Chapter 91: Yanqing's Reputation Takes a Hit - Master Ancestor? No, That's Big Sister!

In Little Gui's stream:

"Yanqing is truly brave!"

"With Blade fleeing alongside Kafka, he dares to chase them down all by himself?"

"Can only say, as expected of the Cloud Knight Lieutenant!"

On the Cloudford map,

the perspective had shifted to follow Yanqing's pursuit mission.

The current map differed significantly from before.

The ground was littered with fallen Mara-Struck beings!

This was Guinaifen's first encounter with a scenario where the monsters had already been slain before their arrival.

She promptly moved forward to investigate.

"These wounds weren't inflicted by the Cloud Knights."

"Since the prey has left traces, it should be straightforward now."

Following the trail marked by scattered corpses, they quickly arrived at an open area ahead. There, they saw a woman surrounded and besieged by Mara-Struck entities.

Yanqing immediately exclaimed, "Why is there still a trapped civilian here? The local Cloud Knights seem quite inefficient."

"Hey, don't panic, I'm coming to rescue you!"

As the camera angle closed in closer,

and once Guinaifen could discern the woman's appearance,

her head buzzed with shock.

"Ah?! That isn't..."

"It's... Jingliu!!"

In the past, few might have recognized this name.

However, since the release of the "Flying Light" trailer,

combined with the revelations from the [Forbidden] player,

now every gamer knew well who she was.

This individual was none other than Luofu's former sword leader and Jing Yuan's master!

Players anticipated her appearance later in the storyline!

But no one expected

such an early debut—

and within Yanqing's quest, no less!

"He's really here!"

"Jingliu is indeed alive? And he's returned to Xianzhou?"

"Don't get any closer, Yan Bao! This person is even more dangerous than Blade!"

"This isn't just any civilian! It's your master's master!"

"Jingliu: You're right, but it's they who are surrounded."

"Yanqing hit the jackpot!"

Guinaifen's nerves instantly spiked.

As confirmed by Flying Light, Jingliu had fallen to Mara and become possessed by its dark influence! Even the Ten-Lords Commission had declared her dead!

Later, during a fierce battle, she was defeated by Jing Yuan as the Divine Monarch and subsequently vanished without a trace.

Now, she unexpectedly reappeared on Xianzhou Luofu.

Who knew if she still retained any humanity?!

Or whether she could even be considered alive anymore?!

Before engaging in combat, Guinaifen hastily consumed several consumables to boost their fighting prowess and survival chances.

Fortunately,

upon entering the fray, they found themselves battling three Mara-Struck beings rather than directly confronting Jingliu.

Otherwise, Guinaifen feared—

Yanqing might not make it!

***

[Battle Concluded]

Jingliu spoke, "Many thanks for your assistance, little brother."

"Oh, it's my duty," Yanqing replied. "With Luofu's ports sealed, how did you end up here alone?"

"I arrived on a merchant ship," Jingliu answered mildly. "Recently, memories of old friends have been swirling through my mind. I wanted to meet them again, reminiscing about our past times... Who would've anticipated such peril at Luofu now?"

Yanqing displayed a sympathetic expression. "Indeed, unfortunate timing. There has been an unexpected incident with the Xianzhou. However, the General will resolve it soon enough."

"Let's go; you can't stay here. We need to head to the nearest cloud rider garrison."

"What a normal conversation! If I hadn't read 'Flying Light,' I might have almost believed it!"

"Jingliu sounds quite convincing here, doesn't she? Aside from her voice being somewhat cold and faint, there's little to distinguish it from that of a regular person."

"Could it be that during those missing centuries, she found a cure for Mara-Strike? Is this return meant as service to Xianzhou?"

"The commenter above, you seem even more naive than Yanqing."

Guinaifen was equally intrigued.

What exactly had happened to Jingliu? And why had she returned now?

As they continued watching:

Yanqing asked, "Oh right, have you seen a man with long hair and dressed in black—"

His voice trailed off as he noticed the dark veil covering the eyes of the person before him. Instantly, guilt flashed across his face.

"You...you can't see, can you? I'm sorry, I assumed..."

"I am Yanqing, officially enlisted in the Cloud Knights. May I ask for your name, Big Sister?"

"My name is Jingliu," she replied.

"Jingliu-jiejie, let me guide you first. We might need to take a detour, but I promise to safely deliver you to the Cloud Knights."

"Yanqing is such a well-mannered child!"

"Yes, except for his bad luck, he's quite impressive."

"This is the best episode yet!"

"If Yanqing calls Jingliu 'Big Sister,' does that make him and Jing Yuan peers?"

"At least she's a thousand-year-old sister."

"She's practically your great-grandmother, mate!"

Meanwhile, aboard the ship sailing through Scalegorge Waterscape:

Jing Yuan, Jingliu, and Dan Heng witnessed this scene from the deck.

For a moment, they all fell silent.

They weren't particularly concerned about the confusion of familial hierarchy... After all, for eternal life beings, such situations were commonplace.

Take, for instance, young Jing Yuan who used to trail behind Jingliu, calling out "Big Sister, Big Sister" or "Master, Master." In due time, he became one of the High-Cloud Quintet, standing on equal footing with Jingliu, Yinyue, and others as brothers.

What they found more significant was the encounter between individuals from different eras.

Yanqing possessed the pride typical of youth, while Jingliu harbored her hidden Mara-Struck nature. Unaware of each other's circumstances, their interaction could potentially provoke unintended consequences, leading to a disastrous outcome!

Softly, Jingliu mused, "If following the normal course of events, would I have ever met this little brother?"

"Heh, let's hope fortune smiles upon him," Jing Yuan chuckled, placing a hand lightly on his forehead.

Jing Yuan gently pressed his hand to his forehead, silently sighing, "Yanqing, all I can do is wish you good luck."

"A youth's sword, too rigid, risks breaking..."

"As long as he perseveres..."

"Perhaps this journey with her might prove beneficial for him after all."

In another cabin on the ship,

the Astral Express Crew and Stellaron Hunter team were also watching the live stream.

However, Silver Wolf's usual spot had been taken by Yanqing.

Silver Wolf was off to tackle the Forgotten Hall, aiming to be the first player in the game to complete it within the allotted time.

As for Yanqing,

upon hearing about his partnered mission, he rushed over in shock to watch alongside them.

Seeing that he would encounter Jingliu, his brows instantly furrowed.

"This..."

"What a coincidence, isn't it?"

"Although she's the General's master, with her afflicted by Mara and wearing that black veil..."

"I-I should be able to subdue her, right?" His confidence waned as he spoke.

Beside him, March 7th couldn't resist teasing, "Aiya, why are you less assertive than your game counterpart?"

"In the game, you even dared to escort her!"

"And oh, calling her 'Big Sister'...!"

"Pfft—"

"My apologies!"

"I just couldn't hold back."

Yanqing had no mood for bantering with March 7th. Seeing his past self, brimming with confidence and addressing her as "Big Sister," left him utterly embarrassed, face flushed red and forehead drenched in sweat.

The General must have seen it too.

Jingliu definitely saw it.

Everyone saw it!

How would he ever face Luofu after this?!

"Please! Game Yanqing, I beg you!"

"Do something productive!"

"Don't tarnish the reputation of the Cloud Knight Lieutenants!"