Chapter 94: The Seat of the General

Just as the members of the Astral Express accepted their new mission to track Kafka and departed from the main hall of the Sky-Faring Commission under Tingyun’s guidance, a quiet scene was unfolding elsewhere on the Xianzhou Luofu.

Within a secluded pavilion, the real Jing Yuan stood in quiet contemplation. She was dressed not in her formal general’s armor but in comfortable, loose-fitting robes that allowed for easy movement. Her long, silver-white hair was bound in a loose tail, and a few errant strands danced in the gentle breeze that drifted through the open-air structure.

By her side, a young girl of about twelve or thirteen stood in silent attendance. She wore a crisp, practical martial uniform, her hair tied back in a high ponytail that swished with every subtle movement. Her features were as delicate and exquisite as a figure from a painting, yet her eyes held the sharp, lively spirit of a young prodigy—the fearless confidence of one who has never known defeat. An ornate rapier with a hilt of polished jade hung at her hip, a clear sign of her station.

This was none other than Yanqing, the standout of the Cloud Knights’ younger generation, Jing Yuan’s personal disciple and trusted Lieutenant.

Suddenly, without turning her head, Jing Yuan spoke as if to the air itself, her voice ringing with perfect clarity in the otherwise empty pavilion.

“Grand Diviner, I trust you heard that exchange with perfect clarity.” Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon. “What are your thoughts on these visitors from the Astral Express?”

As her words faded, the space a short distance from her side shimmered, and a holographic projection rapidly materialized. The newcomer was a young man dressed in the complex, deep violet robes of the Divination Commission. A portion of his long hair was elegantly gathered with a jade hairpin, while the rest cascaded over his shoulders. His features were handsome and refined, but it was the deep wisdom that seemed to dwell between his brows that truly defined him—an air of someone who could perceive the celestial mix of fate itself.

This was the head of the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan. In this world, he was a man of extraordinary talent and temperament.

Hearing Jing Yuan’s question, Fu Xuan’s projection raised a single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “You ask for my thoughts, General?” he inquired. “Are you suggesting I perform a divination for them? To calculate the fortune of their journey, or perhaps… to verify their identities?”

Jing Yuan let out a soft laugh and shook her head, her gaze still distant. “That won’t be necessary. The Astral Express and the Stellaron Hunters are not on the same side; of this, I am certain.”

“The causes and effects involved are far too complex and difficult to explain in their entirety, but for now, at least,” she continued, “they are a force that can be used… or rather, a force with whom we can cooperate. You and I need not explore every one of their secrets. As long as they can draw Kafka out from the shadows or bring us a piece of critical information, that will be more than enough.”

Fu Xuan’s projection gave a slight nod, accepting her judgment. He then added, “However, entrusting a task as vital as tracking the Stellaron Hunters to outsiders of unknown origin is, by its very nature, a risk.” His tone was measured, analytical. “This move of yours, General…”

“Hmm?” Jing Yuan finally turned her head, a faint, familiar smile playing on her lips as she looked at Fu Xuan’s image. “And yet, I seem to recall this very proposal—using external ‘surprise troops’ to break a stalemate through unconventional means—was one of the alternatives you yourself put forth in your policy essay, was it not, Master Diviner?”

Fu Xuan’s placid expression stiffened for a fraction of a second, but he quickly regained his composure. He conceded with a frank nod. “That is indeed the case. The Divination Commission’s deductions showed that if we wish to ascertain the Stellaron Hunters’ intentions as quickly as possible, without over-dispersing the elite of the Cloud Knights, then introducing a third-party variable is a feasible strategy. The Astral Express happened to arrive at the perfect time, and their apparent strength and background met the requirements. Thus, they were included in our considerations.”

“So you see,” Jing Yuan’s smile deepened. She turned and walked toward the tea table set within the pavilion, seating herself with casual grace before pouring a cup of pale, fragrant tea. “The success of this plan is still thanks to your unerring calculations, Master Diviner. I’m afraid that in the future, I will have to continue relying on your miraculous foresight for the various troubles, large and small, that plague the Luofu.”

Hearing this, Fu Xuan’s projection seemed to float half a step closer. “Since that is the case, General… should you not also consider the matter we have discussed many times before?” His voice took on a new, more persuasive edge. “You have sat in that seat for long enough, have you not? The affairs of the Xianzhou are complex and taxing. As a woman, surely you should consider taking a well-deserved rest and enjoying a life of leisure.”

Jing Yuan’s hand, which was raising the teacup to her lips, paused mid-air. She looked up at Fu Xuan’s projection, a glint of genuine amusement in her eyes. “Master Diviner… is it possible you hold some misconceptions about women?”

She gently blew on the steam rising from the tea, her tone leisurely but underpinned with steel. “Setting aside whether I personally feel tired, let us speak only of ability and responsibility. Is the old General Huai Yan of the Zhuming Xianzhou not also a woman? She commands an entire Xianzhou, her prestige alone makes the blazing lands tremble, and she is still as formidable as ever today. When have you ever heard her speak of resting simply because of her gender?”

Fu Xuan was silent.

He was momentarily at a loss for words. General Huai Yan’s fame and ability were unquestioned throughout the entire Xianzhou Alliance; she was the very model of a female hero. By using her as an example, Jing Yuan had left him with no room for rebuttal.

Seeing Fu Xuan’s projection looking slightly defeated, yet still struggling to maintain his composure, Jing Yuan’s mood seemed to improve even further. She took a slow sip of tea before continuing.

“Master Diviner, how could I not know your heart? The Divination Commission has worked tirelessly and achieved great things, and you yourself are more than capable of shouldering great responsibilities. It is simply that the handover of this position concerns the very stability of the Luofu. It requires the right time, the right place, and the right people. Right now, the Stellaron crisis has not been resolved, and we are beset by troubles both internal and external. Is this truly the best time to discuss such a matter?”

She set her cup down with a soft click, rising to her feet. Her gaze drifted past the pavilion’s ornate railing, toward the distant, shimmering haze of the bustling starskiff port. Her voice became gentle once more.

“When this storm subsides and the Luofu returns to peace, if you are still interested, Master Diviner… it will not be too late for us to discuss it again.”

Fu Xuan’s projection was silent for a long moment. Finally, he simply bowed, his tone returning to its usual calm. “The General’s considerations are thorough. It was I who was impatient. In that case, the Divination Commission will naturally do its utmost to assist you in settling this disturbance.”

“Then I shall be counting on you, Master Diviner.” Jing Yuan waved a hand lightly, her back still turned to him.

Fu Xuan’s holographic image dissipated into motes of light, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

Inside the pavilion, only Jing Yuan and the quietly attending Yanqing remained.

Little Yanqing, who had been listening with wide, curious eyes, finally spoke in a low voice. “Master, it seems Lord Fu Xuan… really wants to be the General?”

Jing Yuan reached out and affectionately ruffled her young disciple’s hair, a fond smile on her face. “Yes, he does.”

“He has the talent, the ambition, and more, the sense of responsibility to protect the Luofu,” she said. “That is a good thing.”

“Then, Master, what about you…?”

“Me?” Jing Yuan’s gaze drifted back to the horizon, a thoughtful, distant look in her eyes.

“I just feel that there are some responsibilities, and some people,” she murmured, almost to herself, “that I cannot truly feel at ease handing over. Not yet. I want to look after them for a while longer.”

[Elysian’s Note:

Having a good time with the story?

Every single bit helps immensely:

Thanks a ton for making this journey possible!]