Ruan Mei continued to follow Herta as they wandered aimlessly, until a path led them to Yanqing and Yunli—who were apparently teaching March 7th.
"Two masters, if we only practice swords and never play, even a clever little March will turn dull!"
"What time do you think it is? Stop complaining."
"Exactly. If she loses, not only will we two masters lose face, but Meme will have to apologize to that guy."
Faced with her two masters' earnest instruction, March 7th could only sigh repeatedly. But thinking of Meme, and that insufferable Scotty...
March 7th perked up again.
"I'll do my best!!"
Ruan Mei stepped forward calmly.
"Good afternoon, you three."
In an instant, Yunli summoned Old Iron, ready for battle.
Yanqing, however, brightened.
"Senior! What brings you here?"
"Just passing through. And you three?"
"It's like this, Senior—"
Yanqing didn't get to finish. Yunli cut him off.
"Madam Ruan Mei, March 7th is practicing swordsmanship. That guy and I are her teachers."
"Oh?"
Ruan Mei's gaze shifted to Yunli. Yunli immediately lowered her head, her earlier boldness gone. She stammered,
"Madam Ruan Mei... I... I admit the gap between us is vast right now. But one day, I will draw closer to you!"
Herta, standing nearby, froze.
Then, instinctively, she stepped forward. Her gaze toward Yunli turned icy and hostile.
Internally, her thoughts churned. This girl... those words... that expression... I haven't even dealt with the Asta situation, and now another one appears.
What does Ruan Mei have that you all want so badly? Can't I just ask her to change?!
Yunli, under Herta's direct gaze, felt as if she'd fallen into an icy abyss. Her instincts screamed that this Herta was in no way inferior to Ruan Mei.
And Herta's hostility toward her far exceeded Ruan Mei's.
Even Yanqing, standing not far away, couldn't help but gasp at Herta's cold, contemptuous stare.
This presence... like that ice-blue-haired woman at Stargazer Navalia... that same boundless hostility.
What did Yunli do to provoke someone so terrifying?!
March 7th stepped forward, sword in hand, placing herself between Herta and Yunli. Though trembling with fear, she stood her ground.
"You... you can't bully my little master Yunli!"
"Short pink-haired girl. I'm talking to Yunli. What are you doing here? Scram."
March 7th's eyes went wide in disbelief.
Short pink-haired girl? Wait... this woman looks familiar... like those little Herta puppets at the space station.
"You... you're the real Herta?!"
"Scared?"
Realizing it was the real Herta, March 7th relaxed slightly. She told herself: Herta's just got a difficult personality. She says mean things, but she's not a bad person.
"I... what's there to be scared of? For your information, I have a five-star form! If I'm on the verge of death, I might awaken all my power!"
Herta gave March 7th a second look. She detected nothing unusual.
With a casual wave, Herta sealed March 7th with the power of Erudition.
March 7th blinked. Five-star... my five-star form?
"I... my hidden power?! That's not right—Stelle and Dan Heng both have five-star forms when they get hurt!"
"Wait, I'm not hurt yet!! Madam Herta, hurry up and teach me a lesson!!"
Herta shot her a look that said are you an idiot. March 7th's antics even drew a faint, concealed smile from Ruan Mei.
Herta's tone was cold.
"March 7th. In your dreams. As for you, Yunli—what did you mean by that?"
Yunli sniffled, on the verge of tears.
"I... I only... I only want to grow stronger. To one day possess power that can reach Madam Ruan Mei's level."
Herta released March 7th from the seal. Her tone and expression softened.
"Nothing else?"
Sensing Herta's hostility had diminished, Yunli regained her composure. She nodded cautiously and ventured,
"Was there supposed to be something else?"
The question pleased Herta. Her brow relaxed.
"Sigh. Truly innocent and honest. I have nothing to fear. Let's go, Ruan Mei. Let's find somewhere else to explore."
When Herta and Ruan Mei had disappeared into the distance, Yunli finally realized the danger had passed.
She turned to March 7th, Old Iron in hand, and looked at her with approval.
"Little March, I'm very satisfied with your courage today. Practice is canceled for now."
"Come on, I'll take you to the Artisanship Commission to upgrade your gear. That counts as improving your strength too."
"Really?!"
"Really."
Yanqing tried to object, but Yunli cut him off.
"Sharpen her blade first. Then she'll be better equipped to beat Scotty. Got it?"
---
Elsewhere, Ruan Mei and Herta walked through Aurum Alley. Occasionally, they discussed the cat-cakes, or research into the Simulated Universe's Unknowable Domain.
Herta knew better than anyone: this date couldn't continue with aimless wandering. Something had to change.
Just as she was discussing the Unknowable Domain, she abruptly changed the subject.
"Oh, Ruan Mei. Let's visit the Six Commissions. Experience the local culture. How about it?"
"As you wish."
"Which one should we visit first?"
Ruan Mei replied calmly.
"You definitely don't want to go to the Alchemy Commission until the last day."
Herta closed her eyes, crossed her arms, and nodded.
"Right, right. I have absolutely no fondness for that Lingsha person."
"The Sky-Faring Commission?"
Herta shook her head.
"The Hall of Karmic Clouds is too far. Let's start with something closer."
"The Earthly Affairs Commission?"
Herta blinked. She opened her eyes and studied Ruan Mei carefully. Ruan Mei's expression remained unchanged—no trace of emotion.
But inwardly, Herta's thoughts churned. That's where you get marriage licenses! But... we're not at that stage yet.
"Sigh. Let's save that for later."
Ruan Mei cast a cool glance at Herta.
"Among the Six Commissions, the ones with any connection to Erudition are the Divination Commission and the Artisanship Commission."
Herta's tone was casual.
"Machine Head left quite a bit in the Divination Commission, sure. But you saw it yourself—the Grand Diviner is still at home, dreaming away."
"And a certain librarian fled her post during work hours to play jade tiles."
"That Divination Commission is beyond saving!"
Even Ruan Mei couldn't help but smile faintly at this.
The Divination Commission—one of the Luofu's Six Commissions—completely unsalvageable in Herta's eyes.
"Then let's visit the Artisanship Commission first. We'll go to the Divination Commission after Fu Xuan wakes up."
"Deal!"
Herta grabbed Ruan Mei's hand and hurried toward the Artisanship Commission, as if afraid she might change her mind.
Internally, Herta rejoiced. Finally, the Artisanship Commission.
Xianzhou mechanisms? Ha. Child's play. I could do it with one hand.
A little toy I whip up will shock the entire Commission. Maybe Ruan Mei will even praise me.
(Next chapter: Silver Wolf appears.)