Chapter 15: The Night of Moonquake's Final Song (Part 2)
The plan to cross the lake was to be carried out late that night—but it was interrupted by the incident on the night of the moonquake.
Not long after nightfall, Beichen took out the spirit crystal "Ice Field" and was eager to try it out, but the expressions of several warriors around her changed.
"Oh no, today is the night of the moonquake."
Heihuo looked at his hands, as if to check his physical condition, and then revealed an expression that looked as if a disaster was about to happen, while Sujie scratched his head in annoyance.
"...Yeah, it's a little...troublesome."
Lian Xiangying also frowned and lowered his head to think about something.
Beichen was a little confused about this:
"Isn't Moonquake Night the night when the weapons' powers double? And it happens on a random day every month—isn't it lucky that it happened today?"
"That's the theory." Yaye snorted, "But right now, it's a bit troublesome for your warriors. I can't go with you tonight. I'm going to find a hotel. Xiangying and Shuangzi, are you coming?"
"Yeah, okay."
Xiang Ying nodded to Yaye, then turned and looked at Beichen apologetically:
"Master, I'm sorry, but the twin brothers and I may not be able to accompany you today. Can you allow us to leave for a while?"
"Ah, yes, I can... but can you tell me why? Why did it suddenly...?"
"……this……"
"It's a little hard to explain."
Ling Shuang wrinkled her nose.
"Anyway, I might as well leave."
"Wait, wait, wait...!? What the hell is going on? Are there any other strange hidden dangers on the night of the moonquake?!"
But no one answered Beichen. Led by Yaye, several warriors left with anxious steps, leaving Beichen alone by the lake, leaving only the human Yagard standing silently behind her.
Seeing this, Lingdier frowned and said:
"Yash, your weapons... haven't been sharpened for a long time?"
"Huh? Sharpening the blade?"
Beichen cast a questioning look at Yagad, who immediately leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"Ms. Yaxiu, there is indeed a connection between Moonquake Night and Blade Sharpening."
"Relationship? Speaking of sharpening... what exactly is it?"
Beichen's voice was very soft, but the sharp-eared Lingdir still caught it. Just as Yagard was about to answer, she interrupted him.
"Yash, don't you even know what sharpening is?"
"ah!"
Oh no, she heard it──Beichen immediately became alert, but Lingdi'er didn't seem to care much.
"As expected, the Tuling tribe is full of strange people—even you are no exception. Even if they are secluded, this is too much? Forget it... This is not my business. Anyway, I don't care why you don't know such common sense, but I see that you have a good relationship with your war machine. Why don't you ask about such an important matter?"
Faced with Ling Dier's question, Beichen shook his head helplessly.
"I don't know. Actually, I've asked them several times, but they just hemmed and hawed and hawed. Seeing how reluctant they were to talk, I just..."
"You!" Lingdier rubbed his brow in frustration. "Even if you dote on them, you still have to use common sense!"
"But, since Miss Yashu's weapons are unwilling to tell her, they probably don't want to embarrass her, right?" Aaron interrupted and shook a finger at his master.
Xuanming nodded and said:
"In other words, they value their master's feelings more than their own needs. Therefore, it's best for outsiders like us not to interfere in these topics. Otherwise, if they become unhappy, we won't be able to take responsibility."
Hearing what he said, even Agard, who was about to explain, shut up.
Beichen felt a little weak.
"...But I'm really confused right now. Can you at least tell me the general direction? I'm really worried if they just run away like that!"
"All right."
After thinking about it anxiously for a while, Lingdier suddenly snapped his fingers, perhaps he had found a way to express himself.
"Let's put it this way. Just like humans have various desires, weapons also have desires. Humans naturally want to eat well, dress well, live comfortably, be beautiful, be rich and powerful, and have a perfect mate. In contrast, weapons simply want to be hard, sharp, flawless, and have a user they love."
"Hmm. So, sharpening their blades really means sharpening them—to satisfy their desires?"
"That's about right. The energy within a weapon is astral force, but normally, this force remains dormant within them, serving as a vehicle for maintaining vitality. However, if we could find a way to accelerate the flow of astral force within them—much like accelerating blood circulation in humans—their self-repair and self-sharpening abilities would be activated, and some of their potential would slowly be unleashed. Therefore, sharpening blades is crucial for weapons."
“Ah—”
So that's how it is. No wonder they say sharpening blades can repair weapons. This is the principle.
In this way, the three methods of repairing weapons are clear: upgrade, Protoss ore solution, and sharpening - it seems that the latter two are more commonly used.
"Speaking of Moonquake Night, it doubles the power of their weapons, so naturally their astral spirit power also becomes several times stronger. Therefore, if their desires have not been satisfied for a long time, they will break free from their repression and surface. That's why they avoid you."
Beichen nodded half-understandingly:
"Then what should I do? Can I just speed up the flow of the star power in their bodies?"
"Yes, that's right. How you do it is your own business. It's better for me not to interfere."
Ringdir said, curling his lips.
Beichen lowered his head and thought for a while.
Accelerating the flow of star energy—the same as accelerating human blood circulation...
"I see!"
Beichen clapped his hands in sudden realization.
Speeding up blood circulation! Isn't it just more exercise? Why not take them on a good hunt for a bunch of possessed moon envoys? The last time we encountered a moonquake, we were hunting, and they were fine that time—yeah, that must be it!
"Thank you for the reminder, Lingdiel! I know what to do! I'll go find them right away. Excuse me for now! We'll meet here tomorrow night!"
She said this and nodded vigorously to express her gratitude to Lingdir, then pulled Yagad away quickly.
Ling Dier looked at the direction where Beichen left and twitched his lips.
"Well, I mean... she's got it all wrong, right?"
"I think I'm thinking about something else."
"Hehe, I'm really looking forward to her expression when she finds out the truth. ──Speaking of which, since tonight's plan is ruined, how about we go sharpen some blades?"
“No way!!”
Beichen was walking quickly on the streets at night, using telepathy to inquire about the location of the weapons. Although she was scolded by Heihuo and Sujie, after hearing Beichen's firm tone that she would help them sharpen the blades, they were silent for a few seconds and then told her the address.
Yagad followed her, silent for a long time, but finally spoke softly.
"Miss Beichen, although I don't want to interfere with your decision, do you really want to sharpen the blades for all three of them at the same time? I'm worried your body can't handle it."
"Huh? No, I took all three of them hunting during the last moonquake. My stamina has improved a lot lately, so it shouldn't be a problem."
"Yeah."
Yagad was silent for a few seconds with a complicated expression.
"It seems that Miss Beichen is very experienced and worthy of being called the witch."
"ah?"
"No, nothing. We're at the hotel. I'll be staying away for now. I'm at the hotel across the street. If you have any questions, you can come and see me."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Agard."
"It's my pleasure."
The knight smiled and nodded at her (the salute would be said), then stepped back and out of his sight.
Well, since Miss Beichen is experienced, why not find her a few good-looking men? Surely that's the best approach, right?
With terrible thoughts in his mind, Yagad walked into the inn across the street.
“Here I come!!”
Beichen pushed open the door of the room where Xiang Ying was with an excited look on his face - probably because they had just communicated with each other through telepathy, Heihuo, Sujie and Yaye were all there.
"I'm sorry, I didn't even figure out such an important thing. I'm really incompetent as a contractor. Don't worry, I will make it up to you!"
“…”
“…”
“…”
Because Beichen's expression was too frank and passionate, several warriors who had been embarrassed when they saw her suddenly had a bad feeling.
────Could she... have completely misunderstood?
"Uh, Master..." Xiang Ying blushed slightly and asked softly, "Do you really know what sharpening a blade is?"
"Well, let's exercise together, right?! You guys are so stupid! Don't underestimate my physical strength. Why didn't you explain it to me earlier? It's such a simple thing."
She said, waving her hand at the war machines:
"Let's go hunting together!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiang Ying covered his forehead with his hands. Heihuo and Sujie, who had been a little tense, immediately relaxed and collapsed on the sofa. Yaye snorted with an expression of "as expected" and shrugged.
“That’s a mistake…”
"Tsk, that's a mistake!"
"I was mistaken indeed."
"It would be strange if there is no mistake."
"..." Beichen twitched his lips. "Why, why is this your reaction? What did I do wrong again?"
"I was wondering why Little Loach suddenly became so bold."
Black Disaster smacked his lips somewhat weakly.
"Ah, I just told you not to get your hopes up, bro."
Su Jie patted his brother's shoulder with a dejected look on his face, then huddled together on the sofa with childish movements.
Yaye gave her an unpleasant look.
"Xiang Beichen, it seems like I've been too nice to you lately? How dare you play such a joke on me?"
"No, no, no, I wasn't kidding! ...Hey, are the Dark Seeds also affected by the power of Moonquake?"
"It's not as significant as with ordinary weapons, but it still has some impact. — Stop changing the subject!"
“S-Sorry!”
Beichen apologized reflexively and in a very incompetent manner. Then, she looked at the unhappy faces of the warriors in the room and spoke again carefully:
"Um... can you tell me what I'm doing wrong? Sharpening a blade—doesn't that accelerate the flow of astral energy within a weapon?"
Several fighters looked at each other, as if they had made some important decision invisibly.
Then, with a wry smile, he replied, as if resigned to his fate:
"Yes, Master, but why do you think hunting will speed up the flow of the astral spirit in our bodies? It's just eating."
"Yeah, but if you exercise..."
"Stupid! We're weapons!" Black Disaster interrupted sternly. "Humans get tired from hunting, but we, on the other hand, become energized by eating more and more. How can it be considered exercise if it doesn't consume energy?"
"I see, it seems I was mistaken—as for consumption... oh yeah, long-distance running. If you don't absorb the star power during long-distance running, you'll feel the consumption, right?"
"Enough, really enough!" Su Jie rolled over on the sofa, unable to bear it any longer. "Why is our master such an unromantic little girl? Listen carefully, little loach! The key to sharpening a blade is to get the weapon into an excited state. When it's excited, the flow of star power will naturally be faster!"
Nodding to Ying:
"Hunting is out of the question. Long-distance running would probably require us to circle this town ten times to get our bodies into a hyperactive state. After all, we're a race that thrives on combat. So generally speaking, that's the best way to sharpen our blades."
"'that'?"
Xiang Ying hummed a few times awkwardly, but ultimately was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
"Making love, mating, sex, going to bed—that's what you humans call it."
Finally, Yaye spoke with an impatient look on his face.
"……What?"
Perhaps the content of the words was too explosive, Beichen was shocked and unable to recover for a while. He stood there with his mouth open and unable to utter a word.
"Got it?! So for us warriors who haven't sharpened our blades for a long time to accommodate your ignorance, Moonquake Night is the mating season! You actually come to me and tell some inexplicable jokes. Do you think you've lived too long?!"
"Estrous season..."
Beichen's lips trembled, and he squeezed out a few words in disbelief - it seemed that he was really shocked.
Seeing her dazed look, Black Disaster became even more anxious.
"Look at how stupid that little loach is, why not just pounce on it and eat it?"
"I agree. She came to me on her own initiative."
"No! Master, you've misunderstood! ... Master, please leave quickly! Before we lose our sanity—"
"Eh, ehhh...even Xiang Ying!?"
Beichen's face turned a little green, and he took a step back with a twitching mouth.
"Then I... shall find some women for you...?"
As he said this, his heart twitched inexplicably, and an inexplicable unhappiness surged up, making Beichen immediately regret it.
"If you dare—"
"Little Loach, don't go too far..."
Heihuo and Sujie gnashed their teeth in hatred, and Yaye simply sneered, revealing his blood-sucking fangs. Even Xiangying showed her a slightly hurt look.
"I'm sorry! I said the wrong thing! I...I'll leave right away! See you tomorrow!!"
Beichen rushed to the door and then stopped.
"But you didn't do that the night of the last moonquake—"
"I'll count to three. If you still stay in this room, I'll be rude to you."
As soon as Heihuo finished speaking, Beichen immediately shouted "Good night" and disappeared.
The warriors in the room were silent for a while, and then they sighed in unison.
The night of the last moonquake? Last time, the feelings and bond between them hadn't reached the stage where they would want to sharpen their blades, but this time it was different!
"I'm going back to my room."
Yaye closed his eyes, stood up with a slightly tired voice, and left.
"Then let's go too, buddy."
"Well, idiot Ying, take care of yourself. If you really can't make it, just chop up everything in the room. Little Loach will pay for the compensation—who told her to torment us like this!"
"Don't worry, the night will pass quickly."
Xiang Ying smiled and walked the twins to the door.
"Ahh... if only we could solve it on our own like humans—"
Heihuo muttered to himself and walked out the door with Sujie.
Finally, only Xiang Ying was left. He took a deep breath and ran into the room. He took out the sword tassel given to him by Beichen and muttered something in a low voice.
Beichen, covering his reddened face, ran to the hotel across the street to find Yagard.
"This is so embarrassing, so embarrassing—wooooah—how could I have caused such a mess!"
"No, it's not your fault, Miss Beichen. It's my fault that I didn't explain it to you clearly in time, which led to various misunderstandings between the two parties. The responsibility lies with me. If you really feel unhappy, I will use those weapons to silence you."
"Wait wait wait, that's not what I meant!"
Beichen dragged Yagard in confusion, then squatted on the ground dejectedly.
"Ah—what should I do if this continues?"
Do they have to endure this torture every moonquake night? Or should I really find them a woman?
But when she thought about this, that strange feeling of discomfort once again interrupted Beichen's thoughts, making her even more confused.
Strange—I don't want them to find other women? What is this?
She asked herself with a bitter face: ...was it because of her possessiveness towards the weapon? Because they'd been together for so long, she didn't want them to get too close to others?
Thinking of this, she hit her head: This won't do. They are just partners. She has no right to stop the other party's emotional development. She has no right to ask or interfere with who the other party wants to fight with.
But...but──why do I feel so uncomfortable?!
"Miss Beichen?"
Yagad interrupted her entanglement with a worried expression.
"Ah! No, nothing! It's okay, I'm fine!"
She shook her hands frantically, then forcefully wiped away the messy thoughts in her mind.
"It's getting late, where should we go for dinner—"
But──
Roar────
Before Beichen could finish his words, a loud and terrifying roar of a giant beast sounded above the city, shaking the ground beneath his feet slightly.
Yagard immediately turned his head and looked in a certain direction - towards the lake!
The lakeshore was far away and the specific details could not be seen clearly in the night, but Beichen still saw it.
There, wriggling on the surface of the lake, was an ominous silhouette with a gigantic body and a pair of gleaming golden eyes.
Possessed by the Moon Envoy? !
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