"Right, there's one more thing I must trouble you with... Not long ago, Stellaron Hunters infiltrated the Luofu. We captured one of them, a malefactor named Blade, and tracked his communications to his accomplice, Kafka. Kafka's last communication led to the Astral Express—Of course, I'm not suspecting any collusion between you and the Stellaron Hunters. But since they specifically lured you to the Xianzhou, perhaps you could play along and seize the opportunity to capture them..."
"And another thing... You previously mentioned unidentified malefactors intending harm against the Xianzhou. Shamefully, we currently have no relevant leads. Sigh, if possible, I must also trouble you to keep an eye out for this matter."
"And one more thing... Recently, although the Xianzhou appears calm on the surface, many dangerous elements are secretly waiting for an opportunity. Please be cautious in your actions, and do not fall for the tricks or temptations of those evil deviants. A group of Borisin, capable of disguising themselves as Foxians, has recently infiltrated the Xianzhou with unknown intentions. Each member is a dead man; those captured by the Cloud Knights immediately commit suicide... If possible, please also pay attention to this matter."
"And one more—Ah, no more. Apologies, I got carried away."
Jing Yuan truly lived up to his position as General; at least his thick skin stat was maxed out. Despite burdening others with tasks, he could ramble on like a nagging father without batting an eye, clearly mastering the fundamentals of politics.
However, he evidently hadn't become a complete moral vacuum and still retained some sense of shame, finally clearing his throat and adding, "Of course, as esteemed guests of the Xianzhou, the members of the Express shall naturally have unrestricted passage. I have given orders that should you require any assistance in your endeavors, you may directly notify the Cloud Knights for cooperation... After this is over, regardless of success or failure, the Xianzhou will surely express its immense gratitude."
"General, you're too kind. This is also for the peace and stability of the Xianzhou. How could we shirk our duty in alleviating your worries..."
Even Himeko, despite her usual magnanimity, couldn't help but twitch her eye slightly. While the Astral Express had acted as workhorses countless times, Jing Yuan was the first to be so blatant about it. Especially since they themselves had requests to make, this was truly humbling...
But looking on the bright side, this encounter essentially secured the Xianzhou as a staunch ally for the Astral Express. Unfortunately, that wasn't the crew's primary goal right now; they just wanted to cure their companion.
Therefore, if Jing Yuan ultimately couldn't provide what they hoped for... well, consider the tasks they just undertook as prepayment. Don't blame them for taking matters into their own hands later.
Watching the Express crew depart, Jing Yuan sighed, gazing wordlessly towards the Scalegorge Waterscape.
Normally, his personality wouldn't allow him to entrust so many important matters to an organization like the Express crew, with whom contact wasn't particularly close. But firstly, the situation on the Xianzhou was indeed critical, and secondly, the Express was, after all, the current home of his old friend, presumably trustworthy.
His overly familiar delegation of these tasks wasn't so much for the Astral Express's help, but rather for his old friend's help... or perhaps, to make his former friend reminisce about their familiar past days, stirring up old feelings.
The Xianzhou's intelligence network wasn't incompetent; he naturally knew the Astral Express's current situation very well... And something similar had happened to Jing Yuan himself in the past, though the story didn't end well.
Jing Yuan hoped Dan Heng would remember the things his past self did and not repeat the same mistakes. Seeing the look in the eyes of those Express members reminded him of his two old friends back then.
But not giving Dan Heng hope, yet also not wanting him to go berserk... Jing Yuan felt it might be difficult. After all, when Vidyadhara High Elders got stubborn, they truly disregarded everything.
Coincidentally, he hadn't been able to help his friend back then; perhaps this time, he could lend a hand.
Seeking longevity on the Xianzhou was clearly taboo. Even as General, Jing Yuan couldn't possibly agree to give the elixir of immortality to others... But if the Astral Express rendered immense service to the Xianzhou, then he would have grounds to make an exception, at least preventing them from being immediately punished for the Unpardonable Abominations.
Dan Feng—No, Dan Heng... Don't disappoint me.
---||---
"That's the situation. So, during this time, we probably won't be able to stay at the inn to accompany you."
In the inn room, Himeko comforted Twilight. "But don't worry, your Uncle Yang will stay here at the inn. No need to worry about any accidents."
"I'm okay..." Twilight leaned against the bed, smiling weakly. "Don't make Uncle Yang stay here with me... He must be very bored sitting alone in the inn... And if the Xianzhou is so dangerous... it's safer for everyone to be together..."
"There are... Cloud Knights protecting the area around the inn... I'm fine."
After saying this short passage, Twilight's face turned pale, and she started gasping slightly uncomfortably.
After her condition worsened further over the past two days, she could clearly feel her life entering its final countdown. Even speaking was becoming difficult now, which was why Caelus and the others couldn't take her along. If nothing unexpected happened, Twilight was certain she would kick the bucket very soon.
Sigh, these people are currently obsessed with the elixir of longevity. That thing didn't even work for Caelus, the Stellaron host, let alone her.
I wonder how much energy they'll burst forth when they finally obtain the elixir after much hardship, only to bring it back full of expectation and find it useless...
Twilight glanced at the system map showing Dan Heng and March 7th rapidly approaching the inn. If you ask me, you should look into the Transmutation Arcanum instead, folks.
But Caelus and the others would likely focus on the Stellaron matter next, probably capturing the Stellaron Hunters first before going to chop down the Ambrosial Arbor.
However, that would leave the Borisin problem unattended. Phantylia clearly still had schemes brewing; Twilight didn't think she'd pass up this opportunity to cause trouble.
If Phantylia was ruthless enough to play the wolf, using herself and the Ambrosial Arbor as bait to lure away the main Xianzhou forces and the Astral Express, while seizing the chance for the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and the Borisin to launch riots in the crowded Xianzhou capital...
Well, anyway, she only had a few days left. She was waiting for this chance to power up one last time and make her presence felt, especially after playing dead all this time.
Burning the last few days of her life to save the Xianzhou populace from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and the Borisin would surely earn a lot of favorability points.
Then, when she kicked the bucket, these people would surely feel some sadness for the death of their savior, right? That would be a considerable energy income.
And by then, when the Express crew returned from the Ambrosial Arbor, the news they'd receive would be: Abundance factions fought, Twilight died suddenly...
Ah, music to my ears~