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"I have a question I've been meaning to ask…" Baiheng began.
"What is it?"
"Your Curio works by turning people into Yingyings and having them distribute snacks to others, thereby eliminating their burdens. But what if that person has no close companions or even any acquaintances nearby?" Baiheng asked the question that had been bothering her for a while.
"Then, of course… they can't change back. Just like now. As long as the two of us don't accept Little Jingliu's snacks, she won't be able to change back," Chen Li explained.
"…Your master is really going to kill you for this," Baiheng said after glancing at the starry sky outside.
By now, Baiheng had followed Chen Li to the Herta Space Station. The two of them were standing on the platform, gazing at the cosmos. Traveling the stars had always been Baiheng's dream, but unfortunately, she had never had the chance to board the holy land of the Nameless—the Astral Express.
Here at the Herta Space Station, aside from Chen Li and Baiheng, Jingliu didn't know a single soul. So, Little Jingliu was obediently staying by their side, only occasionally glancing in a specific direction.
Chen Li guessed that was probably the direction of the Xianzhou.
"Just kidding. The [Mengyin Shen] Curio has a setting where if all the snacks aren't given away within a certain time, the person will revert to their original state. Besides, the reason Jingliu is sticking with us is because we have a higher priority. A Yingying can also reduce its burden by giving snacks to other Yingyings. And if there are no other Yingyings? Then it just infects a random unlucky person, turns them into a Yingying, and gives them the snacks," Chen Li explained.
This was one of the reasons the Mengyin virus was transmissible.
If you have friends, you give the snacks to your friends. If you don't, you randomly turn an unlucky sod into a Yingying. Since Yingyings are of the same kind, the condition is met.
Very user-friendly, right?
Of course, if there was absolutely no one around, then there was nothing to be done.
"I see… Then what was that bracelet you put on Jingliu just now?"
"Just a little trinket I made with the Power of Eternity and enhanced with Star Stones. It can prevent a person's form from changing. It's also one of the few known methods, aside from other Curios, that can affect the [Mengyin Shen]."
"…Your master is definitely going to kill you for this."
"It's fine, don't worry about these trivial things. It's not the first time I've died anyway. Besides, Little Jingliu doesn't have any objections herself. Right?"
"Ying ying ying!"
Little Jingliu didn't know what an "objection" was. She only knew that the two people beside her were the two most closely connected individuals to her, so staying here was perfectly fine.
The 1-star Curio [Mengyin Shen] actually had quite a few bugs that could be found to interfere with those in the Yingying state. The problem was, the people capable of finding and exploiting these bugs didn't need to turn others into Yingyings to play with them like toys.
This created a paradox.
So, once a program is running, you shouldn't worry about how it runs. Just let it be.
Beep beep! Chen Li's Friends Circle terminal lit up and began to vibrate continuously.
"Why aren't you answering?" Baiheng asked, puzzled.
"Ermm… It's a call from Jing Yuan." Chen Li didn't offer a complicated explanation; that single sentence was enough for Baiheng to understand why he wasn't picking up.
"You should probably answer it. It's not good to keep him waiting like this."
Chen Li took Baiheng's advice and accepted Jing Yuan's video call.
"Jing Yuan, this is all for your own good."
"…" Jing Yuan, who had initiated the call, hadn't even said a word before he was met with Chen Li's declaration.
"Forget it. At this point, I no longer have the heart to distinguish right from wrong…" Jing Yuan sighed.
"You're going to take us all with you? Calm down!" Chen Li was startled.
"I meant to say, regardless of your reasons for using this Curio on me, it has indeed helped me a lot," Jing Yuan said, not knowing what Chen Li was babbling about, but offering his own explanation.
Although Jing Yuan didn't know if Chen Li genuinely wanted to see some fun or truly wanted to help him, after distributing all the snacks, he felt a great weight lift from his shoulders.
Now, the General of Closed Eyes no longer needed to close his eyes.
Did you think General Jing Yuan's "listening to reports with closed eyes" was because he wanted to close his eyes? Sometimes, a person who often keeps their eyes closed isn't just following the rule that all squinty-eyed characters are monsters; it might be because they are genuinely exhausted.
Now, Jing Yuan felt so energetic he could take down a tiger with a slide tackle!
Although turning into a Yingying, running up to his acquaintances, and chirping "ying ying ying" before handing them snacks did make Jing Yuan feel a bit uncomfortable… or rather, embarrassed. But he now understood just how user-friendly Chen Li's setting of not attracting excessive attention was.
Otherwise, if a Xianzhou native used this Curio to cure their Mara-Struck condition, only to have their embarrassing history recorded, the pressure from social death might just cause them to relapse on the spot. This was especially true for people in high positions with great renown.
For example, Jing Yuan couldn't even imagine what the Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance would turn into if she used this Curio. Just thinking about it felt like a crime of great disrespect.
"I have a question," Jing Yuan suddenly said.
"What is it?"
"Does social death count as death? Can it be reversed with a Revival Card? And what would the effect be after revival?"
"…As expected of a question from the Divine Foresight. Truly tricky." Chen Li's expression turned serious.
Does social death count as death?
Chen Li couldn't imagine a mind capable of coming up with such a cunning question.
But Jing Yuan had a point!
Perhaps… he should bravely give it a try?
Or have someone else bravely give it a try.
"If my question has troubled you, you can set it aside. The filming of the Curio's effect on someone on the verge of Mara is complete. Next, we need to film its effect on someone who is already Mara-Struck. You're… not on the Xianzhou right now, are you?" Jing Yuan asked after glancing at the background of Chen Li's video call.
Although Jing Yuan didn't quite approve of being used as a test subject, in hindsight, it had both helped alleviate his burden and proven to the Xianzhou Alliance that he could continue to serve as the General of the Luofu without making unwise decisions due to his long life and the risk of Mara, which could plunge the Luofu into an abyss. It was a win-win situation.
However, considering Chen Li never played by the rules, Jing Yuan had no idea if he had considered this… or if he just wanted to watch the fun.
It turned out that even the Divine Foresight was not omnipotent. At the very least, he couldn't comprehend the thought process of a Masked Fool.
"Don't worry, I'm on call anytime. Or you can video call me after you've found a suitable candidate, and I'll teleport the Curio directly to you," Chen Li said.
"And this candidate can't be a high-ranking official, just in case you miss out on the high-level fun, right?" Jing Yuan added for him.
"He who knows me is Jing Yuan."
"…"
Goddamned Masked Fools!
"I'm not a Masked Fool. Masked Fools and people who just like fun are different," Chen Li said, seemingly having read Jing Yuan's thoughts.
"It doesn't matter. We can't paint all Masked Fools with the same brush. There are more orderly Fools among them," Jing Yuan said reassuringly.
"I told you, I'm not a Masked Fool!"
"Oh? Then have you never been watched by the Lord of Joy?" Jing Yuan asked, suddenly curious.
If Chen Li had never been noticed by the Aeon of Elation, then that Aeon didn't seem all that impressive.
"…" Chen Li fell silent.
"Alright, I have my answer. Now for the most important matter. Chen Li, although I know you are… uh… of noble and pure character, you must have some demands. I need to report them to the Xianzhou Alliance," Jing Yuan said. It was clear that he had put considerable thought and deliberation into choosing certain adjectives.
"…It seems I can never become a Xianzhou general," Baiheng, standing beside Chen Li, suddenly sighed.
"There's a Foxian general in the Xianzhou Alliance right now. You shouldn't sell yourself short," Chen Li comforted her.
"No, it's not because I'm a Foxian. It's because I don't think I could ever be like Jing Yuan and lie with my eyes wide open," Baiheng shook her head.
"…" was Chen Li's silent reply.
And here I was, comforting you. What a waste of my emotions!
"Ahem. Back to the topic." Jing Yuan cleared his throat twice and tapped the screen.
"What do I want… A Mengyin Day is a must."
"That condition is no problem; it's only reasonable. I was asking about other things. Except for the Xianzhou Marshal, of course," Jing Yuan said.
"Then give me some Death-Free Medallions."
"Hm? That's a rather ominous topic. I'm hesitant to ask, but I must: what are you planning to do?"
"Here's the important part, take notes. First, you need to understand, Jing Yuan, that the reason I don't charge much for forging Curios is because when the user creates a positive miracle, I also gain Miracle Power. That's the payment I truly need. But if your Xianzhou Alliance takes my Curios and does unseemly things with them, I will take them back. With interest. The Death-Free Medallions are for that occasion."
"…There may indeed be some problems within the Alliance, but it would never come to that." Gazing at the seemingly smiling but clearly serious Chen Li, Jing Yuan gave his assurance.
Jing Yuan couldn't guarantee the absolute purity of the Xianzhou Alliance—Dan Shu was part of the Alliance, and Dragon Master Taoran was also part of it—but the highest echelons of the Xianzhou were relatively reliable.
"Then it's not too much to ask for a few Death-Free Medallions, right? Since they won't be needed anyway."
"But in the history of the Xianzhou, Death-Free Medallions have never actually saved anyone from death," Baiheng whispered a reminder from the side.
"Do I look like someone who needs a Death-Free Medallion to make the Xianzhou Alliance not dare to touch me? I want them as a warning to certain people in the Alliance: don't misuse my Curios, or I will take action," Chen Li explained.
Did Chen Li need a Death-Free Medallion? It's not like he hadn't died before. If it really came to a fight with the Xianzhou Alliance, Chen Li would just say: Here's a giant Aeon of Nihility, it's all yours!
"I see… I really am not suited to be a general. I thought you were asking for the medallions for Jingliu," Baiheng scratched her head.
"Didn't I ask for several? I'll give her one later, though I don't think Jingliu cares about being a wanted person."
"Oh."
"What do you think, Jing Yuan?"
"The Xianzhou Alliance is composed of three long-life species: the Xianzhou natives, the Vidyadhara, and the Foxians. The Xianzhou natives' Mara-Struck condition and the Foxians' Lunacy desperately need this Curio, but the incidence of the Vidyadhara's Dragon Madness is very low… so the Vidyadhara might have reservations. This could result in the Death-Free Medallions only applying to Xianzhou natives and Foxians, not the entire Alliance, or perhaps the medallions wouldn't apply to the Fanghu," Jing Yuan said after some thought.
The Xianzhou natives naturally held the dominant position in the Alliance, but the Vidyadhara and Foxians were also important allies. And the Fanghu was the Vidyadhara's self-governing ship.
"Is that so…"
"However, the probability of that happening is low. Are you familiar with the profession of Dragon Master? They are not only mentors who assist in the High Elder's succession but also assassins prepared for a High Elder who succumbs to [Dragon Madness]. In other words, the Vidyadhara High Elders might be very much in favor of this."
The probability was low, but not zero. As a friend, Jing Yuan felt it was necessary to remind Chen Li.
"I understand. But actually, I also accepted a commission from Dragon Master Taoran to forge a Curio that can transform other species into Vidyadhara."
"…He also knows you're a Curio Forger?"
"No, he only knows me as an Emissary of Abundance."
"…So Dragon Master Taoran is also in collusion with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus? Will you fulfill that commission?" Jing Yuan nodded before changing the subject.
"Of course. After all… as long as there are Crystals to be had. It's also a good opportunity to see just how deep the Vidyadhara's pockets are. They should be very rich, right?" Chen Li asked casually.
"Very rich," Baiheng chimed in from the side before Jing Yuan could speak.
"That settles it, then. I'll use [Mengyin Shen] to empty the pockets of the Xianzhou natives, the Foxians, and half of the Vidyadhara. Then I'll use the Vidyadhara transformation Curio to empty the other half of their pockets. Perfect!" Chen Li was overjoyed.
"…" Jing Yuan fell silent.
Just keep forging those Curios. Each one you forge will leave someone speechless.
Jing Yuan had a feeling the Xianzhou Alliance's budget for next year would be惨不忍睹 (miserably low). He wondered if he could ask Chen Li if they could pay off the debt with Alliance Jade Abacuses.
Tragic. The Xianzhou Alliance was about to be bled dry. And compared to the Xianzhou natives and Foxians, the Vidyadhara were probably the most miserable, because they wanted to use [Mengyin Shen] to solve Dragon Madness and increase their population.
They would have to pay twice.
But the Vidyadhara couldn't refuse the temptation of turning other beings into their kind, just as the Xianzhou natives couldn't refuse the temptation of [Mengyin Shen].
"Besides the Death-Free Medallions, do you have any other requests?" Jing Yuan continued.
"Food. I want to eat everything, edible and inedible, as long as it's not dirty. Oh, and can I take a bite of the Miracles of Abundance on your different Xianzhou ships?"
"Never mind a bite, you can have them all."
"Really?"
"On the condition that you can guarantee their removal won't affect the Xianzhou as a whole. Take the Ambrosial Arbor, for example. It has already merged with the Luofu."
"Then I'll have to reconsider…"
Curios could solve 100% of problems, but Curios required costs.
"I generally understand your requests. I will present them when I submit the report on this Curio. However, since you're unwilling to let the Curio leave your possession before a deal is struck, other high-ranking officials from the Alliance may come to the Luofu to confirm its authenticity," Jing Yuan said.
Jing Yuan estimated there were two likely candidates: General Huaiyan, whose age was unknown, and the Foxian General of the Yaoqing, Feixiao. A High Elder from another Xianzhou might also come.
Jing Yuan had verified that [Mengyin Shen] was effective on Xianzhou natives. Whether it worked on Vidyadhara and Foxians would require verification by someone of sufficient standing. As for General Huaiyan? He might be sent simply because he was old and could use a chance to clear away some of his burdens.
"No problem. But tell them to come in secret. I need to fight Phantylia. I really need to fight Phantylia. Don't scare her away from the Xianzhou," Chen Li reminded him.
Chen Li had already made a grand promise to the Bloodsin Wraiths of the Galaxy Rangers; he couldn't fail to deliver.
"Alright. Among the Lord Ravagers, Phantylia is one of the most difficult to deal with because she never reveals her true form. This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although I suspect this time she will also appear as an avatar," Jing Yuan said with some concern.
The Lord Ravager Phantylia reveled in the self-destruction of mortals, delighting in the shattering of their "spirits." She instigated conflicts of faith within planets, dismantled their spiritual pillars, pushed civilizations toward the collapse of internal trust, and made people abandon all hope.
You can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days. Since the Lord Ravager had already set her sights on the Xianzhou, there was no use in avoiding it. It was better to take the initiative.
"I will prepare a suitable pet collar for Phantylia," Chen Li gave a thumbs-up.
If Phantylia managed to escape, she would be this (thumbs-up.jpg). If Chen Li knew Phantylia was coming to the Xianzhou and still let her escape, he would be this (thumbs-down.jpg).
"Then I'll hang up now. Goodbye." Jing Yuan pretended he hadn't heard that last sentence, said his goodbyes, and went to deal with his gradually mountaining pile of official duties.
Right now, Jing Yuan felt fantastic! Unbelievably good!
"By the way, I just thought of a question I didn't get to ask Jing Yuan," Chen Li said, turning to Baiheng.
"What is it?"
"Suppose I don't take the Xianzhou's money, but instead borrow from them—a sum of wealth that could only be gathered by mortgaging the entire Xianzhou Alliance. Then, I use that wealth to buy the Xianzhou Alliance… do I still have to pay the money back?"
"Huh? Wait a second, let me think… A sum of wealth that requires mortgaging the entire Xianzhou Alliance means that wealth is enough to buy the Xianzhou Alliance."
"Paying back debts is a matter of course. If you borrow money, you must repay it."
"But after buying the Xianzhou, the Xianzhou Alliance would be yours, so why would you have to pay yourself back…"
Baiheng pondered Chen Li's question, counting on her fingers as she calculated.
Her head gradually started to overheat…
Chen Li nodded, satisfied, and walked away.
That's what you get for saying my character isn't noble!
[Baiheng was just revived, her mind isn't at its sharpest, and you're still bullying her… Your character really isn't noble! Go buy Baiheng some melon seeds!]
"…And you didn't spare her either."
---o---