Without a doubt, Miss Qingque currently wanted nothing more than to land a couple of solid punches on the [Qingque] standing before her and reclaim her body.
After all, she had a nagging feeling that if this person kept going, she might just experience firsthand what a 'life sentence' felt like.
But alas, she just couldn't bring herself to do it… it was her own face, after all!
As for getting her body back first and then dealing with the consequences? Considering the current situation on the Xianzhou, that plan wasn't even on Miss Qingque's radar.
Handling the routine affairs of the Seat of Divine Foresight was one thing; she had been somewhat competent under the guidance of Chief Strategist Qingzhu and the teachings of Jing Yuan. But when it came to a Xianzhou at war, Qingque clearly lacked the necessary experience.
It must be understood that the Xianzhou in peacetime and the Xianzhou in a state of war are fundamentally different entities.
During peacetime, although the Seat of Divine Foresight is one of the Six Charioteers, it implicitly holds a higher status due to its control over the military forces, but it's still generally on the same level as the others.
The role of the Xianzhou General is primarily to coordinate the Six Commissions and maintain order on the Xianzhou.
However, upon entering wartime, as the highest military commander of the Xianzhou, the General's authority skyrockets, especially when the Alliance cannot spare attention.
At this point, the Xianzhou General's decisions truly dictate the fate of the entire ship. A single misstep could lead to a disastrous scenario – a single incompetent general can doom an entire army, as the saying goes.
Because of this unique responsibility, the Xianzhou General typically cannot leave the Xianzhou unless absolutely necessary, as that would be the ship's most vulnerable moment.
But now, with the Xianzhou under attack by legions led by several Lord Ravagers, Jing Yuan had no choice but to go to the front lines himself to prevent enemy Emanator-level units from breaking through their defenses and causing a catastrophic collapse.
This left the Xianzhou Luofu itself relatively undefended.
Fortunately, the presence of [Qingque] filled this gap.
[She] not only set a trap that ensnared an enemy Emanator—or at least a significant portion of its power—but also, as Jing Yuan's designated successor, could capably take over the duties of commanding the Xianzhou and providing aid to the front lines during the General's absence.
Conveniently, this duty was traditionally supposed to fall to the Xianzhou General's successor anyway.
It's just that, for various reasons, Alliance Generals rarely find suitable successors so smoothly... like Jing Yuan himself, who was appointed under critical circumstances with hardly any formal grooming process.
Miss Qingque was obviously unaware of this hidden rule of the Xianzhou, but she was self-aware enough to know she probably couldn't manage the Xianzhou effectively at this time. Therefore, handing the matter over to someone capable was clearly the right choice.
Besides!!!
This guy was the one who took on this burden, why should I have to carry it?!
The furious Miss Qingque wasn't foolish enough to volunteer for trouble – it went against her slacking principles.
You made this mess, so you better take responsibility for it, Jiang Qiao!
Take! Responsibility!
Fuming but unable to voice her grievances fully, Miss Qingque could only glare fiercely at the imposter.
"Don't you dare do any more weird things with my body!"
Though incredibly angry, it seemed even at peak fury, all she could manage was this utterly non-threatening warning.
Then, she stomped off, taking Elysia and the others with her, looking rather dejected.
Running away alone wouldn't look impressive, but leaving with a group had some impact. Besides, Miss Qingque felt it was now her responsibility to show Elysia and the others the sights of the Xianzhou.
Therefore, she was going to take a serious vacation!
To that end, Miss Qingque decided to introduce them to the joys of Celestial Jade, hoping to vent her frustrations against a certain someone through the game!
Oblivious, [Qingque] scratched her cheek, didn't dwell on it, and quickly boarded a starskiff, leaving the sparring ship and heading back to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Inside the Seat of Divine Foresight, everyone was already on high alert.
Among the Six Charioteers, Helm Master Yukong of the Sky-Faring Commission was currently directing operations at the front lines alongside Jing Yuan, due to the close ties between her commission and the Cloud Knights fleet.
Normally, Fu Xuan, who was considered a potential successor to the General, would be the primary authority figure on the Xianzhou in Jing Yuan's absence, with Yukong second.
But now, Fu Xuan had gone to the Jade Gate, and Yukong was at the front. Of course, even if Yukong hadn't gone, according to Jing Yuan's orders, the responsibility of temporarily overseeing the Xianzhou would fall to [Qingque] – 'her' role as 'Acting General' had, in a way, become reality.
Aside from Yukong, Jing Yuan, and Fu Xuan, the other high-ranking members of the Six Charioteers were still present.
Cauldron Master Lingsha of the Alchemy Commission, Furnace Master Zhu Lun of the Artisanship Commission, Demarcation Head Huifu of the Realm-Keeping Commission. The Sky-Faring Commission was represented by Yukong's secretary, Xikui. As for the Divination Commission...
Qingque herself should have been the representative, as Fu Xuan had designated her as the one to cover overtime, but since [Qingque] had been transferred to the Seat of Divine Foresight, the most highly regarded diviner, Jingzhai, had to represent them in Fu Xuan's absence.
Additionally, the Ten-Lords Commission had dispatched Hanya, a judge from the Inquiry Department, as their representative.
"Everyone should be aware of the news that the Legion is invading our Xianzhou. To stabilize the front lines, General Jing Yuan and General Feixiao of the Yaoqing have both personally gone to coordinate the Cloud Knights. Before departing, the General temporarily entrusted the Luofu to me."
"Here is the General's authorization, for all to see."
The young woman seated at the head calmly spoke, presenting the documents and the Seat of Divine Foresight General's seal left by Jing Yuan.
"...This, isn't the General being a bit too hasty?"
Furnace Master Zhu Lun clearly objected, frowning with slight displeasure.
"In such a critical situation, how can such a heavy responsibility be entrusted to such a young girl?"
Zhu Lun of the Artisanship Commission was an old man with white hair, clearly one of the Xianzhou's elders. While not quite reaching the extreme longevity of someone like Huaiyan, he was very close to the Xianzhou lifespan limit.
Of course, with age sometimes come certain bad habits, such as... a not entirely objective view of the younger generation.
Naturally, this wasn't about power-grabbing. For the Six Charioteers, for Zhu Lun himself, at his age, there wasn't much left to fight for.
But, in his view.
Even if Jing Yuan, Yukong, and Fu Xuan were absent, weren't the other members of the Six Charioteers still here?
The newly appointed Cauldron Master Lingsha might not be suitable due to her unfamiliarity with the Luofu's situation, but weren't he and Demarcation Head Huifu more appropriate choices than the young girl before them?
Of course, he had interacted with this girl named Qingque before.
She was indeed talented. Give her another four or five hundred years to gain the necessary experience, and she'd be an excellent choice for a successor. But wasn't this far too soon, too rushed?
With Zhu Lun's experience, he could tell at a glance that their General Jing Yuan definitely intended to use this opportunity as a final stress test for [Qingque] – a test for a 'wartime general'.
How could this be acceptable!
Reacting to this, Jingzhai couldn't help but speak up immediately:
"Furnace Master Zhu Lun's words are rather one-sided and prejudiced."
"I have had frequent contact with 'Qingque'. Although she has a somewhat lazy disposition, which even Master Diviner Fu Xuan finds exasperating, Master Diviner still considered her a candidate for 'Acting Master Diviner'. During this period, I worked alongside her extensively and liaised with the Artisanship Commission. In my opinion, while the General's decision might seem somewhat hasty, it is definitely not ill-considered."
No matter the era, factions and cliques are unavoidable.
Even in the age of interstellar travel, just like the extremist Antimatter Legion, whose Lord Ravagers are divided into various factions, or Glamoth, which exhibits a hive-mind structure under unified Queen worship yet still has internal disagreements, the Xianzhou is no different.
[Qingque], having come from the Divination Commission, naturally carried its label.
Therefore, even if Jingzhai agreed with Zhu Lun's points on some level, she would absolutely stand up to maintain 'Qingque's authority.
"Absurd! Even if what you say is true, how dare you contradict an elder like me so brazenly?"
Feeling he had lost face, Zhu Lun became even more displeased.
Seeing the two about to argue, and with the two strongest figures present usually being Fu Xuan and Yukong (who were both absent), Huifu being a complete peacemaker, and Lingsha wanting to help but knowing her position as head of the Alchemy Commission was already precarious for various reasons (speaking up might just get her singled out for trouble), they could only suffer in silence.
Jingzhai too was extremely troubled. She wasn't the Master Diviner, merely a representative, making her inherently weaker in standing compared to Zhu Lun, an Furnace Master and a high-ranking member of the Luofu's Six Charioteers.
She deeply missed the Master Diviner.
If Master Diviner Fu Xuan were here, she would undoubtedly tear that old geezer from the Artisanship Commission a new one without hesitation. It wouldn't be like now, where she was being suppressed.
Having gained the upper hand, Zhu Lun felt somewhat smug and satisfied. How dare a bunch of juniors argue with a senior like him? Fu Xuan's subordinates were nothing special after all!
"Furnace Master Zhu Lun."
The young woman's voice reached his ears, making Zhu Lun look towards the head seat with some surprise. The moment his eyes met hers, a chill ran down his spine.
He saw that although [Qingque] appeared extremely calm, approachable, and unassuming, like the harmless young girl her appearance suggested, the look in her eyes carried a hint of something that made even an old bone like Zhu Lun feel an impending sense of doom.
Subconsciously, he recalled the previous Luofu General, Tengxiao. Unlike Jing Yuan, that general had been quite hot-tempered.
"At this critical juncture, relying on one's seniority to bully juniors is not appropriate."
Hearing this, Zhu Lun grew even more dissatisfied.
"Do I need a junior like you to tell me how to do things?"
"The Furnace Master's contributions are immense, and this junior wouldn't dare presume, however…"
"General Jing Yuan has entrusted all Xianzhou affairs to me. As such, I cannot fail the General, nor betray the trust of the countless Cloud Knights and the myriad citizens of this Xianzhou."
"Therefore,"
"What I said earlier was merely informing my colleagues."
"As for the specifics of how to proceed, or whether General Jing Yuan's arrangements are appropriate, if any of you have objections, you may report them to the Alliance after this battle."
"But before then, should anyone neglect their duties, I, as the Acting General, will certainly enforce the Alliance's wartime regulations and impose strict punishment for 'dereliction of duty'."
The young woman smiled, her calm words laced with an undeniable, chilling intent.
"You!"
Zhu Lun trembled with anger, but before he could say anything more, Hanya spoke first:
"Since it is the General's arrangement, the Ten-Lords Commission will certainly cooperate fully!"
"Although I am new here and not yet fully familiar with the affairs of the Luofu's Alchemy Commission, at this critical time, I represent the Alchemy Commission and will fully comply with the General's instructions."
Lingsha followed suit immediately.
Then, Huifu, who had been observing, also chimed in:
"The Realm-Keeping Commission concurs."
The Divination Commission and the Sky-Faring Commission representatives followed quickly.
In an instant, only one voice remained in the Seat of Divine Foresight.
And Zhu Lun, almost the most senior veteran among the Luofu Xianzhou's Six Charioteers, was left completely isolated.
He stared dumbfounded at the scene, looking at the young woman staring back at him, and the other representatives.
His face flushed then paled before he finally spoke:
"The Artisanship Commission will certainly comply fully with the General's instructions."
Zhu Lun wanted to resist.
But that young slip of a girl was already leveraging the 'greater good' and 'duty' against him.
The Luofu was currently at war. What did opposing 'General Qingque's' command imply? Did he have ulterior motives? Was he harboring ill intentions?
Undoubtedly, during this period, there was only one politically correct stance on the Luofu: follow General 'Qingque's orders!
No matter how much Zhu Lun cared about face, no matter how much he liked pulling rank based on seniority, he understood that opposing this girl now meant [she] would likely make good on her word and deal harshly with him, this old senior. He'd be having a meeting with the Ten-Lords Commission in the Shackling Prison.
Moreover, even if she did punish him, one of the Six Charioteers' heads, 'Qingque' would face no repercussions afterward. The Alliance would likely not only refrain from blaming her but would praise her, her reputation soaring. In contrast, Zhu Lun's career as Furnace Master would definitely be over.
Even worse... it should be noted that Zhu Lun's Artisanship Commission wasn't exactly clean.
In the incidents involving the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and the Vidyadhara, there were many issues clearly linked back to the Artisanship Commission.
How did the Disciples acquire the technology to build their Abominations of Abundance Delve? Those were clearly products of the Artisanship Commission; surely the Disciples hadn't just stolen them?
Jing Yuan had simply chosen not to pursue the matter with Zhu Lun out of a desire for unity and respect for the old guard.
But now that Zhu Lun saw [Qingque] as young and tried to play the seniority card, General [Qingque] wasn't about to tolerate this old fool.
Dare to step out of line, and I'll break your bones and use them for firewood!
Thus, having easily neutralized Zhu Lun, Mr. Jiang Qiao, as [Qingque], completely unified the stance of the Xianzhou's Six Charioteers, firmly establishing the policy of [Qingque] as the 'core leader of the Xianzhou during wartime'.
Although this forceful approach might cause some resentment among the older members.
From another perspective, this 'style' actually resonated with them quite well.
At least, as [Qingque] displayed such decisive leadership, whether it was Lingsha, Huifu, or even the humiliated Zhu Lun himself, they all found themselves increasingly acknowledging her capability.