After Lin Xiao’s departure, Qi Yue’an rejoined her companions. Their previous encounter had been far too brief, leaving many words unspoken, but now, having endured a grueling battle, they finally found themselves with a moment of respite.
It was still morning, with a full seven hours stretching before the commencement of the afternoon’s “Tanuki Plan.” To be able to sit face-to-face with them after such a long absence, Qi Yue’an couldn’t shake the surreal feeling, as though a lifetime had passed since their last meeting.
“Xiyin…”
Qi Yue’an called out to her, yet for a moment, the words eluded her. Though she had been in this place for less than a month, it felt as if an eternity had unfolded.
Xiyin gazed back, a multitude of questions swirling within her, eager to be voiced. Despite the brevity of their separation, an undeniable transformation had altered everything.
“We can discuss everything later; first, let’s help them.”
Qi Yue’an, too, snapped back to reality. In the aftermath of the recent clash, only Xiyin, who had awakened her second characteristic, and Qi Yue’an, their former adversary, remained conscious; the others lay unconscious from the fierce engagement.
The lingering aftermath of the battle had, however, utterly ravaged her living quarters, leaving only the outermost fringes relatively unscathed.
Xiyin surveyed the chaotic wreckage around them, her brow furrowing deeply as her gaze fell upon the unconscious forms of Bai Jin, Bai Zhi, and Ling Ru.
“We must find a place to settle them first; the healing facilities here…”
“There’s no need to trouble yourselves.”
Qi Yue’an gently interjected, taking a few steps forward to reach the center of the courtyard. She closed her eyes briefly, inhaled deeply, then raised her hand and snapped her fingers with a sharp, clear sound.
As if time itself had reversed, or an unseen brush swiftly swept across the canvas of reality, scattered debris flew back to its rightful place, fractured earth seamlessly mended, and burnt flora miraculously unfurled fresh shoots.
Even the palace, its corner once crumbled, restored itself with a few soft clicks and creaks, as though the fierce battle had never transpired. Only the lingering, unquieted magical fluctuations in the air served as a testament to the conflict that had just occurred.
“What is this…?”
Lowering her hand, Qi Yue’an spoke with a serene composure, a detached air she had cultivated from her interactions with the other inhabitants of the Dawn Star Palace during her time as “Queen.”
“This is one of the core regions of Lin Xiao’s demon domain,” she explained, “and as the ‘Queen,’ I possess temporary authority over this small expanse. Repairing certain non-fundamental damage is, thankfully, quite simple.”
As she spoke, her gaze drifted towards her unconscious companions.
“Let’s settle them in the rooms within to rest.”
Guiding Xiyin, she gently placed Bai Jin, Bai Zhi, and Ling Ru onto the soft, opulent beds in the side chambers of the palace.
With everything attended to, the two returned to a relatively intact corner of the main hall, where a surviving set of ivory-white table and chairs awaited. Beyond the window, the restored courtyard still offered a dreamlike vista.
Seated opposite each other, silence once more enveloped them. Xiyin gazed at the face before her, both familiar and unsettlingly strange, a torrent of unspoken questions constricting her throat. Ultimately, she chose to voice the two most pivotal concerns.
“An’an… the ‘Crown of Reason’… what exactly is it? What does Lin Xiao truly intend to do with it, and with you?”
This inquiry struck at the very heart of Qi Yue’an’s existence and destiny.
“And that state you… or rather ‘you two’… were in during the battle earlier…”
She carefully chose her words, striving for precision.
“That wasn’t merely an uncontrolled surge of power, was it? It felt more like… two distinct consciousnesses vying for dominance. Qi Yue… who exactly is she?”
This question was pivotal to understanding Qi Yue’an’s current mental state.
Qi Yue’an’s face settled into an expression of anticipated understanding, as if to say, ‘I knew you would ask that.’ She paused, her silver eyes cast downwards as she gathered her thoughts, before slowly lifting her head to meet Xiyin’s gaze with earnestness.
“Xiyin, regarding your first question, the ‘Crown of Reason’…
Her fingers unconsciously traced patterns on the tabletop.
“Lin Xiao told me it is… one of the ‘anchors’ of this world’s very meaning, and simultaneously a vessel that harbors a fragment of ‘God’s’ consciousness. His plan… is to utilize it for a matter of immense global significance.”
Her explanation was a tapestry of truth and fabrication, highlighting elements Lin Xiao had shared—the ‘anchor,’ the ‘vessel,’ and ‘breaking the cycle’—thereby casting his true intentions in a grander, more ‘selfless’ light.
“And I, through the countless versions of myself integrated within it, am thus… the very core of this entire endeavor.”
She paused, her voice dropping to a somber tone.
“As for the price… Lin Xiao hasn’t explicitly stated it, but I know it will be anything but simple. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such profound agony…”
Ironically, this vague description of the cost was the most truthful part; she genuinely remained unaware of the precise sacrifices or the process involved.
“Now, regarding your second question… Qi Yue.”
A complex, almost helpless curve played at the corners of Qi Yue’an’s lips.
“She… has always been present, in truth. It’s not a struggle for control, but rather a form of… complementarity. She is, in essence, my other self, akin to a split personality, embodying the willfulness, desires, and strength I once dared not reveal. Previously, in our haste to master the ‘Crown of Reason’ and navigate the complexities of the Dawn Star Palace, we attempted a deeper fusion. However, it’s clear our synchronization remains insufficient, which is why when emotions run high, we tend to fall into that… chaotic state.”
This explanation was largely truthful, though it deliberately downplayed their intentional performance, instead attributing the shifts in consciousness to the instability of their fusion.
She met Xiyin’s gaze, her eyes candid and open.
“Xiyin,” she began, her voice earnest, “I know this sounds utterly unbelievable, and perhaps even… perilous. But please believe me: whether it is ‘I’ or ‘he,’ our ultimate goal has never wavered—to survive, and to do so alongside the people who matter most. It is simply that this particular path is one only he and I can undertake.”
Xiyin listened in silence, a storm of emotions swirling within her pale blue eyes. She could discern the genuine sincerity in Qi Yue’an’s words, yet she also sensed the unavoidable truths that remained unspoken.
Finally, taking a deep breath, she posed a question that, while seemingly inconsequential, conveyed her deepest, most heartfelt concern.
“So… how are you truly doing here? Are you… happy? Do you wish to remain, or will you ultimately choose to leave?”
Her voice was hushed, imbued with a cautious probing and an unchanging tenderness.
Qi Yue’an froze, taken aback. She had anticipated Xiyin’s skepticism, perhaps even a fervent attempt to ‘awaken’ her with sharp words. Never had she imagined that after enduring the recent battle and hearing her half-truths, Xiyin’s paramount concern would still be her feelings and desires.
A sudden, unexpected warmth surged through her, dissolving some of the persistent loneliness that had clung to her.
She lowered her lashes, concealing the momentary sheen of moisture in her eyes, and when she lifted them again, her gaze was considerably softer, though tinged with a touch of regret.
Perhaps a lifetime as a magical girl alongside them wouldn’t have been so bad, but she had crucial tasks to fulfill and a person she needed to love. Thus, a parting of ways was an unavoidable truth.
“This place…”
She cast her gaze around the opulent bedchamber, which had once felt so much like a gilded cage.
“To be honest, initially, I was deeply unaccustomed, quite frightened, and profoundly… adrift. But now…”
Her thoughts drifted to Lin Xiao’s evident care, to the unwavering devotion between them, to the warmth that enveloped her each night, and to his facade of calmness that barely concealed his genuine awkwardness, along with his subtle sadness and pervasive loneliness.
She yearned to save him, to embrace him, and ultimately, to etch herself indelibly into his heart. In her eyes, a newfound resolve shone, starkly different from the persistent confusion that had once clouded them.
“I suppose it can be called happiness, at least. I now have a purpose that must be fulfilled, and a person I wish to trust, someone I need to cherish.”
She turned to Xiyin, her gaze resolute yet tinged with a subtle apology.
“Xiyin, I deeply cherish the days we spent together; they were truly… the warmest moments of my life. However, I cannot return just yet. There are still matters here I haven’t concluded, answers I haven’t yet found.”
Witnessing her resolve, Xiyin found herself at a loss for words. Knowing that her friend had discovered her own path and found someone to love, a sense of relief washed over her.
Yet, a touch of melancholy mingled with her relief. She had half-expected to feel a pang of regret upon hearing Qi Yue’an’s words, as it was only natural for her, with her original male soul, to harbor some affection for such a lovely girl after all they had experienced together.
Instead, what she felt now was not the sorrow of a secret love lost, but rather a profound blessing for a dear friend. It was then that she realized, subtly and irreversibly, her own perspective had shifted.
Regardless, she knew this peculiar sentiment would likely remain incomprehensible to Qi Yue’an, given the unique circumstances of her own existence.
As she wrestled with her tangled thoughts, a warm, small hand gently caressed her cheek.
“Xiyin…”
She lifted her head, meeting Qi Yue’an’s gaze—soft, yet filled with an undisguised intimacy and a hint of apology in her silver eyes.
“I’m sorry for making you come all this way for me. This outcome must still feel a little unfair, wouldn’t you agree…?”
“Had these circumstances not arisen, I would undoubtedly have stayed with you, with all of you, for a lifetime. But after this matter concludes, our paths… will likely diverge.”
Qi Yue’an clasped her hand, offering a solemn promise.
“If I manage to bring all of this to an end, I still wish to witness your dreams, to listen to more of your songs. Then, we will be the best of companions, for a lifetime…”
She spoke softly, her words imbued with tenderness. Just then, a stir came from the side chamber.
“Let’s go check; they must be waking up.”
Bai Jin was the first to stir. Rubbing her sleep-laden eyes, she sat up, only to catch sight of Qi Yue’an by her bedside. Instantly, she recoiled like a startled kitten, nearly tumbling from the bed.
“W-woah! You, you, you… I haven’t lost yet!”
Her voice, still thick with the softness of recent slumber, was laced with undeniable panic.
Qi Yue’an watched her, a rare and genuinely adorable reaction now that her tsundere facade had momentarily fallen. She couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, reaching out to gently ruffle Bai Jin’s soft white hair.
“Are you awake? How do you feel? Is anything bothering you?”
Bai Jin froze at the sudden intimacy, her cheeks flushing crimson. Like a kitten being stroked contentedly but still trying to maintain its dignity, she abruptly slapped Qi Yue’an’s hand away and averted her gaze.
“Hmph! I-I’m perfectly fine! I don’t need your feigned kindness! Do whatever you want… I-I will never surrender in my heart!”
She feigned an air of unwavering defiance, yet the slight tremor in her voice and the flush on her ear tips betrayed her true feelings.
Xiyin sighed helplessly, then stepped forward to explain.
“Ling Ru, it’s alright. Earlier… that was an accident. An’an is fully conscious now.”
Hearing Xiyin’s words, Bai Jin paused, sneaking a glance at Qi Yue’an. Confirming that her eyes were clear and gentle, unlike their previous frenzy, she finally relaxed. She then reverted to her usual ‘I’m super fierce’ demeanor.
“Hmph! Since Xiyin says so… I’ll let it slide for now! But don’t you dare do that again next time, you perverted loli-loving small fry!”
Yet, her bluster only made her appear all the more adorable.
Next to awaken was Bai Zhi.
Opening her eyes, she found herself in a magnificent bedchamber, with Qi Yue’an looking at her with concern. Her mind instantly replayed Qi Yue’s dangerous declaration before the battle—’I’ll keep all of you here’—and the chaotic ‘harem’ pronouncements Qi Yue had made during the fight.
A “Qi Yue’an: Seducer and Captor” theory quickly formed in her mind.
Far from being afraid, her eyes lit up, and two rosy blushes bloomed on her cheeks. Feigning shyness, she tugged at the covers, her voice sickly sweet.
“Oh my~ An’an~ Do you really like us that much? To keep us all here with you… well, for me… it’s not entirely out of the question~”
She even winked flirtatiously at Qi Yue’an.
“From now on, we’ll rely on An’an to support us. Getting to cuddle with beautiful girls every day doesn’t sound so bad, does it? And I can always be with Ling Ru and everyone else…”
_SMACK!_
Before she could finish, Xiyin delivered a light yet firm chop to her head.
“Snap out of it! That was an accident earlier; we’re collaborating now!”
Xiyin was almost driven to laughter by the antics of these two lively sisters.
Bai Zhi let out an “Ow!” and clutched her head, looking aggrievedly at Xiyin, then at a helpless Qi Yue’an. Only then did she realize.
“Eh? Is… is that so?”
A flicker of imperceptible disappointment crossed her face, but she quickly perked up, sighing dramatically.
“Alas, what a shame. I thought I could live a happy life being pampered by a rich lady and doing nothing~”
Finally, Ling Ru slowly regained consciousness. Having expended the most energy, her face remained somewhat pale.
Opening her eyes, she saw Qi Yue’an standing by her bedside. Her gaze initially flickered with a complex emotion, then shifted away with a hint of self-consciousness.
Compared to Xiyin and the Bai sisters, she had known Qi Yue’an the shortest, and their interactions had been relatively few. This ‘sense of distance’ now stirred a bitter pang of jealousy within her.
Just as she was lost in her emotions, a warm hand gently rested on her head.
Ling Ru looked up in surprise, meeting Qi Yue’an’s gentle gaze.
“You did wonderfully.”
Qi Yue’an’s voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable tone of approval.
“Truly impressive.”
This direct affirmation, like a ray of light, instantly dispelled some of the gloom in Ling Ru’s heart.
She opened her mouth, intending to speak, but then saw Qi Yue’an’s demeanor subtly shift before her—the calm gentleness was replaced by a lively cunning, and her silver eyes curved, revealing the more familiar, ‘Qi Yue’ sparkle.
“Ling Ru~ You’re awake? Were you worried sick earlier?”
Qi Yue giggled, pinching her cheek. The long-missed, deeply yearned-for sight left Ling Ru feeling momentarily disoriented.
“Don’t worry~ With me around, how could An’an truly get into trouble? That was just a show for certain people, you know~”
She winked at Ling Ru, hinting at a ‘secret’ only the two of them understood.
Ling Ru’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing that familiar expression, an incredible thought surfaced in her mind—’That’ Sister Yue… she’s still here! And this, it seemed, only she knew.
A unique, secret joy quietly took root in her heart, washing away her previous disappointment and unease.
Seeing her reaction, Qi Yue curved her lips, thinking that confused girls like this were the easiest to handle. Too bad An’an wasn’t so easy to capture.
****
As they conversed, Bai Jin’s curiosity was drawn to the bedchamber’s splendor.
She couldn’t help but look around, gazing at the simulated flowing starry river on the vaulted ceiling, and touching the lustrous moonstones embedded in the nearby pillars, muttering softly:
“Tsk, that rotten guy really knows how to live it up… These pillars and the gems embedded in them look so valuable… This is how he keeps his perverted loli-loving small fry vixen hidden away.”
Qi Yue’an’s mouth twitched at the excessive number of epithets, but she still explained:
“These are made of ‘radiant stone,’ a rare mineral formed by collective wishes, good for stabilizing magic. If you like them… after this is over, I’ll ask Lin Xiao if he can give you some.”
Bai Jin immediately flushed and retorted:
“Who, who likes them! I was just looking!”
Yet, she couldn’t resist sneaking a few more glances. Bai Zhi, meanwhile, became interested in several ornate dresses Qi Yue’an hadn’t worn, marveling at them.
“An’an, do you usually wear these? Isn’t it inconvenient for movement?”
Qi Yue’an sighed helplessly.
“Not most of the time, only for formal occasions… Actually, I prefer simpler clothes too, but outwardly, I am Lin Xiao’s wife.”
Bai Zhi covered her mouth and chuckled.
“Heh heh… what a love-struck fool.”
Qi Yue’an considered refuting her, but decided against it, deeming it too much trouble.
****
Time slipped away in conversation and recuperation. Before they knew it, it was already afternoon, and everyone gathered in the main hall to discuss their next course of action.
The finalized plan was as follows:
Bai Jin and Bai Zhi would openly escort “Qi Yue’an” on an inspection, using the Queen’s authority and their guard status as a cover.
Along the way, they would find an opportunity to swap Ling Ru with the real Qi Yue’an, who would be moving covertly. This would allow Qi Yue’an to slip away and rendezvous with Chen Ling and her elite squad, who had already infiltrated the underground.
Concurrently, the Greed Wolf Squad and other hired forces would create chaos in other areas of the facility. Their objective was “search, combat, and withdrawal,” operating more like bandits, and potentially even engaging in infighting over resources. This chaos would serve to better conceal the true core of the plan.
Qi Yue’an and Chen Ling’s squad would then use their authority to infiltrate the core area amidst the confusion for their investigation.
Finally, everyone would regroup at several predetermined extraction points.
With all arrangements settled, the atmosphere grew tense once more. Just then, regular footsteps echoed from outside the bedchamber.
The escort team, tasked with accompanying the “Queen” on her inspection, had arrived.
To everyone’s slight surprise, the leaders of the approaching team were none other than Li Yan and Su Qiao, whom they recognized.
Li Yan remained in his combat attire, his aura as fiery as ever. Su Qiao, dressed in the uniform of a Dawn Star Palace executive, had dazzling blonde hair and an air of characteristic arrogance and boldness.
Ling Ru’s heart tightened slightly. Impersonating Qi Yue’an was already incredibly difficult; now, she had to do so flawlessly in front of two executives who were relatively familiar with the real Qi Yue’an, making the challenge undoubtedly greater.
Su Qiao strode in, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, pausing briefly on Qi Yue’an before she grinned.
“Your Highness, the preparations for the inspection are complete. We are ready to depart at your command!”
Her gaze was direct, reflecting her absolute obedience to Lin Xiao’s orders.
Li Yan, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow, his eyes observing “Qi Yue’an” with a hint of interest, then glancing at Xiyin and the others beside her. His tone carried a subtle note of inquiry.
“Oh? Miss Star and your other friends will be joining as well? It seems this inspection will be quite intriguing.”
Ling Ru stood beside Xiyin, her eyes downcast, trying to minimize her presence. ‘The plan officially begins,’ she thought to herself, while Qi Yue’an displayed the polite composure she had learned these past days.
“Thank you both for your trouble. Let us depart.”