Honkai: Star Rail: I Can Fix This Gender-Bent World — Chapter 93

Chapter 93: Being Used for Free

“It’s like this,” Jing Yuan began, her voice steady and calm as her holographic image addressed the room. “A few days ago, while the Cloud Knights were investigating the dual threats of the Stellaron’s influence and our… internal disturbances,” she explained, choosing her words with the precision of a seasoned general, “their patrols near the Stargazer Navalia successfully intercepted a Stellaron Hunter attempting to infiltrate our borders. His name is Blade.”

“He is now bound by specialized restraints and held under the highest security deep within the Shackling Prison.”

“Blade?” Ms. Welt’s brow creased. The name clearly carried weight.

“The very same,” Jing Yuan confirmed with a nod. “However, in the process of apprehending him, we back-traced his trajectory and residual energy fluctuations. This led us to a troubling discovery.”

Her expression grew more serious. “We learned that another Stellaron Hunter—a woman named Kafka—had already slipped onto the Luofu. Her movements are far more clandestine.”

“Her purpose remains unknown, but her very presence, especially with the ongoing Stellaron crisis, represents a massive and unpredictable threat.”

Jing Yuan’s gaze swept across each of them—Chen, Caelus, March 7th, and Ms. Welt.

“The bulk of the Cloud Knights are stretched thin, dealing with sudden outbreaks of the Mara-Struck and securing critical infrastructure across the Luofu. This leaves us unable to spare the elite personnel required for a mission that demands stealth, speed, and extreme adaptability—a mission of tracking and, if possible, contact.”

She paused, and that inscrutable, faint smile returned to her lips. “Which brings me to you, the Trailblazers of the Astral Express. You possess extraordinary strength, a relatively detached status, and far more flexible operational parameters.”

“More,” she added, a faint, knowing curve to her lips, “you all seem to have… a certain history with the Stellaron Hunters, do you not?”

“Therefore, I would like to formally request your assistance in tracking Kafka’s movements on the Luofu. We need to ascertain her purpose here. I must stress, combat is not the objective. Your priority is investigation and intelligence. If you can make contact, determine her intentions, or even perform a limited containment, it would be a monumental service.”

Jing Yuan’s voice took on a note of solemnity. “This matter is critical to the stability of the Luofu and the ultimate resolution of this Stellaron crisis. If you lend us your strength, the Xianzhou Luofu will be in your debt.”

Ms. Welt fell silent, her expression unreadable behind her glasses. Chen could practically see the gears turning in her head. Involvement with the Stellaron Hunters was a hornet’s nest. But to handle the Luofu’s treacherous political waters, an alliance with its highest authority—and access to their intelligence—was an obvious asset.

She adjusted her glasses with a deliberate push of her finger. “General,” she said, her voice firm, “since you have entrusted this to us with such sincerity, and since it directly concerns a Stellaron, the Astral Express cannot stand idly by. We accept this commission.”

“Excellent!” The smile on Jing Yuan’s projection widened, the professional courtesy replaced by a flicker of genuine relief. “Specific intelligence and relevant clues will be transmitted to your Express shortly., to help your actions, I have already informed Yukong. The Sky-Faring Commission will provide you with a guide, someone intimately familiar with the Luofu’s various explores, to assist you.”

As if on cue, the side door of the main hall slid open. Yukong, who had departed only a short while ago, returned. Following closely at her side was none other than Tingyun, who had been waiting patiently outside.

Yukong’s expression was as stern and unyielding as ever. She offered a crisp bow to Jing Yuan’s holographic image before turning her sharp gaze to Ms. Welt. “Helm Master Yukong, at your service.”

She gestured to the fox-eared woman beside her. “This is Tingyun. She is deeply connected to the Luofu’s trade networks and knows every alley, every unspoken rule, and every hidden corner of this city. Her knowledge will save you a great deal of trouble.”

Tingyun stepped forward, her hands clasped gracefully, a warm and practiced smile gracing her lips. “It is my honor to be of service to you benefactors once more,” she said, her voice as smooth as silk. “I will certainly do my utmost to assist you all in tracking the Stellaron Hunter.”

And with that, the matter was settled.

After exchanging a few more details and contact protocols, Jing Yuan’s projection bid them farewell with a final smile and faded away. Yukong, citing the press of official duties, also made a hasty departure, leaving Tingyun to accompany the Astral Express crew out of the Sky-Faring Commission’s grand hall.

The moment they were led into a quieter, more open corridor, March 7th, who had been practically vibrating with pent-up energy, finally deflated. He slumped his shoulders dramatically and leaned in to whisper conspiratorially to Chen and Caelus.

“Okay, what was that?” he hissed, his voice a low grumble. “It feels like we just got roped into doing chores! And for free, no less! We’re supposed to hunt down a super-dangerous Stellaron Hunter, and all they give us is a tour guide? This is totally just using us as free labor!”

Despite his attempt at a whisper, his voice carried clearly in the otherwise silent corridor.

Up ahead, Ms. Welt’s stride didn’t falter, but the slightest stiffening of her shoulders told Chen she had heard every word. Beside her, Tingyun’s pleasant smile didn’t waver for an instant, a mask of perfect, professional ignorance.

Chen, of course, knew better. A wry smile touched his lips. ‘Free labor? Hardly.’ According to the original game’s script, this very mission was the trigger for a major questline. It led to obtaining the Jade Abacus of Ingenuity—a key item for building faction reputation. In the long run, the rewards were immense. It was anything but a loss. But from the perspective of an uninformed March 7th, who didn’t have a walkthrough of the universe loaded into his brain, it absolutely looked like they were being taken for a ride.

Before Chen could figure out how to vaguely hint at “juicy late-game rewards” to placate his friend, Ms. Welt stopped. She turned, her movements measured, and fixed a calm, unblinking gaze on March 7th.

“March,” she said, her voice quiet but carrying an obvious weight. “Do not use a phrase like ‘free labor’ so carelessly.”

March 7th instantly flinched, his head sinking down between his shoulders like a turtle retreating into its shell.

She adjusted her glasses again. Her gaze flickered, just for a second, towards the ever-smiling Tingyun, before returning to March 7th. The look held a deep, unspoken meaning.

“While traveling the stars, building a foundation of trust and establishing credible relationships is often far more valuable than any immediate, tangible reward.”

“The Path of the Trailblaze is not merely about exploring the unknown. It is also about contributing to the Preservation of the worlds we visit, when the need arises. This is not ‘doing chores,’ March. This is practicing our philosophy. This is walking our Path.”

The lecture left March 7th utterly deflated. He scratched the back of his head, a sheepish blush creeping up his neck. “Oh… yeah. You’re right, Ms. Welt. Sorry. I was being petty…”

Tingyun, ever the diplomat, stepped in at the perfect moment to smooth over the tension. “Benefactor March is simply straightforward and sincere,” she said with a warm smile. “It is an admirable quality.”

“Rest assured, everyone,” she continued smoothly, “while I wouldn’t dare claim my assistance is worth a fortune in rewards, I will certainly do my utmost to ensure your endeavors on the Luofu are smooth and unobstructed.”

Ms. Welt gave a single, sharp nod, the matter closed. With a subtle gesture, she indicated for Tingyun to lead on.

As they started walking again, Chen fell into step beside March 7th and gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. He leaned in and silently mouthed the words, forming them with exaggerated care:

‘Late-game. Rewards. You’ll see.’

March 7th gave him a confused, half-understanding look, but after Ms. Welt’s dressing-down, he was clearly in no mood to argue. He just nodded and fell silent, his earlier indignation replaced by a grudging compliance.