Chapter 705: Midnight Martial Contest: Testing the Edge (5)

Yan Lao, the travel has been exhausting; truly thank you for your trouble.

The four just entered Sichen Palace when, from afar, they heard Jing Yuan's courteous voice.

"Ah, not a hardship at all; rather, thank you for taking time to welcome us," the white‑bearded elder stroked his beard and smiled.

Yan Qing and his companions approached: "General, I have brought the train's guests. I'm not sure if now is a good time for you to meet them."

"No problem, you've come at the right moment. Everyone from the Star Rail, long time no see!"

Xing Zhi said plainly: "I dreamed of you in Pinokangni."

Jing Yuan put on an intrigued expression: "Oh? I entered an old friend's dream, recalling my appearance. To have a place in your beautiful dreams is a great honor." He looked at the elder beside him, "Allow me to introduce you all: this is the Heavenly General of the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, General Zhuyuan, Huai Yan."

Huai Yan smiled kindly: "Haha. No need for such formality; I'm traveling in plain clothes, no different from the visiting tourists."

Jing Yuan introduced him to the crowd: "Yan Lao is not only a general of the Imperial Bow, but also a master craftsman of the Gong Zao Si; beyond his martial prowess, he excels in countless crafts. Such a rare talent is unique among Heavenly Generals."

"Whether general or master craftsman, it's merely a title bestowed by the times. I have retired many times, but with the current shift, the Marshal has summoned me again, and I must ride out to assume the post."

——

Honkai 3.

"Oh? It seems the situation on the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel is tense as well," Ji Zi frowned slightly, "Yan Lao has already retired several times… Could it be that Zhu Ming can't find a suitable successor?"

"Probably not. Could it be that this general's grandfather has lived too long? Look at his beard… I suspect he's two thousand years old!" Kiana pointed at Huai Yan's almost floor‑length white beard. The deep wrinkles on his face could crush a mosquito; since the train crew arrived at the Celestial Vessel, she's never seen an older Celestial Vessel inhabitant.

Besides that, there's Mirror Flow, but who could tell that she's over a thousand years old?

"But even though Yan Lao holds the rank of general, he's not in his prime; there should be a more suitable candidate within the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel," Bronya guessed.

"Bronya, as the saying goes, 'Old ginger is spicier,'" Kiana smiled, leaning over and placing a hand on her shoulder, "Yan Lao may not match a youngster like Jing Yuan in a fight, but he's surely well‑versed in commanding the whole front and leading troops." "And no matter how much one doubts, one shouldn't doubt the Marshal's judgment."

Ji Zi nodded: "Hmm, and Jing Yuan said Yan Lao is a master craftsman of the Gong Zao Si… I wonder if he's ever heard of the name 'Ying Xing'; Blade used to be an apprentice on the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, right?"

——

They greeted each other, exchanged introductions, and when it was Yan Qing's turn, Jing Yuan proactively introduced him: "This is my disciple, Yan Qing. Because he's still young, I have him stay by my side as a guard, hoping he gains more experience. In this martial ceremony, he will represent the Luofu Cloud Rider of the Celestial Vessel, defending the arena's edge and accepting challenges from all quarters."

Upon hearing that, the girl who had been hiding nearby widened her eyes instantly, her gaze involuntarily darting sharply at Yan Qing.

"Good, good, good! I'm honored to see so many young talents today; truly worth the trip," Huai Yan paused, "Ah, right, age makes one forget… The one beside me is my grand‑disciple, Yun Li…"

As the girl slowly emerged from the shadows, Yan Qing was momentarily stunned, taking a while to recover: "…It's you!"

Yun Li replied lightly: "Oh, it's you. Hello."

"Ho ho, you recognize each other, looks like no introductions needed!"

Yan Qing nodded: "I thought I'd have to search far and wide; I assumed it would take great effort to find this lady."

"Oh? You've piqued my curiosity… Tell me, how did the two of you come to recognize each other?"

"This lady helped subdue a fleeing Buli prisoner in the Star Raft Sea; Yan Qing first thanked her here. But when you left… you also happened to take my flying sword."

Yun Li suddenly recalled: "Flying sword? … Oh, I was wondering how a short sword appeared out of nowhere in my luggage; so it was yours."

"Exactly. Since fate has brought us together again, I hope you can…"

Yun Li refused on the spot: "That probably isn't good."

Yan Qing frowned: "Not good?"

Yun Li said calmly: "You want the sword, right? That's fine, but not in this manner. According to Zhu Ming's rule, a sword lost on the battlefield must be reclaimed on the battlefield."

——

Crimson‑Eyed Gaze.

???

Tazmi was full of question marks; Miss Yun Li left him a bit bewildered…

"What does 'not returning the sword' mean? What does Zhu Ming's rule imply? This is the Luofu Celestial Vessel, right? Shouldn't we follow local customs?"

The crucial point is that he said all this in front of the two generals, and now even he began to feel awkward for General Huai Yan.

Maine snorted coldly: "I think she likes the quality of that flying sword and, relying on her grandfather being a general of the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, wants to seize it. This is the Luofu Celestial Vessel; why should Zhu Ming's rule apply here?"

"I wonder if she's trying to provoke Yan Qing, to duel him one‑on‑one?" Chelsea guessed, "Her martial skills are probably not inferior to Yan Qing's, and both have been taught by generals, so a rivalry is inevitable."

Maine still couldn't understand: "No, no, no, if they want to spar I'm fine with it, but why such a lame excuse? She could simply return the sword to Yan Qing, and they could set a time for a proper duel. They're both top of their peers; Yan Qing certainly wouldn't decline."

"Is that the miss's temperament? Such a petulant nature is basically in need of correction; once she meets a true master she'll settle down." Leona rested her hands behind her head, found a comfortable spot on a tree and lay down, "As long as Yan Qing uses the sword technique taught by Mirror Flow… humph, in her eyes Yan Qing will become a master."

——

"That's exactly why this small sword is the way it is. It flew through the air, meant to strike the fleeing Buli prisoner, but the wielder's mind was unsettled, turning it into a crippled kite, losing its aim. Moreover, had I not reached out to catch the sword and help her hit the target, the Buli would have escaped long ago."

Yan Qing, already a bit angry, said: "Miss Yun Li, you took my sword without a word, yet you can nonchalantly refuse to return it to its rightful owner?"

Yun Li looked at him with slight contempt: "…Luofu swordsman, nothing more."

"What did you say?" Even Yan Qing, usually good‑natured, snapped, his temper flaring up.