Yukong took a half-step forward, her gaze as sharp as a blade as it swept across each member of the Astral Express crew.
"So," she began, her voice crisp and cold, "how is it that you all possess such… 'foresight'? And why are you so certain that the events unfolding before us are inevitably related to the Stellaron?"
She paused, her fingertip lightly tapping the floating light screen beside her. "I have retrieved all entry and exit records for Starskiff Haven. A short while ago, someone used highly sophisticated means to hack the system, opening the jade gate without authorization and guiding a vessel into port." Her eyes narrowed. "And that vessel was your Astral Express."
"And the hacker," she looked up, her words measured and deliberate, "even intentionally left behind a signature, as if it were a provocation."
On the light screen, a familiar symbol appeared in stark clarity.
"'Silver Wolf.' A member of the Stellaron Hunters."
Yukong's gaze settled on Welt, her tone calm but carrying an immense pressure. "To this… how do you explain yourselves?"
Hearing her words, the members of the Astral Express fell silent. They couldn't very well admit that the Stellaron Hunters were the ones who sent them, could they? That would be like throwing oil on a fire; saying it would only make Yukong even more suspicious.
"Until these mysteries are resolved, none of you may leave the Sky-Faring Commission." Yukong's tone was final, leaving no room for argument.
"Helm Master Yukong, must you be so serious? If word of this got out, wouldn't the galaxy mock our Xianzhou Alliance for not knowing how to treat its guests?"
A gentle, smiling voice suddenly echoed from the side of the hall.
Amidst the shifting light and shadow, a projection quietly materialized. He had white hair and golden eyes, and his entire demeanor was one of serene composure. It was none other than the General of the Luofu Cloud Knights, Jing Yuan.
"General Jing Yuan." Yukong's expression turned solemn as she offered a respectful bow.
"How could the Astral Express be in league with the Stellaron Hunters? They are old rivals, after all." Jing Yuan's projection gave a slight nod toward the crew as a greeting. "Pardon the interruption. I am the General of the Luofu Cloud Knights, Jing Yuan."
"General, this is an internal matter of the Luofu," Yukong reminded him in a low voice.
"Yes, yes, an internal matter," Jing Yuan nodded agreeably. "I completely agree with Helm Master Yukong's assessment."
He then turned to the Astral Express crew, his tone sincere yet equally firm. "My apologies, members of the Astral Express. There is indeed a Stellaron on the Luofu, but I must decline your kind intentions to help."
"This is a problem for the Xianzhou, and it can only be solved by our own."
Then, his tone shifted, and a faint smile climbed back onto his lips as he turned slightly, making a gesture of invitation.
Just then, a Cloud Knight soldier hurried in, his expression flustered. "Reporting to Helm Master Yukong! Throughout the Xianzhou… for some reason, some… strange messages have suddenly begun to spread."
"What messages?" Yukong frowned, taking the data slate he handed her.
As her eyes fell upon the first line, her eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
"It is said… that Lan, the Reignbow Arbiter… once deeply admired another Aeon."
'The Reignbow Arbiter? Admired someone?'
Yukong took a deep breath and patiently read on.
"Back then, Lan was still just a mortal."
"How could a mortal ever be a match for a high-and-mighty Aeon? Thus, Lan strove for greatness, endured countless hardships, and eventually ascended to godhood as well."
Reading this, Yukong's brow relaxed slightly. It sounded… like a legend meant to encourage people to strive for progress. A bit strange, but not entirely out of line.
"Since then, He has pursued the traces of His beloved day after day across the universe, just to pour out His heart in person and offer the most brilliant of His arrows…"
"...Such pure and persistent love must surely be a legendary tale of epic proportions within the cosmos, wouldn't you say?"
Yukong nodded slightly. Although she found the narrative peculiar, it was still within the world of acceptability.
However, the very next line made her freeze.
"By the way, the Aeon that Lan loved… was, of course… the Aeon of Abundance, who shows mercy to all living beings and sows the seeds of life, Yaoshi."
Yukong stared. "..."
Her fingers tightened on the data slate, her knuckles turning white. 'Blasphemy…'
Which bastard Fictional Historian… or worse, which Masked Fool fabricated this nonsense? There was no way the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus would spread such a tale. Although they worshipped Abundance, they also harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Reignbow Arbiter; why would they ever depict Him in such a… ridiculous, lovesick light?
Anyone who could write such a thing was either a joy-seeker who just wanted to watch the world burn, or a madman who wantonly tampered with history.
She suddenly looked up, her voice suppressing a rage that was about to erupt. "Absurd! Who is spreading such reckless lies on the Luofu?!"
Her explosive reaction piqued the curiosity of everyone on the Astral Express. March 7th even quietly raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. Seeing the perpetually serious Helm Master lose her composure made the small amount of dissatisfaction in her own heart dissipate quite a bit.
Jing Yuan, however, seemed to have known all along and sighed softly. "That is why I said I have 'another task' to ask of you."
"What happened?" Welt asked, his expression calm and analytical.
"Actually, it's two things." Jing Yuan's projection took a few steps forward, his posture relaxed but his tone clear and distinct. "First: a few days ago, we captured a Stellaron Hunter who trespassed into a restricted area. His name is 'Blade'."
"During the interrogation, the Divination Commission—the department responsible for intelligence and divination on the Xianzhou—intercepted a communication sent by his hidden accomplice, 'Kafka'."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Stelle and Caelus. "As for the recipient of that communication…"
"It was our Express, wasn't it?" Stelle took over the conversation, admitting it frankly. Since it was the truth, there was no need to hide it.
"I know a thing or two about your history with the Stellaron Hunters." Jing Yuan wasn't surprised; instead, he smiled. "The Divination Commission concluded that you must be accomplices, but I told them that was impossible."
His voice was gentle, yet it carried a certain convincing power. "The reputation of the Astral Express for being upright and courageous is known throughout the worlds. How could you possibly consort with such criminals?"
He leaned into his argument, his expression earnest. "In my view, this communication must be a malicious plot by the Stellaron Hunters to shift the blame onto you."
His words were so well-spoken that even March 7th felt a bit embarrassed, shifting her weight. After all, Kafka had contacted the Express. It was a solid fact. 'This General certainly knows how to talk,'she thought.'No wonder he's the General.'
"The Stellaron Hunters… might have other intentions," Caelus couldn't help but mutter under his breath. He couldn't stand hearing others belittle Kafka like that, even if they were criminals.
Jing Yuan heard him, and the smile in his eyes deepened. "The Xianzhou has its own way of dealing with the Stellaron disaster. However, quelling it takes time and requires the main force of the Cloud Knights to succeed."
"With Kafka hiding in the shadows, she remains a hidden threat. Since the Stellaron Hunters intentionally lured you to the Luofu, why don't we simply play along?"
He looked at Welt, his tone becoming formal. "In my capacity as General, I grant you the authority to act as you see fit on the Xianzhou. Please assist me in drawing Kafka out and capturing her in one fell swoop."
"By doing so, we can clear your names of this slander and also uncover the purpose behind the Stellaron Hunters' infiltration, as well as… what connection they have to this Stellaron outbreak."
Jing Yuan nodded slightly. "Members of the Astral Express, what do you say?"
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