The Cloud Knights immediately froze at Yanqing's voice. Recognizing him, they stiffened nervously.
Bailu, however, crossed her arms and replied dismissively, "I'm Bailu, a medic from the Alchemy Commission. This man needs treatment, and these Cloud Knights are enthusiastically assisting."
Yanqing frowned. "Since when does treatment involve beating someone who can't even fight back?"
Bailu huffed, "Exactly! Wait, are you questioning my expertise? If you think you're better at healing, go ahead—show me what you've got!"
Her sharp retort left Yanqing momentarily speechless. He was well aware of Bailu's reputation as the Healer Lady. In a duel, he'd have full confidence, but in matters of healing? Even a hundred of him wouldn't match up.
Meanwhile, Liangmu, hearing someone seemingly come to his aid, pleaded desperately, "Help me! Save me!!"
Bailu clapped her hands and declared, "Don't listen to him! Continue the treatment! Keep the music playing and the dancing going!"
Following her orders, the beating resumed, and so did the dancing.
Yanqing's expression twisted as he watched the Cloud Knights prioritize dancing over their duties. "And why, exactly, are they dancing? What purpose does this serve?"
Bailu explained, "Oh? It makes people stronger, of course. Don't believe me? Step into their 10-meter radius and feel it for yourself."
Confused but curious, Yanqing approached the dancing knights cautiously. If it were anyone else, he might have acted already, but this was Bailu—someone even Jing Yuan held in high regard. He couldn't afford to be disrespectful.
Stepping closer, Yanqing furrowed his brows. "What's going on? I feel stronger?"
Pei Guang interjected, "Now step back."
Yanqing took a step back and noted, "I feel weaker again… No, wait—it's just back to normal?"
Pei Guang explained, "It's an aura skill that any of my allies can use. And since Jing Yuan asked for my help, calling you all allies isn't a stretch, right?"
Yanqing's eyes narrowed sharply. "You're with the Astral Express?"
Pei Guang nodded. "That's right. Name's Pei Guang."
Hearing this, Yanqing's aura surged with a powerful presence. "So, you're Pei Guang?"
Yanqing had overheard Jing Yuan discussing Pei Guang before. The general's evaluation was succinct: "Unfathomable." Jing Yuan had even warned him not to provoke Pei Guang under any circumstances.
Despite this, seeing Pei Guang now, he felt utterly perplexed. There was nothing "unfathomable" about this man. Unlike Jing Yuan, who exuded calculated mystique, Pei Guang seemed riddled with flaws. He couldn't shake the feeling that he could defeat Pei Guang dozens of times over with ease.
Sensing Yanqing's battle-ready stance, Pei Guang's gaze sharpened in response. Equipping his full set of gear, Pei Guang turned to face him.
But as soon as Yanqing saw Pei Guang's appearance in full gear, his expression froze. Pei Guang's headgear was so hideous it left Yanqing's mind reeling, his thoughts reduced to a dull hum.
Pei Guang stood with his left arm equipped with a shield-like box cover, his right hand gripping a wooden sword, and a conjured trash can lid on his head, locking eyes with Yanqing.
Though there was no trace of killing intent from Pei Guang, his instincts screamed that making a move would be fatal. If he stayed still, nothing would happen, but the slightest aggression would seal his fate.
Sweat trickled down Yanqing's face as the tense moment dragged on. Suddenly, Pei Guang's phone rang, breaking the silence.
Pei Guang checked the message and lit up with excitement. He turned to March 7th and Stelle.
"The main quest NPC finally responded! She wants us to meet her at Exalting Sanctum. Let's go, we're heading back!"
Hearing this, Bailu, who had been orchestrating the repetitive cycle of "treatment" for Liangmu, frowned.
"What about him? It doesn't feel satisfying to leave him . I want him to spend the next thirty years hiccupping every single minute."
Pei Guang smirked. "I have a much harsher punishment in mind."
Bailu's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned in closer. "What is it? Tell me! Though… not too cruel. We don't want to go overboard."
Pei Guang's eyes gleamed with devious wisdom. "Trust me, this isn't bloodthirsty or violent, but before I proceed, I have a question: Bailu, how well do you understand his biology? Is his body normal? And his… reproductive abilities?"
Bailu nodded thoughtfully, taking the inquiry seriously. "Physically, he's healthy. I just treated all his ailments, so he's in peak condition now. As for reproductive ability, it's slightly below average compared to the outer worlds' standard. That's based on centuries of Alchemy Commission medics' data. Why?"
Pei Guang began calculating on his fingers. "Let's see. He deceived Banxia's feelings. He's scum. He annoyed me. He infuriated March. He ticked you off. Altogether, he made one person suffer and four people upset, so let's count him as having made five people miserable. So, I say let's cut him down by five: shrink five millimeters, shorten five centimeters, reduce five minutes, and keep it going for fifty years. How does that sound?"
Pei Guang smiled. "You don't understand men. I do."
Trusting his plan, Bailu grinned. "Alright, I'll back you up. But let's balance it out—reduce in some areas, add in others. I'll add three more so that he will hiccups every minute, five places on his body that smell terrible, and let me slap him five times for good measure. That should make sure he doesn't harm any other women."
Their conversation wasn't concealed, and those nearby—including Yanqing and several Cloud Knights—listened in, horrified by the sheer coldness of their plan.
Bailu got to work. By the time Liangmu realized what had been done, his future was set: fifty years of regret, humiliation and no chance to deceive anyone else.
The process was simple for Bailu: carefully adjusted doses of specially formulated medicine. As an experienced healer, her precision was unmatched. While the effects might not hit exactly five millimeters or five minutes, they would probably be a little bit higher.
As for how much more than that, it's up to everyone's guess~.
Stelle and March 7th weren't the kind of naïve girls easily shocked by harsh realities. As Trailblazers, they had seen their fair share of the universe's darker sides. So when they heard Pei Guang's punishment plan, March 7th immediately gave him a big thumbs up.
"That's brutal! But, honestly, it's perfect. Sure, you could beat him for seven days straight and still not feel satisfied. But the thought of him living fifty years without dignity and being unable to mess with another girl? That's next-level satisfaction!"
What? Fifty years too short? Not at all. Ordinary Outworlders only lived for about a century. If Liangmu weren't just an average Outworlder, he wouldn't have come to Xianzhou in pursuit of immortality. Anyone with real power and connections would know better than to seek eternal life here.
Dealing with scum like Liangmu was cathartic, but March 7th still worried about Banxia. After a quick check, she was relieved to confirm that Banxia hadn't descended into a mara-struck state despite her emotional turmoil.
With everything settled, Bailu turned to Pei Guang. "Done! As for Banxia, should we take her to Exalting Sanctum and hand her over to the Divination Commission for protection?"
Pei Guang shrugged. "Whatever works. You know Xianzhou better than I do. Let's go, let's go."
March 7th chimed in cheerfully, "Here we go~"
Stelle echoed, "Let's roll~"
Before leaving, Pei Guang turned to Yanqing and the Cloud Knights. "This guy tried to deceive the Xianzhou people to obtain the Ambrosial Arbor's blessings. You all know Sanctus Medicus' elixirs require the Vidyadhara bone marrow. And it's extracted alive. Alive!!"
With that ominous declaration, Pei Guang led the group back toward Exalting Sanctum. The Astral Express team had already been contacted by the Ten-Lords Commission, and it was time to focus on the main story.
As the group left, Yanqing finally felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"That... was terrifying."
Though he carried the confidence of a prodigy, he wasn't foolish. The overwhelming sensation of impending doom just now was no illusion.
"It seems the General was right. He really is powerful. I'll issue him a formal challenge once all this is over. A rash move now would've been reckless…"
For now, Pei Guang's appearance was just a peculiar interlude in Yanqing's mission to capture the fugitive Blade. Refocusing, he prepared to leave—only to pause, his gaze falling on the dancing Cloud Knights.
Stepping closer, Yanqing observed the phenomenon. Inside a ten-meter radius, his attributes increased. Outside it, they reverted to normal.
Feeling the change in his body, Yanqing's brows furrowed deeply. After a long moment of hesitation, he silently memorized the Cloud Knights' dance moves. He didn't understand the mechanics or potential risks yet, but if Pei Guang—a member of the Astral Express—taught it, it couldn't possibly harm Xianzhou. He decided to preserve the technique for now and consult Jing Yuan later to uncover its secrets.
However, after walking some distance, a realization struck him. Yanqing stopped dead in his tracks.
"Wait… they weren't treating anyone, were they? They were just… getting revenge?"