"Hey, what's wrong with you? Why do you look so gloomy?"
In the VIP lounge of the hotel lobby, Boothill was savoring a glass of liquor. Seeing Dan Heng walk over with a solemn expression, he tilted his head and handed him a glass as well.
"No need, I don't really like drinking."
Dan Heng shook his head and straightforwardly declined Boothill's offer. If this were several hundred years ago, back when he was still one of the Five Heroes of the Clouds, they were young and frivolous, drinking and laughing together, free and unrestrained.
But now…
The liquor that once carried joy and laughter could only bring him sorrow and bitterness.
"Oh? You don't like it? This is Chinner Valley 40 Years, you know. Neat, no ice."
"Thank you, but I really don't need it." Dan Heng shook his head again, once more refusing Boothill's kindness.
"Alright then, I won't hold back!"
Boothill raised the malt fruit juice in his cup, admired the carbon dioxide bubbles under the light, and then drank it all in one go.
"Wahaha! That hits the spot! This rich gunpowder-roasted meat dipped in hydrogen peroxide flavor is incredible! Truly worthy of being the best malt fruit juice in the entire galaxy!"
Boothill was clearly very satisfied with the malt fruit juice in his cup. He usually couldn't bear to drink something this good.
"Are you Galaxy Rangers all this rich? If I remember correctly, this glass of Chinner Valley 40 Years should cost tens of thousands of credits per glass."
Although Dan Heng no longer drank, he still had the most basic judgment when it came to the quality of liquor.
"Haha! Anyway, it's not costing us any money. What's wrong with drinking a couple more glasses?"
Boothill laughed heartily, then took another glass of malt fruit juice from bartender Anderson's hand and gulped it down cheerfully.
"Oh, did that Memokeeper treat you?"
Dan Heng suddenly recalled Boothill's informant. It was a Memokeeper, and part of the information about the Emanator of Nihility Acheron had come from her.
He remembered Boothill saying that he had arranged to meet that Memokeeper in the Dreamscape.
And if he couldn't enter the Dreamscape, she would leave a bottle of 'Asdena White Oak' for him at the hotel in reality…
"It wasn't her."
Boothill shook his head cleanly and decisively.
"This liquor was provided by the Family."
"Provided by the Family?"
Dan Heng was slightly stunned, then seemed to understand something. However, just as he was about to speak and confirm, Boothill spoke first.
"Brother Dan Heng, can we discuss something? How about letting me hang my name on the Astral Express too? Your reputation is just too useful. I only showed the Nameless Dreamscape Passport just now, and guess what?"
"Hot damn! Those Family guys directly gave me VIP treatment and waived all fees! So refreshing!"
Dan Heng: "…Don't call yourself a Nameless anymore…"
————————
"Miss Tingyun, please forgive my rudeness, but I would like to ask—have the Xianzhou Generals always been like this?"
Outside the Seat of Divine Foresight, Topaz, who had just finished meeting with the Xianzhou Generals, felt as if her entire worldview was about to shatter.
In her impression, General Jing Yuan, who bore the title of Divine Strategist, should have been a diligent, dutiful, and meticulous leader. Yet why… why was someone like him openly playing Emperor's Jade Tiles during working hours?
Moreover, it wasn't just Jing Yuan. All four people playing today had significant backgrounds.
Divine Strategist General Jing Yuan, Flaming Heart General Huaiyan, Thunderclap General Feixiao, and the Nameless from the Astral Express, Welt Yang. The first three were Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance, while Welt was a senior figure of the Astral Express with extremely high prestige among the Nameless.
Yet why would such a group of people be doing something so unprofessional during working hours?
"Uh… haha, this little lady isn't too clear about that either. But Miss Topaz, how could someone as insignificant as me comment on the affairs of the Generals? As Emanators of the Hunt, their actions must have their own profound meaning…"
At this moment, Miss Tingyun no longer wanted to use the excuse of "suppressing mara" to cover for them. From the happy and cheerful looks on their faces just now, there was no sign of mara at all.
"Ahem, Miss Topaz. Since you have already met with the General and he has granted you permission to move freely on the Luofu, this little lady still has official duties and will take her leave first."
After saying this, Tingyun paused slightly before continuing.
"If during this period Miss Topaz needs any help from the Xianzhou, feel free to contact this little lady directly. Here is my contact information."
"Thank you, Miss Tingyun."
Topaz took the contact information from Tingyun's hand, hesitated for a moment, then made her request.
"Miss Tingyun, there is indeed one matter I would like to ask for your help with."
"Miss Topaz, please speak freely."
Tingyun smiled and opened the folding fan in her hand, covering her alluring lips.
"To be honest with you, Miss Tingyun, the main purpose of my visit to the Xianzhou Luofu this time is to request an audience with the Emanator of Causality, Miss Qingque. I have encountered a problem that I cannot solve on my own. I'm afraid only the Emanator of Causality can resolve it."
Topaz said with a serious expression.
"You need the help of the Emanator of Causality?"
Upon hearing Topaz's words, Tingyun was first stunned, then slightly lowered her head and fell into thought.
She had guessed Topaz's purpose for coming to the Xianzhou Luofu, but she never expected it to be for the Emanator of Causality.
Wanting to seek help from the Emanator of Causality, and something that only the Emanator of Causality could solve—this sounded quite unbelievable no matter how one looked at it.
After pondering for a moment, Tingyun raised her head again and looked at Topaz with a somewhat obscure gaze.
"Miss Topaz, I do know Qingque. But precisely because of that, I cannot agree to your request directly."
— — — —