"Master Diviner, the Alchemy Commission has been fully cleared out. The moles planted by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have all been rooted out one by one. We also found research materials that Danshu and her followers have been working on over the years. Since they touch upon internal Xianzhou secrets, I've ordered them to be sealed and sent here shortly..."
Qingque reported to Fu Xuan, who was gazing up at the Alchemy Commission's massive crucible. She looked so exhausted it seemed she was about to ascend to the heavens.
Sigh... They say when one person achieves the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. But why does it feel like our Master Diviner was just dragged here to do manual labor? And she dragged me along with her... My vacation... My Celestial Jade... It's all gone!!!
Tears like wide noodles streamed down her face internally. If she couldn't slack off... she was going to fall to the Mara!
"Mm, well done, Little Qingque. This one was not mistaken about you. As long as you're not slacking off, your abilities are quite commendable."
Fu Xuan turned to look at the dejected Qingque, offering her a light, affirming smile.
Tsk... why does that sound so familiar? Has our adorable Master Diviner been infected by that black-bellied General? Qingque grumbled to herself, but she didn't dare let a hint of it show on her face.
"Ehehe... Master Diviner, you jest. Since all the work is done, I'll be heading back—"
Qingque chuckled, about to use the completion of her tasks as an excuse to flee this troublesome place, but Fu Xuan instantly interrupted her casting animation.
"In that case, you can help this one keep an eye on the Alchemy Commission. I still have some matters to discuss with that miraculous doctor. By my calculations, he should be awake by now, yes?"
Ignoring the now-petrified Qingque, Fu Xuan made her deductions while calculating the hexagrams in her hand.
BOOM!
"Ah... Ah!"
Fu Xuan's words echoed in Qingque's mind like a clap of thunder.
"NO!!!!"
Qingque clutched her head and knelt on the ground, letting out a cry of agony.
---o---
Night fell, but the inn at the Alchemy Commission was bustling with activity. Yukong, having skipped out on work, was pulling Tingyun—who had just emerged from the kitchen—onto the sofa for a heart-to-heart. Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan were still circling each other; although Fu Xuan had gained some experience in her high position, she was no match for a sly old fox like Jing Yuan, who was practically growing mold. Welt was on the phone with Himeko, telling her he was safe and casually mentioning that two more people might be joining the Express, so she should prepare herself. Himeko, on her end, looked utterly bewildered at the completely serious expression on Welt's face.
For some reason, Dan Heng was chatting with Jingliu, though judging by his expression, their conversation was not a pleasant one. March and Stelle were in the kitchen, helping Wende.
"Seriously, why are so many people here tonight?!"
Wende stared blankly out the window. He thought he'd just seen a certain little kid whose account was banned make a funny face at him.
Was it a hallucination?
Evidently, it was not.
Because he then saw the fleeting silhouette of a certain eggplant in a trench coat... What? Were they here for the funeral feast? He wasn't dead yet!
"Wende? What are you looking at?"
March curiously glanced in the direction Wende was staring but saw no one there.
"Nothing... I must be seeing things..."
Wende shook his head helplessly. Maybe he really was hallucinating.
"Really? Okay then~"
Seeing that there was indeed nothing there, March hummed a little tune and went back to making the crispy fried pork she had just learned from Wende...
Meanwhile, in a room two walls away from the kitchen, Silver Wolf saved two photos of little Wende before turning to a fondly smiling Kafka and raising an eyebrow.
"Well? Isn't he cute?" Silver Wolf said, dangling her phone, which displayed a picture of little Wende's bewildered expression.
"Sigh... Little Wolfie, you're right. I admit defeat," Kafka conceded with a resigned sigh, closing her eyes.
"Mm, as long as you know."
Seeing Kafka's disgruntled look, Silver Wolf nodded, feeling quite pleased with herself.
"That being said... what comes next... who knows?"
Kafka pursed her lips, a gentle smile gracing her face as she watched Stelle and little Wende working together.
---o---
"I have long heard that besides his superb medical skills, Doctor Wende's culinary arts are also top-tier in the universe. Seeing it today, I know the rumors do not lie."
At the enlarged dining table, Jing Yuan couldn't help but shake his head in admiration as he looked at the dazzling array of dishes.
"General, you flatter me. They are just simple home-cooked dishes, nothing worth mentioning."
Little Wende smiled, deflecting Jing Yuan's praise. However, his tiny body adopting such a mature demeanor created a hilarious contrast, and his serious expression only made him look all the more adorable.
"..."
Yanqing stared blankly at Jingliu and Stelle, who were sitting on either side of Wende. What in the world was going on? Why did he feel a murderous aura?
"Hmph. Did the General come all this way just to freeload a meal?" Fu Xuan asked, crossing her arms and looking at the smiling Jing Yuan with a frosty expression. After chatting with this scoundrel for a short while, she was already stuffed full from all the empty promises he'd fed her!
"Haha, Lady Fu, why would you say such a thing? I have come today with the utmost sincerity."
Seeing Fu Xuan's pouting look, Jing Yuan laughed heartily before pulling a Jade Abacus from his sleeve and handing it to Welt.
"Mr. Welt, should you find yourselves in urgent need, please use this Jade Abacus to contact us. Even if you are outside the Xianzhou's jurisdiction, we will use our connections to vouch for you."
"Thank you, General Jing Yuan."
Welt nodded and accepted the Jade Abacus.
"Everyone, the Luofu was able to overcome this great calamity entirely thanks to your assistance. On behalf of us all, I, Jing Yuan, thank you."
Raising a glass of fine Xianzhou wine, the "celebration banquet" officially began.
---o---
"So, Little Wolfie? You brought me all the way here... for this?"
Kafka raised an eyebrow, looking rather helplessly at the large, sealed bag of food before her.
"What do you mean 'for this'? I paid a hefty price for this meal, you know!" Silver Wolf shot a dissatisfied glance at Kafka. She had traded an extremely hard-to-grind piece of equipment to get all this delicious food from Stelle!
"Sigh..."
"Stop sighing. What's wrong with having a good meal?"
"Fine, fine. You'd better say the same thing to Blade in a bit."
"Don't worry, I wrote a simple casting script for him. The corporation definitely won't ban his account this time!"
---o---
"All the actors have arrived. Where is your stage?"
"Hahahaha, the stage is already set! Aha will prepare a grand performance for them!"
"It had better be."
"Haha! You must have faith in Aha! This next act is going to be absolutely spectacular!"