"Phew... I have long heard that the milk tea of Changle is exceptional. Having tasted it today, it is truly a superior beverage."
Fu Xuan's small face was flushed as she gently sipped the Taro Boba Tea in her hand, sighing with admiration.
"So... weren't you here to discuss something? How did you end up getting a massage and drinking Wende's improved milk tea too..."
Little March sat next to Stelle, glancing at Fu Xuan on the adjacent sofa—barefoot, wearing only her white stockings—and couldn't help but quietly remark.
"Mm... this was indeed an oversight on my part. However, in the General's own words, he felt he owed me, which is why he took over my duties for a day to allow me to properly relax."
Fu Xuan recalled the sensation of those large hands kneading her muscles. She could actually perceive some of the principles of Yin and Yang from it... The Astral Express was truly full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons; even a simple logistics and medical officer possessed such skill.
"Slurp..."
Gently biting into a boba pearl, Fu Xuan nodded slightly.
And the milk tea he made was delicious, too.
"So... you didn't come here specifically to find me after all..."
Qingque fanned Fu Xuan awkwardly. This was a true disaster from out of nowhere. If she had known, she wouldn't have hidden here! Those guys really couldn't take a joke! All she did was sneak a few tiles...
"Hmph. As for your matter, I will settle the score with you after I've rested for another day!" Fu Xuan shot a cold glance at Qingque, her tone icy.
This little sparrow, always causing trouble whenever she slacked off. If it weren't for the fact that the archives were currently unattended, she would have loved to transfer her to the most arduous and exhausting front line!
"Gasp! Why do I suddenly feel so cold..."
Qingque abruptly shivered.
"So, do you guys really not feel bad for me at all?"
After giving massages to six people, Wende felt utterly exhausted in both body and mind. He was now slumped in a chair, devoid of all desire.
"Sigh... you've had it rough," Welt said, shaking his head at Wende, looking very sympathetic.
"Uncle Welt... you know, you were the toughest one to work on," Wende said, looking at Welt with a resentful expression. What, did his body get stiffer with age?
"Er... haha, my apologies. It's been a long time since I've felt so relaxed."
"Yeah, Uncle Welt, you should go last next time. It felt like Wende didn't have much strength left after he was done with you," March 7th joked while sipping her fruit tea.
"Er... alright."
"Just kidding~"
The group laughed and joked, eating pastries and drinking beverages. Even the perpetually aloof Fu Xuan couldn't contain her curiosity and began discussing the ways of Yin and Yang with Wende.
Time slipped by amidst the cheerful laughter. Wende checked the time, rose from the sofa, and, to Fu Xuan's surprised expression, put on his apron.
"My apologies, Lord Diviner. Our companion is about to arrive, and I must prepare a welcome meal for him."
Wende said apologetically to Fu Xuan, with whom he had been having a very engaging conversation.
"It is no matter. I am not so petty. We can discuss the matters of mountains and rivers when you are free again," Fu Xuan replied, appearing very magnanimous.
"Oh right, what about the other two who were with Dan Heng? Should we invite them over too?" March asked Stelle, holding her phone.
"Snap..."
(The sound of the chopsticks in Welt's hand breaking.)
"Uh... Uncle Welt?"
"I'm fine. Since they are friends Dan Heng met by chance, let them come over. It just so happens I have a few things I wish to confirm."
"Uhm... Uncle Welt, why is your hair standing on end?"
---o---
"My three young friends, this is as far as this old man can take you. This is the Changle wharf; just go through that gate and you'll be in Changle. I still have to deliver some things to the Geobalance Commission, so I won't dally!"
"Thank you, Master Gongshu! Goodbye!" Sushang waved and shouted loudly at Master Gongshu.
"Alright! We've finally made it to a proper place!" Sushang placed her hands on her hips, looking greatly relieved.
"Everyone, I need to meet up with my companions. They said they're preparing a welcome meal for us. Would you like to come?" Dan Heng asked, looking at the message from March on his phone and extending the invitation to Sushang and Luocha.
"A welcome meal? Your friends are too kind! But I'd love to meet them! The legendary Astral Express... I've never even heard of it... hehe." Sushang scratched her head, embarrassed.
"Mm, I shall have to decline. I still have some... Clang!"
Luocha was just about to refuse when a sudden noise from the coffin on his back interrupted him.
"Uh... Mr. Luocha?" Sushang pointed at the coffin on his back, hiding behind Dan Heng in fear.
She could face those Abominations of Abundance without fear, and she could confront all sorts of dangers... but it seemed she was a little... a little afraid of ghosts...
"Mm, my apologies. One of the tools inside must have fallen. Pay it no mind," Luocha said, maintaining his usual approachable demeanor.
"Where were we? Oh, yes. It seems I have some time on my hands after all. Coincidentally, I am also slightly curious about the members of the Astral Express."
Luocha placed a hand on the coffin. Only after he felt the vibrations from within cease did he lower his hand and speak to Sushang and Dan Heng.
"..."
Looking at Luocha's obviously strange behavior, Dan Heng frowned slightly. He felt that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Thus, he had no choice but to open the navigation on his phone and head toward the location March had sent them.
---o---
"Kafka, he's here."
Somewhere in Changle, Blade's eyes slowly opened as if he had sensed something.
"Who? Who's here? Is this why you went AFK during the team fight?"
Silver Wolf's complaining voice came through the headset, along with the sounds of intense battle.
"DEFEAT..."
Kafka put down her game console and sighed softly as she looked at Blade's grim expression.
"[Listen to me] Blade, don't think about him. Just focus on the game, okay?"
Seeing that Blade's Mara was about to act up again, Kafka had no choice but to use her Spirit-speak to stabilize his mind.
"..."
Picking up the game console, Blade ignored his abysmal match history and queued up for the next game.
"Sigh, maybe we shouldn't three-stack next time," Silver Wolf's voice came from the other end of the game console, her tone filled with resignation.
"Silver Wolf, try to understand Blade. His current condition... you know how it is."
Kafka glanced at Blade's stiff fingers. For hands that were once skilled enough to forge weapons to have recovered to the point where they could barely play a game... was already no small feat.