Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [161]

While Fu Xuan was lost in thought, most of the still-conscious Cloud Knights had already regained their senses. They were confused as to why, despite pursuing a suspect who had provoked them, they now found themselves deep within the docks of the Starport.

After questioning two Cloud Knights who had witnessed the situation, they learned that it was Fu Xuan who had saved them.

The story, however, grew more and more exaggerated with each retelling. By the time it circulated among the group, Fu Xuan had been glorified as a heavenly soldier descending just in time to rescue them, wielding all sorts of dazzling techniques to bring them back from their lost state.

Grateful, the Cloud Knights gathered around Fu Xuan to thank her, explaining how they had ended up in such a predicament.

It turned out that these 20-plus Cloud Knights had been stationed at another port, tasked with sealing off the Starport. Just minutes ago, Kafka—matching the wanted poster’s description—had suddenly appeared and lured them deep into the area. The outcome was unsurprising; they had barely ventured far when the entire team lost consciousness.

From the accounts of the two Cloud Knights who had accompanied Fu Xuan and Chen Lin, it seemed that they were all controlled by Kafka almost instantly. Somehow, they ended up far from their original blockade, engaging in what could only be described as mock combat with one another.

Or rather, sparring matches.

Normally, Fu Xuan wouldn’t pay such events much mind. But ever since gaining a sworn younger brother—who often spent time casually chatting with the General in a cool and composed manner—she couldn’t help but feel like an extra, a tool there to simply handle affairs.

This won’t do! I can’t lag behind!

Thus, Fu Xuan began to think more deeply about the situations she encountered. And as she thought about it, she realized many suspicious points.

Kafka wasn’t someone who did things for no reason. Why would she go out of her way to control a group of Cloud Knights chasing her, only to lead them far away and have them fight among themselves?

The answer could only be one of two things: either Kafka had some peculiar sense of humor and was unwell in the head, or she was deliberately luring someone—likely herself.

Judging from the Cloud Knights’ accounts, nearly everyone had lost consciousness and self-control at the same time. This proved that Kafka didn’t even need to exert much effort to deal with them. In fact, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say Kafka could have easily escaped the blockade alone.

“Rhetoric... Kafka’s ability. She manipulates others’ cognition through her words, causing a disconnect between thoughts and actions. Surely you’ve heard of it, haven’t you?” Fu Xuan propped her chin on her hand as she asked.

Chen Lin nodded. “I’ve heard about its general effects, but this is the first time I’ve heard it called ‘Rhetoric.’”

Thinking it over, Chen Lin found the term quite fitting. Moreover, from observing the controlled Cloud Knights, Kafka’s ability bore striking similarities to his own methods of infiltrating memories, altering them, and inducing cognitive errors. Theoretically, given enough time, Chen Lin could completely brainwash someone into becoming a puppet. But Kafka’s combat-oriented applications far outclassed his.

To control so many Cloud Knights in an instant—this was beyond him.

At best, he could achieve momentary control, as he had when framing Green Hibiscus.

“Dear brother, be cautious. But don’t worry—so long as I’m here, the Stellaron Hunters won’t harm you.” Fu Xuan couldn’t shake a sense of guilt. Clearly, it was Chen Lin who deserved credit for saving these people, yet the accolades had been handed over to her.

The guilt was written all over her face.

Chen Lin wasn’t blind; he noticed her expression and squatted down slightly to speak quietly. “Fu-jie, you’re a future General candidate. Building a good reputation among the troops is essential. As an outsider, I’m not suited to get involved in Xianzhou’s internal affairs...”

Jarilo-VI and its colonies were already keeping him busy. With Xianzhou being more than just Luofu, Chen Lin only wanted their advanced technology, not their land.

Who knew what Fu Xuan actually took from his words? She forgot to lower her voice and suddenly declared, “You are not an outsider!”

Everyone froze in shock.

Fu Xuan blinked, as if realizing she had said something strange. Her face stiffened, returning to her usual cool demeanor.

“Ahem... What I mean is, dear brother, you needn’t worry about your friends’ safety. Since they are your closest companions, they are naturally my friends as well. Rest assured, I will ensure they are treated with the utmost respect. On the contrary, I must apologize on behalf of Xianzhou for any inadequacies in our handling of this matter.”

Oh... so that’s what she meant.

The Cloud Knights nodded in understanding. They all knew Chen Lin and were aware of his sibling-like relationship with both the General and Fu Xuan. They also understood that their mission was not solely about apprehending fugitives but also finding Chen Lin’s companions.

Chen Lin’s mouth twitched. Fu Xuan’s earlier words had genuinely startled him, and now her explanation only added to his confusion.

What was she getting so worked up about? They hadn’t even interacted that much.

Chen Lin prided himself on having a clear understanding of himself. At most, he considered himself above average in looks. Apart from occasionally inspiring curiosity about how he might taste (a weird trait he didn’t fully grasp), he had no particular allure.

Love at first sight? More like lust at first glance.

She wasn’t Bronya or Seele, with whom he’d shared life-and-death experiences. What did he and Fu Xuan even have?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Chen Lin concluded that he was probably overthinking things. “Thank you for your kindness, jie.”

“It’s nothing. Let’s continue the investigation.” Fu Xuan waved her hand and turned to the Cloud Knights. “You, request reinforcements from the port to the east. I’ve set up a defensive line there. You two stay here to assist. Later, follow the markers I’ve left to escort the captives.”

“Yes, Master Diviner!” The two accompanying Cloud Knights felt relieved.

This level of combat was beyond their capabilities. They were there to escort prisoners, not to fight. Better to leave the battle to Fu Xuan and avoid the risk of being controlled by the Stellaron Hunters, which would only result in embarrassment.

Master Diviner’s omniscience ensured the Stellaron Hunters were already under her control. Escape was not an option.

While stationed at the Divination Commission, Fu Xuan and Chen Lin often overheard passing staff humming songs that championed straightforwardness. The simplicity resonated with them, and this arrangement felt just right.

With the subordinates handling their tasks independently and no one tailing her, Fu Xuan noticeably relaxed.

Noticing Chen Lin’s sharp observations in tracking Kafka’s traces and deducing her path, Fu Xuan spoke with ease, “Before setting out, I cast a divination for myself. The hexagram indicated my fortune would fluctuate between Kan and Qian. By going with the flow, gains would come naturally. The reading has already proven accurate once... Ahem. Dear brother, there’s no need to rush. I know the Stellaron Hunters won’t escape, nor do they intend to. Trust me—I’ve got this under control.”

“Is it possible that you are part of this ‘going with the flow’ and I’m just incidental? And is it also possible that ‘waiting for the right moment’ doesn’t mean aimlessly wandering around?” Chen Lin’s gaze grew complicated.

Judging from Kafka’s various clues, she clearly intended for them to catch up to her. She wasn’t planning to run; it was only a matter of time before they found her.

But Chen Lin wanted to save time, locate his companions quickly, and put his mind at ease. More importantly, Fu Xuan’s strange glances unsettled him, making him eager to wrap things up and leave before any more complications arose.

Fu Xuan froze.

How does my dear brother know that my hexagram is rooted in the Qian trigram, transitioning through Kan, and intersecting with Li and Zhen? Does this mean he has already grasped such profound insight?

The essence of moving with the flow requires unwavering resolve and measured progress. The fourth Yin line aligns with the Li trigram, symbolizing bloodshed, while the Kan trigram represents peril. This suggested that the Stellaron Hunter was injured and hiding within the Starport, and that pressing forward would yield results.

My dear brother has silently deduced the hexagram for this mission, pinpointed the key points, and subtly reminded me of overlooked aspects. A true prodigy!

Overwhelmed with excitement, Fu Xuan could barely contain herself. She was on the verge of grabbing Chen Lin and insisting he study divination under her tutelage.

Just then, Chen Lin caught a glint of gold from the corner of his eye, followed by a chilling sensation.

Shing!

Reacting instantly, Chen Lin leapt backward, propelling himself further with psionics. In a blink, he landed dozens of meters away, barely steadying himself after a few stumbling steps.

“Just as expected!” Fu Xuan exclaimed, cutting herself off mid-thought. Suppressed frustration flickered across her face, her brows furrowed in irritation.

With a swift motion of her wrist, her fingers formed a series of gestures. The world seemed to twist as heaven and earth reversed positions in an instant.

Even as Chen Lin dodged, the assailant lurking in the shadows had already been ensnared by Fu Xuan’s manipulation. The blade intended for Chen Lin now reversed its trajectory, striking the attacker instead.

Even if Chen Lin hadn’t moved, he wouldn’t have been injured.

Schlick!

The mindless husk of a Mara-Struck creature slowly pierced its own right arm. Then, flailing its limbs like it had brain damage, it swung the dagger in its hand erratically, almost rhythmically—though so sluggishly that if someone added background music, it might resemble a public square dance.

Fu Xuan blinked in disbelief.

Are you here to ambush us or to perform a dance routine?

All she had done was redirect the attack from her dear brother to the creature itself. The power and movements hadn’t changed, meaning Chen Lin didn’t need such an extreme reaction to dodge. The creature’s slow attack would have taken several seconds to land, giving anyone with basic awareness ample time to avoid it.

Switching to psionic sight, Chen Lin noticed the Mara-Struck creature’s body was riddled with Kafka’s threads of Rhetoric. Upon closer inspection, he also spotted something attached to the creature’s sleeve.

A piece of paper?

Zooming in on his psionic vision, he read:

“If you’re reading this, it means you’ve really come, and you’re close to catching up to me. Too bad there’s an actor here who shouldn’t be on stage—I can’t let myself get caught just yet.”

What kind of twisted sense of humor is this? Controlling a Mara-Struck just to confirm if I’ve arrived?

And what if I hadn’t noticed the note? What then?

Fu Xuan puffed her cheeks slightly, glaring at the now motionless Mara-Struck in frustration. When Chen Lin turned his gaze toward her, she quickly averted her head, unwilling to meet his eyes.

“If not for disruptions to the Exhaustive Vision Array, none of this trivial nonsense would be troubling me…” she muttered.

Exhaustive Vision Array?

Chen Lin recalled reading about the Divination Commission’s Exhaustive Vision Array in their archives. It was reputed to calculate all possible outcomes with unparalleled precision, predicting the minutest details of the future.

No wonder Fu Xuan could only claim they’d catch Kafka without knowing the specifics. It turned out she hadn’t activated the array but had instead relied on a casual divination.

After calming the somewhat exasperated Fu Xuan, Chen Lin focused again on Kafka’s manipulated Mara-Struck. It clearly wasn’t meant to harm him; it seemed programmed to attack only upon seeing him. At best, it functioned like a tripwire, alerting Kafka of their progress.

If the Stellaron Hunters truly intended to kill him, he’d have been dead long ago—back at Herta’s Space Station. This entire scenario reeked of a carefully laid trap.

Beyond that, the note hinted at something else:

Kafka didn’t want to be captured by Fu Xuan directly.

Why?

Chen Lin frowned, reassessing the Stellaron Hunters’ situation on Xianzhou.

First, a member called “Blade” had “escaped” from the Shackling Prison. Then, Kafka had openly lured them to the Starport, leaving breadcrumbs as if afraid they’d lose the trail.

Considering the Stellaron Hunters were wanted across the galaxy and even the Interastral Peace Corporation couldn’t apprehend them, Chen Lin refused to believe Kafka would make such an amateur mistake—or that they’d gamble their lives so carelessly.

The Luofu suspected a connection between the Stellaron and the Stellaron Hunters, leading to their bounty. With Blade’s escape and Kafka’s deliberate actions, she was now signaling that Fu Xuan wasn’t supposed to capture her.

But if Chen Lin or his companions acted instead, would capturing her then become acceptable?

Was this an elaborate scheme to drag the Xianzhou Alliance into something bigger?

It seemed like the only plausible explanation.

Chen Lin’s expression darkened. The Luofu owed him far too many favors already. What are you Stellaron Hunters plotting? Did you really need to go this far?

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This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!