"What does that mean?"
Leon glanced at Jing Yuan.
"What, is your mentor planning a rebellion?"
After rebelling, would she drop a line to Jing Yuan saying, 'Congratulations disciple, you can proclaim yourself Emperor now'?
"What mentor is this? How come I didn't know you had a mentor?"
"This is my mentor who taught me my skills. My mentor is the former Sword Champion of the Luofu."
Jing Yuan sighed, his words carrying the melancholy of reminiscence.
"In truth, very few people know about her."
"Any records concerning her existence have been intentionally erased. The person known as Jingliu is actually considered a little-known secret on the Luofu."
"Only occasionally can one hear some stories related to the Luofu Sword Champion from the storytellers."
"The Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae... the number of people it affected was simply too great."
Jing Yuan had an indescribable look in his eyes as he began to introduce the various events of the past to him.
"General Leon should know about the 'Mara-Struck', right?"
Leon nodded.
Back during the Third Borisin War, he had plucked a yellow leaf from a Cloud Knight who had fallen to Mara, intending to use it as a burial object for himself.
"A condition unique to the Xianzhou natives. At the same time, we also view it as our own death."
Jing Yuan nodded, giving a brief introduction regardless.
"Those who fall into Mara have their six senses inverted and lose all human ethics."
"Based on Master's age, she should have actually fallen into Mara long ago. It is just that she persisted longer than ordinary people. If not for some accidents, she should have been able to rival Elder Yan."
Jing Yuan's gaze fell upon Dan Heng, the look in his eyes somewhat complex.
Dan Heng remained silent, not knowing how to respond to his gaze.
Just as he had said before,
The Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae, the source of all these tragedies, affected far too many people. How could the five people placed at the vortex of this event escape it?
Dan Feng reincarnated, refusing to acknowledge his past life.
Yingxing became an Abomination of Abundance, his whereabouts unknown.
Jingliu fell into Mara, her life or death uncertain.
"In Star Calendar Year 7380, the former Sword Champion of the Luofu fell into Mara and slaughtered a majority of her Cloud Knight compatriots. As the General, I was ordered to go to Starskiff Haven and execute her."
Jing Yuan closed his eyes, slowly speaking the words.
"What, you held back?"
As a General, that meant he was already a Heavenly General blessed by the Reignbow at that time.
Jing Yuan's master was the Sword Champion, so she likely wasn't another Heavenly General.
In other words, she was at most a Pathstrider at the stage of Great Perfection.
An 'Emanator' fighting a 'Pathstrider'.
In Leon's view, if an 'Emanator' couldn't take down a tiny Pathstrider, then he should be put on the 'Emanator' Hall of Shame.
Judging from Jing Yuan's words, this Sword Champion didn't die in the end.
Oh, awesome. Can an Emanator not handle a Pathstrider?
Leon couldn't be bothered to roast him.
If it wasn't a case of Jing Yuan holding back,
Then playing a top-tier stats account into such a sorry state, letting a tiny Pathstrider with some mechanics escape with her life...
Then what kind of fraud is Jing Yuan?
"I did not."
Jing Yuan shook his head, indicating he didn't hold anything back at that time.
"I had just taken over as General not long before that. My mastery over the Lightning Lord was certainly not as exquisite as it is now."
"But Master had taught me previously that if she fell into Mara, I must absolutely not show any mercy."
Jing Yuan took a deep breath, the expression on his face quite serious.
"If I held back, it would instead be defiling her resolve."
"What Jing Yuan seeks has always been a clear conscience."
"The strike of the Lightning Lord was my all-out effort, and at the same time, the best repayment for her grace in teaching me my skills."
Jing Yuan looked as if he could swear to the Reignbow.
"After that strike, Master vanished without a trace."
Regarding the matter of Jingliu still being alive.
If not for the eyewitness intelligence, as well as the matter of Causality contraction mentioned by Yao Guang—she indeed fit the description—if not for these two factors,
Then Jing Yuan actually wouldn't quite believe it.
"Whereabouts unknown. I originally thought she was dead."
In that kind of scene, seeing Jingliu disappear after one strike,
Thinking she was dead would be the subconscious thought of the majority.
Jing Yuan was no exception.
He naturally knew the power of an 'Emanator' better than anyone.
Not only because he had become an 'Emanator', but also because the beginning of everything regarding the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae happened because of an Emanator of 'The Abundance'.
When the Lightning Lord swung that blade down, Jing Yuan could be said to have already assumed Jingliu's death.
Even with the buff of Mara,
It was absolutely insufficient to allow one to survive under the attack of an 'Emanator'.
"But looking at it now..."
Jing Yuan paused for a moment. "Things don't seem as simple as I thought."
But even with all sorts of impossibilities, this bizarre reality was placed right before his eyes.
Jingliu was alive, and living quite well. That strike from the Lightning Lord had not taken her life.
Jing Yuan could be certain and positive that the strike from the Lightning Lord back then was his limit at that time.
Heaven knows how she survived. Perhaps she had some unknown fortuitous encounter.
Jing Yuan thought so.
Although it was very bad, hearing that Jingliu was still alive, the first reaction in his heart was actually relief.
"The Luofu Sword Champion is still alive. This is something no one could have imagined."
Huaiyan stroked his beard, evidently also surprised by Jingliu's survival.
"You've dragged it out enough."
After Leon finished that evaluation, he noticed another problem.
"No, how do you know it must be your master? Have you seen her?"
He wondered, how did Jing Yuan know his master was still alive?
"Regarding this point..."
Jing Yuan did not speak, but simply let his gaze fall upon Dan Heng again.
The meaning was self-evident.
"...She came to find me."
Dan Heng spoke up, and the answer as to why he was currently here was also within this sentence.
"She found me and chatted about some inexplica—"
The word 'inexplicable' hadn't even left his mouth before Dan Heng actively retracted it.
He subconsciously glanced at Jing Yuan.
After seeing the exhaustion in the depths of this General's eyes, Dan Heng modified his wording to be a bit more appropriate.
"Chatted about some things regarding Dan Feng. I didn't quite understand."
When the two words 'Dan Feng' entered his ears, the corner of Jing Yuan's mouth raised into a bitter smile.
He had never forgotten a single moment of the High-Cloud Quintet.
Looking at it now, this master of his was the same.
"General Leon might not know."
Thinking that Leon likely didn't know the inside story, Jing Yuan decided to explain briefly.
"Baiheng, Yingxing, Dan Feng, myself, and my master. We five often gathered together.
Unknowingly, the title of High-Cloud Quintet spread."
Bringing up the past again, Jing Yuan lowered his voice very softly.
"Star Calendar Year 7379."
"The Emanator of 'The Abundance', Shuhu, in order to plunder the 'Ambrosial Arbor', led an army to pressure the Luofu borders, destroying almost half of the Delves and killing the Cloud Knights until not one in ten remained."
"For the sake of victory in this campaign."
"The previous Luofu General, Tengxiao, sacrificed his own life to turn the tide of the battlefield, while Baiheng made the same choice, deciding to use a black sun to perish together with Shuhu."
"And after that, came the occurrence of the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae."
"Dan Feng and Yingxing traveled together, vainly attempting to resurrect Baiheng, but failed and created an Abomination Dragon. And this dragon was slain by my master who arrived later."
"For Master to come knocking this time, I'm afraid she wants to make a complete end with the past."
Jing Yuan deduced the reason for Jingliu finding Dan Heng.
However, what made him strange was that Jingliu's return could indeed be called a matter of Causality contraction.
But was this really worth Yao Guang being so cautious?
"Just say directly what needs to be done."
Leon indicated that if there was a fight to be had, he would just point a direction right now.
If not fighting, then what the hell are we talking for.
When to fight, talk about it then.
"Capture alive. I would like to ask General Leon to accompany me to meet my mentor."
Hearing this, Jing Yuan no longer stood on ceremony with him.
In his view, given Jingliu's temperament, it was unlikely she would be detrimental to the Alliance.
But anything is possible.
During the time she disappeared, no one knew what she went to do.
Maybe she changed her faith.
He couldn't leave such a big invisible bomb walking on the Luofu unattended.
Capture her first and talk later; one interrogation would reveal if there were any problems.
"Need me to help find the person?" Leon suggested.
After all, people suffering from Mara-Struck all had a certain smell on them.
For him, it was actually quite easy to find, even within a vast sea of people like the Luofu's.
If he really wanted to find her, he could dig her out in seconds.
Because 'The Hunt' was most sensitive to 'The Abundance'.
Open the door, Reignbow sends warmth!
"No need. Where is Master's next destination?"
Jing Yuan shook his head, refusing his active help.
"I think I already have a clue."
Yingxing's whereabouts were unknown, but since Jingliu could reappear safe and sound, it wouldn't be an exception if the two had already met once before coming to the Luofu.
And under the condition that this premise existed.
The first stop was Dan Feng. Because of his special identity, he would likely be Jingliu's last stop, so where her second stop would be was already obvious.
"Dan Heng, where is the Dragon Lady today?" Jing Yuan asked.
Ever since Leon fished Dan Heng out, the Preceptors finally no longer had thoughts of causing a ruckus.
The Luofu welcomed a rare peace.
"Answering the General, the Dragon Lady is publicly treating patients at the Alchemy Commission today."
Dan Heng replied respectfully.
"Let's go. We're going to the Alchemy Commission."
Jing Yuan nodded, not surprised by this destination.
"No, you can force intelligence like this too?"
In Leon's view, this was exactly like Jing Yuan saying, 'Don't underestimate my intelligence network ah'.
"It doesn't count as intelligence, just an understanding of an old friend."
Jing Yuan just smiled.
"This is the Luofu's own internal affair after all, so this old man won't go."
Huaiyan had a good sense of propriety.
Having lived so long, he understood very well what matters he should participate in and what matters he should observe from the sidelines.
The crux of the problem this time was ultimately Jing Yuan's mentor.
If he went, would he take action, or not take action?
"And you?"
Jing Yuan looked at Dan Heng, a smile still hanging on his face.
"...I'm worried about the Dragon Lady."
A moment later, Dan Heng gave his own answer.
This was the truth.
He didn't care at all about those past events of Jingliu; he was genuinely worried about the Dragon Lady.
The entire Xianzhou, it was Bailu who could empathize with him the most and who first treated him as Dan Heng.
If possible, he wanted to protect her safety.
Before he paid off Dan Feng's debts, and before she grew into a qualified High Elder.
"Then let's go."
Jing Yuan held his hands behind his back, taking the lead to step toward the Alchemy Commission.
Leon and Dan Heng, the two followed closely behind.
...
...
Alchemy Commission.
"Little brother, little sister, do you know where the rumored Dragon Lady is?"
A woman with her eyes covered by black gauze asked the two people who had a tendency to be at odds with each other.
"Dragon Lady?"
Hearing the sudden greeting, Yanqing turned around.
"Big Sister, do you want to find the Dragon Lady to ask about your eye ailment?"
"Yes." Jingliu did not deny it.
"The Dragon Lady is right over there, very conspicuous."
Hearing this, Yanqing pointed out a direction for her.
"Eh, Heavenly General Leon's friends are also here."
The scene before his eyes was something Yanqing had absolutely not expected.
He saw Bailu, with the sleeping Ikka on her head, chatting happily with Yaoqing.
The two seemed very willing to discuss each other's medical skills.
"Many thanks."
Jingliu voiced her thanks. After striking up a conversation, she asked again:
"By the way, I see you two are aggressive in your manner, and each carrying weapons."
"Are you going to have a spar?"
She scanned the two through the black gauze and asked.
"Yes."
Yanqing nodded.
"Since the swordsman of the Zhuming has actively issued a challenge, how can we of the Luofu not display our hospitality?"
The words he spoke were full of youthful spirit, as if certain that the winner of this spar would definitely be him.
"The sharpness on you is too heavy, making your sword involuntarily feel pressure and tense up."
Yunli frowned slightly, not very satisfied with this attitude of his.
"I do not feel that Miss Yun has the qualification sufficient to point out my swordsmanship."
Yanqing didn't listen to a single bit of it.
"From whom did you learn your sword?"
Jingliu looked at Yanqing and asked. She saw the shadow of some old acquaintances in the young man.
"To tell the truth, it is none other than General Jing Yuan of the Luofu."
Yanqing reported his master's school neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Jing Yuan, huh..."
Hearing this name, Jingliu murmured to herself.
"Truly didn't expect that the brat from back then can already be someone else's mentor now."
Jing Yuan was her disciple, and Yanqing was his disciple.
If she hadn't been removed from the registry, in a certain sense, could Yanqing be considered her grand-disciple?
"Hmm? Could it be that Big Sister knows the General?"
Yanqing could sense the irregularity in her tone; it was a bit too calm.
It wasn't like the reaction of an ordinary person hearing Jing Yuan's name,
But rather the reaction of an acquaintance who had known him for a long time.
The General's only guest today should be Mr. Leon; where did this person pop out from?
"The Luofu General, no one doesn't know him, no one hasn't heard of him."
Regarding this, Jingliu, who didn't plan to add more trouble to herself, replied in such a way.
"If you two are going to spar, then you might as well bring Big Sister along."
Jingliu thought for a moment and still decided to give Yanqing a hand.
The sharpness on him was indeed heavy, and the sword heart in him was also full of edge.
Too rigid and it breaks easily; too sharp and it suffers damage.
A precious sword needs not only a sharp blade but also a scabbard to constrain the blade.
It is understandable for young people to be high-spirited.
But in Jingliu's view, Yanqing needed a defeat.
If he wasn't made to understand what defeat is, his sword naturally wouldn't become dull, but instead would become increasingly sharp.
It was just highly likely he would walk down an extreme path.
An extreme path of 'I am number one in the world'.
...
New Story: Bleach: Dominating Soul Society in One Sting
🔥We're handing out that '30% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Gain early access to 40 chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive content and special announcements.
We have set new community milestones:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for all readers
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 additional chapters for all series!
👻 P - Walnutchan