"Fu Xuan, how's the progress?"
"Fluctuations between Qian and Zhen. Action brings calamity; no advantage lies therein."
"Fu Xuan, speak human, please."
Before the Matrix of Prescience, Jing Yuan—still only a projection—stood with arms crossed. His peripheral vision had already caught the approaching group.
"Great calamity looms. That's today's fortune for the Divination Commission. The Matrix of Prescience has stopped; the runes grow dim. Stellaron Core corruption festers within the department. The Cloud Knights are tied up protecting civilians. I wish to restore the array, but I lack manpower."
"In such a state, with a Stellaron Hunter captured and another still at large—does that not count as a great calamity?"
"Haha. Yet before me stands the famed Foreknowing, All-Seeing Eye Fu Xuan. Isn't averting disaster your specialty?"
Fu Xuan lifted her head. "Save your flattery, General. Fortune's rise and fall follows heaven's will. Cleverness won't change that."
You could question the Divination Commission's architecture for lacking grace—but never its precision.
"The Commission merely reveals fortune and misfortune, striving for the right choice. We possess no divine power to overturn the heavens."
Jing Yuan laughed quietly. "All the more reason you must act. To counter a Stellaron Hunter who can foresee the future, none but the foreknowing Fu Xuan will do. As for manpower… did you think I came unprepared?"
He turned toward the Astral Express crew following Qingque. The one who drew his eye most was Adrian.
Stellaron Hunters—fascinating, dangerous beings. To stir someone on the level of an Aeon… or was this one's visit merely whimsical?
"Madam Diviner, I've brought the guests," Qingque said, waving.
"The General truly wastes no opportunity to conscript others."
"They're here; may as well use them," Jing Yuan replied, stepping aside to make room for the Express crew and Fu Xuan.
"Entering the Matrix of Prescience without permission violates protocol… but calling it out would make me seem rigid. And this is our first meeting. Seeing you all is an unexpected pleasure." Fu Xuan adjusted her posture, clearing her throat.
She addressed them formally. "Members of the Astral Express—though this is our first meeting, I've already seen you in my divinations. I am Fu Xuan, Diviner of the Divination Commission, one of the Xianzhou's Six Charioteers."
"With guests from afar, I'd normally offer fine wine in welcome. But heaven, earth, and man are misaligned; we'll have to postpone."
Her gaze shifted to Qingque. "This child seems unreliable most days, yet she performs when it counts."
"The Express crew's all on deck again. Happy?" Stelle muttered. She'd expected more errands.
"I had planned to activate the Matrix and show you the Commission's wonders… Sigh. Making guests wait is discourteous."
"No need for pleasantries," March 7th said. "We overheard the General—just give us the job."
Seeing this, Fu Xuan dropped formalities. "Then I'll be direct: the Divination Commission is understaffed. I need your help eliminating the Stellaron Core corruption."
"Then… Madam Diviner, may I slip away?" Qingque asked quietly.
"No. Restarting the Matrix's base system falls to you. Consider it punishment for your recent truancy."
Qingque's shoulders slumped. Stelle patted her lightly. "Promotion and raise ahead. Take it."
"I worked so hard to get reassigned to the archives—a peaceful post perfect for slacking… Sigh. My easy life's over."
"Why say that?" Stelle asked.
She hadn't been to the Interastral Peace Corporation, but she could imagine its people scrambling to climb ranks. The Luofu's attitude was… very different.
"If I fail, I'll get expelled. If I succeed, I'll drown in tasks from above. Should've stayed at Mr. Adrian's milk tea shop, watching the counter."
"Qingque, are this seat's ears decorations?" Fu Xuan snapped, catching the crucial detail.
"Milk tea shop? Absurd. What kind of person keeps you there, even having you watch the store?"
"Huh, the Diviner doesn't know? I thought Teacher Adrian's milk tea was famous on the Luofu," March 7th murmured.
"Adrian?"
Fu Xuan frowned—completely unfamiliar name.
The gap in awareness was perfectly played. March 7th and Stelle pointed toward Adrian, who was chatting with Jing Yuan.
"Teacher Adrian didn't lie to me. Emanators do attract each other."
"Emanator?" Fu Xuan's confusion deepened. That man—an Emanator? Jing Yuan had said nothing.
"You didn't know? Teacher Adrian is an Eternity Emanator!"
Even the General knew—how could the Diviner not? Unless he'd hidden it deliberately.
"Eternity?"
A string of unknown terms filled Fu Xuan's thoughts. She glanced toward Jing Yuan, who continued conversing with the rest of the Express crew.
"Thanks to you, the Luofu captured Kafka without incident," Jing Yuan said. "The Xianzhou owes you thanks. Since the Interastral Peace Corporation placed bounties on the Stellaron Hunters, no one has managed to catch one—not without getting caught themselves."
"Seems the Xianzhou gets the first record," Adrian said with a faint smile.
"Once this matter is settled and the Stellaron threat resolved, Kafka will be of no further use to us. If you wish, we'll hand her over to the Corporation. As for the bounty… the Alliance has no need for it."
"A hundred billion credits is a generous reward," Walter said. "Pity the Express can't make use of it."
"Then," Jing Yuan looked at Adrian, "donate the full sum to the Church. How about that?"
"Appreciated," Adrian replied evenly.
"However," Jing Yuan continued, "that Blade is also a wanted criminal of the Xianzhou. He cannot be handed over."
At the mention of Blade, Dan Heng's expression froze. "The other Stellaron Hunter—still not caught?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Besides Blade, there's Silver Wolf, the one who sent you into the Xianzhou. Her disguise is exceptional—the Cloud Knights have searched the entire Luofu without finding her."
"We even combed through the Shackling Prison. Sometimes I wonder if she ever came to the Luofu at all. With Kafka refusing to speak of their motives, we must rely on the Divination Commission to uncover the truth."
"Any chance that Stellaron Hunter used the same trick as General Jing Yuan?" Adrian asked, nodding toward the projection.
"Hm… An unforeseen path."