Honkai Star Rail: I Can Hear Their Secrets

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Yanqing cast him a wary glance—was this guy here to outbid him for the swords? But he doubted Su Jinyan had enough merit points...

Master Gongshu replied gruffly, "They're not overly expensive. The Flying Rainbow's Radiance costs two million credit points and five hundred merit points."

"The Shadowtrain Sword is priced at three million credit points and five hundred merit points."

"Merit points?" Su Jinyan queried.

Tingyun chuckled softly, offering an explanation, "Benefactor, there's something you should know. Generally, public servants seeking rare items from Luofu's six commissions must assist with tasks or missions."

"For instance, borrowing advanced pill formulas from the Alchemy Commission, purchasing high-tier medicinal pills—all these require not only credit points but also merit points."

"By completing tasks assigned by any of the six divisions, one can earn merit points. Additionally, exceptional performance may yield further merit point rewards."

"As a side note, despite my many years working at the Sky-Faring Commission, my merit points still fall far short of young Yanqing's."

Yanqing seemed slightly disgruntled. "Miss Tingyun, I'm not a child anymore."

Su Jinyan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, I see," he said. "Little brother Yanqing, I understand now. You urgently need these two swords but are rather short on funds—unable to afford both at once, correct?"

"Excuse me," Yanqing hesitated, puzzled. "Could you please tell me who you are...?"

Su Jinyan burst out laughing heartily. "You've come to the right person! Indeed, I am none other than the embodiment of handsomeness and wisdom, heroism and righteousness—the one and only Su Jinyan.

"A poem praises me thus: 'Upon charging forth to slay commanders amidst their ranks, bestowed with titles and gold yet self-declining; sword drawn, letter penned, farewell to Su Gong, forever embodying the noble spirit of a scholar.'"

Master Gongshu remained silent, as did Yanqing.

Tingyun gently reminded him, "Benefactor, next time, could you avoid quoting such blatantly plagiarized verses?"

Unfazed, Su Jinyan replied, "That's unimportant. What matters is this, Yanqing: Do you wish to purchase both these swords?"

Yanqing nodded emphatically. "Yes, very much so."

Su Jinyan held out his hand. "Give me your jade divination tablet."

Yanqing looked uncertainly at Tingyun.

Only after Tingyun nodded did Yanqing feel reassured and hand his phone to Su Jinyan.

What exactly is this guy up to?

Su Jinyan took the phone, performed some operations on it, and then returned it to Yanqing.

Moments later, a sweet female voice chimed from the phone: "Interstellar Peace Account credited - five million points."

Yanqing was astounded. "Eldest Brother, five million credit points? Where did all that money come from?"

Smiling faintly, Su Jinyan patted him on the shoulder. "Treat yourself better; don't hold back. This is a credit loan I arranged for you, Eldest Brother."

Yanqing stared incredulously.

"Hey! How dare you deceive Yanqing with your tricks? Care to test the sharpness of my blade?" Yanqing's face flushed with anger as he instantly commanded six flying swords, locking them onto Su Jinyan.

Despite Yanqing's polite demeanor, he had displayed extraordinary talent since childhood. Even at a young age, his mastery of the sword reached the level known as 'sword embryo martial bone,' marking him as a prodigy.

It would be no exaggeration to describe him as ambitious and headstrong, brimming with youthful confidence.

Don't mess with me like this—I'm destined to become the future sword leader, not someone to toy around with credit loans!

Tingyun gently waved his folding fan, amusement dancing in his beautiful eyes as he refrained from intervening. Young men cherished their pride deeply, and Master Gongshu had already attempted to dissuade them. If she stepped in now, it might embarrass Yanqing further, making matters even more tense.

"Hmph." With a snort, Yanqing reluctantly stood down. Had it not been for Master Gongshu's fervent intervention, he would have undoubtedly given this fellow a taste of the Sword Control Art.

Smiling mildly, Su Jinyan said, "Little bro Yanqing, I was just teasing you; no need to get so worked up. It's good for young people to be spirited, but don't dwell too much on fighting and killing."

"How can someone with such temperament become the future sword leader?"

Yanqing lightly caressed his sword blade, his voice cold. "Enough with your quips. Since you initiated the provocation, dare you accompany me to the practice field for a proper match?"

"Of course," Su Jinyan replied warmly. "However, since it's a competition, there should be some stakes involved. How about this? We'll spar until one party concedes defeat."

"If you lose, you must respectfully address me as 'Teacher' once."

"And if I lose, not only will you receive my apology, but I'll also cover all your expenses at the Artisanship Commission today. What do you say?"

Without hesitation, Yanqing agreed, convinced that victory was assured.

Their wager quickly drew the attention of numerous artisans and apprentices from the Artisanship Commission.

Like Yanqing himself, everyone believed he could not possibly lose. How absurd! Could the prodigious young talent destined to become Luofu's next sword leader be defeated by an unknown newcomer?

Tingyun gently jingled her bells, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Ladies and gentlemen, please listen closely."

"Introducing the youngest genius brave guard in Cloud Knight history: Yanqing."

"Versus—"

"The obscure diviner from the Divination Commission: Su Jinyan."

"Bets are final—minimum stake is one thousand Credits or one hundred Strales."

"For Su Jinyan's victory, odds at 50-to-1; for Yanqing's victory, odds at 2-to-1; for a draw, odds at 10-to-1."

The crowd was taken aback. Was Miss Tingyun conducting charity here? The outcome seemed clear as day!

However, Tingyun, as a Shuttle Envoy of the Sky-Faring Commission, was considered quite wealthy in Luofu. If she lacked basic business acumen, how could she have attained such a position? Perhaps this new arrival was more than meets the eye?

Yanqing's eyes sparkled, and with a fist salute, he said, "I've been fretting about making ends meet till month-end."

"Miss Tingyun, you're truly like coal delivered amidst snow—a lifeline when needed most. I express my heartfelt gratitude now."

"I'll bet everything I have—five million, one hundred thirty-eight thousand Credit points—on Yanqing's victory."

Master Gongshu stroked his beard and chimed in, "I'll join the excitement too."

"Let's wager three million credits on young friend Yanqing's victory," he declared.

With their lead, the artisans and apprentices of the Artisanship Commission no longer hesitated, rushing forward eagerly to place bets. Master Gongshu, being both the most experienced craftsman at the gold-smelting workshop and possessing keen discernment, was akin to the seasoned ginger that retains its pungency with age. Following his bet would surely be wise.

In such a lucrative gambling opportunity, every second of hesitation disrespected the potential credits at stake.

"Miss Tingyun, I'm betting one million credits on Yanqing's win."

"Three hundred Strales on Yanqing's victory."

"Fifty thousand credits for Yanqing's triumph."

"..."

Without exception, everyone present placed their bets on Yanqing, not a single person wagering on Su Jinyan's success or a tie.

As more and more people joined the fray, Tingyun's smile grew wider at the corner of her lips.

Just then, a cool voice rang out from afar:

"This venerable one wagers eighteen million credits on Su Jinyan's victory."

"Hahahaha, laugh till I die! Which poor sap is that?"

The Artisanship Commission buzzed with chatter, some even bursting into laughter.

Craftsmen instinctively craned their necks, eager to see who dared bet on Su Jinyan's win.

As a woman approached steadily from a short distance away, the once boisterous Artisanship Commission fell instantly silent, hushed as a tomb.

The smile on Tingyun's lips froze.

Someone nudged the apprentice who had laughed aloud. "Look, Ah Wei, see who just arrived."

Ah Wei wore a bitter expression, wishing he could slap himself for not controlling his tongue.

Before their eyes appeared a face of breathtaking beauty, exuding an icy chill. Without any makeup, her gaze was cool and distant, her flawless skin as fair and smooth as pristine snow. Her exquisite features remained utterly expressionless.

If there were any flaw to be found, it might have been her height.