Chapter 793: Midnight Martial Competition: Testing the Edge (48)

"No news yet! We're restoring contact with the Prison of Captives as quickly as possible!"

"Stand down."

Feixiao looked at the two colleagues beside her: "General Jingyuan, General Huaiyan, as we expected… Jianmu's rise is not the end of things, but the beginning. That self‑immolating army's hand reaching toward the Celestial Boat has already sown the seed of 'Destruction.' From this moment onward into an unseen future, the Celestial Boat Alliance will face an even more terrifying challenge— a dual challenge from 'Destruction' and the Fertile Spawn."

Feixiao's lips curled a faint smile; even with strong foes all around, her expression remained the familiar confidence and resolve.

"If this is what they want, I'll gladly join them at any time!"

General Huaiyan said nothing, nodded at Feixiao. She understood: "Next, I will, as Marshal Envoy, dispatch the Luofu Cloud Riders to pursue Hu Lei."

"The thing beneath the pond can no longer hold back. And what I will do, as I said before, is 'purge the turbid, raise the clear.'"

——

Miss Kaguya wants me to confess.

"Ah ah Feixiao is just too handsome—!"

Fujiwara Chika lay on the sofa, both hands cradling her face, fully in a fangirl state, stars seemed to leap from her blue eyes.

"…I also want to become a woman as handsome as Feixiao!"

"Hey hey, senior Fujiwara, remember you're human, right? No genetic modifications, no sudden mutations. Want to become a woman like Feixiao? Hell awaits you." Ishigami kindly reminded.

"Rather than saying you want to be a general like Feixiao, you'd better say you want to be a dashing woman, right? Senior, ask yourself: have you kept up with daily running? Do you stay up late on your phone at night? Can you attend the Kendo club training on time every day?"

"Uh…"

Fujiwara Chika collapsed like a popped balloon, sinking into the sofa, only a pitiful pair of eyes showing.

"Ishigami… you're being too harsh!"

"I'm just stating facts, senior Fujiwara. Becoming a woman like Feixiao requires consistent training and discipline; your three‑minute enthusiasm won't cut it."

——

"After being locked inside the Prison of Captives, Xing and Dan Heng quickly cleared all Bu Li inside, and support from the Celestial Boat side arrived promptly; they emerged from the Prison of Captives not long after."

"But unfortunately Hu Lei has already vanished without a trace."

"Xing returned to the streets of Star Chariot Sea; crowds everywhere were eagerly awaiting the opening of the martial ceremony. Watching the crowd discuss it, patrol officer Yan Qing let out a complex sigh."

"'Martial ceremony, sigh…'"

"Xing patted his shoulder from behind."

"Eh? Teacher, you're here. I heard you and Mr. Dan Heng went to meet the Judge, and the whole Prison of Captives fell into chaos. I was worried about you. Glad you're both okay."

"What does the Divine Strategy Office plan to do?" Xing asked.

"Bu Li infiltrated Luofu from afar, trying to use conspiracies to rescue their leader… the whole affair is too suspicious, unlike Bu Li's usual deeds, and resembles the earlier Jianmu disaster and the Medicine King's faction turmoil. The three generals have all mobilized, intending to root out the fugitives and culprits to prevent further incidents."

As he spoke, Yan Qing began to ponder: "But if these Bu Li can disguise themselves as fox people… where should we start digging them out?"

"Even tourists nearby are talking about you…"

Yan Qing looked despondent and lowered his head: "Yes, I heard it too. But I must disappoint them. I've reported to the generals, giving up my role as the arena sword‑holder."

Xing was a bit surprised: "Didn't you prepare for this for a long time?"

"For me, Luofu's safety comes first. Before taking on the honor of arena sword‑holder, I must fulfill my duties as a Cloud Rider Dawn Guard. Those coming tourists only want to watch an exciting sword duel. Anyone can fight; it doesn't have to be me."

"The real contest isn't on the arena of the Heaven‑striking General; it's here. If we don't quickly capture the fugitives and bring Hu Lei's vile behavior to justice, he'll cause upheaval. This prison break clearly has a mastermind behind it, trying to stir chaos; if they succeed, what honor does the Cloud Rider have left?"

——

Fate/The Emiya Family's Meal.

"How considerate a child."

Although I had already thought Yan Qing far more mature than children his age, when I saw these words from his mouth, Rin Tohsaka still couldn't help a burst of admiration.

From the hazy incident to today's martial ceremony was only a few months, and this little brother's growth was faster than a rocket.

"Indeed very considerate, whereas some…" Archer glanced meaningfully at Rin Tohsaka, cutting off his sentence.

"Hey hey, Archer, you're using me as an example now?!" Rin glared fiercely, "I'm also very considerate, okay? Don't speak without knowing!"

"Why do I feel the streets seem unchanged?" Saber observed the passing tourists, each seeming more relaxed than those she met in Pinokangni's Holy Grail War, even though Hu Lei could appear at any moment to wreak havoc.

"Shouldn't we strengthen the Cloud Rider patrols? Or evacuate ordinary tourists in advance?"

"But if we do that, aren't we basically warning tourists that the Celestial Boat is currently very dangerous?" Lancer lounged on the tatami, casually picking his teeth, "If we don't spread the news, Hu Lei will only eat one or two people, likely fox people. But if panic spreads, the consequences are even less predictable."

"Even the Divine Strategy Army now reports to Feixiao's command; this lax patrol armament might be exactly the effect Feixiao wants to achieve."

——

"Well said."

A familiar voice came from behind Feixiao. She was sitting at the dining table, composed and leisurely enjoying lunch.

"Although short as a folding stool, the little Luofu kids also have spirits comparable to Yaoqing Warriors."

Yan Qing also sighed: "That has nothing to do with height, right?"

Xing: "Aren't the generals already taking action?"

Feixiao calmly: "I let Yan Qing pick a place where we can eat our fill. Before the 'hunt', the hunters must be fully prepared."

"It is indeed the 'Heaven‑striking General'; even when disaster looms he still has such a fine appetite… Please General Feixiao, finish this battle swiftly."