"You two, I hope my humble abode was to your liking? Did you rest well last night?"
Within the Seat of Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan smiled as he addressed Clara and Firefly.
Clara and Firefly: …
Hearing Jing Yuan describe it as a "humble abode," both Clara and Firefly's lips twitched slightly.
This abode was truly… so very 'humble.'
They couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
But not wanting Jing Yuan to think they were bumpkins, Clara put on an unimpressed air and said in a flat tone, "It was alright. Just average."
"Not even one-tenth as good as my own home."
As she spoke, Clara even shook her head for effect, as if she were telling the absolute truth.
Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. Ever since yesterday, Clara had considered the estate her new home. Compared to her old one, it really wasn't one-tenth as good~
So, I, Clara, am not lying!
"As for the accommodations~ There were too few things inside. Remember to add some stuff for me."
"Oh?" Hearing this, Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow curiously. "Might I ask what Miss Clara needs added?"
"Hmm… let me think…" At his words, Clara lowered her head in thought for a moment, then started counting on her fingers as she spoke. "Things like shower gel, shampoo, then maybe some scented incense…"
"And then some entertainment equipment, and whatnot."
"Anyway, just put everything you can find on the Xianzhou in there~"
"Shower gel, shampoo, incense, entertainment equipment…" Jing Yuan muttered the list, then nodded. "Very well, noted. I'll give the orders immediately. You should find everything in the humble abode by this afternoon."
"Still calling it a humble abode…" Clara couldn't help but roll her eyes internally with a sigh.
"Oh, right." Jing Yuan looked at Clara, seeming to remember something, and suddenly wore an expression of realization. "Not long ago, a criminal entered the Shackling Prison of our Xianzhou, the Luofu."
"Oh? What does the General mean by saying this?"
Clara naturally knew who the criminal Jing Yuan referred to was, but she played along, pretending ignorance and continuing the act.
"Could it be…"
"The General wants to order me to capture that criminal?"
"No, no, no." Seeing Clara's expression gradually turn somewhat unfriendly, Jing Yuan hurriedly denied it. "That criminal is Blade of the Stellaron Hunters, Miss Clara's companion."
"Out of consideration for you, Miss Clara, yesterday I ordered the Shackling Prison to release him."
"I wonder if Miss Clara is satisfied."
Jing Yuan looked at Clara with a friendly expression, his words dripping with an attempt to please her.
"What!" Hearing this, Clara's face filled with shock, then she put on an expression of utter indignation.
"Such a thing actually happened?"
"Please rest assured, General Jing Yuan, I will definitely recapture the criminal!"
Clara said with utmost seriousness, addressing Jing Yuan solemnly.
"Capturing an escaped prisoner – we Cloud Knights do not shirk our duty!!!"
Jing Yuan: ???
Firefly: ???
Blade: ????
…
"Ahaha, since Miss Clara has such vigor, then the matter of capturing Blade will be entrusted to you." Jing Yuan was stunned for quite a while but managed to react, letting out a hearty laugh. "If Blade is captured, the Luofu will naturally have a reward for you, Miss Clara."
"Of course, even if Blade is not captured, the Luofu will still provide compensation for your efforts."
One could only say, Jing Yuan truly lived up to being the General of the Luofu. In that short time, he had perfectly understood the meaning behind Clara's words.
Clara's goal was simply to freeload some resources from the Luofu.
After all, Jing Yuan didn't believe Clara would actually bring Blade back.
And even if she did, Blade wouldn't obediently serve his sentence in the Shackling Prison.
But so what?
The one thing the Xianzhou was least short of was resources.
Having sailed the vast sea of stars for countless years, the Luofu's resource reserves had long reached a staggering level.
If Clara wanted some, then she could have them!
"Got it~"
Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Clara made a gesture guaranteeing the mission's completion.
"Does General Jing Yuan have any other matters?"
"If there's nothing else, Firefly and I will take our leave now to go capture the fugitive."
"I have no other matters, but there is someone who still has something they'd like to say to you." After speaking, Jing Yuan clapped his hands and said, "Fu Xuan, come out."
As soon as Jing Yuan finished speaking, Fu Xuan emerged from a corner of the Seat of Divine Foresight.
"Um… that…"
Fu Xuan walked up to Clara and Firefly, her face red, speaking somewhat haltingly.
"I… I'm sorry…"
Fu Xuan lowered her head and uttered these words softly.
But perhaps afraid Clara and Firefly wouldn't understand what she was apologizing for, Fu Xuan hurriedly added an explanation.
"Before… when the General told me to leave earlier… I didn't leave. I… I eavesdropped on your conversation from behind."
"So… so I've come to apologize now."
"An apology requires showing your stomach, you know~" Looking at Fu Xuan's demeanor, Clara playfully reminded her.
"Huh?"
"Showing your stomach when apologizing – isn't that the default rule across the universe?" Seeing Fu Xuan's confused look, Clara explained very seriously.
"Th… there's actually such a custom…" Seeing Clara's utterly serious expression, Fu Xuan believed her.
But… but, she was wearing a skirt… if she showed her stomach, wouldn't that…
"Come on, come on, Miss Fu Xuan. You don't want me to not forgive you, do you~" Seeing Fu Xuan's conflicted expression, Clara urged her on.
"Ow!"
But the next second, a firm fist bonked Clara on the head.
"Firefly, what was that for~"
Clara covered her head with both hands, looking at Firefly with a somewhat resentful gaze.
"Hmph." Feeling Clara's look, Firefly glared at her.
"Mmph…" Clara shrank back slightly.
After glaring at Clara, Firefly turned her gaze to Fu Xuan. "Miss Fu Xuan, we accept your apology."
"Please don't take Clara's earlier words to heart."
"But, but an apology means showing your… mmph."
Firefly turned her head and glared at Clara again.
Under Firefly's glare, Clara shrank back once more, seeming a little afraid.
Mmph… It's not that I'm afraid…
I just, I just don't nitpick with my own wife, that's all. I'm not afraid.
I'm definitely not afraid!
Definitely! Not!
"Phew…" Hearing Firefly's words, Fu Xuan also let out a sigh of relief.
Apologizing by showing one's stomach… was still a bit too embarrassing for Fu Xuan…
Jing Yuan: …
Watching Clara being scolded into obedience by Firefly, Jing Yuan couldn't help but ponder Firefly's identity.
"General Jing Yuan, Miss Fu Xuan, if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave now."
"Very well, safe travels." Jing Yuan nodded.
"Mm." Firefly took Clara's small hand and led her out of the Seat of Divine Foresight.
After Firefly and Clara had completely left, Jing Yuan asked the Fu Xuan beside him, "Fu Xuan, what do you think Miss Firefly's position in Clara's heart really is?"
"A friend? A close confidante?" Fu Xuan shook her head, guessing randomly.
"A friend? A confidante?" Jing Yuan propped his chin on his hand, lowering his head in thought for a moment. "I don't think it's either."
Fu Xuan: ?
…
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