Chapter 85 - Jing Yuan Was Also Sleepless

Hearing this, Xing immediately bristled, her hands on her hips as she glared at Fu Zhu. "Old Bro, when did you get tainted by something dirty! Which bad woman was it!"

Fu Zhu turned his head, a look of utter astonishment on his face, and retorted, "Why are you so certain it must have been me going out to find a woman?"

Xing felt Fu Zhu had a point. After a moment's thought, she asked tentatively, "Then… which bad man was it?"

Thump!

Fu Zhu gave Xing's head a fierce knock.

"Ooh—" Xing clutched her head with both hands and ducked down.

Seeing the misunderstanding between Fu Zhu and Xing, Fu Xuan quickly went over and grabbed Fu Zhu's arm, preventing him from giving Xing's head another knock. After all, Xing could be considered her future little sister; she had to look out for her somewhat.

"Fu Zhu, please don't be rash. It was I who misspoke in my agitation just now. A slip of the tongue from a child carries no blame, so please don't be too angry."

A slip of the tongue from a child carries no blame?

Both Fu Zhu and Xing gave Fu Xuan rather peculiar looks. But then, remembering she was a long-lived species, Xing truly could be considered a child in her presence.

Only after Fu Xuan saw that Fu Zhu had calmed down did she finally explain her earlier words about 'dirty things.'

"Just now, I was overly surprised, so I misspoke. The so-called 'dirty things' I mentioned actually refer to that extra trace of the [Abundance] blessing that has appeared on you, Fu Zhu."

Fu Zhu found this somewhat difficult to understand. "Why would an Abundance blessing be considered 'dirty things'? Is the Luofu's animosity towards Abundance truly that strong?"

Fu Xuan nodded, a somewhat helpless expression appearing on her face. "Although, under the admonitions and persuasions of the Xianzhou Alliance's high command, most people in the Xianzhou Alliance today will not be hostile towards ordinary followers of the Path of Abundance, the deep-seated animosity caused by the various atrocities committed by those Abundance-folk does not simply vanish because of the leadership's counsel. Therefore, when I sensed the sudden appearance of a blessing from the Path of Abundance within your body, I misspoke and used such words as 'dirty things'."

"However, it does make me curious, how did you obtain this blessing of Abundance?"

"Oh, that? It was nothing much. I just turned a Mara-Struck individual back to their original self."

"I see…" Fu Xuan suddenly whipped her head around, her bright, clear eyes fixed intently on Fu Zhu's face, as if searching for any sign that he was lying.

Fu Xuan stared for a long time but could not detect any indication that Fu Zhu was lying. However, she still wasn't entirely sure if she had heard him correctly. "You… what did you just say?!"

Fu Zhu had no choice but to repeat himself truthfully, "I used my own methods to cure a Mara-Struck individual, turning them back into a normal person, and then I was blessed by Abundance."

Xing also raised her hand from the side, adding, "I can testify! Although I didn't see Abundance itself, I definitely saw that monster covered in golden branches turn back into a human."

Hearing this, Fu Xuan couldn't help but lower her head. The dim light from the barbecue stall cast shadows from her bangs across her face, obscuring her expression.

"Fu Xuan?" Fu Zhu called out her name softly, a hint of concern in his voice.

Fu Xuan suddenly lifted her head, grabbed Fu Zhu's wrist, and started pulling him away at a trot.

"Let's go! Come with me to find the General!"

Xing sat on her chair in a daze, watching her Old Bro get dragged away. Just then, the owner of the barbecue stall finally brought over the drink Fu Zhu had ordered earlier.

"Great Diviner, your drink… Huh? Where did they go?"

Xing turned to exchange a glance with the bewildered owner, took the drink from his hand, tilted her head back, and gulped it down in two mouthfuls. Then, she thrust the empty cup back into his arms and hurried off in the direction Fu Xuan and Fu Zhu had gone.

"Boss, send the bill to the Divination Commission!"

Fu Xuan, in a great hurry, led Fu Zhu and Xing all the way to the front of Jing Yuan's residence.

As the General of the Luofu, even though he was immensely powerful, his residence was still guarded by numerous Cloud Knights. Seeing people approach, they immediately stepped forward to block the trio.

However, upon clearly seeing that the visitors were the Great Diviner Fu Xuan and two Nameless, the Cloud Knights' demeanor softened considerably.

"Great Diviner, and you two Nameless, may I ask what business brings you to the General at this late hour?"

Fu Xuan glanced at him, her demeanor, which had momentarily shifted due to Fu Zhu, reverting to her usual icy composure.

"I am here to see the General on an important matter, of course. Step aside."

Hearing Fu Xuan speak thus, the Cloud Knight dared not continue to bar their way and could only step aside. However, to avoid any awkward situations, he still secretly contacted Jing Yuan.

With the Cloud Knights no longer obstructing them, Fu Xuan continued to pull the two siblings, Fu Zhu and Xing, further into the residence. However, just as they reached the main hall, Jing Yuan, clad in his battle robes and yawning, emerged from one side.

"Lady Fu Xuan… disturbing an old man this late at night, are you perhaps afraid I'll die too late and delay your inheritance of the General's position?"

Seeing Jing Yuan emerge, Fu Xuan released Fu Zhu's hand, which she had been holding, crossed her arms before her chest, and snorted lightly.

"General, now is hardly the time for jests."

"I am naturally aware." Jing Yuan's lips curved into a smile. He inclined his head towards Fu Zhu and Xing, acknowledging them with a nod, before turning his gaze back to Fu Xuan. "Lady Fu Xuan has never been one to be hasty. For you to lead two Nameless to my doorstep in the dead of night, it is evident there is a matter of great importance. I was merely making a small jest just now, to allow everyone to calm down a little."

As Jing Yuan spoke, he seated himself in an empty spot to the side. With a light clap of his hands, someone entered carrying a pot of hot tea and poured a cup for everyone present.

Jing Yuan picked up the teacup before him, blew gently on it a few times, and took a sip.

"Speak. What could make our usually incomparably calm Great Diviner so agitated? Don't tell me the Luofu is about to end in the very next second, is it?"

Fu Xuan, Fu Zhu, and Xing also took their seats in turn. Seeing Jing Yuan still wearing that faint, breezy smile, Fu Xuan suddenly felt a pang of injustice. Why should she be the only one so terrified by the news Fu Zhu had revealed that she nearly lost six of her seven souls?

With this thought, an idea suddenly sparked in Fu Xuan's mind. She, too, feigned indifference, picked up her teacup, and took a sip, all the while secretly peeking at Jing Yuan. Seizing the moment he was drinking his tea, she finally spoke.

"Actually, it's nothing too serious. It's just that Fu Zhu and the others discovered that Phantylia, one of the Lords of the Annihilation Gang, has already infiltrated the Luofu. Oh, right, she also brought a Stellaron with her."

Jing Yuan couldn't hold it back and sprayed the tea from his mouth.

"Pfft!!!"