"Apologies for interrupting your meeting. I am the General of the [Luofu] Cloud Knights: Jing Yuan."
"General, this is an internal affair of the Luofu..." Yukong reminded him.
"Yes, yes, internal affairs—I completely agree with Helm Master Yukong's opinion." Jing Yuan shifted his gaze back to the Express crew:
"My apologies, everyone from the Astral Express. There is indeed a Stellaron on the [Luofu], but I must decline your kind offer: This is a Xianzhou problem and can only be solved by us alone."
"...But since you have come all this way, how could I let you return empty-handed? Although we cannot accept the Express's help regarding the Stellaron, I... do have another matter that I must request your assistance with. What do you think?"
Seeing this, Yukong silently retreated to the side, leaving the floor to Jing Yuan and the Express crew.
"The Astral Express... I have long heard of your renown and yearned to meet you. To see you today is truly my great fortune."
"I sing my thoughts!" Stelle chimed in. Welt went straight to the point: "I have long heard of the General's illustrious name. What is it that you wish to ask of us?"
"Oh, it is a task that only you can accomplish. A few days ago, we captured a Stellaron Hunter who trespassed in a restricted area of the Xianzhou. His name is [Blade]."
"During his interrogation, the Divination Commission—the Xianzhou department responsible for intelligence and information deduction... intercepted a short communication sent by his accomplice, Kafka, who is hiding on the Xianzhou. As for the recipient of that communication..."
Jing Yuan's implication was clear. Stelle hadn't expected their conversation to be detected. However, it seemed... only the very beginning was caught. As Kafka appeared on the Express, the intercepted communication ceased there.
"I also know a thing or two about your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters. The Divination Commission believes you must be accomplices, but I said that is impossible. The Astral Express acts righteously, and your reputation for heroic deeds is known across the worlds. How could you associate with such vile characters?"
"Therefore, this communication must be a malicious scheme by the Stellaron Hunters to shift the blame onto you."
These words successfully hoodwinked March 7th, sweeping away all the previous unpleasantness.
This person was much easier to talk to than that Yukong. Is this why he could be the Xianzhou General while she was only a Helm Master? Just in terms of the art of language, the two were worlds apart.
Tsk, look at the way they treat people; what a huge difference.
Jing Yuan continued speaking. The bait had been cast; now he just needed to wait for the big fish to bite:
"Regarding the Stellaron disaster, the Xianzhou indeed has a solution. But quelling the calamity takes time and requires the commitment of the Cloud Knights' main forces."
"However, with Kafka hiding on the Xianzhou, she remains a lurking danger that we must guard against."
"Since the Stellaron Hunters deliberately lured you to the Luofu, we might as well beat them at their own game. As General, I grant you the authority to act freely on the Xianzhou to lure out the missing Kafka and capture her in one fell swoop."
"This way, firstly, you can wash away the dirt thrown on you by the Stellaron Hunters. Secondly, we can learn the purpose of this Hunter's infiltration of the Xianzhou and her connection to the Stellaron outbreak."
"Members of the Express crew, what do you say?"
...
Tingyun took a deep breath, completely failing to notice Blake leaving with a dark expression. Thinking back to the scene just now, her constantly tight heart suddenly relaxed.
Adrian was still the Adrian in her memories, never changing. Just as he said himself, there was no need to feel constrained by their difference in status.
"Sigh~ Lord Adrian's thought process is as eccentric as ever; this little maiden truly cannot understand it."
"However... this fits Lord Adrian's style perfectly. Thank you for saving my life," Tingyun said solemnly.
"Since you are a friend of [Eternity], there is no need to say such things to me." Adrian waved his hand. "If you really want to thank me, just visit the shop more often in the future and help Qingque out or something."
Tingyun's fox ears twitched slightly. "From what you are saying... once the disaster on the Luofu is quelled, you intend to continue [Trailblazing] with the Astral Express?"
Seeing Adrian nod, she didn't probe further into the reasons. Only then did she realize someone was missing.
"Eh... where did Pontiff Blake go?"
"Who knows... maybe he went back to the [Sleepless Earl] teahouse to tell stories. After all, he is currently wearing Mr. Xiyan's face."
Adrian glossed over it casually. To ensure the upcoming plan proceeded smoothly, he had ordered Blake to do something.
To give our little friend Phantylia a nice, firm neck massage.
"Let's not talk about that. Let's discuss serious business. You must be very curious to know... who the Lord Ravager disguised as you is, right?"
Adrian recounted a series of intelligence related to Phantylia to Tingyun.
"So, what do you think?" Seeing the slight twitch at the corner of Tingyun's mouth, Adrian looked forward to her answer.
"From your description, that Lord Ravager indeed possesses extraordinary skills. Her actions are exactly the same as mine. Rather than calling it a disguise, it is more like she lived my life for me for a few days."
"If not for Lord Adrian's assistance, not only myself but my companions in the [Whistling Flames] merchant guild would have suffered at the hands of that Lord Ravager and lost our lives."
"Although this little maiden advocates that harmony is precious, this situation is special. No matter what, I must demand an explanation from that Legion's Lord Ravager." Tingyun's gaze grew increasingly firm.
"That Phantylia stole my life. Foxians seek revenge for the smallest grievance and never suffer a loss!" Tingyun suddenly changed her tune; demanding an explanation was letting Phantylia off too easy.
"This little maiden must take something back from her."
"Excellent. Then let's start with the simplest thing." Adrian agreed immediately. As expected of a Xianzhou native—revenge must be taken. It fits the spirit of [The Hunt] perfectly!
"Hmm..." Adrian stroked his chin, as if thinking.
"I've got it! Let's make 'the life that should have been stolen' our target, and go ask Phantylia to pay it back unilaterally... How about that?"
...
As Jing Yuan spoke these words, the expressions on Stelle and March 7th's faces clearly changed, looking like they were suppressing laughter.
Welt tried his best to maintain his seriousness. Sure enough, just as Adrian had said, the Xianzhou Luofu would use the Stellaron as bait, and upon their arrival, shift the goal to have them join the operation to capture the Stellaron Hunters.
"General, your proposal is very good. But..." Stelle feigned seriousness, though her acting skills still needed much polishing.
"What if we... have already brought the Stellaron Hunter Kafka to justice?" Welt pushed up his glasses, successfully turning the tables.
Seeing this, Dan Heng and March 7th brought the disguised Kafka before him.
Kafka also cooperated very well, voluntarily undoing her disguise technique. She appeared with her true face in the Palace of Astrum, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present.
"Sigh~ That really was a good show," Kafka remarked with emotion. "Well? Are you satisfied?" She looked tenderly at Stelle.
Witnessing this scene, Stelle's thoughts were complex, and she didn't know what to say... She just felt that Kafka seemed somewhat pitiable.
"Hey, don't be deceived by the bad woman!" March 7th reminded her in time.
Jing Yuan was also stunned by this flashy maneuver, but he reacted quickly. That pink-haired young lady had mentioned [Adrian] just now, and suddenly everything seemed to make sense.
Is this also within [Eternity]'s calculations?!