"The little girl before your eyes are without a doubt Jingliu herself!" Feixiao looked at the scene before her and could hardly stop herself from laughing. Out of consideration for her camaraderie with Jing Yuan, she restrained her laughter to a muffled snort.
A man over one meter ninety tall held up a little girl who barely reached his thigh. If he were to spin her around once, it would look like a warm family scene of a father coaxing his daughter—such harmony, such tenderness, fatherly affection and filial daughterly obedience.
Except, the actual identities of these two had… just a slight discrepancy.
"Master?!"
This little girl, about the same height as a dragonling like Bailu, was the cold and aloof former Sword Champion of Luofu, Jingliu?
Even with Jing Yuan's composure, he could not remain indifferent. Perhaps it was an illusion, but the little girl in his arms felt scorchingly hot.
He nearly lost his grip, almost letting Jingliu fall with a crisp thud.
But hundreds of years of generalship were not spent in vain. The Dozing General's immense mental fortitude showed itself—just as the little arms slipped through his hands, he caught Jingliu's wrist and bent down swiftly, setting her firmly upon the ground.
Once she landed, little Jingliu raised her arms in a textbook pose of surrender, standing before the half-squatting Jing Yuan.
A flicker of anger flashed in her eyes. "Jing Yuan, the last time we met I hadn't noticed—seems you've grown quite mischievous."
Seeing his master healthy again filled Jing Yuan with unspeakable joy… and undeniable embarrassment.
"Master, please take the seat of honor."
"Hmph. Hm?" Jingliu gave a sharp snort, then suddenly froze.
The sound of her own voice was nothing like what she imagined! Far too tender! Tender like a child's pouty defiance, laced with a tsundere sharpness.
Where was the slightest trace of the past—the fury that once sent armies trembling, or the sword that claimed the Wolf King's head?
Even Fu Xuan's 'You're a bad egg!' carried more authority than that snort.
Jingliu's expression darkened, her face shadowed as though ink might drip from it. Yet her round, soft cheeks only made her look like a sulky child.
The [Samsara Elixir]… truly such a troublesome thing.
Jingliu walked toward the chair, bent slightly, and hopped backward—landing on the thick cushion with a soft thump.
To save her from only showing a tiny head above the table, Jing Yuan quickly stacked ten cushions high with a keen sense of awareness.
Once seated, Jingliu shot him a sidelong glare.
'At least you know how to read the room, boy.'
Jing Yuan maintained a mask of composure, but inside he let out a huge sigh of relief.
His master's sanity had grown dangerously unstable. If triggered, would he have to reenact the tragic "repayment of tutelage" from years past? The High-Cloud Quintet had already dissolved—was it not cruel enough already?
But why did Master show no trace of her insanity? Not even a hint of it—just the innocent aura of… a child?
And this bizarre return to youth—what on earth had caused it?
Even with the Dozing General's calculating mind, he could not comprehend.
Even Fu Xuan, reeling from dizziness moments ago, felt her pain ease at the astonishing sight before her. Curiosity overtook her exhaustion, leaving only sweat down her brow.
She asked, "General Feixiao, what sort of Curio did you encounter yesterday? Please explain."
Jing Yuan's gaze also turned to Feixiao, his questioning clear without words.
Having enjoyed the show long enough, Feixiao set down her chopsticks. "If you hadn't asked today, I'd have come to tell you later. Yesterday…"
She recounted the events and the heaven-defying power of the [Samsara Elixir].
The appearance of yet another golden Curio left Fu Xuan wide-eyed. "Such a miraculous medicine exists in the universe?"
Nine cycles of rebirth, tenfold strength accumulation—this wasn't medicine, this was divine providence. Even a gift from an Aeon might not yield such power, unless THEY were feeling especially generous.
Jing Yuan's heart brimmed with emotion. "For Master's fortune, and for Luofu's fortune."
Could it be—the High-Cloud Quintet might truly rise again?
Even if only one among them defied fate, it would still serve as a bittersweet annotation to that tragic farce of the past.
"But in that case… what reward do we owe to Boss Sylvester?"
They had long been troubled over how to win Sylvester's loyalty. His hidden strength and veiled value made him a figure of utmost importance to Luofu. Yet in just four or five days, the level of regard they'd shown him already seemed insufficient.
If Jingliu were to firmly claim this tenfold strength, she would stand beyond the level of any Emanator. Lacking only the recognition of an Aeon, her might would be no less.
While he himself was but a humble Emanator of The Hunt.
His full strength still required summoning the Heavenly Lord of Thunder to channel divine lightning.
"Perhaps we should simply make him a general." Jing Yuan spoke with bitter humor.
But to his surprise, no one objected.
Quickly he lifted his head, looking around.
Why… was no one saying 'That won't do'?
"I think, in your current state—unable to even recognize people—ceding your seat might not be a bad idea." Jingliu stared at him with wide eyes, mercilessly mocking him.
Fu Xuan's face all but shouted 'Why now?' She had begged him countless times to step down before. And now, of all times, he considered it?
Feixiao laughed heartily. "Even the mighty Arbiter-General suffers such humiliation one day?"
"…" Jing Yuan reflected on his words and conduct.
Though cloaked in humor, Feixiao's meaning was plain. Ever since seeing his master, he had only pretended to be calm. His mind had never truly been at ease.
Hah. To think I, too, would one day fall into a soldier's taboo. An amusing experience, at least.
With this thought, Jing Yuan truly relaxed. He smiled freely. "In that case, let me decide this matter. A man like Sylvester, with such a background, cannot be swayed by worldly bribes. What matters is showing our stance."
"We will exempt him from all taxes. And beyond that, I will draft a report to Marshal Hua, recommending him as Luofu's Honorary General."
"Honorary General?!"
Everyone exclaimed in unison, but soon calmed.
For anyone of Luofu, this title was already divine honor. It held no power, but in rank—there was nothing higher to offer.
And truly, would even the title of General sway Sylvester? Those golden Curios—even the Marshal himself possessed none.
As Jing Yuan said, this was a statement. A declaration of Luofu's utmost respect.
It also meant that should Sylvester ever make a request of Luofu, it must be granted—for he would be Luofu's general.
Feixiao spoke. "When the report is ready, add my signature as well."
Jing Yuan nodded.
…
Jade sat in her office, staring helplessly at the treaty in her hand.
The clauses dictated that the Xianzhou and the Interastral Peace Corporation's weekly purchases of Curio Trash Cans could not exceed half of the weekly supply.
Of that half, the Xianzhou and the Interastral Peace Corporation would divide it seventy-thirty, far lower than expected.
What's more, if Party A violated the terms, Party B would gain all of Party A's assets within their territory, along with free use of all patents.
Of course, neither side could abide by such terms fully. There would be tricks and loopholes—but at least there was restraint. Without a treaty, their rivalry might escalate endlessly, even to war. With it, they could only chip away at each other's footholds, never the grand design.
"Eh." Aventurine slumped on the sofa, sighing deeply. "This is my failure. To be beaten by a little girl. And not even a special one—just an ordinary Diviner."
He pulled out his phone, deleting the line 'Premium Reroller Services Available'.
"My life… lived forever on thin ice…"
Struck down twice in his proudest domain, Aventurine began to doubt Sylvester's promises. Was he only humoring him, saying he could undo the Black Trash Can effects to give him hope?
Jade did not blame him. "This is not your fault. The final choice was mine. Responsibility lies with me."
"If I hadn't whispered to you about the [Samsara Elixir], maybe we would've been more cautious." Topaz, too, was troubled.
But Jade was less grim. "The result is not terrible. After all, we're on Xianzhou's turf. Had they truly refused, a single prohibition order could stop all Trash Can exports. We'd be left with nothing."
Aventurine and Topaz's spirits lifted slightly, though not much.
With her ring finger, Jade tapped the treaty. "At 24:00 tonight, it takes effect. That store adds 140 new Cans a week. Our share is 30% of half—that's twenty-one. If I go now, I can still pick up a few more."
This was the classic loophole. Purchases made before activation would still count toward the weekly total. But in these last hours before it took effect, any extras would slip through without penalty.
No more schemes were needed.
"Aventurine, Little Jelena—stay here tonight." Jade donned her signature oversized hat and hurried out.
Aventurine stared at the empty remarks bar of his phone messages, typing words and deleting them again and again.
Finally, he stood and bolted for the door.
"Where are you going?" Topaz called out. Aventurine's frayed nerves worried her—if he acted rashly, none could bear the consequences.
"I'm calling all the employees. I'll test my luck." Aventurine strode forward. "We'll play that Celestial Jade. Tonight—either they win everything from me, or I win everything from them!"
Topaz's eyelids twitched.
Such a ridiculous reason?