Chapter 53

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

"No, you cannot go to the Shen Wu Xian Zhou."

Jing Tian's voice was not loud, steady, but every word was enunciated clearly.

Fu Xuan's beautiful eyes widened slightly; the many prepared arguments she had were blocked in her throat by this unequivocal refusal, squeezing out only three words:

"Why?"

Jing Tian lowered his gaze, looking at the few green leaves floating and sinking in his cup, his voice level, attempting to wrap it in a soothing sugar coating, yet the core remained hard:

"There is no why. Listen to your master."

He raised his eyes, his gaze meeting Fu Xuan's: "From top to bottom, inside and out, that place is full of soldiers brought up single-handedly by Xuan Ge.

They recognize only the Divine Might General's banner, and obey only his command.

You, a practitioner of divination and star observation, going there — rootless, baseless, no one would submit to you, and there would be no place to exercise your abilities."

Fu Xuan was not dissuaded by these words.

She tilted her head slightly, her pink hair bun swaying lightly, the corners of her mouth pursed into a stubborn arc, her gaze sharp:

"But Master, as your disciple knows, that Ling Sha was also an outsider when she first arrived at Shen Wu.

Now, she is the Chief Strategist, second only to the Divine Might General, above the myriad armies, managing internal affairs, her authority illustrious."

She paused, her voice clear: "This shows that the Shen Wu Xian Zhou does not entirely reject outsiders, nor does it solely judge by seniority and origin."

Jing Tian's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly.

"The Shen Wu Xian Zhou has a special establishment, biased toward conquest; to this day it has not established a Tai Bu Si.

No official office, no subordinates, no inheritance system, and not even enough An Jian Xing Tu for you to consult and deduce.

You go there, even with heaven-penetrating ability, how would you exercise it?

Would that not be a dragon in shallow waters, a bright pearl cast into darkness?"

He thought this reason practical enough.

Fu Xuan, however, seemed to have anticipated it. She straightened her back, hands neatly folded on her knees, tone nearly stating a fact:

"If the Divine Might General is financially strained, or the establishment not yet perfected, temporarily unable to establish a Tai Bu Si....."

She raised her eyes to look at her master and said: "Our Fu clan can fund all expenses needed for the construction."

Voice not loud, every word clear.

Jing Tian fell silent.

This disciple, more stubborn than he imagined.....

Long silence spread.

Fu Xuan could hear her own breathing, and could also sense the nearly stagnant aura emanating from the master opposite her.

Master's reaction was too unusual.

Not simply "considering the disciple's future," more like a kind of... avoidance?

Her body leaned forward slightly, breaking her upright sitting posture, bringing a trace of oppressive pressure.

Lowering her voice, her tone carrying careful probing:

"Master..... you oppose so resolutely, is it because..... the Divine Might General himself has some impropriety? For instance..... "

She weighed her words: "..... he is lustful, his conduct lacking propriety?"

Hearing this, Jing Tian almost didn't hesitate, shaking his head with a very small amplitude but exceptionally firm.

He even let out a barely audible light hum, that sound carrying a nearly absurd implication.

Lustful?

If Xuan Ge were truly lustful, Yao Guang would have been staying at Shen Wu long ago, how could it be your turn to go ah.....

Seeing her master deny so decisively, the confusion in Fu Xuan's eyes deepened.

Not this reason? Then.....

She pursed her lips, spoke again, voice pressed even lower, words even more cautious:

"Then..... could it be he once, in certain matters, had Jie Jue with you?

Or..... towards you, or towards our Tai Bu Si, has some..... slight?"

She didn't say "bully," swapped for a more euphemistic word.

This time, Jing Tian's reaction was completely different.

His body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Very slight, but in Fu Xuan's focused eyes, crystal clear.

He did not immediately shake his head, nor did he speak, just stared fixedly at the tea water in the cup that no longer gave off heat.

Those things that couldn't be called "bullying," but each time precisely stepped on the boundary of his cultivation and patience, causing his maintained "Tai Bu demeanor" to repeatedly teeter on the brink of shattering.

That was..... the goddamn feeling of a scholar meeting a soldier, having reason but unable to explain clearly.....

Cannot nod. As the Yu Que Tai Bu, an important minister of the Alliance, admitting he was "driven to breaking point" by another Heavenly General would truly lose face.

Moreover..... speaking fairly, Xuan Ge has never truly overstepped in major matters; his achievements and loyalty, he acknowledges in his heart.

Thus, the nod that had almost formed turned into a stiffer, smaller shake of the head.

The movement was a bit slow, carrying a subtle hesitation.

Fu Xuan took all of this in with her eyes.

Master's reaction... doesn't look like a denial at all.

Rather... it's like she has unspeakable troubles, pent up in her heart, yet unable to voice them.

The curiosity and desire to investigate in her heart were completely ignited.

Divine Might General Xuan Ge... just what kind of person is he?

Able to make Master show such... complex and stifled expression?

She stopped asking about this.

Master obviously wouldn't say, or rather, couldn't say.

She took a deep breath, stood up.

The pale pink hem of her skirt spread open like petals with the movement.

She stood straight, looking at Jing Tian with determined eyes, preparing to make her final plea, to expound her aspirations and resolve, determined to persuade Master.

However, she had just opened her mouth, her voice not yet emitted—

"No need for more words."

Jing Tian also stood up. His movements were not fast, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness.

He gazed straight into Fu Xuan's eyes flashing with defiance and confusion, speaking clearly, word by word:

"Go to Luofu. This matter is settled."

Finished speaking, not waiting for Fu Xuan to have any reaction, Jing Tian turned around.

Wide sleeves stirred a faint airflow, brushing the wisp of green smoke in the incense burner on the small table that was still perfectly straight.

His steps were steady, speed not slow, walking straight out of the quiet room.

Fu Xuan stood in place, staring blankly at Master's departing back disappearing at the corridor corner.

She wanted to call out, wanted to question further, wanted to argue, words at her lips, but swallowed them back.

Master rarely used such decisive tone. Once spoken, there was no room for negotiation.

Moreover... a master's command cannot be disobeyed.

Only, that ball of curiosity flame ignited because of the Divine Might General, and the desire to display her talents in a brand new world, had not been extinguished.

On the contrary, it was fanned even more vigorously by this sudden obstacle.

Why Luofu?

Why not Shen Wu?

Between Master and the Divine Might General, just what past does she not know about?

Countless questions swirled, yet temporarily found no outlet.

Jing Tian did not return to his usual quiet cultivation place, went straight to the depths of the Tai Bu Si to his office, heading directly for the Communication Room.

Jing Tian stood still, took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, fingertip clicked the Divine Strategy General's projection request.

Patterns lit up in sequence, deep blue light converged, outlining a clear human-form projection.

"What is it, Jing Tian Tai Bu?"

Jing Yuan's voice came through the projection, composed and gentle: "Or did frontline observation discover abnormal movements from the Abundance Alliance?"

He thought it was military business.

Jing Tian facing the projection, posture upright, cupped fists in salute:

"Not so, Jing Yuan Jiang Jun. This contact is a private matter, unrelated to military affairs."

"Oh? Private matter? Another private matter?"

Jing Yuan's brow twitched imperceptibly, a trace of curiosity flashing in his golden eyes, lazy smile deepening slightly.

The secret trade with Ling Sha not long ago regarding intelligence on Xuan Ge's past let himself obtain a Dan Ding Si talent.

This time wouldn't be...

"Hm?" Jing Tian made a puzzled sound, but suppressed curiosity and did not pursue.

He organized his thoughts, cut straight to the point:

"Jing Yuan Jiang Jun, I have a disciple, named Fu Xuan. Outstanding natural talent, resilient character, in the art of divination and astrology has received true transmission, attainments not shallow."

"However, the Yu Que Tai Bu Si system is complete, but the pattern is set.

This child harbors lofty ambitions, determined to advance, needs a broader, more challenging platform to apply what she has learned, to temper herself.

I thought back and forth, within the Alliance, only the Luofu Xian Zhou, commerce flourishing, hundred industries awaiting revival, all forces interwoven, opportunities and variables coexisting, is most suitable."

He paused slightly, observing Jing Yuan's expression: "Therefore, I wish to entrust this disciple to Luofu, hope General can accept, and appropriately give her tempering opportunities."

Meaning clear: I'm sending my disciple to you, you arrange it.

The smile on Jing Yuan's face, with Jing Tian's words, deepened bit by bit.

Who Fu Xuan is, he naturally knows.

Yu Que Fu clan's genius girl, Jing Tian Tai Bu's disciple, reputation not small.

Jing Yuan exerted full force to suppress his mouth corners, didn't immediately show delight.

Instead deliberately showed just-right puzzlement and probing, spoke leisurely:

"Jing Tian Tai Bu overpraises. Fu Xuan Xiao Jie's talented reputation, I too have heard. Only..."

He changed topic, tone 'sincere':

"Shen Wu Xian Zhou is currently at a time of needing people, Divine Might General thirsts for talent, and establishment newly formed, much to be done.

Fu Xuan Xiao Jie already has great ambition, why not go to Shen Wu Xian Zhou?

There perhaps could better let her display her talents, achieve unparalleled merit ah."

Half probing Jing Tian's real intent, half bad taste wanting to see this old colleague's reaction to Xuan Ge.

Jing Tian's eye corner, upon hearing "Xuan Ge" and "Shen Wu Xian Zhou", twitched imperceptibly.

He knew Jing Yuan was feigning ignorance, deliberately poking at a sore spot.

He couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush any longer, using a tone that was somewhat stiff and pointed, nearly speaking outright:

"General Jing Yuan... please don't joke around.

You should know, Yao Guang... and General Shen Wei... have some unresolved old grievances between them.

If Fu Xuan goes, I fear it would be inconvenient."

A look of realization flashed through Jing Yuan's eyes, yet the smile on his face grew even more sincere and gentle, as if the probing just now had never happened.

He immediately went along with the flow and changed the subject, turning to ask concernedly about the specific arrangements:

"I see, it was Jing Yuan who failed to consider thoroughly. Then, Master Jing Tian Taibu, when does your esteemed disciple plan to set off?

I can also make arrangements in advance, send someone to receive them, and ensure everything is proper and thorough."

Seeing Jing Yuan pursue the matter no further, Jing Tian felt a slight relief in his heart and hurriedly said:

"If it is convenient for the General, we can set off tomorrow. Within one month, we will certainly arrive at the Luofu."

He deliberately emphasized the time, showing urgency, also implying this matter was already settled.

Within one month?

Jing Yuan now even wanted to open a bottle of Dan Feng's You Long Du to celebrate.

The normal voyage from Yu Que to Luofu, for safety's sake, usually takes nearly two months.

Ha Ji Tian, in his rush to send his disciple out, even brought out his bottom-of-the-box high-speed star skiff and optimized route — just how anxious is he?

However, for Jing Yuan, this was simply a pie falling from the sky.

A Taibu talent of outstanding gifts, "express delivered" to his door, and it even saved him the long wait and variables.

"Good!" Jing Yuan's voice carried just the right measure of delight and importance.

"Then I will, on the Luofu, sweep the couch in welcome, and respectfully await Minister Fu's arrival."

Jing Yuan directly used the address "Fu Qing".

As his words fell, Jing Yuan cleanly and neatly severed the projection connection.

The deep blue light quickly dissipated, and the quiet room returned to dimness.

At the very instant the projection vanished, Jing Yuan, far away in the Luofu's Shen Ce Fu, could no longer suppress the upward curve of his lips.

A supremely radiant smile, even carrying a few hints of childish smugness, finally bloomed on his face without any reservation.

Good thing the severing was fast.

And Jing Tian, in the Yu Que quiet room, listening to the lingering echoes, helplessly let out a long, long sigh.

That sigh echoed faintly in the empty room.

If not for that unclear, indescribable old resentment between Yao Guang and Xuan Ge...

Given the Shen Wu Xian Zhou's current posture of determined advancement, for Fu Xuan, perhaps... it really would be a better choice.

What a pity...