Chapter 100: The High-Cloud Quintet — Jing Yuan
While the various forces across the three worlds were busy with their own schemes, the next day arrived, and a new countdown began.
"Sigh, it's time to go to work again. You guys wouldn't understand the resentment of a wage slave."
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Seele: This countdown livestream room of yours is truly difficult; it goes online so late every day. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Arataki Itto: That's right, that's right! Every day we have to wait for you. You're really unprofessional. ]
"Hmph, if you guys keep complaining about me, I swear I'll stop streaming. Do you believe me?"
[ Genshin Impact - Arataki Itto: Hey, you guy! ]
[ Genshin Impact - Kuki Shinobu: That's enough, Boss. Don't argue anymore. Continue with the countdown, livestreamer. ]
"At least there's someone with sense. Next, let's count down a few big figures."
"They are the High-Cloud Quintet!"
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Blade: Tch. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Jingliu: … ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Jing Yuan: To be able to see the faces of old friends in this countdown livestream room again… ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: The High-Cloud Quintet? What's that? ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Yanqing: The High-Cloud Quintet are the five great heroes of our Xianzhou Luofu. They… ]
At this moment, Yanqing seemed to have regained his confidence and began a long-winded speech, explaining the story of the High-Cloud Quintet to everyone.
Meanwhile, Jing Yuan watched Yanqing, who was rambling on not far away, and revealed a faint smile. After taking a sip of tea, he closed his eyes, as if recalling the beauty of the past. However, those beautiful days had already passed, and his former friends were no longer by his side.
[ Genshin Impact - Zhongli: I see. Though, this Xianzhou Luofu is quite similar to some of the customs in our Liyue. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Senti: It's very similar to Shenzhou, too. ]
"Next, let's start by counting down the first member of the High-Cloud Quintet. He is our current General of the Xianzhou Luofu — Jing Yuan."
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Fu Xuan: Sooner or later, this General's position will be mine. ]
At this moment, Fu Xuan was holding a handkerchief, biting down on it tightly, refusing to let go.
…
"Jing Yuan is one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance. As the Divine Foresight, he is responsible for commanding the Luofu Cloud Knights. He studied under the former Luofu Sword Champion — Jingliu, but he is not known for his martial prowess. Nowadays, he worries about the state of the nation and devotes himself to planning the future of the Luofu. His figure, as he strategized on the battlefield, has left behind countless legendary stories."
"There is a poem that praises him: 'Eyes closed, he sits amidst the formation; disdainful of fame that binds the self. With a lifted head, he shifts his blade, and the lightning strikes; chasing demons and sweeping away filth, he reveres the Bow God.'"
"As an organization spanning the six Xianzhou ships, the Cloud Knights were born at the end of the War of Fire, swearing to shield the Xianzhou, upholding the edicts of the Hunt, and passing them down to this day."
"Although the lifespans of the long-lived species are unimaginably long, in the blood and fire of war, few Cloud Knight Generals have been able to surpass the century mark after taking office."
"Rather than calling it a fate, it is more like a tradition. As the armed force that guards the Xianzhou and subjugates abominations, the General, in addition to the duties of planning and deployment, must also lead from the front, storming gates and breaking formations."
"Jing Yuan was once a member of the High-Cloud Quintet. As a General of the Hunt, the Alliance's Marshal and the six Generals are no less formidable than the seven Lord Ravagers of the Antimatter Legion."
"Jing Yuan has used his steel-like divine body to resist the Plague of Abundance; he has protected the Xianzhou with peerless, wondrous calculations; he closes his eyes to hide his gaze, yet he can achieve victory from thousands of miles away. In the countless, cruelly short records of history, the Divine Foresight, General Jing Yuan, who commands the Luofu Cloud Knights, has stood out, governing the army peacefully for hundreds of years."
"Under his maneuvering and planning, the Luofu Cloud Knights once became renowned throughout the Alliance, achieving numerous astonishing feats. Although some whisper that he is afraid of war and rarely resorts to force, one must admit that his intellect is no less sharp than the keenest blade, resolving even the most difficult knots."
…
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kevin: According to the introduction, he seems to be a strategist. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Otto: If the 100, 000-strong Schicksal army had been commanded by this General Jing Yuan back then, would they have avoided total annihilation? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Senti: If you hadn't used Honkai energy back then, I wouldn't have made a move. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Tingyun: Oh my, as expected of Lord General. He says he doesn't have the power of a Lord Ravager, but when he makes a move, he can defeat Phantylia. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Phantylia: Damn Luofu General, one day I will make you pay the price; and you, that damned foxian, if you weren't by Lord Xuanyong's side, see if I don't finish you off. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Tingyun: Oh my, I'm so scared. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Cloud Retainer: This is quite different from the Geo Archon. The Geo Archon always uses force to solve things; it's rare to see him use schemes like this General Jing Yuan. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Zhongli: Uh, Cloud Retainer, you spoke very well. Next time, it's better not to speak. ]
…
"Jing Yuan was born into a family that had served the Seat of Divine Foresight for generations. According to the 'Zhuazhou' custom passed down from the Foxians, parents would place various objects and toys around the infant for them to grasp, to predict their future. His parents originally hoped that their child would follow in their footsteps and become a scholar or an official of the Seat of Divine Foresight, but Jing Yuan grabbed only the toy sword."
"It seems the 'Zhuazhou' custom predicted his future. After graduating from the academy, to escape a life he could see through at a glance, Jing Yuan joined the Cloud Knights against his family's wishes."
"In the war archives of the Cloud Knights, his first campaign as a Cloud Knight soldier is recorded. The transport ship carrying the troops made an emergency landing on an ocean planet."
"This place was deeply infected by abominations. An emerging long-lived species known as the 'Puppet Octopus' hijacked the minds of the Cloud Knights, infiltrated the fleet, and almost succeeded in turning the warship into their nest."
"Jing Yuan keenly sensed the crisis and quickly deduced the conditions of the Puppet Octopus's control and the methods to counter it. The remaining crew members eventually passed the test of distinguishing friend from foe, defeated their opponents, and returned home safely."
"This war, which was almost won without shedding a drop of blood, allowed the Cloud Knight Generals to see Jing Yuan's edge. After returning to the Xianzhou, Jing Yuan began to stand out within the Cloud Knights and was given important responsibilities."
"His adaptability, wit, and pragmatic methods often left his superiors both impressed and headache-ridden. Eventually, at the invitation of the former Luofu Sword Champion — Jingliu, Jing Yuan joined her unit to serve under her, beginning the legendary journey of the High-Cloud Quintet."
…
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Yanqing: Huh? It's that big sister. ]
At this moment, Yanqing looked at the photo of Jingliu appearing in the countdown livestream room and couldn't help but exclaim.
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Jingliu: Little brother, your swordsmanship is not bad, but it still needs some polishing. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Jing Yuan: Wait! Let me sort this out. Yanqing, you call her… big sister? Master, you call him… little brother? ]
At this moment, Jing Yuan was sitting on the General's seat, completely stunned, staring at the titles Jingliu and Yanqing used for each other in the countdown livestream room, falling into deep contemplation.
If his own master calls his disciple 'little brother,' then what should he call his own disciple now? Jing Yuan propped up his chin, pondering this question.