Chapter 55: The True Braveheart

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Early morning at the Divination Commission.

"Good morning... Miss Tingyun..." Qingque greeted everyone with evident exhaustion.

Tingyun's beautiful eyes filled with deep suspicion. If only Qingque had looked this way, she might have assumed it was due to late-night card games. However, their benefactor also bore the same expression when she encountered him earlier.

Involuntarily, Tingyun recalled the explosive scene from yesterday afternoon. It was hard for her not to suspect that these two might have secretly indulged in forbidden pleasures all night, unbeknownst to others.

Had Qingque stolen a march on her before she could even make her move?

Qingque observed her with concern. "Miss Tingyun, I feel like you're thinking something rather impolite."

Hesitantly, Tingyun asked, "Qingque, there is a matter puzzling me. Might you be able to clarify it?"

Qingque instantly guessed what Tingyun wanted to ask. "Are you wondering why both A-Yan and I appear so weary? Last night, we stayed up studying the Matrix of Prescience Ultima at the Divination Commission the entire time."

Still skeptical, Tingyun replied, "Really? I find that hard to believe. Did you study at our benefactor's home or yours?"

Qingque inadvertently responded, "Of course it was at..."

"Pfft, believe it or not, your choice," A-Yan retorted. "There's nothing between me and that guy; you'll see soon enough. He mentioned preparing a surprise for us today."

According to the duty roster, Su Jinyan was scheduled as the diviner on watch today, with Assistant Diviner Ruoyue supporting him.

Before their shift began, Su Jinyan and Ruoyue leaned against the railing, casually discussing life over friendly banter.

"Miss Ruoyue, do you have any dreams?" Su Jinyan asked.

"Dreams? Actually, I've always wanted to become a diviner. With my abilities, I truly believe I could handle the role."

"But it remains just a dream. Even after several hundred years, I doubt I'd make it," Ruoyue sighed.

"Why do you say that?" Su Jinyan queried curiously.

"Ah, climbing the ranks within the Divination Commission is incredibly difficult."

"The three diviners constantly engage in power struggles and deceitful games—it exhausts just watching them."

"On second thought, rather than getting entangled in those battles, I might as well retire early and open my own divination stall," Ruoyue mused aloud.

"In truth, opportunities to become a diviner still exist; it depends on whether you can seize them," Su Jinyan said with a smile.

"Wisdom shared once is wisdom gained twice," Ruoyue shook her head, acknowledging his insight.

Time flew swiftly, and before long, it was time for the routine navigation divination.

In principle, Su Jinyan only needed to activate the Matrix of Prescience's foundation as usual. Then, using the Luofu shipping route as the primary subject, she could predict its future within the next ten days.

"Miss Ruoyue, can you help me interpret these divination symbols?" With a serious expression, Su Jinyan gestured for Ruoyue to approach.

Ruoyue couldn't resist smiling. "A-Yan, even you can't understand the divination symbols?"

"You know, diligent practice is still essential. Let little Que'er teach you more; that girl is quite clever."

However, as Ruoyue stepped closer, her face grew solemn too.

It wasn't that she couldn't understand, but rather, she dared not comprehend the implications. If this divination symbol were true, it was utterly terrifying.

"A-Yan, did you strictly follow the procedures outlined in the work guidelines?" Ruoyue asked quietly.

"If I can't handle something like this correctly, then I might as well resign," Su Jinyan shrugged.

Ruoyue frowned deeply. "We may be in deep trouble now."

"Had I known this would happen, I should have had Qingque assist you. Since you two get along so well, at least we'd go down together."

The divination conducted with the Matrix of Prescience revealed fluctuating symbols between Gen (Mountain) and Kan (Water), indicating an overwhelmingly ominous outcome.

This meant that Luofu was destined to encounter a major catastrophe soon.

It wasn't merely a possibility—it was certain doom. The predictions of the Matrix of Prescience had never been wrong.

If they concealed this information instead of reporting it, the consequences would be dire. When the truth inevitably came to light, she could expect to spend the rest of her life obediently incarcerated in The Shackling Prison.

Su Jinyan glanced at her. "Miss Ruoyue, is that even remotely considerate?"

"Here's what we'll do," she suggested, "I won't contest your claim to credit."

"You handle reporting the situation to the diviners; all the accolades will be yours alone."

Ruoyue sighed resignedly and swiftly worked with Su Jinyan to draft a divination report. They then proceeded to the Conclave Hall to submit it for review by three senior diviners:

Divination Results Report - March 12th

As customary, using Luofu's navigation route as the primary subject, predictions were sought for events within the next ten days.

During the divination process, disturbances from the Matrix of Prescience's foundation talismans hindered forming clear symbols—a phenomenon unseen for thirty years.

Ultimately, the fluctuating divination fell between the trigrams Gen (mountain) and Kan (water), indicating grave danger.

For related divination outcomes, please refer to the attached document below.

>>[Matrix of Prescience Divination Results]

Following standard interpretation practices, the following recommendations are proposed:

Write to the Seat of Divine Foresight, informing General Jing Yuan, to increase cloud rider fleet patrols and preempt enemy attacks.Correspond with the Sky-Faring Commission, enforcing strict inspections on border defenses and goods movement, eliminating potential sources of disaster.Contact the Artisanship Commission to inspect critical Xianzhou components such as the globe instrument and engines, safeguarding against unforeseen mishaps.Notify the Alchemy Commission to prepare medicinal pills and medical personnel, guarding against unexpected emergencies.To the Realm-Keeping Commission: Conduct thorough investigations for unfamiliar and suspicious individuals. Upon detecting any anomalies, immediately report to the Seat of Divine Foresight.The Divination Commission shall use the Cloud-Viewing Mirror to rescan the visible star domain, ensuring no black holes or other hazardous celestial bodies obstruct our course.

Duty Diviners:

Su Jinyan

Ruoyue

After submitting this divination report,

less than three minutes had passed when Su Jinyan was summoned by another diviner to the Conclave Hall.

Inside, Ruoyue stood with her head bowed, eyes rimmed red as she bit her lip, silent.

"Duty Diviner Su Jinyan," asked Mingyue, "did you compose this divination report together with Ruoyue?"

Su Jinyan glanced at the expressions on the three diviners' faces, sensing something amiss.

"What's wrong? I was on duty alone today."

"Ruoyue assisted me, but the report was prepared solely by me," Su Jinyan clarified.

Mingyue replied coldly, "This information lacks any reference value, likely due to extraneous elements contaminating the calculations. It cannot be accepted."

Subsequently, the divination report was handed to Diviner Painted Star.

Painted Star, a young Vidyadhara girl barely reaching half his height, spoke with an air of authority beyond her years.

"Little Su, involving all five commissions through this report carries significant implications. We must not hastily act based on a single ominous prediction. I suggest re-examining and recalculating the divination."

Then, she passed the divination report to Diviner Jingzhai.

Jingzhai's expression remained impassive. "Su Jinyan, on duty diviner."

"Has no one told you that reports from the Divination Commission must clearly specify the timing, reasons, and auspiciousness?"

"I will tolerate such a basic error only once."

"If there is a next time, I'll tear this report to shreds right here."

"Now take it back and redo it."

As Su Jinyan gazed at the report tossed onto the floor, he patiently replied, "Firstly, perhaps you're unaware, but these results come directly from the Matrix of Prescience; my role was merely to relay them.

"Secondly, I, Su Jinyan, am fully accountable for my words and actions. If any errors were made, I willingly accept discipline.

"Thirdly, you damn freeloaders posing as diviners—none of you have the authority to outright dismiss my divination report.

"Do you understand? Shall I repeat myself?"

Jingzhai stared blankly.

Mingyue looked equally perplexed.

Painted Star was utterly speechless.

The atmosphere in the Conclave Hall suddenly fell deathly silent. Every diviner's face bore expressions of shock and bewilderment.

Ruoyue abruptly lifted her head, disbelief written all over her eyes.

What a true daredevil! She had heard Qingque mention Su Jinyan's fearlessness before, but she never imagined he could be so audacious!

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A/N: Some friends find it puzzling—how can the Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission hold higher status than Jing Yuan? Surely not possible?

Here's some background that should clarify things.

The Ten-Lords Commission oversees the Mara-Struck bodies of immortal cultivators, punishes convicted prisoners, and prosecutes evil and corruption. Consequently, they operate independently from the control of the six rulers. The Ten-Lords Commission is governed by the Ten Lords themselves and the Xianzhou Alliance."We hereby request the Six Rulers to submit a formal report to the Ten-Lords Commission for the release of prisoner Dan Feng. Upon his recovery and resealing, let him then face judgment." —From Holding Bright's Memorial