Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"I understand."

……

"It is often said that early spring is the coldest time, with extreme cold penetrating to the bone. It slowly seeps into the body from the outside. As winter turns into spring, I fear that some fortune tellers will overwork themselves and fall ill and never recover."

"Human pathology is such that many illnesses occur in early spring. Your Excellency, you are kind-hearted and worried about everyone. In my opinion, it would be better to change the diet and add more meat broth and ginseng."

"Women value appearance most, and besides, you are not someone who lacks food and clothing, yet you would give me such advice."

“My daughter is merely a diviner in the Imperial Apothecary. How could she be so delicate? Besides, there are countless people suffering from the cold on the streets. Compared to them, the Imperial Apothecary has excellent meals and is not short of money. It is truly remarkable.”

"You're quite thoughtful. I'll have someone change the meals."

……

"Ugh……"

"Does the Grand Diviner have something troubling him?"

"My sigh is not necessarily for mundane matters."

"The Grand Diviner Da Ru has always been able to discern the secrets of Heaven, and knowing that the secrets of Heaven are difficult to change, he will certainly not sigh about it."

"Oh? Then why do you think I sighed?"

"The Grand Diviner lamented two things: first, General Jingyuan was trying to fool everyone, and second, the diviner Qingque was being lazy in every way."

"You are quite clever, it is Qingque. I am wondering if she is really not suitable for the Taibu Si."

"Does Your Excellency remember what you said when my daughter joined us?"

"Oh? That's been too long. What did I say?"

"The Grand Diviner said that once you enter the Grand Diviner's Office, you become a diviner. Whether a diviner stays or leaves is determined by Heaven and cannot be changed by human power."

“Indeed, I remember now. I didn’t expect to have to kick this girl out. Then let her stay.”

"Then I will thank you on behalf of Qingque, Lord Taibu."

"I have heard that you have a very shallow relationship with Qingque and were even forced to deal with her messes."

"It's not exactly a complete mess. Qingque is a kind-hearted child, and you can rely on him when it matters."

"Yes, he's definitely not a bad person."

……

"I saw Yu Kong a few days ago."

"Lord Diviner, please do not mention her in front of my daughter. Whether she is being insincere or sincere, my daughter will politely decline."

"...Alright, let's not talk about it then. The festival is coming soon, are you planning to go home?"

"If Your Excellency does not mind, I am willing to live with you."

"I don't mind. What kind of food do you like? Make it clear beforehand, I don't like anything too fancy or flashy."

“My daughter doesn’t like them either. She thinks they’re in season right now, so why don’t we go further afield and find some fresh vegetables? We can just stir-fry them with some oil and salt; that would be the most delicious.”

"That suits my taste quite well."

"The Grand Diviner holds a high position, yet he lives a secluded life, truly a role model for us all."

"Don't flatter me. I just don't like empty words."

"Yes, yes, Lord Taibu is very pragmatic... But I heard that the other day you argued with General Jingyuan for a long time about who should take responsibility. Everyone was looking forward to your return to assign tasks that day, but the sun has set and you still haven't returned."

"That's not my fault! It's...it's all Jing Yuan's fault!"

"Very well, Your Excellency's word is as good as gold and there is no falsehood in it."

"Well……"

……

"Tingxue, have you heard about the general's guests lately?"

"Good morning, Your Excellency. Are you referring to the one who sells pictures of generals bathing in the marketplace? I did see her; she is quite a rare beauty."

"Sigh... I don't know what's wrong with Jingyuan, that he would actually treat such an unreliable barbarian as an honored guest."

"The world is so vast, the universe so expansive, how many uncivilized people are there? Are they all incompetent fools?"

In my humble opinion, ambition knows no age. Besides, judging from that young lady's demeanor and speech, she doesn't seem to be in her early twenties; she has more of a general's air about her."

"Could they be citizens of the immortal ships who were left behind? Oh well, Jing Yuan always has his reasons for doing things."

"General, you have your own rules and regulations, but the Grand Diviner is also acting in accordance with the rules of Luofu."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. Now, you tell me, should I offer advice or not?"

"In my opinion, there's no use in trying to persuade him. Given the General's temperament, he'll probably just refuse to listen to reason."

……

"Fu Qing, come to the General's Mansion immediately for a chat."

"Jingyuan? What is it?"

“Someone has died; he was a man from the Taipusi.”

"The Grand Diviner?! I have summoned you today... Jingyuan, do you know who this person is?"

"The identity badge is illegible. Please come quickly, Fu Qing."

"I understand."

……

"This...this beauty mark under the eye...how could this be?!"

"Fu Qing, who is this person?"

"She is my subordinate... Shangguan, Shangguan Tingxue."

"Are you sure?"

“Wearing a nameplate and having a beauty mark under her eye, it can’t be wrong… but who could be so vicious…”

"Fu Qing, calm down."

"How can you expect me to remain calm?! If I find out who did this, I will tear them to pieces!!!"

“Fu Qing, you are the Grand Diviner. The Grand Diviner must not act without following the proper procedures. I am not entirely clueless about this matter. If you want to take revenge, you will need someone.”

"who?"

“My honored guest, Miss Mei.”

Why?

"Because she is not a member of the Immortal Ship... this matter may have some impact on her. Jing Yuan doesn't lie to his friends, so please make it clear to her when Fu Qing takes action."

If this succeeds, the mountains will not change, and the rivers will not turn. Jingyuan will remember this kindness and gratitude for the rest of his life.

"Very well, I... no, as long as Miss Mei can help me avenge this, I, Fu Xuan, will become sworn brothers with her!"

……

It's hard to be a person, and it's even harder to be a good person.

It's difficult to distinguish right from wrong, and even more difficult to judge right from wrong.

I felt my affection was deeper than the sky, yet it couldn't compare to the three feet of space in front of my door.

It is often said that though we are close, we are worlds apart; I would say that though we are worlds apart, we are close.

Gratitude and resentment are as deep as the sea, and affection is hard to reconcile.

Diviners calculate hundreds and thousands of things, yet they cannot fathom the full extent of fate.

If you look up and see the hexagram, you will die and your path will end.

Since ancient times, fate has been hard to change, and destiny is hard to find.

If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening.

— Listening to Snow's Last Words

Chapter Twelve: If This Love Lasts Forever

There are only two possible outcomes to this matter.

Jing Yuan propped his face up with his hand.

"First, it's Tingxue, and second, it's Shangguan."

"I understand, but why is Miss Tingxue one of them?"

Yanqing asked, puzzled.

"Who do you think Miss Tingxue hates the most?"

Jing Yuan asked.

"First, the Shangguan family; second, Lord Yu Kong."

Yanqing replied.

"That's true. If Miss Tingxue were to die, who would we suspect first?"

Jingyuan asked again.

"...The Shangguan family, and Miss Yu Kong."

Yanqing paused for a moment before speaking.

"This may very well be a form of revenge."

"But if it's revenge... the price would be far too high."

Yanqing couldn't help but say,

"For a woman, appearance and figure are like life itself. After death, cut off her limbs and disfigure her face... even if it doesn't have to go that far, you can still turn your attention to those two."

"This is probably..."