Chapter 83: Dan Heng has actually done great things before

The coordinates are right here; decide for yourselves. Although our goals are completely different, the stars' orbits will eventually converge. Goodbye.

Kafka's projection vanished on the spot; as for the coordinates, Silver Wolf will transmit them to them later.

"March, go fetch Dan Heng." Himeko said with a solemn expression.

Walter frowned and said, "How could the mighty Xianzhou Alliance be breached by a single Star Core?"

"Is the Xianzhou Alliance that powerful?" Star asked curiously.

"This is suspicious. The Xianzhou Alliance is one of the few factions that draw power directly from the Stellarons; they follow Lan of the Hunt, with the mission to eliminate the Star God of Abundance. Their strength is immense, far surpassing the train blessed by the late Akivili." Walter nodded without hesitation.

"Among the Star Gods, Lan is not particularly strong; his concept of the Hunt is relatively narrow… but unlike most Star Gods, Lan pays great attention to mortals, and he almost unreservedly bestows his power upon the Xianzhou Alliance."

"So I don't think the Star Core would be any trouble in the eyes of the Star Gods…" Walter lowered his head in thought, "Either the Star Core hunters are lying, or… there is a greater threat hidden on the Xianzhou Luofu…"

"To bestow power upon mortals without reservation… that almost certainly means the Xianzhou generals are all Emissaries of the Hunt." Makima, the Fire God, speculated.

However, judging from General Jing Yuan's performance, the Emissaries, while strong, are not invincible—at least when facing his master Jingliu, the master once suppressed him in swordsmanship.

"Yes, just like the Fire God's divine position." Makima stared at her clenched fist, "As long as you have enough power, anyone can sit on the Fire God's throne, but even becoming a Fire God remains a mortal flesh and blood, unable to escape aging, sickness, and death—just as Jing Yuan ultimately could not escape the Demonic Yin Form."

Quesada narrowed his eyes, pondered, and said, "Perhaps there is a possibility: each general excels in a different field."

"For example, there are generals skilled in strategy, like Jing Yuan; there are those especially talented in combat, or those possessing certain special abilities…"

"That's possible." Makima nodded and said, "But I believe the Stellarons' blessing is not tied to a specific person, but to the position of 'General'—in other words, whoever can sit as General can become an Emissary."

After a while, Star noticed that March 7 and Dan Heng still hadn't arrived, so she decided to check the rear carriage.

When she got there, March 7 and Dan Heng were talking.

"Huh, you're here too? I've already told Dan Heng everything. We agreed we'd vote against it together later—I don't want to listen to that woman's orders!"

Upon seeing Star, March 7 angrily pulled her aside to discuss things in advance.

Usually calm, Teacher Dan Heng acted out of character, a hint of distress in his eyes: "I never expected this to happen so quickly. If it were any other Xianzhou, it'd be fine, but Luofu… I can't go."

"I am forbidden to set foot in Luofu… 'Wherever one governs, one shall not tread.'" Speaking of the past, Dan Heng's eyes faintly showed sorrow.

"Uh… being barred from entry, it looks like Little Dan Heng's past is anything but ordinary." Najita laughed and exclaimed, "He must have done something grand in Luofu."

"Huh? Boss, how did you come to that guess?" Main tilted her head curiously.

"It's simple, Main. Think about it… if you weren't relying on Night Raid's false identity, could you freely come and go in the Capital?"

"Of course not—we've long been wanted."

"Exactly, because we committed what they consider a 'great sin' in the Capital, we were wanted. Likewise, Dan Heng probably committed a great sin in Luofu, which is why he was exiled and may never set foot there again."

Najita paused, then continued, "Besides, you should have noticed—Dan Heng's marksmanship is superb, even stronger than Chìtóng's. In combat, he possesses experience and maturity far beyond his age. I suspect he is actually a native of Luofu, an Eternal Lifespan being."

"So Dan Heng just looks like he's in his teens." Main sized up Dan Heng on the screen—that handsome face showed no trace of age… she swallowed, envious.

"Actually, he could easily be my great‑great‑great‑great‑grandfather's old man."

"That wording isn't quite right, Main." Najita smiled slightly. "'Mature' is more fitting."

After shouting for everyone to vote against it, March 7 and a few others returned to the main carriage.

"Are you all right, Dan Heng? Did Little March tell you everything?" Himeko asked with concern.

"Hmm, I'm fine, and I understand the situation."

Himeko: "Well then, let's vote on this special matter to decide our direction forward."

All five nodded, then quickly made a decision.

Dan Heng voted against, while Star's mind was filled with—who am I, where am I, what should I do—she completely forgot to raise her hand, which also counted as an opposition.

Meanwhile, Himeko, Walter, and March 7 all voted in favor.

"Three to two, so the train crew majority agrees to head for the Xianzhou."

"Didn't you say you'd vote against it?" Star looked at March 7 in shock.

"Uh… after calming down and rethinking, what if that woman isn't lying? If we don't go to the Xianzhou, many innocents could die…" March 7 gave an embarrassed, awkward laugh: "Now's not the time to be willful… hehe."

"Eh—Dan Heng isn't going to the Xianzhou this time? Then his heartache might never be resolved." Yumemizuki Mizuki wore a look of regret.

"Since we're already barred from entering the border, let's not make things difficult for him." Yae Miko smiled slightly. "Although Dan Heng isn't going this time, the team is led by Mr. Walter… this gentleman seems quite reliable."

"Are you curious about his weapon that can create black holes?" Leiying nibbled on her steamed bun milk, then bluntly pointed it out without expression.

"How about it, Ying? Aren't you curious?"

Miko's smile deepened. "As far as I can tell, Mr. Walter himself hasn't shown any extraordinary power; his greatest reliance seems to be that weapon. Being able to create black holes at will… even a god couldn't do that, right?"

Leiying offered no objection, merely nodding silently.

So, I'm very curious about the true strength of Thus: Yang Xiansheng. This celestial boat journey could be more dangerous than Belo Berg... It should allow us to get to know him more truly, right?