"Version 1.3 is already over? It's only been a few days, hasn't it?"
Wende stared at the virtual panel in front of him, utterly bewildered. Had he lost track of time while being Stelle's workhorse these past few days?
"Pat… Next!"
After patting a certain regular customer on the rear, Wende called out with a deadpan expression.
"Aiya, Doctor Wende's massages are always so rejuvenating, but this final step… could we perhaps simplify it?"
Jing Yuan sat up from the massage bed with a wry smile. He, the magnificent General of the Xianzhou, was getting his butt patted day in and day out… If word of this got out, wouldn't the other Xianzhou ships laugh their heads off?
"Is there a problem? I felt a single pat was already quite simplified."
Pinching his chin, Wende looked at the old sly dog with a completely serious expression.
"But you don't have to go spreading rumors, do you? I'm the General of the Xianzhou, you know! Even if I enjoy coming here for a massage, I still have my dignity!"
Jing Yuan gave Wende a look of utter grievance and then held out his phone screen for him to see.
[Old Friends Chat]
Blade: "Dan Heng! How could you lose this round? I'll kill you!"
Dan Heng: "Don't blame me for your own lack of skill."
Blade: "There are five of us! Three must pay the price! Dan Heng! I swear I will end you!"
Dan Heng: "You're really bad at this."
Blade: "You! (User has been muted by Kafka for excessive emotional outburst)"
Jingliu: "I wasn't even playing with you two. Why are you dragging me into this?"
Jingliu: "@Jing Yuan, I hear you've been frequently visiting your junior brother for massages? Your junior brother has been complaining quite a bit lately. The great General of the Xianzhou, slacking off all day and even having his little junior brother pat his butt. Tsk, tsk…"
Jing Yuan: "What the… I've been the general for centuries, can't I relax a little? Wait, how did you even know about that?!"
"Er…"
Seeing Jing Yuan's resentful expression, Wende instinctively turned his head away.
Hiss… Last night, when Jingliu came to his room to chat, he might have mentioned that Jing Yuan's butt had a rather nice feel to it… She didn't actually tell everyone, did she?
Ding dong…
A message arrived on Wende's phone. Ignoring Jing Yuan's scorned-lover glare, Wende picked it up. It was from Tingyun.
[Tingyun~]
"Benefactor~ I already told you, you should wear gloves when giving massages and cut out the little habits. March has already picked up your bad tendencies! Every time she practices on me, she pats… Benefactor, you must lead by example. Even though the General is a frequent visitor, you shouldn't always…"
"…"
Wende silently put down his phone. When did this bad woman become such a blabbermouth, just like a neighborhood aunty! That's her grand-disciple! Doesn't he have a reputation to uphold?!
He looked at Jing Yuan with some embarrassment. He was about to pat his shoulder reassuringly, but then he remembered Tingyun's warning and sheepishly pulled his hand back.
"Ahaha, it's my fault, General Jing Yuan. My apologies!"
Wende gave Jing Yuan a very formal bow, his tone full of remorse.
"Sigh… Doctor Wende, no need for such formalities. We come from the same school of training; I would naturally not make things difficult for my own junior brother. However… regarding future massages…"
Click-clack… click-clack…
What was that sound?
Oh, it was the sound of the abacus being furiously worked inside the white-haired man's head.
Wende nodded with an expression of sudden understanding. He looked suspiciously at Jing Yuan's forehead. He didn't see any fox ears, so how did he become such an old fox?
"Ahem, in that case, I have some urgent matters to discuss with Fu Xuan, so I shall not dally here any longer!"
Seeing that Wende had taken the hint, Jing Yuan nodded in satisfaction. The wheelchair tool-man, who had been waiting at the door for some time, glared resentfully at Jing Yuan, the aura of grievance around him no less potent than Jing Yuan's just a moment ago. A true master and disciple! Even their resentment was identical!
"Alright, take care, General!"
"Mm. Yanqing, let's go find Fu Xuan."
"General! You've finally decided to handle official duties again!"
"Handle duties? Can't we just leave such trivial matters to Fu Xuan? First, we go to the Seat of Divine Foresight and have Qingzhu keep an eye on the recently submitted drafts for the Xianzhou Evening Post…"
Watching Yanqing skillfully push Jing Yuan away, Wende sighed. The kid was so young and already a bodyguard-slash-driver for his boss… His future was anything but bright.
He tidied up his massage parlor, carefully putting away the two calligraphy scrolls from Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan. Gazing at the place that had brought him over a month of torment, Wende felt his teeth itch.
With the help of Stelle and that young lady Sushang, Aurum Alley had already regained its former prosperity. Of course, at the beginning, many people had come because of Wende's reputation, only to later discover that the alley itself had returned to its former glory.
Thinking of that corporate employee who had barked like a dog, Wende sighed again. Working for the Corporation really was tough…
"By the way, what's new in the 1.4 update? I'm a little curious."
After locking the door to Wende's Massage Parlor and taking one last look at the bustling Aurum Alley, Wende shook his head and left.
---o---
"Everyone, the final cleanup of the Astral Express is complete. The Stellaron's influence on the star rail has been reduced to zero. We can finally set sail for Punklorde!"
Himeko announced to everyone in the parlor car, her voice filled with emotion.
Without even realizing it, the ranks of the Nameless had grown once again…
"Aww, we just said goodbye to everyone on the Xianzhou. I'm already starting to miss them…" March said dejectedly. Her time on the Xianzhou had been the most relaxing part of her Trailblazing journey so far! Even though she had to act as a "surprise soldier" for a long time, the rewards afterward were pretty good!
"Er… Little March, you can always come back to visit using the Realm-Restricting Anchor," Tingyun reminded her with a gentle smile. After boarding the train, she too had been blessed by the Path of the Trailblaze. A walk with Benefactor through the snowfields of Belobog… that didn't sound like a bad idea at all. As expected of a creation of the Trailblaze, this was far more convenient than warping back and forth as a merchant!
"Ahahaha, that's right, the anchor… Tsk, then why were we so dramatic when we said goodbye to everyone! And we even saw General Jing Yuan get all embarrassed…"
March put her hands on her hips and shot Stelle a look of dissatisfaction. It made her look really dumb!
"Uh… I forgot too… hehe."
"What do you mean, 'hehe'!"
Watching the two bicker and play, everyone on the train couldn't help but share a knowing smile.