"I'm preparing to leave," Lumina said softly, blowing on her cup of hot tea. "Though The Hunt and Abundance are sworn enemies, I still wished to bid farewell before leaving."
Lumina and Jing Yuan sat facing each other in the Seat of Divine Foresight on the Xianzhou Luofu.
"Miss Lumina," Jing Yuan replied with a warm smile, sincerity evident in his voice, "that is a matter between the Aeons and between the Xianzhou and the Abominations. It will not affect the friendship between you and the Xianzhou Luofu."
The Hunt and Abundance are like fire and water. What does that have to do with the Xianzhou Luofu being friendly with Lumina?
"Hmm? General Jing Yuan, if your fellow Generals and the Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance heard you say that, they might subject you to some... thorough interrogation," Lumina hummed, dropping a deliberate hint.
"Miss Lumina, you're jesting. Interrogation? Such things would never occur here." Understanding Lumina's implication, Jing Yuan shook his head, showing no trace of panic. His voice remained calm as he continued:
"If the other Generals and Marshals were to learn that the Xianzhou Luofu is on friendly terms with Miss Lumina, I imagine they would be particularly pleased."
Lumina: ?
Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Lumina nearly burst out laughing on the spot.
The Xianzhou Luofu being friendly with an Emanator of Abundance would make the other Xianzhou's Generals and Marshals happy?
What kind of blatant, wide-eyed bullshit is this?!
Lumina couldn't help but marvel inwardly. With Jing Yuan's ability to spout nonsense without batting an eye, he's bound to achieve great things!
After all... people with thick skin can thrive anywhere.
Just like me! o( ̄▽ ̄*)/ブ*
"Will the other Generals and Marshals really be pleased?" Lumina quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "It seems the Xianzhou Alliance holds me in rather high regard after all."
Even though she knew Jing Yuan was spouting complete nonsense, Lumina refrained from calling him out directly. Instead, she chose to tease him with pointedly ironic remarks.
Even if the Aeons of The Hunt and Abundance were to marry on the spot... the idea that the other Xianzhou's Generals and Marshals would be pleased about my good relations with the Xianzhou Luofu is utterly absurd.
Judging by Lumina's perception of them, she likely believed she herself had forced Jing Yuan to say those words. After a series of mental gymnastics, she had probably categorized herself as the most powerful, most wicked, and most cruelly manipulative Abundance Abomination...
"Ha ha ha, that's only natural, Miss Lumina. Your exploits across the Cosmos are legendary—everyone on the Xianzhou knows your name."
Hearing Lumina's slightly sarcastic tone, Jing Yuan showed no embarrassment. His face remained etched with that warm, reassuring smile that made others feel both at ease and deeply secure.
"General, you flatter me. I am hardly as formidable as you describe. These accolades are merely the result of good fortune."
"Unlike you, General, who has climbed to your current position step by step through sheer strength and strategic brilliance."
"Compared to you, I still have much to learn."
Faced with Jing Yuan's flattery, Lumina naturally felt compelled to return the compliment.
"Miss Lumina, there's a saying on the Xianzhou... 'Luck is merely another facet of true strength.'"
"Your achievements today cannot be adequately described by the mere word 'luck.'"
Hearing this, Jing Yuan smiled, but instead of relaxing after Lumina's praise, he continued to flatter her.
"Alright, alright, let's save the mutual admiration for our next meeting," Lumina said, shaking her head at Jing Yuan's seemingly endless flattery.
"So much has happened on the Luofu these past few days: the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, a Lord Ravager, Jingliu and Luocha preparing to slay a god..."
"And during this time, you've likely violated numerous laws prohibited by the Alliance in your efforts to resolve these crises, haven't you?"
Lumina's voice remained flat, devoid of emotion, leaving Jing Yuan uncertain of her true intentions.
"Rest assured, Miss Lumina, there's no need to worry about that. In the face of such calamities, even the coldest laws can warm up a bit," Jing Yuan replied with a smile, though he remained uncertain of her true motives.
"Of course, I understand," Lumina said with a smile, waving her hand dismissively. Her tone turned sincere as she continued, "Given your actions during this disaster, the Alliance will undoubtedly demand answers, won't they?"
"So, what I mean to say is, if there's anything that requires my personal explanation, feel free to call on me. I can serve as a witness."
Jing Yuan: ...
Hearing Lumina's words, Jing Yuan's expression and posture visibly stiffened. It was clear he hadn't anticipated her saying something like that.
"Ha ha ha, Miss Lumina," Jing Yuan chuckled, trying to regain his composure. "The Luofu will soon host the Wardance Ceremony, its timing conveniently following Penacony's Charmony Festival..."
"If you have the time, Miss Lumina, you're warmly invited to the Luofu to witness this grand spectacle."
Instead of stating his invitation directly, Jing Yuan used the pretext of the Xianzhou Luofu's Wardance Ceremony to invite Lumina.
Lumina was right; given his actions during the crisis, he would inevitably face scrutiny from the Alliance.
However... such inquiries were minor matters. Jing Yuan trusted the other Xianzhou Generals, and he trusted the Marshal even more.
The real trouble lay in Lumina's presence and the Blessing she had bestowed upon him...
No third party knew about the Blessing Lumina had given him...
Therefore, if Lumina wasn't present when the Alliance inevitably came to investigate, Jing Yuan would have no way to persuade the Alliance representative who arrived on the Luofu...
For the past few days, Jing Yuan had been racking his brain for a solution.
But... even now, he hadn't come up with a plausible way to convince the unknown emissary...
If Lumina was willing to help, however, she would resolve a major headache for him...
This is a great kindness... Jing Yuan couldn't help but think to himself.
"The Xianzhou Wardance Ceremony? I'll be there." Seeing that her purpose had been achieved, the smile that often graced Lumina's face brightened considerably.
"Then this general will await Miss Lumina's arrival on the Luofu with the utmost respect."
Even though accepting this favor would incur an immense debt of gratitude to Lumina, Jing Yuan didn't hesitate. He agreed immediately, accepting her help...