Kevin and Hu Tao grinned when they heard the plan.
"Be careful."
Seeing this, Ying and March 7th also approached, eager to join the discussion.
A small group began secretly plotting inside the snack bar—scheming yet another sneaky trip into Suiyuan.
Meanwhile, in a secret chamber within the Mansion…
Jing Yuan was engaged in a discussion with several holographic projections.
Having confirmed the effectiveness of the Clear Spirit Pill, Jing Yuan had reported the matter to Marshal Hua.
Upon hearing the news, Hua immediately summoned the Seven Generals for a meeting.
Seated at the head of the table, Hua's expression was serious. "General of Shen Ce, are you certain this pill can truly suppress the demonic affliction?"
Jing Yuan gave a small nod. "Yes, the pill has been tested, and the results were very promising."
Hua pondered for a moment. "Who crafted this medicine?"
Jing Yuan answered, "The Dragon Girl, Bailu."
At the mention of Bailu, the gathered generals all pictured the young healer in their minds.
Bailu was well-known across Xianzhou—a prodigy capable of formulating a potion that could partially suppress the demonic affliction. Her abilities were unparalleled in all of Xianzhou.
A nostalgic smile formed on Hua's face as she recalled their first meeting. Despite her youthful appearance, Bailu had carried herself with remarkable maturity.
She could still remember the little healer sternly taking her pulse and scolding her:
"Hmm… Your pulse is erratic, and your Qi is weak. You should stop staying up late! Do you hear me?"
Hua chuckled. "Ah, so it's Bailu. Yes, if anyone could refine such a medicine, it would be her."
Fei Xiao stepped forward. "Marshal, I request permission to move the Yao Qing Fleet closer to Luofu. Bailu's Qingling Pill is critical to my fleet. With Yao Qing stationed nearby, we can ensure her safety."
Hua nodded without hesitation. "Permission granted. Yao Qing will depart immediately."
Fei Xiao's eyes lit up. This confirmed that Bailu's medicine was of paramount importance. With Marshal Hua prioritizing her safety, no doubt the protection around her would soon be reinforced.
Fei Xiao had another thought. This pill can suppress the inner demon… but I wonder if it could suppress my own Moon Madness.
The other generals exchanged glances. Fei Xiao was fast. They, too, had wanted this assignment—but he had beaten them to it.
Hua surveyed the room. "If anyone else has something to report, now's the time. This gathering is rare—speak freely."
Jing Yuan stepped forward. "Luofu requests material reinforcements."
Hua furrowed his brows. Luofu had just endured a major battle—it makes sense that they need resources for rapid reconstruction.
"Request approved. The other major fleets will mobilize resources to aid Luofu's restoration."
The generals, including Fei Xiao and Huai Yan, all voiced their agreement.
But then, Jing Yuan shook his head.
"Luofu isn't requesting construction materials. The resources we need are Stellar Jade."
"Stellar Jade?"
Jing Yuan began to explain. "Recently, the Starry Sky Express made a stop at Luofu. Onboard the train, there exists a mysterious shop that sells items from across various worlds.
However, to purchase anything, one must use a currency known as Star Coins, which can only be exchanged using Stellar Jade.
I personally purchased the Clear Spirit Pill recipe from this shop."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the generals.
They were all aware of the Starry Sky Express's presence in Luofu. In fact, Jing Yuan's recent battle report mentioned that the train crew had played a crucial role in Luofu's survival—helping them mitigate devastation and keep casualties low.
Huai Yan stroked his beard and chuckled. "I never imagined that this train carried such incredible secrets.
That battle report also mentioned an unnamed warrior—a girl wielding a blazing sword, who stood against an illusionary Destruction Lord crafted from Jianmu's energy.
This Starry Sky Train seems to harbor quite a few formidable individuals…"
Jing Yuan smiled. "If you wish to visit, just inform me beforehand. I'll prepare a bed for you."
Huai Yan laughed heartily. "I would love to visit, but… will Marshal Hua approve?"
Huai Yan glanced toward Hua.
After a moment of consideration, Hua nodded. "If you're going, you may as well help escort the Stellar Jade shipment to Luofu."
Huai Yan sighed dramatically. "Ahhh, so even my vacation turns into work? How tragic~ How tragic~"
Despite his theatrics, everyone knew that even Marshal Hua addressed him with respect, referring to him as Elder Yan—a recognition of his esteemed position.
Jing Yuan thought aloud. "With three generals gathering in Luofu, it's inevitable that some unwanted attention will follow.
How about I host a public martial arts tournament, under the guise of letting the younger generation showcase their skills?"
Huai Yan smirked, thinking of his obedient granddaughter. "That's not a bad idea. I could bring my granddaughter along—let her see the world."
Hua agreed. "Then it's settled. Jing Yuan, prepare a list of the shop's available items and submit it to me.
Meeting adjourned."
As the meeting concluded, the first batch of Qingling Pills—twenty in total—were distributed across various Xianzhou fleets.
Jing Yuan exited the secret chamber and stepped into the Shen Ce Mansion's lobby.
Just then, a Cloud Knight approached and saluted. "General, there is a visitor at the gates."
Jing Yuan nodded and made his way to the entrance—where Jingliu was waiting for him.
Jingliu's gaze was calm, but Jing Yuan—who knew her well—could sense the storm brewing within her.
"Come with me. I have something to ask you."
They walked until they reached a quiet area, and Jingliu wasted no time.
"Who is trying to capture Bailu?"
Her tone was controlled, but Jing Yuan could tell she was on the verge of erupting.
He sighed, having already guessed the cause. No doubt, during her visit with Bailu, she must have encountered the hunters sent by Master Long.
"A few old men from the Chiming Clan."
Jingliu turned on her heel and left.
As General of Luofu, Jing Yuan couldn't openly target those elders—but Jingliu was different.
Officially, she wasn't even part of Xianzhou anymore.
If she made her move, Jing Yuan would simply enforce martial law for two days and call it a coincidence.
He gestured to a trusted officer. "The surveillance cameras in Linyuan Realm seem to need maintenance… what do you think?"
The officer immediately understood. "I believe they should be properly repaired. I'll arrange for it."
As the officer left, Jing Yuan returned to Shen Ce Mansion—only to spot Qingque attempting to sneak away.
He smirked. "Qingque, come here. I have a task for you."
Qingque approached Jing Yuan with tears in her eyes.
"General, what do you need from me?"
Jing Yuan chuckled at her miserable expression. "Come with me to a place."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of Shen Ce Mansion.
Seeing this, Qingque nearly collapsed. It's over. It's really over....
Riding the Xianzhou Skiff, they headed toward the Starry Sky Express.
Inside Yuri's shop.
Qingque was bewildered. Why did the general bring me here?
At the moment, only Welt and Dan Heng were inside. Noelle had matters to attend to and hadn't arrived yet.
Jing Yuan greeted them. "Mr. Welt, Dan Heng, good morning."
Recognizing him, the two returned the greeting.
Jing Yuan glanced around. "Have you seen Bailu?"
Dan Heng replied, "She's in the laboratory."
Jing Yuan nodded, then turned to Qingque. "You don't need to report to Shen Ce Mansion anymore. I'm assigning you a new, very important job."
The moment Qingque heard the word "important," she wanted to bolt. No, no, no! I just want to slack off! Important jobs are the enemy!
Jing Yuan led her to the bar counter, pointing at the large display screens. "These screens show various product listings. Your task is to record them. Got it?"
Qingque blinked. That's it? That's the big, important job? She had expected something far worse.
She stretched lazily. "Alright, General."
Pulling out her laptop, she started typing. It was still early—just noon. If she worked fast, maybe she could finish early as well.
Jing Yuan saw her start working. Good, that settles Marshal Hua's request.
His next stop was Bailu, to discuss further Qingling Pill refinements.
As Qingque copied information, something felt… off.
She stared at the screen, trying to pinpoint the problem.
The products? No, they're fine… Then what?
Her eyes drifted to the bottom of the page.
And then she saw it.
A Mobius strip symbol—indicating infinity.
Qingque's breath hitched.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "General! You have no heart!"
She slumped over the counter, defeated.
This wasn't a task with an end. This was eternal suffering.
For the first time, she actually missed Fu Xuan—at least Fu Xuan's assignments had an endpoint.
Two hours later.
Jing Yuan returned from his discussion with Bailu and checked in on Qingque.
The moment she saw him, she snapped.
"General! This is impossible! You can't finish copying all of this!"
Jing Yuan followed her pointing finger to the Mobius strip at the bottom of the page and finally relented.
"Alright, from now on, just submit 100 product entries per day."
Qingque's despair vanished instantly. "General, you are the kindest person alive!"
With her workload adjusted, Jing Yuan left Qingque to her task and joined Welt in the reception area for tea and chess.
Not long after, commotion erupted at the entrance.
Qingque looked up to see Kevin and his group entering the store, followed by Guinaifen and Sushang.
Kevin grinned. "Let's rest up first, then head to Suiyuan tonight for some real excitement! Hehe~"
Originally, they had planned a daytime exploration, but they realized it would be far more thrilling at night.
So, Kevin proposed a change—rest first, adventure later.
As soon as he walked in, Kevin spotted Qingque at the counter.
"Hey! Isn't that Qingque? What are you doing here?"
Qingque barely looked up. "General sent me here for work."
Kevin suddenly remembered. "Wait, didn't you say you'd teach me how to play Stellar Jade Realm? Do you have time now?"
Qingque groaned. "I haven't even finished half my work yet…"
Guinaifen, who had been listening, perked up. "Stellar Jade Realm? I know how to play! Want me to teach you?"
Kevin's eyes lit up. He immediately ran to Yuri's shop and bought a complete Stellar Jade Realm set.
Hu Tao and Ying dragged over a square table, and the game was set.
Hu Tao, Ying, Kevin, and Guinaifen took their positions, while Sushang and March 7th sat beside them, watching.
As they played, Guinaifen explained the rules.
"Alright, let me show you how this works…"
Before long, Kevin, March 7th, and Ying had learned the game and began playing skillfully.
Kevin: "30,000."
Ying: "Pong, seven."
Guinaifen: "Three."
March 7th: "Wait! Three—I'll gang."
The sound of gameplay and strategy filled the air.
And it was driving Qingque insane.
Inside her head, two mini Qingques appeared.
One: No! You must finish your work first!
The other: It's just 100 entries a day. You can finish later!
She was wavering.
Then Kevin spoke.
"This is fun and all, but let's make it interesting. How about a 1-star-coin betting pool?"
Qingque snapped.
"WAIT! I'm in! You're all going down!"
Kevin smirked. "Alright! Whoever loses rotates out."
Eyes gleaming, Qingque grabbed a stool and plopped down next to Guinaifen.
And once she sat at the table… she never left.
Their exploration of Suiyuan was pushed back yet again.
Their excuse? "The Ten Kings Division will be stricter at night. Let's go another day."
The game lasted until midnight.
At some point, they had to switch venues because Yuri and the others needed space for dinner.
So, they moved to the party car.
Seated at the card table, Qingque happily counted her winnings—when suddenly, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and froze.
Fu Xuan had sent a collection request, asking for today's product report.
Qingque paled.
She hadn't even copied half of it.
Like lightning, she sprinted back to Yuri's shop, sat at the counter, and began frantically typing.
Back in the party car, the others blinked in confusion.
Hu Tao asked, "What's with Qingque?"
Kevin shrugged. "No clue. Whatever. Let's keep playing—someone take her seat."
March 7th took Qingque's place. "I'll do it! I've been watching long enough."
As the game continued, Hu Tao suddenly remembered—tomorrow, she had to oversee the new Internet Cafe setup.
"Oh! I have to go tomorrow! We're installing the new computers. Do you guys want to come and test them out?"
The group agreed, pushing back Suiyuan once again.