Looking at the familiar words, ripples stirred in Dan Heng's mind, memories of his past life resurfacing. Since this concerned him personally, Dan Heng resolved to face it alone, determined not to let past grievances entangle his friends on the train. Thus, he disembarked from the train alone.
As the scene transitioned, a snowflake fell, and Dan Heng arrived at the Seat of Divine Foresight. The atmosphere within the mansion seemed far from calm. Jingliu appeared in the frame, but she was surrounded by Cloud Knights. Despite the tense situation, Jingliu appeared utterly unperturbed.
Dan Heng sighed, seeing no better option, and approached Yanqing. "My apologies for the intrusion. I need to speak with the general."
Yanqing patted his chest. "If this is about me recklessly attacking during the pursuit and you're here to assess injuries or demand compensation… I'll accept the penalty. You can take my salary for the next hundred years as payment."
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. "The Cloud Knights were fulfilling their duty; there's no fault in that. I'm here to ask the general about the Stellaron Hunters' movements."
A woman nearby, Qingzu, interrupted their conversation. "You've come at a bad time. The general is occupied with important matters and likely can't meet today. But before he left, he left a message… Mr. Dan Heng, do you recognize the person on the dais?" She pointed toward Jingliu.
Dan Heng studied Jingliu's appearance, a few fleeting images flashing through his mind, but nothing more. "I wouldn't say I know her, though she seems familiar. Is she a guest of the general?"
Qingzu murmured thoughtfully, "Oh, you don't remember her? I see… The reincarnation of a Vidyadhara truly wipes away all traces of their past life."
She then explained Jingliu's background, swallowing hard before continuing. "With her abilities, no one could have apprehended her. Yet, for some reason, she arrived at the Luofu alongside a suspect disguised as a merchant, claiming she wished to turn herself in… Her condition was that, before her trial, she be granted one day of freedom to visit Scalegorge Waterscape and reunite with old friends. And, unbelievably, Jing Yuan agreed! His orders before leaving were for us to accompany Jingliu and ensure she spends her final day on the Luofu. Understand? This isn't about 'escorting a guest'—it's about 'guarding a prisoner'—"
Qingzu suddenly fell silent, and like her, Dan Heng sensed the air grow colder. Jingliu, with her back to them, spoke slowly.
"Imbibitor Lunae, you're here. Since you've come, why not step forward to catch up? Or should I call you by your current name, Dan Heng?"
[Oof, as someone who's seen the High-Cloud Quintet movie, I'm sweating for Teacher Dan Heng with that line.]
[For real, Jingliu's strength is undeniable. She's got that oppressive aura.]
[Lmao, there's literally no 'old times' to catch up on.]
Dan Heng exchanged a glance with Yanqing and Qingzu. Despite being in the Seat of Divine Foresight, the two seemed inexplicably nervous. Dan Heng sighed softly, feeling like a student called on by a teacher after dozing off.
Jingliu turned to size him up. "When I left the Xianzhou, I heard they stripped you of your horns, forced you into rebirth, and cast you into the Shackling Prison. I thought 'Imbibitor Lunae' was gone forever. Yet, returning to the Luofu, I witnessed you parting the seas and guiding the tides—a sight like a lifetime ago."
"You're not wrong," Dan Heng replied.
"'Imbibitor Lunae's' life has ended. The person standing before you now is someone else." Jingliu paused. "I understand. A Vidyadhara's reincarnation wipes the slate clean of past sins and burdens."
But her tone shifted abruptly. "You're now a Nameless, wandering the cosmos. But… can a person truly leave their past behind?"
Dan Heng caught the implication in her words. "You're not here to catch up. State your purpose."
"The Vidyadhara girl just explained it clearly. What, are your pointed ears failing you? I've returned to the Luofu to turn myself in to the Alliance, to face my past sins head-on. But before I'm handed over for trial, I made a request: one day's grace to meet old friends and honor the promises we made in the depths of our bond. Jing Yuan, ever understanding, heard you'd be attending and granted my request."
"So, the letter on the train was from you?" Jingliu gave a cold hum. "Correct."
[Oho, the High-Cloud Quintet movie's reunion plot hole is finally being filled!]
[The High-Cloud Quintet reunites—some dead, some mad, some fled. A century of solitude!]
[Big bro, stop, I'm getting chills for Jing Yuan.]
[I've got one question: what's the point of them gathering like this?]
[Love what one commenter said: 'Shut up and watch.']
Meanwhile, in Scalegorge Waterscape, Jing Yuan had escorted Luocha to the site.
Cutting straight to the point, Jing Yuan made it clear he knew Luocha wasn't the one who brought the Stellaron to the Xianzhou. Yet, why was Luocha taking responsibility for this Stellaron crisis and turning himself in?
[Hold up, bro, what's that mean? Can someone translate?]
[At the end of Season 3, Luocha appeared, and Jing Yuan suspected he brought the Stellaron. Now it's confirmed he didn't.]
[So, did he or didn't he?]
[The Stellaron wasn't brought by Luocha or Jingliu, but their motives are definitely shady. This Stellaron disaster caused massive losses, and for Luocha to step up and take the blame, it's gotta be something huge—enough to make someone as clever as Jing Yuan uneasy.]
[Oh! Got it! The barrage gods strike again!]
[So, what's in the coffin? Everyone was guessing it's for the Stellaron.]
Luocha smiled faintly, adopting a deferential stance. "The galaxy is vast, but a mere merchant like me could never escape the Alliance's pursuit." "A mere merchant?"
Jing Yuan's lips curved slightly. "Mr. Luocha, you jest. Shall I recount your deeds in the Fortress of Mourning or the traces you left in the Veil Nebula? Or perhaps you'd like me to speak that cumbersome name?"
"Oh?" Luocha glanced at Jing Yuan with interest.
"The 'Arbiter-General' lives up to his reputation." With things laid bare, Jing Yuan didn't press further, and Luocha, sharp as he was, saw through Jing Yuan's thoughts.
The subject Jing Yuan had avoided mentioning all this time was none other than Jingliu.
The scene returned to the Seat of Divine Foresight. Jingliu beckoned to Yanqing and Dan Heng.
"We can set off now. Hm… I plan to revisit a few old haunts, pour a cup of wine, and reminisce."
"You think you're a tourist?" Yanqing pressed a hand to his forehead.
"I can be." Jingliu's tone was icy.
"Little brother, don't look so glum. I've surrendered to the Alliance and won't break my word by fleeing. Besides, your general agreed to my request. And you, Imbibitor Lunae, you're coming with me. No refusals. Whether you care about your past life or not, by accepting my letter, you've agreed to my invitation."
[Haha, is Yanqing chickening out?]
[Yanqing: Ugh, I can't beat her, so frustrating!]
['I can be a tourist, or something else?' Is that what she means?]
[Forget the Seat of Divine Foresight—Jingliu comes and goes from the Shackling Prison like it's her backyard.]
[No Refusals—smells like domineering CEO vibes.]
The trio arrived at Stargazer Navalia. Yanqing looked at the skiffs flying overhead.
"If you want to see skiffs, you can just look up at Jade Gate. Why come all the way here?" Jingliu's tone softened.
"Little brother, have you heard of the Foxian pilot 'Baiheng'?"
"Baiheng… Baiheng… That name sounds familiar…" Dan Heng, hearing the name, sank into thought.
"A pilot…?" Suddenly, a Foxian woman's voice echoed in his mind: "The skiff's falling apart! Lord Dragon, you're so capable—hurry and catch us before it breaks, aaaaah!!!"
Dan Heng shook his head, exhaling heavily.
Jingliu said, "Imbibitor Lunae, if you've remembered something, why not share it?"
"She… seems to have been a comrade of 'Imbibitor Lunae.'"
"A comrade, and a friend. Imbibitor Lunae's, and ours."
[Here comes another knife, huh?]
[I'm already sensing the blade's edge.]
[miHoYo won't rest until they've pried open your tear ducts, huh?]
Jingliu wished to pay tribute to Baiheng again. With their help, the skiff assembly line was soon activated.
During the process, Jingliu recounted the story of the High-Cloud Quintet once more. Standing before a skiff, she said, "I brought your wine jug, Baiheng. It was carved for you by that person, but he never got to give it to you himself. I'm sorry—it was only recently that I retrieved it. Only by returning it to your side can my nightmares find a moment's peace. And what you asked of me, I will fulfill, even if it means cutting down the stars in the sky. I won't break my promise. Let's go. Next, to the Artisanship Commission."
The scene shifted, and the trio arrived at the Artisanship Commission. After some conversation, Jingliu, to create space for a private talk with Dan Heng, suggested a sparring match to distract Yanqing.
Dan Heng saw through her intentions. "You sent the kid away on purpose. What's your goal?"
"Nothing more. It's been a while since we last sparred."
"I'm not planning to fight."
"I'm not asking you to point your spear at me. Aren't the abominations here enough for you to handle?"
With that, remnants of the Abundant Ebon Deer's forces appeared. Dan Heng wielded his spear, each move gleaming with precision, swiftly cutting down the abominations. Jingliu looked at the scattered corpses.
"You can convince yourself you're Dan Feng's reincarnation, free of his sins. You can insist you've forgotten everything. But you can't escape battle, Dan Heng. Your spearwork mirrors the techniques of Imbibitor Lunae. 'Battle is like forging, burning away impurities to reveal a person's true nature.' The one who crafted your Cloud-Piercer spear said that to you. Remember? Among us, if anyone was closest to him, it was you. Strange, isn't it? A lofty man like him, bonding with another who looked down his nose at others."
"Ugh…" Dan Heng closed his eyes, straining to recall. Finally, he spoke softly, "Yingxing." Jingliu seemed to drift back to old times, sharing stories about Yingxing. The two walked and talked, soon reuniting with Yanqing.
Yanqing's tone carried a playful jab. "Big sister, you didn't go easy on me to let me get here first, did you?" Jingliu crossed her arms. "Of course not. Your swordsmanship has advanced so swiftly, I couldn't keep up."
[Haha, Jingliu's got that sarcastic edge.]
[Watching her call her disciple's disciple 'little brother'—Jing Yuan's cursing in the chat.]
[Why do I feel like Jingliu absolutely adores her grand-disciple? Is this that 'bond across generations' vibe?]
With time nearly spent, Jingliu instructed the group to head to their next destination—the Alchemy Commission.
Meanwhile, deep in Scalegorge Waterscape, at Dragonvista Rain Hall, Jing Yuan and Luocha continued their discussion.
Through their conversation, it became clear that Luocha indeed possessed a method to kill the Abundance Aeon, which was why he took the blame—to gain an audience with the Marshal under Alliance law. That was his true aim.
Jing Yuan clapped, impressed. "Brilliant, brilliant. A masterful move."
At that moment, a familiar figure approached Jing Yuan, speaking in a raspy, smoke-worn voice. "You've changed, Jing Yuan. To think you'd admit to being outplayed."
On the other side, Dan Heng's trio arrived at the Alchemy Commission. Yanqing eyed Jingliu suspiciously.
"The Alchemy Commission's order has been restored. Why are you here?"
"I've heard the 'Dragon Lady of Elixir' can cure any ailment. I'd like to seek treatment like an ordinary person, visit a clinic. No need to rush—we're only a short distance from Scalegorge Waterscape. Your general's task is almost complete."
They approached Bailu, who recognized Dan Heng immediately. Soon after, once Dan Heng explained their purpose, Bailu began examining Jingliu. After taking her pulse, Bailu pulled Dan Heng aside.
She found Jingliu's pulse peculiar and hoped to keep her for a few days, believing there might be a way to treat her. Dan Heng politely declined.
Bailu, with no other option, went to fetch some medicine for Jingliu, only to realize her medicine chest was missing.
Jingliu's ears perked up. "Sounds like the Dragon Lady has a problem? I'll come along."
"No, no, it's no trouble…" "It's a small matter, no trouble at all."
With that, they followed the scent of medicine to track down the chest, discovering an abomination that had stolen it. Seeing the massive creature, Bailu grew anxious.
"Eek! There's still such a huge monster around? Since when did the Alchemy Commission have so many animal patients?" Jingliu stepped forward, sword in hand.
"Obstacles in the way—I'll clear them for the Dragon Lady. My blade is cold and sharp; stand back."
Before her words settled, Yanqing ushered everyone back dozens of steps. "Is big sister okay on her own?" Bailu whispered.
"More than enough," Yanqing replied.
What followed was Jingliu's showtime. With a single swing of her sword, the abomination turned to ice. A gentle tap, and it shattered into countless icy fragments.
"Hiss…" Yanqing sucked in a breath, his expression conflicted, lost in thought.