Chapter 32

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

Xu Ling Xian Zhou, Highest Council Chamber.

The dome simulated a deep starry sky; soft light flowed down from the four walls, illuminating the long table encircling the central holographic star map.

The air was permeated with solemnity and a kind of tacit, subtle atmosphere.

The projections of several Heavenly Generals sat in their seats, yet their gazes converged, not without coincidence and carrying a few parts of obvious teasing, upon the figure at one side of the long table.

Even Yuan Shuai Hua on the main seat, her visage ever shrouded in majestic light and shadow, could faintly be seen to hold a trace of extremely faint amusement.

And at her side, Jing Yuan's projection was even more undisguised, the corners of his mouth holding that habitual, trouble-enjoying, lazy smile.

At the center of the storm — Xuan Ge — currently sat upright with a straight back, the black robe setting off his tall, straight figure, but that head of his was slightly lowered.

Xuan Ge watched his nose, his nose watched his heart, as if treating all surroundings as unseen, having thoroughly entered a state of "non-violent non-cooperation" slacking off.

"Hahaha—" A hearty laugh, carrying the unique teasing flavor of an elder, broke the silence.

General Huai Yan stroked his snow-white long beard, a pair of eyes with brilliance restrained within laughing into slits, locking firmly onto Xuan Ge.

"Shen Wei ah Shen Wei, how is this old man to speak of you~ The dignified Hunt Envoy, General Shen Wei, actually let the.....

Cough, the Destruction Monarch that had reached his eyes, just slip away silently like that?"

Xuan Ge let out an extremely light "hmph" from his nose, not even bothering to lift his eyelids, using actual action to express: not listening not listening, a turtle chanting sutras.

"Hehe~" General Yue Yu lifted the jade cup before her, sipped a mouthful of clear tea, and mediated gently in a warm voice.

"Yan Lao, these words are biased. At the time General Shen Wei was fully dealing with the Bai Lang Hunt Pack crisis, and furthermore had to cope with that insidious Memokeeper behind the scenes, stretched thin, momentarily unable to attend to the Sui Xing Dai movements — that too is within reason."

Xuan Ge "hmph"ed again, this time the sound slightly louder, carrying a bit of a "see?" meaning, which instead amused the several Heavenly Generals into low laughter.

Yes, the entertainment segment of this informal briefing was precisely centered on Xuan Ge losing track of Xing Xiao.

But no one truly blamed him.

The Bai Lang Hunt Pack's cruelty, the Memokeeper's memory-manipulation methods, and the pressure and rage Xuan Ge endured to rescue his subordinates and uncover the truth — everyone knew clearly in their hearts.

Xing Xiao taking advantage of this gap to escape, rather than calling it Xuan Ge's negligence, it is better said the opponent seized the only opportunity.

Moreover, given this General Shen Wei's temper, not immediately riding alone to the Memory Palace gates to demand (smash) an explanation (scene) because Xing Xiao fled already counts as considering the overall situation, considerably restrained.

"Enough."

On the main seat, Yuan Shuai Hua finally spoke, her voice calm yet carrying an indisputable composure, instantly pressing down that bit of relaxed teasing atmosphere in the hall.

"Since she has left, we shall seek her again in the future. By this, we may also observe whether her whereabouts have any correlation with the Stellaron eruption paths."

These words both appeased Xuan Ge and pointed out the deeper intent. The Xian Zhou's current strategic focus was indeed not suited for full-scale conflict with the Antimatter Legion.

The Heavenly Generals' expressions turned solemn, the joking color from just now vanishing without a trace.

Xuan Ge also finally lifted his eyes, golden pupils gazing toward the direction shrouded by Yuan Shuai's light and shadow, awaiting what came next.

Yuan Shuai Hua slowly rose.

Her projection did not reveal her true face, but that straight-as-a-pine back and the profound bearing naturally flowing from her whole body had already made the air in the entire Discussion Hall congeal.

"The Xianzhou Alliance, the Huan Xing Hai for nearly eight thousand years."

Her voice was not high, yet clearly entered every person's ears, carrying history's weight and starlight's blazing heat.

"We follow the Emperor's Bow light arrows' guidance, cleansing the universe, sweeping away wave after wave of Abundance abominations, protecting living beings, walking the Hunt Path."

She paused slightly, invisible pressure spreading out.

"However, the universe's situation, undercurrents have already surged to the fore. Destruction's shadow has never departed, the Family flickers behind the curtain, the Corporation's capital tentacles penetrate everywhere, expanding their ambition....."

Her voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a thread of stern sharpness.

"Now, even the Memory Aeon's followers dare stretch their hands toward the Xian Zhou, attempting to provoke the sharp blade of my Hunt."

Inside the Discussion Hall a pin drop could be heard.

"Xianzhou Alliance." Yuan Shuai Hua enunciated each word, resolute and decisive.

"Must absolutely no longer be dragged down by endless Abundance abominations, falling into the quagmire of passive entanglement.

The time has come, with thunderous momentum, to cleanse the universe, reshape order, and cleave open the path forward for the next eight thousand years!"

All Heavenly Generals' gazes turned sharp and focused, bodies leaning slightly forward.

The core order was coming.

"Jing Yuan."

"Yuan Shuai!" Jing Yuan responded and rose, figure tall and straight, saluting with clasped fists, the habitual laziness on his face entirely transformed into calm and sharpness.

"Xuan Ge."

"Ping..... cough cough, Yuan Shuai!"

Xuan Ge also immediately stood, the clasped-fist motion standard and crisp, merely that "Ping Ban Xian Ren" which nearly slipped out made several Heavenly Generals' mouth corners involuntarily twitch again.

Yuan Shuai Hua's projection seemed to pause for a barely perceptible instant, then calmly ordered:

"Jing Yuan as Commander-in-Chief, personally campaign beyond the borders, sweep clean the Abundance Lord's main gathering areas and routes.

Xuan Ge, you lead the Shen Wu Xian Zhou to coordinate the advance, sweep the flanks, must thoroughly shatter their activity capability and strongholds in key star domains."

"Yes!" The two voices sounded as one, the order-accepting voices resounding through the Discussion Hall.

The other Heavenly Generals silently nodded, having no objection to this arrangement.

In terms of coordination and chemistry, Jing Yuan and Xuan Ge, this pair who grew up together from childhood and have fought shoulder to shoulder to this day as close friends, are undoubtedly the best combination.

Deploying Xuan Ge was inevitable; this sharpest blade needs to be used in the most critical direction.

But the other partner required more consideration: must be able to rein in Xuan Ge's occasionally unbridled battle intent, and also form perfect strategic complementarity.

Fortunately, it was Jing Yuan.

Had it been anyone else, they would likely have had to keep their guard up at all times, pondering how to gauge the proper measure.

More critically — if Xuan Ge truly got carried away with killing on the battlefield, who could stop him?

The Marshal gave a slight nod, her gaze falling mainly on Jing Yuan: "Jing Yuan, for this campaign, you will serve as the main force, coordinating the overall situation. Xuan Ge....."

She turned to the other side: "You need to cooperate with Jing Yuan's overall strategy, maneuver and respond flexibly, and expand the battle gains."

"Understood!" The two responded in agreement once more.

In the time that followed, Yuan Shuai Hua carried out detailed deployments of the responsibilities of the various other Xian Zhou, from alert ranges and intelligence sharing to logistical support and the establishment of rapid reinforcement chains.

Especially regarding the priority dispatch authority and resource allocation tilt for the two main force Xian Zhou, Luofu and Shen Wu, she gave particular emphasis.

The orders were clear and well-organized, demonstrating a supreme commander's precise control over the vast war machine.

The meeting dispersed, the light and shadows extinguishing or fading one by one.

In the vast Discussion Hall, ultimately only the projections of Jing Yuan and Xuan Ge remained seated in their places.

"Heh....." Jing Yuan relaxed first, leaning back into the chair back, returning to that lazy appearance, his golden eyes looking at Xuan Ge with amusement.

"Did you really not notice at all? When Xing Xiao left, she controlled the movement so well?"

Xuan Ge also shed the obedience from the meeting, rudely crossing his legs, letting out a sigh, his tone carrying a rare, genuine depression:

"Don't mention it. The paperwork accumulated over those few days piled up like a mountain, Ling Sha was so busy she nearly snapped the pen holder, I had to handle most of it.....

Who knew she would run off so cleanly and neatly, without even stirring much of an energy ripple."

He paused, a dangerous yet playful light flashing in his eyes, "But it doesn't matter, if she runs we'll just catch her again. Next time I catch her back, I'll have to properly question her at the General's Mansion."

Hearing this, Jing Yuan's smile deepened, carrying unconcealed teasing:

"You call that wanting to question her? I'm embarrassed to point it out for you. Setting aside her identity as the Monarch of Extinction, you wouldn't happen to be....."

"Hah?" Xuan Ge raised an eyebrow, cutting off his words, righteously counter-questioning:

"Then let me ask you, if I disregard her identity as the Monarch of Extinction, just based on her possible intricate connections with the Harmony side.....

I invite a daughter of a Harmony Aeon back as a guest, you tell me, will the Xianzhou Alliance be busy tying me up to apologize, or will they stroke their chins considering whether this deal is profitable?"

"Hahahaha!" Jing Yuan was amused into loud laughter by this sophistry of his, shaking his head repeatedly.

"I'm not sure how the Alliance would react, but the Family side would probably be frantic with worry."

Xuan Ge shot him a malicious smile, the topic abruptly shifting:

"Don't be so quick to laugh at me. Look at you, the dignified Divine Strategy General, Luofu's pillar, how many years has it been?

The important task of the Old Jing Family continuing the lineage, I see you haven't put your heart into it at all."

"Hehe~" Jing Yuan chuckled, elegantly standing up, walking to the empty seat beside Xuan Ge and sitting down, saying leisurely.

"Speaking of efficiency, who can compare to you, Divine Might General? I'm still waiting for the day I can hold a great-nephew, at this rate of yours, you can't be slow."

Xuan Ge gave him a sidelong glance: "Me and who? You quit spreading rumors here, careful I sue you for defamation, make your Luofu's performance evaluation this month look bad."

The two teased each other a few more sentences like this, spoke some idle household chat unrelated to the war, the tense meeting atmosphere thoroughly dissipated.

A moment later, Jing Yuan collected his joking expression, stood up and said:

"Alright, idle talk ends here. Since the Marshal has given the order, I also need to return to Luofu to intensify preparations. Specific action plans and strike timing, wait for my news."

Xuan Ge nodded, his expression also turning serious: "Good."

Jing Yuan's projection flickered once, then dissipated.

Xuan Ge sat alone in the empty Discussion Hall for a few seconds, then also stood up, his figure turning into flowing light and scattering away.