: Sister, save me!
: I can't take it, this wink, this attitude, these words, my god, I'm not straight anymore, ahhhh!
----------------------------------
: Why are you still winking! I can't take it anymore!
: MiHoYo is getting better and better at this! Using this to test us sisters?
: Oh no, I saw the weather forecast said it would rain tomorrow, turns out it's because of Feixiao.
: ?
...
As soon as Feixiao appeared, the audience was instantly in an uproar.
Her overwhelming strength could easily suppress Yunli and Yanqing. Her looks were also absolutely top-tier.
But she just had to throw in that playful wink.
The intense contrast could only be described as both fresh and mischievous.
Just that one scene alone was enough to make Feixiao a top-tier character.
Thanks to Feixiao's intervention, Lingsha also spoke at the right time, settling the situation.
Yunli thought for a moment, then decided to return the sword to Yanqing. Of course, when handing it over, she still couldn't help but say something sharp.
Yanqing was angered by Yunli's attitude, but under Lingsha's mediation, he simply shook his head and let it go.
Before leaving though, Yanqing couldn't help but walk up to Lingsha, trying to persuade her:
"Miss Lingsha, if you have free time, please come to the Divination Commission. I believe there must be hidden reasons behind the grudges you speak of."
Lingsha smiled and nodded, but said nothing.
A childish quarrel thus came to a dramatic close.
The three accompanied Yanqing as he left.
After everyone had gone, Lingsha thanked: "Many thanks to Lady Feixiao for stepping in. If you had come any later, I was ready to light an incense and knock the two of them out."
Feixiao, one hand on her hip, said dashingly: "No need to be polite. The matter you entrusted me with, I handled it. Let's call it the consultation fee of the Healer Lady."
"Even if you're a general, you still need to pay the bill." Lingsha shook her head helplessly.
"Then just send the bill to the Seat of Divine Foresight. Say it's the fee for tutoring those two kids. After all, I nearly had to get serious to stop them just now."
Feixiao already had a plan. She winked and said it without hesitation.
Through this casual conversation, Feixiao's character became even more three-dimensional.
The audience found it endlessly entertaining.
She had just spoken so boldly, her tone and presence domineering, yet now she was scheming to shirk the payment.
Even wanting to push the bill to the Divination Commission.
What kind of freeloading behavior was that!
...
: The general is way too relatable! Oh oh oh oh! Oh no, I'm falling for her!
: At first I was worried Feixiao might target the Luofu, but now it looks like her personality is actually pretty chill!
: Even wants to send the bill to the Seat of Divine Foresight… she's not putting on any airs at all, hahaha.
: It's hard to imagine that such a straightforward Feixiao became known as the great general.
: Exactly, she doesn't even look that intimidating, just super approachable!
...
The audience's fondness for Feixiao was rapidly soaring.
And just then, the scene shifted.
After Lingsha departed, Feixiao went alone to the seaside.
Moments later, Jiaoqiu and Moze arrived.
"How is it?"
Feixiao crossed her arms, gazing at the sea as she asked.
"In my view, the Luofu General intends to use the Luminary Wardance to 'show strength to the public,' aiming to establish authority and suppress future dissent."
Jiaoqiu said calmly.
"But, right, next you'll say 'however.'"
Feixiao knew her strategist too well, speaking without even turning her head.
"However indeed."
Jiaoqiu shifted his tone: "The crowds drawn by the Luminary Wardance are the greatest amplifiers of unrest and rumors. One wrong move could spark endless chaos."
Mozhe followed with his own observation: "The Cloud Knights in the streets are quite alert. This shows that general understands this reasoning. As for the rest, I'll keep watching."
In this exchange of words, Feixiao's sunny, cheerful air transformed into the steady presence of a general.
She said to the two: "Before carrying out my orders, I want to put aside any bias, observe the stance he creates, then judge. That stance, naturally, lies in the conduct of the Cloud Knights and the public's opinion."
"And also, in the behavior of those close to the general."
Jiaoqiu nodded: "The strength of an army lies not in its soldiers, but in its momentum. To grasp its momentum is to know its strength. What the general says, I have learned much from you."
Feixiao laughed, turning to tease: "You take my simple words and turn them into something so convoluted even I don't understand. Anyway, this is just how I fight wars. You'll get used to it."
Their playful banter didn't lighten the mood much.
The audience, still dazzled by Feixiao's beauty, now remembered, she came here with a mission.
And that conversation just now was clearly Feixiao's response strategy.
She was even applying her wartime methods to Jing Yuan.
"Are you treating General Jing Yuan as an enemy?" Jiaoqiu voiced his doubt.
Feixiao closed her eyes, then after a half-second, opened them again and said calmly:
"Jing Yuan is the longest-serving general of the Xianzhou Luofu. Do you think he has few enemies?"
Her answer was very tactful.
In translation, it meant: She wasn't treating Jing Yuan as her enemy. But Jing Yuan had many enemies.
So many that even Feixiao found it troublesome and thorny.
That's why she took it so seriously, examining him with the same methods she would use for an enemy.
The assessment and information gained this way would prevent her own bias from clouding her judgment of Jing Yuan. So as not to mislead her choices.
The meaning in her words revealed, from another angle, the convoluted distribution of powers in the Xianzhou Alliance.
...
: Huff... As expected of a general, even if she acts like a cheerful big sister, her scheming runs deep...
: Feixiao is judging whether Jing Yuan can handle this crisis?
: Not only that, also to see if Jing Yuan is truly fit to be an Arbiter general.
: Her style carries a heavy military tone, for soldiers used to combat, only by doing things this way can she obtain the clearest intelligence and make the best judgment.
: And judging from the personality Feixiao has shown so far, I feel that if she confirms that all matters in Luofu are as Jing Yuan said, she might even lend Luofu a hand.
: Tsk, actually, does the Alliance really care about Jing Yuan's fate?
: What do you mean?
: From her behavior so far, Feixiao handles things methodically, she definitely won't cause some melodramatic mess. Normally, as the investigation goes deeper, she'll discover things are just as Jing Yuan said, and the doubts will be resolved in the end.
: And since Feixiao was personally chosen by the Alliance, the Marshal and others wouldn't be unaware of her nature. If they truly wanted to bring down Luofu, they wouldn't send a general like her.
: Not only that, compared to General Huaiyan, Feixiao seems more like the one making the final report, with a bit of an inspector's air...
: So the decisions are hers to make, huh.
: The higher-ups are really amazing! I didn't even notice such deep meaning behind just a few lines.
: Heh, that's normal, right-click those comments and you'll see most of them are from politicians.
...
In the end, since it's a political storyline, only folks versed in politics can truly see it.
Especially people in higher levels of society.
When it comes to political sensitivity, they're ridiculously sharp.
On screen, seemingly unwilling to continue discussing these matters, Jiaoqiu changed the subject and asked Feixiao about her medicine search.
"For my condition, the Healer Lady is also helpless."
Feixiao shrugged, speaking with indifference: "Her answer was just eat something good."
The meaning was far too blunt.
It was basically saying there's no cure, just wait for death.
Jiaoqiu's expression grew heavier: "It's alright, in any case, there will always be doctors with extraordinary skill somewhere in the world."
But Feixiao remained completely unconcerned, turning toward the sea and saying: "Between life and death, all is fated."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavier.
After a moment, Moze spoke firmly: "Since we were told to eat something good then what are we eating today?"
...
: Pfft, hearing Bailu say "no cure, just wait for death," I thought damn, that kid knows how to talk since childhood, but then Moze opened his mouth, and I can only say he's on another level.
: Moze, you really don't take hints, do you.
: Since it's come to this, let's just order food first.
: I can't hold it in, Moze really knows how to talk.
: But what exactly is wrong with Feixiao, for Bailu to say something like that?
: I fear Feixiao also has some hidden subplot.
: This Luminary Wardance ritual is getting deeper and deeper, it feels like a total tangled mess now.
: Even though things look clear on the surface, each of the generals themselves seems like another giant mess.
...
What was supposed to be a simple investigation of the Luofu, with the progression of the story, grew ever more mysterious.
Borisin's appearance. The conflict between Lingsha and Jing Yuan.
The entanglement between the Luofu Preceptors and the Alchemy Commission.
The hidden illness on Feixiao.
All kinds of contradictions piling together, yet viewers still don't know how they will converge in the story.
Meanwhile, the express group and the lieutenant had already returned to Central Starskiff Haven, chatting along the roadside...
March 7th was frantically fangirling over Feixiao, thinking this general was way too cool.
Of course, as someone who always warms hearts, March 7th didn't forget to comfort Yanqing about his duel.
But faced with this comfort, Yanqing wasn't too cheered: "Thank you, Miss March, for your consolation..."
Then he shook his head: "These days, I've suffered countless defeats, and I long understood the truth that there's always someone stronger out there. But after witnessing General Feixiao's skills today, my heart has again grown restless with unease."
Just as March 7th was about to comfort him, Dan Heng on the side saw the real issue. He didn't say it outright, but gently remarked: "Don't belittle yourself, Yanqing. At the Luminary Wardance, just remember the mindset you had when dueling me and Blade. That will be enough to support you."
This encouragement, was more uplifting than comfort.
Yanqing nodded firmly: "I understand! Thank you, Mr. Dan Heng, for your guidance."
Having regained his spirit, Yanqing recalled his own mission. He brought the three and went to the Palace of Astrum.
Jing Yuan and Huaiyan were already waiting here for the Nameless.
It was said to be a proper introduction of the express crew to Huaiyan.
But in reality, Huaiyan used this opportunity to finally speak his true thoughts.
"Jing Yuan, through these years, you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly to the Alliance. The battles of those years, I, an old man, still remember them."
As Huaiyan spoke, his tone grew agitated: "Some may doubt your loyalty, they assume you are muddle-headed and incompetent. They delight in seeing the Divine Foresight General make mistakes, because that is their nature, they achieve nothing themselves, and they justify their own miserable existence by gloating over others' failures!"
"But I have witnessed too many failures. I would rather believe, believe that your loyalty has never wavered!"
These words were practically a scolding. The audience felt utterly refreshed by the scolding.
...
: Brilliant! Well said!
: Too sharp, too precise! Who exactly is this about?
: Some people just can't stand others' success, damn bastards!
: The old General scolds so well!!!
: Many like to admire the backs of those who succeed, but some glare with jealousy, cursing and trying to drag them down!
...
These words touched the audience's hearts.
Not only did it explain why the Alliance sent people to Luofu, it also resonated with the real experiences of many.
Some thought of petty villains. Some thought of other things. But regardless, without question, the "some" General Huaiyan spoke of are not uncommon around everyone.
Afterward, Huaiyan carefully explained the whole reason for this matter.
His task was simple, just to listen to Feixiao's questioning.
As the audience had guessed, Feixiao was the one who truly decided the outcome.
But Huaiyan also reassured everyone:
First, General Feixiao was an upright person, who would never stoop to the ways of those parasites.
Second, Jing Yuan had no wrong before Luofu, so naturally he did not care for others' baseless suspicions.
With these explanations, everyone finally understood the real reason they had been brought back to Luofu.
"Inviting you all here was indeed with the thought of having witnesses, but I did not explain honestly, that is my fault," Jing Yuan said sincerely.
"No need to be so polite, that's only natural," Stelle replied earnestly.
"General, you needn't worry," March 7th added in a formal tone: "We did nothing wrong in the first place. We truly saved Luofu, so why should we be treated this way? Don't worry, I'll definitely speak up for you then!"
Dan Heng also nodded at the side: "There's no need to worry. No matter what, I will stay as a witness from the Astral Express and accept questioning."
"Your sincerity makes me feel ashamed,"
Jing Yuan took a breath and said seriously, "I ask that you stay in Luofu for a while longer. Two weeks from now, General Feixiao will personally question me. When that time comes, I hope you will be able to testify as well."
...
: The express crew are all beautiful and kindhearted people…
: Suddenly I realize, those three have really become reliable.
: Truly, truly, they've become dependable!
: Along this journey, everyone has grown so much!
: Suddenly I'm not so worried about Luofu and Jing Yuan anymore! With the express crew around, no matter what schemes or plots, none of them will work!
...
As the audience listened to the three speak so responsibly, they suddenly felt as though their own children had finally grown up.