"Excellent, it's settled then. I'll immediately order Yukong to share all intelligence and dispatch elite personnel to assist in the search. During your stay on the Xianzhou, should you require anything from the Sky-Faring Commission or the Cloud Knights, don't hesitate to ask."
Jing Yuan spoke rapidly, as if afraid the others might change their minds.
The three Trailblazers remained silent, nodding in response.
Welt Yang gave Caelus a meaningful look.
Caelus understood—it was time for the Express crew's private discussion.
After wandering around for a bit, they found a secluded spot within the vast Sky-Faring Commission.
The three began their exchange.
"Caelus, what do you think of General Jing Yuan?" March 7th asked first.
"Easy on the eyes."
"Who asked about his looks?! Though he is handsome... I think he's way easier to talk to than Yukong. No wonder he's the Xianzhou's general while she's just a helmsman. The difference in how they handle people is night and day."
[LOL, March 7th speaking for all of us.]
[March was already dumb, but after Jing Yuan's sweet talk, she's completely lost.]
[Let's be real, was she ever "found" to begin with?]
[This is clearly intentional—Yukong plays the tough cop, Jing Yuan the nice one.]
[Yeah, this Jing Yuan seems shady. He set up the whole thing, waiting for the trio to take the bait.]
[Bro, Jing Yuan shady? He's the ultimate pressure-taker.]
[Relax, it's just a joke about Jing Yuan being a master strategist.]
—
As Caelus and March 7th bantered, drifting off-topic, Welt interjected with a solemn tone:
"This Jing Yuan... he's no simple man. The moment we arrived, Yukong pressured us, even threatening to restrict our freedom. Then, right on cue, General Jing Yuan steps in as the mediator. With a few words, he turns helping the general into 'clearing our own names'! Masterful. A top-tier open scheme."
March 7th scratched her head, utterly lost.
Caelus, however, turned serious, dropping his playful demeanor. "Jing Yuan's suspicious..."
Welt raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"Why ask us to hunt down Kafka?"
"Ah! Yes, that's it! That's the inconsistency!" Welt exclaimed, as if enlightened.
"I've realized something odd—something subtle. He deliberately skipped over Blade! If the Cloud Knights already captured a Stellaron Hunter, they could've used him to track Kafka. Why involve us to lure her out? The Xianzhou refuses outside help with the Stellaron crisis yet is oddly accommodating about the Stellaron Hunters?"
"Blade's no longer in their custody?"
"Exactly. At the very least, it's likely Blade has escaped the Xianzhou's control. So if Jing Yuan wants to draw out the Stellaron Hunters, we're the only bait connected to Kafka."
Caelus patted March 7th's head. "Alright, stop thinking. Your brain's overheating."
[LMAO, March 7th's system crashed.]
[Wait, without Welt's explanation, I wouldn't have noticed all the mind games in that conversation.]
[Who cares about mind games? As long as the plot's clear, it's fine. Life's stressful enough—no one wants to play among us while watching a show.]
—
Meanwhile, the scene shifted to Jing Yuan, standing beside Yanqing.
"Diviner Fu, you heard my conversation with them. What are your thoughts?"
Across from Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan's holographic projection appeared, one hand on her hip.
"What thoughts? Should I divine their intentions? Predict their fortunes? Or their future actions?"
"No need. The Astral Express has no stake in this—I'm certain of that. We needn't probe their motives. As long as they take the bait and we reel in the fish, that's enough."
Fu Xuan smirked. "That was my suggestion, General."
Jing Yuan nodded. "Indeed, thanks to Diviner Fu's wisdom. The rest relies on you."
"Hmph. Then why not abdicate sooner?"
Jing Yuan chuckled. "Not yet. If anything goes wrong, I must bear the blame as the general. I can't leave now and leave you in a difficult position."
"If you'd handed the Stellaron Hunters to me earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess." Fu Xuan's eyes widened suddenly.
"What were you thinking, Jing Yuan? Don't tell me... you let Blade escape on purpose?!"
"Me? How could I foresee things like you, Diviner Fu? The Cloud Knights' negligence is my responsibility."
"Hmph. I understand. The Xianzhou's affairs are overwhelming. No wonder you're stretched thin. If not for my support... Speaking of which, at the next 'Six Chariots' council, you'll keep your promise to nominate me as your successor, right?"
Jing Yuan placated her hastily. "Yes, yes, of course. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have urgent matters. The rest is in your capable hands, Diviner Fu."
[Feels like Jing Yuan's humoring a kid.]
[Fu Xuan is a kid—look how tiny she is.]
[Wait, is this some camera trick? The actress probably isn't this short.]
[Fu Xuan's relentless ambition to take his job is kinda admirable.]
—
As Fu Xuan's projection vanished without a word, Jing Yuan sighed.
"Three things on the Xianzhou can never be fully resolved: its troubles, the paperwork on my desk, and the weeds in the garden."
Yanqing approached. "General, Diviner Fu's desire to succeed you is obvious to all."
[Xianzhou's Sima Zhao, huh?]
[Fu Xuan, courtesy name Ma Zhao?]
[Ambitions obvious to all.]
Seeing Jing Yuan's weariness, Yanqing volunteered to recapture Blade.
Jing Yuan repeatedly cautioned him: "I know you're eager to prove yourself, but now isn't the time. If you seek the title of 'Sword Champion,' you mustn't act recklessly—especially not engage in combat with a dangerous criminal."
"Does the General doubt I can defeat Blade?"
"I ask for your patience, Yanqing. Governing the Xianzhou isn't like swordsmanship. Progress must be gradual."
Jing Yuan continued explaining the situation patiently, but Yanqing strode out the door before he could finish, vanishing behind Jing Yuan.
"This child...
"My fault. A youth cooped up too long will inevitably stir up trouble.
"I fear the setback awaiting him may crush his pride..."