"Little March, it's not time to say goodbye yet. I still have things to do. Once I'm finished, I'll come back to bid you farewell properly."
"Okay~"
Because she still needed to check on Jingliu... and because she had important matters to attend to, Lumina handed the ring to March 7th, exchanged a few pleasantries, and departed.
As for the ring belonging to the Stellaron Spirit... Lumina figured she could come and ask for it herself♪
After disembarking from the Astral Express, Lumina timed her arrival perfectly and headed straight for the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Upon entering the Seat of Divine Foresight, Lumina's lips curved into a faint smile as she spotted the white-haired girl at the center of the hall, cautiously surrounded by numerous Cloud Knights.
She approached silently, tapped the girl's shoulder, and feigned surprise. "Oh, Little Jingliu, are you here to see General Jing Yuan too? What a coincidence! Me too!"
"Hmph, what a coincidence indeed," Jingliu replied dryly, glancing at Lumina with a hint of disdain. She knew Lumina's excuse about seeing Jing Yuan was merely a pretense—she was here specifically to find Jingliu herself.
Though Jingliu saw through Lumina's intentions, she offered no rebuttal. What was the point in arguing with someone so shameless?
Perhaps if I refuted her, she'd become even more shameless...
Jingliu believed she had a firm grasp of Lumina's malicious nature. No matter what Lumina said, a simple acknowledgment would suffice.
Let her ramble on by herself... She'd tire herself out eventually and stop.
"Hmm?"
As if reading Jingliu's mind, Lumina didn't continue after hearing her response. She let out a soft hum, glanced around, and strolled over to a Foxian Lady standing nearby.
"Hello there," Lumina greeted with a smile. "Is General Jing Yuan here? I have something I need to discuss with him."
Jingliu: ...
So, she really is here to see Jing Yuan? Jingliu murmured inwardly, observing Lumina's demeanor.
Seeing that Lumina genuinely seemed to have business with Jing Yuan, Jingliu realized she might have misjudged her...
But it didn't matter. Whether she had misjudged her or not, it wouldn't change the fact that Lumina was a woman with a deeply malicious personality...
The Foxian Lady before her clearly recognized Lumina. After giving a respectful bow, she spoke with composed dignity: "I apologize, Miss Lumina, but you've come at an inopportune time. The General is currently occupied with urgent matters and may not be available to meet today."
"Of course, if you have an urgent matter, I can attempt to contact the General."
"If it's truly urgent, I can use a certain item to forcibly notify the General."
"Hmm... never mind. I'll contact him myself." Lumina shook her head with a smile.
I don't actually need to speak with Jing Yuan. If I let you contact him, I'd have to concoct another story...
That was Lumina's train of thought.
Her supposed purpose in seeking Jing Yuan was a ruse; her true goal was to dispel Jingliu's suspicions.
Though Jingliu's guess was correct, Lumina had no intention of letting her think she was right.
Little Jingliu, you think you can take the upper hand? Make me dance to your tune, step by step, according to your plan? Go dream of Penacony, you fool! o( ̄▽ ̄*)ブ*
Tap... tap... tap...
Just as Lumina was mentally belittling "Little Jingliu," a set of urgent footsteps became audible to everyone present.
The sound of footsteps drew the attention of everyone except Jingliu. They turned to see Dan Heng, who had finally arrived late after receiving the invitation.
Though he had received the invitation early, Dan Heng had remained cautious. After discreetly investigating the Luofu for some time, he decided to consult Jing Yuan at the Seat of Divine Foresight.
A swordsman capable of silently infiltrating the Astral Express and leaving a letter imbued with sword intent was no ordinary opponent, he reasoned. After finding no clues on the Luofu, Dan Heng resolved to consult Jing Yuan.
As Dan Heng entered the Seat of Divine Foresight, his gaze immediately fell upon Jingliu, standing at the center, cautiously surrounded by Cloud Knights.
He spared her only a fleeting glance before shifting his attention to the Foxian Lady and Lumina.
Though puzzled by Lumina's presence, Dan Heng approached her calmly, greeting her with a polite nod: "Miss Lumina, good day."
"Ah, Mr. Dan Heng, good day to you too," Lumina replied with a warm smile and a nod. Then, feigning confusion, she asked, "I heard from March 7th that you received an invitation long ago. What brings you to the Seat of Divine Foresight? Have you finished your business already?"
"No," Dan Heng replied. The word "invitation" caught him off guard, and he mentally cursed March 7th under his breath.
He shook his head, maintaining a calm exterior, and explained, "The invitation didn't specify an address. After searching the Luofu extensively, I still couldn't locate the venue."
"So, I had no choice but to come to the Seat of Divine Foresight to seek General Jing Yuan's guidance."
While March 7th revealing Dan Heng's invitation was a bit... inconsiderate, it's not a major issue if she told Miss Lumina, Dan Heng thought to himself after finishing his explanation.
Lumina had assisted the Astral Express on numerous occasions, earning a stellar reputation throughout the Cosmos. Thus, Dan Heng's initial mild reprimand of March 7th quickly faded.
I just hope March 7th learns to keep her mouth shut in the future... Or at least, only share information with people she trusts. Strangers don't need to know.
Sighing inwardly, Dan Heng resigned himself to March 7th's blithe nature. I can't expect too much from her.
"I see," Lumina nodded, her eyes capturing Dan Heng's inner thoughts. She chuckled softly.
Though Dan Heng masked his thoughts well, Lumina still sensed the calculations behind his calm demeanor.
Cautious, as always. Perhaps that's for the best...
Lumina smiled and replied to Dan Heng's earlier statement: "Like me, you've arrived at the Seat of Divine Foresight at an inopportune time. General Jing Yuan is currently occupied with urgent matters and likely won't be able to see you today."
"I see," Dan Heng nodded, offering no further comment.
"Then I'll take my leave now and return another time."
With Jing Yuan absent, Dan Heng had no reason to linger. He cast one last glance at the woman in the center before turning to depart.
"Wait, Mr. Dan Heng," the Foxian Lady called out suddenly, halting his steps. "General Jing Yuan seemed to anticipate your return today and left a message for you before leaving."
Hearing this, Dan Heng immediately stopped and turned back, his gaze fixed on the Foxian Lady. He waited in silence for her to continue.
The Foxian Lady seemed aware of Dan Heng's "naturally aloof" demeanor and paid no mind to his slightly aloof behavior. She pointed at the woman in the center and asked, "Mr. Dan Heng, do you recognize her?"
"I don't recognize her..." Dan Heng followed the Foxian Lady's pointed finger and saw she was referring to the woman the Cloud Knights were cautiously waiting for.
Although Dan Heng didn't understand the meaning behind Jing Yuan's cryptic remark, he genuinely had no recollection of the woman before him.
"So you don't remember her... As expected, with Vidyadhara reincarnation, all karmic connections from the past life are severed," the Foxian Lady murmured, sighing softly at Dan Heng's reply.
Shaking her head, she introduced the woman: "Her name is Jingliu. She was the former Sword Champion of the Xianzhou Luofu, one of the Cloud Knights of the Xianzhou, and Jing Yuan's Master..."
"But all that happened long ago... For various reasons, Lady Jingliu eventually lost her sanity, unleashing a massacre and becoming a criminal of the Xianzhou..."
"Yet for reasons unknown, Lady Jingliu returned to the Luofu disguised as a traveling merchant, seeking to atone for her sins..."
"However, before atoning, she has one condition: to reunite with old friends in Scalegorge Waterscape before her official trial... A rather absurd request, wouldn't you agree?"
"And even more absurdly, General Jing Yuan actually agreed to it..."
As the Foxian Lady spoke, a flicker of genuine confusion crossed her eyes, as if she truly couldn't fathom what General Jing Yuan had in mind...
But... this is the conclusion General Jing Yuan reached, the order he issued. There must be a deeper meaning behind it, right...?
The Foxian Lady clearly placed unwavering trust in her General's decisions.
"Though... um..."
Without dwelling further on it, the Foxian Lady was about to continue speaking when a sudden chill made her freeze.
"Imbibitor Lunae? You've arrived? Since you're here, why not come up and reminisce about old times?"
"Or would you prefer I call you by your current name? Dan Heng?"
From some unknown moment, Jingliu, who had been standing at the center of the hall, had already turned around. Though her eyes were veiled by black gauze, one could still sense her gaze locking directly onto Dan Heng.
"Oh my, Little Jingliu! I told you already, if you're feeling cold, you can totally come to me! I'll warm you right up~♪"
Just as Jingliu's body radiated waves of icy energy, steadily lowering the hall's temperature, that slightly grating voice rang out in everyone's ears.
Jingliu: ...