"Me?"
Jing Yuan denied it.
"How could I have the foresight of Fu Qing? The Cloud Knights' failure to guard properly is my responsibility."
Fu Xuan immediately felt reassured.
As long as it wasn't intentional, that was fine.
"Hmph, I understand. The Xianzhou's affairs are numerous, and you're inevitably stretched thin. If it weren't for me holding things together…"
"Speaking of which, at the next Six Chariots meeting, you should fulfill your promise to nominate me as your successor, right?"
Jing Yuan nodded with a beaming smile.
"Yes, yes, yes, got it, got it."
"I have urgent matters to attend to, so I'll leave everything to the exceptionally gifted Fu Qing."
Seeing his attitude, Fu Xuan's face darkened.
No more words. She cut off the communication directly.
So infuriating—how many times had he brushed her off like this?
Once Fu Xuan's projection vanished, Jing Yuan let out a soft sigh.
"The troubles on the Luofu, the paperwork on my desk, the weeds in the garden…"
"These three things, no matter how hard you try, can never be fully cleared."
Yanqing: "General, it's no secret that Master Fu wants your position."
Jing Yuan: "She's certainly capable, but her mindset still needs tempering. Once she sheds that straightforward temperament, I might consider retiring."
At this, he gave Yanqing a meaningful look.
Unfortunately, he didn't see what he hoped for on Yanqing's face.
Sigh…
Not just Fu Qing—his disciple still had much to learn in terms of mindset.
But his disciple was young, with plenty of time ahead.
In this chaotic period, if someone could give Yanqing a tough lesson, make him suffer some setbacks, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
Yanqing, oblivious to the subtext in Jing Yuan's words, spoke with spirited confidence:
"The Stellaron issue isn't that troublesome. As for the guy who escaped, we'll just catch him again."
"General, give the order, and Yanqing will take care of your worries."
Jing Yuan's eyes shifted slightly.
"I know you're eager to do something and succeed, but now's not the time."
"To earn the title of Sword Champion, you can't act recklessly, especially not by clashing with a major fugitive."
Yanqing grew anxious: "Does the General think I'd lose to that Blade?"
In his first battle, he cleaved the head of a beast crafted by the Abundance's followers, scattering their forces without a fight.
That beast, massive in size, could crush armies like ants, yet it didn't last a single exchange against him.
Later, during a patrol to distant stars, he broke the Borisin's Greedy Wolf Iron Formation, slaying three Denfathers.
He fought the Wingweavers, sinking their sky-shrouding Cloudseizer ships, and more…
Yet these were merely small footnotes in his record.
He wasn't afraid of powerful Abundance abominations, so why would he fear a mere Stellaron Hunter?
Sensing Yanqing's impatience, Jing Yuan patiently advised with a serious tone.
"I'm telling you to rein in your impulsiveness, Yanqing. Governing the Xianzhou is different from swordsmanship."
"Plan slowly to build momentum. Besides, the hidden mastermind in this chess game hasn't been revealed yet…"
"There's a mystery that, until solved, keeps this game at a stalemate."
"—The Stellaron!"
"How did it evade detection, bypass the Skysplitter's inspections and the Divination Commission's predictions, and enter the Luofu? And where was it placed?"
Yanqing: "In my opinion, just grab both Stellaron Hunters, send them to Master Fu, and see if we can't uncover their plot."
Jing Yuan: "I've already entrusted someone with that task. No need to worry."
"Entrusted who?"
"You came back halfway and missed them. They're a group… how should I put it, do-gooders from the heavens?"
Jing Yuan knew Yanqing's temperament and only smiled, not elaborating.
"In short, I personally don't think they'd harbor ill intentions toward the Luofu."
"Maybe… they're just pawns forced onto the board…"
"The Stellaron Hunters' matter is best handled by them. Once the situation stabilizes, you'll have your chance to shine."
"You're the one I trust most. Some things I can only entrust to you, Yanqing. Next, you…"
Jing Yuan tilted his head, his words cutting off abruptly, a helpless smile flashing across his face.
"This kid…"
"A three-foot blade long kept in its sheath—when will it get to test its edge? Heh…"
"I'm afraid the setbacks he'll face this time will outweigh his youthful bravado."
…
Back at Cloudford.
Yanqing gazed at the cold moonlight falling from the sky, its chill reflected in his pupils.
The terrifying oppressive aura nearly suffocated him.
That mysterious woman named Jingliu was overwhelmingly powerful.
With just one sword's moonlight, she nearly robbed him of the courage to resist.
He finally understood why the General had recently told him not to rush, to stay patient.
Leon shifted his gaze from the moonlight.
The attack held no deception—once it landed, it could easily claim Yanqing's life.
However—
As long as one held fearless resolve to face it, the moonlight would be wielded with restraint.
More precisely, Jingliu could wield it with restraint.
In a mara-struck state, it's hard to say, but with her mind clear now, there'd be no issue.
"Young man, you won't be crushed by this, will you?"
This sword wasn't meant to kill you—it was to guide you.
Yanqing gritted his teeth, his azure blade suddenly glowing brighter with concentrated light.
With a battle cry, he channeled all his strength into the sword, unleashing a wave of sword qi—
In that instant, Jingliu's lips curved slightly.
The moonlight clashed with the sword qi, the former splitting in two, scattering into countless icy shards.
Yet its lingering force still pressed Yanqing down, forcing him to gasp heavily, unable to pay attention to his surroundings.
Leon smiled, tossing the incense burner to Jingliu.
Jingliu sheathed her sword and caught it steadily.
"Thank you for your diagnostic gaze, sir."
As she spoke, she left an inscription on the ground and, with a quick motion, took something from Yanqing related to Blade's whereabouts.
[With this sword, consider it my thanks. Our fates are intertwined, to be continued another day.]
It took Yanqing a good while to recover.
"I… I withstood her sword?"
"You did. Relax, you're in one piece," Leon said, squinting.
Yanqing instinctively looked around. "Where is she?"
"She took something from you and left. Oh, and it seems she left some words on the ground for you."
Yanqing hurriedly looked down, a hint of realization flashing across his youthful face.
The rhythm of that sword…
But what did "our fates are intertwined" mean?
He didn't recall ever crossing paths with her.
"Little brother Yanqing, are you still going to chase that fugitive named Blade?"
"Jingliu didn't take you with her, which clearly means she's serious. You can't beat her, so you can't beat Blade either."
Hearing Leon's words, Yanqing bit his lip.
"I'm not going."
"Sometimes, knowing when to retreat is a form of wis—"
"I'm going back first to get my best sword, then I'll set out!"
The curve of Leon's smile froze.
You little rascal.
Little greedy cat, always biting off more than you can chew, huh?
"Mr. Leon, you're going to find an old friend from the Vidyadhara for your friend, right? Even if it's to meet the Healer Lady, I can give you a ride."
"No need. It's better to see your General first."
"What? Your friend and the General are old acquaintances too?"