"In short, General Jing Yuan has already issued the directive."
Welt's expression was grave as he passed the document on his phone to a frowning Himeko.
"This is... exile? The criminal Jingliu is to be temporarily placed under the custody of the Astral Express by the Xianzhou. The Xianzhou will also dispatch another specialist to assist the Astral Express in joint supervision..."
"Yes, and this is one of the conditions set forth by the Xianzhou."
Nodding lightly, Welt sat on the sofa, equally perplexed by the document. Logically, the Xianzhou had no need to write such a formal edict and announce it to the world. And this...
"It looks as if they're dispatching someone to monitor the Express," Himeko voiced Welt's thoughts aloud.
"Correct, but that's how others would see it. And monitoring the Express makes no sense."
Welt shook his head. He felt there was a deeper reason hidden within all this, but... he simply couldn't figure out what it could be.
"Could it be because of Wende? You said he was very important to the Xianzhou."
Himeko pinched her smooth chin, offering her own theory.
"It's not impossible, but it still doesn't make sense... After all, doing this is equivalent to acknowledging that the Express directly represents the Xianzhou... This is far more potent than the alliance we previously formed."
Welt shook his head. An alliance was just an alliance, but this...
"Haa... This is quite the headache. That Wende, gone for just a few days, and he's managed to attract two great beauties. I just wonder if he can handle it."
Himeko took a sip of her coffee, chuckling softly.
That was right... When Jing Yuan reported the matter to his superiors, he had specifically written that Jingliu was a mentor from whom Wende had received a great debt of skill and gratitude, and he had even embellished the story considerably...
She had no idea how Jingliu had managed to persuade him, but he had even made Tingyun the Xianzhou's official specialist stationed on the Astral Express, with the concurrent duty of supervising Jingliu.
Not a single word about Wende was mentioned in the document, but to an insider like Welt, reading between the lines revealed two words.
"Wende."
"Alright, since the Conductor has no objections, then I'll approve it as well."
Himeko rubbed the bridge of her nose, her voice tinged with fatigue.
"Sigh... In the end, we've still been dragged into the Xianzhou's messy affairs."
Welt sighed with emotion. He still remembered how he had specifically warned everyone when they first set out not to get too deeply involved with the Xianzhou. And now... they were effectively stakeholders in the Xianzhou's interests.
"What about Dan Heng? He should have some history with this Miss Jingliu, right?"
"He agreed, but on one condition."
"What condition?"
"He said that Jingliu's room must be placed far away from Wende's. He's afraid something might happen."
"...Huh?"
"To be precise, he's afraid something might happen to Wende."
Remembering how little Wende was being toyed with and turned in circles by Jingliu, Welt deeply felt the correctness of Dan Heng's request.
"Alright... I'm starting to lose track of what you all got up to on this trip."
Himeko decisively gave up trying to think about it. At the end of the day, it was just two passengers from the Xianzhou boarding the Express. It wouldn't have any major impact on their Trailblazing journey, and the Express's tracks wouldn't stop for them.
---o---
"Tingyun, since you've been entrusted with such an important task, we can only congratulate you! Don't forget about us old colleagues in the future!" Mr. Yanming said to Tingyun with a cheerful grin.
"Hehe~ How could I? Besides, it's not like I'm never coming back. Why does everyone look so strange?"
Looking at the colleagues she had spent every day with, Tingyun offered them a reassuring smile.
"That's right, she's not leaving forever, so why are you all moping around? Anyone who didn't know better would think something bad had happened to Tingyun!" Mr. Yanming huffed at the large group behind him, completely failing to notice that he himself was the first one to get sentimental, despite the resentful glares from the crowd.
"Alright now. Since this is a transfer order from the General, I can't say much more."
Yukong gently stroked Tingyun's white hair, her words filled with tenderness.
"Remember to come back and visit when you have time. Your position at the Sky-Faring Commission will be saved for you. Our little Tingyun... can draw two salaries from now on. How about it? Are you happy?"
"Lady Yukong... that's not how you comfort someone..."
"Haha, perhaps this is what happens when one gets older."
---o---
"It's me, Sister Guoguo! Today we're diving right into it with a deep analysis of the Xianzhou's main story and our Godfather, Wende! That's right! I'm back with another wholesome analysis of Godfather. This is the third installment, but every time, Godfather brings us a... little surprise~"
In her latest video, Sister Guoguo first verbally untangled the various plot threads of the Xianzhou, explaining the events that had transpired.
Then, she got to the main topic of the day.
[Equilibrium]
From the very first plot twist, the moment Tingyun was possessed, a brand-new concept was introduced.
What did Wende's Yin and Yang truly symbolize? Why did Phantylia become so powerful after absorbing Wende's Yang energy? Why was Tingyun able to absorb Phantylia's power, and what was the deal with the source of these powers, Wende himself...
In short... the writers were being riddle masters in the main story again, and the kind of riddle masters whose questions hinted at enormous problems.
Sister Guoguo said a lot in this video and analyzed a lot, but it still left people feeling like they were lost in a fog. In other words...
They didn't get it.
What most players actually cared about... was still: When is little Wende coming out?! When is the new story coming out?! Can we please get some fun events?!
---o---
"So, can we talk now?"
Wende looked at Jingliu, who stood before him, feeling rather speechless.
This woman... when did she take off her blindfold? And her Mara...
"Of course. We can talk anytime. And we'll have even more time in the future."
Jingliu crossed her legs, a wide smile on her face as she looked at the little Wende before her.
"Be serious!"
Little Wende crossed his arms, speaking sternly to the flippant Jingliu.
"Alright~"
Jingliu placed her feet flat on the floor and sat up straight, though a smile still lingered on her lips.
"Tsk..."
Little Wende clicked his tongue. For some reason, he felt a surge of irritation.
"Fine. First question. Back then... why did you leave?"
"...For you."
"Huh?"
Wende tilted his head, looking at Jingliu with a completely baffled expression. He had just asked a random question! You don't actually have a reason, do you?
Seeing Jingliu's dead-serious expression, little Wende couldn't help but gulp. Could it be... that there was some hidden information he didn't know about?