Chapter 39: Little Fu Xuan Misses You Very Much
"Senior Brother… I know. You only told that lie because you didn't want me to feel sad."
Fu Xuan, now in her early twenties, was no longer the child who cried at everything.
She looked at you.
Her expression held no guilt—only gratitude.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for accompanying Fu Xuan through such a happy time…"
"It's time to face destiny…"
She lowered her head, watching the waves crash against the shore. Her reflection appeared, shattered, reappeared, and shattered again upon the water…
Flickering unsteadily, like an elusive fate.
You didn't know what to say, though you truly wanted to comfort her.
You watched her in silence. Fate was like the surging Ancient Sea, and her figure was so fragile.
In your eyes… she was still a child.
"Senior Brother… I'm going to Xianzhou Luofu."
"I've always believed what Senior Brother said was true: 'The number of Heaven is fifty; its great expansion is forty-nine, and man escapes one…'"
"There is always a sliver of hope…"
Fu Xuan's voice was very soft, making this decision seem especially difficult for her.
"Then, after some time, Senior Brother will come look for you…"
"Senior Brother…"
Her voice suddenly trembled, as if some surging emotion had abruptly broken through her rationality.
"Mmm."
You replied softly.
"Mmm…"
The girl could no longer hold back. She turned around and, like a swallow returning to its nest, threw herself into your arms.
Her hands clutched you tightly. You said nothing, only gently patted her slender back.
After a brief embrace, Fu Xuan regained her composure and released you—reluctantly, yet firmly. Then, wiping away her tears, she ran off without looking back…
"Senior Brother, in just ten years—or a hundred—Fu Xuan will return and finally be by Senior Brother's side…"
The breeze from the Ancient Sea carried the girl's final words to your ears as she left the Jade Pavilion.
You silently watched that retreating figure…
"Senior Brother's words weren't entirely lies…"
You murmured to yourself, then let out a soft sigh, shook your head, and returned to the academy.
Fate is cruel, yet it leaves traces. How easy is it to change?
Still, trying to change fate is something everyone can do. Only then does the possibility exist that that "one" might alter the remaining forty-nine…
You already had a plan in your heart.
It simply had not yet been put into action. If you could become one of the Six Secretaries of Xianzhou before the death of Diviner Jing Tian, then he would not have to die, and Fu Xuan would not bear the stigma of patricide, regretting it for the rest of her life.
When you made this decision, you did not think much about yourself.
So much so that later, when you looked back…
You would feel a little strange—despite being very afraid of death, despite being quite selfish…
Fu Xuan left for Xianzhou Luofu.
You returned to the lifestyle you had when you first arrived at the Celestial Ark Yuque.
Teaching children, researching materials…
However, the focus of your research shifted from "how to achieve immortality" to "how to invoke the manifestation of the Rainbow Arbiter Reign."
The relevant information was scarce, yet very clear.
The arrival of the Arrow of Light was salvation—but also destruction.
That the Divine Archer proclaimed divine will solely through the Arrow of Light was no empty statement. The Hunt never spoke much; it only pursued vengeance without rest.
And only by becoming a Xianzhou general of the "Six Secretaries" level could one obtain the authority to transmit information directly to the Rainbow Arbiter of the Realm.
You frowned. For now, you had no good ideas.
However, according to the main storyline, there were still many years before the war in which Diviner Jing Tian would die.
You still had plenty of time to prepare…
Time flowed on, and five years passed without notice.
Without little Fu Xuan to play and joke with you, life became much less interesting.
Over those five years, you received many letters from your junior sister.
Her writing was very elegant, introducing much of the culture and customs of Xianzhou Luofu.
For example:
"[Jing Yuan, the general of Luofu, is gentle, likes to sleep, often rests among the cloud-pines, and enjoys raising sparrows…]"
The general of Luofu was named Jing Yuan; his temperament was gentle, he loved sleeping, often napped among the cloud-pines, and enjoyed raising sparrows…
And also:
"[To my esteemed Senior Brother: Xianzhou Luofu is truly delightful, and every day I meet more people. Among them is a Vidyadhara Dragon Lady named Bailu, skilled at brewing medicinal teas, gathering the essence of cloud and mist to prepare fragrant, sweet drinks. Would Senior Brother also like to partake? Xuan respectfully awaits with a jade cup.]"
Senior Brother, Xianzhou Luofu is very fun, and I've made many friends. Among them is a Vidyadhara Dragon Lady named Bailu who makes delicious medicinal tea. It's said to be brewed from the essence of cloud and mist. Would you like to try it, Senior Brother? Your junior sister awaits you…
You couldn't help but smile. General Jing Yuan, Bailu…
That "Divine Sovereign" who always stayed at the bottom of the axis and never rose…
In a sense, he was also an old acquaintance of yours.
And that little Dragon Lady…
Asking about the essence of cloud and mist—perhaps she had simply added a bit more sugar.
You smiled. It seemed your junior sister was doing quite well in Xianzhou Luofu.
Around that same year, the Jade Abacus of Xianzhou overcame the issue of rare materials and entered mass production. These tablet-like devices, similar to mobile phones, began to spread throughout Xianzhou.
However, despite the significant drop in price, the still-high cost deterred many Xianzhou residents.
Except you. Who were you?
You were publicly recognized as the richest person in Xianzhou—an individual of immense wealth…
So you bought two Jade Abacuses, one of which you sent to Fu Xuan as a New Year's gift.
It was no big deal; you simply felt that writing letters was too much trouble.
However, you did not know that Fu Xuan would use that Jade Abacus for a very long time—so long that when you saw her again later, she was still holding that heavily modified, early-version Jade Abacus of Xianzhou…
But that is a story for later.
Xianzhou also celebrated festivals similar to the New Year, commemorating another year of sailing through the Sea of Stars.
Each year at this time, Xianzhou's children had holidays.
Likewise, as a tutor, you naturally had a long period of free time.
Your junior sister likely would not return to the Celestial Ark Yuque. She needed to keep her distance from Diviner Jing Tian—no speaking, no communication, severing karmic ties…
To avoid that fated outcome.
Thus, taking advantage of your free time, you decided to visit Xianzhou Luofu.
And, incidentally, see your junior sister.
After many years, her letters also conveyed her longing for you—her reliable Senior Brother…
So you decided to go see her.
Perhaps the academy could even be established in Xianzhou Luofu…
Thus, you packed your luggage and boarded a star skiff bound for Luofu…
You did not inform your junior sister of your trip in advance. You wondered whether it might be a small surprise for her.
You didn't know—but you were still looking forward to your junior sister's reaction…