Chapter 69: The One Who Has Five Names, Here's One Missing!
The divine slash descended in a blaze of golden light, revealing Jing Yuan with eyes wide open. His first glance was toward Yanqing, ensuring his safety, before surveying everyone present.
Then
To his left stood Jingliu, exuding a chilling aura, her ruby-red eyes concealed behind a black veil. Jing Yuan hesitated briefly but ultimately chose not to address her directly. Then, as his gaze fell on the person beside Jingliu, his turbulent emotions instantly settled.
"It's you…" Jing Yuan murmured.
"We've never met, yet the General knows me? I'm honored," Luocha replied with a smirk.
"Not only do I know you," Jing Yuan said coolly, "I'm quite familiar with your kind."
"A friend once told me that people like you have a seventy percent chance of being irredeemably evil—and if they're powerful, that likelihood doubles."
"Doubles?" Luocha gave a self-deprecating laugh. "So, in your eyes, I must be utterly despicable."
Jing Yuan didn't respond further and instead turned his attention to the trio across from him.
"Stellaron Hunters—what an impressive gathering, sending three at once," he remarked.
Earlier, the Divine Monarch's attack had interrupted Blade's assault. Though Blade had intended to pursue Jing Yuan relentlessly, Kafka whispered something that calmed him down.
In a deep voice, Blade addressed Jing Yuan: "Jing Yuan."
"There are five of you," Jing Yuan continued. "Three are here now. One remains."
"Where… is he?"
Jing Yuan sighed. "He won't be coming."
At this, the fiery glow in Blade's eyes dimmed slightly, reflecting disappointment. Seizing the moment, Jing Yuan pressed on.
"Blade, Kafka, Silver Wolf—all three of you are infamous criminals with bounties placed by the company. However, today, I'll pretend I didn't see you and let you leave."
Blade remained stoic. Yanqing, alarmed by Jing Yuan's decision to allow these dangerous fugitives to escape, nearly broke into tears. But Jing Yuan raised a hand, signaling there was method to his madness.
Blade's sharp gaze shifted to Jingliu. Despite the veil covering Jingliu's face, he could feel the intensity of Blade's stare. In a cold tone, Jingliu declared, "My presence here has nothing to do with you."
The atmosphere grew tense, thick with unspoken hostility.
"Boring," Blade muttered dismissively, turning to leave.
"Kafka," Blade called out as he walked away.
"Ask Elio when our next script is due—mine and that guy's."
"Certainly," Kafka responded smoothly.
As the trio prepared to depart, Jing Yuan internally sighed with relief. The situation had been precarious, but managing to send the Stellaron Hunters away first gave him room to focus on dealing with Jingliu and Luocha.
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
Dan Heng's group remained oblivious to the unfolding events at The Shackling Prison as they raced toward their destination aboard the star ferry.
Inside, March 7th exclaimed, "I never imagined Dan Shu would turn out to be the mysterious leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus! She seemed so kind when we traveled together!"
Tingyun, steering the ship, smiled gently. "Miss March 7th, you truly have a pure heart. Though the leader of the Disciples may be blind, their other senses are extraordinarily sharp. It's possible they've already sensed trouble and fled. After all, betrayal carries grave consequences."
March 7th nodded thoughtfully. "You make a good point, Miss Tingyun."
Old Yang adjusted his glasses and remarked, "While piloting the star ferry, Miss Tingyun somehow manages to keep up with live updates about the storyline—not just that, but even details like the leader being born blind. Such keen observation is remarkable."
Tingyun replied matter-of-factly, "As the merchant group's envoy, staying observant and informed is essential for survival. Don't take it personally, Mr. Welt!"
Old Yang nodded, then added, "Ah, Miss Tingyun, ever since entering Xianzhou Luofu, you've accompanied the Astral Express crew through every scenario. Now, as we head to the Divination Commission for Kafka's interrogation, you're still here. Clearly, your role holds significance."
"Oh? Is that so?" Tingyun's ears twitched slightly. "I haven't played this game myself; I'm still learning its intricacies."
"Could it be that Miss Tingyun knows Feathered Spirit, the developer of Honkai: Star Rail? Perhaps they favored your character during development?"
"Aiya… Mr. Welt, please stop flattering me! Knowing individuals like the Astral Express Crew feels lucky enough, let alone someone as renowned as the game's developer. If you keep teasing me, I might not handle it!"
Inside the star ferry, the mood grew increasingly tense under Old Yang's probing questions.
March 7th leaned over to Stelle and whispered, "What's going on with Uncle Yang? Why is he suddenly so curious about Miss Tingyun?"
Stelle scratched his head. "Could it be that Uncle Yang likes her? Should we… help him somehow? Wait—what?!"
Suddenly, the star ferry shook violently, throwing March 7th and Stelle backward. Dan Heng managed to steady himself by gripping a seat, while Old Yang sat unfazed, surrounded by a faint crimson glow. No matter how hard the ferry shook, he remained perfectly still, as though immune to gravity.
"You," Old Yang said calmly, "have something to hide."
Up front, Tingyun released control of the star ferry. Her demeanor transformed dramatically from moments earlier.
"Well done… truly well done," she said, her voice no longer soft but resonant like clanging metal. "Welt… you're more intriguing than I expected."
She radiated regal authority, her body shimmering with light before dissolving entirely. From within emerged a sphere of golden flame.
Unnoticed by others, Old Yang had retrieved his cane and slammed it downward, creating a small black hole. Yet, the fiery orb moved beyond physical constraints, slipping effortlessly through phase space and evading capture.
Its voice echoed throughout the cabin: "I planned to entertain you longer, but that incompetent pawn Abundance ruined everything. Phantylia must take her leave now. May you enjoy your time… with these performers."
The powerless star ferry began tilting dangerously, heading straight for another vessel. With a gentle tap of his cane, Old Yang stabilized it, guiding everyone safely to the ground below.
"But… what just happened, Uncle Yang?! Why did Miss Tingyun change so suddenly? Her body disappeared, and what was that fiery orb?!" March 7th exclaimed.
"March, I'll explain later," Old Yang replied. "The enemy approaches."
Following his gaze, March 7th looked up to see a massive black vortex opening in the sky, unleashing waves of monsters from the Antimatter Legion.