Chapter 58: Otto and Li Sushang? Investigate Luocha Thoroughly!
"You want to watch the story unfold before making a decision?"
"Yes," Jing Yuan replied, accommodating their request.
"Why not... watch it together here? We can project the Yuzhao images onto the sand table—this way, you can observe both the battle details and subtle map clues more clearly." He added, "If anything catches your interest, we can discuss it and adjust our strategy accordingly."
"Since you're such gracious hosts, how could we refuse?" Old Yang responded politely.
"Uncle Yang, is your homeworld some kind of Xianzhou planet? You sound so natural using such refined language!" March 7th teased in surprise.
Old Yang didn't elaborate.
Under Yukong's arrangements, everyone took their seats around the sand table, joining Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan as they began watching the live broadcast.
The grand Palace of Astrum fell silent, the atmosphere resembling a cinema.
All eyes were fixed on the unfolding plot.
In the top-left corner, the current objective was displayed:
[Cross Cloudford and catch up with the exploration team.]
Dan Heng's inner monologue played:
"Little has changed since I left..."
"In my memories of the Luofu, aside from darkness, this is the only place I remember."
March 7th couldn't help but glance at Dan Heng beside her, catching only his cold profile. She desperately wanted to ask what he had experienced on the Luofu—why was this dock the only place he recalled? Had he never left it before?
But with so many important figures present, she knew it wasn't the time. Instead, she focused back on the screen.
Not far away, a girl and a long-haired blonde man were surrounded by monsters. The girl confidently placed her hands on her hips and declared, "Just stay put over there!"
"Leave the rescuing to the professionals—!"
The man, leaning casually against an ornate black-and-white box, remained completely unruffled.
Watching this, Streamer Little Gui Zi gasped in disbelief. "Shangshang, am I seeing this right?! Someone actually came to save Dan Heng... and that someone is—you?!"
Li Sushang was stunned.
Rubbing his eyes and leaning closer to the screen, he suddenly shouted, "Aaaaaah, it really is me!"
"Mom! Look at me now!"
"I'm in a Star Rail storyline!!!"
The playful banter between the two girls in the livestream brought smiles to everyone's faces.
But Old Yang looked as if he'd seen a ghost—his face drained of color.
Especially when the camera zoomed in on the blonde man. His appearance, his demeanor—it was unmistakably Otto!
Cold sweat broke out on Old Yang's palms, his entire body tense.
Noticing his unease, Dan Heng asked, "Welt, what's wrong?"
"These two... they're both... people I know..." Old Yang forced out the words with difficulty.
"Huh?"
Meanwhile, in the story:
Dan Heng rushed forward to help Sushang fend off the Form Refiner from the Medicine King's secret lineage.
This enemy was far stronger than ordinary Demonic Yin Bodies—its spear attacks even regenerated its health!
Sushang's HP bar plummeted into the red, sending Little Gui Zi into a panic.
"Shangshang, you're about to die!"
"What do we do? There's no shielder or healer in the party!"
"Should we retreat and recover first? Maybe eat some [Great Cosmic Fried Rice] before trying again?"
Sushang nudged Guinaifen lightly. "But Dan Heng's still alive! It's not like the real me is actually in danger."
Then—the plot took a sudden turn!
*
The blonde man behind them finally moved!
With a swift hum, his elegant black-and-white sword plunged into the ground, leaving a teal floral pattern in its wake.
To Dan Heng and Sushang's surprise, healing energy enveloped them.
"You both fought to save me. How could Luocha stand idly by? [Stay put]."
His intervention was perfectly timed—graceful and effortless.
But...
The moment Old Yang heard his voice, he completely lost his composure.
He shot up from his seat, his forehead slick with sweat. Taking a deep breath, he wiped his brow, adjusted his glasses, and sat back down, his eyes locked onto the blonde man on screen.
"This has to be survivorship bias..." he thought desperately. "Only significant characters appear in game narratives, so of course I'm seeing familiar faces."
"Besides, it's just a game. Their real-world counterparts might be completely different..."
He had to rationalize it—because the alternative was too unsettling.
These two were near-perfect replicas of Otto Apocalypse and Li Sushang from his world.
Sushang here was youthful, spirited, and carefree—a stark contrast to her original counterpart.
But the blonde man?
His presence carried an air of profound depth, the kind that hinted at untold schemes.
If the universe were a stage, this man would undoubtedly play the role of an irredeemable villain.
And that made him dangerous.
The battle resumed—this time with Luocha joining their team.
After Dan Heng took a heavy hit from the Form Refiner, Luocha raised his decorated hand and declared:
"White Flower Bloom!"
Instantly, Dan Heng's HP surged back up.
With a healer now in their ranks, the fight became far easier.
They defeated the Form Refiner.
"Hah! We Cloud Knights are here to protect you. The area's locked down now, and I'm helping evacuate civilians. Follow me—I'll get you to safety."
Li Sushang insisted on escorting them to a secure zone.
"Let's move! Stay close, both of you—Cloud Knight Li Sushang will keep you safe!"
"Oh, and later... could you help me write my name? I'm not great with characters, so I might mess it up..."
Dan Heng's perspective paused temporarily.
March 7th sighed softly. "Well, at least Dan Heng's out of immediate danger."
"That Cloud Knight girl is a bit reckless, but she means well."
"As for that Luocha guy... I can't really get a read on him. What do you think, Uncle Yang?"
"Huh? Uncle Yang, what's wrong?!"
Even Stelle turned to look.
They realized then that Old Yang—usually so composed—was sitting there drenched in sweat.
"You mustn't underestimate him!" he said gravely.
"Since experiencing Honkai: Star Rail, I've met many people in this game who resemble—sometimes even share names with—those from my world."
"They exist across different worlds, yet their fates often follow similar paths."
"I've encountered two individuals like this Luocha before... and neither of them were good people."
"Both had the power to overturn entire worlds with ease," Old Yang finished darkly.
The room fell silent.
Even Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan wore expressions of surprise.
After a moment, Jing Yuan spoke. "If Mr. Welt holds such a strong opinion of this outsider... then I trust your judgment."
"I'll notify the Realm-Keeping Commission and the Sky-Faring Commission to monitor this man's background and movements closely."
March 7th clapped her hands together. "Brilliant decision, General!"
Stelle nodded firmly in agreement. "Investigate Luocha—thoroughly!"