"Welcome to the Curio Trash Can Shop. A "Regular" trash can costs a million credits each, while a "Bountiful" trash can costs five million credits. However, you need to have purchased at least fifty regular trash cans to qualify for the latter."
Sylvester recited his opening line with practiced ease.
Stelle, Dan Heng, and March 7th entered the shop, while Qingque obediently sat off to the side, fulfilling her role as recorder.
March 7th pulled out her camera, snapping shots left and right. Looking around at the shop's plain interior, she couldn't hide her curiosity. "Shopkeeper Sylvester, are you really some hidden master? The Trailblazer said you've sold incredibly powerful Curios, but your shop looks so ordinary."
Sylvester smiled. "A mountain needs not to be high—though if an immortal dwells there, then it becomes famous. Water needs not to be deep—though if a dragon rests there, then it becomes sacred. What matters is drawing forth Curios that satisfy. Don't you agree?"
"Hey, that makes sense." March 7th nodded earnestly, even giving Dan Heng a couple of pats on the shoulder. "And we have a dragon in the crew too. Maybe he can bring us some luck and help us pull something good."
Dan Heng tilted his head at her. "March, 'if there is a dragon, it becomes sacred' doesn't mean that."
"I know, I know. But it's all about setting the mood! If you go into a pull with a scowl, of course you'll end up in tears. That's why you have to pull with a smile." March 7th wagged her finger like she was delivering a great truth about her good luck theory.
"Luck doesn't change fate, and spending more won't save you from bad pulls. The trash can won't care about your mood." Dan Heng folded his arms and shattered her fantasy with a blank expression.
"Dan Heng, you're way too heartless." March 7th sighed, then turned to Stelle. "So, how many should we pull?"
"Hmm, let's each try three to start." Stelle tossed a card to Sylvester. "Boss, nine cans please."
Sylvester took the card, scanning it with the Jade Abacus. Nine million credits registered instantly. "Alright. Who's first?"
The trio exchanged glances. Though they said nothing, the choice was clear.
"Of course, this young lady will go first." March 7th strutted to the shelf.
But while her declaration was bold, she hesitated once she stood before the cans. After much tapping and testing, she finally made her pick.
"This one!"
She hauled down a trash can and yanked it open.
With a flash of green light, an old-fashioned stitched-bound book dropped into her hands.
"Wow, an antique?" She eagerly flipped a few pages, but her face soon fell.
Though it looked ancient, the paper inside was new—hardly worth much.
Still, she didn't give up just yet. What if the contents was powerful? At least knowledge was priceless. "Boss, is this book powerful?"
Sylvester took it, glanced at the cover, and chuckled.
This book was all too familiar—a piece of home.
"This is called [Romance of the Three Kingdoms], a famous historical novel from one planet. It tells the story of men striving to save a fractured nation through different means, only to fail before an unstoppable tide. It is the tale of heroes who met defeat."
"Eh?" March 7th pulled a face. "How can it be a hero story if they fail? I hate tragedies. They make me feel awful for days."
"Of course failure can still be heroic. Their struggles and sacrifices left a mark on future generations. Precisely because they failed, people long even more for them to succeed—even though they've long passed away."
Then Sylvester turned to Dan Heng with a meaningful look. "What do you think?"
Dan Heng froze. He hadn't expected the shopkeeper to suddenly single him out.
And this question… was it really about the book?
Or was it about himself, about the High-Cloud Quintet…
He thought for a moment, then said, "If they've already passed, then it's up to posterity to decide. Whether they're heroes or complete fools, only those uninvolved can judge without bias."
Sylvester didn't accept that answer. He pressed further: "Haven't you ever thought about writing a continuation?"
Dan Heng realized then—this Shopkeeper Sylvester definitely knew his past.
Continue…?
How could he? Of the companions who once shared hardship, how many were left?
"Why rewrite history? Even if regrets abound, rewriting it would only satisfy the delusions of those living now."
"But deep down, you're unsatisfied with the ending, aren't you?" Sylvester cut straight to his true feelings.
Dropping his lighthearted tone, Sylvester stared into Dan Heng's eyes. "Besides, the people in the story didn't vanish. A tragic ending is only one chapter. Who's to say the next chapter can't be a comedy?"
"…" Dan Heng had no words.
Sylvester was right. As long as one lived, possibilities remained endless. But of the remaining High-Cloud Quintet, aside from Jing Yuan, who could truly be called alive?
Seeing his continued gloom, Sylvester leaned closer and murmured, "Go to this place."
He handed Dan Heng a slip of paper. It was the residence of the Xianzhou Yaoqing delegation.
"Tell them you want to meet a little girl undergoing samsara. You'll find an unexpected surprise."
Or maybe a fright.
But it was bound to happen sooner or later. He had promised to bring Jingliu's life back on track. There was no way to rely on her to untie her own knots.
And since Dan Heng was here in the Luofu, this was the perfect chance.
To catch them one by one—the High-Cloud Quintet.
"A little girl of undergoing samsara… is she a Vidyadhara?" He felt instinctive resistance. Even the power of Imbibitor Lunae—he avoided using it unless he had no choice.
Sylvester slipped back into his casual demeanor, speaking mysteriously. "You'll know once you go. She received a chance at rebirth from me."
"A chance at rebirth?"
Other than the descendants of Permanence, what race could truly be reborn?
Yet his aura was nothing like a Vidyadhara.
Dan Heng's gaze was full of shock. This man was far too strange.
He knew Dan Heng's secret. He claimed to be able to grant "rebirth."
Why did someone with such unfathomable power and insight care so much about the High-Cloud Quintet?
And about him, someone who'd never even had ties with him in the past?
Dan Heng couldn't make sense of it. But staring at the paper in his hand, he resolved to investigate.
He had only intended to sightsee with his companions, but had instead stumbled upon such a formidable figure.
Perhaps… it was time he reached out to Jing Yuan.
"Hey, hey, hey! What's going on here? Don't just talk between yourselves! Weren't we talking about Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Why can't I follow this at all?"
March 7th's crisp voice, tinged with complaint, broke the silence.
She looked between Sylvester and Dan Heng, utterly confused.
What they were saying… was it even related to the book?
Maybe… sort of?
Dan Heng lowered his arms and gazed at March 7th with eyes full of envy. "March. If I could be like you, that would be a kind of happiness."
"Eh? Dan Heng, you're acting gross all of a sudden." March 7th squirmed under his gaze, uncomfortable.
"And wait—are you saying I'm some kind of idiot?"
"No. I'm praising you." Dan Heng's expression didn't change. "Besides, you still have two trash cans left to open."
"…"
From her corner, Qingque lazily chimed in, "Ah, don't worry about it, March 7th. Look at me. If Master Diviner doesn't tell me something, even if my colleagues gossip about it endlessly, I don't ask a single question."
She twirled her pen with a self-satisfied smile. "Not knowing is great. If you don't know, you don't worry. If the sky falls, Master Diviner will hold it up."
"Ugh, I hate it when you people speak in riddles. Can't you just finish your sentences?" March 7th stomped back toward the shelf.
"That's not quite right." Stelle cut in thoughtfully, refuting Qingque.
Seeing Stelle side with her, March 7th lit up. "Heheh, thank goodness you're on my side."
But she didn't expect Stelle's perspective to diverge just a little.
Stelle stroked her chin, carefully presenting her analysis. "I think, if the sky really fell, Fu Xuan wouldn't be the first to be crushed. Obviously, General Jing Yuan would be in greater danger."
The air instantly grew quieter than before.
Sylvester discreetly gave Stelle a thumbs-up. Her perspectives were always refreshingly unique. Truly, an extraordinary girl. Though one of her was plenty.
"Uh, hahaha." March 7th forced an awkward laugh. "Guess I'd better keep opening trash cans."
She spun around, picked out two cans, and opened them both at once.
Green and blue lights rose together.
A Memory Bubble and an exoskeleton dropped to the floor.
Sylvester's eyes glimmered as he read their data. Tailor-made for March 7th, huh.
Hmm… wasn't it about time for her to take a master?
[Memory Bubble of a Swordsman:Grants the experience of one thousand sword swings upon use.]
[Regulation Exoskeleton:Once set with a motion, it will enforce that exercise until completion, refusing to release the wearer until it's done.]
Well then. No need to fret over fifty sets of strength training or fifty sets of cardio.
She could simply do both.