" Modu, this..."
Borisin soldier, also disguised as Cloud Knights, asked quietly. He was also confused; why would anyone dare to rob Cloud Knights? Even though they were disguised as Cloud Cavalrymen...
The man standing to the side Modu, frowned deeply, already considering the worst-case scenario.
Could it be that the other party is actually a hidden expert on the Xianzhou, who has already seen through their identities?!
Damn, this is getting bad...
He looked up at the black-clad man in front of him who called himself " The Masked Fools." He hadn't yet smelled the scent of those lowly beasts. Reason speaking, since there was only one of them, they could win by sheer numbers.
But... the fact that the other party dared to appear here alone and block their way precisely proves that the ' Masked Fools ' possesses fighting power that rivals their entire group.
Oh dear, this is going to be difficult.
High up, unnoticed by the Modu, Yunli was watching this scene, muttering to herself:
"This trip was worthwhile."
Not only can they work with Ye Yan to punish evil and promote good, but Luofu is also much more lively than Zhuming.
Hmm... it's just that this method of punishing evil and promoting good seems a bit unusual.
Palace of Astrum, Huaiyan and Jing Yuan's conversation continued. The former stroked his beard, his voice booming like the wind blowing in a forge:
"But that's strange, why hasn't she arrived yet? Everyone says that Yaoqing's Merlin's Claw is always swift and decisive, striking first. Being this late today is not like her at all."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a clear voice rang out not far from Jing Yuan and Huaiyan.
" General Huaiyan, you are mistaken. My lady arrived early this morning. However, as you two have probably heard, her temperament has always been unrestrained."
The pink-haired Foxian leading the group, Jiaoqiu, approached slowly with narrow eyes and a faint smile playing on his lips, accompanied by the taciturn Moze.
"She disappeared as soon as she got off the Starskiff, saying she had something to do, and we couldn't stop her."
Jing Yuan's lips curled slightly, his golden eyes sweeping over the two people before him. "You two must be the envoys of the Xianzhou [ Yaoqing ]."
" Jiaoqiu and Moze, staff members under Merlin's Claw, pay their respects to the two Arbiter-General." Jiaoqiu and Moze bowed simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized.
"Interesting. The guest doesn't come directly to see the host, but instead sends a messenger." Huaiyan raised an eyebrow and stroked his beard. "What's going on here? Tell me, what could be more important to her than coming here?"
"I've heard that a spectacular sight has recently appeared in the Scalegorge Waterscape above Luofu. I suppose he's gone to admire it." Jiaoqiu's expression remained unchanged, still maintaining his respect.
"Hahaha~ What a strange sight. Let me translate for you, Jing Yuan, this kid is being sarcastic towards you."
" General Huaiyan, you flatter me. I was merely relaying the facts. My general, considering it inappropriate to keep you both waiting, sent us two first..."
Jiaoqiu paused, then bowed again. "Once she has finished enjoying the scenery, she will personally visit to apologize to you both."
Meanwhile, Palace of Astrum
Yanqing held the sword, his brows slightly furrowed, a look of confusion on his somewhat childish face.
"Speaking of which, I wonder if it's just my imagination, but I feel that the general is a bit... well, a bit reserved today? Is it because of the visit of that old gentleman Huaiyan?"
March 7th pondered for a moment, but she didn't notice anything unusual about General Jing Yuan: "Restrained? Is he?"
"Perhaps Yanqing is overthinking it."
Yanqing lowered her head and muttered something under her breath, as if trying to convince herself.
"You weren't overthinking it." Dan Heng's voice rang out calmly, his arms crossed, his gaze deep.
"Only after entering the Palace of Astrum did I realize that the envoy of the Zhuming Xianzhou you mentioned was actually the general of Zhuming himself. Then, the envoy of the Yaoqing Xianzhou must be that Merlin's Claw?"
"That's what makes this whole thing unusual."
Upon hearing Dan Heng's words, March 7th's eyes widened and her little mouth slightly agape.
"What's so unusual about this? Didn't they just receive an invitation from Jing Yuan, like the Astral Express Crew?"
" The Wardance is just a small celebration, so the fact that two celestial Arbiter-General from other Xianzhou have come here at the same time suggests there's more to it than meets the eye. They've probably come to question us about the strange occurrence at the Ambrosial Arbor in Luofu."
"Accountability? Surely not." March 7th was even more bewildered. "The scoundrels from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and the Antimatter Legion invaded Luofu and caused chaos. Wasn't Luofu the victim? How can the victim be held accountable?"
Dan Heng listed them one by one, speaking in a serious tone:
" Dan Shu's rebellion, Phantylia's plan... in the eyes of the other Arbiter-General of the Alliance, these are merely one side of the story. Only one piece of irrefutable evidence has been preserved, and its consequences will be endless."
"It is an undeniable fact that the Plagues Author, which has been suppressed for so long on the Xianzhou Luofu, has resurfaced. But is it a conspiracy orchestrated by the Antimatter Legion, or is there internal strife within Luofu, with even Jing Yuan himself involved?"
"Once the fire of suspicion is ignited, it is very difficult to extinguish."
No wonder we were called back for the ceremony.
Xing suddenly realized that the Astral Express could serve as a testimony for Jing Yuan. As for the [ Church of Eternity ]... their relationship with the Xianzhou Alliance is common knowledge, so there's no need to elaborate.
Hearing Dan Heng's words, March 7th fell silent. The lively smile on her face faded, replaced by a complex emotion, mixed with worry and a hint of helplessness.
She put her hands on her hips, her shoulders slumped slightly, and let out a long sigh, "Sigh~ I'm so stupid, really."
"I thought I'd have a spontaneous and carefree trip. But it seems the Astral Express is always embroiled in trouble, no matter where I go."
Yanqing frowned, realizing the truth; he was still too young...
"Damn it, I actually thought the Arbiter-General were just here to observe the ceremony, and I was quite pleased... Now that I think about it, I heard that a Danshi (alchemist) has also come with the Zhuming Ming envoy ship this time, and is said to be the new Cauldron Master of the Luofu Alchemy Commission."
"The people sent by Zhuming to serve as the Cauldron Master of Luofu?" Dan Heng murmured, "There is precedent, but the timing..."
"After hearing what Mr. Dan Heng said, Yanqing finally realized the undercurrents behind this. The general is currently under immense pressure, yet I was completely unaware of his distress... How naive I was!"
Seeing this, March 7th quickly stepped closer, a reassuring smile on his face, trying to dispel the boy's gloom:
"Oh dear, don't think like that! Adults should be the ones to worry about their own affairs. Besides, what can you do for your general right now?"
These words pierced Yanqing like a needle, his expression instantly becoming even more somber, his lips pressed into a straight line.
"Uh, did I say something wrong again?" March 7th realized she might have said something wrong, awkwardly scratched her cheek, and looked at Xing for help.
"You're the next big C-breaker! When it comes to talking, even the mighty Galactic Baseballer can't beat this pink-haired beauty!"
" Miss March 7th is right. Yanqing's abilities are meager, and he is not yet capable of sharing the General's burdens."
Yanqing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her surging emotions, and her eyes gradually hardened with determination:
"... But I can do my best to fulfill every task the general assigns. Let's go. After the three of you have settled into your lodgings, I still need to go to the Artisanship Commission to deal with the company's protest."
"Seeing how preoccupied he looks, I'm really worried... Let's go to the Artisanship Commission with you!" said March 7th.
"This... isn't that inappropriate? I'm grateful for your help, but the company staff are particularly difficult... I'm worried it might cause trouble for the train..."
"Don't worry!" March 7th patted his chest confidently. "Our Astral Express Crew is quite experienced in dealing with company people! You've heard of the [ Ten Stonehearts ], right? We've dealt with several of them!"
"When it comes to connections, no one can compare to the Nameless from [ Trailblaze ]!" Xing put his hands on his hips, then changed the subject. "But in March 7th, to be honest... those times were actually helped by [ Church of Eternity ]..."
"Uh... thinking about it that way, it really makes sense." March 7th couldn't refute it.
"Alright, since the teachers are willing to help, I won't refuse anymore. I'll go and meet them at the Artisanship Commission."