After four months of travel, it was time for an important Xianzhou holiday: New Year's Eve.
It was the first New Year's Eve since Xianzhou Daiyu had been rebuilt, and the entire Xianzhou was decked out in festive red.
Qi Shige and the other Halovians had gradually settled into life on the Xianzhou. Halovians could now be seen in crowded places all across the ship, while Qi Shige had gathered some business-minded members of The Family to form a trade caravan.
Qingzhu was on her way to the Divination Commission.
"My dear Wanmeng, have you eaten?"
The doors of the Divination Commission were flung open. Wanmeng held her forehead as she watched Qingzhu rush in, then shook her head helplessly.
"My lord Helmsman, you're such a busy person with so much to do. Why do you keep running over to my Divination Commission?"
She was at a loss. Qingzhu came to see her at least twice a day, practically every day. She hadn't come this often before Daiyu's fall, but now she had gotten even worse, coming more times that day.
Wanmeng had already been overwhelmed lately by the results of a divination, and now this noisy nuisance had shown up too.
"Hehe, handling official business every day is tiring, you know. Taking a break and relaxing now and then isn't a bad idea, right, Wanmeng?"
Wanmeng remembered clearly that she was the one who had said those words to Qingzhu before the Xianzhou fell. Qingzhu used to say, "The Xianzhou is now traveling the path in search of medicine. How can we afford to slack off even a little?"
She had been so serious and righteous back then, yet now...
"Ah! Go on, what did you come to see me for this time?"
People didn't come calling without a reason, and that applied to Qingzhu too, especially now that she was wearing a sheepish grin.
"Hehe, well, the Xianzhou has a happy occasion coming up, so Xiahou Chan and I were hoping you could help us with something."
Wanmeng raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off. Qingzhu had actually used a term of respect when speaking to her! She was definitely thinking of something hard to say!
"Tell me first. If I can do it, I'll naturally help. I, the Master Diviner, keep my word."
Qingzhu was delighted at once, her face plainly asking, "Really?"
Wanmeng nodded. Qingzhu leaned close and whispered in her ear. The next instant, Wanmeng's ears turned bright red, and she shook her head without hesitation. "No, no! That... that's too embarrassing. I've never done anything like that in my life! What would become of my dignity as Master Diviner?"
"Ah, come on, don't be like that. Just this once, please."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Qingzhu lowered her head in disappointment. "All right. I was planning to dedicate it to the Arbiter of Life, but since you're unwilling, I'll go find someone else."
A sly gleam flashed in Qingzhu's eyes. She turned and walked toward the door, looking "utterly dejected."
Qingxin was beside Wanmeng. She had stayed at the Divination Commission ever since Wanmeng told her the result of that divination four months ago. The main reason was that Qingzhu worried the result would drive Wanmeng mad; with Qingxin by her side, she could at least help her recuperate.
Qingxin watched from the side, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. If nothing unexpected happened, Lady Wanmeng was about to agree.
Sure enough, when Wanmeng heard Qing say it was dedicated to Ayinai, she suddenly spoke up, a trace of urgency in her voice.
"Wait! You said it's dedicated to the Arbiter of Life?"
The corners of Qingzhu's mouth lifted slightly as she kept her head lowered. Then she turned around with a look of regret.
"Yes. You were my first choice, but it's a shame you're unwilling. Forget it, then. I heard the performer at the theater is quite good. I'll go ask if she's willing instead."
With that, she turned to leave.
"Wait! I agree! But let's get this straight: it's not because of the Arbiter of Life that I agreed. I... I'm doing it because this holiday is important. Yes, this holiday is important. It's not because I admire the Arbiter of Life! Yes, that's it!"
Wanmeng folded her arms and tilted her head back, looking as though the idea were out of the question. Only her bright-red ears betrayed her true feelings.
At her words, amusement shone in Qingzhu's eyes. Wanmeng was a typical tsundere. She clearly adored the goddess Ayinai but refused to admit it. If Qingzhu hadn't known that Wanmeng had a whole wall of Ayinai figurines at home, she really would have believed Ayinai.
"Really? Then it's a deal! You have to come when the time comes!"
Qingzhu hurried out of the Divination Commission. Seeing her leave, Qingxin also said her goodbyes and left. With New Year's Eve approaching, there was plenty to do, and she didn't think Qingzhu could finish everything on her own in a short time.
Inside the Divination Commission, Wanmeng calmed herself down and gave some instructions on matters that needed attention. Then she too left the commission and headed home.
The Divination Commission's work didn't concern day-to-day affairs, so its usual workload wasn't as heavy as the Sky-Faring Commission's. It wasn't uncommon for employees to go home before their shift was over. There was simply too little work, and once it was done, they still had plenty of time to rest.
Apart from those who had to stay on duty, the others generally went home or out to have fun once they finished their work.
Wanmeng was an exception, of course, but this time she made an exception of her own. It was her first time leaving early!
Wanmeng quickened her pace on the way home. Once she entered her room, she began rummaging through her wardrobe.
"This one won't do, and neither will this one. This one's too old, and the color of this one doesn't look good..."
Clothes flew out of the wardrobe one after another as Wanmeng judged them. The wardrobe, once full, was soon empty. Behind her, by contrast, a small mountain had piled up.
Wanmeng looked troubled. She couldn't find anything suitable to wear.
After fretting for a while, she decided to put on a hat and mask and go to a clothing shop to have something custom-made.
The shop wasn't far from Wanmeng's home, only a little over ten minutes on foot. When she pushed open the door, a dazzling array of silks and finished garments came into view.
Simple, alluring, sexy, plain... clothes of every style met her eyes. Wanmeng went in, gave the shopkeeper a few requirements, then sat quietly in a chair to wait.
Just then, the shop door opened.
"Welcome."
Wanmeng turned to see a young man with ear feathers at the back of his head and a golden halo behind his temples.
The young man looked well-behaved, with delicate features and a tall, upright figure that would catch the eye even in a crowd.
When he saw her, he raised a hand in greeting. Wanmeng remembered him: a boy who had once been shy and quiet among the Halovians, but who had become a young genius after the problem with his bloodline was remedied.
His talent was terrifying. Not only could he manipulate energy, he could even guide the power of Paths to converge for an attack. He had mastered that move in just three weeks. That terrifying talent was why she remembered him.
If she remembered correctly, his name was Qi Tianque.
Qi Tianque had also spotted her as soon as he came in. There was no helping it: her long silver-white hair was too conspicuous. On the entire Xianzhou, only Wanmeng, the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, had hair like that.
"Lady Wanmeng, are you here to buy clothes?"
Wanmeng shook her head. "I'm here to have something custom-made."