Sunlight, warm and inviting, poured through the latticework of the window, painting patterns on the floor.
Daziel stirred, his eyes fluttering open. The first thing he saw was Sushang's face, serene in sleep.
She was curled up against him like a contented puppy, her breaths soft and regular.
He couldn't bring himself to disturb her. Carefully, he reached for his phone with his free hand and opened his messages.
Two unread. One was from the Astral Express group chat.
[Astral Express Family]
[Dan Heng]: I've received an unsigned invitation. It says, "To the Inverted Ancient Sea, to revisit old haunts... five may go, but only three will pay the price." It seems I need to head to the Xianzhou and settle some unfinished business from the past.
[Dan Heng]: @Daziel, how are things on your end? Need any assistance?
Help from Dan Heng?
Daziel paused, considering...
The old ties, the bonds of the High-Cloud Quintet, were like invisible threads, still connecting them.
Even though they were practically strangers now, there was no telling how Jingliu might react to seeing Dan Heng. She might even be triggered into a Mara-Struck state, making an already delicate situation far worse.
With that in mind, Daziel typed his reply—
[Daziel]: I'm good for now, but I'll definitely reach out if that changes. Thanks, Dan Heng.
Almost immediately, March 7th responded.
[March 7th]: Daziel, why aren't you back yet?! Do you have any idea how I've been coping?! {Crying}
[March 7th]: Don't tell me you're going to go all lone wolf on us again like you did in Belobog?!
[Daziel]: I'm really okay, I've got this under control for the moment. When I'm finished, I'll come back with Dan Heng. {Pat pat}
[March 7th]: Then I'm holding Dan Heng responsible for keeping an eye on you! You two better come back together {Pouting}.
[Daziel]: {Understood}
[Dan Heng]: {Understood}
The other message was from the Diviner.
Daziel opened his private chat with Fu Xuan.
[Fu Xuan]: This Seat has already informed the General of everything. He agrees that, given the Divination Commission's findings, we should let events unfold. We need not be constrained by the old ties of the High-Cloud Quintet. Act according to this Seat's and your own judgment.
Daziel sent a quick message—
[Daziel]: So, Diviner, what's our next move?
[Fu Xuan]: This Seat is currently unavailable, do not disturb (automatic reply).
Two minutes later, a new message arrived.
[Fu Xuan]: The General has invited the old members of the High-Cloud Quintet to a gathering. Jingliu will undoubtedly attend. This Seat has made some calculations; she should have already arrived on the Xianzhou, though her precise location remains elusive.
Daziel thought for a moment, then replied—
[Daziel]: If it's just Jingliu's movements, I might have an idea where she is. I believe she'll be near the Cloudford.
[Fu Xuan]: ?
[Fu Xuan]: How can you be so certain of her exact location?
[Daziel]: ..........A certain… anonymous diviner informed me.
[Fu Xuan]: Oh? This diviner possesses remarkable abilities. Their previous deduction that you were the key to repairing the Matrix of Prescience was already astounding. Even this Seat, with the Matrix, could only discern that Jingliu was on the Xianzhou. Further details were beyond my grasp. If the opportunity arises, you must introduce me. I would be eager to learn from them.
Daziel felt a headache brewing.
Where was he supposed to find this imaginary diviner?!
The so-called method for repairing the Matrix was just a hint from the system.
And his knowledge of Jingliu's location was purely based on his familiarity with the "A Frosty Blade's Trial" and "Clouds Leave No Trace" quests.
In "A Frosty Blade's Trial," the young Yanqing first encountered Jingliu's sharp sword intent in Cloudford. They clashed above Cloudford, testing each other's skills by slaying Abundance sprits. Yanqing, though defeated, bravely took a blow from her, and then Jingliu vanished like the wind.
And "Clouds Leave No Trace" is the location the other for members of the High-Cloud Quintet, at the end of this story, Jingliu will "plead guilty" and will be escorted by the Xianzhou Cloud Knights, away from Luofu Xianzhou.
In short, Daziel knew Jingliu's potential location because he'd seen the script.
[Daziel]: That diviner is… elusive. I truly can't track them down. Our encounters are purely by chance.
[Fu Xuan]: {What a pity}
[Daziel]: We need to act swiftly. The four members of the High-Cloud Quintet should all be on the Xianzhou now. We should intercept Jingliu before they meet.
[Fu Xuan]: Intercept? That's a peculiar way to phrase it...
[Daziel]: Ahem, well, regardless, we need to dissuade Jingliu from going to Scalegorge Waterscape. According to that diviner's prediction, Jingliu intends to atone for her past mistakes by voluntarily surrendering and being taken to the Xianzhou headquarters, the "Shackling Prison." If things follow that path, we won't be able to see her again.
[Fu Xuan]: Tsk, if your words prove true, then this Seat's actions would constitute a betrayal of the Xianzhou... No matter. I would rather trust the calculations of the Matrix of Prescience. The future of the Luofu Xianzhou must not be jeopardized.
[Fu Xuan]: This Seat will indulge you this once, as the General said, all is permitted!
[Daziel]: Then I'll need your assistance, Diviner. Please come with me.
[Fu Xuan]: This Seat is still at the Divination Commission. You go on ahead. I'll be there shortly.
[Fu Xuan]: By the way, when you pass by Evernight, get this Seat a sweet drink. Full sugar, no ice, no toppings.
[Daziel]: ?
[Daziel]: Seriously, Diviner? You're thinking about sweet drinks at a time like this?
[Fu Xuan]: Who knows how long this Seat will be waiting with you? What's wrong with enjoying a refreshing beverage?! {Pouting}
[Daziel]: Alright, alright, I surrender...
Daziel closed the chat window with a sigh.
He carefully shifted, trying to extract himself from Sushang's embrace without waking her.
"Mmm........." Sushang seemed to sense his movement, and with a soft murmur, she tightened her grip, hugging him even closer.
Daziel gently stroked her silky, long hair, a wave of frustration washing over him.
Damn it, this was ridiculous! Sushang was adorable, yes, but she couldn't just cling to him constantly! He had important matters to attend to!
He gently nudged her. "Sushang, wake up. It's time to get up."
Sushang drowsily opened her eyes, rubbing them sleepily. Her voice was slightly hoarse. "Master.........good morning........."
"Good morning," Daziel replied. "Get up, please. I have to go and take care of something."
"No!" Sushang shook her head playfully, burying her face in his chest and nuzzling him. "Stay with me a little longer... or we could..."
"No, this is really important," Daziel explained patiently. "Please, be good and listen."
Sushang lifted her head, her large eyes filled with a pleading look. "Where is Master going? Can I come along?"
Daziel hesitated, then shook his head. "No, it's dangerous. You can't."
Seriously? Take Sushang to fight Jingliu?
What a joke.
"Dangerous?" A flicker of worry crossed Sushang's eyes. "Then Master must be careful!"
"Don't worry, I will be," he reassured her. "You stay at the inn and wait for my return."
Sushang reluctantly crawled out of his arms, pouting slightly. "Okay, then Master must come back soon!"
"Mm." Daziel nodded and got up to get dressed.
Sushang sat on the bed, watching his back, her eyes filled with longing.
Daziel reached the door, glanced back at her, and said, "I'm leaving now."
"Mm, see you later, Master!" Sushang waved.
Daziel opened the door and stepped out.
Cloudford Pier. The sun beat down mercilessly.
The midday heat was relentless, baking the earth.
Daziel and Fu Xuan were crouched in a shadowed corner of the pier, leaning against the bulk of some shipping containers, seeking refuge in the meager shade.
A faint breeze stirred, offering a momentary respite from the heat, but it did little to ease Fu Xuan's growing impatience.
Her small frame shifted restlessly, her delicate eyebrows knit together in a frown. She sucked on the straw of her Xianren Kuaile Cha (Immortal's Delight Tea).
The rich, sweet tea flooded her mouth, the sugary taste spreading across her tongue, momentarily calming her restless spirit.
Closing her eyes with a sigh of satisfaction, Fu Xuan finally softened her tone. She turned to look at the remarkably calm Daziel beside her and complained, "Daziel, how much longer? The sun is scorching. Are you certain Jingliu will even show up?"
"If it weren't for that mystic's prediction proving accurate last time, this Seat would truly suspect you were playing some kind of prank, deliberately trying to amuse yourself at my expense!"
Daziel maintained his focused expression, his gaze sharp and unwavering, fixed on every subtle movement at the pier's entrance.
He heard Fu Xuan's slightly petulant complaint, turned his head slightly, and a reassuring smile played on his lips. He gently patted her slender shoulder and whispered, "Diviner, patience. Just a little longer. I'm confident Jingliu will appear."
Despite his words, a sliver of doubt lingered in Daziel's mind.
After all, now that the world of Honkai: Star Rail had become real, had the plot veered off its predetermined course?
He'd already witnessed the power of the butterfly effect.
Who knew if Jingliu might appear somewhere else entirely?
Just as his thoughts were spiraling, an almost imperceptible sound reached his ears.
It was so faint it was barely there, like the whisper of a breeze against metal, or the slight whoosh of a sharp blade slicing through the air.
Daziel instantly registered the subtle sound, his senses snapping to full alert.
Misfortune Sense triggered!
"Diviner, put down the drink! Something's happening!"
His voice was low, a hint of barely contained excitement in his tone. He swiftly pulled up Fu Xuan, who was still savoring the sweetness of her drink, his movements crisp and decisive.
Fu Xuan, completely engrossed in the cool, sugary delight, was caught off guard. Her small body was almost lifted off the ground by Daziel's sudden movement, throwing her completely off balance.
She let out a startled cry, her Xianren Kuaile Cha nearly flying from her hand, her legs, clad in white stockings, kicking wildly in the air.
"Stop, stop, stop! Daziel! Are you trying to strangle this Seat!?"
Fu Xuan shrieked, a mixture of panic and childish anger in her voice, her face flushed.
Daziel, however, couldn't afford to soothe the flustered Diviner. He hauled Fu Xuan, as if she were a delicate doll, towards the source of the sound.
They concealed themselves behind a large shipping container, held their breath, and carefully peered out.
The sight that greeted them made Daziel's pupils contract, his heart pounding in his chest.
Their long-awaited target had finally appeared—Jingliu stood in the center of the pier.
Her stance was as straight and unwavering as a sword, a simple, elegant blue-black dress clinging to her slender yet powerful frame.
A black blindfold covered her eyes, but it did nothing to conceal the chilling, sharp aura emanating from her, the very air around her seemed to vibrate with it.
She held a longsword of ancient design, its blade shimmering with a cold, spectral light, as if it could freeze the very air around it, radiating waves of chilling intent. At Jingliu's feet lay several corpses of Abundance sprits, their foul-smelling blood staining the ground, emitting a nauseating stench. Each corpse displayed a chilling consistency: all were cleaved in two with a single stroke, the cuts smooth as polished glass, utterly clean and decisive. Even from a distance, Daziel could feel the icy, bone-chilling aura radiating from Jingliu, threatening to freeze everything in its path.
In the oppressive summer heat, the sensation of that chill sent a shiver down Daziel's spine, filling him with a sense of awe.
Just then, Jingliu's ears twitched, like the most precise of radars, detecting the peeking from their hiding place.
She slowly turned her head, her blindfolded eyes seeming to possess the power to penetrate all obstacles, her gaze piercing through the containers, locking directly onto Daziel and Fu Xuan.
"You two. Are you here for me? You've been lurking for quite some time. It's time to reveal yourselves."
Jingliu's voice was cold and calm, like the still surface of a frozen pool, devoid of ripples, yet containing an undeniable pressure.
This was not an invitation; it was a command.
Daziel's heart skipped a beat, admiring Jingliu's perception, which was far beyond anything he'd imagined.
Since they'd already been discovered, further concealment was pointless. It would only make them appear cowardly.
He simply stepped out from behind the container, pulling the still-somewhat-dazed Fu Xuan with him.
Fu Xuan clearly hadn't fully recovered, still muttering her grievances, "Wait, this Seat's sweet drink spilled... And you've rumpled my clothes. You're so incredibly rude."
Daziel released Fu Xuan's arm, allowing her to adjust her appearance.
He himself stood tall, a polite smile on his face as he addressed Jingliu, who stood a short distance away. He bowed slightly and said in a clear voice, "I have long admired your legendary reputation, Jingliu of the High-Cloud Quintet, slayer of countless Abundance creatures. The Wingweavers' feathered guardian, the Borisin's wolf-father, even the towering Automatons – all fell beneath your blade. Your fame is truly illustrious, is it not?"
Jingliu listened to Daziel's slightly flattering words, her expression remaining impassive, as if he were discussing someone else entirely.
She spoke softly, her voice still carrying that chilling edge, "Oh? It seems you're familiar with my past. But that's all ancient history. Now, I am merely a sinner, burdened by a heavy debt."
Daziel's heart sank slightly. Jingliu's demeanor, though seemingly calm, radiated a sense of detachment that kept people at arm's length, along with an indescribable weight of pressure and sorrow.
"It's good that you know you're a sinner!"
Fu Xuan had finally managed to smooth out her slightly ruffled clothes. Hearing Jingliu's words, she immediately snorted with pride. Hands on her hips, her delicate face filled with a sense of righteous indignation, she lifted her chin and declared imperiously, "You are currently a wanted criminal on the Xianzhou. Everyone has the right to bring you to justice! I advise you to listen to us obediently, understood?"
The diminutive Fu Xuan, despite her size, radiated authority. Head held high, she projected the very essence of a Diviner.
Jingliu, however, seemed oblivious to Fu Xuan's almost childlike accusations. Her gaze remained fixed on Daziel, her voice a study in composure. "Tell me, why have you sought me out? Are you here to arrest me, to bring me to justice?"
A fleeting, self-deprecating smile touched the corner of her lips. "I advise you both to save your strength. I came to the Xianzhou only to see a few old friends, to settle some old scores. Once that's done, I intend to present myself at the Seat of Divine Foresight and answer for my actions."
Daziel drew a deep breath, shifting his weight to ease the stiffness from his prolonged crouch. He met Jingliu's blindfolded gaze, his voice grave. "No. You cannot see them."
He paused, carefully choosing his next words. "I know you arrived on the Xianzhou with Luocha, ostensibly to surrender and confess. But the truth is, you plan to use the power of the 'Ten-Lords' Decree' to infiltrate the Shackling Prison. Your goal is a direct confrontation with the Six Marshals, and even the Marshal himself. You intend to seize the power to kill the Abundance. Am I correct?"
Vigilance.
Daziel's words shattered the calm like a thunderclap, sending ripples of tension through the air.
Jingliu's previously serene face finally changed. The ice-like composure cracked, revealing an expression of disbelief, shock, and, most importantly, vigilance.
"You… who are you?"
Jingliu's voice, though still clear, had risen in pitch, betraying an undisguised sense of urgency. "How could you possibly know this? We believed we had kept our plans completely secret!"
Daziel started to explain, but Fu Xuan, ever eager, cut him off. Hands on her hips, she tilted her small head back proudly, her voice ringing out clear and strong. "I am Fu Xuan, Diviner of the Xianzhou Luofu's Divination Commission!"
She pointed a slender finger at Daziel. "And this is Daziel, a Nameless of the Astral Express. I once glimpsed his future through the Matrix of Prescience, and within it, I saw you…"
Fu Xuan's voice trailed off, as if struggling to recall the hazy images from the Matrix. A complex, almost unreadable emotion flickered across her delicate features.
"In his timeline, you eventually wielded power comparable to a top-tier Emanator, far exceeding your current strength."
At Fu Xuan's words, Jingliu's eyebrows arched slightly, a spark of interest igniting in her eyes. Her tone softened, almost gentle. "Oh? How fascinating. Little girl, please, continue."
"Hmph! Don't think that just because you were the General's teacher, you can address me with such condescension!"
Fu Xuan pouted, her rosy lips forming a small, dissatisfied "o". Her delicate face was a picture of displeasure, and she mumbled her complaint under her breath.
"In the future the Matrix of Prescience revealed, you were locked in battle with some terrifying enemy. The mere shockwaves of that fight, in the form of intense frost, nearly froze the entire Luofu Xianzhou solid, causing widespread death and devastation. We don't know the identity of this enemy, but we can be certain that its threat level far surpasses even that of the current Aeon of Abundance. It is a catastrophe of unimaginable scale."
Daziel added, at an opportune moment, "If you proceed with your original plan, you and I will have no further contact for a very long time, and the future predicted by the Matrix of Prescience will cease to be. That is why we are here: to persuade you to abandon your plan to surrender and confess."
Jingliu listened to Daziel and Fu Xuan's explanation in silence. After a long moment, she suddenly lifted her face to the sky and unleashed a peal of clear, ringing laughter.
"Hahaha… Interesting, interesting, truly… too interesting!"
Her laughter echoed across the deserted pier, laced with an undercurrent of something wild and unrestrained.
"I can sense the truth in your words. No one could concoct such a bizarre, absurd tale, yet one that resonates with a strange sense of fate, unless it were true."
Jingliu's laughter gradually subsided, replaced by a growing complexity of emotion in her voice.
"But even if everything you say is true, how can I simply discard years of meticulous planning based solely on your words? Is that… is that even possible?!"
Her voice dropped, carrying a weight of determination, helplessness, and a deep, unyielding struggle.
_____
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