"I will catch you. And give you the ending you deserve!"
-----------------------------
Seeing Feixiao agree, the audience's hearts sank.
But everyone understood. If Feixiao didn't agree, that would have been abnormal.
After all, she was the Vanquishing General!
Even knowing the power of the Crimson Moon, she would never back down.
At this moment, the situation was already very clear.
And it had long surpassed what the audience originally expected.
From the very beginning, led by Jing Yuan, the three Arbiter Generals, devised a plan.
Using Hoolay as bait, they prepared to capture all the infiltrators in Luofu in one net and give their superiors a proper explanation.
The Arbiter Generals' plan.
Once Hoolay was released from the Shackling Prison, it had already taken on a grand scale.
The Preceptors and the Disciples of Medicus Sanctus made tremendous contributions to Hoolay's prison break.
Those contributions would become the ropes to hang them in the future.
And after Hoolay was released, the situation never left the Arbiter Generals' control.
This Hoolay was toyed with in the palms of the generals' hands through information disparity, never able to break free of the vast net they had laid down.
No matter what choices Hoolay made after escaping, the only path left for him was the one chosen by the generals, that is, as long as he didn't want to return to the Shackling Prison.
Then he had no way to escape on a star skiff, nor could he remain hidden in Luofu.
The former had already been destroyed by the Cloud Knights after Hoolay escaped, and the latter, perhaps it would let him kill a few people, but before he could kill more, the generals would arrive and drag him back to the Shackling Prison.
Among these, there might have been many possible variables.
But just as Feixiao said. Hesitating, failing to choose, is the most dangerous crime.
The Arbiter Generals had no regrets in making their move, and even more so Jing Yuan.
The only possible variable was the courage and cunning of Hoolay himself.
In a situation where he knew nothing of the outside world, he still managed to survive again and again.
And when he was essentially at a dead end, Hoolay, through his own plan, chose a path no one had expected.
Meeting Feixiao.
That was why he staged the suicidal attack on the crowded markets of Luofu, exchanging it for the holographic projection of his declaration of war and provocation.
All to ensure Feixiao would definitely come to the Skysplitter.
Hoolay no longer wanted to run. On the Skysplitter, he would make his final choice.
Corrupt Feixiao! Compared to other external forces, the Crimson Moon within Hoolay himself might be the greatest possibility.
This clash behind the scenes, whether it was Jing Yuan's schemes, or Hoolay's counter-moves.
It was truly a flawless battle of wits between the generals and the Borisin's head.
And now… The final moment was about to arrive.
Jing Yuan's closing move, Hoolay's last counterattack. Whose hand would win was still unknown.
...
: Both sides' wisdom and strategies are grinding against each other.
: This is the charm of Honkai: Star Rail, isn't it? Until the very last moment, no one knows how it will end.
: I just pity my squinty-eyed Jiaoqiu, his life or death still unknown.
: Sigh, but no matter what, I still hope Feixiao won't be corrupted by the Crimson Moon!
: Anyway, thrilling!
...
As the comments scrolled past. The camera had already shifted to the Skysplitter.
The first match was about to begin.
March 7th was exchanging pointers about dueling with Yunli.
And just then Yanqing rushed in from outside the door.
"Just in time, we were talking about you."
Seeing Yanqing's flustered look, Yunli seized the chance to tease: "Didn't you give up your participation to go hunt the Borisin? Why are you rushing back in such a panic now?"
The Cloud Knight shot Yunli a glance and shook his head: "Just now below, the Borisin attacked many marketplaces. The General feared for the Skysplitter's safety, so he sent me up here to reinforce."
March 7th shuddered in shock: "Huh?! Don't tell me the Borisin snuck on board?"
Yanqing's expression darkened, and he said gravely: "Not clear yet, but we need to investigate thoroughly."
Yunli stroked her chin, no longer joking at Yanqing.
What was originally an exhibition duel, once the Borisin got involved, the festive atmosphere disappeared instantly.
"I'm telling you, those Borisin-"
"Eh, eh, eh!" Just as March 7th was about to speak, the floor suddenly shook violently beneath her.
When the tremor subsided, Yunli and Yanqing were already alert.
"March, you really are a jinx!"
Yunli "scolded" her disciple, then turned serious: "The Skysplitter is slowing down, something must be wrong with the engine room."
Yanqing nodded in agreement: "That's right, we need to check the engine room. As the core facility of the whole ship, we must secure it first!"
"Count me in! My sword skills haven't had their moment to shine yet!" March 7th said energetically.
The young are indeed young. No matter how severe the situation, they always carry vigor.
The three of them thus joined forces, quickly heading toward the ship's core.
Along the way, the corridors were strangely silent. Not a single patrolling Cloud Knight was seen.
This eerie sight only made them more certain: the enemy was already here.
Sure enough. When they reached the engine room, they found Borisin lurking within.
No words were exchanged. The two sides clashed immediately.
Of course, these Borisin were no match for the three.
But during the fight, loud crashes kept echoing from above their heads.
"I'm done here!"
"There's noise above."
"Let's head up then?!"
Yanqing flicked the blood off his sword, not sparing the corpses a glance, and moved toward Yunli and March.
"Mm." Yunli looked up at the ceiling and whispered: "It's Hoolay."
"Hoolay?!" Yanqing's eyes sharpened: "How can you be sure it's Hoolay?"
"Heh heh…" Yunli had wanted to show off, but thinking of the situation, restrained himself and said calmly: "Because aside from you, I also got some news from Grandpa."
"Wait, wait, wait!"
At the side, March 7th felt her head about to explode, waving her hands: "Master Yunli, wasn't your mission to supervise me?"
"That's just the cover!" Yunli explained: "My real mission is to guard the Skysplitter. After Hoolay boarded, I was to reveal myself at the critical moment."
Yanqing's eyes widened, suddenly realizing: "The generals already knew Hoolay would come to the Skysplitter?!"
Yunli shook his head: "It was General Jing Yuan who calculated it long ago!"
Under Yunli's explanation.
The scene went back toJing Yuan and Huaiyan's conversation that unfolded on the training grounds.
In the memory, Huaiyan said to Jing Yuan: "Three are gathered, but one is missing, this is the plan you say can ensure the Luminary Wardance goes on as usual?"
"Exactly."
Jing Yuan nodded calmly and said: "Hoolay's escape should have forced the ceremony to be canceled. No one knows where this beast will strike. A large gathering like the Luminary Wardance would only make for an easier target."
"However, the Luminary Wardance has been prepared for a long time. It must proceed, we are bound by obligation."
"Since it must be held, then let it be held. But why must it truly be the actual contest?"
"As long as we replace the audience and contestants with Cloud Knights, the Skysplitter hanging high in the sky will become the perfect hunting ground for the wolf."
Huaiyan, after hearing this, fell silent for a moment and asked in return: "What if Hoolay does not intend to come to the Skysplitter?"
"Then we will make sure he sees the Skysplitter. The Sky-Faring Commission will clear the airways, suspend star-skiffs, and even the scattered Borisins' starships will be blocked by Cloud Knights."
"When only one ship remains in the sky, Hoolay will have no choice but to come."
"And General Feixiao will personally go down to fight, cutting off the other Borisin's escape route, letting him believe he has found a way out."
"Considering the Borisin have inside agents in Luofu, I will personally exert pressure, forcing their agents into disarray."
Hearing this, Huaiyan's old heart was relieved: "Young minds truly are sharp. Then this old man shall hold the center and guard the defenses."
Jing Yuan smiled, bowed, and said: "I must trouble Elder Yan."
A plan far more meticulous than the audience had imagined was revealed word by word.
After seeing this, on the comments, the screen filled with shock and awe:
...
: A strategist who wins a thousand miles away, leaving no gaps in his plan.
: Even Hoolay's moves are entirely within Jing Yuan's design.
: Brilliant! Simply brilliant!
: So that's why Jing Yuan was absent, he was pressuring the Preceptors.
: Every angle has been considered!
: It's the same framework we guessed before, only the details are even more amazing!
: The three generals each perform their duty flawlessly.
: It seems Hoolay truly faces a dead end. He only has a few pawns, while the Xianzhou has three generals!
: So Hoolay forced Feixiao to meet him, holding the Crimson Moon in hopes of turning one general, making it two versus two? That must be Hoolay's final gambit!
: All the pieces are on the board. Now comes the final duel!
: Come on! I'm ready!
…
In the scene: The three youngsters had already reached the deck of the Skysplitter.
Inside the massive vessel, chaos reigned.
A group of Foxians disguised as ordinary civilians fought alongside Hoolay, surrounding the Cloud Knights in fierce formation.
The disguised Borisin who had entered as spectators shouted in anger and shock:
...
: These Xianzhou people lured us here on purpose!
: I knew it! How could such a grand venue have only this many spectators?
: All the others are Cloud Knights!
: Damn it, this is a trap!
...
Yet Hoolay, already fully beastified, stood at the center of the deck without much surprise.
The one who decides the outcome is, in the end, strength alone!
"Let the hunt, be all the more thrilling!" Hoolay howled to the sky.
The terrifying roar echoed like a war cry throughout the Skysplitter.
The once-nervous Borisin beastified as well, joining in with wolf howls!
"Form ranks!" The Cloud Knights roared in unison.
Their tremendous momentum forced back the howls!
Yanqing landed, shouting a quick command to the Cloud Knights: "Force the Borisin into the inner field! Keep them away from the deck!"
In Hoolay's presence, more Cloud Knights on the field would only mean more unnecessary casualties.
"Yes!" Without Hoolay, the Borisin were no match for the Cloud Knights.
Though they howled and tried to break through, most were pierced clean through by spears, step by step driven into the inner field, vanishing from sight.
Hoolay never spared them a glance.
As the deck cleared, the three stood at three corners, locking him in the center.
"Generals of the Xianzhou, is this all you send, just a few cubs to their deaths?"
Hoolay glanced sideways and taunted: "Have the others broken their backs already?"
"Less arrogance, Hoolay!"
"I will definitely-!"
Yunli and Yanqing could not hold back and retorted almost immediately.
But in that instant, Hoolay suddenly dropped into a wolf's crouch, right claw gripping his blade planted in the deck, left claw digging into the planks. His body was shrouded in thick blood energy, almost glowing!
In the split second they answered back, they had already fallen into his trap!
This cunning War Chief had in an instant completed the Crimson Moon power up!
"Awooo!!!" A chilling wolf howl rang out.
The three instantly felt their bodies stiffen, their legs refusing to obey.
Fear and dread surged forth, awakened by the howl.
It was as if they were on the open grasslands, helpless prey under the gaze of the wolf king.
"Crimson Moon, rise high!!"
When Hoolay's roar ended, his left claw tore up the deck, releasing a bloody shockwave straight at Yunli and Yanqing!
Eyes wide, they broke free of the fear with all their strength, ready to counter,
But Hoolay, holding his curved blade in a reverse grip, was already leaping skyward, smashing down toward them, even faster than the shockwave itself.