Hua didn't know what to say for a moment. She could only keep up a flawless smile and slowly walk toward Jingliu.
In an instant, she came up with a countermeasure, respond to all changes by sticking to the same stance.
The guardian in the photo looks exactly the same as the diviner of the Divination Commission?
Don't ask. If you do, the answer is it's hereditary looks.
Taking ten thousand steps back, even if they follow that photo and dig up the list of members who represented the Xianzhou at the Interstellar Community conference in that era…
Even if they see the obituary from nearly a thousand years ago and learn the name of the former marshal…
It doesn't matter.
They are the Xianzhou Alliance. Xianzhou people don't need to avoid using their leaders' names.
In that obituary, aside from the name, there's nothing else.
As long as the name and face don't match up, everything can still be explained.
Hua steadied herself, but the moment she clearly saw the interface displayed on Jingliu's jade device, the smile on her face instantly froze.
That was internal office software used within the Xianzhou.
What Jingliu opened was the account the guardian had registered and used back when he was serving as the Xianzhou marshal.
If it were just the account… that wouldn't be a problem.
But… she had changed the system's default black-and-white profile picture.
Back then, the generals couldn't accept the news of that person's death and still kept the habit of sending messages to him.
Hua didn't want them to feel sad, so every so often she would change the profile picture.
Just like… that person had never left.
It didn't take Jingliu long. Among all the Xianzhou people who shared the similar name as her lover, she quickly found this account.
It had no affiliated department and no direct superior.
Then his identity spoke for itself.
Jingliu lowered her eyes, waves crashing violently in her heart.
That was the Xianzhou marshal she had brushed past in childhood, never seeing his face clearly.
And also the lover who had been so close to her before departure.
He wore a white ceremonial military uniform, his brows and eyes carrying a gentle smile.
Through the jade device screen, Jingliu unconsciously rubbed her fingertip against his cheek.
Her movement suddenly paused, and her gaze shifted downward.
[As of Star Calendar year 6302, total online working time accumulated: 21.9 million system hours]
Jingliu looked up, taking in Hua's ever-changing expression, and sighed. "Looks like they're the same person."
Hua heard the certainty in Jingliu's tone and sighed as well.
"I'm sorry…"
Jingliu put away the jade device.
The marshal had said the two of them had no blood relation, that it was a relationship between guardian and ward.
As long as Zero wanted, he could take over the position of marshal at any time.
The marshal hadn't lied to Jingliu.
It was just a play on words.
Jingliu thought back to everything between herself and Zero, and for a moment, she didn't know how to describe what she was feeling.
Anger? Or… a chill in her heart? Embarrassment?
She had known from early on that Zero had his own secrets and had been waiting all along.
She just never expected… his identity to be this special.
All kinds of indescribable emotions, along with the moments they had spent together, flashed rapidly through her mind.
When Zero received those gifts, when he was being protected by her, what had he been thinking?
Now wasn't the time to think about these questions.
She was a Cloud Knight. She shouldn't be immersed in love.
With that thought, Jingliu quickly pulled herself out of her emotions and said calmly, "There's no need for the marshal to apologize to me."
Hua felt a bad premonition when she heard that.
Just as she was about to say something in defense of herself and the guardian, Jingliu turned around, went back to where she had been standing, picked up one of the document envelopes, then returned and handed it to Hua.
Hua squeezed the envelope, recognizing from its thickness that it was the guardian's gift agreement.
Not materials needed for marriage.
Hua knew there was still room to turn things around.
Method one: lay out the guardian's mental state completely.
If it was really as that person said, that Jingliu was someone with normal values, she would never bring up a breakup at such a critical moment.
Then Hua remembered Akivili's evaluation.
The Aeon said the guardian had extremely high expectations for love, along with overly idealized assumptions.
To put it bluntly, the guardian hadn't been in a relationship for thousands of years. Like a child who believes in Santa Claus, his mental age in this regard was only in his teens, full of unrealistic fantasies about love.
Moral pressure might work, but that would shatter a child's fantasy! Would that really last?
Hua had no choice but to switch to method two.
Let Jingliu make the choice herself.
Hua said softly, "Do you want to see him?"
"If you don't… then let Tengxiao go instead."
Some people would hear that as consideration for a subordinate. Others would think it was setting a trap.
If someone let personal feelings affect their state while carrying out official duties, then their position would be finished.
Hua wouldn't set traps for her subordinates.
And Jingliu wasn't the type to live or die for love.
If Jingliu and the guardian were made to choose between the Xianzhou and a lover… both of them would definitely choose the Xianzhou.
Jingliu thought over the marshal's words and understood.
Something had happened on the Luofu.
And it was related to "Imbibitor Lunae" Dan Feng, and… Zero.
Jingliu lowered her eyes and quickly suppressed the emotions surging within her.
With just one sentence, she stated her stance.
"At the marshal's command."
Hua nodded. "Good. You and Tengxiao go make the trip."
Her tone softened, "When tomorrow comes, I'll give you a long leave. Get some proper rest."
And also let Jingliu carefully think about her relationship with the guardian.
'If the two of them broke up…'
Hua could only bring that person back to Xuling.
She returned to her seat in front of the desk and placed the envelope into a locked drawer.
Soon, the fleet arrived at the Luofu.
To welcome the victorious Cloud Knights, some roads had been sealed off in advance.
Hua stepped out of the ship, her expression freezing.
The blessing she had received was different from the other generals.
Because of that, she could faintly sense the presence of an Aeon.
'But… why is "Reignbow Arbiter" on the Luofu?!'
She hadn't even contacted the Aeon yet.
Facing Tengxiao, who had been waiting for a long time, Hua said in a low voice, "Go to Scalegorge Waterscape."
'"Reignbow Arbiter," don't provoke him! Don't say anything unnecessary!'
The "Reignbow Arbiter," disliked by its own Emanator, knew nothing of this.
It staggered back a few steps, barely managing to steady itself.
God and human both tried to stop Zero from leaving.
During this, when Zero brushed past Lan, he accidentally bumped into the other's shoulder.
Zero looked at the Aeon with a strange expression.
"I remember I paid you your lesson fees."
'Lan, why are you still trying to scam me?!'
Lan closed its eyes briefly and said to him, "What descended here is only my avatar, no different from other humans."
'So, I cannot defeat you. You can trust me.'
A faint light flickered in the Aeon's eyes as it continued to repeat its earlier vow, "As long as you need it, I will do it."
Zero let out a soft laugh.
"So… you want to change the terms of our contract?"
He raised his hand, pressing it onto the Aeon's shoulder, and said gently, "Then, can you kill me?"