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Yingxing huffed, standing as he crossed his arms.
The Cloud Knights lined up as the rest went off to escort a prisoner to him. A familiar face, he mused - one he thought he would never see again since that day. That fateful day where the general candidate lost his master was also the day he and Imbibitor Lunae engraved the flesh of Shuhu, using the Arcanum to resurrect their friend.
When that failed, Qiong was found guilty and the candidate became an abomination - an abomination of the Abundance like those before him.
Yingxing never wanted to compare him to the abominations, yet it was what he justified. Memories were forgotten here and there. He was an abomination, never to die and fated to be brought back together. He forever killed, forever resented, forever wandered even after he joined the cause of the Stellaron Hunters.
The scent of gingko leaves invaded his nose and he now sees the feline-like face of the former general candidate, lined by black and blue hair compared to the white hair Yingxing would touch before that day. The hair looks just as fluffy - if only it does not belong to an insane person like him. Yingxing would remember him everyday since working as the current general - Jing Yuan, the one who was supposed to be the general, not him.
“What are you doing here, Jing Yuan?” He asked the Stellaron Hunter, his resolve almost wavering. He kept his hands behind his back as they trembled. He resisted the urge to either unsheathe his sword to stab Jing Yuan or hug him - though, the former would be ideal if only he was not a regenerating freak-
“What? Can't I visit an old friend?” Jing Yuan retorted with that same cat smile that he was known for back then, “Or am I still called your friend, General Yingxing?”.
“My answers are not predetermined, Hunter.” Yingxing answered, his indifference unwavering as he glared upon Jing Yuan, “Yet, it is you who must question your alliance.”.
Jing Yuan only smirked, his electric blue eyes glowing with mirth.
“Caelus won't join us.”
It was just one headache and another for Dan Heng.
They were on set to go to Penacony when suddenly, the Stellaron Hunter Yukong came and interrupted their time with an impromptu “mission”. Everyone knows better than to trust the word of a sly fox, given by Himeko’s reaction upon seeing the hunter. However, Dan Heng has a nagging feeling to obey what she said.
However, Caelus's well-being goes first and it certainly does not include going to this Xianzhou Fleet. The guard seems reluctant about going into the Fleet, excusing that he might be sick. That is bullshit though. According to March, the Trailblaze path enables them to endure the conditions of a planet they visited - even if the last planet they went about is a giant snowball of Fragmentum monsters.
Apparently, Yukong called them after her ally - a man named Jing Yuan - went to the Xianzhou and got himself arrested. The IPC already placed a bounty on the Stellaron Hunters’ head, even the Xianzhou has their own bounty placed on the Hunters. If this shit was not any serious, Dan Heng would have enjoyed this already.
Who is dumb enough to go to a place that hates you anyway?
According to Welt, almost all members of the Stellaron Hunters came from the Xianzhou - a Foxian named Yukong, a dangerous man named Jing Yuan, and that boy who keeps playing around Herta's Space Station named Yanqing. Yukong is known for being a sly fox woman, preferring to use her bow and arrow for action to trap her enemies in her affinity. Jing Yuan is a man - savage and ruthless with a smile. The least dangerous would be Yanqing, who is just known for his playful nature and his desire to sword fight anyone he deems having a skill.
Yet, Dan Heng remembers Yukong. He remembered briefly to choose a path he'd never regret. He remembered Herta's remarks, where she said he was modeled after an average Xianzhou male - a mockery to the denizens of the Fleet. Yet, what Xianzhou native has nothing to remember and has a ticking time bomb stuck in his chest? Honestly, fuck you, Yukong.
Beside him stood March 7th and Caelus, who looked more tense than ever (for some reason). Dan Heng assumed that the presence of Himeko and Mr. Welt comforted his tense nerves. If anything, this was the first time he had seen Caelus as fidgety as a child - even more fidgety than Clara and Hook.
The Xianzhou Luofu Fleet looks bigger than Dan Heng had ever imagined. He had read that there were several fleets - collectively known as the Xianzhou Alliance that have one goal: immortality. However, immortality came with a price with the Plague Author's deal: their sanity. The fleets are inhabited by long-living humans, fox-like humans Foxians and the dragon race Vidyadhara. Each fleet has an environment that is safe for the three races to live in.
“Looks like it's just you, Mr. Yang and me, Dan Heng.” March 7th sighed, knowing she could do nothing to do against Caelus's stubbornness, “We definitely can't convince Caelus, we know how stubborn that guy is.”.
“We just have to ask for permission to land.” Welt said, looking at Himeko. The latter nodded before turning on the transmission lines of the Express.
Himeko cleared her throat before finally speaking:
“This is the Astral Express.” She said in her most formal of voices, “We have arrived in Xianzhou Territory. Requesting permission to land from the bridge.”.
“Welcome to Luofu… port… Starskiff… -ven” The voices that followed through the transmission were cut and choppy, followed by noises of radio signal interference, “Please await transfer… Please await transfer…”. The transmission seemed to repeat the last spoken sentences. It almost sounds creepy like one of those horror movies that March is scared of.
“It sounds like those creepy voice lines from those horror movies.” Dan Heng jokingly told March 7th, a smug look on his face.
"Don't remind me!” March whined with a shudder, slapping his ass.
“Something is not right.” Welt commended. His comment was justified by the creepily repeating signal, saying the same thing over and over. However, nothing happened at all.
Dan Heng crossed his arms impatiently. Should they wait for an hour or so?
“Ah, there it is!” Himeko chirped.
“The Jade Gate is now opening…” The signal said, uttering a completely different line, “On behalf of the Xianzhou Luofu… Welcome, guests from afar.”. It sounds strangely welcoming despite how creepy it was earlier. “Please proceed to the dock as per instructions.” It says next, sounding really formal. However, it sounds less automated compared to what the signal said earlier.
“Something is not right.” Dan Heng commented, crossing his arms while staring at the Jade Gate. Mr. Yang hummed in agreement. The voices between the two signals sounded completely different - the recent one sounding more human.
“We should get going now.” Mr. Yang said, his gaze looking at Himeko, “Stay vigilant while you're in the Express, Himeko.”. How ironic, it was them who had to go while Himeko and Caelus had to stay, but they still had to say good luck to each other. Why does it seem like the Express will be in danger soon?
“Relax.” Himeko giggled, covering her mouth before holding Caelus's shoulder, “I have Caelus with me. What's there to be careful about?”. Mr. Yang nodded before facing them - he and March. They are going to the Xianzhou, after all.
“Good luck, Dan Heng.” Caelus smiled at them, a more empty smile than the last. Yet, it was less manic than the one he shows in the heat of many battles. “Try not to get killed, okay?”.
“No promises.” Dan Heng replied with a smile of his own. However, his reply only gave him an elbow to the waist from Caelus, who giggled. Dan Heng swore - that he would protect Caelus’s smile no matter what, even if they are empty. Was this the simp behavior that Serval told him about?
“March, Dan Heng.” Mr. Yang said, breaking Dan Heng's gaze away from Caelus, “Are you two ready?”.
“Yes!” March 7th answered while raising her hand, as exuberant as always. She is always excited when it comes to exploring new planets or in this case, a giant ship as large as a planet.
“Of course, Mr. Yang.” Dan Heng answered, sounding more calm despite the excitement thrumming in his veins. He remembered what Herta said - that he looks like an average local from the fleet. He wonders if he can get along with the people if he looks like them, some of them at least.
“Very well.” Mr. Yang smiled gently. It reminds Dan Heng of a parent coaxing their young to venture out the world, yet it was no different from what they told him during his first time trailblazing in Jarilo-VI. It's just he would expect this from now on.
May this journey lead them starward.