Chapter 54: Chapter 53: Could There Be a Grand Diviner Who Serves Three Hundred Years?
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Wham!
With one hand, Fu Xuan slammed Su Jinyan's cheek into the tea table.
Jing Yuan watched, heart pounding nervously.
Had Fu Xuan always been this violent? He couldn't recall ever witnessing her strike any diviners under her command like this.
Let me think... Surely, I haven't offended Fu Xuan too often in the past, right?
"Surrender, meow, surrender!" Stiffly raising his hand, Su Jinyan signaled his capitulation.
Fu Xuan snorted and pulled Su Jinyan's face out from the tea table.
Rubbing his imprinted cheek, Su Jinyan said, "General, I have another question. How should we handle Miss Yue Shi, who is suspected to be the Emanator?"
Taking a sip of tea, Jing Yuan responded mildly, "Her unannounced arrival clearly indicates malicious intent. I propose sealing off Luofu and conducting an exhaustive search for her whereabouts."
Fu Xuan calmly stated, "The other divisions may not agree with this suggestion."
"I am aware," Jing Yuan answered. "That's precisely why we need to convene a meeting to address this issue."
"During the meeting, it wouldn't hurt to emphasize the severity of the situation," Jing Yuan continued. "Treat her as you would an Emanator."
Su Jinyan asked, "Could we request assistance from other Xianzhou's generals for the search?"
Jing Yuan responded with unwavering confidence, "No need; my presence alone will suffice."
It was widely known that Jing Yuan earned the title "Divine Foresight" not through martial prowess but strategic acumen.
However, as one of The Hunt's generals, the alliance's marshal and sixth general were no less formidable than their counterparts, the Lord Ravagers of each legion.
And Jing Yuan himself was also an Emanator—though his expertise lay in strategy, and years of administrative duties had cultivated a languid approach to action. This led others to bestow upon him the dramatic nickname "Blindfolded General."
When both parties involved are Emanators, predicting who might emerge victorious is anyone's guess.
Fu Xuan explained on Jing Yuan's behalf, "A-Yan, there are certain things you may not yet understand."
"Unless faced with a life-or-death crisis or acting under direct orders from the Xianzhou Alliance..."
"...a Xianzhou 'general' cannot leave their post without authorization."
"If a general were to abandon their assigned Xianzhou, allowing the Plentiful Tribe to exploit the vulnerability..."
"...no general could bear such responsibility."
Su Jinyan persisted, "I've heard rumors among the people that the Judges of the Ten-Lords Commission possess considerable power. Could we enlist the help of a Judge from the Ten-Lords Commission in our pursuit?"
Jing Yuan appeared slightly awkward. "We cannot request their assistance..."
Su Jinyan raised an eyebrow.
Fu Xuan explained, "The judges of the Ten-Lords Commission hold higher rank than generals; you shouldn't even entertain the thought."
"Minister Su," Jing Yuan reassured him, "do not believe every rumor you hear. Have more faith in me, alright?"
Su Jinyan pondered for a moment before responding, "In truth, I'm not questioning your capabilities, General. It's just... how should I put it? We must prepare for the unforeseen, no matter how unlikely. If some unexpected event were to occur, handling it alone might prove challenging for you. For instance, what if Miss Yue Shi had additional reinforcements..."
Fu Xuan couldn't help but shake his head. "Do you think Emanators grow on trees?"
Su Jinyan chuckled sheepishly. "I merely feel that teamwork could be more effective and safer. Honestly, these judges from the Ten-Lords Commission might potentially aid us—it depends on how we approach them..."
Jing Yuan took Su Jinyan's suggestion as jest and smiled. "Then let's entrust securing the Ten-Lords Commission's judge as our ally to Minister Su."
"If successful, this general will bestow generous rewards."
Curious, Su Jinyan asked, "What kind of rewards?"
Jing Yuan pulled out his phone, swiped across the screen, and opened Guinaifen's live stream—a renowned entertainer known for her lively broadcasts aboard the Xianzhou.
Su Jinyan's eyes lit up. "Is the General offering to introduce me to beautiful women?"
Fu Xuan looked at him, puzzled.
Jing Yuan smiled without responding, gesturing for Su Jinyan to continue watching.
On the screen, Guinaifen picked up a handful of magical glow sticks, and Sushang's head also appeared from off-screen.
Su Jinyan's eyes sparkled even more brightly. "Is the general introducing two beauties to me?"
Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
Jing Yuan continued smiling silently.
Guinaifen waved the shimmering glow sticks exuberantly. "Hey folks, if you haven't already, please hit that follow button!"
"Follow 6324 live stream channel, follow us, thank you!"
"All our viewers who haven't made their purchases yet, hurry up."
"Come on, Shangshang, tell everyone if we still have any glow sticks left for our live stream?"
Sushang replied, "Nope!"
Guinaifen looked taken aback and hastily pulled Sushang aside, whispering out of view:
"Aiya, you need to say we do have them; otherwise, how can I sell anything?"
"Cough, cough, let's inform everyone again—do we still have glow sticks available in our live stream?"
Realizing her mistake, Sushang quickly responded, "Oh, yes! We do have some!"
Guinaifen nodded. "Alright, everyone in the live stream, get ready. On three, two, one..."
Together, Guinaifen and Sushang exclaimed, "Link drop now!"
One minute later...
Glancing at the yellow shopping cart icon in the bottom right corner of the screen, Guinaifen asked, "Wait, where's the link?"
Sushang looked perplexed. "Huh? I don't see it either. Doesn't it appear automatically?"
Guinaifen stared incredulously.
"What's going on?" Jing Yuan muttered. "Is this a streaming mishap?"
"It seems they haven't quite grasped selling goods live yet."
"Oh, right, Minister Su, how many fairy wands would you like?"
"These fairy wands seem quite fun! Since the Seat of Divine Foresight will reimburse us, feel free to ask for as many as needed!"
Su Jinyan blinked in confusion.
After some more casual conversation, Jing Yuan finally rose to take his leave.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Su Jinyan leaned forward and exclaimed, "Unbelievable, absolutely outrageous!"
"Has there ever been a Grand Diviner who reigns for three centuries?"
"Lady Fu Xuan, let's just revolt against Luofu and overthrow that general's damn position!"
Fu Xuan responded displeased, "You ignorant, foolish disciple, how many times must this venerable one repeat it? What I seek is for the general to step down willingly, making way for a worthy successor—not a coup d'état!"
Su Jinyan chuckled sheepishly. "I understand, I understand, but once we overthrow that general's damn position..."
"We'll have him issue a proclamation stating that he voluntarily relinquished power to a worthy successor."
Fu Xuan paused.
Tingyun's beautiful eyes flickered as she gently tugged at Su Jinyan's sleeve. "Benefactor, it's getting late. Why not rest for the night at my residence?"
"Why return to your residence?" Fu Xuan asked coldly. "Come back with this venerable one to the Divination Commission."
"You've just provoked such a formidable enemy; she will surely seek revenge on you at the first opportunity."
"Only this venerable one can ensure your safety," Fu Xuan continued. "Until matters are resolved, you'll reside under my supervision. Coincidentally, someone may be arriving shortly to apply for a position as a manuscript editor at the commission. You should handle their reception."
Tingyun blinked her lovely eyes. "Then I want to come along too!"
Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"Bene-fa-tor," Tingyun cooed, feigning innocence and charm, "I'm scared. What if that powerful adversary comes after me? Feel my tail—it's still trembling even now~"
Su Jinyan nodded. "That's true. Let's all head back to the Divination Commission together."
"Qingque told me before, despite Lady Fu Xuan's modest height, her abilities truly reach the heavens," Su Jinyan remarked.
"We can always count on Lady Fu Xuan."
Fu Xuan arched another eyebrow.