Even after stepping into the Grand Hall of the Divine Strategy Mansion, Su Shang, who had been lost in wonder the entire way, still hadn’t quite come to her senses.
As a new recruit to the Cloud Riders, without any significant opportunities, she wouldn’t normally have the chance to enter a place like this.
Every Cloud Rider they encountered along the way had immediately bowed and paid their respects. This treatment made Su Shang truly realize the current status of Bai Yu, the one she had been following closely, within the Roaming Fleet.
Once they entered the Grand Hall and finally saw General Jing Yuan, Su Shang subconsciously tried to hide her petite figure behind Bai Yu.
Standing on the dais, the tall Jing Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the two who had entered.
Even just from his back, the General’s dignified and composed aura was palpable. The young man standing beside him, holding a sword, emanated a sharp sword intent. Even with his eyes closed, the sword energy emanating from the young man made Su Shang’s face ache.
Finally seeing the world, Su Shang was stunned into silence. Then, she saw something that almost made her bite her tongue.
Bai Yu strode forward and delivered a hand chop to the young man’s head. "Pretending, pretending, pretending. What are you pretending for? Who are you trying to impress? And you too, General! Pictures of you snoring and drooling were sold all over Roaming Fleet by Ting Yun. Your image is already gone! Stop trying to put on this facade, okay?"
The young man, Yan Qing, instantly dispelled his sword intent and revealed a goofy smile. Rubbing the back of his head, he chuckled, “Senior Brother, this isn’t my fault. The General has been holding this pose since we arrived. He’s been standing like this for almost a cup of tea. I couldn’t help but follow…”
“Ai –!”
Jing Yuan finally opened his eyes, sighed helplessly and glanced at Bai Yu.
Turning around, his gaze fell on the dumbfounded Su Shang. Jing Yuan chuckled and stroked his chin, “Miss Su Shang, long time no see. Are your parents well?”
Su Shang awkwardly clasped her hands, “Your esteemed father and mother are well!”
Jing Yuan: “–?”
Yan Qing: “–?”
Qing Zu, who had just walked in from the nearby tea room, “Pu –!”
Bai Yu covered his face with his hand, donning a mask of pain.
–This stupid girl! How can anyone refer to their own parents as “esteemed father and mother”?
“Is this what you always talk about, Senior Brother… a kind of beauty unpolluted by knowledge?” Yan Qing struggled to contain his laughter, his shoulders shaking.
Within the Grand Hall, the Cloud Riders who were ostensibly there to guard the General but actually served as mere doorkeepers, all covered their faces.
Although he had met Su Shang when he took Bai Yu away, he had interacted more with her parents than her. Therefore, Jing Yuan didn’t know much about Su Shang. Now, suddenly being hit with this “student-who-doesn’t-understand-the-basics” shock, Jing Yuan was embarrassed for a while before saying with an awkward expression, “Miss Su Shang is truly unconventional. No wonder Bai Yu mentions you from time to time.”
“Although you are a new recruit to the Cloud Riders, and thus my subordinate, since Miss Su Shang has a connection with Bai Yu, you don’t need to be so formal in private. Since Bai Yu brought you here to the Divine Strategy Hall, follow us to greet our distinguished guests.”
Su Shang once again clasped her hands in response, “Cloud Rider Su Shang, receiving orders!”
… …
In the game, to reach the Divine Strategy Mansion, you need to go to the Cloud Terrace located in Chang Le Tian. You need to have a Cloud Rider report you before you can be teleported in.
However, obviously, someone like Black Tower, if it was a private visit, would be fine. But for a formal occasion, it was impossible for her and Asta to use this method.
After the two stepped onto Roaming Fleet, the Fleet’s Helm Master Yu Kong specially arranged a stargazer transport ship for them. Through “Star Shift,” they arrived directly at the Divine Strategy Mansion’s secluded realm.
“Please enter, the General has been waiting for you in the Grand Hall.”
Standing at the gate of the Divine Strategy Mansion, Yu Kong smiled and stepped aside.
“I have some official business at the Stellaris Bureau, so I won’t be seeing you off.”
Asta politely nodded to Yu Kong, but after he left, she turned to look at the Divine Strategy Mansion, her face revealing a hint of nervousness.
“Hey, look at you, so weak.”
Black Tower shook her head with a straight face, not bothering with her anymore. She went ahead and climbed the steps.
The heavy door silently opened, revealing the magnificent interior of the Grand Hall.
As soon as Black Tower stepped into the hall, she heard a burst of laughter.
“The 83rd Seat of the Genius Club, Ms. Black Tower, your presence on the Roaming Fleet truly brings honor to us all.”
“I have so many cool titles, but why call me that?”
Before Jing Yuan could finish, Black Tower snorted, arms crossed, in a bad mood.
She had the capital to act this way to Jing Yuan, who was a General. In the past few Amber Eras, this woman not only established a partnership with the Interstellar Peace Company (even in this regard, the Company was on the weaker side), she had obtained many collectibles from the Astral Express, had “small skirmishes” with the people of the Light Cone, and even helped the Xianzhou Alliance several times against the Abundance Calamity.
Before Bai Yu, the young General, officially connected with Black Tower, she already had interactions with the Alliance.
Jing Yuan was also familiar with this genius scholar’s temperament. In a sense, compared to Bai Yu, his successor who gave him a headache with his reckless personality, Black Tower was actually easier to get along with.
Asta, who was a step behind Black Tower, entered the hall. She was a young lady from a prestigious family. Although she might be shy like any other young girl when meeting Bai Yu, in such a formal occasion, she could always maintain a faultless demeanor.
Walking slowly to Black Tower’s side, she adjusted her skirt, bent her knees, and bowed, “Greetings, General Jing Yuan. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Greetings, Miss Asta.” Jing Yuan nodded with a smile, “Thank you for your help to the Roaming Fleet over the years. May our friendship last forever.”
Although he was referring to her personally, not her family or the Interstellar Peace Company, Asta understood the implication in Jing Yuan’s words.
“You two, this isn’t a place to talk. Please come with me to the tea room.”
After saying this, Jing Yuan turned and walked towards the screen on one side of the Grand Hall.
As he passed Bai Yu, he gave him a knowing look, seeming to smile but not smiling.
Bai Yu initially didn’t understand, but when he followed Jing Yuan into the tea room behind the screen and saw Fu Xuan already calmly seated, drinking tea, he immediately understood the meaning of Jing Yuan’s “look after yourself” glance...