"Fu Xuan."
"Where is Fu Xuan?"
"General, the Grand Diviner… has taken a leave of absence."
"Hm?"
Jing Yuan fell silent for a long moment before walking to his desk and picking up the familiar-looking request slip. As expected, it was nearly identical to all the others—copy-pasted excuses piled high.
[This one has observed the celestial signs. Today is ill-suited for overtime. Leave granted for one day.]
Jing Yuan opened a drawer and placed the slip atop a mountain of identical ones. "Fu Xuan… this is no way to lead the Divination Commission."
The general sighed, resting his chin on his hand, then glanced at the brown-haired girl nearby munching on a steamed bun.
"Uh… Greetings, General!" The girl swallowed nervously, sweat beading on her forehead. "The Grand Diviner instructed me to study here."
"If I recall… you're Qingque?"
Jing Yuan's gaze drifted to the Dihuang Qiongyu tiles hidden beneath her. He stifled a laugh. Fu Xuan's chosen successor… mildly entertaining, at least.
Qingque's heart raced. The Grand Diviner ditched me to guard the Jade Gate while she's off on a date! So unethical!
"General, I swear to study diligently! I'll become an outstanding diviner for the Luofu's glorious future!"
Lies. She'd rather play tiles. Memorizing these "easy" books bored her to tears. A passing grade sufficed—Fu Xuan wouldn't care. Even the Grand Diviner slacks off sometimes!
[Age 24]
Over the past year, Fu Xuan began frequenting the Jade Gate, seeking solace beneath the peach tree where she once trained with you. The shards of her fractured sword heart slowly mended.
Progress on reforging Wuyue remained stalled, yet your smithing skills ascended to mastery. For Fu Xuan, you crafted a blade—less a weapon, more a work of art.
"Achoo!"
"Catching a cold?"
"Nonsense! This one is impervious to petty ailments."
Fu Xuan rubbed her nose, suspecting Qingque's muttered complaints. That girl… I merely assigned extra readings.
Qingque was undeniably gifted. Opaque divination tomes? She skimmed them, aced exams with exactly 60%. Fu Xuan had groomed her as a successor, but the girl clung to mediocrity like a lifeline.
"What of the sword you promised this one?"
"Senior Sister, must you speak so archaically? I can't understand."
"I'll murder you!"
Fu Xuan kicked An Ming off the bed, laughing. "This one is well-read, unlike you—all brawn, no books."
"Not true," An Ming stood, tugging her cheek playfully. "I also pamper my wife."
"W-Who's your wife?!"
Fu Xuan burrowed under the blanket, voice muffled. "This one… hasn't agreed yet!"
"Ah, I knew I'd never deserve the exalted Grand Diviner."
"W-Wait! Come back!"
A jade-like arm shot out, yanking him down. "Who dares say you're unworthy? This one will smite them with the Great Divination Array!"
An Ming smirked. Fu Xuan turtled back under the covers, face crimson.
"Your sword… I finished it last night."
He produced an ornate case, placing it by her pillow. Fu Xuan sat up instantly, cradling it like sacred treasure.
Inside lay a shortsword—a gradient from lilac at the tip to cosmic violet at the base. Milky constellations etched into its surface flowed like a stellar river. The hilt, black as a singularity, bore a crimson love-knot tassel.
"…Does it have a name?"
"Wuming."
"Wuming… Isn't that ominous?"
"'No Fate'—a wish that no destiny binds you." An Ming's gift carried hope: one day, she'd sever fate's chains and claim her chosen future.
"Heh… Wuyue and Wuming. A pair! Couple's blades!"
Barefoot, Fu Xuan dashed outside, twirling the sword across the lawn. An Ming leaned against the doorway, watching her dance—a smile blooming.
"Junior Brother! Spar with this one!"
Beneath peach blossoms, Fu Xuan raised Wuming, brimming with delusional confidence. I'm unstoppable! Even the general's Spirit Guardian would fall in 0 cycles!
I'm the true sword prodigy! Forget divination—today, I become a blade master!
"As you wish, Senior Sister."
An Ming lifted a wooden practice sword.
Crash—!
Fu Xuan flew backward before registering his movement. An Ming caught her mid-air, softening the impact.
"…Must you always go full power?!"
Her sword-god fantasy shattered. She stomped his foot. Back to being Grand Diviner, then.
"Junior Brother, no woman will tolerate this!"
"Why look elsewhere? I have you."
"This one doesn't…!" She paused, eyes softening. "Hmph. Don't grow arrogant just because this one spoils you."
"When do you return to the Luofu?"
"Soon."
"I'll pack your favorite sweet tea blends. Just add hot water."
An Ming ruffled her hair. "Dinner tonight?"
"Century egg porridge."
"Then you're slicing the pork."
"No! This one only eats~"