In response to Jing Yuan's attempt to stop her, our Master Diviner Fu Xuan could no longer hear him. Having entered the state of observation with her Law Eye, she automatically blocked out unnecessary external information, fully immersing herself in her deductions.
Not only could she not hear Jing Yuan's calls, but even if someone tried to do something to her at this moment, she would struggle to snap out of it. Of course, this also proved, in a way, that our Master Diviner held great trust in Jing Yuan and Yanqing, who were present at the scene.
"This, hahaha…"
Jing Yuan gave a wry smile and scratched his head, no longer attempting to intervene. He could only hope that Fu Xuan would glean as little information about Jingliu as possible—or, better yet, that she'd be easy to persuade and refrain from reporting anything related to Jingliu to Marshal Hua.
"General, what's wrong?"
Yanqing was puzzled by his master's behavior. Master Diviner Fu Xuan was merely divining what had just happened to him, so why was his master trying to stop her?
"Uh, well… let's wait for Lady Fu to finish her divination, haha…" Jing Yuan scratched his head awkwardly. What else could he say? He could only wait for Fu Xuan to complete her deduction.
After a brief wait, the glow of the Matrix of Prescience Ultima surrounding Fu Xuan gradually faded. The centuries-old girl slowly opened her eyes, accompanied by a look of profound shock.
"The former High-Cloud Quintet… Jingliu, the Sword Champion of the Luofu who committed the ten heinous crimes five hundred years ago, is still alive?! And she's on the Luofu right now? No, I must report this to the Marshal!"
Muttering to herself, our Miss Fu Xuan shook her head vigorously, snapping out of her shock. She immediately started running toward the Divination Commission.
But at that moment, our General Jing Yuan suddenly stepped in front of Fu Xuan, wearing a placating smile. "Lady Fu, hold on. Regarding Jingliu, I think we can discuss this a bit further. What do you say?"
"Discuss?" Fu Xuan's delicate brows furrowed. She was somewhat aware of the former High-Cloud Quintet and the relationship between Jing Yuan and Jingliu.
After a moment of consideration, our Master Diviner spoke. "Discussion is fine, but General, let me be clear: even if Jingliu is your master, she committed the ten heinous crimes and killed her comrades. I will not bend justice for personal ties!"
Looking at the righteous Fu Xuan before him, our General opened his mouth but ultimately let out a helpless sigh.
"Lady Fu, in truth, I had already met Jingliu before Yanqing did. It's just… sigh. Lady Fu, consider this a favor I owe you. After this Xianzhou crisis is resolved, I'll petition Marshal Hua to pass the General's position to you. How about that?"
Hearing Jing Yuan's words, our Master Diviner was genuinely tempted. But after a brief moment of thought, she rejected his proposal.
"General, your offer is indeed tempting, but the education I've received does not permit me to act with bias or favoritism, so…"
Seeing Fu Xuan about to refuse, our General quickly interjected. "Lady Fu, you misunderstand. I'm not asking you to shield a fugitive. I'm only hoping you can give Jingliu a bit more time. She has unfinished business to attend to."
"Rest assured, Lady Fu. I swear by the Reignbow Arbiter that once Jingliu fulfills her wishes, I will personally lead the effort to apprehend her! If I fail, I will surely be forsaken by the Path!"
After hearing Jing Yuan's oath, the scales in Fu Xuan's heart finally tipped. "Since the General is so sincere, I accept. It's a deal."
Watching Fu Xuan's retreating figure, Jing Yuan let out a long breath of relief. In truth, he had long planned to pass his position to Fu Xuan. But with the Xianzhou in turmoil, how could he retreat behind the scenes and let someone else bear the responsibility?
However, judging by the tea-choking incident earlier, Fu Xuan had likely stepped onto the Path of Causality, and her strength was no longer what it once was. Once the Luofu crisis was resolved, it would be time to step down.
Having served as General for centuries, Jing Yuan was tired.
As Jing Yuan mulled this over, Yanqing, standing nearby, suddenly spoke up, his tone uncertain. "General… that silver-haired woman, she's… she's your master, my grandmaster?"
Yanqing was utterly bewildered. He had thought she was just a powerful swordmaster, but to learn she was his grandmaster?
Yet, thinking about it this way… being defeated by his grandmaster didn't seem so unacceptable after all…
"Sigh, Yanqing, it's a long story. I…" Jing Yuan began to explain about Jingliu, but just as he started, he realized something. He had called Fu Xuan here for an important matter, but the earlier topic had sidetracked him, and he'd forgotten about it.
"Lady Fu! Come back!"
— — — —
Meanwhile, on the other side, in Penacony…
"Hm? You're saying your brother, Sunday, head of the Oak Family, wants to meet me? He wants to invite me to dine together?"
In the Daydream Hotel, Yun Fan listened to the girl before him, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Sunday wanting to meet him was within his expectations, but the location of this invitation was peculiar. It wasn't a conventional hotel or the Dawn Mansion used by the family to receive guests.
This time, Sunday had invited him to his personal residence in Penacony, meaning this wasn't an ordinary meal but a family banquet.
Generally, across cultures, a family banquet signifies deep friendship and respect between host and guest. It could be said that, among all types of banquets, a family banquet is the most prestigious.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure myself. My brother seems to have something important to discuss with you. Oh, of course, if you don't want to go, I can help you decline…"
Hearing Yun Fan's confusion, Robin hurriedly explained, adding that if Yun Fan was unwilling, she could cancel the banquet on his behalf.
"No need for that."
Looking at the universe-renowned superstar before him, a goddess in the eyes of others who now appeared timid in his presence, Yun Fan couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.
"I understand Sunday's intentions and his feelings, so I won't refuse this family banquet. Besides…"
At this, Yun Fan looked up, his gaze softening. "I also want to meet this head of the family, to see what kind of person could raise someone as remarkable as you."
Hearing Yun Fan's words, Robin's face flushed slightly. With the wisdom of the Halovians, how could she not see that Yun Fan was teasing her? But… she didn't exactly have the standing to refuse. Yes, it was purely because she lacked the standing…