𝐉𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐔𝐀𝐍

PROLOGUE. INFORMATION. TIMELINES. NOTICE.

In more ways than one.

The flare of the trumpets boasts it hymm towards the arena, roaring cheers mixed in with the sound of booming confetti where visuals of peace conquered the flying ship, scattering amongst the crowd that attended to honor the Reignbow Arbiter and those who stood witness to see the Xianzhou Luofu's vigor.

It was a feast for the heart and soul. He'd have to thank the Astral Express for aiding him again and it almost makes him laugh, to have another assist a personal conflict within Xianzhou, but it was necessary. He knew he had to, he will gnaw at any benefit for the Luofu with a silence smile, bearing a responsibility he's familiar with for over 800 years.

It is more tedious than it is tiring, yes.

That is one of many reasons why he'll practice a state of repose for how long his surroundings allows him to. Seated and slumped over his desk, arms to pretend as his pillows, and he'll know that Miss Qingzu will stare - no, glare, feeling it's intent, but it dies down and Jing Yuan will take a little peep.

“I ask of you to be considerate of your work,” the counselor says, heaving a resigned sigh, tidying the paperwork on his desks. ”But with the ceremonial wardance reaching its conclusion, along with the surveillance from the Alchemy Commission of your state,” neatly folded, she places the papers against her chest, turning heel before looking over her shoulder.

“You may rest, but I trust you won't forget those awaiting your presence, General.”

Qingzu leaves the Divine Foresight, while the General remains motionless. Sleep doesn't welcome itself to him, and instead his mind lulls to the tasks mentioned. Steeling and reminding himself of who is was, he pushes himself up, taking slow and relaxed steps towards the window behind, taking in it's scenery with a steady pace of breath.

I also think it's fitting actually, since the Arbiter General is quite a busy man as well, but as for the one managing this blog, I'm not going to take the insensitive and ignorant asks as to why I respond late.

Have common sense and courtesy, I write long paragraphs, and I handle an ancient character that yaps too much, has psychological trauma and other profound issues, and I have to also strategize about how to write him in certain situations, plus adding my own research and headcannons onto this guy.

"jesting? i'm hardly jesting at all*

*taking a sip out of the too sweet tea, a small face is made before a sigh is let out*

"for one..."

*gestures at the bird poking out of his hair*

"would a brute handle those little ones with such grace?" — 🌺

“Hm?” Almost provoked, (out of battle instinct and reflexes) the General's eyes quickly shift to the direction of a sensation, one that had something nestle rather comfortably, and took home inside his cloud-like hair.

“How devious,” the lip twitching grows into a fond, uncontrollable smile, then following into a soft chuckle once relaxing from the false alarm. “This little one, having the ability to sneak its way onto this establishment, and my awareness.”

His eyes began to direct itself to your own, now slightly narrowed, curious golden irises giving you a calculative gaze.

"Hmph, General Jing Yuan sure looks gloomy lately - have you noticed?" One casually added the topic in their idle conversation with a shrug, taking a swig of his cup of tea.

"Oh, please. Someone like the General has more than time to enjoy some mundane pleasures in this long life of his." The other scoffed with little care, watching the scenery that the Court of Tranquility offered.

"Well, maybe you are right... is just that by lately, I meant... these past centuries. Sigh, whenever I see his face or even think about him, it makes me gloomy myself. Perhaps the General has gone through much more than we know." The first man who spoke replied, brows crafting an atlas of contemplation upon his forehead.

"Oh, you worry too much, lǎo tiě. Even got the General's feelings on you?" The older man jokes, his wandering gaze stopping at the younger one with his silence.

"..."

"Eh, I was just joking. ... you know, my son is saying the same thing. He admires that damned General more than his own father..." He continues with a bitter smile, shaking his head in displeasure.

"Lee gēgē..." The younger man trails off, interrupted by the raise of Lee's hand.

"It's fine."

"..."

"Maybe you are right. The General seems gloomy lately."

"..."

"I wonder why."

"Time is not kind to anyone."

[In the Seat Of The Divine Foresight]

“If your gaze acted as weapons against me, I certainly would be in quite a ferocious battle with you, Qingzu,” with a guilt and awareness creeping up and up from his stomach, he avoids a death stare from his counselor's direction, knowing or unknowing about what she has to say about him time.

“The Seat of Divine Foresight deals with high-level military secrets, and maintenance towards those who strive against the Abundance.” Qingzu reminds, again, the hint of passive aggression in her voice doesn't go unnoticed, but what can he do from the rock solid, (and unpleasant) reminding of a truth laid bare for him at this moment?

“General Jing Yuan,” the counselor voices with an almost cold-like tone, the specks of professionalism cracking bit by bit from her. “You are aware of the impact you hold in all of the Luofu, not just in militia affair, nor holding the will of the Hunt.”

“More than, of c-” he'd retort, but he shrinks down, blending to his seat, the sight of his advisor and her bow-like hairdo walking towards infront of his desk, sending him into a slight disarray. Only slightly, of cours—“Then, surely that involves being aware to the public masses of civilians, let alone the prying Luofu press, as well?” He freezes, all in one, golden irises slowly moving away even further from her direction.

“Perhaps you should attend the Xianzhou's festivities this year,” she adds with a heavy, throaty sigh, fingers rubbing between her nose bridge. “Your position continues to stand tall, endless with vigor, as like the Reignbow Arbiter's surefire, and unending will.”

The General responses with an exhale through his nose, elbows pillared atop his desk, hands and fingers crossed together with his lips touching the base of his thumbs.

He knows, and knows it full well. “It hadn't occured, since, only those who pursue me, and against me is from the continuous ravages of the abundance.” A fault, an easy unmistakable one that slipped by his busy, busy radar.

*an absent minded smile makes itself known*

"Sorry, did I toe a line there? You dont have to take my word for it-"

[ and hello again, user eru!! It's nice to see you! — 🌺 ]

“Duty,” he interrupts, no, insists. The same smile and demeanor is mirrored, pale hands within your sight just on top of his desk, and next to the tea you offered. “Only but a duty of mine, to heed what the Luofu desires,” then his eyes glint, an abundance of calculative mirth. ”Like this moment of bliss.”

Gentle. He'd let his thoughts run astray. Gentle, huh. He chuckles, but in disbelief, given his hidden, warrior-like rage in his line of work, a fit of fierceness shown to a few immortals.

Who would've expected for someone to call the might Arbiter General, gentle. “Far from it,” he'd answer low, both your assumption and that thought of doubt.

Oh.... oh I'm... sorry. I think I probably sound unsure to you because of course I could be wrong. But even if I am wrong I at least still wanted to say I think you are at least somewhat of a good person, even if I am actually wrong.

The hem of garment fabric made for a soothing sensation running under fingernails in these moments of piercing analysis by a master strategist.

To be honest... General... I did not really come here for any reason beyond some simple.. questions. And a hope just to talk. Besides, what else would be worth doing with the little bit of life I have?

“Mm,” his eyes continued being calculative, not to your response, but at the difficult thoughts that began to ebb along his mind, unable to give you even a tidbit of a response.

That is only an outside perception of how I hold mysel—“Hm?”

Did he perceive that correctly? “You mean to tell me that you wish to spend your precious mortal days, with the Arbiter General in idle, all while your life continues to flow to its end?”

Or was he assuming wrong? His eyes show concern, a small tinge as you describe reasoning that sounded dire to him.

please pardon the interruption, but i am here on behalf of the public with a very important question! and the masses are dying to know your answer!

*ahem* we are no strangers to admiring public officials and celebrities of all kinds, and sometimes we can’t help but wonder what it would be like to interact with them and gain their favor. so, i humbly wish to know (on behalf of the public this is definitely not an excuse!!!!) the best, most surefire way to make you laugh.

please respond at your earliest convenience. thank you for all that you do for the luofu!

-definitely a verified journalist anon

Laughter. Was the he even allowed of such a pleasure? His thoughts races as you raised your mic eagerly, your eyes having a strange determination, causing the General to give you a smile, or more specifically, a controlled smirk.

The General's eyes highlighted a certain amusement through his masterfully trained facial expression, a golden, glinting gaze lowering to your own.

If he were to answer, it would be—“The absurdity of someone's reasoning, especially if their action's conclude a negative outcome, a prime example of this would be...” and before you could react with confusion, his gaze goes past you, distant to the scenery behind, a moment of recollection in his eyes.

“The Stellaron Hunters, and their... eventful motifs,” his answer would prove true, finding himself chuckling, but it wasn't of a happy emotion, nor anything else positive, and under an observant gaze, you can call it disbelief, otherwise with a slight bitterness that he has no choice but to laugh it off, or swallow in defeat.

Ah—“My apologies,” he notices the confusion right away, and his head tilts to the side, an apologetic smile accomodating you. “I don't often pull this card, and you certainly haven't specified much, but, at your leisure, that is my truth, and,” his facial expressions return to the once musing smirk.

"Hi, I like you. Uhh... pillows!" She nervously spoke and drops the pillows onto his table.

"Okay, have a nice day — bye!!!" She sprinted towards the exit with three cloud knights chasing after her.

If this were a battlefield, this would be a chance to strike him down, currently faced with an emotion he would conclude as an unwelcomed confusion. The sudden intrusion inside of the Seat of the Divine Foresight, as well as pillows disheveled atop his desk left him caught off guard, and not many were to do that in the face of the Arbiter General.

“Qingzu,” he called out to his counselor, low and musing. “Let it be known to those Cloud Knights that they will be let off with a light warning for the sudden appearance, and—” Mm.

His gaze falls to the pillows, yet the silent, but glimmering joy in his eyes disappears as soon as she sees his counselor sweeps away the once-to-be-rested-on cushions, seeing her read his thoughts with a stoic, and predicting look on her face.

“You really, really should be a diviner.” He says with a defeated tone, slumping back to his chair, the once softness laid for him on the table, gone as he eyes the waiting paperwork.

“And, have our Divine Foresight Messenger rest,” he straightens his back, stretching his arms to the side, groaning.

How... naive. He thought upon your positive ramblings about him, amusement mixed into his curious expression. Seeing the look of distraught etched on your features, causes him to mirror it around the near end of your sentence. He exhales through his nose, laying down the hand from his face.

The very same hand that's severed eons worth of lives, whether it'd be foes from the Abundance, or the latter that's judged those who fall short in terms of abiding the Luofu's laws.. “You speak as if unsure,” a serious gaze falls upon his features, eyes trailing up and finding their way to yours.

“No matter, I can understand the naivety and innocence from a... short-spanned, mortal perspective.” The General turns himself away from your direction, once again, looking over his shoulder to you, hands rested at the base of his spine.

“You are in the presence of an undying, an immortal Mahamatra that has reigned a multitude worth of wars, with stories ranging from overwhelming victories—” the General turns his ahead from your direction, and out to the scenery of the Ambrosial Arbor once more, his gaze darkening, a mind fogged with death. “—to victories with overwhelming losses.”

The General's eyes narrow, golden irises observant to the tree of Abundance, and a smile forms, following up an amused chuckle. “You requested an audience with the Seat of The Divine Foresight, only to spend idle chatter with him.”

-@blade-official-hsr

“You stare a thousand, endless battles with me,” he grips the shaft of his glaive, with hesitancy, determination waning as he holds your gaze. “I cannot offer you Salvation, leave the premises, and I will make sure the Arbiter General himself, will announce this was a false alarm, your presence being non-existent to the Luofu, as if you never stepped stepped foot once again, in this place.”

His eyes bore onto Blade's, intense with emotion, yet masked by his authority, conflict shown in his expression, as he was an old friend after all, but there was also a possibility that he was here also on behalf of orders, on Kafka's, or possibly the rumored Elios himself, and he wouldn't allow himself to waver, not now, especially not when a threat to the Luofu stands tall.

(Ooc: HI ERU ALSO SCREAMS BECAUSE OMG BEST JING YUAN AAAAA HE IS MY FAVORITE AND BIG COMFORT CHARACTER AND ALSO MY CHOSEN HUSBANDO SO FINDING BEING DIRECTED TO YOUR ACCOUNT WAS DAY MADE)

“Those little, harmless critters that flock me at specific times of the days?” He finds himself chuckling fondly at the memories of peace, but he finds his gaze towards yours, the softness remaining on his features, but his eyes were calculating to the comment of him being someone of decent, if not, high praise.

A good person, she says. He remains silent, but the corners of his lips rise into an expression of warmth. “You flatter me, you do, however,” his eyes averts from yours, towards the scenery of the Ambrosial Arbor tree, his gaze distant, and reminiscing.

“Had it not for my status as the beholder of the Reignbow Arbiter's wishes, had it not been for my fierceness in strategy that led me to a high position, had it not for this title, this life,”

He pauses, looking over his shoulder, his former expression shifting into a somber smile. “I would've been able to accept your statements to the fullest, with great gratitude,”

“But know,” he turns around to your direction, fully, a calculative and authorative look looms over his features. “That those little, fleeting birds, have no clue as to what I have done, nor they will ever find out what I currently do.”

“Good, you describe me,” his face falls, down to his desk, his expression softening, saddening, casting shadow over the table. “Long overdue, is what I would describe myself.”

His head perks up, in realization to his rambling, and the additional added air of sorrow, thickly unpleasant. “Forgive me and my ramblings,” he sighs, giving you a forced smile, with one hand up and covering half of his face.

He looks at you, down onto your cat-like expression, it's playful air reminding him of the times of his once feline pet, ferocious, yet exuding a fluffy warmth.

Though giving his attention to yours, his expression remains unreadable, yet retaining respect with a polite smile. “If I may,”

He bends down his torso, to level his head to yours, towards your right ear, a hand moving simultaneously, reaching for your shoulder, firming his grasp onto it once placed.

A musing smirk tugs at the corner of his lip. “If this were a ploy to get the Arbiter General's guard down,” his hand on your shoulder shifts, not long after, it slithers, gliding up, up and up towards the side of your hair, then finally claiming victory upon the top of your head.

“I would consider this one of many, many feeble attempts,”

And yet. He pulls back slightly, getting a good look towards you. “Yet it works,” he sighs, completely ignoring and ignorant to the faint feeling of warmth, spreading in his cheeks.

“Reducing the fierce General of the Luofu to this state,” he retracts himself from the close proximity he initiated, standing tall again with command, but it doesn't reach to his face.

I have disturbing news regarding your retainer...

“Mm,” the General averts his gaze from his desk, towards the onlooker from beyond with eyes narrowing in a calm, calculating suspicion. He smiles, faint, to accomodate.

“The Cloud Retainer, is, forevermore, my right hand, disturbing news is no stranger of his many tedious, duties.” He says, but his eyes glint another light, seeing the dread mix into your expression, his brows furrowing in response it.

Concern grows as he arises from his seat, leaning himself against the rim of the table, a commanding hand placed flat against the surface of matter. “Speak,” he breathes.

“Mm.” The General takes a few leisure seconds of time, pondering his next course of action upon your gesture. An embrace huh? He thought, a concept overly known to him yet practiced so little.

“I share your concerns,” but the Xianzhou and it's enemies have been unforgiving, keeping him doused with workload after workload.

So instead of hailing the requested (and foreign) gesture, he pauses, then smiles afterwards, reaching out a hand towards your face, tucking away the disheveled strands of hair behind your ear, the other hand swooping in yours, bringing your knuckles up to his lips once he was done with the other notion.

“Things will get better, I have no doubt in my mind that you will prevail in every undesired situation you will be faced with,” he spoke in low tones against your skin, before letting go of it.

[@ask-deng-feng]

“Ah.” If there was one thing he had complete mastery over besides his spearsmanship, it would be his facial features. His expression, though there would be a sliver of distraught threatening his muscle control, it would be held back.

“The, Imbibitor Lunae,” his eyes seize yours, all with an empty smile he's so used to wearing. “Not Dan Heng, not from the astral express,” he sighs, a little breathy.

“You've returned to the Xianzhou, to the mortal realm, bold and living, all knowing that you continue to maintain the status of traitor.” A pause, deafening, ringing, eyes squinted to yours.