Chapter 279: That Time to Go

The clear tea on the stone table has already gone completely cold.

Jing Liu's silent moment stretched so long that Bai Hang could almost hear the pounding of her own heart.

Bai Hang lowered her head, her azure eyes fixed on her intertwined fingertips, awaiting the anticipated questioning, anger, or a worse parting.

However, when Jing Liu spoke, her voice, though still cold, became oddly calm, as if after a raging blizzard only an empty, desolate snowfield remained.

"I understand."

Jing Liu said, the black Eye Mask turning slightly toward Heimu, "Thank you... for saving Bai Hang. Though the method... exceeds my Cognition."

This opening line left Bai Hang and Sai Fei Er stunned.

Jing Liu continued, her tone a bluntness stripped of intense emotion: "The past is over; the lingering obsession belongs to me. Bai Hang now has a new path, new... bonds."

She paused, seeming to weigh her words, "If that is so, should you act in Luofu and require forceful resolution, or need familiarity with old rules and hidden routes... I can assist."

This was not pure comprehension, but more like a battle‑hardened swordsman, after assessing an unchangeable reality, making the most pragmatic choice—entrusting the safety of those dear to her partially to the mysterious, powerful Variable before her.

Heimu slightly nodded, a hint of understanding flashing in his violet‑black eyes.

Jing Liu's reaction, in a sense, was more ideal than she had expected.

It spared needless conflict and explanation, jumping straight to the level of cooperation.

This aligns with Jing Liu's modus operandi of "solving problems before venting emotions," even if her inner world was already tumultuous.

"But... may I?"

Bai Hang lifted her head, her eyes slightly reddened, her voice trembling with disbelief.

She had imagined countless disastrous scenarios, yet never expected Jing Liu to be so... "reasonable."

Jing Liu did not answer directly; she simply stood, the dark‑hued hem of her robe brushing the frost‑coated stone bench.

"It's getting late; I must leave."

She turned to Bai Hang, her tone somewhat softened, "Bai Hang, for a while ahead I may truly disappear for a period. Some matters... need to be resolved alone."

Then, she looked at Heimu again, that gaze behind the black Eye Mask heavy with weight, each word clear as she said, "She... entrusts you."

After speaking, without waiting for a response, her figure suddenly vanished, leaving only the lingering chill in the courtyard.

The small courtyard fell silent.

"Um..."

Heimu's mouth twitched unusually, raising a hand to press his temple, "What kind of nonsense is this, sounding like a dying request..."

She, of course, knew what Jing Liu intended—to become the ruthless one who creates a Breeding Divine Lord in another timeline; now she was likely resolved.

Yet this seemingly orphaned stance still gave her a subtle illusion.

"M-Master..."

Bai Hang finally let out a breath, her whole body sagging as if her bones had been pulled out, a smile of relief appearing, the tears that had built up in her eyes finally spilling, "Wonderful... truly wonderful... thank you!"

She was genuinely fearful afterward, dreading Jing Liu becoming obstinate and clashing with the unfathomable master.

"Alright, alright, wipe those tears."

Sai Fei Er hopped over, sweeping Bai Hang's back of the hand with the tip of her fluffy Tail, trying to comfort, but her cat ears twitched sharply, her large blue eyes curiously fixed on Heimu, "Wait! Muzi, has your hair... changed color?"

Upon her mention, Bai Hang only then noticed.

In the sunlight, Black Curtain Lady's hair, once a faded starlike gray‑white, had silently turned a deeper brown, still silky and glossy, but undeniably different.

Moreover, the several ornate tiny skull pendants that had hung around her neck were replaced by a small, antiquated‑styled, dark‑gold key, quietly resting at her clavicle.

Heimu lifted a hand, twirling a strand of brown hair between her fingertips, a half‑smile curling her mouth, a hint of amusement in it.

"Just a bit of necessary attire."

She offered no further explanation, letting her hair fall, her gaze sweeping Bai Hang and Sai Fei Er, "Both of you, the Task remains unchanged. Bai Hang, continue to be Sai Fei Er's Luofu guide, showing her a proper 'life experience.' Xi Tong will stay here to assist you and keep in contact."

Her words were composed yet carried an unquestionable directive, revealing nothing of her own specific plans.

"Eh? Muzi, where are you going? Not joining us anymore?" Sai Fei Er asked, blinking.

"Going to work."

Heimu gave a baffling answer, his figure beginning to fade slowly, as if merging into the air, "Remember, act low‑key; if anything, contact Xi Tong."

As the words faded, she had completely vanished from the courtyard, leaving only Xi Tong, who remained calmly sipping tea at the table as if everything were under control, and the bewildered Bai Hang and Sai Fei Er, full of questions.

In the afternoon at Changletian, voices clamored, and the breezes stirred by the rise and fall of various Star Chariots brushed the streets.

Qingque, dressed in a relatively formal Tai Bu Si uniform, leaned idly against an ornate corridor column, waiting for the appointed time to meet the Train Group.

She clutched the teal‑white jade fish‑shaped token in her hand, her mind a whirl as she reviewed Fu Xuan's instruction that "attitude must be proper," weighing whether to first take them to eat Mingou Cake or first drink Floating Goat Milk...

At that moment, a figure slipped through the nearby crowd ahead of her.

It was a woman in sleek Cloud Cavalry light armor, her brown hair tied into twin ponytails, exuding the distinctive dashing bearing of a soldier.

Her profile was sharp, golden eyes shining especially bright under the Xianzhou sunlight.

Qingque's gaze inadvertently swept over, then snapped to a halt.

(This... this face... this hairstyle...)

(No, it can't be?!)

A name slipped out almost uncontrollably: "Li... Su Shang?"

The voice was low, yet amid the clamor it seemed to reach that person's ears with precision.

The Cloud Cavalry's brown‑haired steps halted, she turned with slight puzzlement, her gaze precisely locking onto Qingque beneath the column.

She approached with a question on her face.

"Miss," her voice was crisp, a hint of bluntness, pointing at herself, "You call me? Do we know each other?"

Qingque snapped to attention, cold sweat nearly spilling.

She saw the other's full face—indeed bearing an eighty‑to‑ninety percent resemblance to the disciple from her dream!

Yet on closer inspection, this person still differed slightly, such as the chest.

Ah! No, not! Sorry!

Qingque immediately shook her head like a rattle drum, her face breaking into an embarrassed yet polite smile, "I mistook you for someone else! I'm really very sorry! I just thought… you look a bit like a distant relative of mine, haha, hahaha…"

She gave a dry laugh, trying to bluff her way through.