"So… why were you pulling on me just now, telling me not to talk? I obviously didn't hijack Miss Tingyun, and I didn't engage in high-altitude… okay, maybe I did that, but it wasn't like I had a choice!"
March looked at Wende, completely baffled. Being used to acting on her true feelings, she couldn't quite wrap her head around the situation.
"Because this is the Xianzhou… not a place like Jarilo-VI where there isn't even a single surveillance camera. Besides… if we had contradicted Lord Yukong in public, wouldn't that have made things incredibly awkward for her? That would run completely counter to our initial goal of establishing good relations with the Xianzhou," Wende analyzed for Little March's benefit.
"Furthermore, it seems that Starskiff was tampered with by someone. We just happened to stumble upon it by chance. If we were to press the issue, we might get entangled in some of the Xianzhou's internal affairs. So, it's better to leave some leeway for both sides, just like we did," Welt added in a thoroughly dependable manner.
"Wow… is this the world of adults…? It's so profound…"
March sighed with admiration. If Dan Heng had come this time instead of her, with the minds of these three men, they would probably be unbeatable no matter where they went!
"It's nothing more than knowing how to navigate the social landscape," Welt said, shaking his head. This sort of thing was nothing to boast about.
"Sigh, it's so complicated," Stelle said, waving her hand. She then started walking down the streets of the Xianzhou, looking at this and touching that, just like an unrestrained child having the time of her life.
"Ah! This sense of security is hitting me like a tidal wave! I ask you, who on this entire Xianzhou could possibly break through the flawless defensive line of my two great generals, Wende and Welt! Who else!!!"
[Crap, we haven't even started going wild yet, and Sister Guoguo has already initiated the team fight!]
[It's true, though. With these two around, the sense of security is off the charts!]
[What virtue have I, Liu Bei, to possess both a Crouching Dragon and a Phoenix Chick at the same time!]
[On the matter of me learning workplace soft skills from a video game.]
[One is Dad, the other is Uncle… Mmm, mmm-hmm.]
[MMM! MMM! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!]
[What new secret code are you guys using? Why can't I understand it?]
[Stop with the 'Mmm's! The biogas just exploded!] The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novęlfire.net
[Stinky! Unbearably stinky!!]
"Miss Tingyun… is this the place with all the delicious food?"
March looked at the deep alley before them, a little puzzled.
"My friends, you mustn't underestimate this place. As the saying goes, 'Good wine needs no bush.' This Golden Automaton Alley hides some of the rarest delicacies on the Xianzhou," Tingyun said with a light smile, taking a step forward. Her large tail swayed back and forth behind her; it seemed its owner was in a pretty good mood.
Of course, she was in a good mood. After all, who wouldn't want to relax with a great meal after surviving a near-death experience?
"But… do they sell toothbrushes and toothpaste here? My mouth still tastes like that Fermented Mung Bean Soda!"
Feeling the strange, sour taste in her mouth, March spoke uncomfortably to Tingyun, who was leading the way.
"Indeed… we should probably get ourselves sorted out first," Welt agreed, glancing at Wende, who was busy wiping a stain off the trouble-making child's clothes.
"In that case, this little lady will take you all to a place to rest first. Please, follow me."
"This is a dedicated inn that the Sky-Faring Commission uses to host visiting foreign merchants. This little lady has already taken care of all the arrangements. If you wish to go for a meal, you can also send me a message~"
Tingyun led the group into an inn filled with the traditional local character of the Xianzhou and began her introduction.
"Oh! Yay! I'm going to brush my teeth first! No, I'm going to take a shower first!" Little March cheered.
"Excuse me, is there a laundry room?" Wende asked the foxian lady at the front desk, holding up Stelle's dirtied coat.
"We've troubled you, Miss Tingyun. However, I wonder when Lord Yukong might be interested in receiving us? We would like to prepare in advance," Welt said directly to Tingyun, placing his cane lightly in front of him.
"Well, about that… it will depend on when Lord Yukong can free up some time. This little lady can only pass on the message for my dear benefactors," Tingyun said, shaking her head. But what she said was true. The Xianzhou was indeed in chaos right now, especially the Sky-Faring Commission. The commission was originally responsible for external trade, transport, and ensuring safe navigation within the Xianzhou. But after the Jade Gate was closed and the Starskiff Sea was locked down, the burden on the Sky-Faring Commission had become increasingly severe.
"I see. I hope Miss Tingyun will be able to convey our message to Lord Yukong."
"Rest assured, this little lady will definitely pass it on," Tingyun replied with a smiling nod.
That night, the Trailblaze team first made contact with Dan Heng and Himeko, who were still on the Astral Express, and told them everything that had happened on the Xianzhou.
"Er… just on the first day, your experience was already this exciting?"
Himeko looked at the message from Welt, her hand holding her coffee cup trembling slightly.
Was… was this some kind of absurd comedy film? She had undertaken so many Trailblaze missions, but she had never seen such a bizarre plot development before.
"Don't worry, we've already settled down on the Xianzhou. The things that come after should be much easier, right?"
Welt himself didn't sound too certain. After all, the current situation on the Xianzhou was far too complex. The various factions here were intricately intertwined. It would be no easy task for the Astral Express to successfully retrieve the Stellaron.
"Relax. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. This is the Xianzhou, after all… a behemoth far larger than we ever imagined," Himeko said with a sigh.
"Mm, I'll keep an eye on the kids. It's just that…"
Welt pushed up his glasses, his gaze inadvertently glancing out the window.
"It seems we're already being watched. I don't know the reason, but it appears we've attracted the attention of some rather important figures," Welt typed with a blank expression.
"Be careful," Himeko replied.
"I'm just saying, do Xianzhou people really love drinking that stuff that much?"
March stared, dumbfounded, at a vending machine filled to the brim with Fermented Mung Bean Soda.
Fortunately, the vending machine next to it had ordinary mineral water, and the Xianzhou accepted credits for payment, which finally allowed March to quench her thirst.
"Tingyun said this place is used to host visiting foreign merchants, but since the Xianzhou went into lockdown, it's become quite empty," Wende remarked, looking at the deserted lobby.
"By the way… where did Stelle run off to?"
March seemed to remember something and looked around, only to realize that Stelle was nowhere to be found.