—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Qingque: "They changed back just like that?"
Qingque: "There's absolutely no need to guess anymore. These are Borisin!"
Li Sushang: "Ah, this… what on earth is going on here?"
Li Sushang: "One second they were clearly Foxians, and then the next second they just changed on a whim?"
Li Sushang: "How did they do that?"
March 7th: "This is bad. The disguise of these Borisin is so powerful, we don't even know how many of them are currently on the Luofu!"
Dan Heng: "At least Yanqing and the others have discovered this now and reported it to the Seat of Divine Foresight. There should still be time to respond."
Yunli: "Hmph, let those damn Borisin call everyone 'lowly beasts' all they want. Let's see them talk now!"
Stelle: "Unless they rise from the dead, they won't be talking again for the rest of their lives."
Hu Tao: "They probably never dreamed that the few kids in their eyes would be so ridiculously strong."
Paimon: "Hehe, that's what you call kicking a steel plate!"
Furina de Fontaine: "It's mainly because the appearance of young Yanqing and the others is too misleading."
Lumine: "Indeed, I've encountered similar situations before."
Lumine: "All I can say is, you can't judge a book by its cover."
....
『 [ How is this possible! ]
[ These Foxians… why did these Foxians change their appearance? ]
Looking at the several Borisin corpses in front of him, Yanqing suddenly felt his head throbbing!
[ These guys aren't Foxians at all. ]
[ They've just revealed their true forms. ]
[ These guys are genuine Borisin, the same group of pests as the raiders I defeated on that IPC ship. ]
Yunli examined them in detail and could confidently confirm that these were indeed Borisin!
[ Doesn't that mean… ]
Hearing Yunli's words, Yanqing's brow furrowed even deeper. He realized something very troubling.
[ What kind of illusion did these guys use? ]
[ When we were tracking them just now, they looked no different from ordinary Xianzhou Foxians… ]
March 7th was still puzzled by how these Borisin were able to transform.
[ This isn't a simple disguise of putting on Xianzhou clothing and shaving off their facial hair. ]
[ These Borisin used some unknown method to make their appearance completely indistinguishable from Foxians. ]
[ And they even have official identities. ]
[ The Sky-Faring Commission, the Artisanship Commission, and… the Cloud Knights? ]
[ Let me look at the token of this fake Cloud Knight. Maybe we can get some clues. ]
[ Lujun? A duty military officer of the patrol guard? …Wait! ]
Yanqing took a few steps forward and picked up the identity token of the fake Cloud Knight from the ground. The information on it shocked him! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "Lujun?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Isn't that the Foxian who impersonated a Cloud Knight at the very beginning?"
Furina de Fontaine: "So he was a Borisin too?"
Yunli: "No, rather, is the dead Borisin here right now that very Lujun?"
Yunli: "After all, his identity token is right here."
Hu Tao: "But his voice didn't sound like it before, and his attire didn't really match either, did it?"
March 7th: "It can't be that every Borisin posing as a Cloud Knight is named Lujun, right?"
Stelle: "I don't get it."
Stelle: "It's a total mess."
Stelle: "Anyway, Yanqing's urgent priority is to report this immediately."
Stelle: "After all, the Wardance Ceremony is tomorrow."
Yanqing: "Indeed. I hope the me in the video can make haste."
....
『 [ What's the matter? ]
Seeing Yanqing's unusual reaction, Yunli quickly asked.
[ I met another duty military officer named Lujun a few weeks ago, when we were escorting Borisin prisoners. ]
[ Possessing forged official identities, able to freely enter and exit the Xianzhou… This is bad, really bad. ]
The more Yanqing thought about it, the more alarmed he became, and his expression gradually turned grim.
[ Even worse, if you find one cockroach on the Express, it means… ]
March 7th made an analogy, leaving her sentence unfinished.
[ There are even more Borisin lurking within the Xianzhou. ]
[ Their conspiracy is probably far greater than just minor espionage. ]
[ We must report this to the Seat of Divine Foresight immediately! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "March, that's quite an analogy."
March 7th: "What? Is it not accurate?"
Qingque: "It's accurate to the point of being terrifying."
Qingque: "Borisin turning into Foxians and blending into the Luofu."
Qingque: "My goodness, now I'm almost afraid to interact with Foxians. I'm terrified they'll suddenly turn into Borisin and eat me!"
Lingsha: "To allow Borisin to completely alter their appearance to match Foxians…"
Lingsha: "Such a method is by no means ordinary…"
Feixiao: "More importantly, they all have official identities!"
Feixiao: "That's the hardest part to deal with."
Feixiao: "With official identities as cover, they can accomplish many things."
Jiaoqiu: "For example… quietly slipping into the Shackling Prison, waiting for the right moment to strike from both inside and out…"
Jiaoqiu: "Sigh, as much as I hate to admit it, judging by their current actions, they are likely trying to rescue Hoolay."
Dan Heng: "In that case, at this very moment, there should already be some changes inside the Shackling Prison…"
Dan Heng: "I only hope the Shackling Prison can detect any anomalies in time."
....
『 Meanwhile, inside the Seat of Divine Foresight...
Stelle and Dan Heng arrived together. They had come to meet the three Generals and participate in Feixiao's questioning.
[ Hearing about you is nothing compared to seeing you in person, guests of the Astral Express. ]
[ I am the General of the Yaoqing Xianzhou, Feixiao. ]
Seeing the two arrive, Feixiao was the first to greet them. Stelle and Dan Heng smiled and nodded in response.
[ Let me introduce you to the Merlin's Claw. ]
[ The one dressed in green— ]
Jing Yuan took a step forward, preparing to introduce the two to Feixiao. But he was quickly interrupted by her.
[ The one walking in front is the reincarnation of Imbibitor Lunae, and behind him is the newest member of the Express Crew. Both of your names are famous, and my ears have heard them loud and clear. ]
[ Aside from the records in the Luofu's reports, the Yaoqing's Sky-Faring Commission has also gathered quite a few accounts about the two of you. ]
[ I've always wanted to meet you myself. As for the reason… I assume General Jing Yuan has already explained it? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "So that's where Dan Heng and I went."
Stelle: "It turns out we went to meet the Generals."
Stelle: "As expected, it's not just March who's working hard practicing her swordplay; we're working hard too!"
Yunli: "Speaking of which, didn't we already meet each other once at the Alchemy Commission?"
Yunli: "Why does this feel like a first meeting?"
Feixiao: "Haha, that's different."
Feixiao: "This is an official meeting, so of course it has to be more formal."
Furina de Fontaine: "General Feixiao is here for the questioning now, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Why did it take so long?"
Furina de Fontaine: "I thought it would have been over long ago…"
Stelle: "Indeed, the Wardance Ceremony is tomorrow, so it really is a bit late now."
Jiaoqiu: "Who knows?"
Jiaoqiu: "Maybe the General got lazy again, wandered around to play, and almost forgot about this entirely?"
Feixiao: "Nonsense!"
Feixiao: "Am I that kind of person?"
Fu Xuan: "That sounds more like something my General would do…"
....
『 [ Isn't it because of the revival of the Ambrosial Arbor? ]
Stelle nodded, understanding the purpose of their visit.
[ Exactly. ]
[ Straightforward, I like it. ]
[ In the submitted report, General Jing Yuan blamed the disaster of the Ambrosial Arbor on the Destruction's Antimatter Legion, warning the Generals to keep an eye on the movements of the Ruin Author. ]
[ Over the years, the claws of Destruction have ravaged countless worlds, and the Alliance has been on guard. However, we never expected them to join forces with the remnants of Abundance. ]
[ The damage caused by this Ambrosial Arbor crisis was far lower than expected, which is a blessing in disguise. ]
[ But looking at it from another angle… it differs greatly from the Antimatter Legion's usual style of slaughtering all living things wherever they go. ]
[ I naturally believe in the heroic deeds of the Divine Foresight and the Nameless, but I can't help but feel curious about some details that the report failed to elaborate on. ]
[ I hope to take this opportunity to converse with the two of you. ]
[ Let me say this upfront: what I ask may not necessarily be what I believe. ]
[ If my questions offend, please do not take it to heart. ]
Feixiao explained to the two, preparing them for the questioning.
[ Please ask whatever you wish, General. ]
[ However, what we can answer is only what we know; and as for what you ask… perhaps you already have the answer in your heart. ]
In response to Feixiao's words, Dan Heng's expression remained unchanged as he nodded. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Silver Wolf: "Interesting, even General Feixiao is setting up disclaimers?"
Feixiao: "How is this a disclaimer?"
Feixiao: "After all, what I said is the truth."
Feixiao: "I was assigned to conduct this questioning, so some of the specific questions were naturally not formulated by me."
Jiaoqiu: "The General is also acting out of obligation, having to perform a task that is highly likely to offend people."
Welt Yang: "Understandable."
Welt Yang: "Since it concerns the revival of the Ambrosial Arbor, the Xianzhou Alliance has no choice but to be cautious."
Stelle: "Tsk, Dan Heng really knows how to talk!"
Stelle: "That is the art of conversation!"
Stelle: "I need to learn from him!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Yes, Mr. Dan Heng's words are indeed very sophisticated."
Furina de Fontaine: "Very impressive!"
Hu Tao: "So next is the standard questioning process?"
Hu Tao: "General Feixiao won't make things difficult for them, will she?"
Feixiao: "How could I!"
Feixiao: "I would disdain to do such a thing."
Feixiao: "Even if there are difficult questions, they are not my original intent."
Feixiao: "Just as I said, what I ask may not be what I believe!"
....
『 [ Sharp-tongued, I like it. ]
[ Then let the questioning officially begin! ]
Feixiao smiled and announced the start of the questioning.
Seeing this, Stelle and Dan Heng exchanged a glance. At the latter's gesture, Stelle ultimately stepped forward to begin her debate with Feixiao.
[ I'll get straight to the point: initially, the Astral Express was guided here by the highly wanted Stellaron Hunters to resolve the Stellaron crisis. ]
[ But anyone who travels the cosmos must have heard of the notorious reputation of the Stellaron Hunters. ]
[ Why did the Nameless believe their words so readily? Could it be that someone has personal ties to them? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Eh?"
Stelle: "Dan Heng, didn't we agree that you would go?"
Stelle: "How did this task end up falling on me in the end?"
Dan Heng: "Compared to me, you are more eloquent."
Dan Heng: "It is clearly more suitable for you to handle it."
Lumine: "My goodness, General Feixiao really didn't hold back right from the start."
Lumine: "To ask such a sharp question."
Paimon: "Uh… do the Stellaron Hunters really have such a bad reputation in the universe?"
Silver Wolf: "Tsk, it's just that we've offended too many people, so they deliberately slander us."
Silver Wolf: "If nothing else, Sam is described in the universe as being practically no different from a demon."
Silver Wolf: "They say he can even stop a crying child in the night!"
Furina de Fontaine: "You don't say. If I didn't know that was piloted by Miss Hotaru, I might have found it terrifying too."
Himeko: "The reason the Stellaron Hunters are so famous is also largely due to the IPC's massive bounties."
Welt Yang: "But the IPC's bounties are actually not entirely pure in their motives."
Welt Yang: "I recall that regarding the bounty on the Stellaron Hunters, the IPC's requirement is as such:."
Welt Yang: "The other members can be taken dead or alive, but Elio, who can foresee the future, must not be harmed in the slightest. They must ensure his prophetic abilities remain undamaged."
Boothill: "Hahaha, son of a nice lady, that's just like the IPC."
Boothill: "Using a grand excuse just to secure benefits for themselves."
Aventurine: "As you know, the IPC is a mixed bag, and there are plenty of conflicts between departments. It's not surprising to have all kinds of people."
Furina de Fontaine: "In other words, the IPC's primary goal in hunting the Stellaron Hunters is to obtain Elio, who can predict the future?"
Hu Tao: "Tsk, that's a very calculating move."
Stelle: "It's not a big deal. Sam has a bad reputation, but what does that have to do with my precious Hotaru?"
Hotaru: "This… uh… there should still be some connection, right?"
Stelle: "No, absolutely none!"
Silver Wolf: "You certainly know how to draw a line."
Silver Wolf: "Too bad I don't have another identity to distance myself with."
....
『 [ According to rumors, the leader of the Stellaron Hunters, Elio, possesses the power to foresee many possibilities of the future. ]
[ He foresaw that both the Xianzhou and the Express would participate in the war against Nanook. ]
[ And guiding us here to resolve the Luofu's Stellaron crisis was precisely to fulfill this prophecy. ]
In response to Feixiao's question, Stelle thought for a moment before giving her initial answer.
[ According to the report, General Jing Yuan also believed this explanation. ]
[ This makes me curious: why did you not question it at all? ]
[ Could it be because there is an old acquaintance of the General among the Hunters? ]
Hearing Stelle's answer, Feixiao raised an eyebrow and countered.
[ ... ]
These words fell, causing Jing Yuan to fall into silence.
[ General Feixiao, please watch your words. ]
[ The questioning of the Nameless should not turn into suspicion among colleagues. ]
[ That Stellaron Hunter was also once my disciple. Do you wish to test my loyalty as well? ]
Hearing Feixiao's question, Huaiyan, who was standing nearby, immediately pulled a long face.
[ Elder Huaiyan, I am merely stating the criticisms within the Alliance regarding General Jing Yuan. ]
[ It's just that today, they are asking it through my mouth. Why don't you just imagine my face as those old geezers'? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Jiaoqiu: "Oh, General, you really dare to say anything!"
Feixiao: "What choice did I have? Those old geezers insisted I ask this. What could I do?"
Furina de Fontaine: "The person you mentioned who is an acquaintance of General Jing Yuan, is that the Blade you spoke of earlier?"
Silver Wolf: "Yes, that's Blade."
Silver Wolf: "Hahaha, I didn't expect people within the Alliance to suspect General Jing Yuan of the Luofu of colluding with Blade."
Silver Wolf: "How hilarious."
Lumine: "If they were indeed close acquaintances in the past, then it's only natural to have suspicions, right?"
Paimon: "I'm a bit curious about Blade's past."
Kafka: "Him… He was a very formidable person in the past."
Kafka: "You might not know, but Bladie was once a legendary master craftsman, the Hubai of the Xianzhou Alliance..."
....