha really was a great guy. This ability was incredibly convenient.
All he had to do was imagine having a cup of milk tea in his hand, and it would turn fiction into reality, producing an actual cup of milk tea.
"Why are you suddenly giving me this?"
Fu Xuan looked at Lingchen in puzzlement.
Hadn't he been chatting perfectly well with Yanqing?
"It seems you and Mr. Lingchen get along quite well, Lord Diviner."
Yanqing was a little surprised.
Wasn't this still their first day together?
"Haha, I'll be staying here for a while, after all. I need to get along with her. If Fu Xuan won't let me stay, I'll be sleeping on the streets."
"Surely you exaggerate."
Yanqing broke into a nervous sweat at those words. Who would dare let an Emanator sleep on the streets? Wouldn't that just be asking for diplomatic trouble?
Lingchen smiled, then looked at Fu Xuan and said:
"I saw the Immortal's Joy Tea earlier, so I figured you liked the sweetness of milk tea. This is milk tea too, just with fewer dubious additives and more nutrients."
"...Thank you."
In the end, Fu Xuan accepted it.
She really did enjoy the taste of milk tea. Since Lingchen said this was healthier than what she had drunk before, she might as well try it. In any case, this fellow certainly wouldn't harm her. If he had wanted to hurt her, he wouldn't have healed her pain in the first place.
Yanqing didn't dwell on it. A lack of hostility was naturally for the best, especially since he didn't know which Path Lingchen followed.
"Mr. Lingchen, I heard that you are also an Emanator, so your strength must be extraordinary. I came specifically to seek your guidance, but..."
Yanqing glanced outside. It was already dark, clearly not the time to ask for a lesson. He had simply been so excited on the way over that he forgot the time, only realizing it was too late when he was nearly there. But since he had already come, he couldn't leave without even meeting him, so he had gone to buy a visiting gift.
"Since it's already late, I'll have to leave that for another day."
P.S. I've been a little busy today. There will be two more chapters later. Sorry.
Chapter 22: He Agreed to Teach Me
"There's no need for that. Right now, I'm only proficient in using energy and authority. At most, I know a scythe fighting style. As for swordsmanship, I don't know the first thing about it. Maybe I will in the future, but if we're talking purely about sword techniques right now, I'm no match for you."
Lingchen shook his head. He knew Jing Yuan must have prompted Yanqing to come.
Besides testing him, Jing Yuan probably wanted to give Yanqing a little wake-up call and make him rein himself in.
But although Lingchen now possessed an enhanced version of Seele's scythe fighting style, one that had even reached the level of manifesting extraordinary phenomena, he truly knew no swordsmanship, nor any other techniques beyond Seele's scythe style.
"You're being modest, sir. To become an Emanator, you must at least be a sage in some field. Even if it isn't combat technique, there must still be something I can learn from you."
He really was stubborn, clinging to his own reasoning.
Fu Xuan could already tell that Lingchen didn't really want to teach him, and she understood. If she visited another faction and someone suddenly came asking for instruction, she would certainly feel uncomfortable too. Had she gone there to be a teacher?
Especially since he was an Emanator of Elation. Lingchen probably didn't enjoy fighting much, either.
But clearly, swordsmen were all a little single-minded.
"In that case, come find me when I'm free over the next few days."
Lingchen was speechless too. No wonder Jing Yuan said Yanqing needed tempering. He was so blunt and straightforward.
Oh well. I've got nothing to do these next few days anyway. I'll just humor him.
After all, this was Jing Yuan's disciple. He could simply go along with it and earn a favor for free. He had nothing to lose.
And whether it would be useful was another matter, but Fu Xuan was here too. Since Yanqing had asked again, it really would be awkward to refuse him a second time.
Besides...
Lingchen looked at Yanqing, who met his gaze with an equally upright expression.
He's a promising youngster, but far too straight-laced. He really needs a little "pruning." Jing Yuan will probably be delighted when the time comes.
"Yes! Thank you, sir." After his initial delight, Yanqing scratched his head. "But when should I come to see you?"
Lingchen glanced at Fu Xuan.
"Why are you looking at me?"
Lingchen smiled.
"I might have time while Fu Xuan is working. You can add my contact information and ask me on your phone when the time comes."