"Master Diviner Fu has already spoken with everyone about this matter, but I believe everything you have done for the Luofu is far beyond what the Luofu can ever repay."
"Therefore, on behalf of the Luofu Cloud Knights, I present to you a jade omen that symbolizes the 'bond of alliance'."
Jing Yuan stepped aside, revealing two pieces of cyan jade on the desk behind him.
Stelle examined them briefly and grew curious.
"Could it be… the kind of summon-allies prop from novels or games?"
The strange yet apt metaphor made Jing Yuan chuckle.
"Well, you could say that."
"Thousands of years ago, when the Alliance was formed, all Xianzhou ships swore a common oath and engraved the Jade Omen of Alliance as proof."
"Though heaven and earth may perish, this oath remains unchanged."
"This jade omen is the same—it records the Luofu Cloud Knights' promise to the Express Crew."
"At the same time, it is also a beacon. Hold it tightly, and it will send a signal to its paired counterpart in my hand."
"No matter how vast the galaxy or how arduous the journey, the Luofu Xianzhou will come to rendezvous with the Express and fulfill whatever you entrust."
Hearing this, March 7th was utterly shocked.
"Wow, this gift really spared no expense."
Stelle raised an eyebrow: "One signal flare, and thousands of troops come rushing—pretty cool when you think about it. Total VIP treatment."
Seeing her eager expression, Jing Yuan broke into a sweat and had to remind her.
"Such an important item—please do not use it casually for trivial matters or anything that goes against the spirit of the alliance. Everyone understands, right?"
"Understood, understood! We totally get it, right, Stelle?"
March 7th, after a long while, threw a light elbow at Stelle.
Stelle skillfully caught the solid elbow with her palm and solemnly promised.
"Of course! Such a precious thank-you gift—we'd never misuse it except in critical moments!"
From Jing Yuan's tone, this was a token that could summon the entire Luofu.
She knew full well what was at stake.
"Kafka and her gang went through all that trouble… could it be they just wanted the Express Crew to get this from the General?"
Stelle suddenly realized something.
"From the outcome, yes. However—"
Jing Yuan nodded, then shifted his tone, his expression growing more serious.
"Regardless of whether this was part of the Stellaron Hunters' script, your aid to the Luofu is an unquestionable fact."
"Please do not feel unworthy of accepting this. It is not the Express Crew that owes the Luofu—it is the Luofu that owes the Express Crew greatly."
"Thankfully, Brother Leon returned safely. Otherwise, Jing Yuan would truly have no face to meet any of you."
Welt: "You speak too heavily. If the General had not risked breaking Xianzhou prohibitions to let Leon touch the power of the Ambrosial Arbor…"
"Even if there were a chance of awakening in the future, it would likely have been indefinitely delayed for us."
Jing Yuan smiled: "Not heavy at all. If we're talking cause and effect, I have plenty to say too."
"Had you and Brother Leon not arrived, the Luofu would have suffered catastrophic losses or even crashed. At that point, I wouldn't even have had the chance to break the prohibition."
Stelle: "The General is a straightforward man. Then we won't stand on ceremony—we'll accept this alliance jade omen."
She took one half of the jade omen and handed it to Welt to keep.
Jing Yuan's gaze shifted to the silent youth.
"Dan Heng."
"…General, please speak."
"By decree of the Ten-Lords Commission, I hereby pardon your exile order. From this moment on, you are free to come and go on the Luofu as you please."
March 7th cheered for Dan Heng the moment she heard.
"Nice!"
Jing Yuan: "However, I must remind you—the sins of Dan Feng run deep, and some people's opinions are like the tides of Scalegorge Waterscape."
"They will never easily change their view of you just because of a single decree."
"I can only guarantee your freedom of movement—I cannot guarantee your safety. Please understand this."
Dan Heng: "I understand."
Stelle pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"If we get provoked and, in legitimate self-defense, accidentally-on-purpose cripple someone, the Cloud Knights won't arrest us, right?"
March 7th's eye twitched as she elbowed her again.
"You… was that on purpose or an accident?"
Why add "on purpose" before "accidentally"? Really…
Jing Yuan couldn't hold back—he let out a hearty, refreshing laugh, eyes curving.
"Miss Stelle is absolutely right. The Luofu is the freest starship among the Xianzhou. We welcome every guest from afar."
"Not to mention, the Express Crew are the Luofu's most honored guests."
"If some blind fool dares to provoke honored guests out of personal grudge—or does something even worse—"
"For the honored guests to defend themselves would be completely justified."
"Anyone facing… a threat to their life would strike back with thunderous force, correct?"
Meeting Jing Yuan's meaningful gaze, Stelle smiled and narrowed her eyes.
That little-fox-like cute expression gave players a strong déjà vu of Leon.
"Of course, General Jing Yuan is absolutely right."
March 7th's head sprouted several giant question marks as she looked back and forth between Jing Yuan and Stelle, feeling an itch in her brain.
Why did Stelle's expression just now feel so… secretly scheming?
Jing Yuan: "Gifts delivered, promise to Dan Heng fulfilled—my heart feels much lighter."
"I wanted to recite a poem to lift the mood, but unlike Master Diviner Fu, I'm not that learned. Never mind."
"Honored guests, feel free to explore the Luofu. Jing Yuan still has matters to attend to and won't take up more of your time."
Stelle: "No problem, General, stay busy. See you."
Jing Yuan: "Yanqing, see the honored guests out."
…
Led by Yanqing out of the Seat of Divine Foresight, March 7th finally glared at Stelle.
"Hey, what kind of secret code were you and the General speaking in?"
"What secret code? Don't talk nonsense—that was open and honest friendly conversation."
Stelle grinned and lazily stretched.
Leon had regained his memories and awakened. Though the process was… well, the result was good, and her mood was sunny.
"…Can you learn from Leon and stop keeping people in suspense?"
"Uh…"
Stelle looked at little March with concern.
"The General's meaning was obvious—some blind idiots might come looking for trouble with Dan Heng."
"I said that on purpose to hint that we're not the type to just take hits without fighting back, to see the General's stance."
"And you saw it—the General straight-up gave us protection. As long as it's 'legitimate self-defense,' anyone who comes looking for Dan Heng will be sent packing in defeat."
Dan Heng knew Stelle was fighting for a get-out-of-jail-free card for him and felt warmth in his heart.
"Let the past stay in the past. We're guests after all. It's best not to cause conflict if we can avoid it—makes things awkward for both sides."
Stelle raised an eyebrow: "In other words, if conflict does happen, we can beat them half to death. That the idea?"
"…"
Dan Heng froze, helplessness flashing in his eyes.
"…Yes. I am Dan Heng, not Dan Feng. Those who come looking for Dan Heng's trouble—I'll repay eye for eye, tooth for tooth."
Stelle patted Dan Heng's shoulder with the air of an old master, looking like "that's the spirit."
"This operation was god-tier!"
"Feels great."
"We're General Jing Yuan's benefactors and honored guests—when trouble comes, of course we don't just roll over and take it."
"If it's not our problem, why turtle up? We smack them right in the teeth. It's not like we can't handle them."