Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Save the Divisive Talk for Private

The group chat's noise and weight subsided for the moment. The real-world pre-battle briefing was also wrapping up.

Wangshu's eyes were clear, but beneath the table, his hand quietly turned, three cards pinched between his fingers — two brand new, plus the one he'd been using all along.

Propagation - Jingliu (continuous invocation)

Erudition - Herta (Erudition paired with Destruction)

Preservation - Xing (incomplete Preservation Emanator)

And the token contribution of Asta (faint, meager, yet everything Asta had to give — warm)

Feeling the warmth from his palm, a phrase flashed through Wangshu's mind:

Sorry, Hoolay. I think I've... activated cheats.

Looks like everyone wants you dead. And wants Asta's great-grandmother to live.

The assembly hall gradually emptied. The general, several core commanders, and the Foxian chief strategist exchanged quiet words before the rest saluted and withdrew.

In the end, only the innermost circle of decision-makers remained — and their gazes, as one, settled on... Wangshu.

"During the briefing, I noticed you kept wanting to speak. Is there a new finding?"

The Foxian strategist spoke gently, his voice like a spring breeze through willows. Foxians always made you feel at ease when they talked — practically a racial talent.

Wangshu considered for a moment: "...You all know I'm from the future, right?"

Chief Strategist: ...

General: ...

Vanguard: ...

The air went still for a beat. Wangshu had zero doubt that if he walked out right now, they'd collapse in laughter together.

The general cleared his throat lightly and glanced at the Foxian strategist. The strategist's perfect smile seemed to freeze for a fraction of a second before smoothly resetting. His tone remained warm: "That intelligence is... naturally on file. What brings this up, young hero?"

"Nobody reported this?"

Wangshu looked genuinely confused. He could understand the Ten-Lords Commission's initial skepticism toward him and little Jingliu, but he'd already demonstrated real power. Had the early dismissals never been revisited?

"Of course we believe you. One hundred percent. But young hero — could you perhaps make that one hundred percent of trust just... one percent more tangible?"

Wangshu: ...

So they didn't believe him at all.

He rummaged through the backpack for the Complete History of Cangcheng.

The bag was stuffed to bursting. He pulled out canned meat, protective charms, a change of clothes, and finally found the history book, carefully placed in a separate compartment.

"Take a look at this first."

He handed it over.

Nobody here was a child. They weren't about to crowd around one book. The Foxian took it by habit, then nearly sighed — but remembering Wangshu's strength, he opened it properly.

Fictive Historians loved tampering with Xianzhou history. They went to great lengths to fabricate the Xianzhou's past, with the Harmonious Accord being a particular favorite target.

"Where did you get this book?"

"You could buy it at any street book stall in Star Calendar Year 8100."

Wangshu answered honestly. No lies there.

"You're trying to say—" The strategist quickly flipped to the end. "That Rahu is already a fully prepared death trap. Correct?"

"That's a fact."

"You're certain?"

"Absolutely. You can doubt me, but I'd hope you could wait for the main force to assemble... Wait — actually, I'm starting to sound like a spy stalling for time!"

If Wangshu remembered correctly, the other Xianzhou had issued a directive: disrupt the Abundance followers' covert gatherings. Don't let them establish a passage or complete a ritual.

This wasn't a joke. The Wing-Crafters possessed mass-warp capabilities. Thousands of years ago, during the Luofu invasion, the freshly ascended Reignbow Arbiter had shot down the main body with a single arrow — the Jianmu cosmic tree and Qiongsang detonating together.

The Wing-Crafter leader, the Feather Emperor, was left in unknown condition. Roughly 2,000 years later, when the Antimatter Legion invaded Qiongsang, the Wing-Crafters couldn't even mount a meaningful resistance.

The thought made Wangshu pause. Even knowing the danger ahead, this was the tactical objective, the strategic imperative — they had to go regardless.

The Foxian pressed his palm to his forehead: "And you, young hero, possess this formidable strength plus... distinctly unpolished Cloud Knight swordsmanship. Almost as if you only started learning after arriving in Cangcheng."

Wangshu: ...

He had no comeback. That actually made him sound more suspicious.

He asked quietly: "Are you going to arrest me?"

"No. We believe you."

Setting aside everyone else's expressions, the Foxian strategist answered without hesitation — even reaching over to pat Wangshu's shoulder.

"By the way, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Jiye, Cangcheng's chief strategist."

"I'm Wangshu."

"Fine name." Jiye smiled, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his eyes. "I feel like I've seen it in an ancient text somewhere. Can't quite place it."

"So... Wangshu. The coming battle is unavoidable. The risks are enormous, but the arrow is nocked. Under these circumstances, are you still willing to help us protect this land?"

The atmosphere wasn't exactly tense. At least no one was pressuring him. These Cangcheng people seemed to dislike strong-arming — or perhaps they'd simply decided Wangshu responded better to a softer approach.

Wangshu didn't hesitate long. In his mind flashed little Jingliu's upturned face saying you'll become a great hero, the warm lamplight in the courtyard, and the sound of sword-chimes.

"Mm. I promised Jingliu. I'll protect Cangcheng."

He nodded, voice clear.

His background might sound suspicious, sure. But once he shattered the enemy and brought back a great victory, these would all be trivial details.

Besides, when had a transmigrator ever had a clean cover story? He wasn't picky.

Jiye's face broke into a genuine smile. He stepped aside with an inviting gesture: "Care for a walk? I can teach you a few things that might prove useful on the battlefield."

Wangshu agreed. He knew nothing about actual warfare — listening could only help. Plus he had the group chat's screen-recording function. Even if he didn't absorb everything immediately, he could consult the group's experts later.

He repacked all of little Jingliu's carefully chosen items, then followed the strategist out of the General's Manor assembly hall.

The courtyard was bathed in pleasant sunlight, greenery lush.

"I'm Jiye. My father hoped I'd become a Cloud Knight like him — wild and untameable. But I was never one for fighting."

The Foxian walking ahead suddenly spoke again, casual as idle chat.

Wangshu nodded along, though he didn't quite understand why the man was suddenly sharing his backstory.

This wasn't some climactic last stand. No need for friendship, backstory, and conviction to fuel a power-up.

"My talent was awful. By Cloud Knight Combat Manual standards, I'd be classified as... hopeless. But over a hundred-odd years, I've worked my way to this seat. I've seen my share."

He stopped and turned, facing Wangshu directly.

"So hear me out, Wangshu. You don't need strategy and tactics."

Wangshu: ...

"I'm not saying those things aren't useful to you. But cramming won't help in the short term. Someone of your caliber being shoehorned into a Cloud Knight division would be a waste."

"In my view, for the immediate future, others should adapt to you — not the other way around. That's how you make the greatest impact on the battlefield. Maybe even turn the tide."

"Cangcheng is prosperous. It attracts all manner of people, each with their own agenda. I'm used to it."

Wangshu sighed: "I do have an agenda, actually."

Jiye wasn't surprised at all. He nodded: "That's fine. Cangcheng believes in fair trade. Effort brings reward. Whatever you want, sufficient merit can buy it."

"So..." Jiye concluded, his smile still warm. "Don't agonize over whether your background is spotless. Don't force yourself to fit in. In Cangcheng, as long as you don't break the law — hard work always pays off."

Wangshu was quiet for a long while before tentatively venturing: "Even longevity methods?"

Jiye's smile stiffened slightly: "That kind of talk — save it for private."