It took a few minutes, but Stelle finally figured out the situation:
The "fictional world" they were now in happened to be exactly the same as the "original world."
And the plot in this story had progressed to the period just before the opening of the Martial Exhibition Ceremony, when Hoolay escaped from prison. Their current task corresponded to the part in the original plot where they "capture the Dragon Master."
Whatever, since they'd come this far, might as well continue acting it out.
With that in mind, Stelle put on a serious face and said to Qingque, "Qingque General... Cough cough, anyway, no time to lose, let's head out quickly. It's just some behind-the-scenes mastermind; we'll take them down with our own hands!"
Qingque laughed, "Since you say that, then I'm relieved. The general said he'd be waiting for you all at the entrance to the Alchemy Commission. If there's nothing else, I'll be off then..."
Stelle grabbed the back of Qingque's collar, "You're not going anywhere. Lead the way."
Qingque's little face fell, "Alright, alright, got it..."
...
Due to not being familiar with the power in her current body, Stelle had no choice but to carry Clara on her back for now as they hurried along. On the way, Qingque wasn't idle either; she explained the detailed situation to everyone like an NPC supplementing settings:
"Every Xianzhou's Shackling Prison is an absolute military stronghold with tight defenses. To break out through force would be impossible unless an Emanator of Abundance led the Denizens of Abundance in a full assault."
"But now Hoolay has escaped, which undoubtedly indicates one thing: there's an inside job on the Luofu."
"The number of people who understand the Shackling Prison's defenses and structural layout can be counted on one hand, and most hold high positions. After screening, the general has basically locked in the suspect: the Luofu Dragon Master, Taoran. The purpose of our trip is precisely to prevent him from fleeing out of guilt and to capture him personally."
Bailu, listening to this task briefing from the side, touched her chin thoughtfully and murmured, "Oh—so that's why the Dragon Master is so bad. I've long felt they weren't good people!"
"They say art comes from life, so does the store manager's 'story' also have shadows of the real-life Dragon Master reflected in it?"
"Hmph hmph hmph, once this lady gets out, I'll report it to the general."
Lingsha nodded, "When my lady... this humble one arrived on the Luofu and took over the Alchemy Commission, I also discovered this problem. There are quite a few Dragon Master plants in the Alchemy Commission—each one more dishonest than the last."
"Slacking off at work, exploiting system loopholes for personal gain with their power, even tripping me up openly and covertly. They're simply a bunch of greedy vermin! My lady... this humble one has long had them in my sights!"
Stelle curiously asked, "Oh? So how did you solve this problem?"
Lingsha smiled knowingly, "Old Huai once said that being a leader is all about winning hearts through virtue, so I politely discussed it with them, and they became obedient."
Hearing this, Bailu immediately widened her eyes, "Are the Dragon Masters that easy to talk to? Impossible, right? I've been begging them for a raise for over a hundred years and they never agreed. How is it that as soon as you arrive, they just..."
Lingsha laughed and said, "Because Old Huai also said: those who obey me can be swayed by virtue—they're good people; those who don't obey me cannot be swayed by virtue—they're evil people. And to deal with evil people, there's no need to sway them with virtue, but to enlighten them with muscles."
"So, good people obeying me shows I'm doing right; evil people resisting me only proves I'm doing right even more; if good people resist me, it means the good people have become evil, and the more evil people resist me, the more it proves I'm doing right."
Bailu had a sudden realization, "I see, I get it. When I go back, I'll use this move to negotiate terms with them!"
Not long after, the group arrived at the entrance to the Alchemy Commission. There, a white-haired, golden-eyed youth stood with his back to them, hands clasped behind him. The armor on his body gleamed with dazzling light under the glow, and two red silk ribbons fluttered in the wind, silently hinting at the youth's composure and elegance.
This was the Luofu Arbiter-General, Jing Yuan.
"General, I've brought the people to you!"
Seeing that figure, Qingque quickly ran up, scratching her head with a grin as she said, "General, the task you gave me has been completed on time. Please inspect!"
"Mm, thanks for your trouble, Miss Qingque."
Jing Yuan smiled faintly and waved his hand, "You're permitted to get off work early today. See you later."
"The general is wise! See you later, General!"
After receiving Jing Yuan's permission, Qingque was overjoyed. She waved to Stelle and the others, then tiptoed away humming a tune.
"Ah? Did Qingque just call old Jing 'General'?"
Bailu widened her eyes again, because she simply couldn't imagine the usually "idle and good-for-nothing" old Jing being connected to the word "general."
No... Old Jing had indeed mentioned before that he was a retired general, but the gap between retired and active was way too big, wasn't it?
Even for Bailu, an old friend of Jing Yuan's, it was hard to accept the change in his image for a moment.
"Thanks for your assistance, everyone."
Jing Yuan turned and gave Stelle and the others a gentle greeting with a smile, "The Luofu has suffered an undeserved calamity, and for all of you to step in and help at this critical juncture fills Jing Yuan with gratitude. After this matter is resolved, I will personally visit to express my thanks."
"You're too polite, old Jing. If you've said that much, what more can I say?" Bailu stepped forward and said, "Where's the Dragon Master? This lady will go flip them right now!"
Jing Yuan bent down, his voice gentle, "Dragon Lady, you just need to stay here and protect yourself. Don't act impulsively at a time like this, alright?"
Bailu: "I! Old Jing, I can fight just fine! I'm the dignified Luofu Number One, Vidyadhara Dra—..."
At this point, Bailu suddenly realized that in this story, her powers seemed to be gone, and she felt dejected for a moment, reduced to drawing circles on the ground in frustration.
Jing Yuan tilted his head slightly: ?
He felt like today's Bailu seemed a bit off. Was it his illusion?
Jing Yuan suppressed this sliver of doubt in his heart and turned to Stelle and Lingsha, saying, "I'd trouble the two of you to come with me... Oh, and this little girl—if you don't mind, you can wait here with the Dragon Lady. I'll dispatch personnel to ensure your safety."
"Everyone, rest assured—this matter will be resolved quickly."
Lingsha stepped forward and cupped her hands, "General, rest easy. When it comes to this bunch of Dragon Masters, my la—... this humble one has plenty of experience and methods. If they dare act dishonestly and resist to the end, just watch—though this humble one is a civilian official, I also know a bit of hand-to-hand combat!"
"As for Bailu and Miss Clara, General needn't worry. Let them come along. If the Dragon Master dares harbor ill intentions, that'll be refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. This humble one will strike with heavy fists and give them a lesson!"
Jing Yuan: ...?