Chapter 281: A Troublesome Autumn

"Black Tower Lady, weren't you supposed to leap across with the train? What happened afterward?" Walther asked cautiously.

"Hmph."

"Black Tower"—or rather, Heimu perfectly mimicking Black Tower's demeanor—crossed arms, a perfectly measured displeasure appearing on the face, as if recalling some trouble, "I was set up by some behind‑the‑scenes guy who thinks he can control everything. The spatial coordinates were maliciously shifted, causing a little trouble."

The tone was understated, yet enough to spark speculation.

"The person behind the scenes?"

Xing blinked.

Heimu, imitating Black Tower's tone, said, "Not important. In any case, that guy probably doesn't want me to reach Xianzhou smoothly. If that's the case…"

She curved the corner of her mouth, "I insist on coming. Let's see what exactly is hidden here, worthy of such elaborate arrangements."

This reason fits Black Tower's character perfectly—curiosity about the unknown and a rebellious mindset toward those trying to restrict her actions.

Walther pondered for a moment.

An additional powerful ally, especially one as knowledgeable and formidable as Black Tower, would undoubtedly aid against Xianzhou's unknown threats.

Although that lingering doubt remained, given the current lack of information, accepting this fact was the more reasonable choice.

"I see. Then, Black Tower Lady, since you've arrived, would you like to travel with me and Xing? We're preparing to rendezvous with the Guide dispatched by Xianzhou's officials," Walther extended the invitation.

Black Tower gave a slight nod, her tone laced with interest: "Following you sounds fine. According to past data, the probability of anomalous incidents where you are is significantly higher than average. Saves me the trouble of searching myself."

Xing was delighted: "Great! With Black Tower Lady here, I feel more at ease! Maybe we can even find clues about San Yue's and your disappearance!"

She automatically ignored that "interesting" might also include herself.

Thus, Heimu, under the identity of "Black Tower," naturally blended into the two-person squad.

She knew that the real Black Tower was currently in Dongmu City, and that as this "Top Class BOSS" she could use the guise to closely observe the interaction between the Starrail Train and Xianzhou, steering the plot toward the direction she desired.

"So, you two are now going to look for that 'Guide'?"

Heimu, playing Black Tower, asked casually, as if merely mentioning it offhand.

"Yes,"

Walther nodded, "Tai Bu, via the train communications, informed that a Diviner from Tai Bu Si will be waiting near Changletian. The specific person hasn't been identified yet."

"Oh."

Heimu responded with a sound, understanding in her heart.

Qingque.

But she naturally wouldn't reveal it, merely showing a "you handle this yourself" expression, stepping forward first, "Then let's not waste time. I'm curious to see what kind of person Luofu will send to receive us."

Unlike the somewhat relaxed atmosphere on the street, inside Shen Ce Fu, though outward composure remained, the air was suffused with an intangible pressure.

Jing Yuan reclined against the wide chair at the head seat, one hand propping his temple, appearing lazy, yet the depths of his golden eyes held a glimmer of contemplation.

Hovering above the desk before him were several light screens displaying intelligence summaries from various locations, with entries like "Tingyun missing," "Judge Huo Huo of Ten Kings Office lost contact," "Unidentified energy," and "Star Core Hunter activity signs" highlighted.

A faint light projected before him, coalescing into a three‑dimensional image of Fu Xuan.

Tai Bu's long pink hair remained immaculate, the Divination Eye at her brow faintly glowing, her expression habitually solemn.

"General, Tai Bu Si has exhausted techniques, even employing some prohibited arts, yet still cannot pinpoint Tingyun's and Huo Huo's exact locations."

Fu Xuan's voice came through the comm, carrying a barely perceptible tension, "Their auras seem completely erased from this sky realm, not ordinary concealment or retreat. Such methods are inconceivable."

"Even your Divination Eye can't see through..."

Jing Yuan let out a light sigh, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, "One is a versatile, long‑traveling trade delegation representative; the other a Judge within Ten Kings Office, and both vanished without a trace on Luofu's native land almost simultaneously. This is no coincidence."

Standing nearby, Yan Qing, his young face full of eager sharpness, said, "General, Lord Fu Xuan! This matter surely has a hidden angle! Allow me, Yan Qing, to lead Cloud Cavalry elite to thoroughly investigate the relevant area! Whatever demon or evil is at work, we will expose it!"

Jing Yuan glanced at him, a hint of smile at the corner of his mouth, as if seeing a sharp sword eager to draw: "Youth, your vigor is commendable. Yet the enemy hides while we see, blind searching is like striking water with a sword—futile. Ignoring Tingyun for now, near the last spot where Judge Huo Huo was seen before disappearing, is there any discovery?"

Fu Xuan took over, "According to Han Ya's report and analysis of residual traces on site, Judge Huo Huo behaved unusually before disappearing, as if influenced by some external object. Yet the trail cuts off completely at a street corner in Changletian, with no spatial displacement residue, no battle marks, as if... vanished into thin air."

She paused, "Additionally, this morning the port area experienced an unidentified energy reaction that appeared briefly then quickly subsided, possibly linked to a street‑level demonic shadow body being instantly purified. Witnesses gave vague descriptions; we have no leads yet."

"Vanish into thin air... instant purification..."

Jing Yuan murmured, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, "It seems there are guests we don't understand who have silently taken the stage. Their purpose likely exceeds merely taking away two seemingly unrelated individuals."

He shifted tone, "Fortunately, we also have guests arriving soon. How's the situation with the Starrail Train?"

Mentioning that, Fu Xuan's expression softened slightly, "The Train Group has arrived at Xingcha Sea Central at the agreed time. I have dispatched Qingque to greet them; they will be brought here shortly for an audience. With that unnamed guest and their companion's assistance, we may have a better grasp on the current bizarre situation."

"Qingque?"

Jing Yuan's eyebrows twitched, as if recalling something amusing, "That kid... hasn't lately been scheming how to slip into the gambling hall again, has he?"

Fu Xuan's image seemed to freeze briefly, her tone a bit stiff, "... I have strictly ordered her to maintain proper conduct, no lapses allowed. If she dares again..."

She didn't finish the latter half, but the meaning was clear.

Yan Qing couldn't help interjecting, "General, Lord Fu Xuan, since external aid is arriving, should we take the initiative? For example, strengthen surveillance over key areas like the Dan Ding Si and Construction Office? Though the Medicine King Secret Transmission hasn't shown major activity lately, undercurrents are stirring; we can't guarantee it's unrelated to these disappearances."

Jing Yuan nodded, "Yan Qing's point is sound. Surveillance can be intensified, but we must avoid startling the snake. The Medicine King Secret Transmission seeks nothing but longevity; its surface connection to Tingyun and Huo Huo's disappearances seems minimal. Yet in this fog, any possible clue cannot be ignored."

He sat upright, regaining the decisive bearing of the Divine Strategy General, "Fu Qing, after the Train Group arrives, you will primarily handle liaison, learning any information they possess. Yan Qing, the Cloud Cavalry's daily patrols and contingency plans need further refinement, especially concerning personnel disappearance zones and energy anomaly report points."

"Yes!" Yan Qing clasped his fists, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

"Understood," Fu Xuan nodded.

Jing Yuan's gaze returned to those light screens, finally landing on the marker denoting the Starrail Train's arrival time, a hint of profound light flashing in his golden eyes.

"A troublesome autumn..."

He seemed both sighing and anticipating, "Very well. The murkier the water, the more the fish hidden beneath leaves a trace. We'll use stillness to counter motion, and see how each side intends to place their pieces on this board."

He waved his hand, Fu Xuan's image dissipated, and Yan Qing departed on his orders.

The vast main hall of Shen Ce Fu was left with only Jing Yuan.

He lifted the slightly cool tea beside him, but did not drink, merely gazing at his own thoughtful reflection in the cup.

All clues raced through his mind in rapid combination.

As a player of the game, he sensed a complexity far beyond a single ordinary Star Core crisis or Abundance Offspring uprising.

But this game of chess seems to be getting more interesting and more dangerous as some unexpected pieces are added.

He sipped his tea, temporarily suppressing his thoughts.

"Well then, let me properly meet these key visitors."