"Sigh… to think the favor from that leader of Punklorde would be used for this. If I'd known, I would've rather just thrown my hands up and surrendered to those Corporation guys back then."
Silver Wolf sighed dramatically. Anything would be better than having to secretly work for someone else like this!
"Don't worry, they will hire us. Our bounties aren't that high, are they? For just a little money, they can buy the services of the infamous Stellaron Hunters as their muscle. An opportunity like this is hard to come by."
Kafka crossed her legs, looking completely unconcerned about the possibility of being rejected.
Not only was she unconcerned, but she was also absolutely certain that miHoYo would pay their bounties to the Corporation and make them official miHoYo employees.
Of course, not right now. For the time being, they had to continue acting as cybersecurity specialists here. While she and Blade knew nothing about the job, for a small task like this, her adorable little wolf was more than enough.
"Speaking of which, where did that guy go? He shouldn't be taking this long just to clear his head, right?"
Silver Wolf glanced around and asked Kafka, puzzled.
"Him? He's probably… catching up with old friends? It's best if we don't disturb them."
Kafka smiled, her gaze drifting towards a distant, towering mountain peak.
---o---
"I never thought the esteemed General of the Luofu would come here to conduct a field inspection himself. What's the matter? Has the Luofu reached a point where it no longer needs a General to stand guard? Or… have you successfully conned that little lady completely?"
Jingliu stood with her arms crossed, her snow-white brows slightly furrowed. Her crimson-pink eyes stared directly at the nonchalant "General" before her.
"Haha, Lady Fu is actually very capable. If there are no surprises, she should be the successor to the position of General… As for me, I'm fine just being a mascot."
Jing Yuan shrugged with a smile, looking utterly carefree. Ever since he handed some of the Luofu's affairs over to Lady Fu, he had indeed enjoyed much more peace and quiet. It was a shame that he'd had to swallow his pride and "beg" Fu Xuan to help him out as "Acting General" for these few days. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to come out for such a relaxing stroll.
After all, he'd already lost face, so what was there to be embarrassed about? Besides, he considered this a personal "inspection" of the Xianzhou's new ally, and he also had to give Tingyun an additional assignment.
"…"
Dan Heng appeared silently behind the two of them. Compared to Jingliu, his gaze towards Jing Yuan was far more complicated.
This man… how was he slacking off more and more? Was the Luofu really doing okay right now?
"Yo, Dan Heng. Long time no see. How have you been?"
Seeing Dan Heng approach, Jing Yuan raised a hand and greeted him familiarly.
"Mm, not bad."
Dan Heng nodded at Jing Yuan. However… his gaze towards Jingliu was a little more delicate.
Jingliu maintained her faint smile, but as if sensing the trace of coldness in Dan Heng's eyes, a hint of murderous intent flickered across her chilly expression, seemingly warning him not to meddle or speak out of turn!
In response, Dan Heng just silently moved to stand beside Jing Yuan, saying nothing more.
He wanted no part in Jingliu and Wende's 'play'!
"Sigh, this place is quite nice. There are mountains, water, and fragrant air. Better yet, old friends have gathered. If we just had a pot of crude wine… it would be perfect. What do you say? Blade?"
Jing Yuan smiled, then slowly turned to look at Blade, who had appeared at their side at some unknown point, a jug of wine in his hand.
"Tch… Can't you bring it yourself next time? It's inconvenient for me."
Blade tossed the wine jug to Jing Yuan with a sullen look, then turned his gaze to Dan Heng, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Dan Heng!"
"…"
"You'd better explain to me why you stopped grinding yesterday? I waited for you for three hours!"
Dan Heng (turning his head away): "Why should I have to grind?"
"You…!"
Seeing Dan Heng's completely indifferent expression, Blade looked like he wanted to pull out his sword and have a heated debate right then and there!
However, considering this wasn't a good place for a fight, he could only give up in frustration, glaring at Dan Heng with a hostile gaze.
Dan Heng, on the other hand, employed the tactic of complete ignorance. The effect was outstanding!
"Haha, let's not make the atmosphere so tense. We happen to have wine. How about you all join me for a drink and enjoy the beautiful scenery?"
As he spoke, Jing Yuan produced five cups from somewhere. Under the silent gazes of the other three, he filled all five, handed one to each of them, and placed the last one on the railing of the nearby pavilion.
"Don't be so serious, come on! Let's drink!"
Jing Yuan smiled and patted the silent Dan Heng on the shoulder. Usually, it was these people who were putting him on the spot for one thing or another… This time, it was his turn to get one over on them… She wouldn't mind, would she?
"Mm… Cheers…"
The four of them silently drank the wine in their cups, while Jing Yuan looked as if something was missing.
"Ah, we have scenery and wine, but it seems we're still missing one thing."
Jing Yuan looked at Jingliu with a meaningful expression, a mischievous foxy grin on his face.
"…"
The corner of Jingliu's eye twitched. What, was her attitude too accommodating?
However… what he said was true. Since they were gathered together, if that one thing was missing, although she herself had no need for it, the mood would feel somewhat lacking.
And so, under Jing Yuan's beaming gaze, Jingliu took out her phone…
---o---
"You three, remember not to wander off later. Your current popularity in the Star Rail world is far beyond your imagination. Plus, there are a lot of visitors on miHoYo Planet today. If you get recognized and surrounded for autographs or something… that would be a problem."
Wende said to the three figures in front of him, who were completely concealed by masks and sunglasses. Sigh, Mr. Yang really gave me a huge headache. Of all the times to come, why now? Isn't this just walking right into the lion's den?
"Uh… is it really that exaggerated?"
Kiana asked Wende doubtfully. Did they really need to be wrapped up like some big-shot celebrities…?
"Uh… yes, it really is that exaggerated. You can try to recall the scene when you first met me."
Wende nodded very seriously. Back in the Honkai world, he had personally experienced the feeling of being surrounded three layers deep on all sides.
Ding-dong…
Just as Wende was about to explain some other matters, a message suddenly arrived on his phone. Seeing the message, Wende's expression instantly turned serious. He immediately handed over the three little ones' itinerary to Wendy, then teleported on the spot and vanished.
"Huh?" x4