Chapter 156: Cracking the Mystery

The passage leading from the Ambrosial Arbor finally opened into an immense and magnificent palace. Every corner of the vast chamber exuded the solemnity and mystery of the ancient Vidyadhara, a sense of history so thick it felt like a physical weight in the air.

“This is it.”

Jing Yuan came to a halt, his gaze shifting to Dan Heng. “From this point forward, it’s up to you. Do you remember anything?”

Dan Heng closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment of silent contemplation, he nodded. “Yes. ‘Knock and pray to the Three Claws, diligently attend to the Corpse Wood, and the path to the Mysterious Roots shall be revealed…'”

March 7th stared at the complex mechanisms and ancient reliefs spread throughout the hall, his head already starting to spin. “Huh? Another puzzle? We fought our way through this whole place, and now we have to take a pop quiz at the end?”

Chen’s face fell even further, and he grumbled under his breath, “What’s the point of solving puzzles every day… can’t we just charge through?” He kicked lightly at a loose stone on the floor. “Anyway, we’ll probably end up fighting in the end…” He had always loathed these segments that required more brain than brawn.

Dan Heng shot him a helpless look, long since accustomed to his companion’s reckless remarks. “A brute-force solution would lead to uncontrollable consequences,” he stated calmly. “Wait here and stay on guard. I will attempt to break the seal.”

With that, he walked toward the center of the palace alone, his steps measured and resolute.

“Alright, Teacher Dan Heng, take your time,” Chen called out cheerfully. “I’m just going to… ah, slack off over there.” He gestured vaguely towards the side of the room. “I’ll also study the architectural aesthetics of the Vidyadhara; maybe it’ll spark some artistic inspiration.”

Finding the perfect excuse, Chen immediately slipped away from the group, wandering over to a massive, branching coral pillar nearby. He leaned in, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the ancient carvings that spiraled up its surface, while in reality, his eyes were already darting around, casing the room.

‘Okay, Dan Heng is focused on the puzzle, and March is watching him…’he thought, a sly grin touching his lips.’This might be my chance to complete some unfinished business.’His gaze flickered toward the general.’For example, having an… accidental friendly encounter with General Jing Yuan?’

Just as he was about to put his plan into motion, he noticed that the petite General had, at some point, also detached himself from the group watching Dan Heng. He was strolling leisurely in his direction, that same lazy, inscrutable smile still playing on his face.

“Young brother Chen,” Jing Yuan’s voice rang out, soft and unhurried. He came to a stop beside Chen and, to Chen’s surprise, mimicked his posture, leaning against the pillar. He tilted his head back, looking up at the carvings as if he were genuinely admiring the artistry. “Speaking of which, this is our second formal meeting, isn’t it?”

He continued, his tone light. “Unfortunately, during the last projection, things were far too busy for me to have a proper chat with you.”

Chen was momentarily taken aback; he hadn’t expected Jing Yuan to approach him of his own accord. His entire scheme was predicated on him making the first move. He recovered in a heartbeat, his face immediately lighting up with a practiced, flattered smile.

“The General is so busy with a mountain of affairs, yet you still remember a nobody like me. I’m truly overwhelmed!” he gushed. “In the last projection, the General’s bearing was outstanding. Seeing you in person today, it’s even more… uh, extraordinary!”

He had almost blurted out ‘petite and cute,’ but fortunately, his brain slammed on the brakes just in time, averting a diplomatic catastrophe.

Jing Yuan seemed not to notice the awkward hitch in Chen’s praise. He merely smiled softly, his gaze remaining fixed on the complex patterns of the coral pillar. His tone was as casual as if he were discussing the weather. “I’m ashamed to say that during our brief encounter via projection, we only had time for official business.”

He paused, then added, “As a member of the Astral Express, Dan Heng’s Trailblaze journey must have been quite arduous. I wonder if he has adapted well to daily life on the Express? After all, the Xianzhou and sailing through the Sea of Stars are very different environments.”

Hearing the inquiry about Dan Heng, Chen immediately snapped into his self-appointed role as an Astral Express Crew enthusiast. “Oh, General, don’t you worry one bit! Teacher Dan Heng has adapted perfectly!” he declared with gusto. “While our Astral Express might not be as… historically rich and deep as the Xianzhou, it makes up for it with warmth and freedom!”

He warmed to his topic, gesturing animatedly. “Conductor Pom-Pom keeps the cars so comfortable, and the Data Bank is fully stocked. Teacher Dan Heng often dives in there for half a day at a time; he’s very productive!”

As he spoke, he surreptitiously watched Jing Yuan’s expression. Seeing the General listening intently, he pressed on with his fabricated narrative. “Normally, he’s organizing the Data Bank, but occasionally he guides March 7th and me on combat techniques.” He scratched his head sheepishly, a perfect picture of a troublesome junior. “Though I often get scolded by him until my head is spinning.”

The performance was designed to create an illusion of casual intimacy, of a group of friends who were close enough to roast each other.

“But even though Teacher Dan Heng looks cold on the outside, he’s actually very kind-hearted; he’s just not good at expressing himself,” Chen continued, adding a touch of sincerity to his voice. “Last time I… uh, accidentally killed a potted plant in the Parlor Car, and he quietly helped me replace it with a new one. He didn’t say a word when he did it, just gave me this glare like I was the clumsiest person alive.”

These details were a cocktail of half-truths and outright fiction, but he was on a roll, weaving a mix of cozy domesticity.

As Jing Yuan listened, the faint smile on his lips never faded, and for a fleeting moment, a genuine softness flashed in his golden eyes. It was as if, through these mundane descriptions, he could truly picture his old friend living a peaceful life under a different sky, and the image seemed to lighten the immense burden on his shoulders, if only by a fraction.

However, just as Chen thought this heartwarming conversation about Dan Heng’s daily life was about to conclude on a pleasant note, Jing Yuan suddenly changed the subject.

He turned, shifting his posture to face Chen directly. Those eyes, which always seemed to hold a detached, languid disinterest in the world, were now clearly focused on him. They were filled with an undisguised, piercing curiosity and a hint of amusement.

“That is good, then.”

Jing Yuan nodded slowly. Then, in a tone that was even more relaxed—so relaxed it bordered on gossipy, like an elder gently inquiring about a favorite junior’s life—he asked, his voice a soft drawl:

“So, what about you, young brother Chen?”

[Elysian’s Note: Having a good time with the story? Every single bit helps immensely: