The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

Respectfully presented by General Jing Yuan of Luofu Cloud Cavalry

Russell tapped the letter lightly with his fingertips. Jing Yuan's wording was very tactful; he did not rush to request an alliance, but instead extended an invitation under the guise of discussing philosophy, giving both sides ample room for maneuver.

"Not for the sake of alliances, nor for the sake of old grudges"... This general was indeed as shrewd and pragmatic as the rumors suggested.

They're far more cunning than those old guys from Xianzhou who keep proclaiming themselves a threat.

He put away the letter and turned his gaze back to the boundless starry sky outside the observation window. The Star Train was sailing smoothly towards Luofu.

This meeting may bring some unexpected changes to the long and stalemate between the Immortal Ship and the Envoy of Abundance.

“General Jingyuan…” Russell murmured to himself, “Let me see what your intentions are in this move.”

Russell hadn't originally intended to board the celestial ship; he truly loathed this place that harbored hatred for pharmacists. He had even planned to stay on the train and chat with Pam about the other nameless travelers.

But after reading the letter, Russell changed his mind.

He had to go to Luofu to meet General Jingyuan. He wanted to see how much of a surprise this general, so open-minded and cheerful in his letters, could bring him.

……

Chapter 1 today

Golden Branches Endure the World: Chapter 124 A Trace of Destructive Aura

The Starry Sky Train smoothly docked at the berth of the Luofu Immortal Ship, and an astonishing sight unfolded outside the porthole: an indescribably enormous ark came into view.

“Everyone,” Walter adjusted his glasses and looked around at his companions gathered in the observation car, “given the possibility of the Star Core Hunters’ involvement, we need to be extra cautious on this trip to Luofu.”

March 7th jumped up excitedly: "I absolutely have to go! I've heard that there are lots of delicious things I've never seen before on Xianzhou Island!"

Xing's eyes sparkled: "There are also supposedly powerful weapons and ruins! This place is sure to have even better junk bins."

Dan Heng remained as calm as ever: "I need to stay on the train to process the ecological data of Yalilo-VI, which has not yet been fully entered into the think tank. Have a good time."

His expression showed hesitation and resistance; it's unclear whether this is related to his past experiences. However, everyone tacitly refrained from asking.

Russell smiled and nodded: "Then, Mr. Walter and I will lead the two young ladies there."

Himeko walked over carrying a coffee pot, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Looks like I've been excluded?"

“Someone needs to stay on the train,” Walter explained, “and your coffee… might be better left on the train.”

Speaking of coffee, everyone's gaze invariably turned to Jin in the corner. This guard of Russell was sipping Himeko's special coffee without changing his expression.

“Mr. Jin actually likes Himeko’s coffee,” March Seven muttered to herself. “If it weren’t for him, how many more cups would we have drunk?”

Xing made a face: "His sense of taste must be off. I couldn't even drink coffee after eating the sugar Mr. Russell gave me last time."

Jin put down his coffee cup and said calmly, "Having been corrupted by the void, my sense of taste is indeed different from that of ordinary people. But Ms. Himeko's coffee is just right to me."

Himeko smiled with relief: "Finally, someone appreciates it. So, Mr. Jin, would you be willing to stay and help me guard the train?"

Jhin looked at Russell, who nodded slightly. "It's my honor," Jhin said with a slight bow, "Please be careful on your journey."

Pam bounced over: "Then it's decided, Pam! Walter and Russell will lead the way, while March 7th and Star will head to the Celestial Ship. Himeko, Ash, and Danheng will stay on the train."

Before leaving, Russell approached Jin: "Are you really not willing to stay behind?"

Jin gave a rare, slight smile: "Sir, I understand now that being a bodyguard isn't just about being there every step of the way. I can play a role on the train as well. And..." He glanced at Himeko, who was chatting and laughing with Hoshi, "Someone needs to appreciate Miss Himeko's coffee here."

Xing and March 7th came over. "Ah Jin, we'll bring you local specialties!" March 7th promised.

Xing asked earnestly, "What delicious food does the Fairy Boat have? We can bring some back for you to try."

“No need to trouble yourself,” Jin said gently. “My sense of taste can’t detect much flavor. But I appreciate your kindness.”

Walter gave a final check of the equipment: "Are you all ready? The Luofu Immortal Ship is waiting for us."

The four stood at the train exit, gazing at the magnificent fairy boat landscape before them. After completing immigration procedures, they stepped into the fairy boat port and saw a troop of cloud cavalry lined up neatly in the distance, seemingly welcoming some important figure.

A beautiful fox-woman gracefully stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Judging from your attire, you must be distinguished guests from the Starry Sky Train. I am Tingyun from the Sky Ship Bureau. I have been entrusted by the Captain Yukong to welcome you and serve as your guide for your tour of Luofu."

Walter politely replied, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Tingyun."

Tingyun smiled and surveyed the four people, her gaze finally settling on Russell: "May I ask, which one of you is Mr. Huaixiu?"

Russell stepped forward: "That's me. Is there a problem?"

Tingyun covered her mouth and chuckled: "There's nothing to ask. It's just that the person responsible for taking you to the General's Mansion hasn't arrived yet, so please wait here for a moment. The General specifically instructed that we must not neglect such an honored guest as you."

She tilted her head slightly, her fox ears twitching gently: "An ordinary guide like myself is not qualified to receive you. I hope Mr. Huaixiu will forgive me."

“It’s alright,” Russell nodded, turning to his companions, “You all go sightseeing with Miss Tingyun first. I’ll go to the General’s Mansion and meet with the General before I join you.”

Walter thought this arrangement was reasonable: "Alright, let's go sightseeing with Miss Tingyun first. We'll contact you again after you leave the General's Mansion."

Russell waved goodbye to the three, but his brows furrowed slightly. As Tingyun spoke, he keenly sensed an unusual aura—an aura of destruction that shouldn't have been present on the Immortal Ship's inhabitants.

The aura appeared by chance, but disappeared just as quickly. Everything seemed eerie.

Just as he was deep in thought, a young man flying on a sword descended from the sky and landed steadily three meters in front of him.

The boy looked confident, his gaze toward Russell neither humble nor arrogant.

"Yanqing, a valiant guard of the Cloud Cavalry, has come on the orders of the General to escort Mr. Huaixiu to the General's residence." The young man clasped his hands in greeting. "I apologize for being late. The Medicine King's Secret Teachings have been very busy lately, which caused a slight delay on the way. Please forgive me."

“It’s alright, I just arrived recently myself,” Russell replied with a smile. “Then please lead the way, Brother Yanqing.”

On the way to the General's Mansion, the two chatted amiably. Yan Qing was surprised to discover that this Envoy of Abundance, whom the Immortal Boat Alliance considered a potential threat, was actually quite...

Russell was also surprised to find that the people of Louvre did not seem to hate him as much as he had imagined.

“Young Master Yanqing, why don’t you just call me Mr. Russell? ‘Huai Xiu’ sounds too formal,” Russell suggested.

The young guard nodded: "Yes, Mr. Russell."

During their conversation, Yanqing mentioned the bottleneck she had encountered in her martial arts training. Russell gently suggested, "If I have any free time during my stay in Luofu, I can spar with you and perhaps offer some advice."

Yanqing's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? Thank you, Mr. Russell!" He was so excited he almost wanted to become his apprentice on the spot.

Russell is renowned throughout the universe not only for his superb medical skills—which are not uncommon among the Abundance Walkers—but also for his glorious record of killing Abundance People over more than a decade.

For Yanqing, who is obsessed with martial arts, receiving guidance from such a "god of killing" is undoubtedly a rare opportunity.

Upon arriving at the General's Mansion, Yanqing personally led Russell to an elegant courtyard.

On the stone table were delicate pastries and steaming tea, and next to them was an unfinished chess game.

"Mr. Russell, please wait here for a moment, I will go and fetch the general." After saying this, Yanqing quickly left.

Russell sat down in the chair that had been prepared for him and surveyed his surroundings. The courtyard was exquisitely designed, and the rustling of bamboo leaves could be faintly heard in the distance.

He picked up his teacup, inhaling the faint aroma of tea, and waited for the arrival of the mysterious Shence General.

……

I rested too late today; by the time I finished my medicine and took a nap, it was already past 11 pm. So, I'm missing another chapter today. The discomfort I felt these past few days has been getting better and better; I'll be back to 6k words sooner or later. Goodnight everyone. Sweet dreams.

Golden Branches Endure Through the Ages: Chapter 125 The Chess Game

Russell didn't have to wait long. He had just finished his first cup of tea when Yanqing appeared in the distance.

He was leading a white-haired man slowly towards him.

The man was languid and leisurely, as if he were merely taking an afternoon stroll rather than meeting a renowned messenger of abundance.

Judging from Yan Qing's almost breathless, respectful posture, Russell immediately recognized the newcomer as General Jing Yuan of the Luofu Immortal Ship. The general's relaxed demeanor was quite consistent with the evaluations circulating among the stars.

Jing Yuan walked to the table and sat down calmly, while Yan Qing quietly took a few steps back and stood not far away, his eyes lowered, but always paying attention to the general's movements.

Jing Yuan's golden eyes were now scrutinizing Russell with great interest—this messenger who, in less than a century, had turned the main gathering place of the Abundant Devourers upside down and was privately known by various parties in the universe as "the most severe father of the Abundant Destiny".

Rumors about Russell's past are numerous and conflicting. But one thing is known to everyone in the Immortal Ship Alliance, and indeed throughout the entire interstellar space: if the Pharmacist were to fall, the one before them would undoubtedly be the new Star God of Abundant Destiny.

This is the core of the subtle shift in the Immortal Boat Alliance's attitude towards the Pharmacist—the ominous divination given by the Qiong Guan Array before it exploded, having exhausted its power to predict what would happen to the Immortal Boat Alliance after the Pharmacist's death.

This is enough to silence all radical voices. Although the Medicine Master may bring calamities through his endless blessings, his intentions are ultimately pure good.

If He were to fall, and replaced by Russell, whose style of doing things is completely different... the Immortal Ship Alliance dares not gamble with that "disastrous" price. It is better to keep this still merciful god alive than to directly confront an emissary who has been elevated to a divine position and whose methods have become more extreme and who is wreaking havoc.

Russell was also scrutinizing Jing Yuan. This general lacked the usual commanding presence of a commander; he was more like a retired old man taking an afternoon stroll.

He was enveloped in a lingering sense of drowsiness, his expression relaxed to the point of languor, and even his eyes lacked any sharpness, as if he were about to pull Russell aside for a chat about everyday matters.

"I apologize for the neglect, Mr. Huaixiu." Jingyuan picked up the slightly cooled tea in front of him, his tone carrying just the right amount of apology.

"As General Luofu, I have been troubled by the remnants of the Medicine King's secret teachings lately, and have been preoccupied with trivial matters. I have been quite impolite, and I hope you will forgive me." He finished his tea and naturally picked up a pastry from the table and put it in his mouth. "Please forgive my poor appearance. I have been dealing with official business since last night and have not eaten or drunk anything. I can only take this opportunity to replenish my energy during this meeting with you."

Jing Yuan's completely unguarded appearance made Russell's tense nerves relax slightly.

The general's actions silently conveyed a message: there was not only hostility between them, but also room for dialogue.

"Bearing the fate of the entire Luofu region on my shoulders, being busy is the norm. I understand, General Jingyuan, there is no need to apologize."

Russell nodded slightly, his smile gentle. He lightly tapped the air with his fingertips, and a pure, warm, abundant power emerged.

The abundant power instantly condensed into an exquisite medicine bottle in the style of a celestial ship, which floated towards Jing Yuan.

"I've heard that General has been in charge of Luofu for nearly eight hundred years, and since the chaos of the sudden calamity, you've devoted yourself to maintaining the operation of the immortal ship. Such hard work must take a toll on your health." He spoke calmly. "As a visitor, I've prepared a small gift. If General feels tired, taking one pill might alleviate the symptoms."

Jing Yuan smiled and accepted the medicine bottle, his fingertips stroking the smooth surface of the bottle, a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "I am grateful for Mr. Huai Xiu's generous gift. But... is this elixir truly only for relieving fatigue?"

His tone remained calm, yet a subtle, almost imperceptible sharpness had crept in.

Russell's gaze fell on Jing Yuan, his tone still calm, yet like a stone thrown into a lake: "The general's condition seems not far from the Demonic Yin Body that the Immortal Ship people fear so much. Am I right?"

Yan Qing, who was standing to the side, suddenly looked up, his pupils contracted slightly, and his hand instinctively went to the hilt of the sword at his waist. The air froze instantly.

The languid smile on Jing Yuan's face faded away like thin ice, replaced by a deep solemnity.

Within that seemingly relaxed body, a sharp edge belonging to the Shence General instantly emanated, locking onto Russell.

This transformation clearly confirmed Russell's earlier judgment—that languor was merely a facade the general wanted him to see.

"This elixir uses the purest, harmless, and abundant power." Ignoring Yanqing's tension and Jingyuan's sudden change in demeanor, Russell calmly explained, "Its effects surpass those of the medicine made by the Immortal Boat to delay the demonic yin. For those on the verge of demonic yin, it can extend their lifespan by two or three hundred years. For those whose transformation is already deep, although it cannot extend their lifespan, it may be able to temporarily slow down their progress."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Of course, it is understandable if the general has any doubts. After all, I am on the same path as the Lord of Immortality, and I will not force you if you are unwilling."

Jing Yuan was not a fool. If Russell wanted to harm Luo Fu at this moment, there were countless ways more direct and effective than poisoning this general.

Moreover, Russell's code of conduct in the universe is widely recognized. The fact that some people call Huai Xiu "Little Pharmacist" speaks volumes about his high moral standards.

Without further hesitation, he tucked the small bottle filled with golden pills into his sleeve, a smile returning to his face, though his sharpness was not entirely concealed: "In that case, thank you very much for your generous gift, Mr. Huaixiu."

“There’s no need to always address me as ‘Huai Xiu’,” Russell replied gently. “Just call me Russell. Similarly, I’ll call you Jing Yuan. Let’s relax a bit between us.”

“Perhaps we can become good friends, Mr. Jingyuan?” Russell offered his goodwill.

Jing Yuan accepted the offer without hesitation: "That would be excellent, Mr. Russell."

His mind raced: if this elixir was truly as Russell described, it would be a godsend for him. Luofu was currently in a period of transition—Fu Xuan's character still needed tempering, and the younger generation, such as Su Chang, Qing Que, and Yan Qing, were far from mature.

If there were a successor, why would he be stuck in this position until now? Russell's arrival and this gift seem to confirm some of his guesses: this Envoy of Abundance is not an insurmountable enemy, and may even... bring about a better situation than expected.

So Jing Yuan abandoned his general's airs and his smile became more genuine: "Mr. Russell, are you skilled in chess? Since we have nothing to do, why don't we play a game?"

Russell nodded slightly: "I learned a few moves while traveling through the Star Sea. If Jingyuan doesn't mind my low skill level, I will gladly play with you."

His tone was humble, but by no means self-deprecating. Throughout Onfaros's long career, he had gone through countless deductions as a chess player.

"The general just said he was busy with official duties. Wouldn't it be a waste to play chess now?"

"It's alright." Jing Yuan waved his hand, looking relaxed. "A game of chess won't take much time. Consider it a break from my busy schedule. Besides, if Luofu were to fall into chaos the moment I left, I wouldn't be here chatting and laughing with you right now."

"Very well, this will help the general relax."

Jingyuan turned to Yanqing and instructed, "Yanqing, tidy up the table and fetch the chess set."

"Yes, General!" Yanqing immediately stepped forward and deftly removed the pastries, revealing the intricate chessboard pattern below, resembling a star map.

He quickly brought out two jars of chess pieces, black and white, and placed them beside the two players. On the chessboard, a silent contest was about to unfold.

Jingyuan, playing black, made the first move, placing his piece at the star point with composure, showing a degree of courtesy in the opening.

Russell, playing white, moved with measured ease. For the first dozen or so moves, the situation remained relatively peaceful.

However, as the game progressed, Jingyuan's signature smile, which seemed to indicate that he had everything under control, gradually became less and less convincing.

Russell's chess style, at first glance, appears mild, even overly conservative, bordering on conservative.

But Jingyuan keenly sensed that beneath this seemingly lukewarm pace lay a chilling undercurrent. Every move Russell made, seemingly defensive or consolidating, was in fact a silent expansion of White's territory, like an invisible net slowly tightening across the board.

What alarmed Jingyuan even more was that Russell seemed to cherish every piece. Several times, Jingyuan carefully set traps, deliberately creating openings to lure his opponent into going deeper or sacrificing pieces to gain the initiative.