Chapter 86: You think there could be human ears hidden under Xingyun's hair?

After the three briefly introduced themselves, Xingyun again expressed her gratitude for their righteous deed. However, she was also curious as to why Xing and the others had come to the blocked Starwatcher Sea.

As she spoke, the smile on her face gradually faded, and her tone shifted: "If there's no reasonable explanation, those Cloud Knights beside us will probably have to detain you all."

The situation before them seemed off, and San Yue Qi instantly grew nervous.

Fortunately, Uncle Yang was steady enough; he said calmly, "We called for the harbor shuttle, but initially got no response. Suddenly someone opened the Jade Boundary Gate for us. After entering the Astral Express, we saw no one, so we had to search our way here."

Although it's still unclear who opened the Jade Boundary Gate, upon learning that the group belonged to the Astral Express, the girl's face instantly showed a hint of sorrow.

"Alas, your timing is unfortunate, benefactors. The Astral Express has met with an accident and is not fit to receive guests. Whether you came for sightseeing, medical treatment, or trade, you probably won't be able to do anything."

"For safety's sake, you should hurry to the central refuge of the Starwatcher Sea. I will take you to meet the Lord of the Heavenly Armada, who will decide your fate."

This fox girl… is not simple.

In the office of the Survey Corps, Ai'erwen, having finished a day's work, had set down his documents and was watching the sky together with Liwei'er. Due to orders from above, Han Ji was also present this time, responsible for recording the important contents of the light screen.

"How so? Do you see something wrong with her?" Liwei'er gave him a strange look.

"Otherwise, nothing much… just that this girl has a deep mind and is very articulate." Ai'erwen lifted his head, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the center, "It's a habit cultivated from years of dealing with important figures, not easy to acquire."

"In her eyes, the Astral Express is an unknown force, and even after a few words one can't discern their true intentions. Even if they meant well and sent the Cloud Knights to detain them—never mind whether they've lost the etiquette of hospitality—at the very least, the first impression they give is terrible."

"... That's why she said those words afterwards."

"So-called 'leading everyone to refuge' is really just another way of saying 'detention,' right?" After Ai'erwen said that, Liwei'er gradually understood his meaning: "It lets the Cloud Knights keep an eye on the three formidable individuals while also letting the train crew feel the Astral Express's gentle attitude."

"To think it all through in such a short time… neither offending anyone nor shirking duties—it reminds me of several high-ranking officials of the Military Police, tch."

Thinking of those guys in the central command, Liwei'er's eyes flashed with a hint of displeasure.

Ai'erwen said nothing, merely glancing toward Han Ji, who had been silent from the start of the meeting, doodling in her notebook.

"Han Ji, what are you recording?"

Upon hearing that, Liwei'er also turned his gaze to the bespectacled, somewhat androgynous figure beside him. He tilted his chair back slightly to get a better view of what Han Ji had written in her notebook.

That person's pen flew across the page, sketching a simple portrait of Xingyun—especially the tail and ears, which they had drawn from several angles on purpose.

"Hey, what are you—"

Han Ji snapped her notebook shut with a 'bang,' pointed her pen at the girl on the light screen, her eyes blazing with unprecedented fervor and thirst for knowledge.

"Aren't you curious? Don't you want to take a look?"

"Have you seen her ears? She looks hardly different from a human, yet she has two ears on her head!" Han Ji reached out and pinched her own ears, her eyes practically overflowing with light: "Is there a human ear hidden beneath her hair…? Don't you want to know?!"

"And what about her tail, so fluffy… does it extend from the coccyx, or from somewhere else?"

"Ah… I really want to experiment on her, I really want to know…"

"……" Ai'erwen said nothing; he seemed already accustomed to Han Ji's ways, calmly withdrawing his gaze.

Liwei'er rubbed his forehead and clicked his tongue in annoyance: "Hey, can't you keep your thoughts on the Titans instead?"

"What good is studying the tail of an otherworldly woman? Are you planning to help the Titans grow tails?"

——

"I also know a bit about the Astral Express's mishap. Miss Xingyun, we're here precisely to help the Astral Express seal the Stellaron." Wa'erte keenly sensed Xingyun's intent and continued to explain.

"Hehe, when you all lend your aid, I know you're great benefactors!" Xingyun shifted her tone, continuing with her "non-stick pan" rhetoric: "Alas… Xingyun is powerless! After all, you're outsiders, and without the Helm Lord's authorization, no one dares to act arbitrarily."

"Don't be afraid, the Helm Lord is kind—come with me!"

For now, following Xingyun is the only option. Along the way, everyone witnessed her flawless speech and her ability to get things done without showing any emotion. After eliminating a few soldiers of the Dark Yin and passing through a narrow catwalk, they finally arrived at the harbor of the Starwatcher Sea.

Upon hearing Wa'erte mention the Stellaron, Xingyun also said that as an Emissary of Passage she had visited many planets corroded by the Stellaron; speaking of the grim state, her beautiful eyes inevitably grew dim.

It seems Xingyun's role is more like a national trade representative, similar to my own position." Ningguang smiled faintly; no wonder, when listening to Xingyun speak, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness.

The Liyue the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing handles Liyue's commercial operations, and as the Heavenly Axis Star she is not only a major merchant of Liyue but also the leader of many merchant houses. To Ningguang, Xingyun's seamless rhetoric felt very familiar.

However, there is still a difference: Ningguang herself is the highest authority in Liyue and the maker of countless commercial policies; when dealing with people, her confidence is undoubtedly stronger.

"If only Xingyun could come to Liyue, Liyue Harbor is in need of such talent." Ningguang sighed regretfully.

The little secretary beside her, upon hearing this, instantly felt a sour pang: "Lady Ningguang, do you regret that Miss Xingyun cannot be of use to you?"

"Hehe, you've picked up on that."

Ningguang looked at the fox-eared girl on the light screen, at her sly little expression, and her smile shifted as she waved a hand: "Never mind; this girl is sharp-witted, a born merchant, and would hardly be willing to serve me."

If she comes to Liyue, I'm afraid those merchants will again secretly complain.