"Hm? Grandpa's message?"
On the Xianzhou Luofu... in Golden Alley, our Miss Yunli was fiercely 'detaining' the Gambling King Qingque, 'forcing' her to lead the way to find traces of 'Fan'.
"What? Grandpa has already found news of 'Fan'? So fast?!"
Looking at the message displayed on the Jade Abacus, Yunli's obsidian-like brilliant pupils slightly widened. This was only their first day on the Xianzhou Luofu, right? Her grandfather had already found news of 'Fan' so quickly?
Thinking of this, Yunli fell silent for a moment before turning her gaze back to 'Qingque'.
[Yunli: Grandpa, can you tell me more specifically about this matter?]
According to what Qingque had just said, the 'lifesaving benefactor' who saved her was very likely someone named Yun Fan. And at this very moment, that Mr. Yun Fan was 'staying temporarily' at Qingque's home.
Therefore, Yunli had asked Qingque to take her to find Yun Fan. But judging from the current situation, it seemed...
The girl felt a bit conflicted inside. On one hand, her intuition told her that Yun Fan was very likely the 'Fan' she was searching for.
On the other hand, out of trust in her own grandfather, she believed what Huaiyan said was the accurate information.
Of course, there was also a possibility—that what the two of them were talking about... was actually the same person. But that possibility seemed... somewhat minuscule.
After Yunli's message was successfully sent, about a minute later, our General Huaiyan sent a picture along with text.
[Huaiyan: [Image] JPG]
[Huaiyan: If this old man's eyes aren't failing him yet, then the person in the picture should be 'Fan'.]
Looking at her grandfather's reply, Yunli trembled slightly as she opened the still-loading image. Then, a figure that had haunted her dreams for countless days and nights appeared before the girl's eyes.
Jet-black hair, eyes as brilliant as stars, refined features... sword-like brows and starry eyes—it was exactly the man who had once saved the girl from fire and water, accompanied her out of sorrow, yet 'cruelly abandoned' her.
After confirming that the figure in the picture was indeed 'Fan', Yunli excitedly wanted to reply and ask for more details. However, at that moment, another message arrived right after.
[Huaiyan: However, this person is not on the Xianzhou Luofu at the moment. He is a Nameless of the Astral Express, and right now he is on Penacony.]
[Yunli: Not... not on the Xianzhou Luofu...?]
Upon learning that 'Fan' was not on the Xianzhou Luofu, a visible trace of loneliness appeared on Yunli's face. But soon, the girl rallied herself again.
She had also heard something about the grand festival soon to be held on Penacony. Just from Xianzhou Zhuming alone, no fewer than hundreds of people were heading to Penacony.
However, since the other party was a Nameless of the Astral Express, they would soon have the chance to meet. Mr. Welt had said that once matters on Penacony were settled, his companions would come to the Xianzhou Luofu to pick him up and return home. By that time, she would...
Qingque: '???'
Observing Yunli, who suddenly showed a strange expression in front of her, our Miss Qingque couldn't help but have three question marks pop up in her heart.
What was wrong with this child? Just a moment ago she was insisting on going with her to see Yun Fan, so why was she suddenly standing there in a daze, with that look on her face...
For some reason, looking at Yunli's expression at this moment, our Miss Qingque always felt... somewhat... ugh! In short, it was an indescribable feeling—Qingque didn't know how to put it into words either.
"Miss Yunli, what's wrong?"
Qingque tilted her head, gently waving her jade hand in front of the girl, forcibly pulling her back from her endless reverie.
"Ah? Sorry, sorry, Miss Qingque, I just spaced out a little."
Seeing Qingque looking at her with a strange gaze, the returning Yunli felt slightly embarrassed inside.
Probably, maybe, perhaps... she hadn't shown any weird expression just now, right?
"It's nothing..."
Shaking her head and observing the girl for a few more moments, Qingque asked.
"Miss Yunli, do you still want to go see Yun Fan?"
"No, no need."
Hearing Qingque's words, Yunli shook her little head, declining the other's kindness.
"I've already found that lifesaving benefactor. Grandpa just sent me a message—he's currently on Penacony and not on the Xianzhou Luofu."
"Oh, so that's how it is. I understand."
Qingque nodded slightly. So the person the other was looking for wasn't Yun Fan after all—she had guessed wrong this time.
Well... since the person the other was looking for wasn't Yun Fan, from another perspective, this was actually good news. Because this meant one less person to compete for Yun Fan's affection.
Yunli might not realize it herself, but as someone with experience, our Miss Qingque could see that Yunli seemed to harbor some special feelings toward that lifesaving benefactor named 'Fan'...
"Miss Qingque, thank you for today. I'm very sorry for causing you trouble."
Looking at the little sparrow in front of her, Yunli said somewhat apologetically.
"However, as we agreed earlier, the favor I owe in the name of 'Blazing Wheel Eight Leaves' will not change. Please rest assured about that."
To Yunli's words, our Miss Qingque simply shook her head and had no intention of accepting this favor.
"No merit, no reward. I didn't actually help Miss Yunli with anything substantial, so I won't accept this favor."
Our little sparrow boss was very principled. Since she hadn't truly helped Yunli in any real way, logically and morally, she shouldn't accept this favor.
"But... alright then. Thank you, Miss Qingque. I'll take my leave first."
Seeing that Qingque was unwilling to accept, the girl pursed her red lips and didn't say anything more. But thinking about it, aside from the seemingly unremarkable title of 'Deputy Master Diviner of the Divination Commission', the Qingque in front of her also held the identity of Emissary of [Causality].
Moreover, she had the glorious record of single-handedly slaying the 'Lord Ravager' Zephyro. Thinking this way, her own favor and her status as 'Blazing Wheel Eight Leaves' seemed somewhat overshadowed.
After a simple farewell to Qingque, our Miss Yunli hurried without stopping toward the Seat of Divine Foresight. At this moment, the girl only wanted to learn more about 'Fan' as quickly as possible.
"Sigh, looks like I busied myself for nothing. But oh well, since Yun Fan isn't the one she's looking for, I have one less competitor."
Watching Yunli's figure trot away, Qingque smoothed her somewhat disheveled chestnut hair, lifted her head, and glanced at the blazing sun in the sky.
"Whatever, better head home first. A-Fan should have already made dinner, right? Candied hawthorn... it tastes really good. I wonder if A-Fan knows how to make it?"
On the other side, let us turn our gaze back to Yunli...
"Uh..."
The running girl suddenly stopped in her tracks, steadied herself, and looked around at the surrounding environment.
This... seemed to be the Xianzhou Luofu, right? She seemed... to not know the way to the Seat of Divine Foresight...