DEG - Chapter 26
Chapter 26: The Second Draw
She was insane.
Qing Yue recognized this terrifying reality.
In the end, Luo Nanqiu took away every item related to Jiang Xun.
She didn’t leave a single thing for Qing Yue.
According to Qing Yue’s inquiries, Luo Nanqiu had scoured all of Jiang Xun’s comrades-in-arms.
She had taken away all of Jiang Xun’s posthumous belongings.
It was as if she wanted to possess Jiang Xun completely and utterly.
Such profound feelings…
Qing Yue knew she couldn’t compare.
At the same time, she was also keenly aware of Luo Nanqiu’s madness.
She silently watched Luo Nanqiu’s antics, watched the news of Jiang Xun’s treason spread like wildfire, watched the news gradually die down, watched as someone occasionally mentioned Jiang Xun, and by the time she was mentioned again, Jiang Xun was already that traitor.
Finally, she watched as Luo Nanqiu completely sealed off all information about Jiang Xun.
The glory attached to the name Jiang Xun was silenced from that day forward. She had thought Jiang Xun could only live on forever in her memory, but she never expected Breaking Waves Riding Wind to appear before her. After some pleasantries, she actually asked, “Are you Jiang Xun’s comrade-in-arms?”
It hadn’t been easy for Breaking Waves Riding Wind to find Qing Yue. It was all thanks to the Luo Nanqiu and Jiang Xun storyline being a hot topic for the current version of the game, with countless players searching for information about Jiang Xun on their own.
Stubborn players refused to believe that the Regent could cover up all traces of Jiang Xun.
And so, one player, following the faint clues from a previous quest, found someone who seemed to be a comrade of Jiang Xun.
The quest was called “Chaser of the Light.”
This player’s level wasn’t actually very high, and the quest giver was an ordinary military cadet.
She saw the current Imperial Military Colonel, Qing Yue, as her idol. The cadet was chasing her own light.
Honestly, it was just a typical idol-chasing quest.
But who could have known the last line of the quest description would cause such a stir?
“…Cadet Cape chases after the Colonel’s brilliance, but who knows that the Colonel once saw another as her sun, chasing after her brilliance?”
At the time, the quest was completed in the military academy’s leadership office.
That player was a carefree sort; back then, playing the game was just playing the game. So after seeing that sentence, she had even remarked with emotion, “Colonel Qing Yue has an idol too?”
The instructor who was scolding her for being lawless suddenly froze.
She pushed up her glasses.
“Of course.”
“For that batch of military cadets, they all had the same idol.”
The player pestered the instructor, asking who it was.
An idol for the entire military academy? How had she never heard of this person before?
This had to be a huge figure, a guaranteed hot topic on the forums!
Unexpectedly, the instructor paused, her expression turning cold. “That is not for you to know.”
“Her name is a taboo throughout the entire galaxy.”
The quest ended there.
But this left a massive hook for the players.
After the player uploaded a screen recording of this quest, many other players went searching for who this “taboo” person was.
They never expected it to be so…
Effortless.
Breaking Waves Riding Wind was once again begged by her friends to start a livestream.
She looked at the Imperial Military Colonel before her.
Qing Yue’s long hair draped over her shoulders, her black military jacket worn loosely. Gold-rimmed glasses framed her eyes, lending her an intellectual air.
Her beautiful face carried an undeniable sense of stability and composure.
So when Breaking Waves Riding Wind, following the information provided by the players, found Qing Yue and stated her purpose, Qing Yue was stunned for a long time.
“Where did you hear this name?” Qing Yue’s smile was gentle, but her words carried a hint of certainty.
“It is still too early for you to come into contact with her existence.”
This was practically a confirmation of Jiang Xun’s identity, and it also increased the possibility of Breaking Waves Riding Wind being able to rescue Jiang Xun.
“It’s not too early,” Breaking Waves Riding Wind said.
“Because she has returned.”
Qing Yue was still smiling, but the gaze behind her lenses sharpened.
“Can you go and save her? She’s being imprisoned by the Regent right now. You know, even though the Regent is completely love-struck, she’s also a little crazy.”
Qing Yue blew gently on the black tea on her desk, sending ripples across the surface of the cup.
“She can’t come back,” Qing Yue interrupted Breaking Waves Riding Wind.
Seeing Qing Yue’s nostalgic expression, Breaking Waves Riding Wind immediately knew what she was about to say.
“Oh, it’s like this. She was reborn. After all, she became God Rank before she died. It’s the seventh year now, so she came back to observe her own First Seven.”
Qing Yue: …?
It was clearly the familiar interstellar common language, but why couldn’t she understand it?
Perhaps Qing Yue’s expression was too bewildered, or perhaps the viewers in the livestream chat were afraid Breaking Waves Riding Wind would be labeled a liar and kicked out of Colonel Qing Yue’s home. So, the audience sincerely suggested:
【I actually think people back then probably shipped the Jiang/Luo CP. Why not just say Luo Nanqiu found a clone as a substitute and let the CP fans go and tear… no, take Jiang Xun away.】
【The person above with the CP brain needs to stop! When Jiang Xun died, she and the Regent were still just friends!! How could there be any CP fans?!】
【It’s more reliable to tell the Colonel that her white moonlight has been replaced by someone else. If someone pretended to be my white moonlight, I’d be so disgusted I’d definitely go and rip them to shreds.】
Breaking Waves Riding Wind looked at the bullet comments and thought they made a lot of sense. At the very least, it was more reliable than trying to explain rebirth to an NPC.
But then again, this was a real world now, so how could rebirth even happen?
Then again, players’ souls had entered another world, so maybe rebirth wasn’t that outrageous after all.
So, Breaking Waves Riding Wind mulled it over for a moment and changed her story. “Right, I also think the whole rebirth thing is ridiculous. So actually, the Regent has a substitute by her side. She’s a clone of Jiang Xun.”
Qing Yue set down her teacup, the lenses of her glasses reflecting the sunlight. She suddenly spoke, “You want me to take her away from the Regent?”
Qing Yue pondered, “Why?”
“Because she can’t stand the Regent’s brand of craziness?”
“No…” Qing Yue hesitated.
“What kind of clone is this? Did she go to Luo Nanqiu willingly, or was she presented by someone else?”
Although her speech was still slow and methodical, she was suddenly saying a lot more.
Breaking Waves Riding Wind felt that Qing Yue’s line of reasoning was a bit off, but she couldn’t pinpoint what was strange about it.
“I’m not going.” Unexpectedly, after muttering to herself for a while, before Breaking Waves Riding Wind could even respond, Qing Yue decisively refused.
“Why?!” Breaking Waves Riding Wind’s eyes widened. She had just seen a glimmer of hope!
“You know that Luo Nanqiu would never allow any clone of Jiang Xun to be out in the world.”
“I will not get involved in this trouble.”
Breaking Waves Riding Wind felt like she could see a hint of a sneer on Qing Yue’s lips.
【A bit strange… why isn’t she angry that someone is replacing her role model?】
【I feel like it’s not just about getting involved in trouble.】
【Maybe the quest angle is wrong? This should be a main storyline quest, it can’t be that hard to complete.】
Breaking Waves Riding Wind stared at her suspiciously, the sense of abnormality growing stronger.
She was Jiang Xun’s close comrade-in-arms…
Breaking Waves Riding Wind’s love-rival radar immediately went off.
Could it be… she was mocking the Regent for claiming to be so deeply in love, only to end up raising a substitute?
Breaking Waves Riding Wind felt she had made a bad move. She closed her eyes and reorganized her words.
“Actually, the Regent did let a clone wander free.”
“She even allowed that clone to be named Jiang Xun.”
“Then, a few days ago, that clone awakened her memories. She said she and the Regent were childhood sweethearts, and the one who caused her death was the Little Emperor. Then she rushed to the Regent’s side, heedless of everything. The Regent originally wanted to kill her, but for some reason, she let her stay.”
“She even asked me for some knowledge about reincarnation. In the end, the Regent probably concluded that Jiang Xun had returned for her First Seven.”
“And then that Jiang Xun was subjected to forced love.”
“But Jiang Xun has always only felt friendship for the Regent, so she couldn’t take it anymore. She wants to run away.”
Breaking Waves Riding Wind started spinning a tale.
Qing Yue’s mind raced. She drained her tea in one gulp.
Finally, she came to a conclusion—it didn’t sound true, but it didn’t sound false either.
The forced love part was something Luo Nanqiu was definitely capable of.
And Jiang Xun wanting to escape was also very possible.
Because Jiang Xun seemed to be straight.
And probably didn’t like Luo Nanqiu in that way.
Qing Yue tapped her fingers on the table.
Otherwise, they would have gotten together long ago.
I have to go see.
No matter what, I have to go and see.
To see the person that even Luo Nanqiu thinks looks like Jiang Xun.
This voice clamored inside her.
Qing Yue closed her eyes.
But facing Breaking Waves Riding Wind’s plea, she still refused, “You should go. I can’t help you with this.”
Breaking Waves Riding Wind had no choice but to seek out Jiang Xun’s other comrades.
She refused to believe that everyone could remain rational when faced with the matter of a “substitute.”
But after refusing Breaking Waves Riding Wind, Qing Yue put on her own equipment and decided to infiltrate Luo Nanqiu’s planet.
Luo Nanqiu’s planet was heavily guarded, but that was, of course, from the perspective of the generally lower-leveled players.
For someone like Qing Yue, whose ability was already approaching level 90…
While it was still heavily guarded, she knew the loopholes.
This was also thanks to Jiang Xun. Jiang Xun had said she often snuck in from there to give Luo Nanqiu a surprise.
She had also said her favorite spot was a small pavilion by the lake. Lying there and feeling the breeze was an indescribable comfort.
Thanks to Breaking Waves Riding Wind, this person who was fading from her memory surged back like a tide, wave after wave.
She didn’t dare to sneak into Luo Nanqiu’s room. Instead, she went to that pavilion by the lake.
Her original intention was just to see the place that Jiang Xun had liked.
But she never expected to see a familiar figure there.
I just want to see how similar she is to Jiang Xun.
Qing Yue tried to convince herself.
She stood opposite the pavilion, looking at that face, which was identical to the one in her memory.
That’s right, a clone of Jiang Xun should look exactly like Jiang Xun.
Qing Yue averted her gaze, but unexpectedly, Jiang Xun, who was sitting in the pavilion spacing out, suddenly fixed her eyes on her.
Upon seeing who it was, the sharp coldness in her eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a kind of astonishment.
“Qing Yue?”
Just like seven years ago, that person called out her name again.
Qing Yue closed her eyes.
This Jiang Xun certainly had what it took to be a substitute.
She recognizes me, too. Did the person who sent her also tell her about my relationship with Jiang Xun?
Is it because I was also an important part of Jiang Xun’s memories?
Qing Yue walked to Jiang Xun’s side.
Jiang Xun looked at the silent Qing Yue, hesitating, unsure if she should say, “Long time no see.”
“You do resemble her a little,” Qing Yue finally spoke.
Jiang Xun decided to keep her mouth shut and not say that phrase.
For some reason, she saw a trace of pity in Qing Yue’s eyes.
“You should change your face and live a new life,” Jiang Xun heard Qing Yue sigh.
“Otherwise, Luo Nanqiu will kill you sooner or later.”
“Even if she’s doting on you completely right now.”
Jiang Xun’s pupils quaked.
What kind of image does the Eldest Miss have in your minds?!
“No, I don’t think she will,” Jiang Xun tried to defend the Eldest Miss.
But unexpectedly, Qing Yue sighed.
She turned her head and asked, “Did you come to Luo Nanqiu’s side willingly?”
“Do you need me to take you away?”
Jiang Xun: “It’s not…”
Is your ultimate goal for coming here to take me away?
“Are you tired of living?!” Jiang Xun almost blurted out.
“I will fake your cause of death and give you a new identity. Luo Nanqiu won’t find out, even with her extensive reach.”
Jiang Xun rubbed her brow, feeling that Qing Yue was still underestimating Luo Nanqiu.
Nanqiu is already God Rank now.
“You’re so much like her. Do you also want to join the military and achieve great things?”
“She’s imprisoning you as her golden canary. Don’t you feel miserable?”
Qing Yue was practically talking to herself, as if completely lost in her own memories.
Jiang Xun was now certain that Qing Yue wasn’t convinced she was the real Jiang Xun. She was just looking at someone who greatly resembled Jiang Xun and was acting out of love for the original.
She was one-sidedly trying to complete what she presumed was Jiang Xun’s mission.
After all, who would believe in something like resurrection from the dead?
“There’s no need. I think things are quite good right now,” Jiang Xun sighed and refused.
Unexpectedly, Qing Yue’s eyes reddened, and Jiang Xun could even see a hint of obsession in them.
“Yes, there is.”
“Compared to being Luo Nanqiu’s lover, you clearly prefer the identity of an Imperial General.”
“Don’t you?” Qing Yue asked in return.
“Do I?” Even the Jiang Xun she was so sure of became uncertain.
Why had Jiang Xun been so determined to enter the Imperial Military in the first place?
Because it was a place the Luo Family had never set foot in.
The achievements she gained there would be rightfully and completely hers.
Outsiders wouldn’t be able to say that everything Jiang Xun had was given to her by Luo Nanqiu.
Outsiders wouldn’t be able to say that Jiang Xun was just an accessory to Luo Nanqiu, that no matter who mentioned her, she would always be a step below Nanqiu.
That wasn’t what Jiang Xun wanted.
When their relationship was still healthy, her primary wish was to be her equal as much as possible, even if she hadn’t realized it at the time.
But now…
Keeping the Eldest Miss stable and lessening her self-destructive tendencies was indeed the top priority.
“Oh, well, I’m not her, after all,” Jiang Xun refused decisively.
“I’m just a bit fond of pleasure…” Before she could finish, she saw Qing Yue move behind her, attempting to knock her out with a single chop to the neck.
Seriously?
Why is she so determined to take me away from the Eldest Miss?
What kind of mentality is this?
Qing Yue had already made up her mind. She was a little surprised when Jiang Xun easily dodged, but she began to get serious.
Honestly, Jiang Xun’s skills were quite good, but the disparity in their abilities was simply too great.
After all, this body had just awakened its ability, while Qing Yue was already close to level ninety.
Jiang Xun could kill some people above her level, but those people were invariably the type who couldn’t even get into a military academy and had poor combat skills.
Qing Yue was clearly not in that category.
This was her senior sister, who had even guided her in combat before.
Facing her now with just hand-to-hand combat was a guaranteed loss.
But…
Jiang Xun thought of her Gacha ability.
Should I try a pull?
What if I get lucky?
For the sake of their past comradeship, it could at least buy Qing Yue some more time to live.
After all, the Eldest Miss’s wrath was not something an ordinary person could withstand.
Jiang Xun decisively pulled a card.
Countless scenes flashed before Jiang Xun’s eyes, finally coalescing into a large door beside her.
A door again.
Jiang Xun already had a bad feeling.
Qing Yue also stared in surprise at the door next to Jiang Xun.
It looked a little familiar.
Like the main gate of her own home.
The next moment, the door was pushed open.
The person wore a black dress, with snowy skin and dark hair. Though her face was as exquisite as a porcelain doll, her gloomy expression made one’s first impression a sense of suppression.
Her gaze naturally found Qing Yue, everything playing out like a scene from the past.
The porcelain doll tugged at the hem of her skirt, as if giving a curtsy. “Pardon the intrusion.”
“Miss Qing, I heard you were Jiang Xun’s comrade-in-arms…”
Jiang Xun froze on the spot.
Which version of Nanqiu is this?
Why did she go looking for Qing Yue?
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