Chapter 195: You Wouldn’t Want to Become Mara-Struck at Such a Young Age, Would You, Grand Diviner?
Having enjoyed a restful sleep, Qingque had already planned her perfect day.
Morning Mahjong with Seele, a delicious lunch, followed by another strawberry parfait (or two… one simply wouldn't be enough) at that dessert shop Seele recommended. Knowing this blissful existence couldn't last forever, Qingque was determined to indulge while she could.
Two parfaits it is!
But, as always, happy times seemed to fly by. Staring up at the all-too-familiar ceiling, Qingque sat up in bed, a moment of disorientation quickly giving way to the realization that she was back in her own body. Her dominant thought was one of profound disappointment.
That's it? That's all the time I get?
I wasn't even close to done having fun!
She was filled with a profound sense of longing, remembering the effortless good life as 'Bronya,' playing games with an adorable, good-natured little sister. Qingque wished for a time machine to whisk her back to that carefree existence.
But time marches on, and life goes on.
Accepting this reality, Qingque reluctantly threw off the covers and started her day.
There weren't any strange changes to her body, which was a relief. Though generally easygoing, she'd had a nagging worry that 'Bronya' might have done something weird to her body during the swap.
Her worries were clearly unfounded. Not only was everything normal, but Qingque felt more energetic, more… alive. The usual aches and pains, the stiff shoulders and sore back, were completely gone.
This discovery surprised her as she stood before the full-length mirror. Whoa, body swapping has benefits?
Good job, Jiang Qiao! Good job!
Having enjoyed a fantastic day and returned to an improved body, Qingque felt like she'd struck gold. The lingering disappointment of the swap's end completely vanished.
Beaming, she opened her jade shard and habitually started scrolling through the Xianzhou Miscellany.
But one glance at the headlines, and she froze.
[SHOCK! General Jing Yuan Injured!]
[Automaton Delivery System in Chaos! The Reason Is…]
[The Disadvantages of Hybrid Starskiffs and Should They Be Banned?]
…What the…?
The bizarre headlines and news stories left her dumbfounded.
Sure, the Xianzhou Miscellany was basically a massive meme aggregator, a digital circus, where a lot of things were made up. But she'd never seen anything like this before.
Frowning, she started reading through the forum posts, and her heart sank.
Anti-Matter Legion attack… Medicine Bureau collapse and discovery of a Disciples of Sanctus Medicus delve… Luofu logistics system in shambles…
What in the world? How did all this happen while I was gone?
General Jing Yuan is injured? And this… wait, Grand Diviner Fu Xuan too?
Seeing Fu Xuan's name on the Xianzhou's official list of injured, Qingque's eyes widened. She immediately opened the Interastral Peace Corporation's chat software and went straight to the Divination Commission's work group.
It was a flurry of messages discussing the attack and Fu Xuan's condition.
Scrolling through the chat logs, reading message after message, Qingque finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Grand Diviner Fu Xuan was alright—at least, not in mortal danger. But it sounded like she needed some time to recover.
Though Fu Xuan usually piled her with work, Qingque genuinely cared about the Grand Diviner.
She let out a relieved breath, but then a thought struck her, and her face lit up with excitement.
Hehe, if Grand Diviner Fu Xuan is recovering, doesn't that mean the Divination Commission will be without a Grand Diviner for a while?
Without her watching over me, I can slack off as much as I want!
"This is… awesome! What a steal!"
Her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Sure, she didn't have any vacation days, and it wouldn't be as much fun as body swapping, but without Grand Diviner Fu Xuan around, she didn't have to worry about getting caught slacking off!
Such good fortune after such an amazing experience!
Thank you, Hunt Aeon! Are you watching over me?
Overjoyed, Qingque clasped her hands together and bowed towards the Divination Commission. Grand Diviner, please, please take a long, long rest!
Just to be clear, I'm not being malicious. I just genuinely think more rest would be good for your health!
…
Meanwhile, at the Divination Commission—
"Though I was informed of the Medicine Bureau's collapse, I never imagined the scale of it." Dressed in casual clothes but with bandages visible beneath, Jing Yuan surveyed the sunken area of the Medicine Bureau, sighing and then coughing.
"Cough, cough…"
"General, let's go back," Yanqing, a Cloud Knight Guard with a bandaged arm, said, supporting him.
"Yes."
—After the Shackling Prison incident, the injured had been taken to the nearby Alchemy Commission.
Despite the Medicine Bureau collapse and the unsettling discovery of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus's hidden delve, the tranquil Alchemy Commission remained a suitable place for recuperation.
However, Jing Yuan, with his heart devoted to the Luofu, couldn't rest easy even while injured. He'd barely woken up before rushing to inspect the damage.
But upon returning to his assigned recovery quarters, he was met with a furious glare from a small figure:
"Hey! Didn't I tell you to focus on recovering?! Why did you go out again?! And not only did you go out, but you, a patient, are being helped by another patient? What, are you two trying to form a support group?"
The childish voice belonged to the 'Medicine-Wielding Dragon Girl,' Bailu. Though usually good-natured and somewhat in awe of the high-ranking General, when it came to patient care, Bailu treated everyone equally.
Disobeying doctor's orders and running around… she wouldn't hesitate to scold even the Xianzhou's highest-ranking officials!
"Haha, I insisted Yanqing accompany me. Don't blame him."
Jing Yuan's eyes softened as he looked at Bailu, taking the blame with his usual gentle smile.
Not only was he always amiable, but Bailu… a remnant of an old friend. Though her voice was still childish, it brought a wave of warmth and nostalgia, a fleeting glimpse into the past.
He couldn't help but recall the battle outside the Shackling Prison.
Perhaps due to his near brush with Mara and the lingering effects of the Six Dust Smoke, his memories of that time were hazy. Even his recollection of Baiheng [Bailu, transformed] was blurred. The only clear memory was that melodious 'Vidyadhara Cloud-Hymn.'
"Honestly… just go back and rest!" Bailu grumbled, but she couldn't bring herself to scold the smiling General. She simply urged him back with a stern expression, her childish features making her look more endearing than intimidating.
Just then, another irritated voice rang out:
"—Don't stop me!"
"Hmph, another one who won't listen!" Bailu's face darkened as she marched towards the adjacent courtyard. At Jing Yuan's gesture, Yanqing supported him and followed.
As expected, it was Fu Xuan, being held back by Cloud Knight soldiers.
For privacy, they had been assigned to separate courtyards.
"Didn't I tell you?! You need to rest and recover!" Seeing Jing Yuan and Yanqing arrive, Bailu frowned, but refrained from commenting, instead fixing Fu Xuan with an exasperated glare.
The pink-haired girl paused, then said defensively, a hint of guilt in her voice:
"…The Luofu is still in chaos, the Divination Commission has a mountain of work. As Grand Diviner, how can I just sit here and recuperate at such a critical time?!"
As Grand Diviner, Fu Xuan had a strong sense of responsibility.
In her view, if she really followed Bailu's orders and rested for months, the Divination Commission would fall apart!
"Dragon Girl, don't stop me. I only suffered minor injuries. I know my own body. Even without rest… I can just take breaks while working!" Fu Xuan tried to reason, her voice softening slightly as she realized her argument was weak.
But those words only fueled Bailu's anger.
You know your own body? Then what do you need a doctor for?!
As a doctor, and one with a rather short fuse—at least when it came to disobedient patients—Bailu was about to unleash a torrent of scolding, but Jing Yuan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head. Though confused, Bailu suppressed her frustration and let Jing Yuan step forward.
"Grand Diviner, may I have a word?"
"General! …If you're here to persuade me to rest, don't bother!" Fu Xuan's eyes widened at the sight of Jing Yuan, but she stood her ground.
After all, even the General couldn't interfere with her dedication to her duties, right?
"Sigh… Fu Xuan, how can you say that? You know the Dragon Girl is only concerned for your well-being."
"I am aware of that. However, as leaders of our respective Commissions, we should dedicate ourselves fully to the Luofu. How can we neglect our duties because of minor ailments?"
Jing Yuan sighed internally, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
This was one of the reasons he hesitated to recommend Fu Xuan for promotion. Though the Xianzhou General should, and must, be impartial and dedicated to the greater good, Fu Xuan was a bit too rigid, too stubborn, in this regard.
Coupled with her impulsive nature, lack of composure, and tendency to micromanage, he couldn't entrust her with the position of Xianzhou General just yet.
"That is not entirely correct. Rest is essential for performing your duties at your best in the future. Pushing yourself while injured, if it leads to mistakes, would be far worse."
"Just as the great Xianzhou wouldn't cease to function without a General, do you truly believe the Divination Commission cannot fulfill its duties without a Grand Diviner?" Lacking other suitable candidates, Jing Yuan could only try to reason with the conflicted Fu Xuan.
"But…"
"Fu Xuan, if you're truly concerned, you could temporarily entrust the position of Grand Diviner to someone trustworthy and capable." As Jing Yuan offered his advice, Bailu, still annoyed, seized the opportunity to add:
"Hmph, Grand Diviner, let me remind you—you're not just slightly injured. You've suffered spiritual damage. If you don't rest properly, even if you force yourself to continue, you run the risk of becoming Mara-Struck."
"You wouldn't want to become Mara-Struck at such a young age, would you, Grand Diviner?"
It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Fu Xuan's exposed shoulders seemed to tremble slightly.
"After careful consideration, I find the General and Dragon Girl's words to be quite reasonable. I was mistaken. And I apologize to the Dragon Girl for my earlier rudeness."
"Cough… It's not that I'm afraid!" Fu Xuan's cheeks flushed as she coughed, defending herself against the knowing smiles of those present.
"I'm feeling a bit tired. I'll be resting now."
—Though Fu Xuan usually feared nothing, faced with the prospect of becoming 'Mara-Struck,' she yielded.
After all, she was still so young. She didn't want to become Mara-Struck just yet!
Besides, the General's words made sense.
Recalling Jing Yuan's injuries in this battle… though he would recover, he was old. It wouldn't be long before she could assume the long-awaited position of General.
As for the now vacant position of Grand Diviner… Considering she needed months to recover from the spiritual damage caused by the Six Dust Smoke, and the General's suggestion to find a temporary replacement…
The image of 'Super-grind Qingque' hard at work flashed through her mind.
Fu Xuan instantly made up her mind.
I had been planning to promote that little sparrow and give her some experience to gain the others' respect.
Since things have come to this, might as well take a bigger step!
A smile spread across Fu Xuan's face as she quickly climbed into bed.
She trusted Qingque completely. The little sparrow's abilities were unquestionable. Her only complaint had been that frustrating 'slacker attitude' and lack of experience. Now that Qingque had seen the light, she could use this opportunity to rest and let Qingque familiarize herself with the duties of Grand Diviner.
(Just like the old saying, 'A blessing in disguise.')
While Fu Xuan was secretly pleased, outside, Jing Yuan returned to his own courtyard under Bailu's exasperated gaze and sighed.
Though he had just lectured Fu Xuan, he now faced a similar dilemma.
Even with a replacement, the Divination Commission would only be less efficient for a short time. But the Divine Strategists' Office… The most awkward thing for Jing Yuan was that he couldn't even find a temporary replacement.
He had considered the possibility of his own incapacitation.
Fu Xuan was his chosen acting General. If he were unable to perform his duties, she would take over, giving him time to recover and train his successor.
But the problem was—
Due to the urgency of the situation, Fu Xuan was also injured!
So now…
The Divine Strategists' Office was effectively leaderless.
Qingzu could temporarily handle some matters, and Jing Yuan trusted the Chief Strategist's abilities.
But what was a Chief Strategist? As the name suggested, it was someone who came up with plans.
But the Xianzhou General wasn't just a strategist; they also had to be decisive.
Being resourceful didn't necessarily mean being decisive.
Based on his understanding of Qingzu, having her take over for a week or two was fine, but for months… that would truly lead to chaos.
And unlike Fu Xuan, though protected by The Hunt's power, lessening the Six Dust Smoke's effect, Jing Yuan, due to his age, was already teetering on the edge of becoming Mara-Struck.
Even if he recovered this time, he couldn't remain Xianzhou General for much longer.
Lying in bed, Jing Yuan closed his eyes and listened to Bailu's Cloud-Hymn—it was her prescribed treatment.
Though, truth be told, the Cloud-Hymn was a newly unlocked Dragon Lord ability for her, her proficiency… questionable.
Still, the power of immortality, however faint, soothed the spiritual wounds caused by the Six Dust Smoke.
He recalled the small, masked girl—and the reports he'd received from Qingzu.
The destruction of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus' delve was undoubtedly her work. According to the Ten-Lords Commission investigators, the delve's remnants were littered with the bodies of Abundance monstrosities and Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, along with traces of Six Dust Smoke.
Based on the Artisanship Commission's analysis and the documents handed over to the Cloud Knights by that girl from beyond the Xianzhou, Guinaifen—the sheer amount of dangerous materials stored within that delve was alarming.
If the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus had succeeded in their plan, the entire Alchemy Commission might have fallen, and the Cloud Knights would have suffered heavy losses.
Even Jing Yuan, with his vast experience, had to admire the brilliance of that move—a true stroke of genius.
A direct strike at the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus' weak point, cutting off any possibility of a counterattack.
If not for the interference of that Destruction minion, all that would have been left was to arrest the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus listed in the registry. The remaining scattered remnants would pose no significant threat.
This action alone demonstrated exceptional courage, intellect, and composure—even surpassing Fu Xuan in some aspects.
After all—
From Bailu, Jing Yuan had learned that she'd known Dan Shu was the culprit all along.
If it had been Fu Xuan, she would have immediately dispatched the Cloud Knights to arrest her.
While not necessarily wrong, such a move would have alerted the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus within the Alchemy Commission, turning it into a bloody battlefield.
Even with an Emanator present, victory would come at a heavy cost.
She had even anticipated that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus might have something devastatingly effective against Cloud Knights, hence the involvement of the Ten-Lords Commission. According to Judge Xueyi, they had received an anonymous tip and immediately headed to the Divination Commission.
And indeed, they had found dangerous materials on the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus hidden within the Alchemy Commission.
Thankfully, they were the Ten-Lords Commission, professionals at dealing with Mara-Struck individuals. If it had been Cloud Knights, Dan Shu would have likely retaliated the moment she sensed something amiss.
Hah! I'm not fighting you because I can't win. But against Cloud Knights? I'd wipe the floor with them!
Honestly, Jing Yuan admitted even he wouldn't have made such a decision.
After all, the Ten-Lords Commission operated independently from the Six Commissions. Even the Xianzhou General had no authority over them.
In his place, he would have sent Cloud Knights, perhaps even having Yanqing personally lead the operation.
But even with Yanqing's combat prowess, how would they have dealt with the Six Dust Smoke?
Considering all this, Jing Yuan held the masked girl—the Diviner 'Qingque'—in high regard.
Incidentally, it was Little Sushang who had let it slip.
Fortunately, Jiang Qiao hadn't asked for secrecy. After such a significant event, as long as she remained within the Xianzhou Alliance, it was impossible to keep it hidden.
Her courage, character, and intellect were impeccable.
If not for that mask—that damned Fool's Mask—Jing Yuan might already be scheming to transfer her to the Divine Strategists' Office.
But the Fools… though he wasn't as wary of them as others, knowing their true nature, Jing Yuan couldn't help but worry that 'Qingque' was a Fool in disguise, a 'super troublemaker' hiding in plain sight.
To have that kind of person as General… While there wasn't a rule against Fools becoming Xianzhou Generals, it would undoubtedly be a disaster for everyone else.
Therefore, with all these concerns, Jing Yuan decided to observe Qingque further, ensuring she wasn't one of those seriously unhinged Fools, and to test her abilities and character thoroughly before making a decision.
Hmm… while recovering, I could meet with her privately, get to know what kind of person she truly is.
But thinking of the current predicament, he couldn't help but feel a headache.
Who could he entrust with the duties of the Divine Strategists' Office…?
He suddenly recalled the sword-wielding Cloud Knight who had dealt the final blow to [Irontomb] in that battle.
That proud, decisive figure… Sushang, was it?
He had met the girl before. A spirited Cloud Knight rookie, much like he had been once.
And… Jing Yuan remembered Sushang's background. Her parents seemed to be high-ranking officials on the Yaoging Xianzhou… If so, as their daughter, Sushang must be quite capable, right?
Remembering Yaoguang, the [Warrior-Sage General] of the Yaoging Xianzhou, he suddenly felt the two were quite similar. Perhaps… her abilities were also worth noting?
In that case, might as well let her try.
With Qingzu by her side, nothing should go wrong.
Driven by the desire to nurture new talent, and trusting that impressive glimpse of her potential, Jing Yuan made this bold decision.