Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

This bonus chapter is a small gift—may it bring you a touch of tranquility.

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"General Jing Yuan, what brings you here?"

Yukong's expression remained impassive as she addressed him.

"Haha, I heard the honorable Astral Express had arrived on the Xianzhou, known for their righteous actions and heroism. Naturally, I decided to see them for myself."

Jing Yuan's curious gaze swept over the group before settling on Venti. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Now that I see you in person, your reputation truly precedes you."

His seemingly familiar behavior toward Venti drew everyone's attention to the bard. With his hands on his hips and a playful glint in his eyes, Venti smirked.

"Oh? So, you're the so-called 'brilliant strategist and visionary tactician,' the illustrious General Jing Yuan?"

Ignoring the subtle expressions of his companions, Venti rubbed his chin and gave Jing Yuan an exaggerated once-over.

"Ah, I see now! Only someone with such sharp judgment could gather such capable subordinates!"

Yukong's tail swished lightly as she kept her face stoic, though she couldn't help feeling the jab in Venti's words.

Meanwhile, Jing Yuan chuckled, his laughter easing the heavy atmosphere.

"…General, I am handling internal matters of the Luofu. If you've had your look, please return to your duties," Yukong reminded him, shaking her head.

"Ahem! Yes, internal matters—I completely agree with Yukong's stance on this," Jing Yuan replied, his tone half-serious.

"But let me add, the Astral Express is a paragon of justice and could never ally with the Stellaron Hunters. In fact, the two are sworn enemies."

"..."

The implication in his words was clear to everyone present.

"What is the General suggesting?"

Yukong remained professional, though her tone hinted at a knack for feigned ignorance.

"Well—while the Xianzhou does face challenges, we haven't reached the point of paranoia. Detaining our guests and delaying their medical treatment would undoubtedly tarnish the Xianzhou's reputation."

Jing Yuan paused, turning to the Trailblazers.

"How about this? Since you've come all this way, why not visit my residence, the Divine Foresight Manor? It'll clear up misunderstandings and allow us to get better acquainted. As compensation for the inconvenience, your expenses on the Xianzhou will be fully covered."

"Whoa! This General is so generous!"

March 7th gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. Even Stelle glanced at Jing Yuan with newfound respect. Only Welt frowned slightly.

The more expensive the gift, the higher the price behind it.

He doubted a bit of mutual flattery between Venti and Jing Yuan warranted such a grand gesture. The only plausible explanation was that the General's future requests would demand a substantial "opening gift."

The murmurs among the Sky-Faring Commission staff grew louder.

"Silence."

Yukong's cool gaze swept over her subordinates, silencing them immediately.

Jing Yuan met her eyes with a calm smile, clearly waiting for her permission.

"..."

With a reluctant nod, Yukong conceded.

---

Divine Foresight Manor

"Now then, friends of the Astral Express, let us put the misunderstandings of the Palace of Astral Divination behind us. I raise my tea in place of wine, wishing for more opportunities for collaboration between the Xianzhou and the Astral Express."

Once they were seated, Jing Yuan spoke warmly, his words so eloquent that March 7th and Stelle found themselves caught up in the moment.

Welt, however, remained composed, neither moved nor offended.

As one of the universe's prominent powers, the Xianzhou Alliance's generosity toward the Astral Express was undoubtedly tied to Venti's presence.

At this point, Venti was happily sipping his tea, looking every bit like someone bought off by a mere drink. He chimed in cheerfully, "Ah, General, you're too kind! If there's trouble, just let us know. We may be few, but we're quite skilled at handling disasters!"

"Oh? That's perfect. There's a matter only you can resolve, one that has been troubling me greatly."

Jing Yuan's smile grew as he leaned forward.

"Several days ago, we apprehended a Stellaron Hunter trespassing in a restricted area—someone known as 'Blade.'"

"During Blade's interrogation, the Divination Commission, responsible for intelligence and predictions, intercepted a message from his accomplice, Kafka. The recipient of this message…"

"…was us," Welt stated plainly. There was no point in denial with evidence in hand. Acting guilty would only worsen the situation.

"Precisely. I've heard about your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters. The Divination Commission insists you must be allies, but I've argued otherwise. The Astral Express is renowned for its integrity and righteousness; how could you align with such rogues?"

As he praised the group, Jing Yuan toyed with his teacup.

"This message must be a ploy by the Stellaron Hunters to sow discord between the Xianzhou and the Astral Express."

"They aim to distract us with false accusations, buying time for their schemes. If we focus on internal conflicts, the Stellaron Hunters can execute their plans unnoticed."

"This way, the Xianzhou will face calamity within and without—its reputation in ruins, its strength diminished. It is a strategy as vicious as it is cunning."

"Yikes! A scheme that kills the body and crushes the spirit? The Stellaron Hunters are terrifying!"

Venti exaggerated his reaction, feigning shock and horror.

Jing Yuan didn't call him out, merely nodding gravely.

"Indeed. That's why we must act with caution."

"With your help, we can turn this situation to our advantage. I will grant you full operational authority on the Xianzhou, ensuring no restrictions impede your actions."

"Furthermore, the Stellaron Hunters will undoubtedly move again—whether to implicate you further or pursue other strategies, they are bound to leave behind traces."

"I will ensure the Sky-Faring Commission provides you with the latest intelligence and allocate elite Cloud Knights to assist in capturing Kafka. Together, we will restore peace and order to the Xianzhou."

Jing Yuan's reasoning was meticulous and convincing. March 7th nodded along enthusiastically, while Stelle harbored some reservations but remained silent.

The final decision rested with Welt. After contemplating for a moment, he turned to the carefree bard.

"Venti, what do you think?"

"Ehe~ Since General Jing Yuan is counting on us, why not lend a hand?" Venti replied with a playful wink.

Jing Yuan smiled, raising his cup in acknowledgment.

"As you show us sincerity, so shall the Luofu repay you in kind."

"…Alright."

Welt nodded solemnly.

"Excellent, it's settled then." Jing Yuan rose with a smile, motioning to a youth who had been silently listening in the background. "Yanqing, deliver my orders: while the Astral Express is docked here, ensure their every need is met without delay."

"Yes, General."

The boy named Yanqing responded crisply, his voice youthful and bearing a faint resemblance to Venti's tone.

Though his curiosity about the group was evident in his gaze, he bowed and obeyed without hesitation.

With that, the meeting concluded. Welt discreetly gestured to the others, signaling their departure. Jing Yuan watched them leave, waiting until they were completely out of sight before letting out a soft sigh and sinking back into his seat.

"General, why do you go out of your way to treat them so generously?" Yanqing asked, clearly perplexed.

"Heh. Yanqing, this is why I keep telling you to read more—it's for moments like this."

"What? I do read plenty! Books like The Chronicles of the Five Cloud Heroes and The Voyages of the Xianzhou are my favorites!"

"Not just Xianzhou books; you need to study works from the outside world as well. If you only focus on the near horizon, you'll be clueless when something from afar comes your way."

Jing Yuan leaned lazily against the chessboard, half-closing his eyes.

"Now tell me, what do you think of the Trailblazers?"

"Hmm… apart from that unfathomable older man, I'm confident I could take on the rest of them." Yanqing pondered briefly before answering earnestly.

Jing Yuan raised his head, his smile fading slightly. His silent gaze unsettled Yanqing, who hesitated before asking nervously, "Uh… Did I miss something?"

"You did," Jing Yuan replied lightly, shifting his gaze.

He gestured, and the projection on the chessboard shifted to reveal a pale, lifeless planet.

"This is…?"

"A planet once invaded by the Antimatter Legion. It even experienced a Stellaron crisis, cutting off all contact with the IPC. What do you think became of it?"

Yanqing frowned, cautious not to make another mistake. "If the surface civilization remained unaided, it would likely have perished."

"You're not wrong. But the world is full of 'happy coincidences.'"

As Jing Yuan spoke, the projection changed. A gust of wind seemed to sweep across the desolate planet, erasing its frost-bitten surface. Vibrant blue oceans reclaimed dominance, while the continents burst with lush greenery.

Such rapid environmental restoration was beyond comprehension—even IPC's advanced terraforming technology couldn't achieve this in such a short time.

Yanqing was stunned. "You don't mean…"

"That's right. This is the work of that wandering bard. Surprising, isn't it?"

Jing Yuan seemed quite pleased with Yanqing's astonishment and grinned mischievously.

"After seeing this, do you still think you could defeat him?"

"General, why do you always make fun of me!" Yanqing protested, throwing him a look of wounded indignation.

"Haha, don't take it to heart. I'm just reminding you there's always someone stronger, and there's always a higher sky above."

Jing Yuan waved dismissively, his tone relaxed.

"…Wait, so he's not like you—"

"Hmm? Are you saying I'm old?"

"No, that's not what I meant! I just—"

"Yanqing. Admitting another's strength and talent isn't difficult. The only question is whether you'll keep blinding yourself or open your eyes to see farther."

Jing Yuan's gentle tone carried a weight that struck Yanqing.

"Listen, observe, and learn. You'll find much to admire in him. If you can absorb even a fraction of it, it will benefit you greatly."

"…Understood, General!"

"Now off you go. And while you're out, bring me another cup of tea."

"Yes, sir…"

The once-confident youth left the room, his mood slightly deflated. Meanwhile, the chessboard's projection shifted to display the image of a young woman.

Her delicate face and youthful features were framed by soft pink hair styled into twin loops, adorned with golden pins in the shape of crescent moons. Her elegant attire combined an air of nobility with a touch of fragility, her bare shoulders and clavicle accentuating her grace. Most striking of all was the star dial suspended at her neck.

This was none other than Fu Xuan, head of the Divination Commission.

"Well, Lord Diviner, you overheard our conversation. Any thoughts?" Jing Yuan teased, his eyes half-closed.

"What thoughts? Who makes decisions first and asks for opinions after the fact?" Fu Xuan replied with visible annoyance.

Unfazed, Jing Yuan chuckled. "I wouldn't act so boldly if I didn't trust you to clean up my messes."

"You're playing with fire, Jing Yuan. What if this spirals out of control and turns the Xianzhou into a battlefield?"

Fu Xuan's brows furrowed, her frustration evident.

"Relax. I've accounted for every possibility. And with you at the helm, even unforeseen changes will be managed smoothly."

"Hmph. If you trust me that much, why not just retire early?"

Though flattered by his praise, Fu Xuan wasn't so easily placated. She cut straight to the point.

"What's your true intention regarding the Stellaron Hunters?"

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"The one called Blade—you let him escape on purpose, didn't you? Was it just to establish a connection? Was that really necessary? You, of all people, should know that divination predicts possibilities, not certainties."

Fu Xuan's voice wavered slightly as she recalled the unsettling vision from her earlier divination.

When she had attempted to foresee the outcomes of the Stellaron crisis, she had been engulfed in a chaotic gale, carried away in an uncontrollable whirlwind. No matter how many times she tried, her results were the same.

Even with her unparalleled abilities, the bard's existence defied prediction—his presence was like an enigma she couldn't unravel.

Her silence stretched as she wrestled with the implications.

"I know," Jing Yuan finally replied, his tone calm. "But we've already cast the bait. If it lures out the fish, that will be enough."

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, his gaze deep and distant.

"Wait and hope, Fu Xuan. I believe he won't let us down."

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Ah, Reader. You've stayed for the bonus chapter—how delightful.

Even amidst the quiet of eternity, there's joy to be found in shared moments like this.

If you wish to offer your strength, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Each effort helps to shape a world where such moments can thrive.

— Ei