Chapter 87 - Steve Once Asked, Are the Methods Unlimited?

Jing Yuan leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, his index finger tapping lightly on the tabletop.

On the surface, the Luofu now seemed calm and peaceful, but beneath it, an undercurrent was surging. Phantylia, the Disciples of the Medicine King, and the Stellaron Hunters were all eyeing the Luofu, waiting for the moment of its greatest vulnerability to strike a fatal blow.

As the General of the Luofu, he had to devise a countermeasure immediately.

While thinking, Jing Yuan recalled a few details. Previously, Fu Xuan had reported to him that Fu Zhu had mistakenly entered the restricted area of the Ambrosial Arbor and had cut it down with a special axe. It was also in that restricted area that he had encountered several members of the Alchemy Commission.

The presence of Alchemy Commission members within the Ambrosial Arbor's restricted zone was strange, no matter how one looked at it.

Adding to that Fu Xuan's report that a large portion of the Alchemy Commission had turned traitor, it was highly likely that the members Fu Zhu met in the restricted area were part of that turncoat faction.

And what could they be plotting by breaking into the restricted area? The first thing that came to Jing Yuan's mind was the Ambrosial Arbor itself!

However, this was just his personal speculation. He still needed Fu Zhu's testimony as confirmation.

"Little friend Fu Zhu, did you have any contact with the members of the Disciples of the Medicine King?"

Fu Zhu nodded, once again taking out the recording of his conversation from that time and playing it for Jing Yuan to hear.

After listening to the recording carefully, Jing Yuan became even more certain of his guess. The goal of the Disciples of the Medicine King, in league with Phantylia, was to resurrect the Ambrosial Arbor!

It was understandable that the Disciples of the Medicine King would want to resurrect it; after all, they were a bunch of extremists who worshiped [Abundance]. But for Phantylia, a member of the Annihilation Gang, to also want to resurrect the Ambrosial Arbor… this was definitely related to how she planned to overthrow the Luofu.

"Perhaps we can turn their own scheme against them."

In a short while, a rough plan formed in Jing Yuan's mind, but the details still needed to be refined. The safety of the Luofu's millions of citizens was at stake, and not a single mistake could be tolerated.

"Everyone, I have a rough idea, but it may require the assistance of you all from the Astral Express."

Jing Yuan looked at Fu Zhu with a serious expression, awaiting his answer.

Fu Zhu did not agree immediately. He wasn't the leader of this Trailblaze expedition, and he felt that for a matter of this magnitude, it was better to let Welt make the decision.

He was still new to the ways of the world and only understood a little. Welt, having been immersed in society for many years, certainly understood far more than he did.

"My apologies, General. I cannot make the decision on this matter. How about we wait until tomorrow? Our crew will discuss it internally and give the General an answer then. In any case, aren't we supposed to talk about the Stellaron Hunters tomorrow?"

Seeing that Fu Zhu did not refuse outright was already good news. Jing Yuan naturally smiled and accepted.

"Of course. It would be impossible for the General to expect an answer from you all right now. That would be too unfair to the members of the Astral Express. For tonight, everyone should get a good rest. A calm mind is a better one."

Since Jing Yuan had said so, Fu Zhu and Xing naturally stood up to take their leave.

"Then we'll be going. See you tomorrow."

After the two of them left, Jing Yuan turned his gaze to Fu Xuan and called out softly.

"Lady Fu."

Fu Xuan naturally knew what Jing Yuan wanted to ask and couldn't help but chuckle. "Even one as strong as the General needs to seek a little comfort from my hexagrams when facing such a situation?"

Jing Yuan gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"You jest, Lady Fu. I merely wish to borrow your divination arts to check for flaws in my upcoming plans, and to determine if my arrangements are appropriate. Although the Luofu does not fear any challenge, this matter involves many people, including the Astral Express. They are outsiders and have no need to bear this risk. The plan I have in mind will inevitably involve them, so I must at least ensure they can retreat unscathed."

Fu Xuan put down her teacup, her eyes lowered, a faint, proud smile on her lips.

"From the moment the Astral Express landed on the Luofu, I have already divined their fate. The hexagrams show that although their journey on the Luofu will have its share of obstacles, the outcome will be smooth sailing. From this, we can deduce that the Luofu will certainly not be in any great danger."

"With your words, Lady Fu, I can finally rest a little easier."

Jing Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief. He picked up the teapot on the side, filled his long-empty cup with tea, blew on it, and just as he was about to drain it in one gulp to wet his throat, he instinctively turned his head to look at Fu Xuan.

Fu Xuan noticed Jing Yuan's gaze and huffed in annoyance, crossing her arms.

"If the General wants to drink his tea, then drink it. Why must you stare so intensely at me?"

"Heh, a conditioned reflex."

Seeing that Fu Xuan had no intention of making trouble, Jing Yuan relaxed and raised the teacup to drink.

"Oh, by the way, General."

"Pfft—!"

Fu Xuan turned her head with a look of dismay, staring at Jing Yuan, who had sprayed tea all over the floor. She turned away, somewhat disgusted.

"Tsk, that's truly disgusting, General. I haven't even said anything yet."

Jing Yuan let out a long, helpless sigh and lamented quietly.

"It seems I must learn the art of divination as well, just to divine for myself each day whether it is a suitable day for drinking tea."

The next morning, Welt and March 7th sat at the dining table with complicated expressions, watching as Fu Zhu and Xing devoured a lavish breakfast.

Seeing them eat with not a care in the world, March 7th couldn't help but complain, "How can you two possibly have the appetite for breakfast after pulling off several heaven-shaking feats last night? That's an Emanator of Destruction we're talking about!"

"Don't panic, March!"

Fu Zhu wiped his mouth with a napkin, his expression so calm that anyone who didn't know better would think the matter they were about to face was as simple as opening a can of soda.

"Even if it's an Emanator of Destruction, I'd dare to go up and give her a couple of stabs, let her see what I'm made of!"

March 7th immediately threw her head onto the table and wailed, "But after you stab her twice, won't we be goners?!"

After complaining about Fu Zhu, March 7th turned to Welt with a pleading look. "Uncle Yang, you have to protect us!"

Welt was feeling the pressure as well. But in front of the juniors, if even he lost his usual composure, then there would be no point in them doing anything else; they might as well just pack up and go home.

"No need to worry too much. It is said that the seven Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance each possess power on par with an Emanator. With General Jing Yuan garrisoned on the Luofu, we at least won't have to face Phantylia head-on. And I can, at the very least, guarantee the safe departure of all of you and the Astral Express, so there's no need to be too afraid."

Seeing March 7th turn to Welt for help, Fu Zhu crossed his arms with a hint of displeasure. "Why didn't you ask me if I had an Upper, Middle, or Lower Strategy this time? I was just thinking about how I should answer if you asked."

March 7th turned her head back with a huff, her eyes downcast. "Alright then~ our dear Mr. Fu Zhu~ what brilliant strategy do you have against Phantylia?"

"Hmm… I haven't thought of one yet." Fu Zhu spread his hands with some resignation. "Right now, I only know her name and her Path. I don't even know what kind of attacks she specializes in. So, I can only offer a lower strategy, which is for me to lure her away and then take her on one-on-one."

All I have to do is slap a bed down on the ground, then lie down for a bit.

It doesn't matter if you're an Emanator of Destruction or an Aeon of Destruction. As long as you give Fu Zhu enough time, he'll beat you to death eventually!

For Steve, time has already lost its meaning. In a sense, Fu Zhu is already an immortal species.

"Don't you dare do anything reckless!" March 7th had thought Fu Zhu would come up with some clever idea, but she never expected it to be such a terrible plan that involved sacrificing himself!

She became anxious and a little angry, reaching out to grab Fu Zhu's arm. "You are forbidden from doing something like that! This time, I'll just pretend I never asked you what your plan was! You hear me?!"

Even Welt, for the first time ever, reprimanded Fu Zhu.

"Fu Zhu, the Astral Express crew must always advance and retreat together, no matter the circumstances. Never again speak of such things as sacrificing your own life."

Seeing both of them getting angry, Fu Zhu felt both moved and a little helpless.

After all, they didn't know he possessed the infinite respawn passive after unlocking Survival Mode.

"Alright, I'll remember."

After everyone had finished breakfast, Welt was the first to stand up.

"Let's go. It's time to head to the Seat of Divine Foresight. With what happened yesterday, the Luofu will likely make a move today. As for whether they want our help, I will give them an answer then. If it is too dangerous, we will abort this Trailblaze mission. Your safety is the top priority. Do not attempt any personal heroics. Understood?"

"Yes, Uncle Yang," the three replied in unison.

When the group of four arrived before the Seat of Divine Foresight, Yanqing was already waiting there. Seeing the four of them, he immediately came forward and greeted them with a respectful fist-in-hand salute.

"The four of you, the General and the Grand Astrologer are already waiting inside. Please, come with me."

Yanqing led the four into the Seat of Divine Foresight. Pushing open the door to Jing Yuan's office, they saw that besides Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan, a fox-like woman with blue hair was also waiting with them.

Jing Yuan was the first to greet the four and bid them sit.

"Please, members of the Express Crew, take a seat."

After everyone was seated, Jing Yuan introduced the blue-haired fox-woman at his side to the group.

"This is the Helm Master of the Sky-Faring Commission, Yukong."

Yukong and the four from the Express nodded to each other, a simple acknowledgment.

Then, Jing Yuan surveyed the room, his gaze landing on the four from the Express, and he began to get down to business.

"Next, I will explain the current situation and the arrangements to follow. You from the Astral Express may make your decision after hearing me out. If you feel this matter is inappropriate, you are free to leave. If the Luofu is fortunate enough to survive this calamity, we will surely repay the kindness of the Astral Express in the future."

"First is the matter of the Stellaron Hunters. After yesterday's interrogation and the full-force calculations by the Divination Commission's diviners, we have learned that another Stellaron Hunter has infiltrated the Luofu. Her name is Kafka. At present, we are still unclear about the Stellaron Hunters' objective, but we absolutely cannot allow them to lurk on the Luofu."

"The other matter is the Emanator of Destruction, Phantylia. We can now confirm that her goal is to join forces with the Disciples of the Medicine King hidden within the Alchemy Commission to resurrect the Ambrosial Arbor. To think that the Alchemy Commission, one of the six commissions of the Luofu, was actually infiltrated by the enemy… this is a failure of my duty as General."

After this long speech, Jing Yuan paused slightly to give Welt and the others some time to digest the information.

Welt closed his eyes, his index finger tapping lightly on the table. After a long moment, he opened his eyes, adjusted the glasses on his nose, and asked Jing Yuan in return.

"So, what arrangements does the General plan to make next?"

"Split up and turn their own scheme against them." Jing Yuan's gaze was fiery as it landed on Fu Zhu. "For the matter of hunting Kafka, I hope to receive your assistance. After all, your understanding of the Stellaron Hunters is likely far greater than the Luofu's."

Welt nodded. He felt this arrangement was quite reasonable, and the risk factor wasn't high.

"We are willing to assist with this. What about Phantylia?"

Jing Yuan hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he spoke with conviction. "No matter where Phantylia is hiding, we cannot allow her to succeed in resurrecting the Ambrosial Arbor. Therefore, I have decided… to completely eradicate the Ambrosial Arbor from the Luofu!"

Upon hearing this, Welt, March 7th, Xing, and Yukong were all stunned. Yukong even frowned and retorted, "General, if the Ambrosial Arbor is completely eradicated, the Alliance's side…"

Jing Yuan shrugged and said half-jokingly, "Between the Arbor being destroyed and the Arbor being revived, no matter how you look at it, the report for the former is easier to write, isn't it?"

What Jing Yuan didn't say was that if the Ambrosial Arbor were to be revived, the Luofu's losses would be far greater than if it were destroyed!

Of course, the other people on the Luofu could figure that out.

Yukong didn't argue further, continuing to wait for Jing Yuan to speak.

Seeing no reaction from the four members of the Astral Express, Jing Yuan continued.

"To achieve this in a short amount of time, among everyone present, I'm afraid only little friend Fu Zhu can do it."

"Me?" Fu Zhu was surprised that the Luofu couldn't handle this task, despite having numerous methods to destroy the Ambrosial Arbor.

Jing Yuan nodded. Previously, Fu Xuan had given him the axe Fu Zhu had gifted her. He had privately tried to attack the Ambrosial Arbor, but no matter how he channeled his power into the iron axe, he could only manage to chop off a one-cubic-meter-sized block of wood with a single blow, a far cry from the level of cutting down the entire tree with one swing as Fu Zhu had.

Therefore, to destroy the Ambrosial Arbor in a short amount of time and give Phantylia no chance to react, only Fu Zhu could accomplish this.

After hearing Jing Yuan's words, Welt turned his head to look at Fu Zhu. Since only Fu Zhu could do this, he had to ask for his opinion.

"Fu Zhu, what do you think? If you are unwilling, we will leave now."

At this moment, everyone present grew tense. Fu Zhu's words would decide the Luofu's next course of action.

Even Fu Xuan, who had divined the outcome beforehand, was now gripping the armrests of her chair tightly, her eyes never leaving Fu Zhu's face for a second.

Fu Zhu thought for a moment, then turned his head to look at Jing Yuan and asked probingly, "No limits on the methods?"

Jing Yuan was taken aback for a moment, but he still nodded in agreement.

"No limits."