"Ahem, it's not exactly a heavy heart or anything…"
Lynelle put on an act of surprise: "Then I'd really like to get to know this friend of yours. By the way, Mr. Luocha, I haven't asked yet—what business brought you to the Luofu? Seeing that coffin behind you… it's not some funeral parlor trade, is it?"
"Ah… you've misunderstood, Miss Lynelle."
Finally hearing someone ask the question he'd long prepared an answer for, Luocha couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"I'm merely fulfilling a request to return the remains of an old acquaintance to the Xianzhou. I don't actually involve myself much in this line of work… mainly because I'm soft-hearted and can't bear to witness too much parting through death."
"As for this trip to the Xianzhou, I've taken on several business deals, though they're not large in scale."
"Originally, I had an appointment with Madam Tingyun of the Whistling Flames Merchant Guild to discuss a deal, but it seems that won't be happening now."
"Hey, as long as you keep the mountain green, you won't need to worry about firewood! As long as you're alive, business can always wait till later!"
Sushang chimed in energetically from the side.
"Miss Sushang has a point."
Luocha gave a noncommittal smile and gestured. "Miss Sushang, look over there—isn't that an unoccupied starskiff?"
"Eh, really! Looks like our luck is turning!"
Watching the two run off to figure out how to start the starskiff, Lynelle turned to Dan Heng beside her and said softly, "This Luocha is no simple man. Be careful around him."
"You mean in terms of strength? True, he's only made a move a few times, but he gives off a feeling of being flawless."
"Strength is just one aspect."
Lynelle shook her head slightly. "The knowledge he's displayed along the way isn't something a mere merchant's worldly experience can explain."
"Moreover, there's no record of anyone named Luocha—not in Tingyun's personal records, nor in the Whistling Flames Merchant Guild's registry."
"He's probably figured out that we aren't permanent residents of the Luofu, so he just made up a reason on the spot."
"How mysterious… Why is everyone gathering at the Luofu at this particular time?"
Dan Heng rubbed his temples in frustration. "Forget it, let's take it one step at a time. At the very least, we need to get away from these sealed realms first."
"Hey, you gloomy gourd, you pink puffball! What are you two standing around spacing out for?"
In the distance, Sushang waved at them. "This starskiff can totally start! Hurry up and get over here, we're setting off!"
"Coming!"
--+--
Before boarding the starskiff, Lynelle had assumed they'd reach their destination quickly.
But once aboard, she realized there was a reason Dan Heng had taken so long to reunite with the main group in the story.
Whether it was bad luck or something else, this starskiff's propulsion system seemed "slightly inadequate" compared to others.
As a result, the same journey that had taken Lynelle and the others less than two hours in the morning now, aboard this starskiff in the evening… dragged on until nearly midnight before the four of them finally disembarked in a realm within the Starskiff Haven.
Sure, it took almost three times as long, but the trip wasn't boring.
Seizing the chance to chat, Luocha amply demonstrated a knowledge base far exceeding that of a mere "merchant"—from the demise of the Propagation to the Mechanical Emperor's Wars, even historical secrets like the Harmony subsuming the Order, Luocha could explain most of it in detail.
And if asked how he knew these histories beyond ordinary reach, this unfathomable golden-haired man would laugh it off, brushing it aside as a merchant's "broad experience."
Still, Lynelle could tell that although he seemed to be telling stories to entertain Sushang, Luocha's "not even bothering to act" display was actually a gesture of goodwill toward her and Dan Heng.
After all, proactively revealing one's uniqueness was, in a way, a method of demonstrating harmlessness.
"Ha! Finally back on safe ground!"
Sushang stretched vigorously. "I was nearly suffocated at Cloudford—monsters everywhere… This delve shouldn't be sealed off yet, at least I haven't received any notice."
"Once we find a new starskiff here, we can send you on your way. I checked earlier; the closest places are the Exalting Sanctum and the Alchemy Commission. Where are you planning to…"
Before she could finish, a Mara-struck soldier, seemingly drawn by the noise, slowly wandered into the quartet's view.
"…"
Sushang's cheek twitched.
"Don't tell me this place is also…?"
"Wait, something's off."
Luocha frowned. "The blade marks on this Mara-struck seem chipped, and there's considerable wear on its body… It must have been in a fight not long ago…"
"No way, you can tell all that?"
Sushang's eyes widened. "The branches and leaves on this guy look the same as any other Mara-struck's!"
"Now's not the time to dwell on that."
Luocha casually dispatched the Mara-struck soldier who'd stumbled into the wrong matchmaking with a single thrust, then looked into the distance.
"The wounds are fresh, meaning the place it fought must be nearby. If we hurry, we might even find survivors…"
"Follow me."
Lynelle blinked. "I already know where the injured are."
"Pink Puffball? How do you also…"
"Gotta have some special skills when you're out and about."
Lynelle stuck her tongue out playfully.
When traveling with Phantylia, she'd avoided using her abilities unless necessary, but here on Dan Heng's storyline, Lynelle had fewer reservations.
After all, judging by the current plot, despite having that face, Luocha seemed to be one of the good guys.
"Alright, this way."
Led by Lynelle, the group turned a few corners and finally saw the injured person she'd mentioned—a white-stockinged girl, cornered by several Mara-struck, covered in wounds, seemingly about to enter her "defeated CG" moment.
Of course, considering Xueyi is a puppet construct, this "defeated CG" moment wasn't anything risqué, but rather… a 'backup hidden energy' firework scenario.
"Are—are you okay?"
The Mara-struck surrounding the mechanical girl weren't particularly strong; they seemed to be gaining the upper hand only because she was severely injured.
After the group quickly cleared the surrounding threats, Sushang immediately asked with concern.
"Locomotive mechanism is damaged. Cannot move…"
Seeing that help had arrived, a glimmer of light flashed in Xueyi's eyes.
"You are a Cloud Knight? …Good. Please escort me to the Realm-Keeping Commission."
"Ah, well…"
An awkward expression appeared on Sushang's face.
"Luocha, Silent but Deadly, Pink Puffball… sorry, looks like we'll be delayed again. This girl is a judge under the Ten-Lords Commission."
"As a Cloud Knight, I have to prioritize following her instructions. Sorry, if you'd gone on your own, you'd probably have reached your destinations by now…"
Hearing the word "puppet," Dan Heng instinctively glanced at Lynelle.
He hadn't forgotten how the so-called [Sun of the Robot Settlement] had earned the respect of those automatons.
"Don't look at me… If she were treated using my method, it might leave some… troublesome traces inside this puppet lady. If the Ten-Lords Commission investigates later, explaining would be a huge hassle."
Lynelle shook her head repeatedly.
"Besides, Mr. Luocha here seems to have something he wants to say too."
"Indeed."
Luocha nodded. "Actually, as a merchant, I also know a little about medicine. How about letting me see if I can treat this young lady's injuries?"
"Uh…"
Sushang looked left at Lynelle, then right at Luocha, somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, you might not know this, but this girl is a puppet, a mechanical body…"
"It's fine, Miss Sushang. Leave it to me."
Luocha smiled slightly, knelt beside the immobilized Xueyi, and a soft, verdant glow emanated from the pendant in his hand.
"It shouldn't hurt, but it might feel strange. Perhaps sour, perhaps numb… Can you hold still?"
"Useless. My body is a crafted mechanism, not flesh and blood—"
"Mechanism or flesh, both are but forms of matter. As long as you don't mind my methods…"
Under Luocha's control, the gentle emerald light slowly merged into Xueyi's body. The mechanical girl immediately went from expressionless to shocked.
Under the mysterious power Luocha wielded, her destroyed locomotive mechanism actually began to "heal" on its own.
However, just as Luocha finished the treatment and was about to retract the pendant… he found the green light in his hand suddenly becoming somewhat unruly.
"Hmm?"
Luocha's eyes widened slightly, and he sharply looked in the direction the pendant was being pulled—toward Lynelle, who stood there looking utterly innocent.
"This…"
Seeing everyone's eyes on her, Lynelle blinked, equally bewildered.
"I—I don't think I brought any magnets with me, did I?"
"Miss Lynelle, you jest."
A strange expression flickered across Luocha's face, but his hands didn't stop.
He quickly finished treating Xueyi's remaining injuries, then turned to Lynelle. "This is… the power showing an affinity for you."
"Abundance…"
Dan Heng frowned slightly.
"Luocha, you mean…"
Lynelle pointed at herself. "I have good compatibility with the Abundance?"
"Correct."
Luocha retracted the pendant and explained, "One could even say, exceptionally good compatibility."
"Miss Lynelle, you've never had contact with the Path of Abundance's power before, have you? Well, I mean proper Pathstriders of the Abundance, not the Abominations of the Abundance or Abundance Emanators. Otherwise, this sort of thing shouldn't be happening for the first time…"
"Th—that's true…"
Lynelle scratched her head. "After all, there aren't that many who walk the Path of Abundance."
"If Miss Lynelle is willing…"
Luocha hesitated, then said, "After matters here are settled, you could come find me. I would be quite willing to teach you some medical skills and guide you onto the Path of the Abundance…"
"Though for now, Miss Lynelle's body… hmm, might not be suitable."
"Body not suitable… What does that mean?"
Sushang, who had been lost through most of the conversation, looked puzzled. "How did the topic jump to such a strange place?"
"Besides, Luocha, you shouldn't teach Miss Lynelle recklessly! This Abundance stuff on the Xianzhou…"
"I know Miss Sushang has concerns, but…"
Luocha's expression was somewhat troubled, as if reluctant to point out others' shortcomings.
"Miss Sushang, your knowledge regarding the Abundance might be… slightly lacking. Perhaps you've conflated the Abominations of the Abundance you usually see with the Path of the Abundance itself."
"In fact, the Path of the Abundance and the Abundance's Blessing that created those abominations are two completely different, even contradictory, things."
"Obtaining the Abundance's Blessing requires beseeching Yaoshi or inheriting it genetically, like the Xianzhou natives, the Foxians, and other Abundance-wrought races."
"Through long-term heredity, the Abundance's Blessing has become an innate part of them."
"These blessings grant them tenacious vitality, distinct racial traits, and… the ability to grow stronger through devouring, along with the risk of losing control. Most of the Abundance abominations we see are the result of the Abundance's Blessing within them running out of control."
Seeing Sushang listening raptly, Luocha continued his explanation.
"However, true Pathstriders who walk the Path of the Abundance rarely possess the Abundance's Blessing. Because to tread the Path of the Abundance, one must possess the two essential qualities of [Selflessness] and [Altruism]."
"Obtaining the Abundance's Blessing requires beseeching Yaoshi, and evolving the blessing further requires devouring other Abundance Blessings."
"In other words, when you engage in these two actions, you are already walking a path contrary to the Abundance's philosophy. So, unless it's through heredity or some special method, you generally won't see Abundance Pathstriders who possess both."
"So you're saying…"
Sushang blinked dumbfounded. "Generally, those who can become Abundance Pathstriders are… really good people?"
"That's not entirely wrong, though it makes me sound like I'm praising myself."
Luocha showed a wry smile. "Moreover, from another perspective, the Xianzhou Alliance has always targeted Yaoshi themselves, the Abundance's Blessing they spread, and those Abundance-wrought races who take pleasure in mutual devouring. Regarding true Abundance factions, the Xianzhou Alliance has always sought friendly relations."
"Well said, but I must correct one point."
At this moment, Xueyi, who had regained her mobility, stood up and spoke.
"The Xianzhou does not target Abundance-wrought races either. We only pursue all Abundance-wrought races who violate Xianzhou laws—regardless of whether they are Xianzhou natives or not."
"As for those true physicians walking the Path of the Abundance… it's also very difficult for those on this path to violate Xianzhou laws."
"Therefore, I would not pursue Miss Lynelle simply for wanting to walk the Path of the Abundance. Moreover, Miss Lynelle is a guest of the General."
Sushang / Luocha: "?!"
Lynelle: "…"
Oh crap, my info's been leaked.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.