Chapter 720

I remember Yan Qing still has a move, right? It's that sword he learned from Mirror Flow…… Why not bring it out so Yunli can see it? Shenle asked curiously. In her view, if they unleashed that super‑large ice sword, Yunli might not be able to overwhelm him in aura.

Uh…… that move is probably Yan Qing's trump card, right? If Yunli can't withstand it, next time Yan Lao sees him he'll likely come for revenge.

——

The four arrived at the Divine Strategy Manor, and Jing Yuan once again solemnly introduced to Yan Lao several passengers of the Astral Express. They three had vanquished the Phantom Darkness Archfiend and exposed the conspiracy of the Medicine King's Secret Tradition, after which Yan Lao could ask them any questions he liked.

"Regarding the whole affair of the Jianmu's rebirth, Tai Bu Fu Xuan's series of reports submitted to the Alliance I've all read. She herself was even summoned to the Jade Gate for questioning. Inside the Alliance, doubts about this run deep…" Huai Yan slowly lifted his head, shifted his tone, "…but I trust you."

"Since you entered the field, you've repeatedly achieved remarkable feats. After the Cloudtop Five Valiants each went into hiding, although the Alliance harbors many objections toward you, the Marshal still overruled all opposition and entrusted Luofu to you. Over these years you have devoted all your loyalty and wisdom to the Alliance—defeating the monstrosities of Talas, lifting the siege of the Jade Gate Astral Vessel, destroying the blightstar summoned by the Abundance… In every past war, I still recall all those deeds."

"Some worms doubt your loyalty, arbitrarily judge you as confused and foolish, and they take pleasure in seeing the Divine Strategy General make mistakes, for that is their nature—lacking any accomplishment, they only crave to feed on others' failures."

General Huai Yan lowered his gaze slightly and sighed deeply: "…but I have witnessed too many failures; I would rather believe, believe that your loyalty has never changed."

Dan Heng: "Then, for this investigation into the Jianmu disaster sent by the Alliance, only General Feixiao of Ya Qing is coming?"

"How could that be? Of course I'm still here." The old man smiled faintly.

March silently looked at Star and muttered quietly, "This old man really… speaks in ways that are beyond expectation."

"The Marshal issued an order for me to go to the Luofu Astral Vessel, but the document contains only a few words: 'Attend the rites, observe the martial exhibition, and listen in on Feixiao's questioning.'"

——

Xiao Lin's dragon maid.

"Why would anyone on the celestial vessel be happy to see General Jing Yuan fail?"

Tuo Er felt very doubtful; as a dragon, she thought these celestial vessel people's ideas were too complicated.

Since Jing Yuan is the general appointed by the Marshal, wouldn't it be better to fully support him in keeping the celestial vessel running smoothly? Why insist on letting him come to harm? Could his failure possibly bring them any benefit?

"This kind of thing is pretty common, right? Well… at least among humans it's common." Xiao Lin adjusted his glasses, "If someone on the celestial vessel has a grudge against General Jing Yuan, this happens all the time. Only his failure can completely negate him, and only by negating him can one prove oneself right."

"Of course, if General Jing Yuan does too well, it will also expose some people's incompetence; to protect their positions they'll secretly trip him up—'the taller the tree, the more wind it catches'—and this happens far too often."

"Does the Marshal just completely ignore these people and watch them cause trouble?" Tuo Er grew a little angry."

"Of course not. But the Marshal is also human and can't see through people's hearts at a glance; bad folks usually hide themselves well. Moreover, compared to internal crises of the celestial vessel, it's obvious that threats from outside the universe are its number-one danger." Xiao Lin counted on his fingers, "The Abundance Folk, the Extinction Sovereign… even some members of the Genius Club will be major threats."

——

""The Marshal's order? Do we need to avoid it?""

""You are witnesses, no problem. In my view, the Marshal clearly understands Jing Yuan's intent in holding the ceremony and knows the situation he faces. By saying that, she obviously regards both as equally important.""

""Elder Yan, your open-hearted sincerity fills us juniors with gratitude. But the Marshal's order, spoken openly before all— is this appropriate?""

""The old man chuckled: "By personally introducing the train's witness to me, aren't you just trying to figure out my and Feixiao's respective intentions, and whether we have any conflict? I treat people with sincerity—young folk, don't hide your thoughts."""

""As for the Jianmu disaster, all I have done from start to finish is to listen. The one who should really raise questions is General Feixiao. What I care more about is whether the Martial Exhibition Ceremony can proceed safely and on schedule. Speaking of which, upon arriving at Luofu this time, I have brought a gift for the ceremony.""

Huai Yan led everyone to a fine treasure chest.

The chest glowed with a dull luster, made of neither metal nor wood. Its surface was inlaid with metal filigree using exquisite craftsmanship, tracing a lotus pattern.

""Here, this is the chest.""

Huai Yan reached out and stroked the chest's smooth surface: "During the Martial Exhibition Ceremony, there are countless matches and celebrations, big and small. The most important of them is 【Defending the Arena's Champion】. The host dispatches highly skilled warriors to defend the arena, facing challengers from all directions, to showcase the celestial vessel's martial virtue. When I heard you mention the Starfall Train coming to observe, I originally thought the defender would be Luofu's Dragon Venerable…"

——

Luoxiaohei War Chronicles.

""Tsk tsk, this chest surely contains a treasure sword; just the chest alone is worth a tidy sum.""

In Nezha's room, Jiu Lao twiddled his whiskers with one hand while his gaze shifted back and forth between the sky curtain and his hand of cards.

""Bomb, four threes.""

Nezha didn't even look up, throwing out a few cards; only after playing them did he return his gaze to the sky curtain: "Before the stake arrives, Xian Qing probably would still hold back a bit, but now… heh, he must be staring wide-eyed."

Jiu Lao wore an expression of utter confidence: "In my view, Xian Qing will surely win this match. Strength and experience are right there, and now he's got a desirable stake—he's full of vigor."

""Two." Wu Xin played a single card leisurely, then said slowly, "…It's not necessarily Xian Qing.""

Nezha and Jiu Lao both looked at him.

""Isn't Yun Li just an exception? Strength and experience aren't the sole determinants of victory; mindset matters too, and Yun Li is very confident, so her mindset is good." Wu Xin said lightly, "Moreover, the Sea‑Wandering Ranger might also join this match; if Potoe and Luan Po come here, the outcome is still uncertain.""

""Luan Po… that girl really is skilled, but she's busy chasing the Original Doctor, so she probably won't show up for a year or so.""

——

""Jing Yuan laughed: "Elder Yan, you're joking. Xian Yao Long Nu is still young and knows nothing of martial arts—how could she defend the arena?""

""As for joking, I still can't match you.""

""What is this chest for? Why doesn't General Huai Yan open it?" asked March Seventh curiously."

""This is a sword chest I prepared as a prize for the Martial Exhibition Ceremony. It's empty for now, but in a few days a treasure sword will arrive and be placed inside." said General Huai Yan."

""It's not that I'm boasting—this sword is the pinnacle of craftsmanship from the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, once drifted to foreign lands and wrought countless heroic deeds. Its wonders are hard to put into words. Still, the envoy delivering the sword hasn't arrived yet, so I'll just put the chest here for now.""

""I've been wondering… what kind of person is worthy of this sword? After thinking it over, why not use this arena‑defending champion match as an opportunity to present it as a prize? The victor of the champion match must be extraordinary, a perfect match for the sword. Besides, I've heard that Junior Brother Xian Qing's swordsmanship is superb; he represents Luofu in defending the arena, and I feel this gift could not be more fitting.""

""Elder Yan, with this kind intention, Jing Yuan thanks you here.""

""Yun Li, however, snorted from behind her grandfather: "Grandpa, if you want to give a sword, just say so—why go around in such a big circle?""

""Young lady, you're confident, but I don't think you'll necessarily beat Xian Qing.""

""Xian Qing stepped forward and said: "Miss Yun Li, I know you love swords, but a sword always chooses its proper master.""

""Yun Li also objected: "Even if someone gets a treasure sword, they might easily end up in another's hands.""

""Since the outcome at Dan Ding Si hasn't been decided yet, Miss Yun Li, if you're interested, why not represent the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel and step onto the stage?""

Yun Li stood with hands on her hips, also quite indignant: "I do have this intention! Who the victor will be isn't certain yet—maybe it's me, maybe someone else, maybe it's me again, but in any case… it might not be him!"