"Oh?"
Yanqing was not discouraged. His gaze became more focused as he stared at Baiheng, seemingly trying to peer through the eye patch to discern her true emotions. "If the young lady doesn't wish to speak, so be it. It's just... the young lady's attire, and this unique application of archery, which is vastly different from 'Ordinary Archery,' reminds me of certain... descriptions of 'dangerous individuals.'"
His words were half-truth, half-falsehood, carrying a clear sense of pressure.
A slight alarm bell went off in Baiheng's heart.
(This kid suspects me?)
She knew her current appearance was indeed suspicious, but she hadn't expected this Cloud Knights Youth to be so perceptive.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly let out a soft laugh, carrying a hint of inscrutability: "Cloud Knight Marshal, caution is good, as it is your duty. However..."
Changing the subject, her tone remained calm but carried a trace of pressure. "To jump to conclusions based solely on attire and methods—isn't that a bit... arbitrary? If I truly were a Villain, wouldn't standing by and doing nothing just now have been more consistent with the actions of a 'dangerous individual'?"
Yanqing was momentarily choked by her words, left speechless for a moment.
Indeed, the fact that the opponent had just intervened to resolve the crisis was undeniable.
Seeing him speechless, Baiheng said no more, merely stating flatly, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
"Wait!"
Yanqing called out to her again, his tone more resolute this time. "Yanqing remembers the assistance you provided. However, Luofu is currently in a time of trouble. To ensure complete safety, I must ask the young lady to accompany me to the Seat of Divine Foresight for registration. This will also allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts and thank the Lady for her righteous deed."
He brought up the Seat of Divine Foresight, attempting to detain her under official pretenses.
Baiheng inwardly thought, 'Trouble.'
Go to the Seat of Divine Foresight? Wouldn't that be walking straight into a trap?
Who knows if she might run into Jing Yuan?
She was completely unprepared to face her old acquaintance, coupled with the Lady's request.
Just at this moment of intense tension, a clear yet slightly anxious voice cut in:
"Wait a minute! Yanqing!"
Bailu, who had just escaped danger, came running over, *deng deng deng*, and immediately positioned herself between Yanqing and Baiheng.
Her small face was still pale, but her eyes were firm. She spread her arms like a mother hen protecting her chick.
"This Big Sister just saved me!"
Bailu looked up at Yanqing, her tone carrying an undeniable protectiveness. "She is a good person! How can you be so fierce toward my Savior?"
Yanqing was stunned by Bailu's sudden action, and his movement to pursue involuntarily halted.
He recognized this Medicine-Carrying Dragon Girl, knew her special status in the Alchemy Commission, and was well aware that the General greatly cared for her.
"Miss Bailu,"
Yanqing patiently explained, his gaze still warily glancing at Baiheng, who stood silently a short distance away. "This person's identity is unknown, and her skills are unusual. According to the law, she should..."
"What 'according to the law'!"
Bailu interrupted him, hands on her hips, cheeks slightly puffed out. "I saw her save me with my own eyes! If it weren't for her, I might be injured right now! Aren't you Cloud Knights supposed to protect everyone? Why are you suspicious of someone who protected everyone?"
As she spoke, she secretly winked in Baiheng's direction, clearly having recognized the "Foxian Big Sister," whom she had met before, through some intuition or sense of familiarity, despite the eye patch.
Baiheng's heart stirred slightly.
(This Little Girl...)
She hadn't expected Bailu to stand up for her at this moment, much less that she seemed to have recognized herself.
Yanqing got a headache from Bailu's barrage of questions.
He looked at the stubborn Bailu, then at the Foxian Woman with the profound aura standing nearby, and weighed his options.
Forcibly taking her away would be indefensible both emotionally and logically, especially with Bailu vouching for her.
But letting her go just like that truly went against his duty and his current suspicions.
He took a deep breath and made a temporary compromise.
"Since Miss Bailu is vouching for her..."
Yanqing retracted his pursuit stance, but his gaze remained fixed on Baiheng. His tone softened slightly but carried a clear warning. "Let's set aside today's matter for now. Thank you, young lady, for your assistance. However, please be aware of Luofu's Rules. If needed, the Seat of Divine Foresight welcomes the young lady to come and speak with us at any time."
He spoke politely, but the subtext was clear: I won't arrest you for now, but you are still on my Watch List, so you better behave.
Baiheng did not respond, only giving a slight nod, accepting this temporary 'Truce.'
Seeing this, Bailu immediately ran over cheerfully and affectionately grabbed Baiheng's hand. "Big Sister, let's go! Don't mind this Stubborn Little Cloud Knights! I'll treat you to something delicious to thank you for saving my life!"
Saying this, and ignoring Yanqing standing nearby, she pulled Baiheng into a nearby alley, and they quickly disappeared into the complex network of streets and lanes.
Yanqing watched the direction in which the two disappeared, his brows still tightly furrowed.
He raised his hand and made a secretive gesture. Immediately, two Cloud Knights Scouts disguised as ordinary pedestrians quietly followed them.
(Miss Bailu is simple-minded and easily deceived. This woman's background is unknown, and she still requires Strict Surveillance.)
[Seat of Divine Foresight]
A little later, Yanqing, having finished the Official Business at hand, arrived at the Seat of Divine Foresight to report the matter to Jing Yuan.
"General,"
After respectfully saluting, Yanqing recounted everything that happened on the street, including the Mysterious Foxian Woman's exquisite archery that instantly subdued three Mara-Struck individuals, her subsequent evasive attitude, and how Bailu appeared to defend and ultimately lead her away.
Jing Yuan was originally leaning back lazily in his chair, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest as he listened to Yanqing's report.
When he heard that the woman had instantly restrained the Mara-Struck using arrows, his tapping motion paused slightly, and a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in his golden eyes.
"Oh? Such a method exists?"
Jing Yuan's eyes cleared up a bit. "Condensing energy into arrows, precisely controlling the enemy—that is extraordinary. Yanqing, what do you think of her strength?"
Yanqing pondered for a moment and answered seriously: "Reporting to the General, although I did not directly engage her, judging by the decisiveness of her attack and the subtlety of her energy control, her strength... is likely not beneath mine. Perhaps even superior."
His words were candid, showing the respect due to a powerful individual, and confirming why he had been so vigilant.
Jing Yuan softly muttered "Mm," noncommittally.
He then finished listening to the parts about Bailu defending her and the woman avoiding the Seat of Divine Foresight, a playful smile appearing on his face.
"So,"
Jing Yuan sat up slightly, looking at the young, spirited, and overly responsible youth. His tone was teasing. "You think she 'isn't a good person' just because the young lady is too skilled and didn't want to go back to the Seat of Divine Foresight to drink tea with you?"
Yanqing's face flushed slightly at the General's comment, but he insisted: "General! That is not the case! It is truly because her actions were suspicious and her attitude evasive, I couldn't help but be wary! Furthermore, Miss Bailu is simple-minded; what if she is used by her..."
Jing Yuan waved his hand, interrupting him, and smiled. "Alright, alright, I know you are responsible. Caution is a good thing. Since that young lady saved Bailu, it at least proves she currently holds no ill will towards Luofu. As for her unwillingness to come to the Seat of Divine Foresight... Heh heh, there are many Eccentric and Talented People of the Xianzhou, and it's normal for some not to like dealing with officials."
He paused, then gently tapped the tabletop with his fingertip, giving instructions: "Since that girl Bailu got involved, the people you sent should just watch from a distance and must not interfere unless absolutely necessary. The priority is confirming she poses no harm to Luofu, not prying into her privacy. If she truly has an agenda, she will eventually expose herself. If she is just passing through, we shouldn't force her hand."
"Understood!"
Yanqing accepted the order. Although he still had doubts, he would naturally carry out the General's instructions strictly.
Jing Yuan watched Yanqing's retreating figure, leaned back lazily into his chair, and gazed out at the flourishing Luofu scenery outside the window, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
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