Star Iron: I, who forged my own armor by hand, ascended to the cycle of reincarnation.

Faced with Fu Xuan's words, Jing Yuan confidently smiled and said, "That's unnecessary. The Star Train has absolutely no connection to this matter; I have no doubt about that."

"All that needs to be done now is, as that Dust Tribulation said, to lay the bait, fish, and wait for the fish to bite. That's enough."

Upon hearing this, Fu Xuan's expression turned somewhat displeased: "Wasn't this what I suggested?"

Jing Yuan didn't refute, but instead nodded in agreement, saying, "Indeed, Fu Qing has a clear plan. We'll have to rely on Fu Qing for the rest of the matter."

Upon hearing this, Fu Xuan sneered: "Then why don't you abdicate sooner?"

Seeing that Jing Yuan remained silent, Fu Xuan did not intend to continue the topic, but instead asked the question that had been hidden in her heart all along.

"General, who exactly is this Alphous Dustbreaker? You seem to know him?"

Jing Yuan was slightly taken aback, his thoughts drifting back to a hundred years ago, to the meeting initiated by General Tianji Feixiao, when he first met Chen Jie.

Back then, Chen Jie looked exactly the same as he does now, except that he still possessed an undeniable sharpness, and his face radiated the youthful vigor and confidence typical of young people.

"The equipment of the Cloud Cavalry is basically forged through rigorous testing and skillful techniques, but it generally requires constant supervision."

"I have a method that not only saves time and effort, but also continuously and perfectly compresses and refines the materials. One ounce of refined iron out of ten thousand ounces of pig iron is also very applicable to this process."

"I've conducted actual experiments. With the same armor and weapons, the manufacturing time can be reduced by about three times by using compression. What used to be one set can now be made into three sets, and the effect is also better."

This statement undoubtedly drew criticism from General Zhuyuan, the general of the "Zhu Ming" Immortal Ship.

The old man had a kind face and chuckled, "One ounce of refined iron out of ten thousand taels—I wholeheartedly agree with that saying. The fact that you can say that clearly shows you've put in the effort."

"But the compression technology you mentioned—no, perhaps it should be called purification technology? It's similar to the craftsmen's process of refining impurities through repeated forging. But you must understand, the materials used in the Immortal Ship Cloud Rider's equipment are not ordinary materials; they contain many different kinds of materials."

"The fusion and forging times for different materials can vary each time, and a slight oversight can lead to accidents that render the materials unusable."

"Yet you claim you have the ability to simultaneously remove impurities and blend multiple materials? Doll, you're still young; aiming too high is no good."

Only General Zhuyuan spoke; everyone else remained silent. After all, Huaiyan had already spoken about forging, so why should these "outsiders" have a say?

Even Fei Xiao listened silently, quietly observing his disciple's speech.

However, Chen Jie simply smiled indifferently at General Zhuyuan's doubts: "General Zhuyuan, before my master taught me martial arts, she said the exact same thing as you."

She said her methods were too domineering, and that someone as short-lived as me could never learn them; however, the facts proved otherwise.

"Age is not the primary criterion for judging things; that's a mistake. My method only refines and integrates the semi-finished product to enhance its strength. Subsequent processes such as shaping and quenching still require human intervention."

"Facts speak louder than words. With Master's permission, there are trial clips of the Azure Immortal Ship. Please take a look, everyone."

A video begins playing, showing a furnace-like machine refining something. However, instead of emitting any fiery flames, the furnace strangely emits an energy-like substance.

Huaiyan didn't understand. Being older, he began to squint, until the furnace stopped working and a lump of gleaming metal was sent out. He was stunned.

He couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly: "I see."

"Young man, I take back what I just said. You are a capable child."

pull back

Fu Xuan frowned, seeing that Jing Yuan was even standing there lost in thought, Fu Xuan's face was filled with dissatisfaction.

"Is the General slacking off again?"

Jingyuan, who was reminiscing about the past, was startled, his thoughts interrupted by the shout.

"What are you saying, Fu Qing? There was indeed something I couldn't understand just now, and it wasn't as you described."

Fu Xuan frowned: "General, this isn't the first time I've heard you say that. I'm not a child anymore, and you are indeed getting on in years."

"Rest when you need to, relax when you need to, suppress the demonic spirit when you need to, and step down when you need to. That way, you won't have to sit here 'worried and worried' every day. Isn't that wonderful?"

Jing Yuan was stunned, and gave a helpless bitter smile.

How could he not hear the sarcasm and ambition in Fu Xuan's words? It was precisely because Fu Xuan so desperately wanted to improve that he found it so difficult to let go.

"Minister Fu, you are overthinking this. The matter of Star Cores and Star Core Hunters is no small matter. As General Luofu, I naturally need to carefully consider the implications."

"If anything goes wrong or unforeseen circumstances arise, I will have to bear the responsibility as a general; I can't just walk away now."

"This has led Fu Qing into an unjust situation!"

Fu Xuan frowned slightly. The matter was as it was, and the logic was sound, but he felt that Jing Yuan's words had a hidden meaning, as if he wanted to express more than just that.

After thinking for a while, Fu Xuan still had no clue, but that wasn't important; he couldn't forget the purpose of his visit.

"That is as the general says, but shouldn't the general also fulfill his promise to recommend me as his successor at the next 'Six Emperors' council meeting?"

Jing Yuan didn't argue, nodding in agreement as if coaxing a child: "Mmm, okay, okay, I understand. But I have important matters to attend to now, so I'll probably have to ask Fu Qing for help with the rest."

This time, Fu Xuan noticed something was wrong.

"There is something I don't understand. Would the general be willing to enlighten me?"

"Speak freely," Jingyuan said, unaware that something was amiss.

Fu Xuan fell silent. "Never mind, it's really not a big deal. Since the general has said so, I won't bother you any longer."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Xuan's projection flickered twice and disappeared.

Only after Fu Xuan left did Jing Yuan shake his head helplessly.

"The documents on the fairy boat, the weeds in the flowerbeds, the troubles of the fairy boat—no matter how hard we try, we can't clean them up completely."

Yan Qing, who had been listening in the entire time, said helplessly, "General, it's not like the time it took Fu Taipu to take over your position; it's common knowledge."

"Hehe, she's been working very hard, but her stubborn personality is putting me through the motions. It's not that I can't retire with peace of mind."

Chapter 77 Liuying

"General, the matter of the star core isn't actually that troublesome. As long as you give the order, Yanqing will immediately solve your problems."

Faced with Yanqing's enthusiasm, Jingyuan didn't want to discourage him too much, so he softened his words.

“I know you are anxious and want to do something to help me out, but this is not the time. If you want to gain the title of Sword Master, you cannot act rashly, let alone commit a serious offense.”

"You must guard against arrogance and impetuosity, Yanqing."

Jing Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the documents on the table, and inexplicably felt a slight headache.

What happened? Could it be that they've been working too hard and need a rest? Hmm, that must be it. I'll go to the Pill Refining Department to check after this is over.

Yanqing heard everything clearly from the side. After thinking for a few seconds, her face fell: "General, do you not trust me to capture that escaped criminal?"

"Does the general really think I'll lose to that blade?"

Hmm? You noticed? But if you noticed, why did you ask?

Silly child, it's not that I think you'll lose to that Blade, it's that I simply don't think you can even hold your own against him for more than a few moves.

Jing Yuan shook his head slightly: "I want you to be patient. Luofu is unstable right now, and governing is different from swordsmanship. Only by taking things slowly can we control the overall situation. Besides, we still don't know who the mastermind behind this is."

"Then you absolutely cannot act rashly, understand?"

Yanqing was unhappy. The general's words clearly implied that he thought I couldn't beat that Ren. I can't beat a fugitive? I don't believe it!

"In my opinion, we should capture those two Star Core Hunters and send them directly to Fu Xuan, the diviner. A single divination will reveal the truth in no time."

Jingyuan:

"I've already handed over the Star Core Hunter task to the passengers of the Star Train, so there's no rush for you to help."

At this point, Yanqing lowered his head somewhat insecurely. He had clearly tried his best, so was he really not as good as a fugitive in the general's eyes?

Enraged, Yanqing turned and left without a word. He had to capture that Star Core Hunter fugitive named Blade and prove to the General that he was innocent.

However, Jingyuan remained engrossed in self-praise and didn't notice Yanqing's departure at all.

"Don't be discouraged. Once the situation stabilizes for the time being, you'll have your chance to prove yourself."

"You are the person I trust most. There are some things I can only entrust to you without feeling at ease. By the way, there's a favor I need you to do. Could you please invite that train passenger named Alfvén Dust to come here for a chat?"

"As for the reason, we can simply pass on the Star Core Hunter's information to Train and the others. I'll contact Yu Kong later to discuss having her help me put on a show, and that will do the trick."

After talking for a while, Jingyuan was a little puzzled. Was the child still sad and confused? Why wasn't he responding? Wasn't he always the most enthusiastic when there was a job to be had?

"Yanqing, is something on your mind?"

Turning around, Yan Qing was nowhere to be seen. In fact, he was the only one left in the entire main hall of the Shence General's Mansion.

Although Yanqing's sudden departure was unexpected by Jingyuan, it wasn't the first time the child had done something like this.

He shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Ah, this child."

"A jar long filled with three feet of water, when will it be ready to be tested? Haha, it's my problem that I'm using the perspective of an old person to judge a vibrant young person."

"However, it seems we can only wait for the child to return before we can test whether the person on the train is indeed General Tianji's disciple."

"If that's true, I was thinking of having him teach Yanqing what a sword really is. What a pity."

"But this is for the best. It will teach the child a lesson: if you can't calm your mind, you'll often lose more."

Jing Yuan slowly moved to the projected chessboard and couldn't help but laugh.

"I just hope my old face still holds some sway with Ying Xing, so that the child won't be taught a terrible lesson."

"That child will likely face greater setbacks this time than before, sigh..."

Meanwhile, on Luofu Street, a gray-white-haired girl was furtively following a woman with burgundy hair, moving so cautiously that even her breathing was extremely faint.

"What's Kafka's script this time? Why does she need to come to the Celestial Ship? But whatever the script is, she'll definitely be using the Star Train."

"A-Jie and Xing are both there, so there's absolutely no problem with them following Kafka!"

Firefly muttered to herself, thinking to herself, "Kafka, don't blame me for eavesdropping on your conversation with Eriol later. But something felt off about you and Silver Wolf after that outing."

I just happened to pass by that time.

After reassuring herself, Firefly believed that Kafka wouldn't discover her following, so she followed her through a maze of twists and turns, eventually arriving at some unknown place.

The surrounding urban buildings have been replaced with containers, like unloading docks or places to store boxes.

However, just as Kafka turned a corner and Firefly was about to follow, she suddenly felt dizzy and froze on the spot. When she opened her eyes again, she looked around at everything in confusion.

"Where's Kaffa? I clearly saw her walk this way, then she suddenly felt dizzy and disappeared."

"Wait, I feel dizzy? Did Kaffa use a word of power on me? She noticed I was following her!"

"So, do she and Eriol know that I was eavesdropping?"

In an instant, the girl's face visibly flushed, and she pouted in dissatisfaction.