"Did the Master Diviner specially invite us here just to lament?" Welt Yang looked down at Fu Xuan.
"Of course not!" Fu Xuan cleared her throat and raised her voice.
"As the acting Arbiter-General, it is only proper for me to express the Luofu's official gratitude for your righteous assistance. Now that the matter has concluded, it is time to openly repay your contributions."
Upon hearing this, March 7th's eyes immediately lit up. "Wow! So the rewards promised by the general are coming now? Now? Now?"
Fu Xuan curled her lips slightly. "Indeed. The Astral Express has risked life and limb for the Luofu, demonstrating unwavering loyalty. After deliberation by the Six Charioteers, from this day forward, you shall be recognized as the Luofu's sworn allies. Within Luofu territory, you will receive the highest diplomatic privileges, equivalent to envoys of the Alliance."
The four Express crew members exchanged glances, and finally, Welt Yang spoke.
"On behalf of the Astral Express, I thank the Master Diviner."
March 7th's tone remained excited. "Wow, even though there's nothing tangible, it sounds pretty cool..."
Later, to draft her report for the Xianzhou Alliance, Fu Xuan engaged in detailed discussions with those who had participated fully in the events, primarily Caelus, and obtained a wealth of specifics.
Then, Fu Xuan shifted the topic to Tingyun, and her words carried an unmistakable implication:
Tingyun was truly gone.
[Huh? Gone? Just like that? Really gone?]
[Wuwu... my wife... how could she just disappear?]
[Questioning King Zhou, understanding King Zhou, becoming King Zhou, surpassing King Zhou—I'll take miHoYo down with me!]
[I really liked Tingyun! QAQ!]
[I liked the little fox too... why did they have to kill her off? Are the writers insane?]
[Not necessarily? I feel like there's still a chance she's alive. The wording is pretty ambiguous—no body, no confirmation.]
[But her fan was left behind... come on, isn't this supposed to be a Space Comedy? Why the sudden brutality?]
[I actually noticed hints back in Herta Space Station. There's a lot of hidden tragedy there, just not explicitly shown. The interactive sections hide many details.]
[And Belobog—those companion quests were all heartbreaking. I thought miHoYo only killed off minor characters, but now... even key figures aren't safe?]
[I see it differently. What if Tingyun was Phantylia all along? If the Tingyun we interacted with was fake, then everything we saw was an act.]
[Whoa, that actually makes me feel a bit better.]
——
At Fu Xuan's request, the Express crew headed to the Sky-Faring Commission to deliver the fan Tingyun had left behind to Yukong.
Whether Phantylia had disguised herself as Tingyun or manipulated her, there lurked a dangerous possibility—the real Tingyun might have met a tragic end.
The group arrived at the Stargazer Navalia of the Sky-Faring Commission.
Xueyi and Yukong were deep in conversation. After delivering the news, Xueyi tactfully took her leave.
Yukong politely expressed her gratitude to the Express crew.
Though her words never explicitly mentioned Tingyun, every sentence was imbued with her presence.
The audience was captivated by Yukong's acting—this segment was essentially her solo performance.
Through extensive dialogue, Yukong's grief and reluctance to part with Tingyun were portrayed vividly.
[Wuwu... Yukong, I can't take this. I just can't handle emotional scenes like this.]
[Ah!!!!! Prisoner Yun, do you know how heartbroken Yukong is now that you're gone?]
[miHoYo, do you have no conscience? How can you kill characters so casually?]
[Really gone? They're even holding a funeral...]
[It's over, it's over, it's over!]
——
Despite her sorrow, Yukong insisted on holding a "memorial rite" to soothe everyone's grief.
In the Stargazer Navalia, the Express crew and Yanming sorted through Tingyun's belongings, some of which were gifts she had never had the chance to deliver.
To fulfill Tingyun's final wishes, the Express crew took on the task of delivering these gifts to their intended recipients.
Yet, with every word of praise for Tingyun, their hearts ached all the more.
Finally, when all was settled, the three crew members looked at the bow in their hands, already knowing who its next owner would be.
"The person Tingyun trusted most... was Yukong, wasn't it?"
——
At Twilight Parlor, they met Yukong.
Caelus held the bow. "We've come to deliver Miss Tingyun's gift..."
Yukong's pupils contracted sharply. "This bow... was Tingyun's gift for me? She understood my pain, yet I can no longer do anything for her..."
...
"The star skiffs for the rite are ready. Everyone, please place Tingyun's mementos aboard."
Deep within Twilight Parlor, Yukong oversaw the preparation of the star skiffs for the "memorial rite."
For the ordinary lives lost in the Ambrosial Arbor disaster, for the Cloud Knights who fell in battle—they placed old gifts upon the skiffs, letting them drift away.
Whether short-lived or long-lived, like all stars that must eventually fade, the time for farewell had come.
Countless star skiffs streaked across the sky, and the Luofu seemed to stand still. Everyone paused, and maple leaves fell like fleeting beauty.
The scene closed on Yukong, ending with a tear rolling down her cheek.
[Ugh, miHoYo, was killing Tingyun not enough? Why rub it in like this?]
[Exactly! Why drag it out? Not painful enough?]
[This hurts so much. I preferred Season 2—after the boss fight, it was all comedy.]
[Seriously, I'm scared now. Jing Yuan almost died, Tingyun really died, and Yukong mentioned returning to the battlefield... are they gonna kill her too?]
[??? Stop talking, I'm sweating bullets.]
——
After the "Memorial Rite" concluded, Yanqing accompanied Jing Yuan to meet the Express crew.
"General, the rite is over. You should rest," Yanqing said worriedly.
"Wait a little longer. I have a few more words for our friends from the Express.
Apologies. Yanqing kept insisting I recuperate... so I couldn't meet you all sooner.
Before you depart the Luofu, I have two gifts for the Astral Express."
March 7th hid behind Caelus. "Gifts? He's finally feeling guilty and compensating us for all our hard work?"
Caelus chimed in, "He's not actually giving us a house, is he?"
Jing Yuan smiled. "Well then, everyone, let's meet at the Seat of Divine Foresight."
——
The screen faded to black, transitioning to a new scene.
The four Express members stood before Jing Yuan.
"Everyone, I've gathered you here to reiterate the Luofu's gratitude for the Nameless' heroic deeds," Jing Yuan began.
"Fu Xuan has already spoken of this, but I believe what you've done for the Luofu is beyond repayment.
Thus, on behalf of the Luofu Cloud Knights, I present you with a Jade Abacus symbolizing our 'bond of alliance.'"
"Jade Abacus?" Caelus scratched his head, clearly confused.
Jing Yuan patiently explained, "Millennia ago, when the Alliance was founded, the Xianzhou ships swore an oath, inscribed upon jade as proof. Even if heaven and earth perish, this vow shall endure.
This Jade Abacus is the same—it records the Luofu Cloud Knights' pledge to the Express. It also serves as a beacon. Clutch it, and it will send a signal to its paired abacus in my possession.
No matter how vast the galaxy or how arduous the journey, the Luofu Cloud Knights will come to the Express's aid to fulfill your request."
[I get it—shoot a signal arrow, and a thousand troops will answer the call.]
[So this is how you summon backup?]
[This must be the power Kafka mentioned—the one we'll use against Nanook.]
[Yeah, during the Phantylia fight, Jing Yuan told the Cloud Knights he feared the Luofu couldn't handle both the Abundance Emanators and the Antimatter Legion.]
[Now the Astral Express has another powerful ally.]
——
March 7th: "Wow, this gift is seriously extravagant."
"Ah... of course, please refrain from using it for trivial matters or requests that violate our alliance. I trust you understand?"
"Understood, understood. Crystal clear."
Welt Yang added his thanks. "We appreciate the general's generosity."
Jing Yuan's gaze shifted to Dan Heng. "Dan Heng."
"General..."
"By the decree of the Ten-Lords Commission, your exile is pardoned. From this moment, you may come and go freely on the Luofu."
March 7th and Caelus cheered in unison. "Hooray!"
However, Jing Yuan clarified that while Dan Heng was free to move, he couldn't guarantee his safety.
"Whew." Jing Yuan exhaled. "Giving gifts has lightened my mood... even the pain has dulled. Now would be the perfect time to recite poetry to celebrate... but unlike the learned Fu Xuan, I'll abstain.
The Nameless' journey is long. May the Express's path be smooth. Farewell."
——
As everything drew to a close, Welt Yang received a message from Himeko:
"The Express has observed the Jade Gate reopening. She's asking when we'll return."
After discussion, since Caelus had unfinished business and March 7th wanted souvenirs for Pom-Pom, Dan Heng and Welt Yang departed first.
After some playful bickering, Caelus ultimately escaped being dragged along for March 7th's shopping spree.
Later, he arrived at a pavilion in Exalting Sanctum, where a blind little girl stood.
He had met her during his dealings with Danshu.
"Big Brother, is that you? I recognized your footsteps!"