Chapter 658

"How should I put it? Although I don't know exactly what happened back then, judging by Miss Lingsha's tone, she probably doesn't hold a grudge against General Jing Yuan."

"Perhaps. Regarding this matter, besides Lingsha herself, no one knows clearly. Still, I hope this doesn't lead to internal chaos on the Luo Fu."

"Sigh, this story arc is really shattering my impression of the Xianzhou bit by bit."

"The Alliance's upper echelons have their own agendas, the Vidyadhara High Elders are duplicitous, the Alchemy Commission is full of loopholes, and between the various Xianzhou, while they do indeed help each other in times of crisis and are united, in the end, human calculation is unavoidable."

"After all, there is a saying in the Xianzhou's plays: wherever there are people, there is a world of conflict. These things, especially in a massive power, are unavoidable."

The Luo Fu Xianzhou.

The Divination Commission.

Watching Lingsha's words in the game's story, Lady Fu Xuan couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile—not laughing at Lingsha, but at those old fogies in the Alliance's upper echelons.

As the Master Diviner of the Luo Fu Xianzhou, Lady Fu Xuan was naturally no stranger to this kind of human calculation. Those old fogies didn't like Jing Yuan, so they took advantage of this crisis on the Luo Fu to use this ready-made excuse to hold General Jing Yuan accountable.

Fortunately, the Marshal was clear about these people's intentions and had sent General Huaiyan to mediate.

Come to think of it, those people arranging for Lingsha to return to the Luo Fu to succeed as the Alchemy Commission's Cauldron Master was likely also because of that past matter from thirty years ago, wanting to use it to create a rift between Jing Yuan and Lingsha.

Thinking of this, Lady Fu Xuan couldn't help but reveal a sneer: (Hmph, these people's little schemes will likely come to nothing.)

【In the game's story, just as Lingsha was conversing with Yanqing and the three members of the Express crew, a petite and cute figure walked over and said: "Sister Lingsha, you're finally back! I've been waiting for so long!"】

【This cute girl was Yunli, who had separated from everyone at the Palace of Astrum not long ago.】

【Seeing Yunli appear, Yanqing was also somewhat surprised, and for a moment, he temporarily pushed the past matter Lingsha had just mentioned to the back of his mind.】

【Seeing Yunli appear, Dan Heng and Stelle were secretly worried that Yanqing and Yunli would start arguing again, and March 7th directly covered her forehead.】

【Lingsha looked at Yunli and chuckled softly: "Yunli, why aren't you staying by your grandfather's side instead of running to the Alchemy Commission to wander around?"】

【"Just in time, let me take this opportunity to introduce you. This Lord Yanqing is…"】

【Yunli looked at Yanqing, Yanqing looked at Yunli, their gazes met; this scene was quite interesting.】

【Yunli sighed and said: "Sigh, it really is a case of enemies meeting on a narrow road…"】

【Yanqing looked at Yunli, his usual steadiness and composure gone, and he said somewhat anxiously: "You, this time you should return the sword you stole!"】

【Lingsha watched the situation between Yanqing and Yunli, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile, and she chuckled: "I understand, let's skip the introduction."】

The livestream chat.

"Hahahaha, the topic was a bit serious before, but as soon as Miss Yunli appeared, it became much more relaxed."

"Is Miss Lingsha's expression one of wanting to watch the show? Too interesting."

"Hahaha, Miss Yunli is so cute."

"Miss Yunli's line 'enemies meeting on a narrow road' is too funny; this must be fate."

"The interaction between these two little ones is quite interesting, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it's making me smile like an auntie."

"Although Yunli's behavior was a bit frown-inducing at first, thinking about it later, it's harmless. Looking at the conflict between children from an outsider's perspective, it's actually quite funny."

"Exactly. Two kids arguing—while Yunli's approach might be disliked from a conventional perspective, it's not unacceptable once you truly understand it."

"The problem is that some people are willing to understand a character's personality and setting, but prefer to project their own perceptions onto them. Yanqing being angry is reasonable, but those people getting triggered are just asking for trouble. They deserve it."

【In the game's story, Yunli put her hands on her hips, looked at Yanqing speechlessly, and said: "How come I can meet you everywhere? You aren't following me, are you?"】

【Yanqing snorted, looked at Yunli, and said: "Hmph, Yanqing naturally has serious business to attend to, unlike Miss Yunli, who is so idle that she has time to go shopping but no time to return the sword."】

【Yunli looked at Yanqing and retorted: "Grandfather said that things resemble their owners. I've talked to your sword. It told me that you are full of worries and idle sorrows; when you should strike, you hesitate, and when you don't strike, you can't hold the sword…"】

【"Now looking at you again, I think what the sword said is true. Don't blame me for taking your flying sword; it's your heart that isn't on the sword."】

【If there hadn't been a conflict at the beginning, Yanqing might have felt curious and interested in Yunli's words, after all, communicating with swords is indeed a quite magical ability, but now…】

【Yanqing couldn't be bothered to pay attention, directly treating it as an excuse, and argued: "Do you think I'll believe the nonsense you just made up? I respect you as a guest from the Zhuming, which is why I've tolerated you repeatedly, yet you show no appreciation. Does the Zhuming Xianzhou not have the common sense that 'one must return what one takes from others'?"】

【However, Yunli's heart was clearly entirely on the sword, and being able to communicate with swords, she could feel the sword's emotions.】

【Yunli took out Yanqing's flying sword and said: "Take a look at this flying sword. Even if I return it to you now, it won't be long before it's snatched away by someone else."】

【"Ever heard the dogma that 'Cloud Knights must not let their weapons leave their hands'? I can naturally return it to you now, but once you're on the battlefield, it's a different story. Sigh, how pitiful this flying sword is."】

【Seeing that Yunli still had no intention of returning the sword, Yanqing could no longer endure it and said in a deep voice: "You don't have to return it, because I will personally take back the sword I lost!"】

The livestream chat.

"Why do I feel like what Yunli and Yanqing are talking about seems to be the same thing, but they aren't actually on the same page?"

"I have that feeling too. Yunli means that Yanqing's sword heart is hesitant and his strikes are unstable, causing the flying sword to be unable to coordinate with its master, while Yanqing thinks the other party stole his sword and should have returned it, but is instead making excuses and beating around the bush."

"Exactly. If I didn't know about Yunli's talent for communicating with swords, I'm afraid I'd be just as triggered as Yanqing here."

"What's there to be triggered about? I actually think these two little ones arguing is quite interesting."

"But come to think of it, Yanqing's sword is a flying sword, right? How can it not leave his hand?"

"Is it possible that 'leaving the hand' here refers to losing control over one's own precious sword?"

"Can it be interpreted that way?"

"How else would you interpret it? Even for Yunli, her skills include ways to throw her sword to attack. If you only look at the superficial literal meaning here, aren't you just splitting hairs?"

"I have to say, if we look at it from the perspective of an ordinary person, Yunli's words are truly infuriating."

"Stealing someone else's things for no reason and then acting all righteous and refusing to return them—that is indeed quite infuriating."

"Infuriating my foot. This is clearly a classic sword-hero play plot. It's so interesting; I don't know why some people get triggered at the drop of a hat. Projecting their own hostility onto a girl and thinking they're so righteous."

"If you say that, you'd better not complain when you encounter a brat."

"God-damn it, she's not a brat. Miss Yunli has a 'sword-obsessed' attribute, okay? And compared to Yanqing, General Huaiyan clearly doesn't teach Yanqing the same way. Compared to Yanqing, Yunli has more of the childishness appropriate for her age, plus the setting where she can talk to swords—that's what led to this conflict, okay?"

"You have your reasons, as long as you're happy."

"What do you mean 'you have your reasons, as long as you're happy'? This is clearly a classic misunderstanding conflict. Yunli doesn't know about Yanqing's previous experiences that led to his current unstable state of mind, and Yanqing doesn't understand Yunli's attitude and talent regarding swords. I really don't understand why some people are so excited, as if they've been poked in a sore spot."

"After all, most of the time, you don't have to be responsible for what you say on the internet. If you have the ability, try doing that in reality."

"Do those people in reality dare to? Miss Yunli is not a weak girl without the strength to truss a chicken. I reckon those people would be so scared they'd sit on the ground the moment they saw that huge iron sword."

"Heh, that's for sure. After all, how much courage do those people who like to spout nonsense behind a keyboard really have?"

【In the game's story, watching the two little ones at daggers drawn, Stelle said with some anticipation: "Is this the Wardance Ceremony?"】

【Seeing that the conflict between Lieutenant Yanqing and Miss Yunli was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, Miss March 7th was momentarily stunned and said to Following Dan Heng: "Following Dan Heng, which of these two do you think is more powerful? Don't blame me, I'm genuinely curious."】

【Following Dan Heng shook his head helplessly and sighed: "Sigh, get ready to pull them apart."】

Livestream room.

"Hahahaha, Following Dan Heng is truly exhausted."

"After all, among the three members of the Express crew, Stelle and Miss March 7th are quite lively; this one, as one of the three reliable members of the Express crew, really has no choice but to worry."

"With Mr. Welt and Miss Himeko gone, Following Dan Heng's pressure has increased instantly, hasn't it?"

"But if Miss Yunli and Lieutenant Yanqing really start fighting here, I suddenly have a sense of déjà vu from the scenes in the preview content."

"Right, I remember now too. In the preview, the place where Lieutenant Yanqing and Miss Yunli fought seems to be right here."

【In the game's story, watching the two about to make a move, Sister Lingsha spoke up: "Today is my first day in office at the Alchemy Commission; seeing blood drawn by blades is not a good omen for an opening."】

【Hearing Sister Lingsha say this, Miss Yunli also withdrew her aura and said: "Fine, since Sister Lingsha doesn't like it, I won't draw my blade or fight here."】

【Sister Lingsha chuckled: "That's not what I meant. The swords are already drawn; if you don't let them spar, neither of you will be happy, right?"】

【"I heard from the Alchemy Commission's reports that there are still abominations appearing around the Alchemy Commission's realm-ship. I suppose my predecessors left quite a mess at the Alchemy Commission. If you want to determine who is better, why must you point your blades at each other?"】

Livestream room.

"Good grief, Sister Lingsha's plan is quite loud."

"This is killing two birds with one stone: solving the problem of the Alchemy Commission's abominations while also getting to watch a match, right?"

"Hmm, it feels like Sister Lingsha seems to enjoy watching the drama?"

"Be confident, remove the 'seems to' and the question mark."

"Good grief, is Sister Lingsha actually this kind of person? Hehehe, I like her even more now."

"But this is also good; always bottling it up isn't a solution. These two little ones need a battle to vent right now, so this is actually better for Lieutenant Yanqing and Miss Yunli."

"But this method of competition, isn't it a little familiar?"

"Lieutenant Yanqing says this is way too familiar."

"Hahahaha, previously in Lieutenant Yanqing's companion mission, it was a competition with Miss Jingliu on the number and speed of killing prey, right?"

"Mm-hmm, does this count as a nightmare returning?"

"It's alright. After all, no matter how strong Miss Yunli is, at best she's on par with Lieutenant Yanqing, but Miss Jingliu is much more powerful. The former Sword Champion of the Luo Fu, one of the High-Cloud Quintet—those titles were earned through real strength."

"Actually, at this point, I'm also quite looking forward to seeing who wins and who loses between these two little ones."