đź’– If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon. I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/DragonOP
--------------------
Out at sea, the Alcor swayed gently against the rhythmic pulse of the waves. At this moment, Beidou had locked herself alone in the captain's cabin, refusing to come out. She felt far too ashamed to face her own people. Her crew, usually loyal to a fault, were almost certainly laughing at her expense right now. Just as she feared, the sailors out on the deck were working hard, though their frantic activity was merely a cover for the fact that they were struggling to hold back their laughter.
Who would have thought that the star of the second broadcast would be their very own Big Sister? To make matters worse, she had been paired up with her long-time rival and occasional headache, Ningguang. Seeing the two of them spoofed into a romantic couple was a sight none of them would ever forget.
However, beneath the humor, a seed of skepticism began to grow among the crew members. In Liyue, aside from her time spent with the fleet, Beidou actually spent a significant amount of time dealing with Ningguang. While the two of them seemed to constantly butt heads on the surface, who knew what happened behind closed doors?
Maybe the second creation video wasn't entirely baseless. Perhaps there truly was something ulterior going on between the two of them. The more the crew thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Both women were in their mid-twenties and neither had ever been seen on a formal date. It seemed perfectly natural that they might seek out one another's company when the loneliness of leadership became too much to bear.
After dwelling in her shame and annoyance for a while, Beidou finally managed to calm down, at least on the surface. When she stepped out onto the deck, her crew members immediately turned their heads away, avoiding her gaze with suspicious intensity. She could see their shoulders shaking as they fought to stay silent.
If any of you dares to let out a single laugh, I'll hoist you to the bow and leave you there for the gulls.
Beidou spoke viciously, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the deck. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stomped back into her room, slamming the door behind her. The crew members looked at each other, feeling the tension in their chests become almost unbearable. Eventually, they all huddled together at the bow of the ship, letting out muffled, frantic bursts of laughter where they thought she couldn't hear them.
Back in the safety of her cabin, Beidou reached for the reward she had received from the system: the gourd of spirits. It looked like an exceptionally high-end wine gourd, decorated with intricate carvings. According to the system's description, it possessed the unique function of refining and intensifying the alcohol content of whatever liquid was placed inside.
Seriously? Is this thing for real?
Beidou was naturally skeptical, but she was also a woman who loved a good drink. She poured some standard grog from her personal flagon into the gourd and sealed the lid. After waiting a few minutes, she gingerly opened it. An incredibly rich, intoxicating aroma wafted out, filling the small cabin. Her eyes lit up instantly. She didn't hesitate, tipping the gourd back and taking a massive gulp.
Wow, that's some good wine!
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, stunned by the potency. She had traveled all over the world and sampled many regional specialties, but she had never tasted hair wine this strong or flavorful. Even so, she couldn't help but feel that her dignity was a high price to pay for a fancy wine gourd. Just as she was beginning to enjoy her drink, the sound of laughter from the deck reached her ears again. It was louder this time, as if the crew had finally lost their self-control.
It seems the bow of this boat is going to be very crowded today.
Blue veins throbbed on Beidou's forehead. She set the gourd down and pushed her door open, stepping back out onto the deck with a thunderous expression. The laughter of the crew stopped abruptly, replaced by frantic begging for mercy as they realized the Captain was in no mood for jokes.
At the same time, high above the city in the Jade Chamber, Ningguang was experiencing a similar breakdown. Her usually perfect, icy composure had collapsed much like Beidou's. Her three personal secretaries, who had been caught whispering and giggling behind her back, had already been dealt with. Her image was her most valuable asset. She was the woman who monopolized power and wealth in Liyue. She was known for her sharp eyes, her grace that made flowers wither in shame, and an intelligence network that spanned the continent. She was widely considered the most beautiful and formidable woman in the harbor.
Why on earth would anyone create an image of her being in a relationship with a rowdy pirate like Beidou? It was beyond outrageous! The two of them were completely incompatible. Whether it was their temperaments, their social standing, or their daily habits, they were total opposites. Furthermore, they were both women. Even if they were twenty-five years old and lacked romantic partners, that was no reason for them to be lumped together in such a scandalous fashion.
What in the world is the mastermind behind this studio trying to achieve?
Ningguang took a long drag from her pipe, her head throbbing with a budding migraine. She had to admit, the tobacco device sent by the live broadcast room was excellent. It filtered the smoke perfectly, leaving no lingering odor. However, every time she thought about her ridiculous performance in the video, she felt a sudden urge to snap the expensive pipe in half.
That traveler, Xu Hao. He's from another world, just like the broadcast room claims to be. Could he have something to do with this?
She couldn't help but wonder if the newcomer was pulling the strings from the shadows. As she sat there pondering his involvement, a person even more anxious and frustrated than her was already at his front door.
After the broadcast had concluded, Xu Hao was sitting comfortably in his rental house, preparing to spend his newly earned emotional points on a lucky draw. He was feeling quite satisfied with himself. Suddenly, a crackle of violet lightning tore through the air, and a bolt of electricity flew in through his open window.
With a sharp clatter and a flash of light, Keqing appeared directly in front of him. Her signature cat-ear hair style was slightly disheveled, and she looked like she hadn't slept a wink. Before he could even say hello, the cold steel of her sword was pressed against his neck. The blade was a mere fraction of a centimeter away from his throat.
Tell me the truth right now. Are you the mastermind behind the Second Creation Live Studio?
Keqing glared at him, her eyes burning with a mix of fury and desperation. In her other hand, she clutched the manual for the Flying Niuza Sword Art. It was clear from her expression that if Xu Hao dared to admit it, she was going to force him to eat every single page of that embarrassing book.