If even the heavens have declared her the winner, then there's really nothing I can do.
Bai Luan gave a helpless smile, then stood up, preparing to leave.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute!"
Seeing this, Qingque quickly called out to him.
"This round of mine was purely a fluke, I won because I was incredibly lucky! But you won so many rounds before... do you have some kind of secret technique?"
Technique?
Does constantly using my brain count?
Hmm... I feel like explaining it that way would just get me scolded.
Bai Luan thought for a moment, then answered earnestly:
"It's nothing special. It's just a matter of using your brain less at work, and dedicating all that saved mental energy to Emperor's Jade."
As soon as these words were uttered, an expression of profound respect instantly appeared on Qingque's face, as if he had heard some supreme truth.
Look at that! Now *this* is a true master!
What he said was absolutely right!
It was simply enlightening and completely convincing!
Only a legendary master so deeply versed in the essence of "slacking off" could dominate the seemingly leisurely, yet secretly turbulent, game of Emperor's Jade.
"Friend, what should I call you?"
Qingque asked enthusiastically.
"Bai Luan."
Qingque smiled and pulled out his phone:
"Add me as a friend, won't you? Next time you come to play cards, let me know in advance."
"Why?"
Bai Luan raised an eyebrow.
"Still want to play a few more rounds and redeem yourself?"
"No."
Qingque shook his head like a rattle-drum, his tone incredibly sincere.
"Next time you come, I won't."
Bai Luan was stunned for a moment, then couldn't hold back a laugh.
Is this Qingque's astonishing wisdom?
It really is low energy consumption, high efficiency.
Bai Luan waved his hand in farewell and left the place.
He then found a random inn, slept for a night, and it was the next day.
Jing Yuan: The discussion results are out.
Jing Yuan: Please come to the Shen Ce Mansion for a detailed discussion.
Quite efficient, aren't they?
Bai Luan quickly went to the Shen Ce Mansion and met Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan told Bai Luan many things, but in summary, the important points were only a few.
The Xianzhou was willing to enter into a secret cooperation to research this project.
And he drew a lot of grand visions, how things would be once the research was successful, but Bai Luan didn't listen very carefully.
Then Jing Yuan gave Bai Luan something like jade, to corroborate Bai Luan's status as an ally of the Xianzhou.
Finally, they were willing to pay to purchase the remaining opportunities Bai Luan had to treat the mara-struck.
"The price is good, but unfortunately I'm not short on money. Do you sell the Ambrosial Arbor? If you give me the Ambrosial Arbor, I might consider it."
"Impossible."
Jing Yuan shook his head, his smile unchanged, but his tone carried an undeniable firmness.
"Leaving aside the inherent dangers of the Ambrosial Arbor itself, with your current special status, having been 'glimpsed' by the Abundance, if you were to become too deeply involved with the Ambrosial Arbor again, those 'old fogeys' on the Luofu who are already resentful of it would likely not let you live in peace."
Hearing that the Xianzhou "old geezers" might come looking for trouble, Bai Luan shrugged indifferently:
"Alright, if you don't give it, then so be it. It's not like I particularly wanted it anyway."
Jing Yuan looked at Bai Luan, who was acting like he couldn't get the grapes and said they were sour, and smiled.
"General, who do you think should be the next person to receive treatment?"
Bai Luan suddenly asked.
Jing Yuan was momentarily stunned by the question, pondered for a moment, and replied:
"I would choose Yanqing."
"Reason?"
"I have high hopes for his future."
"Are you sure it's not because you feel bad for your disciple?"
Bai Luan teased.
"Haha."
Jing Yuan neither admitted nor denied it, merely smiled.
"Alright, I understand your suggestion."
Bai Luan's tone shifted.
"So, General, are you convenient for treatment now?"
"In the end, it still comes down to me?"
Jing Yuan didn't seem surprised.
"Of course,"
Bai Luan said in a relaxed tone.
"The General wouldn't want young Yanqing to have to face a mara-struck, unrecognizable you after some time, would he?"
"..."
Jing Yuan was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.
"Since you've already decided to follow your own arrangements, why did you ask for my suggestion earlier?"
Bai Luan took out the extraction gun, loaded it with S-grade bullets, and said in a lighthearted tone:
"Because I enjoy seeing important figures have their suggestions ignored."
"..."
"Just kidding, I was just curious. In reality, no matter who you chose, I wouldn't be surprised."
Jing Yuan smiled and extended his arm.
"Then I thank you."
"Just a heads-up, it's going to hurt a lot."
"Rest assured, I..."
Bai Luan didn't wait for Jing Yuan to finish speaking, plunged the needle in, and Jing Yuan immediately fell silent.
Twenty minutes later, the treatment was over.
Jing Yuan had endured it without uttering a sound, and could even open his mouth to chat.
"Hmm, you're the first person I've treated who didn't pass out afterwards."
Jing Yuan's face was a little pale, and he gave a helpless smile.
It really did hurt quite a bit.
Bai Luan took out Jing Yuan's mara-struck from the extraction gun and looked at it.
Now you are one of them, Jing Yuan.
"I already gave you one before, so I'll keep this one. Giving you too many of these would just be trouble."
"Of course, no problem. There are quite a few people on the Luofu who want you to take it away."
Bai Luan nodded and put away the bullet.
"Regarding the bullet that was left behind, its use is not limited to researching how to remove the mara-struck."
"Oh? It has other uses?"
"You can research that bullet; it contains a lot of interesting technology. Whatever you learn from it, consider it a free gift from me.
However, I don't think its greatest use for you right now is that."
"Besides these, what other uses could it have?"
"To go fishing."
Jing Yuan's eyes flashed, and he instantly understood:
"Disciples of the Abundance?"
Bai Luan nodded.
"To them, that bullet doesn't contain a curse, but a materialized 'miracle' from the Abundance. Of course, how you utilize this bait is up to your own skill."
"I will make good use of it."
"That's good. If you do it well, it can save many on the Luofu from being persecuted by them."
Bai Luan stood up, preparing to leave. Before departing, he asked Jing Yuan.
"About a disciple seeing off their master, Yanqing doesn't have to follow your old path. Happy about that?"
Jing Yuan was slightly startled by the question, but did not press Bai Luan on how he knew of such old matters.
"Happy."
He smiled with relief, a complex and inexpressible sense of emotion flashing in his eyes:
"This... is a good thing."
"I'm leaving. I played all day yesterday, and the Luofu is a nice place. I think I'll come back to play again in the future."
"You are welcome anytime."
"What a genuine personality~"
Bai Luan smiled, turned, and waved goodbye.
After leaving the Shen Ce Mansion, Bai Luan began to ponder if there was anything he had forgotten.
The Ambrosial Arbor... he could forcefully take it, but there was no real need, and taking it might offend the Xianzhou. It was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The Omniscient Array... Ark could calculate it, so why bother going there himself?
Bai Luan thought about it, and for now, couldn't think of anything on the Luofu that interested him.
Then let it be.
Playing Emperor's Jade for a day had also helped him adjust his mood.
Next time he thought of something fun, he would come to the Xianzhou again.
A Anywhere Door appeared behind Bai Luan. He stepped into the Anywhere Door, returning from the Luofu to the Space Station.
Vacation's over,
Time to report to Herta...