Several days later, within the Scalegorge Waterscape, at a spot difficult for ordinary folk to find yet offering a clear, direct view of the Ambrosial Arbor.
A figure clad in long robes, face thoroughly concealed, stood silently observing the Arbor.
Half a step behind her, Jing Yuan waited, as if anticipating the former to speak first.
"Don't worry… she's fine."
After a long pause, the unfamiliar figure finally spoke.
"In a certain sense, the Ambrosial Arbor is her caretaker now. As long as she remains near it, her life isn't in danger."
"As for if she wishes to leave…"
"Then a member of the Genius Society will inevitably intervene."
Jing Yuan promptly added.
"Correct."
The figure gave a slight nod, then turned a somewhat amused gaze towards Jing Yuan. "However… this time I've truly gained a deep understanding of what it means for plans to never keep up with changes."
"If someone unaware of the full context were to adjudicate this matter… well, that title of 'General of Miscalculations' might truly become yours to bear."
"Fortunately, it is you who came."
Jing Yuan offered a faint smile. "I have already submitted a written report detailing the sequence of events. I trust the Marshal will review it thoroughly."
"While it certainly is inconvenient, once Herta and Screwllum jointly pressured the Alliance, I had no choice but to come personally."
The voice of the Cloud Knight Marshal, Hua, carried a note of resignation.
"After all, the fact that the Intelligentsia Guild provided the Ambrosial Arbor sample to Herta's friend, Ruan Mei, was revealed by the Yaoqing."
"Meanwhile, the Zhuming side provided information regarding that Mr. Screwllum's movements."
"Strictly speaking, both parties submitted evidence favorable to you. The Ten-Lords Commission would never have trusted them to oversee the review of this incident."
"So, to prevent this from escalating further, I had no choice but to make a discreet trip here myself."
"Speaking of which, in your report you mentioned that little one used some special ability to 'cosplay' as me once? Are there any photos?"
"Of course, Marshal."
Jing Yuan tapped his Jade Abacus a few times. "I had a feeling you might be curious about that."
"Hmm…"
Hua's eyes scanned over the image of the "other herself," then lingered for a moment on the photo of Lynelle, pausing particularly on the girl's full, well-rounded chest, before silently switching off the terminal.
"The resemblance is indeed striking. No wonder Phantylia was startled."
"Alright, let's set the small talk aside, Jing Yuan. My visit to the Luofu this time isn't an official review, so the procedure will differ from the norm."
"Now, I need you to tell me the true story behind this entire incident… not the polished version laid out in the report, but the actual layout and stratagems within your mind. Do you have any objections?"
"Jing Yuan has no objections."
Jing Yuan bowed slightly, courteously. "However, the story might be somewhat long. It probably… needs to start from thirty years ago."
"The Marshal is surely aware that shortly after the third Denizens of Abundance war ended thirty years ago, I detected signs that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus might have been lurking within the Alchemy Commission."
"Of course, we had no proof at the time, so I instructed the then Cauldron Master of the Alchemy Commission, Yunhua, to investigate the matter covertly."
"What I didn't anticipate was that, back then, due to the vacancy of the Dragon Elder position, the Vidyadhara Elders who held the reins of power dared to enter into cooperation with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus."
"As for the reason… I suspect it boils down to those inherent… shortcomings of the Vidyadhara race."
"With the Elders' assistance, Yunhua and her disciple, Lingsha, lost their political struggle and fell into danger, completely disrupting my original plan."
"Therefore, I immediately implemented remedial measures and formulated a new strategy. I found a pretext to exile Yunhua and Lingsha to Zhuming, placing them under protection."
"Then, I intentionally left the Cauldron Master position vacant, creating a power vacuum within the Alchemy Commission that prompted Dan Shu to assume the role."
"Previously, our inability to move against the Alchemy Commission stemmed from a lack of evidence."
"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, aware of their limited influence, operated with extreme caution. However, once they gained control of the Commission, their actions gradually became more brazen."
"Initially, Dan Shu managed to maintain some semblance of control, but in recent years, this trend became unavoidable."
"Meanwhile, I had already planted a mole within the Disciples. The reason I held off acting was because I wanted to secure irrefutable evidence of the collaboration between the Vidyadhara Elders and the Disciples, to pave a smoother path for the current Dragon High Elder, Bailu… But just as I was preparing to move, a second unforeseen event occurred."
"This second surprise… you're referring to Phantylia, correct?"
Hua had been listening with great attentiveness.
"Correct."
Jing Yuan nodded with a wry smile. "To lure the Disciples into making their move, I had set up the most tempting opportunity for them."
"What I didn't anticipate was that an Emanator of the Destruction, the Lord Ravager Phantylia, had also set her sights on the Xianzhou…"
"This is precisely why I repeatedly warned everyone at the Alliance meetings to be wary of the Destruction forces."
"We have no idea how many of their schemes remain hidden beneath the surface, or how many have been watching the Alliance for a long time."
"Without prolonged observation and infiltration, Phantylia would never have been able to find such a perfect timing… I can assure you, this was no spur-of-the-moment decision on her part."
"In any case, after Phantylia intervened, the situation transformed. The trap I had laid for the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus ended up constraining me instead…"
"This is also why I found the reasons provided by the Stellaron Hunters believable—neither Diviner Fu Xuan nor the Express crew were aware that the Luofu at that time was indeed in as much peril as the prophecy suggested."
"As for the subsequent events… they align largely with what I presented in my report."
"So it seems the situation unfolding as it did was truly a matter of unfortunate timing."
After hearing Jing Yuan's tale of woe, even Hua's voice held a trace of pity.
After all, according to Jing Yuan's account, including the later 'Clash of Aeons' between Destruction and Abundance, his plans were actually shattered by three successive, 'cataclysmic' surprises.
Each time an unexpected event occurred, Jing Yuan implemented timely remedies.
Aside from the plans themselves being somewhat aggressive, he hadn't made any major errors.
Yet, invariably, the next surprise would strike precisely at his most vulnerable point—to the extent that Hua almost wondered if Jing Yuan was bearing some form of the world's malice.
"Consecutive surprises certainly occurred, but my own inadequacies are undoubtedly also a factor."
Jing Yuan shook his head slightly. "Regarding the affairs of the Luofu, whatever judgment the Marshal renders, Jing Yuan will accept and comply."
"Rest assured, I know what concerns you. The appointment and dismissal of Generals is not a matter the Ten-Lords Commission can interfere with."
Hua turned and began walking towards the exit of the Scalegorge Waterscape.
"I have largely grasped the circumstances of this incident. In a few months' time, I will dispatch another General to the Luofu to conduct an official review…"
Noting that Jing Yuan still seemed to want to say something, Hua smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, it's merely a formality. Your plans may proceed."
"After all… although the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have been purged and Phantylia repelled, due to her interference and the resulting haste… you still haven't found the opportunity to deal with the Vidyadhara Elders, have you?"
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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