Over the next several days, Wei Qing—under the banner of "protecting Pure Beauty"—took the initiative to assist the Luofu in hunting down Annihilation Gang members still hiding in the shadows.
With his keen sensitivity to the "stench" of Destruction, he could pinpoint the remnants with frightening efficiency, repeatedly enabling the Cloud Knights to strike with precision.
And, under Jing Yuan's instructions, Bai Heng personally led troops to accompany him the entire time.
Yet for some reason… even after all this, that side quest still stubbornly refused to mark itself as completed.
A few more days passed in a blink.
Inside the General's Residence, in Jing Yuan's private tea room.
Compared to the study buried under mountains of documents, this place felt elegant and unhurried.
Jing Yuan personally lifted the teapot and poured Wei Qing a cup of clear tea. His movements were smooth, practiced—far too seasoned for someone his age.
"Sir Dot-Dao, thank you for these past few days."
He slid the cup toward Wei Qing, his tone sincere. "If you hadn't stepped in, it would've taken the Luofu much longer to flush out those rats in the gutters—and we'd have paid with a lot more pointless casualties."
Wei Qing raised the cup and took a small sip.
"You're too kind, General Jing Yuan. Removing ugliness and destruction, and safeguarding the world's beauty—that is the duty of us Pure Beauty Knights."
Jing Yuan smiled and lifted his own cup.
"You're being modest. Your ability to sense Destruction's aura is… astonishing. Even the Luofu's specialized divisions might not match your efficiency."
His voice remained warm, like it was simply an offhand compliment.
But in Jing Yuan's eyes, the past few days had completely rewritten his impression of this "Pure Beauty Knight."
There was no doubt: even among Pathstriders across the galaxy, Dot-Dao ranked among the best.
He had to admit—Bai Heng's eye for people really was sharp. And it made all of Jing Yuan's quiet efforts behind the scenes feel worth it.
From where he stood, those two even looked… well-matched.
No headache about the gap between long-lived and short-lived either.
Dot-Dao wasn't as long-lived as Xianzhou natives, but he was still young—and foxians didn't live as long as typical Xianzhou people anyway, usually only three to four centuries.
If you did the math, the years they had left were actually pretty close.
And Bai Heng's dream had always been to keep traveling the galaxy as a Nameless. Following a Pure Beauty Knight around… honestly wasn't a bad ending.
Wei Qing set the cup down and met Jing Yuan's gaze calmly.
"Perhaps this is simply how Pure Beauty and Destruction naturally oppose one another. The more absolute the beauty, the clearer the reflection of destruction's ugliness—and the easier it is to sense."
That explanation was utterly Pure Beauty Knight in style—strange, yet annoyingly difficult to refute.
Jing Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Natural opposites…"
"That's an… interesting way to put it."
He paused, then abruptly shifted the conversation.
"Speaking of which, Sir Dot-Dao's willingness to help the Luofu so wholeheartedly… reminds me of an old friend."
Wei Qing's heart stirred, but his expression didn't change. "Oh? And this old friend… was he someone like me?"
"A friend… who was equally warm-hearted," Jing Yuan said softly, "and yet ultimately chose a different road."
"He had astonishing talent and power, and he was willing to give everything for the Luofu."
"Unfortunately… things happened."
He didn't continue. He only sighed and drained his cup, as if he weren't drinking tea at all—but years of bitterness.
Wei Qing didn't take the bait. He only said evenly, "People encounter different circumstances. Different choices don't necessarily mean different destinations."
"Wise words," Jing Yuan replied, as if he'd accepted them. He poured them both another cup, and that brief shadow of sadness seemed to vanish without a trace.
"Does Sir Dot-Dao intend to keep staying on the Luofu? Or do you have other plans?"
Wei Qing pondered.
The Annihilation Gang trash had mostly been cleaned up, but the riddle left behind by Polka Kakamond—The Lord of Silence—was still unresolved.
During these past days, he'd tried to squeeze new clues out of every newly captured gang member…
But the results were the same as the beginning: nothing.
He'd even half-expected that "elbow-eyes lady" to come find him on her own.
Yet day after day passed, and there wasn't a whisper.
The Luofu's waters ran deeper than he'd anticipated.
"The Luofu holds countless sights and rich culture," Wei Qing said. "My younger sister and I may linger a few more days. It's just… I feel guilty, troubling Miss Bai Heng and General Jing Yuan day after day."
"You're too polite," Jing Yuan waved it off. "You're guests. The Luofu should treat you properly."
Then, as if it were casual small talk, he asked, "But tell me—after spending these days together, what do you think of Bai Heng?"
Wei Qing's hand paused.
What kind of question was that?
His opinion of Bai Heng?
That was not an easy thing to answer—especially right after Jing Yuan's "old friend" monologue.
Was Jing Yuan starting to suspect something?
It didn't feel like it… but it also didn't feel like nothing.
"Miss Bai Heng…" Wei Qing chose his words carefully. "She is an extremely… enthusiastic and diligent guide. Perhaps a bit impulsive at times, but her nature is kind, and her sincerity toward the Luofu is beyond doubt."
A safe, official answer.
Jing Yuan didn't look surprised. He only smiled in a way that carried a little too much meaning.
"Yes. She's always been like that."
"She looks carefree," he said softly, fingers rubbing the rim of his teacup, "but she cares more than anyone about the people around her."
"Sometimes… I really hope she can stay that way forever."
The implication in those words lingered.
Wei Qing didn't respond. He simply drank his tea.
Today, everything Jing Yuan said felt like it had a second layer—yet Wei Qing couldn't quite grasp the thread.
After a bit more idle talk about Luofu customs, Jing Yuan ended the tea meeting, citing official business.
Wei Qing rose to take his leave. Jing Yuan personally walked him to the tea room door.
"Sir Dot-Dao," Jing Yuan called, just as Wei Qing was about to turn away. His tone became more formal.
Wei Qing stopped and looked back.
"This may be presumptuous," Jing Yuan said, "but tonight I'm having a private gathering with a few old friends. They're… people of temperament. You might find you can talk with them."
"Bai Heng will be there as well. After these days of running around with you, she's mentioned you to me more times than I can count."
He paused, then continued calmly, "Would you be willing to attend? Consider it my way of thanking you for your help to the Luofu—and an opportunity for my friends to meet you."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 139)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter171)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter100)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter184)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 168
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 156
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 105
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 185
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 160
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 150
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 76
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 97
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 116
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 75
Uma Musume: I Want All 93
I Can Copy Unique Skills 79
Summoning an Evil God, but the 55
Supernatural Multiverse 75
My Harem Is Indescribable 68
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 70
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 69
Still playing traditional Honk 49
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 53
What Should I Do After Switchi 42
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 50
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 38
Transmigrated as Sukuna 35
Checking In in Demon Slayer 40
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 55
My patreon : patreon.com/queen_sin