Chapter 422: Old-Timer Hoolay Takes the Stage—One Look Outside and Total Chaos
In the live stream, there were always some highly vocal players.
Little Gui was used to it.
Fortunately, that player who had been black-marketing the SoulGlad had completely vanished. It was hard to say whether they had had a sudden pang of conscience or had simply been scared off by having their IP exposed.
In any case, it was just a minor interlude in the story stream.
"Continuing with the story~"
Inside the Shackling Prison, Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, and Lingsha's investigation had finally yielded results. To avoid alerting the enemy, Lingsha would head to the Alchemy Commission next to confront the Vidyadhara Preceptors.
Then, the scene finally switched to Jiaoqiu and Hoolay's side!
[ Switching to Jiaoqiu's perspective… ]
[ Falling into the hands of the Borisin, Jiaoqiu is trying to find a sliver of hope… but not for himself. ]
"As I said just now, my profession is that of a healer. It's just that the medicine I specialize in requires the assistance of medicinal cuisine to take effect."
In a familiar small courtyard in the Exalting Sanctum.
Jiaoqiu's situation seemed slightly better than expected. He was actually able to chat with the Borisin.
"Cooking all kinds of herbs into dishes for patients to consume—that is the wonder of the cauldron. No matter what ingredients or medicinal herbs, once they are tossed into the broth to simmer together, they instantly turn into a delicious delicacy."
…
"[ 'Trying to find a sliver of hope… but not for himself' ]… Jiaoqiu!"
"He's using his own life to gamble for a chance for Feixiao to survive!"
"Putting myself in Jiaoqiu's shoes, it feels a bit despairing."
"Ah, the simple and honest folks of the Exalting Sanctum."
"This courtyard has officially become the go-to gathering spot for villains."
"Exalting Sanctum Courtyard: Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, Borisin escapees… who's next? The Antimatter Legion?"
"Now this place is a famous tourist spot in the Exalting Sanctum, known as the 'Fixed Spawn Point for Xianzhou Villains'!"
"I actually went there yesterday to take photos."
…
Beside Jiaoqiu was Mok Tok.
"A delicious delicacy… isn't that just one flavor overpowering another?" Mok Tok said disdainfully.
Jiaoqiu narrowed his eyes and smiled. "You're not wrong to put it that way… Let me test you. If there is a young child who is a picky eater and refuses to eat green peppers, what would you do to make them eat it?"
"Stuff the kid's mouth with green peppers and throw them into the pot to boil."
"Hahaha, my Borisin brother, you have a sense of humor. I heard that during their self-modification process, the Borisin lost many of their taste buds, leaving them unable to appreciate complex flavors. Only the saltiness of flesh and blood can rouse your appetite."
Jiaoqiu smiled warmly, looking completely amiable.
…
"How are you two still chatting?"
"If I didn't know any better, I'd think two friendly neighbors were sharing tea and casual conversation here."
"There's always a feeling of subtext in their dialogue."
"Could this be some kind of foreshadowing?"
"Probably not, it's just showing Jiaoqiu's calm and composure, right?"
"The plot of Honkai: Star Rail usually buries the seed right when you think that way."
"Leaving a bookmark here!"
…
Mok Tok clearly didn't want the atmosphere to head in that direction.
He said savagely, "It's a pity I don't have green peppers on hand, otherwise I'd really like to stuff your mouth with them and boil you in a pot."
"Just a joke, don't get worked up~ It's very simple: chop the green peppers, mix them into minced meat, and make meatballs. The flavor of the meat overpowers the green peppers, and even a picky child will eat them."
"Can this hot pot dissolve your tongue? I know what foolish delusions are running through your head. You want to stall for time, waiting for rescuers."
Mok Tok stared at Jiaoqiu with an unfriendly gaze.
"You said Jingliu returned to the Luofu. She did indeed return… but unfortunately, I've gathered more intelligence. She committed a grave crime and was sent to another Xianzhou ship."
"Do you think that by using a little cleverness to stir up Lord Hoolay's desire for revenge, you can delay our departure?"
"Don't treat the Borisin as savages who know nothing about the Xianzhou. The jade abacus you carry, the cycranes flying in the sky… I know all the methods the Xianzhou people use to track us."
"The greater the hope in your heart, the more intense the pain when death arrives. When I tear open your throat, I want to see if your expression can remain as calm as it is now."
As soon as these words were spoken, the previous amicable atmosphere was instantly shattered!
And the person who walked over next brought the atmosphere in the room straight to a freezing point!
"His composure is merely a temporary effect of the medicine. But the medicine's effect will soon wear off, won't it?"
The voice was powerful and resonant, carrying an indescribable majesty.
"Lord Hoolay," Mok Tok quickly saluted.
At this moment, Hoolay had transformed into the appearance of a Foxian.
He had white hair, a full beard, and green pupils. His build was still towering, and his exposed muscles were covered in twisted tattoos.
"Pitiful Foxians. For thousands of years, we allowed you to survive, and we gave you civilization. But for the freedom promised by the Xianzhou, you ultimately chose betrayal."
"But it doesn't matter. As long as you catch the scent of your master [ the Borisin ], you will always obediently return to our side… no matter how far you run…"
…
"Who are you, bro?"
"Hoolay really adapted quickly."
"Brother, you smell so good!"
"Old-man Hoolay makes his debut!"
"Before hearing Jingliu returned: 'Pitiful! To think you willingly put on the skin of a beast.' After hearing Jingliu returned: 'Give me a portion of that magic potion too!'"
"What the Xianzhou gave the Foxians wasn't just freedom, but also the dignity of standing as humans and the conviction to resist oppression!"
"For seven hundred years, we on the Luofu spared your wretched life, Hoolay, letting you survive. But for the freedom promised by the Lord Ravager… [ expressionless ]"
"Hoolay really knows when to bend and when to stand tall."
…
At this point, two options appeared on the right side of the screen.
[ (Counterattack, point out that they are on the run) ]
[ (Sow discord, divide Mok Tok and Hoolay) ]
Guinaifen thought about it seriously!
She was terrified that her choice might cause Jiaoqiu to get hurt or… die.
She had to choose the safest path!
At this moment, sowing discord might be more effective!
"Hoolay, have you ever wondered why, after a whole seven hundred years, these guys only just thought of coming to rescue you?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mok Tok's breathing beside him instantly quickened!
And Jiaoqiu struck while the iron was hot, continuing:
"The era of the Borisin's absolute dominance has long passed. Before giving you hope of returning home, did they tell you these pitiful facts, Lord Hoolay?"
"Now, they have been crushed into a scattered mess by Yaoqing's Feixiao, the Merlin's Claw… by a Foxian, hiding and trembling in the corners of the galaxy. Like a dying, wounded beast, desperately reaching out a hand to grab onto any imaginary saving straw—which is you."
"The General of the Yaoqing… a Foxian? Very interesting. Mok Tok, is everything he said true?" Hoolay questioned.
"…He didn't lie. That is a war-slave who escaped from the hunting pack, a piece of cannon fodder, a thief! She stole our strength, and relying on her understanding of the Borisin, used every despicable means in war—"
…
"Feixiao: lol"
"GREAT COUNTERATTACK!!!"
"This Mok Tok…"
"Completely turning things upside down!"
"The Borisin Empire no longer exists!"
"Yet what Jiaoqiu said is the absolute truth!"
"Feixiao! My goddess!"
"So Hoolay really had no idea what was happening outside. Now he's starting to piece the information together."
"Hoolay was locked up for 700 years, and the moment he comes out, he finds the sky has fallen!"
…