Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

……

"Perhaps it's because she hates herself the most."

Melutina propped her chin on her hand.

"Although this is only one possibility, there were three murderers who killed Mr. Ouyang. The Shangguan family was the direct culprit, but... Miss Tingxue and Lord Yukong, although their deaths were unintentional, were also indirectly responsible for his demise."

"For this... Tingxue is going to disfigure herself and sever her limbs? But, how can she sever her limbs and disfigure herself after death!"

Fu Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"This is the key to this mystery. I know that the Grand Diviner wants revenge and the General wants to use me to take action against the Shangguan family. Thank you both for speaking frankly, but out of respect for Miss Tingxue, we must find out the truth."

Melutina said,

"If I'm not mistaken... there is one person who must know the truth about Tingxue's death. That person is either an accomplice or someone who knows the truth."

"Who is that person?!"

Fu Xuan leaned closer and asked.

"Lord Taibu..."

"Just call me Fu Xuan. I've already told you, if you can help me avenge this, I—no, I'll swear brotherhood with you."

Fu Xuan said solemnly.

"Alright, does Fu Xuan know about that Mr. Ouyang..."

Melutina glanced at her.

"Actually, you're already married?"

"What?! You said that Ouyang is already married? But... But Tingxue..."

Fu Xuan was stunned when he heard this.

"The version that Fu Xuan heard came from Miss Tingxue and the relevant departments' investigation. But what Mr. Ouyang thought and did... may not be the case."

Melutina shook her head repeatedly.

"It is an act of chivalry to help those in need, and it is also an act of chivalry to go to a friend's home to seek justice for them after hearing that they have been mistreated. Based on these two incidents alone, how can you, Fu Xuan, conclude that the two are in love?"

"So... this might be Tingxue's unrequited love. But how do you know that Mr. Ouyang is already married?"

Fu Xuan asked.

"I come from the Interstellar Peace Company. The person who helped me with my files back then was Estella, the manager of the space station. I asked her about it before, and she said that Mr. Ouyang... his full name is Ouyang Wenrui, and he only went to the Immortal Ship after he got married."

However, this was arranged hastily before he was dispatched to the celestial vessel, and only some of the older members of the space station knew about it.

Melutina said.

"And that fiancée..."

Fu Xuan was somewhat confused.

"The fiancée, named Florettia, only knew that her husband had died a violent death, but she never knew the details."

Melutina said,

"Coincidentally, just a week ago, Miss Floretia came to the Immortal Ship Luofu for an inspection. To call it a coincidence is too much of a coincidence."

"..."

Fu Xuan remained silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

……

General House

"So, Miss Florentia might be the murderer, or perhaps she helped Miss Tingxue uncover the true culprit?"

Yanqing asked.

"Not necessarily. Many truths are known only to the person involved. Perhaps they are the same as what we think, or perhaps there are other twists and turns. In any case, only that young lady herself knows."

Jing Yuan sighed.

"But human relationships are the hardest to sever."

……

At this very moment, Floretia, the space station investigator being discussed by several people, was sitting quietly in the market of Lov, her white hair making her look somewhat tired.

She is nearly 100 years old this year, which is the age when most people are nearing the end of their lives.

But she still came here because there was one thing in her life that she could never let go of.

As she watched the people on the fairy boats coming and going, she couldn't help but recall the woman she had seen a few days ago—

"Therefore, Mr. Ouyang's situation is all my daughter's fault. I never imagined that Mr. Ouyang was already married and that I would fall in love with him... To you, my daughter is a shameless third party."

"...I investigated what happened back then for many years without any results. I never expected to hear the answer from Miss Shangguan."

Aren't you angry?

"I am already nearing the end of my life, and besides, that wedding was indeed rushed. I never expected that the guy would still be flirting with other women after arriving at the Immortal Ship, making even a beauty like you have your eye on him."

"This is absolutely not Mr. Ouyang's fault, my daughter..."

“You don’t need to say anything more. So many years have passed, and I am already extremely grateful just to know the answer. Miss Shangguan, you meant no harm, and I believe in Wenrui. It was all just a series of coincidences. Even though you are an immortal being, you should look forward.”

"This...you, you don't mind at all?"

"If it were someone else, I might feel indignant, but seeing you today, such a beautiful and kind-hearted woman, I feel at ease."

I don't care what he really thinks, but what matters most is that he hasn't changed. He's still the man I love, and that alone is enough for me to die in peace.

"..."

"I heard that Miss Shangguan has joined the Imperial Divination Bureau? Is there something she wants to divine?"

"Many people say that my relationship with... him is a tragic one, but I want to calculate what fate has in store for me."

"Just because of that?"

"Just because of this."

"Miss Shangguan is also a devoted lover."

"Not as good as Miss Florentia."

"I've completely forgotten about him over the years. People always have to look forward."

“I know you are trying to persuade me, but for the past hundred years, my daughter has never had a moment of peace. The Shenzhou is so vast, yet there is no place for her to settle down and make a living.”

"Miss Shangguan is perhaps being too stubborn."

"No, it's just that I...can't bear to see the people of the Immortal Ship living in such dire straits. Even if they are outsiders, they are still people of the Immortal Ship, how can they be trampled on at will?"

"Miss Shangguan..."

“I am grateful to meet Miss Florentia today. To be honest, I have only ever loved one man in my life… but unfortunately, that man is your husband.”

Chapter Thirteen: If This Love Lasts Forever (End)

"That's all I knew from Miss Shangguan... I never imagined that she would suffer such a tragedy after we parted ways..."

"..."

"..."

Fu Xuan and Melutina exchanged a glance, both unsure of what to do.

It sounds like Miss Florentia isn't lying, but...

"It seems that your Miss Tingxue is no ordinary person."

Melutina said from the bottom of her heart.

"...If it wasn't this person, then who was responsible for Tingxue's death?"

Fu Xuan frowned.

"You can't say she dismembered and disfigured herself, can you?"

"If it weren't for this Madame Florettia, then it seems..."

Melutina hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"What's wrong? Just say it."

Fu Xuan stared intently at her.

"General Jingyuan is probably not completely unaware."

Melutina had no choice but to say.

……

"you are?"

"This humble woman, Shangguan Tingxue, the Grand Diviner, greets Your Excellency, General."

"Shangguan Tingxue?...So it was you,"

"So the general still remembers me."

"Back then, you were desperate and hoped I could arrange a job for you to get rid of the interference of the Shangguan family, so I put you in the Imperial Apothecary... What, is it that you're not treating Fu Qing well?"

"The Grand Diviner is upright and honest, and untouched by worldly affairs. I admire him greatly. How could I be dissatisfied? However, I have been calculating celestial matters for many years, both within and outside of destiny... After nearly a hundred years of ups and downs, I have come to some understanding."

"...Go ahead and say it."

“In Luofu today, there are more and more people from outside the region, and many of them are talented. However, prejudice is deeply rooted, especially among the Shangguan family, who consider themselves highly respected and have repeatedly challenged authority.”

"...What are you trying to say?"

"I think the General is missing something."

"Oh? What am I missing?"

"My daughter's head."

Do you know what you're saying?