Chapter 99

"The principal's time zero does not change an object's kinetic energy. Bullets in the field merely slow down; if they touch, they will still pierce your palm." Chu Zihang said, "So, when she appears, she should have demonstrated two abilities."

The first type is precognition—that is, the divination she mentioned; relying on the eye on her forehead, she should have divined the trajectory of each bullet.

"Monster." Kaiser laughed dryly, "With this ability, why would you still be a leader? Wouldn't it be better to divine lottery numbers yourself?"

"The second type is likely similar to a defensive ability." Chu Zihang ignored Kaiser's retort and continued his serious analysis: "Being able to deflect bullets shows that in her domain, she can either easily neutralize the bullet's kinetic energy or withstand it without injury."

"So the meaning is, don't let her cute, pink appearance fool you—maybe if a blade slashes her, she wouldn't even furrow her brow."

Chu Zihang silently nodded.

"We won't add any procedures; just observing the interrogation is enough." Walter added.

"Since it's come to this point, Fu Xuan doesn't want to say more, so he lets them follow him to the Divination Commission."

"Can't we interrogate her on the spot?" March 7th worried, "Star Core Hunters are so cunning; what if she gets away again?"

"With me here, she can't escape." Fu Xuan said confidently, "The only way to pry open a Star Core Hunter's mouth and make her spill the truth is effective only in the Divination Commission. Please, come along."

Xingyun drove the star barge to send several people back, but stopped in a bustling market district.

Looking around, Fu Xuan flared up, his voice soft yet fierce: "…Although I usually keep to myself, I still know what my domain looks like. What route did you bring? Is the Divination Commission even here?!"

"Oh dear, please calm down, Divination Commissioner." Xingyun quickly apologized and explained: "The celestial instrument malfunctioned; locating the entrance to the grotto-heaven isn't easy. I also wanted to handle things swiftly, but right now this is the only place where we can dock the star barge."

"We'll just walk the remaining distance a few more steps."

"Hmph." Fu Xuan let out a cool snort, then closed his eyes, bowed his head, and began muttering something.

"The hexagram rises and falls, between Dui and Kan. The voyage is stuck, feet mired, unable to advance…"

"What does she mean? It sounds like some kind of ancient text."

"Well, this is a hexagram from the Zhouyi." Chu Zihang had taken related courses in school, because literature from three or four thousand years ago likely bears traces of dragon clan culture, so he had studied some relevant books and thus understood part of the hexagram texts.

"Between Dui and Kan means the upper trigram is Dui, which is marsh; the lower trigram is Kan, which is water. Water seeps into the marsh's bottom, leaving the marsh dry—this is the hexagram of Being Stuck." Chu Zihang explained.

"The Stuck hexagram?" Just hearing it made Kaiser feel drowsy.

"Well, you can simply understand it as… meaning many difficulties."

"Oh, okay." Kaiser felt for the first time how lacking his knowledge was, defeatedly rubbing his forehead, "Looks like I'll have to sign up for an ancient literature class when I go back."

"I've heard the Astral Express has some divine divination skill, but why is it just finger gestures? It's like counting on fingers." March 7th asked curiously.

"You still use your fingers to count?" Xing muttered silently.

"Why not, just give it a little help—those ten fingers shouldn't go to waste!" March 7th said confidently.

On the other side, Fu Xuan also finished his divination, slowly raising his head and saying: "I just cast a hexagram; the reading shows no difference from the current situation. It seems we cannot take the star barge straight to the Divination Commission today."

The result of this hexagram also indicates that the Divination Commission has some problems; Fu Xuan immediately said he would first take Kafka away and meanwhile prepare for the inquiry.

After things are settled, a guide will bring them into the Divination Commission; at that time, finding that person in the square will be enough.

After Fu Xuan left, the few of them having nothing to do, Walter suggested they wander around here a bit more.

Before departure, Xing suddenly became interested in the Divination Commission and asked Xingyun about its situation.

"Sigh… my benefactor has never asked what my Transportation Bureau does; truly, person-to-person comparisons are infuriating; bureau-to-bureau comparisons are boring…"

Xingyun feigned resentment, lowering her brows, but a second later switched to a charming smile: "Alright, since you asked, my answer is: the Divination Commission oversees information, planning, and divination for the Astral Express."

"Divination? Isn't that just relying on luck?" Xing questioned doubtfully.

"My benefactor is unaware; the divination method of the Astral Express is not just tossing copper coins or drawing wood sticks to fool people—it is a technique called Jade Omen."

"From the Astral Express's operational routes and imperial court policies, down to military maneuvers and civilian livelihoods, the Divination Commission conducts calculations and divinations to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune."

Teyvat continent, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"Even livelihood and military matters refer to divination—won't that be too frivolous?" Esteemed Guest?

Hu Tao felt the Astral Express's actions were also overly bold, entrusting a major policy affecting millions' livelihoods and lives to divination… putting that in Liyue is something she wouldn't even dare imagine.

"Although the hall master says otherwise, I actually think they have some reason." Zhongli smiled slightly, "Would the hall master like to play a game with me? I'll guess what the hall master will eat for breakfast tomorrow; we'll each write our answer in our palm, how about that?"

"Sure thing, Esteemed Guest." Upon hearing the word "game," Hu Tao instantly perked up, immediately ordering the attendant sister to fetch a pen and began writing on her palm.

After the writing was finished, Hu Tao and Zhongli simultaneously opened their palms, discovering that each had written "Crystal Shrimp Dumplings".

"Ah? Esteemed Guest? How did you know? Did you guess?" Hu Tao ran behind Zhongli, clinging to his back in a coquettish manner, her tone light: "Come on, tell me—you can't hide anything at all~"

"Hehe, actually it's quite simple. Because tomorrow's Wanmin Hall is on duty with Xiangling, and Crystal Shrimp Dumplings are her recent specialty."

Zhongli lifted his gaze to the distant sunset glow, "After this year's Lantern Rite, Bai Shu has repeatedly urged the hall master to keep his diet light; moreover, now is the perfect season to eat shrimp, so I inferred the hall master's breakfast for tomorrow."

"However, I want to say that when one holds sufficient information, predicting the future is not difficult."

Zhongli paused, then said, "The future is less about chance and more about the inevitability brought on by countless factors. Therefore I surmise that the Astral Express's Jade Omen is a technology capable of grasping countless 'factors' in advance."

"I understand what you mean, Esteemed Guest, but divining livelihood and military matters would require far too many factors—that astronomical amount of calculation…" Although I can comprehend it, Hu Tao still finds it hard to imagine this as a realm humanity can reach.

"Well, then I surmise that the Astral Express is not solely powered by the Hunt; other stellar gods have also once aided them."

"For example… wisdom."