[HSRGSS] Chapter 98: Becoming an Arbiter-General? I Refuse!

Jingliu's house was indeed enormous and could have easily accommodated more than a dozen people.

"Why is your place so empty and quiet?"

Lucian suddenly realized that he actually did not know anything about Jingliu's childhood background.

All Lucian had ever seen in the game's text was a brief mention that Jingliu's hometown was the Xianzhou Cangcheng, which was destroyed by Rahu. Later on, she became the disciple of an armored woman from the Xianzhou Luofu.

Now, Lucian had met the young Jingliu in person and finally had a chance to learn about her family background.

Lucian wondered if he would get to meet a white-haired milf.

"My parents were killed by abominations. I am an orphan." Jingliu answered calmly. "They left me this house and a large sum of money, enough for me to grow up."

Having survived that real nightmare, Jingliu felt that her mental resilience had grown much stronger, so when she spoke of her deceased parents now, she no longer felt as sad as she used to.

"I see..." Lucian nodded softly as he realized there would be no white-haired milf, then joked without hesitation. "Well, you're a bit luckier than me, then. At least you have an inheritance. Back then, I didn't even get any of that."

Seeing Lucian's casual attitude as he spoke about his past, Jingliu began to feel at ease, especially since there was a sense of shared hardship between them.

Because the Cangcheng's architectural style was quite similar to the Luofu's—both rich with ancient charm—Jingliu's house was a grand traditional mansion located in a bustling district.

It was clear that her parents had saved up a great deal of money when they were alive.

However, in the original story, all this property was swallowed up by Rahu, leaving Jingliu a penniless refugee.

If it had been Lucian, he would have just collapsed on the spot.

Soon, Jingliu led Lucian into a large empty room.

"You'll live here from now on. From now on, you have a home too."

Jingliu chuckled softly, and there was even a trace of happiness in her voice.

Lucian looked at the smiling little Jingliu and felt like a stray cat that had just been adopted.

"Aren't you worried I'm a bad guy?" Lucian asked in wonder. "I mean, what if I have some evil intentions toward you?"

"What kind of bad guy would save people?" Jingliu's expression stayed composed as she shook her head. "If you're after my inheritance, I'll just give it to you as thanks for saving me. Would you even want it?"

Upon hearing this, Lucian couldn't help but laugh.

Jingliu, even at eleven years old, was quite something.

All the suffering she had endured had turned her into a cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside ice queen.

Suddenly, Lucian felt a certain desire—he wanted to see what kind of person he could turn Jingliu into on this different beginning.

"Smart, but not really smart..." Lucian reached out and gently patted Jingliu's head. "You have no sense of your own beauty at all. From now on, don't let people you have just met into your home again. You're too weak to protect yourself."

Jingliu did not resist having her head patted—on the contrary, she seemed to enjoy that long-lost sense of security, looking like a little kitten, obedient and cute.

"Don't worry, you're the first and the last." Jingliu nodded calmly. "I want you to live here because I want to learn from you."

Her lips soon curled up slightly before she locked eyes with Lucian, her red eyes bright.

"That's why I'll have to trouble you to protect me from now on, Master."

As soon as he heard 'Master' coming out of Jingliu's mouth, Lucian felt his heart melt.

He never expected young Jingliu to be so sly and clever.

"So, Jingliu, can you cook?"

"A little bit."

"Alright, then you're officially my last disciple."

As soon as these words fell, Lucian suddenly remembered something.

Should Seele call Jingliu 'senior' or 'junior'?

From Lucian's perspective, he had accepted Seele as a disciple first, but in terms of timeline, Jingliu was more than a thousand years earlier than Seele.

'Oh well, let them fight for it in the future. Whoever wins gets to be the senior.' Lucian chuckled and shook his head. "Good disciple, hurry up and go cook for your master. I want to try your food."

Lucian was not actually hungry but just wanted to taste a meal cooked by Jingliu herself.

How many people ever got that chance?

If some of his online buddies in his original world who had Jingliu as their waifu knew, they would definitely cry in blood and curse him.

"Alright. In that case, Master, you'll have to arrange your own furniture."

Jingliu smiled faintly and slipped away.

===

At the same time, in the Seat of Arbiter-General, the six temporary leaders had already reported everything that the Cangcheng had experienced to the higher-ups in the Alliance.

From the initial decisions, to the attack, and finally to the black-haired young man who had, with his own strength, single-handedly turned the tide, slain the Devourer of Worlds Rahu, and saved the Cangcheng from disaster—every step was carefully documented.

[Yes, the Alliance is already aware of this matter. Regarding your recommendation for the mysterious hero to become the next Arbiter-General, the Alliance approves. Bring him to the Yuque for assessment. Once he passes, he may inherit the Spiritus.]

Upon hearing this reply, the six were filled with excitement.

As the most prosperous Xianzhou, the Cangcheng needed a powerful Arbiter-General to hold the line. If there had been an Arbiter-General to stand against Rahu before, there would not have been such a world-ending disaster.

Because there was no Arbiter-General, this richest of all Xianzhou nearly became history.

Not wasting time, the Chief Counselor soon gave the order to the Cloud Knights.

"If you can't find anyone at the bow, pull up the surveillance. Search every single place—make sure you find that mysterious hero."

As the Cloud Knights excused themselves to execute the order, the Helm Master stopped them.

"Wait, Counselor Xuanlian, we should make this public and establish his reputation first, so the public can easily accept him later."

Upon hearing this, the Chief Counselor, Xuanlian, thought it over for a moment before agreeing with the suggestion.

Just like that, everyone began working, searching, and spreading the news about Lucian.

Finally, after a long search, they found Lucian—right there in the residence of a martyr couple.

As a result, the six temporary leaders arrived at Jingliu's home with gifts.

"You are...?"

When Lucian opened the door, he saw a group of men and women.

Even though their ranks were quite different from each other, it was clear at a glance that they held high status.

"It really is you, Hero!"

Xuanlian stepped forward and grabbed Lucian's hand excitedly, pouring out words of gratitude.

Ordinary people might not understand, but the six of them certainly did.

A feat that saved two hundred billion lives—who would not address such a man as 'Hero'?

"Uhh... there's no need for thanks. If there's nothing else, go back to work. I mean, the Cangcheng still needs your support, so goodbye."

Lucian really did not want to hear all those official words of praise.

"Wait, it's not just thanks! We came here to ask you to take the position of Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Cangcheng."

Xuanlian spoke hurriedly, then his expression turned grave.

"Because the last general died in battle, and the one who was supposed to inherit the position was killed as well, we need someone with strong power and upright character to lead the Cangcheng."

"And the best candidate we can think of is you, Hero!"

As Xuanlian spoke, the others wore the same serious expression.

"Why do you think I'm the right one?" Lucian asked with raised eyebrows.

"You killed Rahu, a planet-level threat, with a single sword swing." Xuanlian replied solemnly. "Your strength is unquestionable."

"You stepped up to save the Cangcheng at its moment of destruction." The Helm Master added. "Your resolve and courage are obvious."

"After the crisis, you kept your achievements hidden, never asked for reward, and stayed low-key." The Commissioner also added. "In my eyes, your character is impeccable!"

Knowing all this, how could anyone be more suited for the role of Arbiter-General?

Seeing this group of high officials speak with such sincerity and determination, Lucian almost started to believe he really should take the job, but unfortunately...

"I refuse!"

Lucian had no interest in being an Arbiter-General, handling official duties every day.

What was so great about being a bureaucrat anyway?

Besides, since an Arbiter-General would receive a Spiritus, what if getting it conflicted with his own power of Abundance?

Wouldn't that basically expose him, revealing himself as an Emanator of Abundance to the entire Xianzhou Alliance?

And what if the Aeon of the Hunt, Lan, found out?

He would only be making things harder for himself.

It had only been a few centuries since Shuhu orchestrated the Second Abundance War, so Emanators of Abundance were still hated, still the Xianzhou Alliance's number one public enemy.

He would never make the script more difficult on purpose.

Wasn't it better to just stay and live peacefully with Jingliu?

"But—"

Click!

Xuanlian wanted to persuade Lucian more, but the door was already closed.

"Hahh... let's leave it for today. We'll try again later."

Shaking his head, the diviner of the Divination Commission spoke with pity.

Xuanlian fell silent for a moment before suddenly calling out.

"Hero, at least tell us your name!"

"Lucian."

Inside the house, Lucian replied calmly while rolling his eyes.

After all that inspiring and touching talk, after asking him to be their Arbiter-General and thanking him for saving them, they were only asking his name now?

Weren't these people a bit unreliable?