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Oh she was mad.
Fuming mad as she held her mobile device while her eyes were glued on the current news that’s playing on the Palace of Astrum’s holographic displays.
A car driving recklessly along the highway.
Something brown and red clinging on the side.
“THAT FUCKING WOMAN!”
A day earlier—at the Palace of Astrum—a Foxian general strolled as if she owned the place after her meeting with the other generals. Well to everyone there, staff and visitors alike, it was as if she did co-own the Palace of Astrum with all of her visits since the Wardance event. They all know the Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Yaoqing visited more times than they could count, just to talk to their Helm Master.
“Yukong!” Feixiao greeted with a wide smile as she opened the doors to Yukong’s office. She looked around and found only the young assistant-yet soon to be pilot-of Yukong—Qingni. “Oh tiny kit! Where’s your mother?” she approached Qingni and ruffled her hair.
Qingni, smiling upon seeing the Foxian general, smiled back before removing Feixiao’s hand off her head. “I’m no longer a kit, Gene—”
Feixiao raised her brow, daring Qingni to finish her sentence.
“Feixiao-Jiějiě. I am no longer a child for you to call me that.”
The older Foxian’s ear twitched hearing Qingni call her older sister. She wanted to correct but kept her chill smile.
Qingi went back to checking the papers on her table. “Mom is not here at the moment, she’s with Fugue-Jiějiě, discussing about the next guild meeting.”
“Hmmm where?” the whitehaired Foxian looked around, no Yukong in sight.
“The usual place. I kicked both of them out because Fugue was starting to argue with mom.” Qingni then glared at the other Foxian. “And I will kick you out if you are to disturb me too. I rather finish early so I can go to my pilot training.”
The taller Foxian grinned. She has always been proud of Qingni’s path to being a pilot. “Alright alright, I’ll go find them, I do need to speak to Fugue as well.” She turned her back and was about to leave before looking back to the younger Foxian. “When will you stop calling me Jiějiě? I’m literally—” Her words were cut off when a balled up paper hit her face and Qingni not even looking at her. She could only chuckle and leave the office.
It was not hard for Feixiao to find the two female Foxians she was looking for. She went to Aurum Alley and immediately straight to Delicacy Pavillion where Yukong and Fugue were dining.
“There are my other girls!” Feixiao said with a wide smile and arms wide open as she stood before the two Foxians having their lunch.
The other diners looked at the Arbiter-General, amazed at how high official was in Aurum Alley. It was already a big deal that the Helm Master was there along with the rumored successor, and now they were in the presence of a general.
“Oh general! Would you like to join us?” It was Fugue who first spoke. They were having the offal stew with a side of tea from Du’s Teahouse.
The smile dropped and Fexiao sat on the empty chair. “Not you too, Fugue… C’mon, Qingni still calls me big sis, I was hoping yours would change considering the dynamics now.”
Fugue merely chuckled while Yukong rolled her eyes.
“Don’t force them, Feixiao.” Yukong served Feixiao a cup of tea. “To what do I owe the honor of this personal visit from the Merlin’s Claw?”
“Well, I’m here on behalf of another general’s request. Yao Guang.”
Hearing the name, Yukong’s brow twitched. This did not go unnoticed by Fugue.
“What does the Seer Strategist want from me?” Yukong tried to steady her tone. Of all the generals, Yao Guang is the one Yukong is a bit skeptical about. Her rather impulsive behavior is not easy to read and the fact she and Feixiao get along pretty well is another thing. It’s like reigning in two storms.
Taking a sip of the tea, she exhaled in relaxation from both aroma and taste. She leaned back on her chair and looked at both Foxians. “Oh you know, just your approval for Fugue to accompany her to Planarcadia. Seems she need a master negotiator for some trades and who to suggest than the future helm master?”
Fugue blushed in surprise. She was still trying to get a footing of her arrival in the Luofu—heck she was sure that the succession will never happen—but still, the reminder made her feel a bit flattered. “With all due respect, general Feixiao, but I believe some other candidates would benefit more in escorting madam general Yao Guang of the Yuque fleet.”
“There are but she said she wanted the best and you are the best. Yes somebody else could benefit but it was a personal request, so I offered something I know I won’t lose face.” A proud grin was plastered on Feixiao’s face. “Besides, I believe this would be best for you too. To loosen up and all. Planarcadia is a fun place.”
All Yukong could do was shake her head. Part of her want to say no but bigger part of her want to agree. Fugue—formerly Tingyun—needed space. It was rare that the Tingyun now would even touch any matters of the Luofu without a pushy persuasion. “Hmmm I believe it is good if Fugue were to join Madam Yao.”
“B-but Madam Yukong!” Fugue protested. She was still unsure of things.
Yukong gently reached out to touch Fugue’s hand and showed her a soft smile. “Fugue… I know it’s been some time, but I have to agree with Feixiao, this would benefit you. Mind and body.”
Fugue felt the warmth and softness from the figure who she sees more of her mother than a mentor. “Oh then in that case… I’ll join the madam general.” she answered.
Then another hand was placed above Yukong’s, squeezing their hands together. She smiled, feeling the support of the two.
“Qingni be mad again for missing out on family time. Again.” It was Feixiao who broke their minute of sincere silence with her untimely joke.
“Feixiao I swear! Just promise she would be safe!” Yukong, hand still held by Feixiao, used her free hand to pinch and tug the general’s cheek.
“Ow Ow Ow! Lǎopó! Yes Fugue will be safe!” Feixiao squirmed from the pinch.
Fugue on the other hand watched in amusement, eyes tracing on the older Foxians with matching rings.
Two days since Feixiao handed Fugue to Yao Guang.
On the way to Planarcadia, Fugue was introduced to the one they call as Goddess of Fortune of the Xianzhou Yuque. She can assessed the woman was rather eccentric.
How she talked so cheerfully yet carried some either ominous or joyous meaning.
Or how she was so carefree like Feixiao, even more if Fugue were to compare.
Right now, she was seated beside Yao Guang, having some mid snack. They were near Planarcadia, the ship captain announced by night time they will arrive at Planarcadia port.
“So! Feixiao talked about you all the time. You and Qingni. That woman, for thirty years, all she talks about are Borisins here, Borisins there, a bit of Yukong, and then after the Wardance, it was all ‘these are my kids!’ here and there.” Yao spoke as she ate some sweet dango that her ship chefs made for them.
The mentioned of ‘kids’ made Fugue blush. It was a strange thing to hear, she was not even related to Yukong, yet knowing Feixiao, it was already set in stone. Qingni and her, they were both Yukong and Feixiao’s ‘children’ in the general’s eyes. Despite Qingni’s insistance of not calling Feixiao as ‘mother’, or herself not calling her anything else but general or something along those lines of titles.
“She is… happy, I guess? I am rather taken aback that general Feixiao would consider me as her kit.” Fugue hid her blush by having tea.
Yao giggled and nodded. “Trust me, the group chats of the generals were bombarded when sis and madam Yukong rekindled their flame.”
A thought came to Fugue’s mind. “And you were not mad?”
“Why would I be mad?”
"Well there were rumors in the Xianzhou fleet that you and general Feixiao were…” Fugue was hesitant to continue.
This was easily read by Yao and chuckled. “That I and her were dating? and there were rumors she dated the new Cauldron Master of the Luofu Alchemy Commission.”
Fugue wasn’t sure but she did heard those rumors indeed from Qingni.
Taking another bite of her dango, Yao’s smile widened. “True or not, it is not mine to tell. And to answer, it was my divination that sis asked for when she wanted an exact date for her union. A rather quick union, but still a good reading. And no I was not mad at her. I was mad at how she rushed everyone in my commission to get to me.”
The guards who stood near them coughed, mentally remembering how Feixiao ran around Yuque in search for Yao.
“But enough of that woman, you on the otherhand got me so curious.” Yao’s eyed Fugue. “The one whom the eminator of the Ruin Author touched. I am curious of your fortune, young one. Tell me, one who once was called Tingyun of the Whistling Flame, where does your alliance lie?”
The way Yao Guang looked at her as if reading her mind and heart. As if searching for a speck of any sign of the Lord Ravager.
“My alliance is…” Fugue took a deep breath. “To those who need help in Xianzhou. My alliance is with the citizens of those who carry the hope of destruction of those who carry the will of Destruction.”
Yao eyed her carefully, lips thinned before curving up. “Well, you are trusted by those who care for you, if things comes to woe, I will turn it to weal.”
Fugue blinked a few times. She heard those before, even as Tingyun. General Yao Guang—The one who turns Woe into Weal.
The nearby holographic displays changed from the scenery of the skies to the captain of the ship.
“Madam General, we have arrived at Planarcadia docks. Your mode of transport was reported to be ready as well.”
The screens changed back to the scenery.
“Well, let us prepare, young Fugue. I would need you to help me with the negotiations and ofcourse, to get to know more of THEIR plans.”
THEIR—meaning AHA. So Fugue thought.
As they left their table, Fugue couldn’t help but overhear the guards’ whispers.
“May that Foxian be blessed by Reignbow Arbiter…"
“May she survive the general’s…craziness.”
Fugue blinked a few times, wanting to ask the guards, but Yao’s voice of calling for her to hurry made her drop the idea.
It was shown in the screens of the Palace of Arum. An intergalatic news, hosted by the IPC, about a reckless driving in the skyways of Planarcadia.
At first Yukong didn’t mind, it was typical for news reporters to broadcast those type of incidents.
Then the voices from the staff came.
“Isn’t that Fugue?”
“Wait that tail, those ears, those red clothes, is that Fugue hanging on a car?!”
“Mom that’s Jiějiě!” it was Qingni who pried Yukong’s eyes from her paper to the big holograph screen.
“No.. wait.. NOOO!” Yukong slammed her hands on the table. “THAT FUCKING WOMAN!”
Somewhere in Arum Alley, a Foxian general was watching a live stream, phone close to her face. She was having tea with Jing Yuan when she alerted by several messages from Madam Yao came in like a flood. She looked at the messages that did not looked like it was typed by Yao herself.
‘Oh fuck’
A call suddenly followed the messages, she answered and Yao’s voice welcomed her ear.
“Hey, Feixiao, I made it. Just stepped off the Starskiff. I’m in Planarcadia.”
There was sounds of loud breaks and meek voice of Fugue calling for Yao.
“Yaooooo is Fugue alright?”
“Relax, mission’s going smoothly~”
“Smoothly? Smoothly my Borsin’s ass. I can hear Fugue almost screaming for help! She sent messages!”
“Everything’s according to plan. And wow, these folks make the Yaoqing look tame.”
Feixiao then received a notification that the call turned to a videocall. She looked at the video and watched what’s happening.
It was all focused on Yao Guang. No Fugue.
‘Oh no….!’ Feixiao felt her fur stand up on end.
She watched what’s happening, eyes trying to locate for Fugue. She knows Yao would be safe, but Fugue—Feixiao knows she herself won’t be safe from Yukong.
After the whole debacle with a woman in twin tails and a few fireworks, Jingyuan called for her attention.
“So, how are things over there?”
Feixiao, her usual chill self, pried her eyes from her phone then leaned back on her chair, placing her legs on the table. She then showed a thumbs up to Jingyuan with a confident smile. “All good!”
“Interesting. Did you hear that, madam Yukong? It’s all good.”
That’s when Feixiao froze.
“Hello… Lǎopó” Yukong’s tone were tight, enunciating every syllable. “You remember when you said Fugue will be safe?”
Jingyuan bid his leave, not wanting to be in the middle of a spousal argument.