Chapter 3

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

The rear garden of the General's Mansion was a patch of "forbidden ground" that Xuan Ge had carved out for himself.

Not large, but with all five organs complete.

A pool of living water was drawn from the Xian Zhou's internal circulation system, and a few uncarved, jagged strange rocks were piled by the poolside.

Several clusters of emerald bamboo were scattered with deliberate care, and in a corner there was even a small vegetable bed, planted with green onions and garlic sprouts.

Although it was mostly maintained by the automatic irrigation system, the owner would only go take a look when he happened to think of it.

At this moment, Xuan Ge was sitting on the bluestone by the pool.

In his hand he held a...... extremely crude fishing rod.

A slender wooden stick folded casually, its tip tied with an ordinary white cotton thread, the end of the thread dangling into the water, not even a fish hook attached.

Beneath the water surface, several fat koi swam leisurely, their colors variegated, treating that cotton line swaying with the waves as if it did not exist.

Occasionally they flicked their tails and stirred up ripples, with quite the attitude of "you fish your way, I'll roam at ease."

Xuan Ge did not mind either, his golden eyes half-narrowed, the corners of his mouth holding a faint, barely-there smile.

His wrist shook lightly, and the cotton thread traced a subtle trajectory in the water.

Rather than saying he was fishing, it was more like he was teasing the fish, or rather, enjoying this peace of having nothing to do.

Beside him, a projection that seemed slightly illusory yet solid and clear stood quietly.

White hair, golden pupils, a habitual, as-if-never-fully-awake lazy smile on his face — the Divine Strategy General of the Luo Fu Xian Zhou, Jing Yuan.

"Ah~" Jing Yuan's projection shook its head slightly, its tone carrying genuine envy.

"The life you lead...... it's truly comfortable. How about we swap?"

Xuan Ge turned his head, glanced at him, the corners of his mouth hooking that signature playful smile:

"Look at what you're saying. You want to come, you come; the gates of the Shen Wu Xian Zhou are open to you at any time."

He paused, his smile deepening, "But the Luo Fu...... if I really went, would you really dare give me your position?"

Hearing this, the laziness on Jing Yuan's face instantly turned into genuine helplessness; he raised his hand in a "stop" gesture, shaking his head repeatedly.

Swap? He didn't dare.

Let Xuan Ge take charge of the Luo Fu? Jing Yuan had no doubt this childhood friend could stage a "Three-Day Purge of Luofu, Ten-Day Redefinition of Canon" grand drama for him.

By then those deeply entrenched, each-harboring-ulterior-motives old things....

Even those slippery characters in the Sky-Faring Commission would probably all be sent by this "Divine Might" General to meet the Emperor's Bow with the most direct physical means.

Just thinking about it made his scalp tingle.

He still remembered Xuan Ge's "feat" when he first assumed the General Position.

A high-ranking, influential old minister of the Yao Qing Xian Zhou, with disciples and old acquaintances spread everywhere, unwilling to see this out-of-nowhere, clearly not-playing-by-the-rules "private army leader" break the existing power balance.

United a bunch of conservative old-timers, wrote a ten-thousand-word memorial in flowing prose, and made trouble at the council presided over by the Marshal.

The core was just one sentence: "General Xuan Ge holds troops for his own power, his foundation all tied to his private followers, feared not a blessing for the Alliance, unsuitable to be promoted to formal General."

The scene was awkward and tense for a time.

The newly formally granted "Divine Might" Xuan Ge just sat among the seats.

He listened to those righteous-sounding accusations, his face showing no expression, merely waiting for the other to finish before slowly standing up.

He did not rebut, did not explain, did not even glance at that ten-thousand-word memorial.

He merely looked at that white-haired, righteous-sounding Yao Qing old minister, using a tone calm to the point of near idle chat, and said a sentence:

"I, Xuan Ge, have a principle."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall.

"I never kill women, and I don't kill children."

Everyone present was stunned, not understanding why.

The corners of Xuan Ge's mouth slowly pulled into an arc, that smile holding not the slightest temperature, only cold sharpness.

"However," he slowly added, each word clear, "your wife is not a child."

"And your son," his golden eyes locked onto that old minister whose face had begun to turn pale, "is even less a woman."

The instant his words fell——

Xuan Ge performed for the generals present and the Marshal a zero-frame startup unique to a Path of the Hunt walker.

The next frame, he had already appeared before that old minister.

No one saw clearly how he struck, only hearing a dull, as-if-heavy-object-striking-rammed-earth "thud"!

A long spear phantom condensed purely from blue-gold causal power had already nailed that old minister firmly to the alloy wall behind him!

The spear tip precisely pierced through the gap between his shoulder blade and the wall, pierced through the luxurious robe, fixing him like a specimen, yet cleverly avoiding all vital points.

Fresh blood seeped out, staining the front of his clothes red.

The old minister's eyes widened, his face bloodless, enormous shock even suppressing the pain, rendering him unable to make a sound.

The entire council hall, a pin drop could be heard.

Xuan Ge released his hand, the Causal Spear phantom slowly dissipating.

He patted off non-existent dust, turned, and cupped his fists toward the Marshal seated high above.

"This subordinate was momentarily enraged and lost measure in his strike."

His tone flat, as if just now he had merely swatted a mosquito.

"Fortunately, the dantian and viscera were unharmed; with my Xian Zhou celestial constitution, applying medicine and resting for a few days will suffice for a full recovery. The medical expenses, I'll cover."

Harming the dantian and viscera means touching the life core of a Chang Sheng Zhong — that is true death, which even Xian Zhou medical technology struggles to reverse.

A penetrating wound that does not harm the dantian, for a celestial, is indeed merely a "flesh wound" that only needs time to heal.

But the deterrence brought by this "flesh wound" is more terrifying than death itself.

The Marshal said nothing at the time, merely looked deeply at Xuan Ge once, waved his hand, and had the medical team carry the man away.

That ten-thousand-word memorial was never mentioned again by anyone.

Afterwards, the Marshal deliberated repeatedly, ultimately overriding all objections, personally allocating resources, and formally recognizing the "Shen Wu Xian Zhou" as an Alliance Independent Establishment under the Alliance Name.

Perhaps the Marshal also understood: she could suppress this over-sharp, unconventionally unbound "Divine Might" blade with her strength and prestige, but it was difficult to "control" him with ordinary rules.

Better to give him a realm of his own, a clear boundary, where he would protect, and also be free to gallop.

As the memory reached this point, the corner of Jing Yuan's projection's mouth twitched again.

Xuan Ge knew Jing Yuan was thinking of past events, and immediately flicked his wrist; the cotton thread bounced once on the water's surface:

"What's there to fear? I was joking back then."

"If I believed you were joking..." Jing Yuan gave him an annoyed sidelong glance, "I might as well believe I can retire next year."

Just as the two were bantering and the atmosphere was relaxed, at the garden entrance, a Shen Wu soldier clad in black armor approached briskly.

He stopped three zhang away, and facing Xuan Ge and Jing Yuan's projection, respectfully cupped his fists in salute.

"General. Greetings, General Shen Ce."

Jing Yuan reined in his joking demeanor, gave the soldier a slight nod, and then looked at Xuan Ge: "Do you need me to leave?"

"No matter." Xuan Ge waved his hand, his gaze still fixed on the cotton thread on the water's surface, "Speak. What is it?"

The soldier stepped forward, presenting a letter with no markings and of special material with both hands, reporting in a steady tone:

"General, approximately a quarter of an hour ago, a Void Soldier of the Antimatter Legion, carrying this letter, crashed into the bow deck of my First Army's Patrol Ship No. 3 at extremely high speed.

Upon impact, the Void Soldier's body was completely annihilated, leaving no debris. Only this letter remained, captured by the protective force field."

Crashing a ship to deliver a letter.

The Destruction Legion's style, as extreme and uncompromising as ever.

Xuan Ge finally put down that ridiculous "fishing rod."

He reached out to take the letter; his fingertips felt a slight chill, carrying a unique fluctuation characteristic of imaginary energy.

The letter was very light; he opened it directly.

Inside there was no paper, only a brief message written with Destruction energy, branded onto a special carrier.

The energy formed four cold, sharp characters: Shattered Star. See me.

No signature, no time, but the meaning was unmistakable — meet at the center of the Shattered Star Belt.

Xuan Ge's face showed little expression; he merely exerted slight force with his fingertips, and the information carrier silently dissolved into fine streams of light.

He waved his hand: "Understood, dismiss. Raise the patrol alert level in the direction of the Shattered Star Belt. During non-combat status, if Void Soldiers approach, they may be warned and driven away; do not initiate attacks."

"Yes!" The soldier acknowledged the order, saluted again, turned, and left quickly.

Xuan Ge turned his gaze back to the pond; a faint ripple stirred in the depths of his golden eyes.

Xing Xiao... requesting a meeting on her own initiative? Under the current stalemate between both sides? What does she want to talk about?

Jing Yuan's projection frowned slightly, that laziness completely replaced by gravity.

"You encountered the Destruction Envoy head-on... and exchanged blows?" He asked directly.

As a General of the Xian Zhou Luo Fu, he had the right to know major military developments that could affect the Alliance's security.

"Mm." Xuan Ge did not conceal it, his tone still flat.

"We collided. Fought a battle. No deaths." He added, "On the Divine Martial Army's side, there are zero casualties recorded."

The corner of Jing Yuan's mouth twitched again.

This answer was so "Xuan Ge."

Lightly dismissive, the focus always falling on his own people's casualties; as for the opponent, the intensity of the battle, or the level of powers involved, it was as if none of it was worth mentioning.

"You should have given us a heads-up in advance." Jing Yuan's voice grew more serious.

"At the very least, you should have let the Marshal and me know. Xing Xiao is no ordinary Lord of Extinction; the entanglements she involves... are very complex."

He had known Xuan Ge for too long.

Long enough to have witnessed much of the other's unknown past.

They grew up together from childhood, enlisted together, but later walked different paths.

Jing Yuan entered that brilliant yet tragic legend of the "Cloud Five Arbiter Generals."

While Xuan Ge chose another road....

Relying on solid military merit, he led troops on expeditions, rushing to aid various Xianzhou ships in crisis.

In blood and fire, step by step, he built the foundation and formidable reputation of today's Divine Martial Xianzhou.

And that sudden Shuixu Chaos, Jing Yuan remembered, it wasn't that Envoy Xuan Ge was nearly drained to death by Shuixu.

Immediately following that was the "Yin Yue Rebellion" which no one expected but had far-reaching consequences.

Dan Feng of the Minglong Vidyadhara, to resurrect his close friend Bai Heng, rashly used the Dragon Transformation Mystery, causing a great calamity, creating a Monstrous Dragon, and stirring up a storm of blood in the Scale Abyss.

Dan Feng himself was nearly crushed to death by the monster he created; Ying Xing unfortunately came into contact with Shuixu flesh and blood and fell into an undying abomination; and Sword Champion Jing Liu, after slaying the Monstrous Dragon, also fell into Mara due to grief and weariness...

Xuan Ge had deep ties with the Cloud Five Arbiter Generals, especially with that stunningly talented Artisan, Ying Xing.

The divine weapon "Ya Jiao" in his hand, which had accompanied him on campaigns in all directions and is now rarely used, is a masterpiece jointly crafted by Ying Xing and General Huai Yan; every pattern on the spear shaft is inscribed with past affection and skill.

After the Yin Yue Rebellion, watching old friends either dead, fallen, or scattered, Xuan Ge fell silent for a long time, shutting himself away for a very long period.

Jing Yuan went to see him himself, only to find a heart-palpitating silence.

It was not until a hundred years later that Xuan Ge "walked" out again; certain things in his eyes had settled, replaced by a more determined, even somewhat obsessive, sharp light.

He told himself he had figured it out; he would level everything he deemed "unjust," in his own way.

After that came the gaze of the Xunlie Xingshen Lan descending upon him, the power of causality attaching itself to him, and Xuan Ge became one of the most unique Envoys in the Alliance.

Jing Yuan knew him too well.

He knew the seriousness beneath his joking and cursing, knew the heavy burden he carried behind his cynical demeanor, and knew his rotten habit of "wanting to shoulder every matter himself, wanting to bear every responsibility himself."

Even at the height of the Yun Shang Five Braves' power they couldn't hold him back; now, even less could anyone easily change his decision.

"Clear the air?" Xuan Ge curled the corner of his mouth, as if he found Jing Yuan's worry somewhat unnecessary.

"Clear what air? If Huai Yan Old Man found out, he'd definitely cite classics to sarcastically mock me."

He shook his head and laughed: "Besides, this meeting, Xing Xiao never intended to truly go to war in the first place. At least not currently."

Speaking, he raised his hand, palm facing up.

The last trace of energy imprint left by that letter which had already turned into flowing light was pulled out from the Void by him again, suspended at his fingertip.

He flicked it lightly.

A golden thunder light, fine as a hair yet brilliantly dazzling, emerged from thin air, precisely striking that energy imprint.

"Sizzle—"

Amid a barely audible sound, that trace of Destruction Energy representing Xing Xiao's invitation was completely purified and devoured by the pure Causal Thunder Light, disappearing without a trace.

Jing Yuan watched this scene, knowing Xuan Ge's mind was made up.

He fell silent for a moment, the projected light seeming to vibrate slightly.

"Fine then." He finally spoke, his tone returning to its usual composure.

"Since I'm already aware of this matter, by protocol I'll report it to the Marshal for the record. Not to interfere with you, but to leave a record, and also for...... just in case."

He paused, looking into Xuan Ge's eyes, his tone growing heavier:

"But you, you must be careful. Xing Xiao...... she may not be able to hurt you, but the causality behind her, the traps she might have set, and the will of Destruction she represents...... are all no small matter.

Your power is special, but it's also completely countered by her, this point you know better than I do."

Xuan Ge met his close friend's worried gaze, the smile on his face turning a bit more composed, nodding, accepting his reminder.

"Got it." Xuan Ge's tone was relaxed, "I'll play it by ear."

Jing Yuan's projection said no more, gave him a deep look, his figure beginning to gradually fade and turn transparent, finally dissolving into countless fine specks of light, scattering in the garden's gentle airflow.

The communication was cut off.

The garden returned to tranquility, leaving only the rustling of wind through bamboo leaves, and the occasional light splash of koi leaping from the pond.

Xuan Ge stood alone by the pond, hands behind his back, his gaze passing over the rockery and green bamboo, cast toward the boundless, star-studded Shen Kong beyond the Xian Zhou Dome.

Xing Xiao......

Looks like I have to go meet this "Old Friend" after all.