Lady Qing, You Shall Act as General!

Xianzhou Xuling—the most mysterious among the six Xianzhou flagships of the Alliance.

Serving as the headquarters of the Ten-Lords Commission and the sacred ground where the Alliance Oath was sworn, this flagship's importance to the Alliance was undeniable.

Major criminals of the Alliance were escorted here to face joint trial by the Seven Arbiter-Generals. Its special nature dictated that this ship was operated almost entirely by Golden Automata; human presence was rare.

Beneath a pavilion built in the most primitive architectural style of the ancient kingdom... A white-haired woman gazed at the message engraved on the jade abacus, asking the other person by the pavilion in a voice weathered by time yet incredibly steady, "Elder Yan, what are your thoughts on this battle report submitted by General Jing Yuan?"

"Hmm... General Jing Yuan's report is indeed somewhat fantastical and erratic... This old one dares not speculate wildly, but based on my understanding of the General of the Divine Foresight, General Jing Yuan is not one to speak nonsense. Besides, General Jing Yuan was recommended by you, Marshal, against all opposition..."

The incredibly old man wearing a conical hat, yet possessing surprisingly robust qi—currently the eldest in the Alliance, General Huaiyan, who presided over the Zhuming—looked at the contents of the transmitted jade abacus, his tone subtle, yet offering no clear opinion.

Undoubtedly, the person before him was none other than the head of the Seven Arbiter-Generals... Cloud Knight Marshal, Hua.

Hearing Huaiyan's response, she smiled somewhat helplessly. This old fellow is truly cunning with age, always beating around the bush.

She clasped her hands behind her back, gazing down at the Delve scenery modeled after the ancient kingdom of old, and sighed, "Though I trust the General of the Divine Foresight, this report is simply too..."

Her words paused slightly. Hua felt both exasperated and amused. No matter how much Jing Yuan tried to embellish it, even using his profound literary skills to polish it, fabricated history remained fabricated history... No amount of packaging could change its essence.

"If the Ten Lords saw this report, my ears likely wouldn't find peace for some time..." Although her position as head of the Seven Arbiter-Generals, even Marshal commanding the entire Cloud Knight army, was incredibly lofty, within the Xianzhou Alliance, she clearly wasn't the sole authority.

Just as the Six Charioteers balanced each other, so too did the Alliance headquarters operate. The Ten Lords and she, the Cloud Knight Marshal, stood opposed, mutually checking each other, forming a delicate equilibrium.

However... if the news in Jing Yuan's letter about that diviner named Qingque was true... if she truly had an encounter with the Reignbow Arbiter... Hua seemed to be contemplating something.

She murmured softly, "So be it... Let Jing Yuan observe her for a while first." Regardless, an investigation was necessary.

After all, that little girl named Qingque had far too little experience. In terms of Xianzhou lifespan, she was just a young girl who had recently come of age.

As for merit... if what Jing Yuan said was true, then it was certainly sufficient... Not just to be a General, even asking Hua herself to abdicate wouldn't be excessive. But such an outlandish, bizarre report? The Ten Lords would clearly never approve...

Therefore, let it be recorded for now, and observe the subsequent effects. Then, after ten years or so... by then, Jing Yuan would surely provide a more suitable answer.

---||---

Regarding this, young Ms. Qingque, still confused, suddenly found her career path (suffering) was about to begin, unbeknownst to her.

She had become Fu Xuan's primary target of attention. Hmph, quite good at hiding, aren't you? Since you're so good at hiding, let this Seat see just how capable you are! Someone, promote her and raise her salary!

Of course, Fu Xuan also had her troubles.

For example... the General seemed to have taken an interest in this little sparrow under her command too, frequently appearing near Qingque... Sometimes, Jing Yuan would even use reasons like temporary assignment transfers to change Qingque's respawn point to the Seat of Divine Foresight.

Initially, Fu Xuan, misunderstanding the situation, naturally sought him out furiously. What's the meaning of this? Appearing so frequently near my little sparrow, you old geezer, could it be you have improper thoughts?

Look at his age, almost succumbing to mara, one foot in the Ten-Lords Commission's door, an old fossil who might sprout leaves any day now, and the kind who occupies a position without doing the work—coveting a young girl?

But clearly, she wasn't on the same level as Jing Yuan. Facing Fu Xuan, who had obviously misunderstood, Jing Yuan stated, exasperated yet amused, "Lady Fu, you misunderstand. I merely wish to assess Lady Qing's potential."

"Such a young and promising seedling, if not properly cultivated, merely nesting within the Divination Commission, wouldn't that be too much of a waste?"

Fu Xuan was clearly dissatisfied with this. What do you mean, nesting in my Divination Commission is a waste? This Seat was already planning to gradually let that little sparrow try handling the duties of the Master Diviner position!

Besides, isn't this situation your fault, you old incumbent clinging to that seat and refusing to leave? If you left already, this Seat would have become General long ago and promoted Qingque!

However, she also found some points of agreement. While Fu Xuan didn't admit staying in the Divination Commission was a waste, she also felt that letting this little sparrow under her wing just stay confined to this small plot was somewhat wasteful.

Remember, when she was young, she had already made great strides, even obtaining an insightful eye from the Heaven-Discerning Lord (Nous).

And Qingque? The highly competitive Fu Xuan wouldn't allow her successor to be too weak, especially since she was someone Fu Xuan favored and intended to use as her right-hand woman later.

If she were too weak, wouldn't Fu Xuan lose face too?

Thinking this, she suddenly understood something. ...General, could it be he intends to...

Hmph hmph... This Seat understands! The General must be about to abdicate! So, before abdicating, he intends to properly cultivate Qingque, so she can better assist me in the future! Master Diviner Fu, with her infallible insight, instantly found the most reasonable explanation.

Simultaneously, her gaze towards Jing Yuan instantly softened.

"Ahem... It seems this Seat misunderstood the General. General, please don't take offense. This Seat was merely overly concerned about Qingque!" she coughed twice, her expression amiable.

Fu Xuan remembered that Jing Yuan's strategist, Qingzu's age was actually not young either. After Jing Yuan stepped down, Qingzu probably wouldn't stay much longer. As the saying goes, new reigns bring new ministers.

Although Fu Xuan planned to support Qingque for the Master Diviner position and didn't intend to 'waste' her in a role like Chief Strategist, ...since she was her subordinate, if she gained sufficient work experience, Fu Xuan thought it wouldn't hurt to pull Qingque over to share some of her workload later.

From this perspective, the General's intentions were entirely benevolent!

"Alright, Qingque, train well here in the Seat of Divine Foresight. I believe under the General's guidance, you will surely gain much."

"Don't worry, when you return, this Seat will promote you to a new Divination Officer rank!"

Qingque desperately wanted to say, "Nooo, Master Diviner! I want to go back to the Divination Commission! Just being a humble little diviner is fine!"

After all, the workload in the Seat of Divine Foresight was simply inhuman. But hearing Fu Xuan's words, her face instantly turned pale, her heart filled with despair.

A wolf in front, a tiger behind... Sob, Little Qingque hasn't offended Tai Sui (god) this year! Reignbow Arbiter above, please save this child!

---||---

Time twisted and merged, transmitting this influence into the future.

Qingque's little nest.

Qingque, hugging a fish-shaped pillow and sleeping soundly in a very undignified manner, suddenly jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat. "What a terrifying nightmare..." Ms. Qingque looked utterly shaken.

She remembered being exhausted after a long day's work, falling into a dream... In the dream, she was happily playing Celestial Jade, but somehow, mid-game, she found herself seemingly back decades ago...

The most terrifying part was, she seemed to have inexplicably achieved some great merit, then got caught red-handed by the Master Diviner and the General, subsequently reduced to a public 'beast of burden.'

A nightmare, an absolute nightmare!

She hugged her fish plushie, feeling utterly dejected. After all, it was supposed to be a sweet dream, yet somehow turned into such a nightmare. And the worst part was, the details of the nightmare were incredibly vivid, as if she had personally experienced it...

"...Ever since meeting that guy, nothing good has happened!" she couldn't help complaining. Coupled with her messy hair, she looked full of resentment.

However, her mood soon lifted. After all... today was a day off~

"Hmph hmph~" Although Xianzhou affairs were busy, and the Master Diviner position was crucial, clearly, the Xianzhou didn't operate 365 days a year. While important positions had few holidays, they still existed.

And Qingque, after diligently working and perfectly fulfilling her duties as Acting Master Diviner, had finally, eagerly awaited this hard-earned holiday.

"Aiya, it's been so long since I went to Starskiff Haven to play cards... Sob..."

"Today, I must go to Starskiff Haven and play cards to my heart's content! Then, feast in Aurum Alley!"

The diligent Ms. Qingque cheerfully put on her clothes, humming a popular tune from some recent online drama trending on the Jade Abacus network.

If she remembered correctly, it was called something like... In the Name of the General?

Well, anyway, Qingque hadn't had time to watch it, but the catchy little tune had certainly brainwashed her; she could hum a few lines casually. Humming along seemed to lift her spirits~

Qingque, looking quite neat and pretty, flicked her single ponytail, then pushed open the door enthusiastically, planning to head to Starskiff Haven to fulfill her holiday plans, and then... saw someone blocking her path.

Uh... If memory served, this person seemed to be... the Chief Strategist of the Seat of Divine Foresight, the General's right-hand woman... Qingzu?

She recognized the other person instantly—besides frequently relaying the General's messages on important Xianzhou matters, the most significant reason was probably...

Qingque remembered seeing her in that awful dream too... This woman was practically a workaholic like Master Diviner Fu Xuan's attendant Jingzhai, always saying things like...

Rest too long, and the work won't get done. And As long as there's work to be handled...

Just thinking about those terrible dreams gave Qingque a headache. Her mood instantly soured, but she could only force a smile and look at the other person. "Lady Qingzu, what brings you here...?"

"The General wishes to see you. Please accompany me to the Seat of Divine Foresight."

"...Ah... Eh?"

"I'm just a humble little diviner... Why would the General want to see me..."

"You're not just a humble little diviner anymore. You're the Acting Master Diviner of the Divination Commission now." Qingzu's words instantly brought Qingque back to reality, making her look miserable.

Oh right... I'm still the Acting Master Diviner... Then it wasn't strange for the General to want to see her. ...This isn't strange, this isn't strange...

After all, the Master Diviner had gone to the Yuque for official duties, and the current direct person in charge of the Divination Commission was her...

"...It probably isn't anything major..." Though troubled by the disruption to her precious holiday, Qingque thought that since the Seat of Divine Foresight hadn't had any major issues lately, visiting probably just meant answering some questions, and she could return quickly.

So... Must go quickly and return quickly!!! Ms. Qingque, treasuring her precious holiday, tried to salvage it through swift action.

Subsequently, within the Seat of Divine Foresight, she saw Jing Yuan—who was also scrutinizing her.

Memories... were strange.

Looking at Qingque, Jing Yuan felt a peculiar mood. He discovered certain 'discrepancies' in his memories of the girl before him.

For example... decades ago, it was she who helped exterminate the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, saving the Xianzhou from dire straits.

But, clearly... the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus should have been annihilated just recently... and the person responsible was still this girl named Qingque before him.

Is this... the work of the Garden of Recollection? Jing Yuan, with his eight centuries of experience, instinctively thought of that faction of memory, but immediately dismissed it.

While the Memokeepers of the Garden of Recollection were formidable, they absolutely couldn't tamper with the memories of an Emanator. Even though the Lightning Lord was inherited through the Arbiter-Generals, the power of the Hunt Path would always protect him.

At the very least... his memories definitely couldn't be altered without his notice.

These memories, though somewhat contradictory, felt perfectly natural; they were indeed his choices, his 'experiences.' Jing Yuan could affirm this.

"General... Is there something on my face?" Qingque, being stared at without a word, pointed awkwardly at herself, feeling less than wonderful.

After all, she wanted a quick resolution to save her holiday. Yet the General just kept staring at her upon arrival. Setting aside whether it was rude... Her holiday was slipping away! Slipping away!

Looking at the cybersundial in the General's office, Qingque felt her heart bleed. Mustering her courage, she tried to quickly salvage her time off.

"Apologies, Lady Qing... Please forgive Jing Yuan's impudence."

"After all, many things have happened these past days."

"Um... General, you summoned me because there's something you need to understand, right? If so, perhaps we could get straight to the point?" Hearing this, Jing Yuan pondered for a moment, seemed to reach a decision, and smiled.

But for some reason, Ms. Qingque had a bad feeling.

"Haha, Lady Qing is indeed straightforward."

"Since that's the case, Jing Yuan will speak plainly." He smiled, his tone peculiar. "After the last battle with the Legion, Jing Yuan has yet to fully recover from his injuries. The duties of the General position could only be handled temporarily by Lady Fu, who had somewhat recovered.

Now, as Lady Qing also knows, Lady Fu has gone to the Yuque for official duties regarding the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus matter, leaving the General's responsibilities vacant once more..."

"Although Jing Yuan wishes to resume the General's duties, regrettably, I cannot disobey the Dragon Lady Healer's orders... Coincidentally, before Master Diviner Fu Xuan departed, she made a recommendation. And you also have relevant experience. Therefore, I intend to temporarily delegate the duties of General to you. I hope Lady Qing will not refuse."

Impatient, wanting to save her holiday, Qingque didn't think—she assumed the General wouldn't ask anything too demanding, so she should just agree quickly.

Thus, she subconsciously replied, "Since it is the General's request, I naturally cannot shirk my duty..."

"..."

"...?"