Chapter 175: I really want to see Dan Heng give them a good beating!
〜Runeterra World〜
Zaun—
"And they don't even ask Bailu's opinion on this matter?"
Jinx scoffed, a cold sneer twisting her lips.
"This High Elder… what a joke."
Silco gently swirled the amber liquor in his glass, his mechanical eye glinting through the ice cubes, reflecting Zaun's mist-shrouded "sky."
"Power is like this drink, the High Elder's empty title is just the ice, pretty to look at…"
Silco raised his glass, taking a sip, and murmured, as if savoring the taste,
"…what truly intoxicates is what's inside."
"Without power, she's nothing but a puppet to be manipulated at will. Those who bow to her, they don't respect her, but the words 'High Elder'."
Jinx tilted her head, idly flicking her braid, which was easily a person's length.
"But I bet those Dragon Elders really don't want to see Dan Heng right now. The current Dan Heng, with just a flick of his fingers—"
Mid-sentence, her purple eyes suddenly lit up, and she threw her hands skyward,
"—could blast all the seawater in the entire Scalegorge Waterscape into the heavens! Hahahaha! Dan Heng could give those Dragon Elders a 'surprise' anytime, anywhere!"
"Indeed. When an empty title like High Elder transforms into tangible power, it's hardly a favorable outcome for those power-hungry Dragon Elders."
—
「 When Bailu was mentioned, a hint of sadness also flickered in Huanxi's eyes. Since being chosen as a handmaiden twelve years ago, she had witnessed countless escapes by Bailu, and countless times Bailu had been unwillingly dragged back.
In her eyes, though Bailu was revered as the High Elder, she was also burdened by this empty title, heavily constrained, and far from living as happily as an ordinary Xianzhou child.
Therefore, she dared to hope that Dan Heng would consider Bailu's well-being.
After saying this, Huanxi excused herself, leaving Dan Heng and Stelle to exchange bewildered glances.
Dan Heng explained that the power within him now originated from Dan Feng, making him the culprit who had unauthorizedly altered the High Elder's succession. According to the Vidyadhara's cycle of rebirth, Dan Heng's past sins should have been wiped clean, yet in reality, he had been imprisoned in the Shackling Prison since birth, and even after his release, Blade had shadowed him like a spoon-wielding serial killer.
Thus, he intended to offer the repair of the Ambrosial Arbor's seal as an exchange, while also seeking an audience with the High Elder to see what could be done.
However, just as the two were about to board the Starskiff, their path was blocked by a Vidyadhara Alchemist.
The Alchemist was formidable, claiming to offer "advice," yet his tone was far from benevolent: "I urge you, leave this troubled place immediately. Return to being your Nameless, and cease stirring the murky waters of the High Elder's succession."
"The Luofu Vidyadhara have only just begun to recover from Dan Feng's transgressions, and now have a benevolent and life-cherishing High Elder like Bailu. Your return now will not only be unhelpful but will also incite the Dragon Elders' ambitions for power."
"I have no intention of shaking Bailu's position," Dan Heng stated coldly.
"Even if your conscience is clear, as long as you remain on the Luofu, you will be entangled by various unseen forces. Leaving is the best choice for everyone." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat—
"Wow, this person's words are so infuriating!"
Paimon put her hands on her hips, her face puffed up with anger.
"Why is he blaming and warning Dan Heng? And saying… Is it unhelpful? If Dan Heng hadn't been on the Xianzhou, wouldn't the entire Luofu have become Phantylia's plaything?"
"As an Alchemist of the Alchemy Commission, to have survived this crisis, shouldn't he be the one grateful to Dan Heng?!"
"Alright, Paimon, calm down."
Lumine smiled faintly.
"Dan Heng isn't so easily swayed. And even though his words were unpleasant, at least there was no malice behind them."
"Okay, I was impulsive just now… I grouped him with those Vidyadhara Dragon Elders."
Paimon scratched her head sheepishly.
"But speaking of which, aren't the Vidyadhara Dragon Elders a bit too wicked? They deny Bailu freedom, manipulate and exploit her, they're just like… hmm… those selfish old fogeys in noble families in light novels! Yes! Exactly that image!"
"I really want to see Dan Heng give them a good thrashing! Though it's unlikely… I still really want to see it!"
—
「 After the man left, Dan Heng and Stelle successfully took the Starskiff to the Alchemy Commission. There, however, they immediately encountered an old acquaintance… General Jing Yuan.
Although his injuries had largely recovered, the General was nominally still in his recuperation phase… though it couldn't be ruled out that he simply wanted to slack off for a while, dumping all his work onto a certain pink-haired shorty.
After a warm greeting, Dan Heng looked puzzled. "General, have you also come to dissuade me from visiting the high elder?"
"Heh, what does that have to do with me? I am under the Dragon Lady's care, recuperating at the Alchemy Commission, and merely happened to run into you two." Jing Yuan's attitude towards Dan Heng piqued his curiosity. "Since you ask, it seems someone has already approached you before your journey?"
"That's right, more than one wave, each with its own agenda," Stelle said, one hand on her hip.
"Matters concerning the rise and fall of the Vidyadhara clan naturally stir those with vested interests to try and sway its course. Dan Feng was like this, the Dragon Elders are like this, and the Alchemy Commission, which nurtured the Dragon Lady, is no different."
Dan Heng's gaze suddenly sharpened. "General, while recuperating here, you seem to be well aware of everyone who has met with us."
Faced with Dan Heng's interrogation, Jing Yuan merely smiled meaningfully, not answering his question, only stating that he could analyze the intentions of those people.
When the topic of the Vidyadhara Elders wanting to choose another High Elder arose, Jing Yuan calmly explained, "Haha, the power struggle between the Preceptors and their High Elder is a tale as old as time. And someone as powerful as Dan Feng, who was completely beyond their control, was enough for them to harbor a hidden rage."
"Originally, the Elders still had a say in the High Elder's successor, but Dan Feng unexpectedly appointed his own choice, and with the deed done, they could only accept the outcome."
"Now that Dan Heng has returned, the Elders see another opportunity. How could they let it slip?" 」
「 ..... 」
〜〜Bleach World〜〜
"This Dan Feng… he certainly came across as quite formidable."
Kyoraku Shunsui gently lifted the brim of his straw hat.
"But this autocratic style… It's a double-edged sword. If the Vidyadhara needed a monumental revolution, then such a person would be perfectly suited to step forward."
Kyoraku Shunsui leaned leisurely against the veranda pillar, swirling a flask of warm sake in his hand, and offered a cup to Hitsugaya Toshiro.
"Care for some? Such serious topics should be discussed over drinks."
"No thanks, I have training later."
Hitsugaya Toshiro snorted, arms crossed.
"Besides, you're not trying to imply something about yourself, are you? You don't strike me as the revolutionary type."
"Haha, I don't have Dan Feng's might, nor Old Man Yamamoto's sheer charisma…"
Kyoraku Shunsui smiled faintly.
"My work these days is much easier than theirs; I just need to maintain order in the Soul Society and the Human World."
—