Inside the Palace of Astrum, Yukong sat in the main seat, her slender fingers gently rubbing her temples. On the Jade Abacus screen before her was an encrypted message just sent by Jing Yuan.
The content was brief, but the amount of information was explosive. The core keywords were: [High-Cloud Quintet] and [Bai Heng].
"Bai Heng..." Yukong whispered the name, feeling as if she were about to get a migraine.
As the head of the Sky-Faring Commission, she was not ignorant of Xianzhou history, especially the past closely related to the current General.
That legendary Foxian pilot who had long since sacrificed herself in the battle against the Abominations of Abundance, the old friend of General Jing Yuan, and the sunshine-like existence within the High-Cloud Quintet...
How could she have "resurrected"? And appeared on the Xianzhou Luofu along with the Astral Express?
Although it was possible that she was an imposter, bearing such a face and that name made the situation extremely delicate and thorny.
She had to consider the feelings of her superior.
"Is there... any trace of the Abominations of Abundance or abnormal energy fluctuations detected on her?"
Yukong looked up at the Cloud Knights scout standing by, who had been responsible for observing the Astral Express Crew at close range, her tone serious.
The scout bowed respectfully, "Reporting to Lady Yukong, no. That... Foxian lady's aura is pure, no different from an ordinary Foxian, and there are no traces of any Abominations of Abundance or abnormal modifications."
He paused and added, "If not for the General's specific reminder, this subordinate... would not have recognized who she was."
For the younger generation of Cloud Knights, Bai Heng was mostly just a name and a portrait in history books.
"Is that so..." Yukong mused, her fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest.
Not a trick of the Abominations of Abundance? Could it be... the Masked Fools?
That group of Elation followers who took pleasure in disrupting Order and creating "fun"—if they knew about General Jing Yuan's past and created such a realistic "Bai Heng" to disrupt the situation on the Xianzhou Luofu, it would be perfectly in line with their style!
Thinking of this, Yukong's gaze became sharper, and her vigilance toward the Astral Express rose another level—who knew if this group of "Trailblazers" had also been used by the Masked Fools?
"Lady Yukong, the guests from the Astral Express have arrived." An official from the Sky-Faring Commission entered to report.
Yukong quickly composed her expression, restoring the dignity and calmness of the head of the Sky-Faring Commission.
In any case, proceed according to the original plan first, and test the background and true purpose of this group.
"Bring them over." She said calmly.
When the Astral Express Crew, guided by Tingyun, entered the side hall, Yukong was already seated in the main seat, her posture dignified, her expression one of standard professional rigor, with just the right amount of detachment.
"Guests from the Astral Express, greetings." Yukong spoke, her voice clear and steady.
"Tingyun has already reported your intentions to me in full. Normally, receiving foreign travelers is not my primary responsibility."
She shifted her tone slightly, her gaze sweeping over Welt, Dan Heng, March 7th, Stelle, Stella, [Phainon], and [Bai Heng] who was curiously looking around in the group ([Bailu] had been taken back by Stella):
"But since you all know of the existence of the Stellaron and have stated your willingness to lend the Xianzhou Luofu a hand... then in reason and fairness, I must give you all an opportunity to meet in person."
She paused for a moment, as if weighing her words, and then said the officially prepared, diplomatic refusal:
"--To personally decline your good intentions."
The scene seemed to be developing as she had expected: the other party would be stunned, or argue, or try to prove themselves, and then she could take the opportunity to raise more questions and demands, firmly holding the initiative in her hands.
However—
"Is that so?" Welt Yang pushed up his glasses, his lenses reflecting a calm light. His expression showed no surprise at all, not even moving an eyebrow.
"Since that is the case, we need not waste our breath here. Dealing with the Stellaron crisis, the Xianzhou Alliance is naturally much more professional than us outsiders."
With a very natural, even slightly "relieved" expression, he turned around and said to the young people of the Astral Express Crew: "Everyone, it seems the Xianzhou Luofu has its own arrangements. It is not convenient for us to disturb them, so let us return to the Astral Express and prepare to head to the next destination."
After saying this, he actually leaned on his cane, started walking, and was about to lead everyone toward the door!
Yukong: "?!!"
She had imagined various reactions from the other party, but she never imagined they would "give up" so decisively!
This was completely unconventional! The script wasn't written like this!
"Wait! You..."
Yukong stood up subconsciously, her voice carrying a hint of urgency she hadn't even noticed herself.
The feeling of her plan being disrupted caught her off guard.
Welt stopped, his cane tapping lightly on the floor, making a crisp sound.
He turned half-way, his gaze calmly looking at the slightly flustered Yukong, his tone still steady: "Why, Lady Yukong, are we... not allowed to leave?"
Without waiting for Yukong to answer, he continued, his voice not loud but every word clear: "The Stellaron Hunters previously forcibly accessed the Astral Express communication and clearly told us two things: First, there is a Stellaron on the Xianzhou Luofu; Second, the true culprit who brought this Stellaron into the Xianzhou Luofu (informed by [Kafka])."
He slightly emphasized his tone: "We, the Astral Express, based on the principles of goodwill and Trailblaze, have truthfully relayed this warning and expressed our willingness to assist. Now that the Xianzhou Luofu authorities have indicated that they do not need outside help... then, we have done our duty. Farewell."
This speech was logically clear and firm in its stance, pointing out the information they held, occupying the moral high ground (we came to help, you refused), and perfectly kicking the "ball" back.
Most importantly, Welt's demeanor was too natural and calm, as if he had really just come to go through the motions and would leave gracefully upon being refused, which caused the follow-up questioning and probing Yukong had prepared to get stuck in her throat.
Although March 7th was a bit confused, seeing Mr. Yang so calm, she quickly straightened her back, putting on an expression of "we are very busy, the next planet is waiting for us."
Stella secretly gave Welt a thumbs up: Mr. Yang is cool! This "turning the tables" move is so smooth!
Yukong was speechless for a moment, her mind racing.
The other party knew more than expected, and their attitude was so "detached," completely disrupting the script she and Jing Yuan had agreed upon—"one plays the bad cop, one plays the good cop, gradually guiding and utilizing them."
Now it wasn't her manipulating the other party; rather, it seemed they could walk away at any time, leaving the Xianzhou Luofu to face the mess of the Stellaron and the Stellaron Hunters alone, while also gaining the reputation of "refusing aid"!
Just as the atmosphere was somewhat stiff and Yukong was in a dilemma—
"Wait a moment." A male voice, slightly lazy but full of unquestionable authority, came from another entrance to the side hall.
Accompanied by unhurried footsteps, a tall and upright figure walked in.
He was dressed in a magnificent General's uniform with a sash over his shoulder. His silver hair shimmered with a faint luster in the hall's light, and his golden eyes were like settled amber—seemingly gentle, yet deep and inscrutable.
A habitual, disarming smile played on the corners of his mouth, but if one looked closely, the smile didn't seem to reach his eyes, carrying a hint of imperceptible complexity.
The Xianzhou Luofu's Divine Diviner General—Jing Yuan, arrived in person.
The corners of Welt's mouth curled up imperceptibly, then returned to calm.
He understood in his heart: It's here.
The core actor of the script had finally been unable to hold back and made their entrance.
And [Bai Heng], standing in the group, the moment she saw the face of the person who arrived, froze as if cast with a binding spell. The smile on her face stiffened, her ears and Tail went rigid, and her mouth opened slightly.
Jing Yuan's gaze, as it swept over the crowd, seemed to "inadvertently," yet with absolute precision, linger on [Bai Heng] for a split second.
Just a split second, so fast it felt like an illusion.
But the hand he held behind his back seemed to tighten its knuckles slightly.