After scattering the ashes of a few Mara-struck monsters, Caelus's expression turned solemn.
"Why are there monsters inside the Divination Commission?"
Qingque popped out from behind Welt Yang.
"I'm not sure either, but the Master Diviner has never miscalculated before—this really shouldn't be happening.
Well, since we've dealt with them, let's just keep moving."
Yet, after just a few steps, they passed by a door, and someone appeared.
The moment this person saw the group, their eyes widened.
"Oh? Rare guests."
March 7th pointed at herself in confusion. "Me? Have we met before?"
The woman waved her hand. "No, I meant this one—Qingque. Fancy seeing you during work hours."
Qingque raised an eyebrow at the group.
"Don't wrong me—I am working. See, these are guests the Master Diviner requested to meet."
After a brief exchange between Qingque and the woman, Mingyue, they continued onward.
Before long,
a massive compass-like structure came into view.
Qingque pointed ahead. "Up ahead is the Divination Commission's pride and joy—the Matrix of Prescience."
Welt Yang: "We've heard the term 'Jade Abacus' mentioned several times along the way. Miss Qingque, what exactly is a Jade Abacus?"
"A Jade Abacus… is just a Jade Abacus! That's a great question, Mr. Yang—I can't quite explain it off the top of my head. Let me think…"
After a moment, Qingque gave a brief explanation: the Jade Abacus is technology derived from the wisdom of Nous, the Erudition. With sufficient data, it can answer any question.
Caelus finally understood. "So it's just a computer?"
"Well… sort of. But 'Jade Abacus' sounds way cooler. And ordinary computers don't have such a mystical origin—this is technology directly guided by Nous…"
Qingque replied softly,
"Anyway, there's no point arguing over names. As long as the mechanism works, what difference does it make whether it's called a 'Jade Abacus' or a 'computer'?
Just like today—all that matters is that someone guided you here. Whether it's Qingque or some other '-que' doesn't matter at all."
As they spoke, Qingque led the group toward the center of the matrix.
[This Jade Abacus is that OP? Handmade circuit boards? The craftsmanship of the Xianzhou is insane.]
[Is this a fusion of mysticism and science? Gotta admit, it feels legit.]
[Honestly, the Luofu's aesthetic is so unique, yet it doesn't feel out of place at all.]
—
Meanwhile, inside the Matrix of Prescience, Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan's projections were conversing.
"Fu Qing, how's progress?"
Fu Xuan's thumb flicked across her knuckles. "Fluctuations between Qian and Zhen. 'Action brings misfortune, with no benefit.'"
Jing Yuan tilted his head with a smile. "Fu Qing, plain speech, please."
"Disaster looms—that's today's fortune for the Divination Commission.
The Matrix of Prescience has stalled, the talismans have dimmed, and Emanators of the Stellaron's corruption remain within the Commission. The Cloud Knights are busy protecting civilians, and I lack the manpower to restore the matrix.
And now, on top of that, I must handle the Stellaron Hunter the General dumped on me. Isn't that a disaster?"
Jing Yuan chuckled, offering some placating words before glancing to the side.
"Look, reinforcements have arrived."
Qingque adopted a carefree tone. "Master Diviner, though I didn't receive your order, I've brought the guests as requested."
"The General truly spares no effort in exploiting manpower," Fu Xuan remarked, shifting her gaze back to Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan smiled. "Since they're here, we might as well make full use of them."
Fu Xuan nodded and stepped before the trio from the Express, delivering a long, formal speech—
until the blunt March 7th cut her off, demanding the mission details.
"The Stellaron Hunters have Elio, one who can foresee the future. Ordinary interrogation is useless against them.
Only the Divination Commission's Matrix of Prescience can trace the past, unveil the future, and deduce the truth.
But with the matrix inactive and the talismans extinguished, we lack the personnel to restore it while handling the Stellaron crisis.
Thus, we must trouble you all—though I'll assign Qingque as your guide."
Qingque immediately looked devastated.
"Yes…
What kind of repayment is this…? No reward, just more work…"
Caelus patted her shoulder. "Promotions and raises are within reach!"
"I went through so much trouble to transfer to the archives—a nice, low-profile place where I can slack off.
And now? My easygoing career in the Divination Commission is over.
If I mess this up, I might get expelled. If I succeed, I'll just be buried under endless tasks from higher-ups!"
[So was Qingque doing this on purpose? Is that what she meant?]
['Repaying kindness with cruelty'—I'm dying of laughter.]
[Judging by Qingque's tone, she doesn't seem simple at all. And why does Fu Xuan value someone who loves slacking off so much?]
—
Under Qingque's extremely reluctant guidance, the group began reactivating the matrix nodes while doubling as cleanup crew, eliminating the abominations infesting the Divination Commission.
After successfully restarting the first node, they pressed on to the second—
only to encounter a massive robot on the way, its name helpfully captioned: "Automaton Grizzly."
"What the heck is this thing? Looks like a gatehouse that came to life." March 7th instinctively stepped back, readying for a fight.
Qingque hurried forward. "Relax. The Xianzhou doesn't have ghosts or spirits—it's just an automaton guarding the matrix. These things are everywhere in restricted areas."
"It's just sitting there, practically screaming 'Trespassers will be killed.' You really think we can just walk past it without it attacking?"
"We're here on the Master Diviner's orders to restart the matrix—we're regulars, not trespassers."
Just then, the automaton behind Qingque emitted a red glow from its eyes.
"Halt… intruders…!"
Qingque shuddered. "March, you've got a jinxing mouth! Quick, do something!"
"DUANG!"
The automaton's massive club came crashing down—only for Caelus to intercept it with his bat. The impact sent a numbing shock through his hands.
Fortunately, Welt Yang swiftly joined the fray, and the automaton was soon dismantled.
Before long,
the Express crew had reactivated all three matrix nodes and returned to the center of the Matrix of Prescience.
Now, the three nodes hummed with renewed energy.
Everything was ready—all that remained was the interrogation.
After a final inspection, Fu Xuan confirmed everything was in order and approached Caelus.
"You've done well. I can sense the talismans of the Matrix of Prescience reigniting.
Next, I will interrogate Kafka. Those standing at the matrix's core may experience some… impact.
Are you prepared?"
Caelus's brow furrowed briefly before relaxing.
"I'm ready."