But setting aside her silvery complexion, Jiyuna’s exquisite beauty was still something Yang Ying chewed on repeatedly, and it was the same for Dao Feng.

Dao Feng was certain that Jiyuna’s presence here was ninety-nine percent for the purpose of winning hearts and expanding the influence of the Kexing people among humans; the consequences of that song she performed made that clear—everyone in the entire venue had been captivated by her.

However, Dao Feng didn't find anything wrong with that. After all, expanding one’s sphere of influence was one of the core duties of an ambassador, a completely aboveboard matter. Since even Master Merlin and Randolph hadn't objected, it was hardly his place to do so.

From another angle, the influence of the Kexing people was indeed astonishing. As soon as Jiyuna arrived at the Ceres Base, the highest-ranking military officer and the head of the Psionic Temple came to accompany her.

Of course, it was impossible for Randolph to come alone. Jiyuna was a Master-level Kexing individual; her language possessed a natural allure. Without a Psionic Master present to guard him, Randolph might have answered whatever she asked—such events had occurred in history.

Just as Dao Feng was pondering these various thoughts,

“Actually, this has nothing to do with the reason, does it?” Jiyuna’s words startled Dao Feng.

He watched as she shifted her posture, making the atmosphere in the room feel more relaxed. She tilted her face at a suitable angle, looking over with sparkling eyes, a moonlit smile gracing her lips. With a soft voice, she continued, “If leaking the technology could be used to launch nuclear missiles, that might seem plausible, but your actual thought process isn't like that, is it? It’s simply that you don't want to speak, and then you search for a reason based on the outcome, isn't that right?”

Although her words were not harsh, the tone of affirmation contained within them was unmistakable. From her demeanor, Dao Feng sensed no malice, though a slight displeasure was present.

Dao Feng recalled again that although she appeared to be a kind and harmless young girl, her essence was that of a transcendent Master-level expert, possessing a soul so acute it could even perceive the depths of a person's heart—what the ancients called xīntōng.

Master Merlin, sitting nearby, displayed a subtle change in expression; his eyes, previously narrowed, widened slightly as he glanced briefly at Dao Feng and then at Jiyuna.

Jiyuna lowered her head, raising her right hand to gently rest it over her flat chest, and murmured sweetly, “In truth, if you don’t wish to tell us, what recourse do I have? This work of communication is truly difficult to manage.”

Randolph leaned back against the sofa, arms crossed over his chest, wearing the expression of a deep thinker. Suddenly, he looked up and declared with finality, “Let’s do this: just as you said, in a couple of days, I will confer with your commander. Hopefully, we can glean some hints. General Staff is extremely curious about this battle. If we don't let them know something, they won't give up. Take a message back to Yang Ying for me: a lack of trust and communication breeds many problems that shouldn't have occurred.”

“I will certainly deliver the message.” Dao Feng understood this was buying his side two days to consider their options and immediately agreed.

At that moment, scattered applause drifted in from outside the box. Dao Feng looked toward the stage and saw three bands, highly renowned across the Nine Spheres, withdrawing sadly; clearly, the audience’s reaction had left them disheartened.

Jiyuna walked to the box’s viewing balcony and looked down, letting out a soft sigh. “My willful request this time has caused trouble for quite a few people.”

She turned back around, seemingly having forgotten the slight unpleasantness of moments before, her face once again lit by that moonlit smile. “Perhaps it’s because I was too happy. I originally thought the Earth Forces’ front line would suffer a complete rout, so I came to boost the soldiers' morale. But I never expected to hear the news of your overwhelming victory.”

“Ambassador Jiyuna, if we had returned in utter defeat, would you not have sung then? I believe defeated soldiers need encouragement more,” Dao Feng said, letting go of the previous issue as well; why magnify a small friction point?

Randolph’s expression soured upon hearing this. Jiyuna gave him a questioning look; Randolph frowned in thought, then nodded.

“Thank you for your insight, General Randolph.” Jiyuna straightened up and said seriously to Dao Feng, “I do not intend to comment on the decisions of the Earth Forces; that is not my duty. It’s just that there are certain things I cannot condone. For instance, this (consolation/celebration) performance was established for a celebration; that was decided long before the battle results were known.”

Dao Feng instantly grasped her meaning and exclaimed in surprise, “Ambassador, are you saying that even if the Jupiter retreat mission had been a disaster, this performance would have proceeded as scheduled?”

Jiyuna paused in thought. “If by disaster you mean total annihilation, I do not know. But I heard that the military decided that even if nine out of ten space cities were destroyed, as long as one could return relatively intact, this performance would proceed as a victory celebration.”

She leaned to the side, pointing down toward the stage, where one of Mars’ most famous circuses was currently performing with great effort.

“Look at these performers. When they set out from all corners of the world, the fighting hadn't even ended. If they had to put on a show for defeated soldiers, would those soldiers have the mood to watch?”

“No,” Dao Feng agreed.

Jiyuna retracted her finger, nodding slowly, extremely serious now. “Defeated soldiers deserve comfort. And what Dao Feng instilled in them—if it were to soothe the soldiers' sorrow, I would sing. But I absolutely would not sing at a joyous concert. Only when the battle results arrived and I learned of your unexpectedly decisive victory did I change my mind.”

Dao Feng glanced at Randolph. The highest commander of Ceres Base remained expressionless, not denying anything, clearly acquiescing to the truth of Jiyuna’s statement.

After a moment, Dao Feng asked again, “Ambassador, why tell me all this?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiyuna countered.

“Because we haven't known each other long,” Dao Feng stated matter-of-factly.

“Is a short acquaintance a barrier to friendship?” Jiyuna asked again.

Dao Feng shot her a surprised look. If he had been carrying a mirror, he might have pulled it out to check his reflection—had his charm reached a level where the Kexing Ambassador felt an instant affinity?

As for love at first sight, Dao Feng never entertained the thought; his confidence hadn't inflated to that degree.

“You are the Kexing Ambassador, a Master-level expert, and I am merely a human mercenary. How can I claim friendship with you?” Dao Feng, unsure of Jiyuna’s intentions, became guarded.

“I am the Kexing Ambassador, and a Master-level expert, but before that, I am Jiyuna. Your wariness makes me quite sad.”

Jiyuna’s wounded expression, coupled with her tone, sent a cold sweat down Dao Feng’s spine. If the fervent soldiers outside saw their goddess wear such a tiny expression, he suspected he might be dismembered into eighty pieces.

Master Merlin suddenly interjected, “Do not force it.”

“Yes, Master Merlin,” Jiyuna replied respectfully, her tone indicating that her regard for him was genuine and from the heart.

Jiyuna then gave Dao Feng a regretful look. “It seems making friends today won’t work out. Since that’s the case, I can only say that the assistance I sought from you has been fully rendered. If you don’t mind, you are welcome to stay and watch the rest of the performance here. Of course, if you wish to return to your own box, that is also perfectly fine.”

Dao Feng realized he had felt constrained ever since entering this box. Was it because he held a major secret he couldn't openly share with anyone? He gave a self-mocking smile, stood, and addressed the others. “Master Merlin, Ambassador Jiyuna, General Randolph, I will take my leave.”

All three nodded. Randolph tapped the intercom. “Colonel Dao Feng is departing. Have someone escort him out.”

The door to the box opened, and a Lieutenant Colonel-ranked female officer appeared at the threshold. Dao Feng’s eyes sharpened—this officer was Wen Jing!

Wen Jing assessed Dao Feng from head to toe, then smiled slightly. “Colonel Dao Feng, we meet again. Thank you for your help at Gray Harbor last time.”

She remembered the incident where Dao Feng had intervened when he rescued her from some thugs at Gray Harbor.

“Miss Wen, no need for formalities,” Dao Feng nodded.

Wen Jing gestured to the side. “Please follow me.”

In the box, after Dao Feng departed, Master Merlin said to Jiyuna, “You misstated something just now. There is no effect without a cause in this world. Colonel Dao Feng isn’t simply finding an excuse for not speaking; he genuinely has a reason, but one he cannot voice, forcing him to use another justification instead.”

Jiyuna nodded knowingly and inquired, “But why would that be the case?”

Master Merlin shook his head. “I am not omniscient; I don’t know why either. We can only hope that General Randolph can obtain some intelligence from Commander Yang Ying of the Tran Mercenary Corps.”

Randolph thumped his chest. “Leave that to me. I know that Yang Ying kid well enough; I can certainly pry some information out of him.”

From his confident manner, it was as if he viewed Yang Ying as an intelligence database from which any required data could be extracted at will.

Jiyuna returned to the viewing balcony, bracing her arms on the railing and looking out. A slight breeze lifted strands of her hair and the hem of her dress, making her appear like an elf dancing in the wind.

“Actually, I truly wanted to be friends with Colonel Dao Feng,”

The words drifted out with the wind. Dao Feng suddenly froze for a second on his way back to his box, looking around, but saw nothing.

“Colonel Dao Feng?” Wen Jing asked doubtfully.

“Nothing,” Dao Feng smiled faintly and continued toward his own box.

After a long while, Jiyuna turned around and murmured softly, “Master Merlin, General Randolph, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to stay with me. I imagine there will be much to handle at Ceres Base once the ten space cities arrive. I won’t stay to cause any more trouble. After the performance ends, I will return to Earth.”

“Don’t you want to know the answer?” Master Merlin asked, seemingly seeing through everything, a smile playing on his lips.

“It concerns the Earth Forces, after all; why should I get involved? If I don’t pursue this secret, perhaps the next time we meet, I can become his friend.”

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