Chapter 90: Could it be that you're drinking coffee with another you?
〜Dragon Raja World〜
"Ahhh, it's General Jing Yuan!"
Inside Takamagahara, hearing Jing Yuan's lazy voice, the plump woman surprisingly shed her previous boorishness, as if she had become twenty years younger, reverting to a high school girl in love, her cheeks flushed crimson.
It was fortunate that General Jing Yuan was not a gigolo, nor was he on Earth… otherwise, Caesar would truly find it hard to accept a human existence countless times stronger and far more charming than himself.
In the light screen, General Jing Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robes wide and sleeves flowing, a faint smile on his face, his long white hair cascading from the side of his neck to his chest.
From Caesar's perspective, he could only see the soft jawline, partially obscured by his hair.
Even Caesar himself couldn't help but feel envious of General Jing Yuan from this angle, and it was no wonder he could easily captivate these middle-aged women.
—
「 Unlike March 7th's optimism, Uncle Yang on the side had his brows tightly furrowed.
"This Jing Yuan is not simple."
"Uncle Yang thinks there's something strange?" Stelle asked curiously.
"It's not exactly strange, but I just feel like something isn't quite right…"
Welt squinted his eyes, pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized.
"…Hmm! I got it! He deliberately skipped over Blade!"
"Since the Cloud Knights captured Blade, they could just use that to capture Kafka. Why ask them to 'lure out' Kafka?"
Uncle Yang paused, then continued.
"The Xianzhou doesn't want outsiders meddling in the Stellaron disaster, so why are they so generous when it comes to the Stellaron Hunters?"
"For this, I can only think of one reasonable explanation… At least for now, Blade has very likely escaped Xianzhou's control."
"Therefore, if Jing Yuan wants to fish out the Stellaron Hunters, he only has us, the bait that has a connection with Kafka. That's why he indirectly asked us for help—because Blade's escape cannot be known by others!"
Welt adjusted his glasses, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. 」
「 .....」
〜Honkai: Impact 3rd World〜
"See, I said he's the future you, can you refute it?"
On the other end of the phone, Himeko's voice carried a hint of teasing.
Welt looked at the "himself" in the light screen, his palms still trembling slightly.
…Although it was hard to believe, he really couldn't think of a reason to refute it.
After listening to Jing Yuan's words, Welt tried to apply his own way of thinking to the Astral Express Crew, but the result was exactly the same as Welt's in the light screen.
This meant that the "himself" in the light screen had the exact same way of thinking as him.
"More than that, I'm more concerned about one thing, Welt."
Himeko offered her speculation.
"That man named Sampo has already indicated that we have some kind of connection with other worlds—he can easily observe our world through it. And that 'connection'… or rather, that 'channel,' perhaps only the future you knows, Welt."
"You want to get the method to go to that world from me?"
Welt was shocked by Himeko's boldness,
"Are you implying that you'd like to sit down, enjoy a cup of coffee, and have a chat with another Himeko?"
"Why not?"
Himeko, on the other end of the phone, suddenly laughed,
"At least that's still my counterpart. Although we have the same appearance and the same name… our experiences are completely different, and we've tasted completely different lives."
"Welt, don't you want to know what kind of scene will appear when you meet another Mr. Welt?"
Without Himeko's prompting, Welt had indeed imagined that scene—but even if he was both curious and yearning, considering the consequences of altering the timeline, his remaining rationality told him not to do it.
—
「 Inside of Divination Commission.
"Grand Master Diviner, you've heard our conversation. What are your thoughts?"
It wasn't until Jing Yuan closed the projection and slowly turned around that the pink-haired, petite girl in front of him slowly ascended the steps and walked to Jing Yuan's imperial desk.
"What thoughts? The ways of heaven are vast and inscrutable, the human heart subtle and profound. Do you want me to divine a hexagram for these few, to foretell their intentions and their fortune?" Fu Xuan single-handedly put her hands on her hips, highly displeased with Jing Yuan's teasing attitude.
"That's not necessary. The Astral Express has nothing to do with this matter; I'm absolutely certain of it. You and I don't need to delve into their intentions. As long as the bait is taken and the fish is caught, that's enough," Jing Yuan said indifferently.
"That was my suggestion, wasn't it, General?" Fu Xuan pouted unhappily.
"Indeed, thanks to Grand Master Fu's wisdom and foresight, I will rely on you for everything that follows," Jing Yuan praised.
These words made Fu Xuan quite pleased. She crossed her arms, proudly lifted her small chin, and huffed with a full measure of tsundere attitude.
"Hmph, then why don't you abdicate sooner?"
"It's not time yet,"
Jing Yuan put on a rather troubled expression.
"In case of any unforeseen changes, I must bear the responsibility in the position of General. I cannot simply leave now and put Grand Master Fu in an unjust position." 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
"Abdicate? This girl is really confident. She doesn't look much older than me, the director."
Hu Tao was surprised by the pink-haired girl's confidence. She had witnessed General Jing Yuan's eloquence and fighting prowess. Could it be that this Miss Fu Xuan was stronger than him?
"Hehe, Director, the age of Xianzhou people cannot be discerned by the naked eye,"
Zhongli reminded with a smile.
"Oh, right… Maybe she's hundreds of years old, who knows."
Hu Tao cast a questioning look at Zhongli.
"Consultant, do you think Miss Fu Xuan can replace Jing Yuan?"
"Director, you jest, of course not."
"Eh? Why do you say that?"
"To be praised by General Jing Yuan, who is renowned for his 'extraordinary wisdom and profound foresight,' this Miss Fu must also be a person of exceptional intellect. But a wise person is not necessarily a good leader—Director Hu must understand this principle."
"Indeed."
The consultant's words resonated with Hu Tao.
In the arrangement of funeral affairs, some seniors of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor were not inferior to her, and in terms of extensive knowledge of ancient and modern times, the consultant far surpassed her. But when it came to the position of Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, it had to be her.
—It wasn't that she inherited the secret arts and spear techniques of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. It was being able to make decisions at critical moments, bear responsibility, and steadily lead everyone forward… And in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, that person had to be her, Hu Tao.
"Miss Fu's personality is too flamboyant, perhaps due to her youth… She's like a newly sharpened blade, too sharp, and still needs to be hidden well in its sheath. Only when its edge is dulled and its character becomes steady can she assume the important position of General."
"As for now… one can only say that Miss Fu is too ambitious. While she cannot be a General, she can become a top-tier aide beside the General."
Zhongli's analysis was well-reasoned.
"Mhm, the consultant makes a lot of sense."
Hu Tao leaned back lazily in the rattan chair, looking at the consultant's handsome and serious face, and a teasing smile immediately appeared on her face.
"The General cannot do without Grand Master Diviner Fu's assistance, and I cannot do without the consultant's assistance. Next time we go to listen to plays, stroll with birds, and drink tea, will the consultant assist me too?"
—