Xianzhou Luofu, Starskiff Jetty.
Unlike its usual bustling activity, the Starskiff Jetty now stood in solemn silence. Every person stood motionless, hands folded beneath them, gazing upward at the countless Starskiffs drifting slowly across the sky. Each Starskiff carried a hero who had sacrificed their life for the Xianzhou.
Countless flower petals rained down from the heavens, as if bidding farewell to each Starskiff and every hero...
Though they had never met these heroes, nor even knew their names...
Yet, for 99.9% of the Xianzhou people, these heroes who had given their lives to protect the Xianzhou deserved a moment of their own fleeting existence, a small tribute in return...
For the peace and prosperity enjoyed on the Xianzhou stemmed directly from the sacrifices of these heroes. This was precisely why the Cloud Knights held such high status on the Xianzhou...
There was never any policy on the Xianzhou that explicitly granted the Cloud Knight higher status than ordinary citizens.
The Cloud Knights enjoyed only a few financial benefits and certain privileges.
Everything else was essentially done voluntarily by the Xianzhou people...
Each Starskiff, carrying the souls of heroes, slowly glided toward the Jade Gate. As the last Starskiff vanished, the Starskiff Jetty remained as serene as ever.
Time gradually passed. The crowds who had stood motionless with their eyes closed, silently mourning the heroes, gradually returned to their senses.
With the conclusion of the Soul-Soothing Ceremony, the once-tranquil Starskiff Jetty gradually buzzed with activity again.
Though saddened by the loss of these heroes, life had to go on... As Long-Life Species, the Xianzhou people's retirement age was many times longer than that of short-lived races.
Ah... every family has its own troubles, the Xianzhou people couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Shaking their heads, they began to walk toward their respective workplaces.
"Such an important commemorative day, yet we only get half a day off to mourn... These capitalists are truly..."
The Xianzhou workers suffered in silence, their grievances unspoken, their tears shed silently...
"General, the Soul-Soothing Ceremony has concluded. You should rest now."
After the Soul-Soothing Ceremony ended, Yanqing, standing beside Jing Yuan, urged his general to get some rest.
Although Jing Yuan appeared perfectly fine on the surface, even radiating an unusual vitality, Yanqing couldn't tell if this was a good sign or a bad one. All he knew was that something was amiss.
Yanqing had long heard of cases where individuals, facing mortal wounds, experience a final burst of vitality, momentarily returning to their peak condition...
And wasn't the general's current state exactly like the symptoms described in those accounts?
Though Yanqing had unwavering faith in his general's invincibility, witnessing him confront a Lord Ravager within the Ambrosial Arbor...
The aftermath left Jing Yuan unscathed, not a single wound marring his body, yet brimming with an unnatural spirit and vitality.
If Jing Yuan had borne even a few minor injuries, Yanqing might not have felt this overwhelming sorrow.
There's a saying that perfectly captures it: normalcy, the absence of any abnormality, is the greatest abnormality of all...
To make matters worse, the General had actually abdicated his position!
Even if this abdication was only temporary, with his eventual reinstatement, could it be hinting at something deeper?
Was he signaling that he was nearing his limit and needed to urgently groom Lady Fu Xuan?
Yanqing's little mind began to spin furiously.
How could he not worry about his General, who was acting so unusually?
"Uh... Yanqing, I'm really fine."
Because Yanqing was still so young, his thoughts were practically written all over his face.
Seeing these thoughts reflected in Yanqing's expression, Jing Yuan's lips twitched slightly as he reassured the boy that he was perfectly fine and didn't need to rest.
"General, please don't be stubborn like a child. You must rest properly." Yanqing clearly didn't believe him.
After all, Jing Yuan's current state hardly looked "fine."
Having just emerged from a battle with a Lord Ravager, Jing Yuan showed no signs of injury. Instead, he seemed even more spirited and energized than before.
Considering his general's condition, the only plausible explanation, apart from a deathbed resurgence, seemed to be... none.
"Yanqing, I'm assigning you a mission."
Knowing Yanqing wouldn't believe anything he said, Jing Yuan's expression turned instantly serious, his tone solemn as he addressed the young Cloud Knight.
"Yes, General!" As expected, hearing Jing Yuan's serious tone, Yanqing snapped to attention, his posture ramrod straight and his ears perked up.
"The Lord Ravager's invasion of the Xianzhou Luofu isn't entirely without benefit."
"At the very least, she's flushed out all the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus within the Luofu."
Jing Yuan waved his hand, issuing his order.
"Therefore, I want you to immediately lead the Cloud Knights to scour the Xianzhou Luofu and eliminate every last remnant of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus!"
"Yes, General!" Yanqing replied without hesitation, asking no further questions.
Without a moment's pause, he raised his sword, turned, and strode away, ready to eradicate the remnants of the Sanctus Medicus.
"Sigh... that child," Jing Yuan sighed inwardly, watching Yanqing's retreating figure.
At least Yanqing didn't press the matter further... Jing Yuan had no intention of revealing that Lumina had bestowed her Blessing upon him once more.
Not to the other generals, and certainly not to the Marshal...
"Oh, right!" Just as Jing Yuan was about to relax, Yanqing seemed to remember something. He turned back to Jing Yuan and said:
"General, I'll swiftly eliminate the remaining disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Then, I'll come back to urge you to seize this opportunity while Lady Fu Xuan is acting as General to rest properly..."
After Yanqing finished speaking, he quickened his pace and left. It was clear he was eager to eliminate the remaining Disciples of Sanctus Medicus on the Luofu and then come back to ensure his general got some rest.
Jing Yuan: ...
Listening to Yanqing's words, Jing Yuan couldn't help but feel somewhat speechless.
While his current appearance might indeed lead to misunderstandings, wasn't Yanqing's misunderstanding a bit too extreme?
Judging by Yanqing's expression, Jing Yuan surmised that the boy probably believed his current vigor was merely a last burst of energy before his injuries fully manifest.
Well, let him think what he wants, Jing Yuan thought. He had no intention of revealing his true condition to Yanqing. In time, when I remain this active, his misconceptions will surely fade...
But for now, there was another matter demanding his attention.
A glint of determination flashed in Jing Yuan's eyes, suggesting he was pondering a different, more pressing concern.