Chapter 121: Party’s Over, Everyone’s Fine
Time passed day by day.
In the large estate provided by Jing Yuan, Jingliu taught March 7th and Yan Qing sword practice in the courtyard. In the corner, Blade set up a forging furnace to craft the weapon he promised Meng Huaifeng, and by the way, maintained Jing Yuan’s Stone Fire Dream Body and Dan Heng’s Ji Yun Spear.
On the other side, Jing Yuan and Dan Heng were playing chess, while Bai Heng watched cartoons in the room and occasionally played games.
Bai Heng sometimes watched Jingliu teach her disciples, sometimes handed Blade a cup of water and wiped his sweat, or gave bad ideas to the two playing chess, or chased dramas and played games with Bai Heng.
It was all about spreading the rain and dew evenly.
Blade turned his head to look at Bai Heng. The forging hammer in his hand swung even more forcefully. After smashing a few times, he couldn’t help turning his head to look again, repeating the cycle.
Dan Heng suddenly grabbed Jing Yuan’s hand, pried a chess piece from it, and placed it back on the board. He glared at Jing Yuan angrily. Jing Yuan looked back at Dan Heng without any embarrassment, while his other hand secretly took another chess piece.
“Whoosh.”
A burst of sword energy shot next to Jing Yuan’s hand, startling Jing Yuan into quickly putting the chess piece back.
The group didn’t stay cooped up in the estate all the time. They occasionally went out shopping, checked out the current Xianzhou, and by the way, patronized Meng Huaifeng’s business.
Deep down, they were still somewhat unwilling and wanted to see if restarting could change the future.
Jingliu quickly dealt with Hulei and left the battlefield without waiting to completely eliminate Buli Ren, heading directly to support Bai Heng and successfully holding out until Teng Xiao arrived.
With the Divine Lord Jing Yuan making his move, the appearance of the second Hunt Envoy routed the Abundance army completely.
Dan Heng acted cautiously, so the army wasn’t trapped by Shu Hu’s sudden ambush. This allowed him to avoid forcibly holding Shu Hu and fighting to the death. With NPC Bai Heng’s help, he maneuvered and delayed, successfully holding out until Teng Xiao’s support.
Only Blade, a large part of whose strength lay in his immortality, lacked sufficient lethality. By the time he reached Bai Heng’s battlefield, NPC Dan Feng had gone berserk. He was also completely countered by the Envoy of Abundance Shu Hu. In the end, it was NPC Bai Heng who went all-in.
Blade, who woke from the Storytelling Oddity covered in black qi, was lucky that Bai Heng was right beside him, preventing him from falling into the Demonic Yin Body.
It had to be said that, for Blade, Bai Heng was even more effective than Kafka’s Word Spirit Technique.
Dan Heng also took everyone to visit the Stellar Train. The train warmly hosted Bai Heng, this wild Nameless, fulfilling her long-cherished wish.
Dan Heng couldn’t resist being a bit scheming too. He secretly asked Himeko to make a few cups of hand-ground coffee and provided them exclusively to Blade.
Blade’s face was expressionless, but his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Dan Heng enthusiastically refilled Blade’s cup. Blade shot dagger-like glares at Dan Heng, but not wanting to ruin Bai Heng’s mood, he gritted his teeth and continued drinking with a blank expression.
While playing in Golden Lane, a Suiyang crashed into little Bai Heng’s body.
Just as Suiyang was tempting little Bai Heng to play in the mental world, the five had already surrounded little Bai Heng in a circle.
Although Bai Heng now had a physical body and could eat and drink, she was actually a mental energy body, much like Suiyang.
Bai Heng’s body vanished, and the next moment she appeared in little Bai Heng’s mental world.
Before Suiyang could react, Bai Heng piloted a star-skiff and rammed it out of the mental world.
Jing Yuan, who was already prepared, grabbed Suiyang in his hand.
This unlucky bastard dared to possess Bai Heng right in front of the Cloudy Five Warriors. Even Huanlong would have to admire its guts.
Tenth day, Lin Yuan Realm Square.
“Cheers!”
March 7th took a camera and snapped a group photo of the five toasting together.
Night, the estate.
Lying in bed, Jing Yuan held the group photo in front of his eyes, unable to sleep all night.
“The time has come. Can’t delay any longer.” Jing Yuan murmured, putting away the photo and getting up from bed.
“Knock knock.”
Jing Yuan knocked on Jingliu’s room door.
“Creak.”
The door opened quickly.
“You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting a long time.” Under the moonlight, Jingliu looked like a celestial being, speaking coolly.
Clearly, she hadn’t been sleeping either.
“Master, you… leave.” Jing Yuan opened his mouth, then changed his mind at the last moment.
“Oh? I thought you came to arrest me.” Jingliu smiled faintly. “Luocha has already been caught by your Grand Diviner. Aren’t you afraid of being held accountable by the Alliance if you let me go?”
“Worst case, I just stop being General. Honestly, I’m tired too. Fu Qing is still a bit green, but she can barely handle things on her own now.” Jing Yuan said indifferently.
Even if he wasn’t General anymore, it wasn’t like he was dead. If something really happened to Luofu, he could still help.
“But my purpose in coming here was to be captured by the Xianzhou.” Jingliu said wistfully.
“I don’t know what plans you have with that person, but she’s back now. Can’t you give it up?” Jing Yuan asked.
“No.” A red glow flashed in Jingliu’s eyes. “The war of the gods is inevitable. The healer must die!”
Jing Yuan closed his eyes slightly. This was probably the only obsession sustaining Jingliu now, the thing that allowed her to regain sanity amid the Demonic Yin Body. Her will was so firm that even Bai Heng probably couldn’t change her mind.
“I understand. I’ll send someone to take you to the Prison of Torment.” Jing Yuan couldn’t help asking, “Will you die?”
“At least not before seeing the healer fall.” Jingliu said.
“If the plan succeeds and you escape the Alliance, find time to contact Bai Heng more. Let her know you’re not dead, so she doesn’t blame me later.” Jing Yuan said grumpily.
“I would anyway, even without you saying.”
Jing Yuan waved his hand, and two Cloud Cavalry stepped behind Jingliu.
Jingliu held out her hands together.
“No need.” Jing Yuan shook his head. “Take… the prisoner to the Prison of Torment.”
Jing Yuan watched Jingliu’s figure disappear completely, then walked to Blade’s room, feeling a slight ache in his heart, utterly uncomfortable.
He stood there for a long time. Just as Jing Yuan was about to knock, the door opened, and Blade appeared.
“You should go too. Pretend I never saw you.” Jing Yuan said.
Blade wasn’t just wanted by The Company; he was also wanted by the Alliance, an accomplice in the Moonlit Rebellion.
“I’m not leaving.” Blade shook his head.
“Not leaving? Give me a reason I can pardon you for.” Like Dan Heng.
“None.” Blade shook his head again.
Jing Yuan’s anger flared. He grabbed Blade’s collar and growled in a low voice, “Not leaving, no reason? Then off to the Prison of Torment!”
He could suppress an Alliance fugitive appearing on the Xianzhou for a while, but if he stayed indefinitely, even as General, Jing Yuan couldn’t turn a blind eye.
“Even the Prison of Torment won’t make me leave.”
Jing Yuan shoved him hard, sending Blade staggering to the ground.
“You think your crimes can be settled with a short stint in the Prison of Torment? Let me tell you, no matter how long your lifespan, you’ll never get out in this lifetime!” Jing Yuan was burning with rage but kept his voice low.
“Get out before I change my mind!” Jing Yuan turned his back to Blade.
Jingliu had fallen to the Demonic Yin Body out of necessity. Dan Heng was a reincarnation who had shed his scales. Only Blade remained one of the prime culprits behind the Moonlit Rebellion.
Jing Yuan couldn’t treat him as gently as he did Jingliu.
Blade silently stood up. He just wanted to be closer to Bai Heng. Even in the Prison of Torment, it didn’t matter—as long as he knew Bai Heng was on the same Xianzhou, it eased his tormented mind somewhat.
As for the punishments and torment in the Prison of Torment, that was even better. Ideally, they’d kill him off from time to time.
“Leave the Xianzhou, and you can still contact Bai Heng online. Even if you sneak back occasionally, I can turn a blind eye. But you absolutely can’t stay openly on the Xianzhou forever.” Jing Yuan advised again.
Blade’s heart wavered slightly—one option brought physical closeness, the other emotional exchange.
Hundreds of years of Demonic Yin Body madness had turned him utterly taciturn. He didn’t know what he could even talk about with Bai Heng. Physical proximity seemed to comfort him more.
He couldn’t decide.
“Stelle, you’re a Stellar Core Hunter now. Can you tell me what the Stellar Core Hunters’ ultimate goal is?” Bai Heng had woken up at some point and walked to Blade’s side to ask.
“In the future, we will face Destruction’s Nanook head-on. In most futures, fate ends right there. But if we follow Elio’s script, there will ultimately be a slim chance of survival. The Stellar Core Hunters exist to help Elio complete his script.”
Blade recited it verbatim. These were the lines from the short script segment Elio gave him when he decided to come to the Xianzhou.
“Wow, so that means you’re saving the world… no, the universe? That’s so cool!” Bai Heng exclaimed, her lively eyes looking at Blade with adoration.
Blade unconsciously straightened his back. Dan Heng leaned against the doorframe thoughtfully. Jing Yuan frowned slightly. Was that really the Stellar Core Hunters’ goal?
“So, Stelle, you can’t be locked in the Prison of Torment. What if without you, the Stellar Core Hunters fail their goal? Then I’d be the sinner who doomed the universe. So, even for my sake, go back and keep at it. I’m looking forward to the day you save the universe.” Bai Heng encouraged.
“Plus, you have companions in the Stellar Core Hunters, right? Don’t worry or disappoint them.” Bai Heng placed her hand on Blade’s shoulder.
Images of Kafka, Silver Wolf, and Sam flashed in Blade’s mind.
Jing Yuan added, “If that future day comes when we face Destruction’s Nanook, and the Stellar Core Hunters make outstanding contributions, your warrant can be completely lifted. You can return to the Xianzhou openly.”
Stay imprisoned in the Prison of Torment for life, or have hope outside of returning to her side in the future?
Did this even need choosing?
“I understand.” Blade gave Bai Heng one last reluctant glance and turned to leave.
Blade took out his mobile phone and contacted Silver Wolf: “Come pick me up.”
Silver Wolf raised an eyebrow. He was actually coming back?
『Give Me Back My 76 Accounts: Are you messing with me?』
『Elio: No.』
『Give Me Back My 76 Accounts: Then why did Blade choose to come back?』
『Elio: Of course because coming back is the better outcome for him.』
『Give Me Back My 76 Accounts: …』
The black cat licked its paw. Blade was single-mindedly seeking death and cared about nothing else except stabbing Dan Heng. He knew jack about the Stellar Core Hunters’ ultimate goal. If not told specifically, there was a high probability he’d really move into the Prison of Torment.
The sky gradually brightened. Jing Yuan stretched.
“Back to work already? I’m really not used to it.” Jing Yuan sighed.
“To me, you just became General and then skipped work for ten days straight. Totally slacking off. I’ve never seen a General like you.” Bai Heng teased.
“Now you have.” Jing Yuan shrugged.
“Go on. Even with the Grand Diviner covering for you, so many days must have piled up problems.” Bai Heng shooed him.
“I should go too.” Dan Heng walked to Jing Yuan’s side. Taking care of the lonely elders wasn’t easy, but luckily he hadn’t been idle.
“Dan Heng, thanks for these days. Sorry for taking up so much of your time.” Bai Heng said.
“No trouble. I taught Bai Heng everything she needs to know. From now on, she’s the real Dragon Lord.” Dan Heng smiled.
“Sigh, here.” Jing Yuan nudged Dan Heng with his hand and stuffed him a piece of paper.
“What’s this?” Dan Heng took it and saw it was full of Dragon Master names. His face stiffened slightly.
“I think, with Bai Heng’s current power and Bai Heng helping her, you don’t need to get involved anymore.” Dan Heng’s mouth twitched.
“No need to bother twice. I’ve been annoyed with those guys for a while. Plus, can you bear for little Bai Heng to see blood? If she acts, the Sustainers of the Hunt might reject her, which isn’t good for her leading them later. You’re different—board the Stellar Train and leave, and they can’t touch you.” Jing Yuan said.
“You really don’t hold back.” Dan Heng was speechless.
Jing Yuan and Dan Heng went off to their respective duties. Bai Heng watched their figures disappear, then glanced at the now-empty courtyard. A tear involuntarily fell.
“Sister, are you crying?” Little Bai Heng asked. The big lock was gone from her tail.
“No, the wind’s too strong. Got something in my eye.” Bai Heng squatted down and patted Bai Heng’s head.
It really couldn’t go back.
They were just putting on a show in front of her, even hiding many things from her.
She knew, and they knew she knew.
They all had their own paths to follow, things they must do. It could never be like before.
But everyone was still around, and that was good enough.
Bless everyone to be safe and get what they wish for.
……
Golden Man Alley Chamber of Commerce, now thriving under Stelle’s help, had gotten on track with profits steadily rising.
Meanwhile, Scott watched the increasingly prosperous chamber, anxious and burning with frustration.
“What to do? What to do? I was already about to face The Company’s punishment. If this messes up too, it’ll be even harder to turn things around. But I’ve tried every trick, and that damned Nameless solved them all. What can I do?”
A Suiyang silently entered Scott’s body.
“Do you want a promotion and raise? Do you want to become general manager? Do you want to reach the peak of your life?”
This voice suddenly rang in Scott’s ears.
“Yes, I want it so bad!”
“Then, for that promotion, what are you willing to do?”
“Anything! No holds barred! Even if it’s my own dad, I’ll report him without hesitation. Even my own brothers, I’ll frame them without a second thought. Even the person I like most, if they block my path, I’ll kick them aside without mercy! I, lone wolf Scott, will step by step, step by step, step by step climb to the top! I’ll be P45!” Scott said with a ferocious expression.
“Good! Excellent! I like talents like you. With my help, you’ll definitely become general manager, CEO, marry a rich beauty, and reach the peak of life!” The powerful one tempted. It, the powerful one, loved that intense craving for power and status!
“Perfect, I have a problem right now. You say you can help—what should I do?” Scott asked.
“First, go water the Golden Man Alley Chamber of Commerce’s money tree.” The powerful one suggested.
“Good! Uh? Wait, what did you say?” Scott thought he’d misheard.
“Water their money tree.”
“Isn’t that a bit petty?” Scott questioned.
“What do you know? This destroys their feng shui fortune. Once their feng shui fortune is ruined, nothing will go right for them. They’ll soon face all sorts of problems, and things will take a sharp turn for the worse.” The powerful one explained.
“I see!” Scott had a realization. “I’ll send someone… no, this is important. I’ll do it myself!”
Two things to tell the readers.
1, Added a prologue to the public chapters: New World Pioneer Agreement. But my skills are limited, just a first draft. If interested, comment to refine it together. I’ll update it gradually. Though it’s a prologue, it’s after chapter 83. Tomorrow I’ll ask the editor if we can reorder chapters—I can’t do it myself.
2, Planning to rename the book to Stellar Train’s All Heavens Journey. Readers, don’t get lost. Editor says the current title is unclear—doesn’t explain taking the Stellar Train or that it’s All Heavens lit, so it might filter out some readers. Planning to change it.
That’s it.
