Recalling this, our Miss Yunli widened her eyes slightly and examined the girl before her with an incredulous gaze. This Miss Qingque looked about the same age as herself and had the appearance of an ordinary girl-next-door, at most just a bit cuter and prettier.
Why would she be valued by the Aeon of Causality 'Lord of Samsara' and become a [Causality] Emanator?
This question took root and sprouted in Yunli's heart. The girl felt somewhat puzzled and at the same time rather curious.
"Qingque?"
After hearing the name 'Qingque,' Huaiyan, who had been conversing with Fu Xuan, paused slightly and could not help but turn his gaze toward this seemingly very 'ordinary' girl.
'Buzz—!'
Huaiyan secretly circulated the Path energy within his body. His gaze, carrying Path power, swept across the girl imperceptibly. However…
The little old man stroked his beard, his brows furrowing slightly. Just now… he had actually failed to detect any Path aura from this 'Qingque.' It was as if she were just an ordinary little girl and not a Pathstrider at all, let alone a [Causality] Emanator.
"The younger generation is to be feared…" Huaiyan could not help but sigh.
"Miss Qingque, I have long heard of your great name. Seeing you in person is truly better than hearing about you a hundred times. A [Causality] Emanator—your reputation is well-deserved."
Huaiyan cupped his hands toward Qingque in the standard Xianzhou salute to show respect. Before meeting Qingque, he had still held some doubts about whether this [Causality] Emanator had truly slain the 'Extinction Lord' Zephyro single-handedly. But now, that shred of doubt had been completely dispelled.
The young girl before him could hide her own aura so effortlessly that even he, a [Hunt] Emanator, could not detect anything. From this, it was clear that the other party's strength was probably far above his own.
Of course, while this could not completely rule out the possibility that it was due to the special nature of her abilities, by intuition, our General Huaiyan still leaned more toward the former.
Seeing this highly respected old general actually take the initiative to salute her out of respect, our Miss Qingque was startled. Her eyes showed a trace of panic as she glanced around.
Although her identity as a [Causality] Emanator was not exactly a secret, it only circulated among the upper echelons of the Xianzhou. For the majority of people, they still did not know about it.
If someone who knew this old general saw this and spread the news, her peaceful days would be gone forever.
"General Huaiyan, you are too polite. I am currently just a minor employee of the Divination Commission and am unworthy of such a grand gesture from the General—!"
Qingque hurriedly returned the salute with a cupped-hand bow. Taking advantage of the fact that not too many people around had noticed them yet, she quickly spoke up.
"Ah, this old one has been somewhat abrupt. Hahaha, I hope Miss Qingque does not take it to heart."
'Sir, I thank you so much! Please go back to chatting with the Master Diviner. I really can't handle this!'
Qingque's expression turned slightly bitter. She could feel that the gazes of some passersby around Huixing Port were already turning in their direction. Those gazes held curiosity, puzzlement, as well as shock and confusion.
The puzzled and curious ones were ordinary passersby, while those who were shocked and confused were probably people who recognized this general—or recognized Qingque.
Most likely, perhaps, possibly… tomorrow there would be gossip circulating about one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals cupping his hands in respect to a minor employee of the Divination Commission.
"Grandpa, I want to ask Deputy Master Diviner Qingque about some matters. I'll take my leave for a bit. I'll leave the luggage to you!"
Compared to the old General Huaiyan of the Zhuming with his aged bones, Yunli, who was also a young girl, could better empathize with Qingque's current embarrassment. Thus, she proactively spoke up to help Qingque out of the awkward situation.
Before Huaiyan could react, our Miss Yunli directly grabbed Qingque's small hand and ran off, fleeing the scene.
"Eh? Yunli, wait!"
By the time Huaiyan reacted, Yunli had already pulled Qingque's hand and run several hundred meters away.
"This child… Sigh."
Huaiyan helplessly sighed. Yunli was good in every way, except that she was too opinionated and often did not discuss many things with him, her grandfather.
"General Huaiyan need not worry. After a while, this seat will have Qingque bring Yunli directly to the General Manor. General Jing Yuan has already been waiting there for quite some time."
"This… Very well, then I'll trouble Master Diviner Fu."
...…
"Huff… huff… Miss Yunli, thank you for helping me out of that situation just now. That kind of scene and atmosphere really isn't suitable for me."
After running who-knows-how-far and finally leaving Huixing Port, Qingque and Yunli stopped. They casually found a bench and sat down.
"No, it's nothing. Not just you, Miss Qingque—I also don't really like that kind of atmosphere."
Yunli shook her head. Although she usually appeared composed and at ease whether in etiquette or in social interactions, the girl's true nature was still that of an ordinary little girl who simply liked to play, liked eating candied hawthorn, and hoped to have someone to confide in.
"Miss Qingque, here."
"What is this?"
Qingque took the red fruit skewer Yunli handed her and examined it with curious eyes. Then she glanced at Yunli again, seemingly wondering where the other party had pulled this thing out from.
"Is this a Jade Abacus skewer?"
After carefully examining the fruit skewer in her hand, Qingque asked curiously.
The item before her looked very similar to the Jade Abacus skewers commonly sold in Golden Man Lane, but upon closer inspection, it seemed slightly different. Compared to Jade Abacus skewers, the one in Qingque's hand appeared rounder and fuller. Coupled with the thin layer of sugar coating on the outside, it looked exceptionally appetizing.
"No, this isn't a Jade Abacus skewer. This is candied hawthorn."
"Candied hawthorn? I've never seen this before."
Qingque tentatively bit into one of the fruits. In an instant, a refreshing, sweet-and-sour sensation surged into her heart, shaking the girl's body and mind.
"So, so delicious! Even better than Jade Abacus skewers!"
"Yunli, is this a specialty of the Zhuming Xianzhou?!"
Qingque's eyes sparkled as she grabbed Yunli's small hand and asked excitedly.
The flavor of this candied hawthorn was very unique. Compared to the purely sweet taste of Jade Abacus skewers, the girl clearly preferred this sweet-and-sour taste.
"This isn't a specialty of the Zhuming Xianzhou. I made the candied hawthorn myself."
Yunli shook her head, then took out another skewer of candied hawthorn from behind her and began eating it herself. Feeling the sweet-and-sour flavor explode across her taste buds, the girl's thoughts could not help but drift back to a certain night many years ago.
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