Emerging from an alley in Starskiff Haven, [Jiang Qiao] had a faint blush on his cheeks, yet carried an air of excitement and satisfaction. Following him was a short, brown-haired girl whose face wore a look of slight resignation.
It was pretty obvious what had transpired between the two.
"Alright, I'm leaving the General's Residence matters to you now!" Qingque slung an arm around 'her own' shoulder. Although the height difference felt a bit awkward, she was the one with the advantage now, which put Miss Qingque in a rather cheerful mood.
The reason for doing this was quite simple, really.
After all, regardless of the Xianzhou's future, Qingque knew her own limitations perfectly well. If it was just the paperwork at the Seat of the Divine Foresight, that was manageable, within her capabilities. But facing major enemies? She had absolutely no experience.
And in terms of strength... well, she could use the mask that guy left her, unleashing the Emanator-level power contained within it.
But when it came to actual combat... compared to Qingque's vast knowledge and administrative experience, her fighting prowess was the complete opposite extreme, as underdeveloped as her… ahem, maidenly assets.
It couldn't be helped... She was too lazy to even put effort into her studies, let alone focus on combat skills.
Qingque had never imagined she'd end up on a battlefield someday.
Admittedly, the power granted by an Aeon to an Emanator was incredibly potent.
But ultimately, it depended on the user.
What the Aeons granted their Emanators was merely the authority to manipulate the Imaginary energy of their Path. How to actually wield that power, how to fully mobilize it – that entirely depended on the holder's own effort and talent.
Compared to Jiang Qiao inhabiting her body, if Qingque herself were to use the mask, managing to draw out even a third of its Emanator power would be a testament to her exceptional talent and high aptitude.
Realizing this... entrusting the power to someone who could wield it more effectively was clearly the most logical choice.
Besides—
Miss Qingque definitely wasn't harboring the nefarious thought of 'handing over the body to this guy so I can slack off to my heart's content'.
What? Irresponsible?!
What do you mean irresponsible! I, Qingque, am collecting a debt! This jerk owes me!
Besides, how things turned out like this barely had anything to do with me, Qingque!
Thinking back to her initial long, leisurely days as a simple Diviner in the Divination Commission, and then thinking about the current string of promotions and raises... Miss Qingque didn't feel happy for a single moment, only resentment!
The culprit behind all this was clearly that guy.
So... no matter how you looked at it, the one who should truly be responsible was him, right? I, Qingque, was completely framed and took the fall!
Tears welling up, Qingque became even more convinced of the correctness of her decision.
Take responsibility, Jiang Qiao!
As for whether he wouldn't adapt to the work at the Seat of the Divine Foresight...
Heh heh... Weren't you handling the Divination Commission work just fine? You're so capable, you made me work overtime for days! Well, the capable should do more work. Since you like working so much, why don't you handle the Seat of the Divine Foresight's duties for me too!
Besides, if he really messed things up somehow...
Wouldn't that be great?
If this guy screwed up and disappointed the General, wouldn't she be able to return to her previous leisurely life?
As for why Qingque didn't do it herself—she has a strong sense of responsibility, okay! The General entrusted the work to her. If she messed it up herself, Qingque couldn't live with the consequences. That was precisely why she had to work crazy overtime, terrified of making any mistakes.
If it were Jiang Qiao, however, there would be no need for such concerns—after all, one must bear the consequences of one's own actions. Since Qingque wouldn't be the one doing it, Qingque couldn't possibly feel guilty, right?
"Alright, those folks probably need a guide or something, so I'll head off first. As for you, work hard, okay~"
Feeling incredibly relieved, her smile blooming like a chrysanthemum, Miss Qingque patted 'herself' on the shoulder. Then, under the resigned gaze of 'Qingque', she turned tail and ran off.
Left behind, [Qingque]—Jiang Qiao—shook his head and sighed, then began organizing the information the former had left behind and contemplating his next steps.
'She' first took a public starskiff assigned by the Seat of the Divine Foresight back to the headquarters.
The Seat of the Divine Foresight was quite lively at this moment.
Jing Yuan was currently in conversation with an old man wearing a conical hat and sporting white hair, as well as a silver-haired Foxian woman draped in an outer coat over a cheongsam.
The former was the General of the Xianzhou Zhuming, General Zhu Yuan—Huaiyan, also the oldest living person in the Xianzhou Alliance today.
The latter was no stranger to Jiang Qiao either; after all, he had crossed paths with her over a decade ago.
She was the General of the Xianzhou Yaoqing, the Sky-Faring General—Feixiao, the most valiant warrior in the Alliance.
"Qingque, you're back."
Seeing 'Qingque', Jing Yuan smiled.
Huaiyan also scrutinized her with his golden eyes that had seen countless ages, his old, weathered voice betraying a hint of interest:
"Oh... so this is the successor for the Luofu General that you recommended to the Alliance?"
"Indeed."
"That's unexpected. I thought you would recommend Master Diviner Fu from the Luofu's Divination Commission as your successor."
"Elder Huaiyan speaks rightly. Fu Qing has distinguished military merits and suitable seniority; she is indeed a very fitting candidate for the General's successor. To be honest, I had previously been considering making Fu Qing the new General of the Luofu."
"It's just a pity that Fu Qing ultimately possesses some rather significant flaws... that childish disposition is also part of my concern..."
"No one is perfect, are they?"
"True... However, after some observation, I did indeed discover someone more suitable as the General's successor." Jing Yuan said with a smile, looking at 'Qingque' with distinct satisfaction.
Compared to the somewhat haughty Fu Xuan, he found this diviner under her command to be simply perfect.
Despite being incredibly young by Xianzhou standards, she already displayed a statesmanlike maturity.
Recalling his own youth under his master's tutelage, the difference was night and day... From the very beginning, Qingque had shown the maturity that Jing Yuan himself had honed over countless years and experiences.
She remained calm under pressure, could effectively unite those around and under her, acted decisively without procrastination, and though she appeared quite lazy, Qingque never slacked off when it came to her duties.
Aside from being too young, Qingque's performance was practically flawless in Jing Yuan's eyes.
And now... looking at [Qingque] who had just returned from an outing, Jing Yuan felt that she seemed to have become even more perfect in that short time.
Even that 'youthfulness' seemed to have been compensated for.
"General, you flatter me. Compared to the Master Diviner and the General, I still have much to learn."
"Excellent. Neither servile nor overbearing, calm in the face of change... If she were from the Zhuming, this old man would be content."
"Elder Huaiyan, that's hardly fair of you."
"Haha, when people my age encounter promising young talent, we naturally get excited." Huaiyan laughed nonchalantly. Like the Luofu, the Xianzhou Zhuming was also facing a gap in leadership succession. Otherwise, why would an old timer like him have to repeatedly step up and down as the Zhuming General?
"Hmm... General Feixiao has been silent since just now. Do you have any insights?"
"I wouldn't dare claim insights. After all, I'm merely someone you defeated. What could I possibly have to say?" Feixiao smiled, then fixed her gaze on [Qingque] and chuckled lightly. "I just harbor some small 'curiosities' about that battle 'over a decade ago'."
For a battle enthusiast like her, clearly—that 'converged' event from 'over a decade ago' was something quite noteworthy.
Specifically, the matter of [Qingque] packing her up and taking her away.
Huaiyan nodded, then said gravely:
"It's perfectly normal for youngsters to have some disagreements. You two can find time to settle it privately. But right now, we must focus on the warning given by the Yuque and prepare for the impending crisis."
"There's no need to be so tense. If divination decided everything, what would be the point of us Generals?" Feixiao laughed heartily, her words devoid of worry.
Just like the Yaoqing's reputation for victory.
It could be said that among the six Xianzhou ships, the Divination Commission held the lowest status on the Yaoqing.
After all, the Yaoqing's attitude was—the future is forged through one's own actions.
"General Feixiao speaks truly. However, while the Divination Commission's warnings shouldn't be blindly trusted, they cannot be ignored either... We still need a proper plan."
"Preparations for battle were made long ago. The Yaoqing is always ready for combat."
"Whether the coming enemy are Denizens of Abundance or pawns of the Antimatter Legion, if they dare to invade, we will ensure they make a one-way trip!" Feixiao clenched her fist, her light snort brimming with confidence.
—Behind the Alliance's iron wall stands the Ten-Lords Commission!
"The Sky-Faring General's valor is known throughout the Alliance. With the Yaoqing's aid, I believe this crisis will surely be overcome. However... the Luofu still suffers from internal unrest and numerous hidden troubles."
"Although the threat of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus has been eradicated, still..."
"Is the General concerned about the Vidyadhara?"
"Qingque... you... don't say things detrimental to unity." Jing Yuan gave a wry smile, glancing helplessly at the two Generals beside him—mentioning distrust towards the Vidyadhara in front of two other Xianzhou Generals was clearly asking for trouble.
"General Huaiyan and General Feixiao are both pillars of the Alliance; they naturally understand right from wrong."
"Besides, whether it's General Huaiyan's worldly wisdom or General Feixiao's straightforwardness, I doubt either wishes to hear pleasantries."
At these words, both Huaiyan and Feixiao burst into laughter:
"Haha, well said, very well said indeed."
"I like this girl. She gets me."
"...It seems I, Jing Yuan, have judged noble minds with my own petty heart... Very well. Although this is an internal matter of the Luofu, and our dirty laundry shouldn't be aired in public, given the current crisis, we cannot afford such considerations."
"Please, take a look."
Jing Yuan helplessly displayed information regarding the Luofu's internal situation, particularly the parts related to the Vidyadhara, to those present via his Jade Abacus.
Among the presented evidence were numerous incriminating proofs, thanks in no small part to [Qingque]'s efforts.
During the earlier operation against the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, because the relevant domains and archives hadn't been destroyed by them, the collusion and correspondence between the Disciples and the Vidyadhara Preceptor were almost entirely preserved.
This wasn't just the few letters seen in the game; on the proportionally larger scale of the Xianzhou, the Vidyadhara's dealings with the Disciples had evolved from a minor issue into something truly shocking.
It was only to maintain stability within the Luofu and avoid turmoil in the Alliance that the matter had been shelved for the time being.
"So shocking... No wonder the Alliance dispatched that Emissary Ling Sha from the Alchemy Commission..."
"But with the Vidyadhara and the Alchemy Commission so deeply entangled, I fear even Ling Sha will find it difficult to make much headway."
"...A bunch of vermin. Can't we just use more direct methods?" Feixiao sounded displeased.
"General Feixiao is straightforward and decisive, but unfortunately, matters within the Alliance cannot always be resolved by force."
Unlike the Yaoqing, which was predominantly Foxian with few Vidyadhara, thus having less severe issues in this regard, the Xianzhou General held the most authority during times of constant warfare.
As for the Luofu...
It wasn't as stable as the Fanghu, nor as martially focused as the Yaoqing, stuck somewhere awkwardly in between.
"You may not know, but I originally intended to use a lure to root out these internal threats... Unfortunately, the situation has now changed, and caution is required."
"General, I happen to have two methods that could resolve this Vidyadhara internal threat."
"Oh?"
Jing Yuan's interest was instantly piqued.
The other two Generals were also quite surprised. Most people would offer one plan, but [Qingque] had come up with two.
"An upper and a lower strategy. The lower strategy is... General, you force a direct confrontation with them!"
[Qingque] held up a single index finger, looking rather composed.
My authority as General is absolute!
Judge them first, then find the evidence—declare their guilt ironclad!
Hearing this method, Jing Yuan seemed tempted, yet hesitant.
Actually, this method wasn't impossible, and in some ways, it was quite good.
After all, he did possess such authority. Once the Vidyadhara issue was dealt with and it became a fait accompli, even if the Vidyadhara objected, there would be nothing they could do.
Of course, the downside was—after doing it, he'd likely be hauled before the Ten-Lords Commission in the Abode of Thralls, inevitably being convicted of acting arbitrarily and sowing discord among allies.
That was the downside for Jing Yuan.
But for his successor, not only would they inherit a clean Xianzhou, but they could also step on Jing Yuan the 'criminal's' head and win immense popular support.
Thinking this, he was genuinely tempted.
After all, Jing Yuan didn't care about his posthumous reputation.
If it made the Luofu better, what did his own ruin matter?
"Don't joke around, child," Huaiyan said, slightly exasperated.
The method was indeed a method, but it was too extreme, truly a 'ruthless plan'.
While Generals like them might be willing to do such things, unless absolutely necessary with no other choice... it was generally better to leave some leeway.
"Indeed, a bit too extreme." Feixiao also shook her head.
She thought she was already quite extreme, but realized she was still conservative compared to [Qingque].
You're one ruthless individual!
Jing Yuan looked resigned, but then remembered there was still the upper strategy and asked eagerly:
"Then, what about the upper strategy?"
"The upper strategy...?"
[Qingque] paused, a subtle glint in her eyes.
"The Vidyadhara will forever remember the heroism of the Preceptor!"