Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Fuzzy Recruitment

Cangcheng

"I wonder if the Divination Commission on the Yuque has calculated any viable plans."

Coming home didn't mean rest, of course. The wreckage in the courtyard was a constant reminder of the "excitement" that had just occurred. Little Jingliu abandoned her homework entirely, rolled up her sleeves, connected the garden hose, and started cleaning the yard.

The bloodier areas weren't for her — she took her little shovel and broom to the rubble, earnestly clearing debris and patching the corner of the wall that had been smashed.

With every scoop of broken brick, she couldn't help grumbling internally: Damn Abundance followers! Why did they have to crash into her house of all places?!

"Speaking of which... what do we do with the Abundance follower's body?"

Wangshu glanced toward the shadows, seemingly talking to himself.

Little Jingliu thought he was talking to her. She was currently crouched on the ground, trying to wedge a brick fragment back into place, her small face scrunched in frustration. "No idea... but I'm pretty sure we can't just toss it in the roadside trash can."

She imagined that scene for a second. Absurd — yet somehow darkly funny.

"The Ten Kings Commission will handle the cleanup."

A calm voice emerged from the shadows, making little Jingliu jump. The shovel in her small hand visibly trembled, crimson eyes darting with alarm.

The appearance of a Ten Kings Commission Judge wasn't exactly silent — they typically exploited the Xianzhou's grotto-heaven-within-grotto-heaven architecture, which made them seem to materialize from thin air to ordinary citizens.

To Wangshu, the Judges had arrived a bit late. He'd expected the scene to be processed by the time they got home. Cangcheng's efficiency really wasn't great.

"Much obliged, then."

Due to where he'd grown up, Wangshu wasn't particularly intimidated by these officials. He handed over the body bag with a sincere expression.

The Ten Kings Commission Judge stared at Wangshu silently for a moment, thoughts unreadable. He accepted the bag, then swiftly vanished back into the grotto-heaven.

"Gotta say — the Xianzhou's departments are really approachable."

Wangshu mused aloud.

Judges... approachable?

Little Jingliu rose on her tiptoes, straining to spot a hidden door in the nearby shadows. No luck. A profession that appeared and disappeared like a ghost, deeply tied to death — did anyone actually find them approachable?

Oh — little Wangshu even thought the future-her was a good person. So finding Judges approachable was perfectly normal for him... Okay. Never mind then!

Cleaning the courtyard didn't take long. The body had been handled by professionals, and while the bloodstains were considerable, they were on bluestone — not hard to wash away.

The wall only needed temporary patching to roughly restore its shape. Proper repairs would have to wait.

"Little Wangshu, do you think my teacher will buy this excuse tomorrow?"

Once the bluestone slabs were covered in puddles and the wall was... more or less fixed, Jingliu suddenly remembered something pressing. Worry crept across her face.

Wangshu: ...

"I didn't finish my homework because terrorists broke into my house"? He played the scene in his head and held his tongue.

Jingliu suddenly pivoted: "So... little Wangshu, how are your grades?"

Wangshu was seized by an ominous premonition. He turned around — and met little Jingliu's expectant gaze head-on.

The little one's eyes were sparkling, clear and trusting.

【Bright Future Chat Group】

Wangshu: "@Jingliu, @Asta, seniors — how were your grades in school?"

Jingliu: "What do you mean?"

Asta: "...Sigh, why the sudden question? Mine were decent, I suppose. Though my school-age memories aren't exactly pleasant."

Asta: "Why do you ask?"

Wangshu: "Little Jingliu has homework she can't solve..."

Jingliu: "..."

Asta: "How old is she again?"

Wangshu: "18."

Asta: "For an eighteen-year-old Xianzhou long-life species, shouldn't the coursework be braindead easy?"

Back when she'd been in family tutoring, the most common thing she'd heard from her cousins was: "I hope the next exam uses a Xianzhou paper."

Oh wait — Xianzhou academy exams were probably the ones used right before finals to boost confidence and relax students. After all, the Xianzhou had always emphasized well-rounded development.

Wangshu: "I wouldn't know. I'm only seventeen."

Asta: "Oh right, you're seventeen, and you seem to have been working for a few years. Probably didn't get much schooling, so not knowing is perfectly normal. Then..."

Asta suddenly stopped: "..."

Wangshu: "..."

Asta: "..."

Jingliu: "Would you care to speak clearly instead of sending ellipses? What are you trying to say?"

Wangshu: "Actual_problem.jpg"

Wangshu: "@Asta, Senior — how do you solve this one?"

Jingliu: "..."

Asta: "Oh, this one? This one's easy..."

Back in Cangcheng, Wangshu's tone was measured, carrying a knowing confidence: "Oh, this one? This one's easy..."

Little Jingliu listened attentively: "I didn't know you had such good grades, little Wangshu."

Her future self wasn't bad — managing to trick a short-life species who was actually smart. Sigh... the future-her had just exploited the fact that little Wangshu had no parents.

"Actually, Asta taught me this."

Having finished walking through the solution, Wangshu decided honesty was the better policy.

His own knowledge wasn't bad, but he hadn't had time to review any of it since graduating. Asta, meanwhile, had been surrounded by academics at the space station — the fundamentals stayed fresher.

Jingliu: ...

She lowered her eyes and, following the method Wangshu had relayed, scratched out the remaining problems in rapid succession. Without a word, she packed up her homework and slid it into her little backpack.

"I'm going to bed. I'm tired."

Little Jingliu said it, then scampered back to her room with rapid steps and shut the door.

"Anything you want for breakfast tomorrow, little Jingliu?"

Wangshu called out.

Might as well look forward to small things. Today's events seemed to herald war's approach. Leisurely days were numbered. A twinge of melancholy stirred in Wangshu's chest. Could the group chat seniors teach him how to fight in an actual battle?

Oh — Senior Jingliu probably could.

"Whatever!"

The voice wasn't small. She didn't seem too angry — most likely just not very happy.

...Training space...

"Why are you here so early today?"

Asta glanced sideways at the bright-eyed Wangshu.

"The chat group's updating. No time to wrestle with Propagation remnants — might as well wait for the update together."

Wangshu's tone was excited, though the real reason was... he currently couldn't suppress the Propagation remnants, so after the chat group jolted him awake, he'd come straight here.

Better to wait for the update together in the training space.

"I have a feeling."

Asta rolled her wrists while whispering to Wangshu: "Any minute now, Senior Jingliu's going to walk in all cold and composed and say 'swordsmanship is like rowing upstream — stop and you drift backward,' then make us practice some more."

She looked at Wangshu, then decided saying this to him was pointless. He genuinely seemed to enjoy practicing.

"No matter. With your foundational talent... and temperament, missing one day of practice won't hurt. You can make it up with extra sessions later. For now, rest. Let's all wait here together."

The training space door swung open at the far edge. Jingliu's figure appeared clearly, her pace perhaps a touch quicker than usual, her voice not nearly as icy as Asta had predicted.

If — if the update really did unlock recruitment, and if she, Wangshu, and Asta were all on different timelines — could she change even more of the past? Save... her former self? Save them? Prevent that tragedy?

Asta: ...

She had the distinct feeling the senior was pointing at her nose and saying your talent is mediocre. She couldn't help puffing her cheeks in silent protest.

"What about me?"

Wangshu was curious.

"You? With your passion for swordsmanship, you'd never let yourself slack during the day. And with your talent, little boy... missing one day truly won't matter."

Her words had barely settled when the chat group's second adaptive upgrade completed — right on time.

【Bright Future Chat Group】

【The chat group's second adaptive upgrade has concluded.】

【New Module: Recruitment Function】

【Recruitment Function: When the group's atmosphere score reaches a certain threshold, group members may collaboratively define the traits, personality, and even profession of a potential new member.

The chat group will search for the closest-matching target. Some deviation may occur during the process.】

【PS: If new members are not desired, group members may vote to reject the recruitment.

Current maximum recruitable members: 3】