The next morning at dawn
Early in the morning, after breakfast, the students rushed out of the hotel, continuing their search for any Slaanesh Cultists that might be in the city.
After being spurred by others' victories the previous night, the students became even more proactive.
In addition to searching unexplored areas, the students also randomly revisited places they had already checked, to prevent any Slaanesh Cultists from playing hide‑and‑seek with them.
At noon, the Azure Star‑class hotel restaurant
The students were eating there when a tall man in a military uniform entered, followed by two soldiers.
After entering, the three scanned the room and finally approached Jing Yuan.
"Lord Lai En, is there something you need?"
He is the commander of the capital's City Defense Force, someone I had briefly met at the ship's hub that day.
Later, Jing Yuan had also reviewed the dossiers on the White Night Empire's aristocracy and recognized him.
"I didn't expect Lord Jing Yuan to know of me,"
Lai En clearly hadn't expected Jing Yuan to know him; although he holds a respectable position in the White Night Empire, he had already investigated Jing Yuan's background before arriving.
The leading figures of this cohort at Star Sea Academy, the young scion of the Jing Family from Azure Star's Tianyuan City—none are people he could afford to offend.
"Lord Jing Yuan, it's like this: I see your academy's students have been searching for the Slaanesh Cultists these past two days, so I'd like to ask whether they need assistance from the City Guard?"
Though eight thousand plus is a large number, the scope of the White Night Empire's capital is equally vast.
Moreover, the City Guard, as the local power in the capital, knows the city far better than the Star Sea Academy students.
"No, no, this is our task."
Hearing that they were apparently here to steal their share, the surrounding students could barely stay seated.
Wu Lei had previously said that only the heads you personally behead belong to you.
"You've seen it yourself—my classmates are highly motivated to eradicate the Evil Clan, and since we're here, we naturally shoulder the responsibility to support."
"If you truly wish to help, please monitor the city's movements for us, to prevent any Evil Clan members from escaping or inciting a riot."
In fact, having more people join the hunt isn't necessarily a good thing; more participants mean more potential gaps.
The Slaanesh Demoness ultimately manipulates hearts, and compared to the City Guard, Jing Yuan prefers to trust his own classmates.
As long as they can persevere until graduation, every Star Sea Academy graduate's future remains secure, and the Slaanesh Cultists on Guyue Star lack any leverage to sway them.
But the local City Defense Force isn't so reliable; they have many things they can't resolve here.
"Sir, I can have my men guide you, accelerate your search, and prevent any overlooked details," Lai said.
"That's unnecessary, Lord Lai En. Trust in our capability—our presence here proves we've fully endured the academy's trials, and should any real issue arise, we'll proactively seek assistance."
After they have swept the entire capital once, they can ask the City Guard—these local powerhouses—to conduct a second thorough check, but before the first sweep, Jing Yuan actually doesn't want unfamiliar people joining the operation.
In short, Jing Yuan simply can't trust them.
Jing Yuan's methods may be cumbersome, but they are comprehensive.
"Since that's the case, I shall take my leave. If Lord Jing Yuan needs anything, feel free to find me at the City Guard headquarters," seeing Jing Yuan's stance, Lai also stopped pressing and, as he left, smiled at the dining students, "May the heroes of Star Sea Academy enjoy a pleasant meal."
He then turned with his subordinates and left the restaurant.
"Indeed, Star Sea Academy students are truly responsible."
"Exactly. When we previously sought aid from other advanced planets, those guys showed up, treated us to food and drink, yet did nothing—just acting like big shots."
"It's no wonder Azure Star can become one of the universal overlords."
Watching the three disappear around the corner, faint murmurs from the two subordinates could still be heard.
Jing Yuan set down his chopsticks and leaned back in his chair.
"What do you think?"
"He's too hasty."
Xiao Bai glanced toward the corner, then lowered his head to continue eating.
"He probably didn't expect us to act so quickly yesterday."
Yan Lin leaned in, a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth.
"Since it's been delayed until now, he shouldn't be taking the lead himself at this point; he must be losing his composure."
Ye Tianying took a sip from the cup on the table, then elegantly dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
Jing Yuan: "Xiao Bai, follow them."
Xiao Bai raised his hand, and an insect‑shaped nanobot rose and flew toward the hotel's exterior.
"What are they saying?"
Across the table, Lu Li heard Jing Yuan's group but didn't understand a word.
The main thing was that everyone else seemed fully in agreement, as if only she and Jiang Yunhe wore puzzled expressions.
"They're saying that Lai En has a problem."
Upon Lu Li's question, Gu Xiao explained.
"Huh? A problem? But he just said he wanted to help us!"
He just came to help them, why is there a problem?
"If he were truly that eager, he should have come to us last night; a bit later would have been this morning, not delayed until now."
Coming only now shows he doesn't take this matter seriously; if it's not serious, why bother coming personally?
Because of Jing Yuan's status?
Or perhaps the previous question—if he truly wanted to curry favor, he wouldn't wait until now.
Is it better to help before the task begins to leave a good impression, or wait until it's almost over?
Encountering a bad‑tempered person, you might think you're trying to steal their credit.
"Hmm, maybe he had something else earlier, and now just happens to have time?"
As soon as Lu Li's voice faded, Gu Xiao had already picked up an exquisite pastry and brought it to her mouth.
"Here, try this pastry."
"Wow, it's tasty."
"It's good, eat more; these are all your favorites. Let's not think about those useless matters any longer."
"Mm-hmm."
...Meanwhile, after Lai left with his subordinates, his expression grew grim.
"You all go back first."
"Yes!"
After ordering the two subordinates to leave, Lai turned and hurried back toward his home.
Not far from Lai, a nanofly buzzed, staying just out of his sight while following him.