Undoubtedly, the Ten-Lords judge's threats and bribes only helped Miss Qingque solidify her stance.
If it weren't for considering the potential consequences, she would have clung to the Ten-Lords' legs pleading, "Please, oh my god, I really just want to be a sect leader... ah, no, a boss lady who lies around collecting money and does nothing all day!"
However, even if she had honestly said that, the Ten-Lords probably wouldn't believe her.
Instead, they might think Qingque was either deliberately being sarcastic to humiliate them, or trying to deceive them like she supposedly tricked that Lord Ravager Phantylia. Believing the words of a Masked Fool? You might as well believe I'm Aha!
Facing a seasoned veteran like Qingque, an epic-level smooth operator, it was clear that even this loyal dog judge, carefully selected by the Ten-Lords for his outstanding abilities, couldn't find any flaws. After the threats and bribes failed, he could only reluctantly conclude the interrogation, unwillingly stamping her file with the verdict: 'Subject's stance is questionable.'
He didn't dare pin any strange accusations on Qingque, as he had threatened earlier.
After all, the Cloud Knights represented by the Seven Arbiter-Generals weren't made of mud. If he acted recklessly based on the Ten-Lords' authority and deliberately broke the rules, it would only give others ammunition. Then, he and the Ten-Lords would be the ones struggling to explain themselves.
Very briefly, Miss Qingque ended this 'blessing' brought upon her by a certain Mr. Jiang. After unlocking the 'Prison Chic' beauty tag, she stormed out of the Netherworld and headed straight for the Exalting Sanctum, fuming.
Unsurprisingly, she saw a certain someone by a game table.
But unlike before Qingque left, Jiang Qiao, now back in his original body, wasn't playing Celestial Jade this time. He was playing chess.
Although Celestial Jade dominated the game tables in the Exalting Sanctum—a change brought about after Miss Qingque rediscovered and replicated the game—this place was actually quite liberal regarding entertainment. Playing Celestial Jade or chess depended entirely on personal preference and choice.
"You...! Wait, where are the others?" Noticing Elysia and the rest were gone, the initially furious Qingque felt a bit strange.
"Hmm... They seem to have gone to watch Little Gui's performance. Vill-V seems to be there too. A clash of juggling and magic... Sounds quite interesting. I suggest you go check it out. Vill-V's magic is quite spectacular."
"Really?... Ptooey! Don't try to change the subject!" Qingque's interest was instantly piqued, but she caught herself the next moment, spitting theatrically and not hiding the angry glint in her eyes.
"I already know everything you did behind my back!"
"Oh."
"I know it all, everything!"
"Mm."
"You're infuriating me! What kind of reaction is that?!" The young woman stomped her foot angrily.
Jiang Qiao's response only made her angrier: "Well, it seems to be the case."
Miss Qingque felt like her lungs would explode. Fine, you Jiang Qiao! Using my own tactics against me, huh?
You wanna slack off? Fine, then... I'll slack off too!
The angry, green-clad young woman crossed her arms, glaring fiercely at the certain someone, fuming silently!
But Jiang Qiao seemed completely unaffected, calmly continuing his chess match with the blue-and-black-haired man across the table.
Argh... He's ignoring me!
It was strange. According to her own personality, she should just ignore this guy. I, Qingque, can entertain myself. As for getting angry? What was the point? It hurt her body and achieved nothing.
Miss Qingque, having a deep understanding of this, believed she was usually quite resistant to such emotions. But facing this scoundrel... the anger just bubbled up, impossible to suppress...
"Hoo..." Calm down, calm down... deep breaths, Qingque. Remember, your body is your own. Getting angry only hurts yourself... Miss Qingque tried to stabilize her mood, but the thought of the 'glorious achievements' that someone had accomplished using her body made her blood pressure steadily rise.
"You don't intend to explain anything to me at all?"
"...Explain?" Jiang Qiao glanced at her strangely at the word. "...Haven't you pretty much figured it all out already?"
Just as he said, explanations were pointless. After all, this wasn't a mistake. And through the complete temporary handover Jiang Qiao had provided, he absolutely didn't think Qingque's intelligence required any excuses or clarifications.
"You...!" Facing that sincere, unveiled, innocent gaze, Miss Qingque's cheeks flushed... probably from anger—yes, there was definitely annoyance in there, but it wasn't rage. It felt more like 'anger born from embarrassment'.
Of course, she understood what Jiang Qiao meant! How could anyone not understand their own heart? Sure, there might be clueless fools in the world who couldn't see themselves clearly, but Qingque was definitely not one of them.
He said that what [she] did was definitely a choice made from Qingque's own heart. After understanding exactly how this man 'tamed' and 'used' her body, even Qingque couldn't refute him with excuses like, "Ptooey, I, Qingque, just want to live an ordinary, leisurely life."
Because it was meaningless. Having had her body used by him, she knew very well that Jiang Qiao might understand her even better than she understood herself... To some extent, perhaps he was even more welcomed by her body than its actual owner.
Often, the things the girl named Qingque did, the truth behind her slacking, should actually be called 'acting within her limits'. She only did what was within her scope, what she was capable of.
And as long as it was something within her power, she was willing to give her all—even if it meant losing precious vacation time. Just like how she chose to help a certain countryside martial artist with all her might during the Luminary Wardance.
Not a single coin of the salary she received from the Divination Commission was unearned.
Living a happy life as a minor diviner was certainly her wish, but if responsibility truly fell upon her shoulders one day, Qingque felt she probably couldn't forgive herself if she backed down.
Therefore, the things [Qingque] did undoubtedly followed her own true heart. '[She]' simply did what '[Qingque]' was capable of doing at that moment. This choice was never wrong; it came from the heart. [Qingque]'s devotion to this will belonging to Qingque might even surpass that of the original owner.
Even when facing an Aeon directly, this 'heart' remained unchanged. If Miss Qingque herself had been there, she probably couldn't have managed that... Aeons? Just seeing one would likely make her legs turn to jelly.
Understanding all this clearly, she absolutely couldn't use the excuse 'I am the real Qingque' to deny everything [Qingque] had done. Because those were things she herself would definitely do in the same situation, yet didn't dare to do.
Even if [Qingque] hadn't hidden anything, the only response she herself would have given was "Go ahead, relax and do it."
Entrusting her body to a certain unscrupulous man, yet utterly absurdly, the self doing so perhaps trusted him more than she trusted herself. The body part believed [she] could do better. The will part trusted him more than herself. Even now, Qingque could feel how utterly ridiculous this was.
Doing what she wanted to do, doing what she wanted but dared not do, doing what she didn't even dare to imagine. [Qingque], through actions, had taken the name 'Qingque' to new heights—this wasn't to seek merit from anyone, nor to gain so-called favor.
[She] was simply embodying, at that moment, her own 'will', responding to that 'joyful' feeling.
...So envious!
So jealous!
So annoyed!
So... angry!
Envious that [she] could do things she didn't even dare to dream of—aspirations that couldn't even exist in dreams. Jealous of the 'self' who, at that moment, could fight alongside 'her]' become 'her] weapon. Annoyed by [Qingque]'s surpassing of her...
Driven by all sorts of emotions, the usually serene Miss Qingque could only savor this mix of feelings. The shallowest part bubbling to the surface was undoubtedly the driving force behind this despicable desire to get as close as possible, to 'monopolize' him.
If put in Elysia's terms, it was probably a young woman's possessiveness. Taking a girl's body wouldn't be without cost! Since such an outrageous thing was done, collecting exorbitant rent wasn't unreasonable, right?
What? Want it for free? Then don't blame the girls for coming after you with 'armed debt collection'!
Miss Qingque evidently found this quite reasonable. I, Qingque, am famous for doing exactly what I'm paid for, one cent for one cent's worth of work. Although it seems reversed here, with a little flexibility, isn't it perfectly natural for me to demand... even squeeze out a little extra... from a certain someone?
To defend her dignity as Qingque, Miss Qingque stood angrily behind the certain someone, constantly pestering him, treating him like a stress-relief toy. You screwed me over, Qingque, and now you think you can just leisurely play chess here? Hmph, dream on! You disturbed my peace, so you won't get any peace either!
Facing this 'retaliation' brimming with girlish malice, Jiang Qiao sighed helplessly. The man opposite him said nothing, just calmly continued playing chess. The process was incredibly stable. Despite Miss Qingque trying every trick in the book, she couldn't disturb the mountain-like composure of the certain Mr. Jiang.
This infuriated her immensely, yet she was powerless.
Miss Qingque did consider resorting to slightly more drastic measures, but unfortunately, this was the public space of the Exalting Sanctum, and the person opposite was a stranger. The somewhat reserved Miss Qingque didn't dare use any 'excessive' methods to 'retaliate' against the certain someone.
Even amidst this process—
"Qingque!"
A stern girlish shout made Miss Qingque, engrossed in her 'mischief', instantly freeze. Turning her head, she saw none other than the pink-haired, palace-attired young woman, Fu Xuan.
"M-Master Diviner, it's you! What brings you here, strolling through the Exalting Sanctum?" She stammered a little. Although she told herself Don't be afraid, Qingque, you work for the Divine Foresight now, no need to fear the head of the Divination Commission, the psychological scars from the past made Qingque instinctively deferential.
Besides, although Qingque was indeed transferred from the Divination Commission to the Divine Foresight, the transfer was technically a loan. She still belonged to the Divination Commission, under Fu Xuan.
"What? Am I forbidden from coming to the Exalting Sanctum? No one ever decreed that the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission cannot visit here, did they?" Fu Xuan retorted coolly. "Rather, it's you."
"I did a quick divination and knew you'd surely be slacking off here in the Exalting Sanctum! The Xianzhou is currently rebuilding after the war, a time of great busyness, yet you are so idle! Utterly preposterous! You must have reverted to your old habits, addicted to slacking, sneaking out of the Divine Foresight!"
"Slacking off is one thing, but disturbing others... It seems I need to properly re-educate you!" Fu Xuan looked stern, her voice loud, causing nearby Exalting Sanctum patrons to snicker secretly. Qingque getting caught slacking was practically a classic Exalting Sanctum spectacle; her absence lately had actually felt unusual.
"Nooo!" Although Miss Qingque wailed, wanting to resist, it was clear that faced with the pressure from her former boss, she could only hang her head in defeat.
Fu Xuan, meanwhile, wore an expression of mixed 'amusement' and dissatisfaction. Hmph, just as I expected. Out of my sight, and her true nature reveals itself. Thinking that the position of Master Diviner might fall to the slacker Qingque after she herself became General, Fu Xuan felt a heavy sense of responsibility. It seemed necessary to speed things up and properly correct Qingque's bad habit.
After dealing with Qingque, Fu Xuan's stern expression softened considerably. She looked towards the two by the chessboard. "My apologies, that child Qingque must have caused you trouble."
She offered an apology—while speaking, she subconsciously, subtly glanced at the blue-and-black-haired young man... Strange, why do I feel alarmed whenever I see this person, along with an indescribable feeling?
And this one here... She looked at Jiang Qiao, also feeling a sense of déjà vu... Where have I seen him before?
Looking at the seemingly ordinary chess game, Fu Xuan, also highly skilled in this area, could instantly see how intense the match was. But she wasn't in the mood to appreciate the gameplay. Instead, she stared intently at the two men.
The next moment, the jewel-like Third Eye on her forehead slowly began to glow...
Hmph, let me see just what kind of tricks you two are up to.
Whether human or ghost, under this Third Eye, all shall be revealed!
Open!