"I'm Jing Yuan, General of the Cloud Knights Luofu, and I'm here to interrupt your meeting."
"General, this is an internal matter of Luofu..." Yukong reminded him.
"Yes, yes, internal affairs—I completely agree with the Yukong Helmsman's opinion." Jing Yuan shifted his gaze back to the Astral Express Crew:
"I'm sorry, everyone in the Express Crew. There is indeed a Stellaron on [ Luofu ], but I must decline your offer: this is a problem with the Xianzhou, and it can only be solved by us."
"... But since we've already come all this way, how can we let you all leave empty-handed? Although we can't accept the Express Crew's help regarding the Stellaron,... I do have another matter that I absolutely must ask of you all. What are your opinions?"
Seeing this, Yukong silently stepped aside, leaving the conversation to Jing Yuan and the Astral Express Crew.
" The Astral Express... I have long admired it and yearned to see it. I am truly fortunate to finally witness it today."
"Let's sing to express our aspirations!" Xing added, Welt went straight to the point. "We've long admired your name, General. What can we do for you?"
"Oh, that's none other than you all. A few days ago, we captured a Stellaron Hunters who trespassed into the Xianzhou's restricted area, named [Blade]."
"During his interrogation, the Department of Intelligence and Information Analysis on the Divination Commission Xianzhou... intercepted a short communication from Kafka, his accomplice who was hiding on the Xianzhou. As for the recipient of the communication..."
Jing Yuan's meaning was already very clear. Xing didn't expect that their conversation could be detected, but it seems that... only the very beginning was detected. As Kafka appeared on the train, the detection stopped.
"I know a little about your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters. Divination Commission believes you must be accomplices, but I say it's impossible. The Astral Express acts with integrity and its reputation for righteousness is known throughout the world. How could we associate with such petty people?"
"Therefore, this communication must be a treacherous scheme by the Stellaron Hunters to divert trouble."
These words successfully persuaded March 7th, erasing all previous unpleasantness.
This person is much easier to talk to than that Yukong. No wonder the other can become the General of the Xianzhou while she can only be Helmsman. Just in terms of the art of language, the two are worlds apart.
Wow, look at the difference in how they treat people!
Jing Yuan continued, "The bait has been cast; all we need to do is wait for the big fish to take the bait:"
" The Xianzhou does indeed have a solution to the Stellaron Disaster. However, quelling the disaster will take time and requires the deployment of the main force of the Cloud Knights."
"But Kafka, lurking on the Xianzhou, is ultimately a threat and must be guarded against."
"Since the Stellaron Hunters deliberately lured you all to Luofu, we might as well go with the flow. As a general, I grant you all the authority to act freely on the Xianzhou, to lure out the missing Kafka and capture her in one fell swoop."
"In this way, we can firstly clear the name of everyone who has been smeared by the Stellaron Hunters, and secondly, we can find out the hunter's purpose in infiltrating the Xianzhou, and what its connection is to the erupting Stellaron."
"What do you all think, members of the Express Crew?"
Tingyun took a deep breath, completely unaware that Blake was leaving with a dark expression. Recalling what had just happened, her tense heart suddenly relaxed.
Ye Yan has always been the Ye Yan in her Remembrance, never changed. Just as he himself said, there is no need to feel restrained because of his status.
"Sigh~ Ye Yan's thought process is still as peculiar as ever; this humble woman truly cannot comprehend it."
"However... this is very much in line with Lord Ye Yan's style. Thank you for saving my life," Tingyun said seriously.
"Since you're a friend of [ Eternity ], there's no need for you to say these things to me." Ye Yan waved his hand. "If you really want to thank me, just come to my shop more often and help Qingque out with anything."
Tingyun's fox ears trembled slightly. "From what you're saying... once the disaster in Luofu is over, you intend to continue Trailblaze with the Astral Express?"
Seeing Ye Yan nod, she didn't press for an explanation, only then realizing that someone was missing.
"Huh... where did Chair Blake go?"
"Who knows... He might have gone back to the [ Sleepless Earl ] teahouse to tell stories, after all, he now has the face of Mr. Xiyan."
Ye Yan brushed it off casually, and to ensure the smooth progress of the next plan, he instructed Blake to do something.
Let's give our little Phantylia a gentle yet comfortable neck massage.
"Let's not talk about that. Let's get down to business. You must be very curious to know... who is the Lord Ravager is impersonating you, right?"
Ye Yan recounted all the information related to Phantylia to Tingyun.
"So, what are your thoughts?" Seeing Tingyun's slightly twitching lips, Ye Yan eagerly awaited Tingyun next answer.
"From your description, the Lord Ravager is indeed extraordinary. His actions are exactly like those of a young woman. To say it's a disguise is an understatement; it's more like he lived in my place for a few days."
"If it weren't for Lord Ye Yan's intervention, my companions from the [ Whistling Flames ] Merchant Guild, including myself, would have all perished at the hands of that Great Lord."
"Although I advocate for peace, this situation is special. No matter what, I must demand an explanation from the Lord Ravager Antimatter Legion." Tingyun's gaze grew even more resolute.
"That Phantylia stole my life! Foxian are vengeful and will never suffer a loss!" Tingyun suddenly changed her tune, thinking that demanding an explanation would be too easy for Phantylia.
"I must get something back from her."
"Great, let's start with the simplest one."
Ye Yan immediately agreed. As expected of Xianzhou native, he always seeks revenge, which perfectly embodies the spirit of the [ The Hunt ]!
"Hmm..." Ye Yan stroked his chin, as if he was thinking.
"I've got it! Let's target the lives that should have been taken and go after that Phantylia being to demand repayment... How about that?"
As Jing Yuan said these words, Xing and March 7th's expressions changed visibly, and they looked like they were trying not to laugh.
Welt tried his best to remain serious. Just as Ye Yan had said, the Xianzhou Luofu would use the Stellaron as bait, and then change its target after they arrived, making them join the operation to capture the Stellaron Hunters.
"General, your suggestion is excellent. But..." Xing feigned seriousness; her acting skills still needed much refinement.
"What if... we've already captured the Stellaron Hunters, Kafka?" Welt pushed up his glasses, having successfully turned the tables.
Upon seeing this, Dan Heng and March 7th brought the disguised Kafka to him.
Kafka readily dispelled her disguise, revealing her true face in the Palace of Astrum, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Sigh~ what a wonderful show," Kafka remarked. "How was it? Are you satisfied?" She looked at Xing tenderly.
Seeing this, Xing was filled with mixed emotions and didn't know what to say... She felt a sense of pity for Kafka.
"Hey, don't let yourself be fooled by that bad woman!" March 7th warned in time.
Jing Yuan was also taken aback by this strange turn of events, but he quickly realized that the pink-haired lady had just mentioned [ Ye Yan ], which made everything seem more reasonable.
Is this also part of [ Eternity's ] calculations?!