Unknowingly, evening had already arrived. Lanterns began to glow, the painted moon hung in the sky, the celestial streets blazed with fiery trees, and silver blossoms adorned the river of stars.
Even Herta couldn't help but pause here, gazing up at the magnificent scene of Changle.
"Herta. How do you find the Luofu's night view?"
Ruan Mei's voice snapped her back to reality.
"It's passable, I suppose. Compared to Blue, each has its own merits."
Ruan Mei simply smiled faintly. The vast cosmos held cyberpunk worlds, the distant reaches of memory, mechanized nations, Penacony...
Though they too possessed unique landscapes, none had the warmth of the Xianzhou's ten thousand glowing lanterns, imbued with the breath of mortal fireworks.
Bailu tugged at Herta and Ruan Mei's sleeves.
"Do you want to take in the full beauty of Changle and Aurum Alley?"
Herta tossed her purple gold card to Bailu.
"Here. Swipe it for whatever you need. VIP tours, the works. Money's the one thing I never lack."
Bailu shook her head.
"I know the highest vantage point in Changle and Aurum Alley. It doesn't cost anything, but the rooftop is private property."
Herta blinked and instinctively replied.
"The Luofu General Jing Yuan's residence?"
"No. Well... just follow me for now. I'm on pretty good terms with the owner. She'll probably do me a favor."
---
When Herta and Ruan Mei followed Bailu to a certain pavilion, they realized it stood at the edge of Changle, close to the Divination Commission.
Yet it was the tallest structure in all of Changle.
Crimson gates adorned with gold and silver. Upon them, four large characters were inscribed: "Out of Darkness, Light."
Bailu stepped forward and knocked on the lion-head door knockers. No response.
"Seems like no one's home."
"But I know the bottle spirit who guards the gate. Wait here."
Bailu gave the bottle spirit outside the gate a shove.
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Bailu."
The bottle spirit glanced at her. Internally, he sneered.
Oh, it's that current Dragon Lady—the one constantly chased by Dragonfang Taoran and the Earthly Affairs Commission.
A brat who can only afford meals by running tabs. And she dares disturb my slumber?
"The young mistress isn't home. Come back another time."
"You know me. Last time I brought your young mistress some candied medicine."
The bottle spirit yawned lazily.
"And? I told you, the young mistress isn't home. Whatever business you have, wait until she returns. I'm tired. Please go."
His dismissive attitude made Bailu stomp her foot in anger.
"You... you!! When your young mistress gets back, you'd better apologize. And I won't accept it even if you do!"
The bottle spirit's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Oh, most esteemed Vidyadhara Dragon Lady. This isn't the Alchemy Commission. And even if it were, Dragonfang Taoran and Alchemical Elder Danshu would have the final say."
"Danshu has already been executed."
The bottle spirit froze.
"Executed? How could she..."
"Lingsha is the new Alchemical Elder now. And that Taoran fellow? He's about to meet his end too. See these two here?"
The bottle spirit glanced at Ruan Mei and Herta. What could an insect of summer, a frog in a well, possibly comprehend of a genius's terror?
"Since when did the Luofu have personages like them?"
Herta summoned her magic key. The overwhelming power of her Path instantly banished the bottle spirit's drowsiness.
"You... what do you think you're doing? Cause any trouble, and I'll call the Cloud Knights!"
"So much pointless chatter."
Herta raised her key. Just as she was about to bring it down, the gate swung open.
Several familiar figures came hopping out.
"Meow! It really is Ruan Mei and Herta!"
"Wisteria Cake, stop hiding in the back! Come out!"
A crowd of Ruan Mei's creations appeared within the gate, leaving Herta bewildered.
"Ruan Mei?"
Ruan Mei stepped forward and gently stroked Wisteria Cake's head.
"A few days before we began observing the Simulated Universe data, I sent them ahead to the Luofu. But... shouldn't you be staying at an inn?"
Wisteria Cake explained with her characteristic proud aloofness.
"Five days ago, we arrived at Starskiff Haven and happened to meet a kind benefactor who took a liking to us. We told her we came to the Luofu to experience life."
"She let us stay here. She said she'd return to care for us after finishing her business in her homeland."
The bottle spirit stood frozen. The young mistress had specifically instructed him to look after these cat-cakes during her absence.
His lazy, arrogant demeanor vanished. A fawning smile spread across his face.
"So you're kin to the esteemed cat-cake lords! My apologies, my apologies! This humble one's eyes were blind to the vastness of Mount Tai!"
Bam.
Bailu's tail sent the bottle spirit flying several meters.
He struggled to his feet, forcing a smile—only for Herta to finish him off with her magic key.
"A gatekeeper with that much trash to spew. Watch your tongue in your next life."
Ruan Mei looked around. One creation was missing.
"Where's Molten Cheese Tart?"
"It said it wanted to explore the Luofu on its own."
Herta remarked casually.
"Explore? Or wander?"
"Not wander. Station Master Asta gave us a sum of credits. Enough to tour the Luofu for about three years."
Bailu pointed toward the rooftop.
"Enough catching up. That's our destination."
Herta glanced up. It was the Xianzhou equivalent of an elevator. She cracked it with ease.
When they emerged from the elevator, they found a stone stele. Upon it were carved three characters: "Star-Gazing Terrace."
An evening breeze swept through as they leaned against the railing, taking in all of Changle—nay, the entire Luofu—spread out before them.
The drifting immortal of the Arbor brushed against Ruan Mei's dark hair. Herta stole glances at her from the corner of her eye.
Amidst the fiery trees and silver blossoms, the drifting Arbor, the fading lantern light... was that Ruan Mei, suffused with the ancient fragrance of plum blossoms?
In the hazy ripples of memory, Ruan Mei's figure was ever reflected in Herta's eyes.
Bailu stood on tiptoe and pointed at a distant parlor.
"Qingque's playing jade tiles again. The Grand Diviner can stand right here, reviewing bamboo slips, and still keep an eye on her."
"No wonder Qingque always gets caught."
"Hey, Great Demon Lord Herta? You seem kind of spaced out."
Bailu's innocent voice snapped Herta back to reality. She feigned composure with a little cough, then casually smoothed a strand of hair to cover her earlier lapse.
(A/N: The strand of hair here refers to the lock in front of her ear, not specifically white hair.)
Then, striving for her usual proud aloofness, she said,
"Ruan Mei. The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful."
Ruan Mei couldn't help but smile. She replied calmly,
"The Luofu's bright moon is artificially crafted. Its weather systems are also regulated."
"Compared to Blue—half moonlight, half shadow—it naturally falls short."
Herta froze. Another one of those genius explanations. And the latter half sounds exactly like what she herself had said the other day.
Using Herta's own words against Herta. Well played.
Herta crossed her arms, shut her eyes tightly, and gave a cool snort.
"Hmph. This so-called Star-Gazing Terrace is nothing special. Far fewer stars here than what the space station can observe."