Chapter 388: Jing Yuan is out here dealing pure psychological damage!
As soon as Jing Yuan said those words, both Yanqing and Yunli showed expressions of astonishment.
Fortunately, there were no outsiders here—no reporters and no audience! Otherwise, Jing Yuan's actions would have certainly caused an uproar. Topics like "Jing Yuan doesn't care about the lives of the Cloud Knights" and "The General's persona has collapsed" would likely have trended on the web in no time.
Feixiao and Huaiyan, however, looked completely unfazed. After all, this was the Luofu. How Jing Yuan dealt with his own subordinates was not their place to interfere. Besides, the situation at the scene indeed seemed a bit off!
Mok Tok lowered his head even further, asking in a tone filled with disbelief, "General, you… what do you mean by this?!"
It could be said that Mok Tok perfectly acted out that state of bewildered suspicion!
Jing Yuan replied indifferently, "Don't misunderstand. I simply want to know your military registry. You have performed a great service today, and you will certainly be rewarded in the future."
Beneath his helmet, a flash of anger crossed Mok Tok's eyes. What time was it already, and he still had to go through this routine? These Xianzhou people were indeed hypocritical! And their General was no exception!
Thus, he replied, "This subordinate is but one of the thousands of Cloud Knights. My real name is not worth mentioning. General, please prioritize the bigger picture!"
However, Jing Yuan's expression suddenly turned cold. He said in a deep voice, "I am asking you. State your name."
At this moment, the General's sheer aura of authority pressed down heavily.
Mok Tok's heart skipped a beat!
How is this possible?! My identity couldn't have been exposed! My current appearance and characteristics are those of a Xianzhou Foxian. Jing Yuan has only just arrived at the Shackling Prison. Unless he can read minds, how could he have seen through my disguise so quickly?!
As Jing Yuan's voice fell, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Fortunately, when Mok Tok infiltrated the Xianzhou, he had specially created a fake identity for himself. Although a thorough investigation would quickly reveal the flaws, it should be enough to handle the current situation.
After reciting his fake registry number, Jing Yuan nodded.
Mok Tok quickly seized the opportunity to say, "General, please forgive this subordinate. Due to my severe injuries, I can no longer protect you and the other generals in the Shackling Prison. I request permission to withdraw first!"
Jing Yuan smiled faintly, returning to his usual lazy and easygoing demeanor. He said, "Don't go just yet. You are a hero of this battle."
"No, this subordinate arrived too late. I am guilty!"
They were still pulling back and forth!
Never mind Yanqing and Yunli, even Feixiao, who was standing to the side, was starting to lose track of what was happening. Jing Yuan, why are you so fixated on a single Cloud Knight?
"Rest assured, we don't need you to protect our safety," Jing Yuan said. "I am inviting you in my capacity as General. Next, Honkai: Star Rail will unlock a new segment of the story. You shall stay here and watch it with us."
Mok Tok: "…"
Mok Tok still wanted to use his injuries as an excuse.
However, Jing Yuan beat him to the punch, saying, "As for your injuries, there is no need to worry. General Feixiao has a traveling doctor with her. He will treat you."
With that, Jing Yuan looked toward Feixiao and Huaiyan. "Are you two willing to accept this proposal? Watching it here in a timely manner will allow us to understand the Borisin's plot at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, Hoolay is right before our eyes. If there is any anomaly, we can handle it immediately."
Feixiao was the first to agree. "Ha, Jing Yuan, I have to hand it to you for coming up with such a ruthless move. Broadcasting the story right in front of Hoolay, making him watch his own failed future while we root out his plans and schemes—talk about killing the heart!"
Huaiyan nodded. "I have no objections."
Everyone present had reached a consensus.
Only Mok Tok, standing to the side, was trembling all over, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cave!
Damn it all! Do you generals have some sort of mental illness? Why do you insist on watching the new story of Honkai: Star Rail right here?!
Originally, he could have operated entirely in the shadows. But now, he had been dragged out into the open, forced into a corner! He had no choice but to watch the story with them.
He could only hope that this time, the plot would be more favorable to the Borisin. He had to stay absolutely sharp and search for an opportunity through the progression of the story!
***
[ Little Gui's Livestream Room ]
"Everyone, according to firsthand official news!"
"The Borisin indeed invaded the Shackling Prison, but they did not rescue Warhead Hoolay!"
"There are videos and photos to prove it. You can check the official Luofu accounts to verify. So, friends who were worried about a Hoolay riot can rest easy~"
Guinaifen patted her chest and continued, "However, there are still many suspicious points about this matter! Why has Hoolay remained alive for hundreds of years? How did the Borisin silently infiltrate the Shackling Prison? What kind of conspiracy are they brewing?"
"Is this the distortion of human nature, or the moral decay of society…?"
"Welcome, friends, to Little Gui's livestream room! Let's watch the latest story of Honkai: Star Rail together—[ A Fugitive Retrospective, the Wardance on the Star Skiff ]!!"
HUM—!!
The familiar startup sequence of the Astral Express played as she entered the game!
Every time Guinaifen logged off, she would return to the Astral Express. And this time, as soon as she logged in, she received a system notification inside the Parlor Car.
[ You have an interstellar communication message. Please check it in a timely manner. ]
The bullet comments in the livestream room were as lively as ever.
…
"Let's see what new stuff our Garden of Recollection has updated!"
"Little Gui, you are the Messenger of Remembrance!"
"The Parlor Car background music is the same as mine, 'Hope Is the Thing with Feathers'!"
"Hehehe, I'm back again!"
"Finally! Let's binge-watch together, guys~"
"Came specifically to see Hoolay."
"Will Jingliu and Luocha appear in this story?"
"Xueyi, MY XUEYI!!!"
"Xueyi fans don't need to worry. After all, Xueyi is already dead."
"Oof, talk about killing the heart."
…
The story began.
Just as everyone had expected, before embarking on their journey to the next stop, the Express received a transmission from the Xianzhou Luofu. Jing Yuan had extended an invitation to the Express Crew to participate in the Wardance Ceremony.
March 7th immediately said, "I do love a good crowd… I just hope the next place we go to join in on the fun doesn't pop out with some Friday or Saturday to oppose us."
"The Luofu Xianzhou has just gotten through its crisis. Hosting the Wardance Ceremony is also a way to project an image of peace and safety to the outside world," Welt explained.
"That's what everyone said before we went to Penacony! 'Under the protection of the Family, there won't be any danger~'" March 7th mimicked Robin's tone.
Dan Heng stepped forward and said calmly, "There is no need to jump at shadows. The Wardance Ceremony is not like the Charmony Festival, which hid many secrets. It is merely a festival established to commemorate the Reignbow Arbiter and the Cloud Knights' fight against the Abominations of Abundance and their heroic deeds in saving the Xianzhou."
"Aside from the star skiff parade performances before and after the ceremony, it is nothing more than martial arts and sword-fighting competitions. It's no different from the Tychoan Motorball matches we went to see."
…
"It seems Dan Heng doesn't know the power of flags…"
"I feel like he really wants to go back!"
"You can always trust March 7th's intuition!"
"If nothing goes wrong, then something is about to go wrong."
"Hoolay: What a coincidence, I am that Friday."
"Luofu: Oh no, they're coming for me!"
"Honkai: Star Rail is practically the Aeon of Destruction calling roll. Whichever region gets called is guaranteed to have a disaster! It's more effective than the Lord Ravagers!"
"Could it be that these regions were already bound to have trouble, which is why the plot of H-SR is playing out there?"
"The Path of Finality has appeared!"
…