Star Rail: Starting with a Lyre, Living off Busking

Traveling to the Divination Commission required passing through Changle Sky, a sprawling area of interconnected domains. While the Starskiff Haven served as a central hub, it lacked direct routes to every key location.

The three main exits from this region led to:

Liuyun Crossing, a bustling dock for Luofu's trade and freight operations.

Qingxing Port, a crucial hub for starskiff manufacturing.

Changle Sky, a network of domains teeming with life and commerce.

To reach the Divination Commission, they would inevitably need to pass through Changle Sky—a lively, crowded area the Trailblazers had traversed on their way to the Seat of Divine Foresight.

However, being paraded through such a bustling area right after being implicated in a case felt like public humiliation. It would invite scornful stares and whispered judgments. Even if their innocence was proven later, the stigma would linger.

March 7th frowned at the thought, tugging on Uncle Yang's sleeve to voice her frustration.

"Uncle Yang, this is ridiculous! We didn't do anything wrong, so why is Yukong treating us like this? The General already said he believes in us. Isn't she just defying her superior and throwing her weight around?"

"Exactly! She doesn't even have evidence. Just suspicions, and she's putting us through the wringer!" Stelle grumbled, her irritation bubbling to the surface. "I've never been treated this unfairly in my life."

"Being mistrusted is frustrating, I understand," Welt said calmly, trying to soothe them. "But March, Stelle, we need to endure this for now."

"This incident is no less severe to the Xianzhou than the hunt for the Stellaron Hunters."

Welt's voice carried weight, compelling both of them to listen.

On the Luofu, Miss Tingyun was far more than the humble "bridge guide" she modestly claimed to be. Aside from her role as Navigator, she was also the chief representative of the Minghuo Trading Guild, a prominent figure within the Sky-Faring Commission.

For someone of her status to die so mysteriously beneath a bridge, her body later struck by an overspeeding starskiff, the implications were immense.

Though not many had witnessed the scene firsthand, news was bound to spread like wildfire. The Sky-Faring Commission couldn't afford to lose face, so they had to act swiftly and decisively.

"For us, this situation might not be entirely bad," Welt added, glancing at the green-haired woman leading their group.

Yukong must have sensed his gaze because she turned around briefly to meet his eyes. Her expression remained as frosty as ever.

From the Sky-Faring Commission's perspective, they were already stretched thin with the Stellaron incident, reallocating manpower to assist in the hunt for the Stellaron Hunters. Now, with Tingyun's death, unease rippled through their ranks.

If Tingyun had died while pursuing Kafka, the Sky-Faring Commission could have managed the narrative. But for her to die so unexpectedly, the implications ranged from a personal vendetta to a breach in internal security.

The latter was far more likely. With the Stellaron Hunters' demonstrated hacking prowess—like their silent commandeering of the Yujie Gate—it wasn't unthinkable that they could intercept sensitive orders and relay them to their operatives on the Xianzhou.

If that were true, the Hunters would have been alerted the moment the Sky-Faring Commission issued orders targeting them.

In this precarious situation, Yukong's response couldn't adhere to the usual "by-the-book" protocols.

Yesterday, she had played good cop to Jing Yuan's strategist, allowing the General's plans to unfold seamlessly. But today's unexpected tragedy left no room for such measured tactics. Yukong wasn't a seasoned politician skilled in delicate maneuvering; she was a soldier, trained to act decisively in times of chaos.

While Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan might have devised a more calculated approach, Yukong chose a direct path, one that aligned with her instincts. Her actions, though potentially brash, were supported by their trust in her judgment.

She could rationalize holding back her grief and suppressing her anger, but there was a fire in her heart that demanded release.

Let them call it misplaced rage or incompetence. Let them judge her as a relic of a bygone age. Yukong, well past her prime, a half-buried foxian, would shoulder the consequences without hesitation.

For Yukong, her actions represented not just herself, but the Sky-Faring Commission's stance.

The General had already vouched for the Trailblazers' innocence. Fu Xuan's forthcoming divinations would confirm it, ensuring the Xianzhou's public perception remained intact.

To an outsider, Yukong's methods might seem rash, born of impulsive anger. But her intent was calculated: to disrupt the enemy's plans and force them to act.

Instead of playing a passive game of cat and mouse across the vast expanse of the Xianzhou, she aimed to draw the culprit into the open.

This tactic, known in military strategy as attacking where the enemy must defend, hinged on presenting a target the enemy couldn't ignore.

By casting suspicion on the Trailblazers and making a spectacle of their detainment, Yukong ensured the Stellaron Hunters couldn't remain idle.

Their leader, Elio—reputed to foresee countless futures—was likely watching. Yukong didn't know what Elio's plan was, but she was certain of one thing: the Hunters hadn't ensnared the Trailblazers just to let them sit on the sidelines.

The idea of "rescuing their comrades" was an obvious lie. Once the Trailblazers disrupted the Hunters' carefully laid plans, even slightly, intervention would be inevitable.

This was an open scheme Yukong had crafted—a deliberate provocation to flush out the real killer.

From the very beginning, she had known the Trailblazers weren't responsible for Tingyun's death. Claiming they were the "prime suspects" was merely a pretense, a role Yukong had to play in this dangerous game.

Someone had to be the villain, and it couldn't be anyone from the Six Commissions. Only Yukong, the Navigator of the Sky-Faring Commission, could take on that role.

Yukong's actions made it clear: she wanted the Stellaron Hunters to believe she was acting recklessly, blinded by anger over her friend's death, and willing to defy her superiors to see her vengeance through.

Even if the Stellaron Hunters knew the Trailblazers were innocent, they couldn't afford to ignore Yukong's provocations. Who knew how far she might go? Could Elio, with all his foresight, risk betting that the worst wouldn't happen? Could he gamble on the Astral Express not walking away in frustration, washing their hands of the Xianzhou's mess?

For Yukong, the worst possible outcome was tolerable. For her opponents, it wasn't so simple.

Of course, this scheme came at a cost. The ones most wronged in this situation were undoubtedly the Trailblazers. But there was no helping it—

Time was too short, and Yukong wasn't some master strategist with an all-encompassing plan. This was the best she could devise on her own.

As for what the General or Fu Xuan might have planned, she neither knew nor needed to know. Her only goal was to catch the culprit, dismantle the Stellaron Hunters' conspiracy, and restore Tingyun's honor.

Of course, she intended to apologize to the Trailblazers later. She had a plan for that as well, though it wasn't urgent for now.

With this resolve, Yukong led the group onto the starskiff, charting a course to Changle Sky.

The entire journey, she kept her eyes glued to the navigation chart, as if she wanted nothing more than to reach the Divination Commission as quickly as possible.

This behavior only deepened March 7th's exasperation, though Stelle's thoughts began to churn.

The starskiff had limited passenger capacity, just enough for the four Trailblazers and Yukong. Given her distrust, wouldn't it have made sense to split them into groups or assign guards onboard?

Yet, Yukong had done none of that. She hadn't even placed restraints on them. Instead, she merely invited them aboard and left them free to move around. She had even mentioned that they could help themselves to drinks from the onboard refrigerator.

It didn't feel like they were being transported as suspects at all.

Welt, too, noticed these peculiar details. His sharp gaze glimmered behind his glasses, signaling that the situation was more complicated than it seemed.

As for Venti—

He had been chugging the skiff's stock of liquor since they'd boarded and was already swaying, thoroughly drunk.

"Hehe... Uncle Yang, come on! Have a drink with me! We've never had a proper toast together~"

"I think I'll pass. Let's save it for a proper celebration back on the train."

Welt wasn't incapable of drinking; he just didn't enjoy it. He preferred coffee, especially when working in the animation industry during his younger days. Though even he had his limits—Himeko's concoctions were absolutely off-limits.

Their idle chatter was interrupted when Yukong muttered, "They've arrived."

Without warning, the starskiff veered off its designated route, breaking away from the convoy and heading directly toward Qingxing Port.

The sudden jolt caught March 7th off guard, spilling her juice all over her white shirt. The sticky liquid dripped down her neck and soaked into the fabric.

"Ugh! Just my luck! This is the worst!"

She shouted in dismay, frantically dabbing at the stain with a tissue. Stelle handed her the tissue box, then glanced at Venti, who was now passed out drunk, mercifully no longer adding to the chaos.

Welt, ever tactful, averted his gaze from March 7th's predicament and turned to Yukong. "What's happening?"

Yukong's expression remained composed as she replied flatly, "The Stellaron Hunters have altered our course. Their target is Qingxing Port. It seems their capabilities aren't as great as I thought."

"You anticipated this?"

"Not exactly. I simply figured now would be the best time for them to act."

Yukong shook her head slightly and dropped her previous pretense. Her tone softened with sincerity as she added, "I apologize for using you as bait."

"There's no need to apologize. We've faced plenty of challenging starts to our journeys," Welt replied, his voice calm. He wasn't about to offer forgiveness on behalf of the group—that decision was premature.

Instead, he asked, "What do you plan to do next, Navigator Yukong?"

"I'll personally apprehend Kafka. As for you, a reinforcement skiff will arrive shortly to transport you back. The Sky-Faring Commission will issue an official statement to clear the Astral Express of any involvement in this matter."

Yukong understood the offer implicit in Welt's words: the Astral Express was willing to lend its aid if requested.

But she couldn't bring herself to accept. She had already dragged them into this mess and contributed to the misunderstanding surrounding them. Asking for their help now would only deepen her sense of guilt.

Besides, though she was retired, she hadn't lost her edge. She may have set aside her bow for years, but for Tingyun, for the Xianzhou, she was ready to take up arms again.

She was no desk-bound bureaucrat. Once, she had been a formidable pilot, a terror in the starry seas. She would not shrink from this fight, no matter how steep the odds.

This wasn't just about justice for Tingyun. Yukong had responsibilities—a daughter to protect, unfinished business to resolve. She couldn't afford to die here, not yet.

And so, as the starskiff landed with a heavy thud, Yukong prepared herself.

Ignoring the hacked navigation panel, where Silver Wolf's smug avatar flashed incessantly, she retrieved her bow and stepped off the skiff.

Her ice-cold gaze locked onto the battlefield ahead, where her target awaited.

Kafka stood there, her usual serene smile in place. No trace of annoyance or frustration marred her calm demeanor, as though this unexpected encounter was just another movement in a symphony she'd already composed.

With the same detached elegance as a violinist tuning her instrument, Kafka raised her hand in greeting and spoke softly.

"Ah, you're here. Right on time, not a second too early or late."

---

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨