Honkai Star Rail: I Can Hear Their Secrets

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Long ago on the internet, there circulated a question: How do you pursue a girl you like?

The top answer read: If she is inexperienced with the world, show her its wonders; if she has seen life's hardships, take her on a carousel ride.

For a young woman like Sushang, it would be fitting to expose her to the grandeur of life, capturing her heart through novelty and new experiences.

Inside the inn, March 7th and the others wore sorrowful expressions, kneeling before Su Jinyan without exception.

Ever since he exposed Luocha's social death incident in public, Welt's perception of him had significantly improved. Now, Welt willingly showed more respect towards Su Jinyan.

Welt adjusted his glasses and sternly said, "Ladies of the Galaxy's finest, when you've done wrong, it's important to sincerely apologize."

March 7th obediently offered her apology, "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have secretly filmed you, and even worse, for pinning you at the very bottom."

"In my panic, I must have hallucinated, thinking that your girl here had squashed you flat," she added.

Dan Heng was accustomed to this behavior, knowing little March understood how to apologize.

Su Jinyan turned to Stelle, "Galaxy Bat Hero, what about you? Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Feeling remorseful, Stelle replied, "I was dazed from the impact back then. Otherwise, I should have immediately destroyed evidence and covered our tracks."

Guinaifen, taken aback, exclaimed, "Wait, but I was there too! Aren't you worried about having witnesses?"

Stelle proudly puffed out her chest, "We would've offed Little Gui as well."

Guinaifen stared, speechless.

Su Jinyan nodded slightly, recognizing Stelle's more formidable nature.

Among the beauties present, only Sushang held his hand with an embarrassed smile:

"Uh, ha ha... So, did yours truly misunderstand the situation?"

"Sorry about that, did I hurt anyone?"

"Especially you, Su Jinyan, being squashed at the bottom must've been painful, right?" Sushang's voice was clear and crisp, imbued with a charming innocence, reflecting her youthful vibrancy through her expressive eyes. Her gaze held a lingering childlike charm, coupled with a spirited vivacity typical of young girls, stirring hearts effortlessly.

Sushang's straightforward demeanor, though somewhat naive, had a lovable simplicity to it—a trait he found endearing.

At this moment, Su Jinyan suddenly realized something:

If he truly took Sushang to experience all the world's wonders, filling her eyes with vibrant colors and leaving footprints across every mountain, sea, and distant land...

Would the well-traveled and experienced Sushang still retain her original innocence, kindness, and delightful purity?

He no longer intended to deceive Sushang; instead, he resolved to openly confess his feelings: "I like you."

If she didn't reciprocate, there would be time later to find ways to gently persuade her.

With these thoughts, Su Jinyan shook his head slightly, saying, "Sushang, what am I going to do with you?"

"We're already so close; shouldn't we use more familiar terms?"

Sushang didn't hesitate either. "Then from now on, I'll call you 'Little Su-zi'~ And you can address me as 'Shangshang' or 'Sushang.'"

Well then, he'd earned a nickname akin to Little Gui.

"Little Su-zi," Sushang asked hesitantly, "Do...you still feel pain?"

Pain? Not at all—rather, it felt quite enjoyable. First off, Su Jinyan wasn't a pervert and never harbored any fantasies about young beauties.

Being in such intimate contact with the undergarments of the Galaxy's finest maiden also left him unaffected; after all, he wasn't a pervert.

However, let's be honest—who could resist the sensation of having their face nestled between a beautiful girl's soft, snow-white legs? It was undeniably tempting. Most others might not withstand it, but Su Jinyan could, precisely because he wasn't a pervert.

Su Jinyan gently drew breath and swayed dramatically towards Sushang. "Sushang, my head hurts terribly."

Welt and Dan Heng exchanged incredulous glances.

Sushang hastily cradled him in her arms, positioning his head comfortably on her lap. With her delicate, snow-white hands, she gently massaged his temples.

"It won't hurt for long; just give it a moment. This is what my mother taught me when I was young."

Witnessing this scene, March 7th's expression turned rather complicated.

Although this maiden didn't want to meddle...

Still, still, she couldn't let an innocent girl be deceived by such a promiscuous scumbag, could she?

He already has six wives! If this maiden stood idly by, wouldn't that make her an accomplice?

"Uh, Sushang, do you think there might be a possibility..."

"That Little Su-zi is actually lying? He isn't really in pain at all."

"He's just trying to take advantage of you, see—"

As March 7th spoke, she extended her slender, pale fingers, attempting to poke Su Jinyan's head.

Sushang swatted away March 7th's hand, clearly displeased. "What are you doing? Can't you see Little Su-zi is in pain?"

"I'm giving him a massage right now, don't disturb me," March 7th retorted.

March 7th fell silent, momentarily speechless.

Su Jinyan, eyes half-closed, contentedly nuzzled against Sushang's beautiful legs.

"Sushang-jiejie is so wonderful—gentle and kind," March 7th cooed. "I really adore Sushang-jiejie."

"Unlike little March, always causing me harm; she's practically a villainess."

March 7th blinked, taken aback.

Sushang's cheeks flushed as she soothingly whispered, "Little Su-zi, don't be afraid."

"I'm right here beside you; no one will hurt you."

March 7th's eyes widened incredulously, and she pulled Guinaifen and Stelle aside to a corner.

"I can't take this anymore! He's going to drive me insane."

"Little Gui, Stelle, surely you both see his ulterior motives towards Sushang?"

"Our Beautiful Maidens Alliance must not tolerate such behavior."

Guinaifen sighed, "Little March, don't overthink it."

"When Shangshang sets her mind on something, nobody can sway her."

"You've seen Little Su-zi—he's quite handsome, has a charming voice, holds a high position, and is even hailed as Luofu's hero."

"Moreover, Shangshang has always admired him and harbors genuine affection for him."

"Forget about Shangshang, any girl would struggle to resist his advances, wouldn't they?"

"Well, except me, of course." March 7th proudly declared, "Hmph, don't underestimate this lady!"

"I could handle it too, being a Pure Love Warrior—I'd never succumb to his charms."

Stelle rubbed his chin, looking worried. "At this rate, I fear Sushang might fall for his charms and end up having eight kids."

"Haven't you noticed he's been quite deliberate from the start?"

"Little March is so pretty, Little Gui isn't bad either, and as for me, my beauty clearly outshines all of yours," Stelle continued.

"Uncle Yang has great presence too," added Guinaifen. "And although Dan Heng Teacher may be stoic and reserved, he exudes coolness."

March 7th raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Guinaifen mirrored her expression, equally confused.

"But why does he specifically target Sushang?" Stelle pressed on.

"I'm guessing he can only charm Sushang; he probably thinks the rest of us are too clever to fall for it easily," speculated March 7th.

Guinaifen retorted unhappily, "What do you mean 'Little Gui isn't bad'? I'm quite lovely, okay? Besides, didn't you see how Little Su-zi almost couldn't resist kissing him just now?"

Frowning, March 7th interrupted, "Hold on, wait a moment—let me sort this out." She paused before adding, "Firstly, your self-praise is like a peddler boasting about their own melons; let's set that aside for now. Secondly, why are you including Uncle Yang and Dan Heng in this comparison?"

Undeterred by logic, Stelle asserted, "If we don't count them..."

"How would it highlight my absolute superiority over everyone here? My looks have universal appeal; none of you stand a chance against me."

"This is the confidence bestowed upon me by the Stellaron."

The unbreakable alliance of beautiful young women crumbled instantly, causing Welt to shake his head.

"Grand Diviner Su," he pondered aloud, "I have a question. From our arrival on Xianzhou to meet with the general, up until accepting the mission to capture the Stellaron Hunter, it has been quite some time. Yet we still haven't found any leads regarding Kafka. Does this suggest that Xianzhou isn't particularly concerned about apprehending the Stellaron Hunter Kafka?"

Su Jinyan, eyes half-closed in enjoyment from Sushang's massage, explained, "Mr. Walter, this is because my thoughts differ from those of the general. My remarks at the Sky-Faring Commission were intentionally reserved. I believe even if you truly captured my mother, it wouldn't resolve the true predicament facing Xianzhou currently."

Sushang's slender, pale hands paused briefly before continuing the massage.

Welt, puzzled, asked, "What do you mean?"

With a serious expression, Su Jinyan replied, "It's not that I doubt your capabilities. Rather, I'm hesitant to reveal the mastermind behind the impending Stellaron explosion. Would you all summon the courage to confront them?"

Just as Welt was about to respond, March 7th's eyes sparkled, and she interjected:

"Uncle Yang, hold your tongue for now; let our detective March 7th deduce it."

"Little Su-zi, I'll ask you a few questions, and you only need to answer 'yes' or 'no.'"

"Do you already know the true identity of the mastermind?"

"Yes, but it's just my guess."

"Is this person of high status and position?"

"Yes."

"Is their power exceptionally strong? Capable of posing significant threats to Xianzhou, with very few aboard who could defeat them?"

"Yes."

March 7th smiled faintly, her lips curving enigmatically.

"Hmph, excellent—Detective March 7th has unraveled their true identity."

Welt and the others remained silent, knowing that at times like these, simply contradicting little March's deductions would suffice.

"It's none other than General Jing Yuan from the Seat of Divine Foresight!" March 7th declared confidently.

Sushang was speechless.

Su Jinyan smiled warmly. "A truly intriguing deduction."

March 7th blinked her lovely eyes, feeling quite pleased with herself. "So, what do you think, huh?" she asked eagerly. "My reasoning is spot-on, right? Did it catch you off guard? This explains why the Aerial Division's branch director persistently obstructed our efforts to seal the Stellaron, even going so far as accusing us of colluding with the Stellaron Hunters. She must have been acting under the general's orders!"

"Hmph, having the biggest villain turn out to be our own leader—it's a trope usually reserved for fiction."

"I never expected that The Hunt's Emanator would be the one most intent on destroying Xianzhou," Welt mused.

"The enemies of The Hunt are typically either Abundance or Destruction," he continued. "Based on my deduction, whoever triggered the Stellaron explosion aboard Xianzhou must have been either the Abundance Emanator or the Destruction Emanator."

Sushang raised an eyebrow, taken aback twice within mere minutes. First, she was astonished by March 7th's exquisite reasoning, and secondly, by how closely Welt's conjecture aligned with the truth. This Welt character should not be underestimated, given his remarkably accurate guess.

March 7th, puzzled, asked, "Uncle Yang, why does your reasoning always go against mine?"

"Little Su-zi, quickly tell Uncle Yang if my deductions are correct or not!"

Su Jinyan rolled his eyes. "If the general were truly the mastermind, do you think any of us would still be alive?"

March 7th sighed dejectedly. "Alright, seems like this maiden guessed wrong again."

Welt queried, "Then Grand Diviner Su, may I inquire if my speculation is accurate?"

Smiling, Su Jinyan replied, "Please allow me to keep you in suspense for now. Rest here tonight, everyone.

"Tomorrow, I will ask Shizun to share all available leads related to Kafka with each of you."

Seeing Su Jinyan's expression, Welt understood that his guess was indeed very close to the truth.

It must be said, Detective Little March's deductions were indeed quite useful at times.

Welt had already harbored suspicions about this matter earlier. The stars scattered across the Galaxy might face collapse due to the Stellaron crisis. However, Xianzhou was under the protection of the Hunting Aeon; he doubted that a Stellaron could pose any significant trouble in their eyes.

Unless the Stellaron Hunter lied, or perhaps there was an even greater threat hidden within Xianzhou Luofu. As it seemed now, his suspicions were confirmed.

Su Jinyan's words unequivocally validated these concerns. While the Astral Express journeyed here to seal the Stellaron, engaging with an Emanator would necessitate careful consideration.

Welt wasn't afraid to confront an Emanator, and presumably, neither was Dan Heng. In fact, considering how Su Jinyan had embarrassed Luocha, if Su Jinyan requested Welt's assistance against the Emanators, he would gladly oblige.

However, Welt worried that the conflict between Emanators could inadvertently involve little March and Starkiss.

As the leader overseeing Trailblazing, Welt believed it was crucial not only to expose the children to its challenges for their growth but also to prevent them from being drawn into life-threatening situations—a true demonstration of responsibility.

With a serious expression, Welt turned to Dan Heng. "If I find myself unable to intervene at any point, Dan Heng, please ensure you protect little March and the others."

Dan Heng remained silent, simply nodding gently. To onlookers, it might have seemed like a lack of confidence. Unbeknownst to them, Dan Heng was merely not adept at expressing his emotions. If he wished to protect March 7th and her friends, his strength alone would be more than sufficient.

With him present, Welt felt entirely reassured.

"Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Walter," Su Jinyan soothed. "Our general has always excelled at employing wild cards..."

Stelle keenly picked up on the key phrase. "Hmm? Does the general favor cavalry?"

Su Jinyan's eyes flashed with mischief. "I prefer infantry."

Stelle responded mildly, "How about adorable Diting videos, high-definition and uncensored, lossless and uncompressed—would you like those?"

Comprehending instantly, Su Jinyan replied, "It seems we share similar interests. Shall we find time to watch some together?"

Welt and the others wore expressions that were a mix of confusion and bewilderment.

March 7th couldn't help but interrupt, "Hey, how did your conversation veer off onto Diting videos all of a sudden?"

"Weren't we discussing cavalry... I mean, weren't we talking about the general's penchant for wild cards?"

Su Jinyan nodded affirmatively. "That's right, our general is indeed skilled at deploying wild cards."

"The esteemed guests aboard the Astral Express will serve as our wild cards."

"If we form alliances and confront the mastermind behind the scenes together, they'll undoubtedly be caught off guard."

Sushang abruptly stood up, her expression animated. "Little Su-zi!"

Thud!

"That villain behind the Stellaron explosion is truly despicable; this maiden also wants to join the fight."

"Huh, where did Little Su-zi go?"

Guinaifen and others discreetly gestured towards Sushang's feet.

"Uh..." Sushang hesitated.

Su Jinyan had been resting his head on Sushang's soft, snow-like legs, enjoying her massage. Caught off guard by her abrupt rise without any warning, his head made an intimate - and audibly crisp - contact with the floor.

Rubbing his sore head, Su Jinyan felt quite dismayed. Indeed, when not facing imminent danger, Sushang herself posed the greatest risk.

"Sushang, it's best if you don't get involved in this," Su Jinyan cautioned. "The mastermind behind everything is far beyond your reach. And I hope none of what I've said today will be shared outside, lest we alert them prematurely."

Sushang nodded uncertainly, sensing that Little Su-zi doubted her abilities. But no worries; after these three days, she would surely prove herself worthy to everyone's surprise.

As this thought crossed her mind, Sushang felt disheartened, her chest growing uncomfortably heavy. After three days, it seemed she might never see Little Su-zi and Little Gui again. The realization brought a sense of reluctance.

Sushang furrowed her brows, clutching her chest and silently biting her lip.

The other Sushang comforted her, "There's nothing to feel reluctant about. I am you, and you are me. My consciousness isn't meant to replace yours but to merge as one."

Sushang, don't resist or hesitate; only I can save Luofu. Can you bear to watch Little Su-zi, Little Gui, and others fall victim to the mastermind's grasp?

Seeing Sushang's somber expression, Guinaifen assumed it was because Shangshang felt unable to contribute effectively, leading to her discontent.

"Shangshang, do you have patrol duty again tomorrow?" Guinaifen asked.

"Tomorrow is actually my day off," Sushang replied. "However, with the Cloud Knights stretched thin during Luofu's ongoing patrols, this maiden has decided to voluntarily work overtime."

Su Jinyan smiled warmly. "Sushang, thank you for your hard work these days. Once we deal with the mastermind behind all this, I'll treat everyone to a feast at Aurum Alley or Zhiwei Grand Gardens."

"That sounds fantastic!" exclaimed Sushang. "Hearing that instantly boosts this maiden's enthusiasm. It feels like there's nothing left to fear anymore."

March 7th's lips curved slightly upward. "Then it's a promise?"

"Don't worry, this bad guy will surely go bankrupt from feeding me then!"

Silently, Stelle produced a photo of a Faceless One. "After this war ends, I'm going back home to get married."

March 7th's beautiful eyes flickered curiously. "Let's set aside where exactly 'home' is for now. Why does the person in this photo have no face?"

Su Jinyan gently took Stelle's delicate hand, intertwining their fingers. "Isn't it obvious?" he teased.

"Surely this beautiful young lady couldn't find a suitor, so she's using a Faceless One's photo as a stand-in."

"Don't worry; if you truly can't find anyone, come to me. I'll pretend to be your groom."

With a subtle gesture, Stelle swatted away his hand. "Oh, you don't understand. Beautiful maidens are destined to live and die alone."

"The more exquisite the maiden, the truer it becomes."

"If a maiden already has a spouse, it simply means she wasn't a true beauty after all."

March 7th gave Stelle a look of pity.

Stelle, even though your stubborn denial is quite pitiful, the way you reject Su Jinyan is genuinely lovely.

I temporarily acknowledge you as a beautiful maiden.

Out of nowhere, Dan Heng asked, "Grand Diviner Su, what relationship do you have with Jingliu?"

Su Jinyan cast him a curious glance. "Strictly speaking, we've only met a few times. She once saved my life, and that's the extent of our connection."

"Why would you ask such a question, Brother Dan Heng? Are you interested in Jingliu too?" March 7th's eyes sparkled, sensing a significant scoop, as she circled around Dan Heng.

"Tsk tsk tsk, who knew, Dan Heng~"

Even Stelle couldn't resist teasing, "Well, well, does the stoic little azure dragon finally know love?"

Dan Heng replied coolly, "You're misunderstanding. It's just that Jingliu seemed familiar somehow, and being near her made me uneasy."

"I just find Jingliu somewhat familiar, and being around her makes me uneasy," Dan Heng replied. "During my duel with the Luocha, I sensed a faintly chilling gaze watching me from the shadows."

"Reflecting on it now, that gaze likely belonged to Jingliu."

Guinaifen's eyes sparkled with gossip intrigue. "Ah, Mr. Danhen, Little Gui here understands what you're implying."

"You mean Miss Jingliu was secretly eyeing you?"

Dan Heng fell silent.

March 7th nearly burst out laughing—was Dan Heng more self-absorbed than she herself?

Uninhibited, Sushang openly chuckled. "So even the introverted grouch dreams of being ogled by beautiful maidens."

"Hey, Introverted Grouch, your prospects aren't bad at all!"

"But come on, this is Jingliu we're talking about—the former sword leader of Luofu! The odds are way too high; give up already."

Again, Dan Heng remained speechless.

Stelle sighed and patted Dan Heng's shoulder. "Dan Heng, if you're truly feeling lonely, why not try online dating?"

"Before arriving at Xianzhou Luofu, I heard there are many foxfolk ladies who enjoy virtual romances here."

"How about I introduce you to a few? Just a couple million credits as thanks once things work out."

Speechless, Dan Heng insisted he hadn't meant any romantic notions. "No, I detected hostility in Jingliu's gaze," he explained coolly.

Welt frowned. "Dan Heng, do you know Jingliu?"

Dan Heng gently shook his head. "I don't recognize her, yet for some reason, she seems oddly familiar."

Su Jinyan pondered and said, "Brother Dan Heng, there might be a misunderstanding here."

"Does Jingliu hold any grudge against you? Otherwise, why would she just watch without taking action?"

"How about this—when I next see Jingliu, I'll ask her directly."

Dan Heng nodded coldly. "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Su."

Sushang tugged at Su Jinyan's sleeve, pleading, "Little Su'zi, since you're so acquainted with Jingliu..."

"Could you maybe get her autograph for me?"

Su Jinyan didn't refuse. "Sure, it's just an autograph; no problem at all. Does anyone else want one too?"

In the room, everyone except Welt and Dan Heng raised their hands.

Welt asked, "Grand Diviner Su, will Miss Jingliu also participate in this operation?"

Su Jinyan chuckled lightly. "Mr. Walter's intuition remains as sharp as ever."

"At present, Jingliu is not our ally, but neither is she our enemy."

"However, Jingliu and I share some past bonds," Phantylia continued. "Personally, I hope she will consider these ties and help the Ethereal Immortal Ferry overcome its challenges. But whether she agrees or not is entirely up to her."

Welt nodded. "Indeed, it would be great if she could join us, but we won't force her participation."

Phantylia felt weighed down by anxiety. Just dealing with the Astral Express's Welt and Dan Heng, Emanators Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan, and Su Jinyan was already enough to cause her immense headache.

If Jingliu were added to the mix, or even Luocha, would she find herself surrounded by adversaries at every turn? This situation posed significant complications.

Jingliu was Jing Yuan's master, and Phantylia was well aware of Luocha's capabilities.

Hiss, Jingliu alone wasn't too concerning. However, what if Luocha also joined the fray, bombarding her with relentless attacks? How would she handle that?

Even after successfully crafting an indestructible body through the World Tree, Phantylia dared not casually confront such formidable opponents.

Yes, their alliance appeared solid on the surface, yet it was inherently fragile. The group consisted of the Starry Sky Train crew, former Swordmaster of Ruo Fu Jingliu, foreign knight Luocha, and the Ethereal Immortal Ferry itself.

And then there was Su Jinyan...

The pivotal figure behind this alliance's formation was none other than Su Jinyan. If Phantylia could control his mind and make him obey her commands, she could effortlessly dismantle this temporary coalition without a fight.

In theory, it sounded feasible, but transforming Su Jinyan into a Harbinger of Cataclysm would indeed be immensely challenging.

Firstly, the current Su Jinyan was vastly different from before. He had received blessings from both the Aeon of Joy and the Aeon of Abundance. Particularly, his body of abundance exhibited significant resistance to the annihilating transformation associated with the Destruction Destiny.

Previously, Phantylia failed to fully convert Su Jinyan into a Voidranger due to underestimating his growth potential.

Each Emanator of Destruction receives the gift of destructive power, aligns with the will of Destruction, and undergoes a twisted inversion to become a Lord Ravager. The strength of the bestowed destructive power greatly influences the combat capabilities of these Lords Ravager, leading to notable disparities among them.

Among the Emanators of Destruction, Phantylia is relatively weaker yet not the least powerful; she falls within the mid-tier.

To transform Su Jinyan into either a Harbinger of Cataclysm or a Voidranger, obedient to Nanook's will, requires utilizing Nanook's Destruction Destiny without expending any of Phantylia's own power.

By utilizing Nanook's Destruction Destiny, Phantylia could act without expending any of her own power. However, to ensure Su Jinyan obeyed only her commands, she would have to employ her own Destruction Destiny strength.

In a one-on-one confrontation, even Phantylia lacked absolute confidence to forcibly annihilate and transform Su Jinyan. Unless she first seized the World Tree to reshape her body, combining both the abundance and destruction fate paths for interference and suppression, she couldn't guarantee such a transformation.

Alternatively, during the moment when Su Jinyan's mind collapses and he becomes disoriented, she could thrust the Xuanyuan Sword into his pill furnace. At that instant, harnessing the absolute power of the Destruction Destiny, she could compel his transformation.

When do men typically experience their greatest relaxation, both mentally and physically? The answer was clear—when they are completely entranced by a woman's beauty.

Phantylia devised her plan: within three days, she would make Su Jinyan utterly captivated by Sushang's allure. Once he succumbs, she would seize the fleeting moment of his distraction to ignite Sushang's body.

This would undoubtedly inflict upon Su Jinyan the most severe emotional blow he had ever experienced. Capitalizing on this vulnerability, Phantylia could effortlessly convert him into her slave.

[Fool, later, visit the Ten-Lords Commission.]

[Find Xueyi and Hanya, and request the modified 'Hidden Moon Gourd' from the Interrogation Division's craftsman.]

[Remember, first borrow the most basic Hidden Moon Gourd. There's no need to conceal it; display it openly before others.]

[Next, ask Jing Yuan to contact General Huaiyan of the Zhu Ming Immortal Ship—Hua Yan.]

[Only one of the Imperial Bow's Seven Heavenly Generals can obtain the 'Qilin Dragon Heavenly Fire Technique' from Huaiyan.]

On a distant, unknown planet...

After a busy day, Silver Wolf returned to her bedroom and had barely lain down on the soft bed when her phone began vibrating.

Elio... Could it be that Su Jinyan is causing trouble again?

Because of him, our script has already been revised twice.

Silver Wolf's expression shifted slightly as she answered the call:

"Hello, Elio? What's up?"

"What, another script change? Spare me!"

"Is it that guy Su Jinyan with some new 'brilliant' idea?"

"Fine, alright then. Sigh, I'm heading over now."

"Ever since meeting him, my life's become nothing but hard work~"

Upon hanging up, Silver Wolf's face darkened, and she promptly sent numerous "choke you to death" emojis to Su Jinyan.

But this alone didn't satisfy her frustration.

After a moment's thought, Silver Wolf forcibly changed Su Jinyan's online username to "Miss Silver Wolf's Dog." She also replaced his profile picture with Diting, a popular pet from the Zhu Ming Immortal Ship. Then, using his account, she taunted Fu Xuan directly:

[Miss Silver Wolf's Dog: Shizun, I won't be your dog anymore.]

[Heartless Divination Machine: ???]

[Miss Silver Wolf's Dog: I'm utterly captivated by Silver Wolf now; I want to be her dog.]

[Heartless Divination Machine: Where are you? This venerable one is coming right away.]

[System Prompt: Message sending failed.]

Night had deepened.

After leaving the inn, Su Jinyan decided to first escort Sushang and her friends home before heading to the Ten-Lords Commission later.

"Little Su'zi, I have a question," Sushang began hesitantly. "Do you like our Shangshang?"

Sushang's snow-fair cheeks flushed red, her heart pounding wildly as she stole a glance at Su Jinyan, uncharacteristically silent despite her usual vivacity.

Su Jinyan gently took Sushang's delicate hand. "Of course I do."

"And does Big Sister Sushang...like me back?"

Blushing deeply, Sushang stammered, "Little Su'zi, y-you—you're older than this maiden, you know." She paused, then added bashfully, "You shouldn't call me 'Big Sister'; it makes me too embarrassed."

Did Sushang truly harbor feelings for Su Jinyan? Perhaps. In truth, she had been quietly observing him from afar ever since his rise to fame—from when he was apprehended by Imperial Judge Wang of the Ten-Lords Commission to being falsely accused by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Throughout these events, her attention never wavered.

However, Sushang hadn't anticipated that Su Jinyan would express his affection towards her directly.

But this maiden...this maiden no longer deserves his liking...

The Little Su'zi who liked her now was drawn to the present Sushang, not the future "Sushang." If the current Sushang were to vanish, the future Sushang taking her place would merely possess her physical form without inheriting her soul.

Wouldn't Little Su'zi feel deceived then?

Instinctively, Sushang wanted to reject him.

Yet when she met Su Jinyan's gaze, filled with what seemed like a silent sigh, Sushang's heart inexplicably softened.

Su Jinyan sighed, "Does Big Sister Sushang not like me then? Does that mean you hate me?"

"How could I?" Sushang hastily replied. "How would this maiden possibly hate you?! Little Su'zi, truthfully, I truly admire you!"

Watching from afar, Guinaifen shook her head silently. In front of Su Jinyan, Shangshang had no defenses whatsoever.

As Shangshang's best friend, I must find a way to help her gain the upper hand in matters of love.

With a gentle smile, Su Jinyan cupped Sushang's cheeks. Noticing her flushed and warm earlobes, he whispered softly, "I'll leave it at this for today, Sushang."

"Starting tomorrow, I will come to see you every day. Remember to take some breaks during your patrols; otherwise, we might not be able to have our dates."

Sushang's beautiful eyes were dazed, only managing to nod, unable to articulate anything else.

Dates...

This was a concept Sushang had never considered before. Could someone genuinely pursue this maiden? And moreover, it was the very person she admired deeply.

Sushang couldn't even recall how she returned to the room shared with Little Gui'zi.

"Goodnight, Shangshang," Guinaifen said softly.

"Goodnight, Little Gui'zi."

Hugging her pure white pillow tightly, Sushang drifted off into sweet dreams.

In the darkness, Phantylia, dormant within Sushang's body, opened its eyes.