"There is no need for Master's name to spread among the people. I do not wish for his deeds to be misconstrued, or to be distorted and defiled in any form," Jingliu said softly.
"I knew you would say that. Rest assured. Just as your title is Transcendent Flash, his is Blood-Swift Rainbow."
Hua looked up at the sky, her tone carrying a faint respect.
"Swift as an instant. Wherever he passed, the light of blood appeared before his form, bringing cinder and destruction to the enemy, leaving only a momentary rainbow—a hero of the Xianzhou."
"Thank you for granting this, Marshal."
Hua shook her head.
"Furthermore, Xueyi and Hanya wish to see you."
"…Have they already lost the freedom to take the initiative to see me?" Jingliu keenly caught the deeper meaning in her words.
"That was their choice. I did not force them. I only suggested they speak with you first."
"Fine."
"Take this and head to the Ten-Lords Commission."
Hua tossed over a jade sign shaped like a command medallion.
Jingliu caught it. She glanced back at the women sitting in their original places—those who had shared stories with her master in his past life—and left with a brief farewell.
Watching her leave, Hua smiled slightly and then went to greet someone.
"A member of the renowned Genius Society… I have long looked forward to meeting you…"
===
Ten-Lords Commission.
Jingliu met her seniors who had lived with her for a thousand years.
After learning everything of the past, her eyes held a complex expression. Recalling their experiences over the millennium, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.
Not only had they sacrificed much for her master, but their loyalty had never wavered, just like the oath in their hearts—
To fight for Tomomu Kanzaki.
She truly could not face these seniors—who also deeply loved her master and had once given her so much care—with the same attitude she held toward other women.
"Sisters, what are your plans for the future?"
After a moment of silence, Jingliu used an address that surprised Xueyi and Hanya.
Hearing the underlying relief and concern in her words, Xueyi let out a sigh of deep emotion.
"We plan to stay on the Xianzhou to atone for Lord Kanzaki and to bear the punishment for our own past crimes."
"Is it related to the Ten-Lords Commission?" Jingliu asked softly.
"Yes. We will become Messengers of the Ten Lords, redeeming ourselves through service," Hanya said.
"Let the names Xueyi and Hanya remain in the past. From now on, I will call myself Xue Yi, and my younger sister will be Hanya."
"Xue Yi… Hanya…"
Jingliu murmured under her breath, her eyes shimmering as if she had made a certain decision.
"If I'm not mistaken, the second choice the Marshal gave you was to leave the Xianzhou Alliance, wasn't it?"
"Lord Kanzaki did not flee from karma, and neither will we."
Xue Yi was somewhat surprised but still nodded gently.
"From the moment he activated The Self-Actualization Aspect, he had chosen the only ending for himself: to perish along with Shuhu.
"Even if he had completed his revenge in another way, he would not have continued living as a monster.
"And yet, he took it upon himself to let me and my sister live. What a selfish man Lord Kanzaki is…"
Xue Yi gave a self-deprecating smile, but as she spoke, tears fell silently.
Hanya put an arm around her shoulder, saying dejectedly,
"We are also monsters—monsters unaffected by mara-infection, undying and indestructible.
"Since Lord Kanzaki wished for us to live, then let us stay on the Xianzhou."
Hearing this, Jingliu didn't think twice and told them everything about the secrets she had learned from Black Swan and the others.
Learning that Tomomu Kanzaki might have a next life, the two sisters were stunned, their eyes flashing with the light of excitement.
But immediately after, they understood Jingliu's meaning from her expression.
Jingliu wanted them to go with her.
Xue Yi said softly,
"Since you say so, we believe Lord Kanzaki will have a next life. However, someone must guard his grave. We'll leave the task of finding him to you, Jingliu."
"Take care." Hanya patted her shoulder.
Seeing that their minds were made up, Jingliu nodded silently.
After a moment's hesitation, she leaned forward and gave Hanya and Xue Yi a parting hug each.
"Take care."
After saying goodbye, Jingliu headed straight for the Central Starskiff Haven.
Looking at the Jade Gate from afar, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
"Master, your disciple is coming to find you…"
===
The death of Shuhu brought a dramatic change to the structure of the galaxy.
Although the Abominations of Abundance could never be fully eradicated and Yaoshi's blessings never ceased, the Xianzhou Alliance finally welcomed a long-awaited era of peace and prosperity.
Countless Cloud Knights no longer had to wake up ready for battle and expeditions. They no longer had to see nothing but Abominations and blood, and no longer had to witness partings day after day.
They were able to gather with their families, lovers, and friends, drinking fine wine and experiencing the beauty of ordinary peace.
In the ten years since Tomomu Kanzaki's passing, the entire Xianzhou Alliance had not encountered any large-scale provocations from the Abominations of Abundance.
Whether it was the borisin, the Wingweavers, or powerful old Abundance races like the Houyhnhnms, they all tried their best to avoid Xianzhou flight paths, fearing they would draw a purge from the Cloud Knights.
But without Shuhu's protection, how could they escape the scanning of the Cloudpeer Telescope and the Alliance's instruments?
The Xianzhou Alliance understood the wisdom of preparing for danger in times of peace and did not completely lose itself in the tranquility.
As long as Abundance was not eradicated, the fires of war would never truly end.
Once the wounds left by the Shuhu campaign had gradually healed, the Luofu restarted its journey to fulfill the will of The Hunt.
Teng Xiao became the first General of the Xianzhou Luofu to live past a thousand years and peacefully pass away after abdication.
There was considerable criticism within the Alliance regarding Jing Yuan's succession, with many believing his experience was too shallow to handle such a great responsibility.
Hua stood firm against the crowd, suppressing all doubts and entrusting the Luofu to him.
Since then, Jing Yuan has served the Alliance with all his loyalty and wisdom, achieving numerous merits.
Unfortunately, the story of the High-Cloud Quintet came to an end there, leaving countless people sighing with regret.
After the Shuhu campaign, Sword Champion Jingliu resigned from her post to wander the sea of stars, yet she remained on the path of The Hunt, lonely and determined to slay every abomination she encountered.
Cloud Knight fleets on expeditions might, by chance, encounter this uninvited guest from the Xianzhou on the battlefield.
Though she was no longer on the Xianzhou, the deeds of the Transcendent Flash still circulated within it.
What people enjoyed discussing most was the hero Blood-Swift Rainbow, who was said to be the master of the Transcendent Flash and had rendered the primary merit in the Shuhu campaign.
Unfortunately, no one among the common folk could confirm this claim, but that didn't stop creators from using them as blueprints to compose many popular heroic stories.
Setting aside those works of praise, there were also many pieces centered on forbidden master-disciple themes.
Whether it was rebellious disciples pursuing their masters or unconventional masters pursuing their disciples, both had plenty of fans, and their popularity was much higher than the stories of the High-Cloud Quintet.
As for the fates of the remaining three members of the High-Cloud Quintet, opinions varied.
Some said the short-lived species Yingxing died of old age, the Foxian pilot Baiheng retired due to injuries, and High Elder Dan Feng underwent molting and rebirth.
Others said they all died heroically in that campaign alongside the hero Blood-Swift Rainbow.
With the Sword Champion wandering the stars and the General avoiding the topic, it was truly something to ponder.
The truth was known only to a very small number of people.
In that campaign, Yingxing unexpectedly gained immortality because of Shuhu, and was later taken back to the Zhuming by his mentor, General Huaiyan.
Nine years later, Yingxing changed his name to Blade, returned to the Luofu to visit old friends, and then disappeared without a trace.
As for the situation of Dan Feng and Baiheng… it is quite complex and involves heavy implications.
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