Bai Ming spent some time examining her new body.
She shifted back and forth between various species until a communication signal chimed in, finally pulling her back to her senses.
Opening the channel, she found that the person contacting her was actually Himeko.
Bai Ming had heard that on the Astral Express lately, quite a few people had been hopping on and off.
Most people weren't actually that enamored with adventure; usually, once the novelty wore off, they would disembark at some stop along the way.
Those two Nameless from Penacony actually had thoughts of returning to the Express, but for some reason, they hadn't made it back even now.
She wondered how many passengers were currently on the Astral Express.
With these thoughts in mind, Bai Ming connected Himeko's call.
A holographic projection shimmered into existence before her.
On the other side, Himeko froze for a split second upon seeing Bai Ming's current appearance, though she quickly regained her composure.
"Long time no see, Madam Bai Ming."
"Long time no see, Himeko. That reaction of yours just now gave me a start—I thought you were going to greet me with some kind of strange attitude."
Bai Ming smiled and waved at Himeko.
Himeko merely pursed her lips into a silent smile.
She had actually just been testing the waters; after all, since Bai Ming hadn't left, she suspected that Bai Ming might not enjoy everyone around her being so reverently formal.
"I've heard some strange rumors regarding the Scions of Permanence lately. Are you alright, Madam Bai Ming?"
Bai Ming's face stiffened slightly. Why did Himeko have to bring up the one topic she'd rather avoid?
"I'm fine, haha... why the sudden interest in that?"
"Actually, it's because I recently met a new passenger on Amphoreus. He's very concerned about the matters between you and the Scions of Permanence. I'm asking on his behalf."
"The Astral Express is at Amphoreus right now?"
Bai Ming caught the key point of the sentence.
Himeko nodded.
"Yes. I originally intended to come back and take on some more commissions here, but I didn't expect to run into a new companion."
Even though they had received a massive sponsorship after setting sail, Himeko still chose to follow the original path—taking on commissions from friendly factions in the name of the Express.
Coming here this time was partly for work, and partly because she thought that if Bai Ming was around, perhaps she could satisfy a bit of her curiosity.
She just hadn't expected that after a few days, Bai Ming wouldn't show up, but a new Nameless would.
And upon learning that this person seemed to have a reason for wanting to get in touch with Bai Ming, Himeko placed the call, figuring it was at least worth a shot.
"This new Nameless seems to have a lot on his mind and wishes to pay you a visit. So, I wanted to ask if there might be an opportunity."
"A new Nameless? And he wants to see me?"
Bai Ming's first thought was: Could it be that Welt and Void Archives have boarded the train?
If they were looking for her, it might be because they wanted to borrow her power to find a way home or something similar. After all, March 7th hadn't gone into stasis yet—she'd even ended up mingling with the crowd at Amphoreus.
As for Dan Heng... he likely knew she was acquainted with Dan Feng. He'd probably be too busy avoiding her to ever seek her out.
Thinking it over, she felt the probability of it being Welt was higher. But had Welt joined the crew this early?
While Bai Ming was pondering, Himeko gave her answer:
"The young man's name is Dan Heng. He says he's been working odd jobs all over and hasn't had much contact with the galaxy. I see him as someone with a deep, contemplative nature—perhaps hiding many secrets. He likely isn't seeking you out for anything trivial."
"???"
Who was looking for her?
Dan Heng?
Wait, why Dan Heng? Shouldn't he know about the relationship between her and his past life? Given his close ties to her former comrades, he really ought to be avoiding her like the plague.
How could he have specifically come looking for her?
Is his character breaking?
Is this definitely Dan Heng? It couldn't be some imposter, could it?
Seeing the shift in Bai Ming's expression upon hearing the name, Himeko looked puzzled.
"Does Madam Bai Ming happen to know him?"
"Ah... I do indeed know him. I know quite a lot about him, actually. His journey has been... let's say, rocky. Are you curious? If you want to hear about it, I can tell you a few secrets."
After nodding in confirmation, Bai Ming gave Himeko a mischievous grin, looking very much like someone eager to share a bit of juicy gossip.
The smile on Himeko's face grew a bit warmer. She felt a sense of 'human' closeness from Bai Ming, rather than the aura of a high-and-mighty deity.
It made Himeko feel at ease.
However, Himeko still shook her head, declining Bai Ming's offer.
"If it were a story about a stranger, I might listen. But when it involves a companion's secrets, it isn't right to pry."
"Fair enough~"
Bai Ming shrugged, not pushing the issue.
"I'm currently on the space station outside Amphoreus. If there's anything, you can come over and talk directly."
"Then my luck is quite good. I thought I'd be waiting for a long time."
Bai Ming agreed with Himeko's sentiment. To happen across someone in a universe this vast was indeed lucky.
"True. By the way, how many people are on the Express now?"
"Including the Conductor, there are three of us. We had a few friends join us previously, but they've all disembarked one after another recently."
One could hear a hint of regret in Himeko's tone. After all, wandering the galaxy was as romantic as it was lonely; having companions certainly made it more interesting.
"It's a long road ahead, Himeko," Bai Ming mused, nodding to herself.
It seemed Mr. Yang and Void Archives hadn't boarded yet. She wondered how much longer it would be. And would 'Evernight' still end up on the train? Without that silly March 7th, it felt like a bit of a shame.
Speaking of which...
Was it possible for her to find the coordinates for the Honkai Impact 3rd solar system now?
The thought suddenly struck her.
Theoretically, if Sparkle could go there, there was no reason she couldn't find the way. Since Welt hadn't arrived here yet, if she could find her way over now, she might even see Kiana while she was still awake.
Hmm... once I'm done with the tasks at hand, I'll find some time to look for it.
Bai Ming chatted with Himeko for a few more minutes before hanging up.
While waiting for the Express to arrive at the space station, Bai Ming spent the time wondering: Why on earth would Dan Heng take the initiative to find me?
Judging by the fact that he wasn't even willing to see Baiheng or Jingliu, it was clear Dan Heng desperately wanted to sever ties with Dan Feng. And since he wouldn't have Blade constantly hounding him now...
With the capabilities of the Vidyadhara, he should have been able to carve out a decent, peaceful life for himself out there.
So what did he want with her? Even if he ran into trouble, he wouldn't go through all this trouble to find her, would he?
Soon enough, harboring her doubts, the Astral Express docked at the space station platform.
Before long, led by a transformable robot, Himeko—elegant in her coat and gown—and the plainly dressed, black-haired youth, Dan Heng, found Bai Ming brewing coffee.
"Come, have a cup of coffee."
Himeko's eyes lit up. She loved coffee and loved studying it. Since it was on Bai Ming's table, it surely wasn't anything ordinary. She wanted a taste.
As for Dan Heng, he was there to ask for a favor, so he simply did as the host suggested—focusing entirely on being cooperative.
Once the two were seated, the nearby robot poured coffee for them both.
Himeko couldn't wait to lift her cup and savor the brew, while Bai Ming turned her gaze toward Dan Heng.
"So, you're Dan Heng?"
"...I am."
Dan Heng felt a surge of nervousness. He knew she had known his previous incarnation. If she started reminiscing about the old days, should he endure it or find a way to interrupt?
But Bai Ming said nothing of the sort. She simply took a sip of coffee and asked:
"Himeko said you wanted to see me. Well, what is it? What could possibly make you come looking for me of your own accord?"
"..."
Dan Heng didn't know how to begin for a moment. Seeing this, Himeko was about to suggest she step away to give them privacy.
But Dan Heng quickly braced himself and spoke his mind directly:
"I would like to ask if Madam Bai Ming could help me completely sever all ties to my past life. Images of that past often haunt my dreams... the pain and regret make it difficult to sleep. And I find it impossible to face those people with a clear heart."
Dan Heng felt that if he could just forget everything entirely, it would actually be easier to meet them. If he knew nothing, he could treat their sentiments as mere stories.
But the trouble was that he remembered too much. Those unpleasant memories from his past life always jolted him awake from nightmares. It was a miserable sensation.
Himeko was stunned.
Ties to a past life... Could this child be a Scion of Permanence?
Bai Ming was also taken aback. She hadn't expected Dan Heng to beg her to erase his past. What, did he think she and Dan Feng were some kind of tragic pair of star-crossed lovers?
Mainly, in her memory of the main storyline, Dan Heng eventually reconciled with his past.
Was it better to reconcile, or better to wipe those memories away? It was hard to say.
Besides, she was on the verge of solving the Vidyadhara's reproduction issues. Theoretically, the Preceptors shouldn't be so obsessed with the Transmutation Arcanum anymore.
Plus, the new High Elder of the Luofu wasn't a "forever-child" like Bailu.
Was a total severance really necessary?
Bai Ming didn't think it was particularly vital. But seeing the earnest expression on Dan Heng's face, she thought about it and eventually nodded in agreement.
"Reincarnation is an instinct for the Vidyadhara. Unless you cease to be one of your kind, the karma of your past lives can never be truly severed. However, if you simply wish to discard those memories so you no longer have nightmares... that, I can help you with."
"..."
For a heartbeat, Dan Heng actually wanted to say he didn't mind ceasing to be a Vidyadhara.
But on second thought, without those innate abilities, he likely wouldn't be able to fulfill his duties as the Express's guard. If he hadn't boarded yet, it would be one thing—but having just promised to be their protector, it wouldn't be right to throw away his strength now.
Thus, Dan Heng rose and bowed.
"Then I must trouble Madam Bai Ming. I have no way to repay this kindness, save for being at your disposal..."
"There's no need for such formality. We're practically acquaintances anyway."
Bai Ming waved him off, telling him not to be so stiff.
He wasn't some beautiful girl—why would she need him at her "disposal"?
But then again...
If she completely wiped away every trace of Dan Feng, she wondered what Jing Yuan and the others would think.
Thinking about how things stood now—the High-Cloud Quintet missing one of its members—it really was a bit of a pity.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL