Though her thoughts were a tangled whirl, Qingque grasped the essential, chilling truth: the Luofu was headed for disaster.
The equation was terrifyingly simple: Qingque stays on the Luofu = she meets a grisly end. Qingque goes to Yuque = she lives.
And Fu Xuan, with unshakable conviction, had guaranteed that she and Yu Xian alone could steer the Luofu through the coming storm.
"Sob... even with the Lord Diviner's assurance... I still have this terrible feeling..."
Yet, what could she do? An order from the Master Diviner, delivered with such grave finality, was not to be questioned. One did not argue with a hurricane warning. You simply boarded up the windows and left.
After all, when has the omniscient Lord Diviner ever been wrong?
Impossible! Utterly impossible!
With that fragile conviction, Qingque gave Yu Xian's hand a quick, furtive squeeze. "Take care," she whispered, before slipping silently out of the office, leaving the two of them alone.
The moment the door clicked shut, the formal rigidity in Fu Xuan's shoulders melted away. A subtle, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her. For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, being near Yu Xian felt like sinking into a warm bath after a long, arduous day—a deep, instinctual comfort.
"To be brief, Yu Xian," she began, her voice softer now, yet no less serious. She straightened her posture, the picture of solemn authority once more. "There is a second, far more critical matter I must entrust to you."
As she shifted, her shapely legs, sheathed in glossy, cloud-patterned stockings, crossed at the ankle. The fabric whispered against itself, hinting at the fair skin beneath and drawing the eye with a tantalizing, forbidden allure.
"As my divination revealed," Fu Xuan continued, pulling his focus back, "the Luofu faces a calamity. But its scale... it's immense. So vast that even the Matrix of Prescience could not pierce the veil to show me the cause or the conclusion. To face a threat completely blind... that in itself is the most ominous portent of all."
Was it internal strife? The Vidyadhara growing restless, or the seditious whispers of the Denizens of Abundance? Another assault by the Borisin? The possibilities were a hydra, each head more terrifying than the last.
Fu Xuan let out a soft sigh, a rare admission of uncertainty. But just as quickly, her resolve hardened, her eyes gleaming with renewed purpose.
"Fortunately, fate has thrown us a lifeline. The Interastral Peace Corporation has shifted its trade policy, seeking stronger ties with the Luofu. They've even sent Topaz, one of their famed Ten Stonehearts, to negotiate."
"The Xianzhou Alliance and the Corporation have long been allies," she explained. "Their renewed interest is a boon. Whatever disaster approaches, if we can secure the Corporation's military support, our chances of survival increase exponentially."
"So, what is my role in this?" Yu Xian asked.
In answer, Fu Xuan placed a hand on her desk. With a soft chime of energy, a sleek black card edged in gold filigree materialized before him.
"The General and I are in agreement. You will be Miss Topaz's liaison. Host her, build rapport, and negotiate the terms of our alliance. All expenses," she gestured to the card, "are pre-approved. Use it as you see fit."
A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. "That card holds ten billion credits. Spend what you must. Our primary objective is singular: secure a binding agreement that should the Luofu ever face external invasion, the Interastral Peace Corporation will deploy its forces to aid our Cloud Knights."
"Lord Diviner is truly generous," Yu Xian said, swiftly pocketing the card.
Heh. When was the last time a simulation started so perfectly? No shadowy assassins, no labyrinthine conspiracies—just a bottomless expense account and the simple, pleasant task of escorting a corporate executive. It felt like drawing a royal flush on the first deal.
Was I overthinking it? Could this simulation actually be... easy?
Woo-hoo! This is it! The perfect ending is finally within reach!
...
True to his role as host, Yu Xian had arranged a welcome dinner for Topaz, who had just disembarked and was surely weary from her journey.
They now sat across from each other in a private booth at "Three Bowls No Pass," a magnificent restaurant on the Luofu that had served patrons for over a millennium. The air was filled with the fragrant aroma of exquisite dishes and the delicate clinking of fine porcelain.
"Ha! My colleagues never stopped singing the Xianzhou's praises," Topaz said, raising her glass. "I have to admit, I was skeptical. But after seeing the Luofu for myself... the legends don't do it justice."
"Your words honor us, Miss Topaz," Yu Xian replied, mirroring her gesture. "During my travels, I always heard the Interastral Peace Corporation described as a beacon for civilizations across the cosmos. And Pier Point... a fortress that has never fallen. Truly awe-inspiring accomplishments."
"Oh, stop, you're making me blush!" Topaz laughed, a warm, genuine sound. "Come on, let's drink to this new chapter!"
Glasses met with a clear clink, and both threw back their drinks in one smooth motion.
'Hah, she's surprisingly down-to-earth,' Yu Xian thought, discreetly observing his companion over the rim of his glass. She carried none of the haughty entitlement he associated with high-ranking corporate officials. Her demeanor was refreshingly straightforward, like a charming, unpretentious neighbor. It was disarmingly easy to let his guard down around her.
'Just keep this going. No surprises. A smooth, straightforward negotiation leading to a solid alliance. That's the perfect outcome.'
But the universe, and especially simulations authored by a certain Aeon, have a fondness for irony. The moment you think you're safe is precisely when the trapdoor opens.
Yu Xian had barely set his empty cup down when he heard a soft, un-ladylike hic from across the table.
Topaz had clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with slight embarrassment. A deep blush was already spreading rapidly across her fair cheeks, painting them a rosy hue.
"Ehehe… whoa… that's… that's some good stuff…"
She set her glass down with a clumsy thud, a goofy, unfocused smile spreading across her face as she started to giggle to herself.
Yu Xian stared, stunned.
Is she… drunk?
No way. That was only the third cup—barely enough to give a regular civilian a buzz. A member of the Ten Stonehearts, brought down so easily? She can't be this much of a lightweight, can she?
His initial disbelief quickly gave way to realization as his eyes fell upon the luminous topaz gemstone pendant resting on her shoulder.
Of course. The alcohol was nothing to a seasoned Pathstrider like himself. But for Topaz, it was a different story. The formidable power of the Ten Stonehearts was channeled entirely through their Cornerstones. Without actively drawing on its power, her physical resilience might be little better than an ordinary person's.
And Xianzhou liquor… it was brewed for constitutions hardened by long life and cosmic travel. Its potency was legendary across the star systems.
Put that way, Topaz's sudden intoxication made perfect, unfortunate sense.
-------
A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober