『 [ "I see. You have both enlightened me with your insights. Lingsha offers her thanks here." ]
[ "While the Lux Arrow from the Reignbow possesses unparalleled power to sever the Ambrosial Arbor, it can't sever mortals' desire to prolong their existence." ]
[ "Just like the Cloud Knights—though they can eradicate the remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, they cannot soothe the hearts of the people here in the Alchemy Commission." ]
[ "Our Xianzhou forbears knew this well, and that's why they entrusted the duty of guarding the Roots of the Arbor to the Vidyadhara. However, the Vidyadhara are still only mortal beings." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Miss Lingsha suddenly got so sentimental~"
Stelle: "She's probably a bit disappointed with the current state of the Vidyadhara."
Furina de Fontaine: "So, no matter how powerful an Aeon is, they still cannot completely sever human desires."
Furina de Fontaine: "This actually sounds a lot like the Family, who believe in the Harmony."
Hu Tao: "I don't think that's a bad thing."
Hu Tao: "After all, if humans had no desires and no emotions, could they even be called human anymore?"
Lumine: "Uh… then they probably wouldn't be called humans, but gods!"
Paimon: "Ooh, then it still sounds better to be a human!"
Paimon: "Paimon doesn't want to be a god with no feelings!"
....
『 [ "As early as thirty years ago, my master—who was also the Cauldron Master of the Luofu's Alchemy Commission—had already noticed the undercurrents surging here and wished to restore order from the source." ]
[ "Unfortunately, though she was highly skilled in medicine, she did not understand the human heart, completely clueless on how to excise the hidden ulcer deep within the Alchemy Commission." ]
[ "In the end, Master was framed and banished, exiled to the Zhuming Xianzhou." ]
[ "I was also implicated and had no choice but to leave the Luofu." ]
[ "And the one who was responsible for arbitrating the matter and approving the banishment order back then… was none other than General Jing Yuan himself." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Yanqing: "Ah? How is that possible?!"
March 7th: "Yeah, how could it be General Jing Yuan?"
March 7th: "Could Miss Lingsha have made a mistake?"
Lingsha: "Hehe, I would naturally not slander General Jing Yuan without reason."
Lingsha: "Whether it is true or false, the General naturally knows in his heart."
Stelle: "So General, did you really do this?"
Stelle: "Could it be that you had a moment of senility??"
Stelle: "This doesn't fit my perception of you at all!"
Dan Heng: "Perhaps there is another side to this story?"
Jing Yuan: "Ha, I can hear that Miss Lingsha harbors quite some resentment toward me."
Jing Yuan: "It is true. Thirty years ago, it was indeed my signed order that exiled your master."
Lingsha: "Then, General, I boldly ask: why did you do so?"
Lingsha: "You clearly knew my master was framed, yet you went ahead with it anyway."
Furina de Fontaine: "Um… could it be that because of this old grudge, Miss Lingsha has come for revenge now?"
Mualani: "Eh… I think it's possible…"
Mualani: "But I feel like there's a deep misunderstanding involved."
Jing Yuan: "Regarding this question, there is indeed more to it than meets the eye."
Jing Yuan: "And it involves a few other matters as well."
Jing Yuan: "I can only say, Miss Lingsha, that perhaps your master did not lay all her cards on the table for you."
Lingsha: "Oh? What does the General mean by that?"
Jing Yuan: "How about this: when you officially arrive on the Luofu to take up your post, you may come find me at the Seat of Divine Foresight."
Jing Yuan: "At that time, I will answer the questions you've held for all these years."
Lingsha: "That works. Then I shall thank the General for now."
Stelle: "General, why are you being so mysterious?"
Stelle: "Can't you just say it here?"
March 7th: "I get it, this definitely involves some Xianzhou classified information!"
Lumine: "Mm, if that's the case, it's indeed not something to be blabbed about lightly."
Lumine: "But I am still quite curious…"
Silver Wolf: "No rush. Since the General doesn't plan to say it in the chat room…"
Silver Wolf: "Maybe we'll get to see this scene play out in the video?"
....
『 [ "W-What?" ]
Hearing Lingsha's words, Yanqing was instantly shocked.
[ "You heard correctly." ]
[ "The situation in the Alchemy Commission has deteriorated to this point. The ones who must bear responsibility, aside from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, also include the Divine Foresight." ]
[ "Oh my~ Master Yanqing, why has your face turned pale?" ]
[ "Rest assured, I understand that when one is in a certain position, one cannot always act as they wish. I hold no resentment toward the General." ]
[ "After all, for adults of our age, so-called personal grudges are already a luxury." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Look how scared the kid is."
Stelle: "His face went completely white!"
March 7th: "That just proves how close Yanqing is to the General!"
Lingsha: "Oh dear, my apologies. I didn't mean to."
Hu Tao: "For adults of our age?"
Hu Tao: "I'm a bit curious about how old Miss Lingsha is."
Xiangling: "Hu Tao, it's very impolite to ask a girl her age!"
Mualani: "Miss Lingsha just mentioned thirty years ago."
Mualani: "So, at a conservative estimate, she must be at least forty or fifty?"
Stelle: "Looking at how worldly Miss Lingsha acts, she's at least sixty or seventy!"
Kachina: "Sixty or seventy?!"
Kachina: "She could be my grandmother!"
Furina de Fontaine: "For long-life species, you can't calculate it like that, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "For them, one or two hundred years old might still count as a young person?"
Lingsha: "Hahaha, I didn't expect everyone to be so curious about my age."
Lingsha: "But I can only say that compared to the General, I am indeed quite young."
Fu Xuan: "Indeed, the General is practically an old antique."
Jing Yuan: "An old antique?"
Jing Yuan: "Not quite, not quite. I still feel very young myself."
Stelle: "Young at heart, is that it?"
March 7th: "But he doesn't look old at all?"
March 7th: "This brings to mind General Huaiyan."
March 7th: "Just how old is he to have aged like that?"
....
『 [ "Sister Lingsha, you're finally back! I've been waiting for so long!" ]
While everyone was talking, a boisterous voice suddenly rang out.
Then, everyone saw Yunli walking over from somewhere.
[ "Yunli, why aren't you by your grandfather's side, but instead wandering around the Alchemy Commission?" ]
[ "Perfect timing. Since we have this opportunity, let me introduce you. This is Master Yanqing…" ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Oh no, Miss Lingsha, please don't introduce them!"
March 7th: "With these two meeting here and neither General Jing Yuan nor General Huaiyan around, they're going to end up in a full-blown fight!"
Stelle: "Don't panic!"
Stelle: "I'm here!"
Stelle: "I WILL BE CHEERING THEM ON AND CLAPPING!!"
March 7th: "Eh??"
March 7th: "Hey! What do you mean by 'cheering them on'?"
Silver Wolf: "They're young people, it's normal to have a fiery temper."
Silver Wolf: "Having a fight is actually pretty good."
Hotaru: "But… what if they get carried away?"
Hotaru: "They might end up getting hurt."
Boothill: "Hahaha, well ain't that a muddle-fudger of a coincidence?"
Boothill: "Isn't the Alchemy Commission right next door for medical treatment?"
Furina de Fontaine: "I think they might not necessarily fight."
Furina de Fontaine: "Isn't Miss Lingsha right there?"
Furina de Fontaine: "She should be able to keep them in check, right?"
Lingsha: "Regrettably, my martial skills are lacking, and I don't believe I have that ability…"
....
『 [ "Talk about a small world…" ]
Before Lingsha could finish, Yunli glared at Yanqing with an unfriendly expression.
[ "You, it's time you returned the sword you stole from me!" ]
Seeing this, Yanqing's anger flared up even more.
[ "I see. Let's skip the introduction step then." ]
Lingsha looked at the tense atmosphere between the two and instantly understood.
She stopped trying to introduce them.
What followed was a battle of words between Yanqing and Yunli.
[ "How do I run into you everywhere? Are you following me?" ]
Yunli took the initiative to question Yanqing.
[ "Hmph. I, Yanqing, have official business to attend to. I am not as idle as Lady Yunli, who has time to stroll around but no time to return my sword." ]
Yanqing changed his previous direct strategy and began to strike back with a sarcastic tone.
[ "Grandfather said that objects reflect their owners." ]
[ "I've had a heart-to-heart with your sword." ]
[ "It told me that your mind is weighed down by a thousand worries. You hesitate to draw your sword when you should, and you can't even hold it steady when you shouldn't…" ]
[ "Looking at you now, I think the sword spoke the truth." ]
[ "Don't blame me for taking your flying sword. Your heart simply isn't on the sword." ]
Yunli stood with her hands on her hips, spouting a bunch of arguments that sounded completely absurd to Yanqing.
[ "Do you think I'd believe the nonsense you just made up?" ]
[ "I respect you as a guest from the Zhuming, which is why I've tolerated you repeatedly, yet you show no appreciation whatsoever." ]
[ "Does the Zhuming Xianzhou not have the common sense to return things that belong to others?" ]
Yanqing crossed his arms and snorted.
[ "Look at this flying sword. Even if I return it to you now, it won't be long before someone takes it from you again." ]
[ "Have you heard the Cloud Knight creed about never letting your weapon leave your hand?" ]
[ "Right now, I can certainly return it to you. But on the battlefield, it would be a different story." ]
[ "Sigh, how pitiful this flying sword must be." ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Why are you two only using your mouths?"
Stelle: "A battle of words is nice, but it's nowhere near as exciting as real weapons!"
March 7th: "Hey, and to think you're Yanqing's teacher!"
March 7th: "Why are you just fanning the flames!"
Stelle: "What do you know? A fight between them would not only clear up the misunderstanding but also allow them to exchange martial insights."
Stelle: "This is clearly a win-win situation!"
Paimon: "But what if they get hurt?"
Stelle: "They're both martial artists, they won't mind minor injuries. As for major injuries…"
Stelle: "We have several of us watching here, after all. It's not like we wouldn't be able to stop them."
Feixiao: "Mm, well said."
Feixiao: "Sparring more indeed has its benefits."
Feixiao: "Of course, there's no need to take it to the point of real anger."
....
『 [ "Hmph, you don't need to return it either, because I will personally win back the sword I lost!!" ]
Yanqing could tolerate it no longer and prepared to let his strength do the talking.
[ "So, is this the Wardance?" ]
[ "Yes! Fight!" ]
Seeing this scene, Stelle, who had been eating popcorn and watching the drama, showed an excited expression.
[ "Between these two, who do you think is tougher, Dan Heng? Don't get me wrong, I'm just curious." ]
March 7th asked Dan Heng out of curiosity.
[ "…" ]
[ "Get ready to pull them apart." ]
Dan Heng was speechless and reminded the two of them. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "March, aren't you incredibly curious too?"
Stelle: "And you dared to accuse me of fanning the flames?"
March 7th: "I… I was just purely curious!"
March 7th: "That's perfectly normal, okay?"
Furina de Fontaine: "So, who actually is stronger?"
Furina de Fontaine: "I'm very curious about this, too!"
Feixiao: "Hard to say. We'll only be able to make a rough judgment after they trade blows."
Hu Tao: "So, looking at this, a clash is unavoidable?"
Lingsha: "Not necessarily. There are many ways to compete."
Lingsha: "Why must they choose a way that harms harmony?"
Lingsha: "As a doctor, I would hate to see either of them get hurt~"
....
『 [ "Today is my first day taking office at the Alchemy Commission. Seeing blood from blades is not a good omen for a fresh start." ]
At this moment, Lingsha, who had been watching the show for a while, finally spoke up.
[ "Fine. Since Sister Lingsha doesn't like it, I won't use blades here." ]
Hearing Lingsha say this, Yunli had no choice but to temporarily drop the idea of sparring with Yanqing.
[ "I didn't mean it that way either." ]
[ "The swords are already drawn. If you don't get to compete, neither of you will be happy, right?" ]
[ "I heard from the commission's reports that there are still abominations lurking around the Alchemy Commission's delve." ]
[ "It seems my predecessors left behind quite a mess." ]
[ "If you want to determine a winner, why direct your blades at each other?" ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!"
Stelle: "As expected of someone who can become the Cauldron Master!"
Stelle: "That wisdom is no joke!"
Yunli: "Sister Lingsha, if you want free labor, just say so!"
Yunli: "Why go through all these twists and turns?"
Lingsha: "That is where you are wrong."
Lingsha: "I am not trying to find free labor."
Lingsha: "I simply cannot bear to see you two turn your blades on each other!"
Jing Yuan: "Mm, indeed. Miss Lingsha's move is highly elegant."
Jing Yuan: "It can clear out the abominations while allowing these two to determine who is superior."
Jing Yuan: "I highly approve!"
Feixiao: "Mm, slaying abominations is the proper duty of our kind."
Feixiao: "Though… it is a bit less entertaining to watch."
Feixiao: "No matter… they will eventually have to fight during the Wardance anyway, right?"
....
『 [ "Slaying abominations? Tsk, how boring." ]
Hearing Lingsha's suggestion, Yunli immediately showed a slightly disappointed expression.
[ "Slaying abominations is the duty of the Cloud Knights. Even without Miss Lingsha asking, Yanqing will wipe them out." ]
Yanqing promised confidently.
[ "Oh, look at you trying to be the good guy. As long as Sister Lingsha needs it, Yunli is, of course, happy to draw her sword to help." ]
Seeing Yanqing's response, Yunli refused to be left behind and quickly spoke up as well.
[ "Both of you young ones are so sweet and considerate. I am so pleased." ]
[ "Shall we get going then?" ]
Seeing her plan succeed, Lingsha chuckled happily and began walking toward the Scalegorge Waterscape.
[ "Ever since the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were wiped out, the abominations they bred and researched have been abandoned here, nesting and multiplying." ]
[ "If you two wish to compete, I shall act as the referee: with a limit of fifteen minutes, let's see who can slay the most abominations within the time limit to claim victory." ]
Arriving at the edge of the ancient sea, Lingsha turned around and said to Yunli and Yanqing.
[ "Sister Lingsha is just as she always was, making tricking people into free labor sound so grand and righteous…" ]
Lingsha's words made Yunli curl her lips.
[ "Little Yunli, this is also for your own good." ]
[ "You both wish to determine a winner, but blades have no eyes. It would be terrible if either of you got hurt." ]
Lingsha shook her head and explained to her.
[ "The Cauldron Master indeed considers everything thoroughly." ]
Yanqing highly approved of Lingsha's method.
[ "How about it? Are you two ready?" ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Look how happy Miss Lingsha is."
Stelle: "With just a few words, she tricked two excellent free laborers."
Lingsha: "It was entirely mutual consent. How can you call it tricking?"
Lumine: "But I feel like no matter who wins or loses this way, they'll definitely still refuse to accept the result."
Lingsha: "Sigh, then I'll be out of options. I can only stand aside with my medicine and watch them fight~"
....