The Cloud Brawler 9 - (Pre-Honkai Star Rail, MartialArtist!SI)

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Jingliu was a calm woman. She had spent decades sharpening her nerves to handle any hint of anger she may feel towards anyone that was to be seen as a friend, an ally, or akin to family. Or more.

Right now, it was a friend that was currently the target a fairly tame bout of anger from her mind, with the swordswoman pacing aorund with a chuckling Foxian in tow. Baiheng was smug, the fellow woman having known about this 'ten minutes of Thalassa' for well over a year and having never told her about it until Li Chen returned to the Xianzhou. The campaign had been besieged by logistics, unsavory relations with the locals, and other issues- until Li Chen removed for ten long minutes his 'shackles' and butchered a large portion of the Abundance Forces in the sea planet.

That, in her mind, was a huge development as it would have given Jingliu an even greater reason to finally spar with the 'brat'. Li Chen was just like Jing Yuan, except he was slightly older, more polite, and... somewhat more terrifying. It was less about his overall appearance, but it was his unusual curve of growth that was constantly catching her off-guard.

His feats were nothing to scoff at, and while Jingliu wasn't one that would contemplate others' strengths via their deeds, she had the opportunity to meet him many times, and she knew that, for a while, their clash would have been a draw. Right now? The 'Ten Minutes' had created a heavy doubt that lingered in her mind, and it kind of resonated with Baiheng's own explanation on why she kept this from her.

"Why? Well, you would have been fussy for a full year since you wouldn't have had the chance to fight him. And who do you think should have dealt with Fussy Liuliu? Me~?"

The soft whack on the side of the Foxian girl gained an 'ouch' and another wave of giggles. Jingliu didn't answer those accusations, but she was already losing her mind in trying to get ahold of Li Chen. She first looked for him personally, but he was busy with something around the Luofu- the next stop was Teng Xiao, but the General was not in his office as he was... somewhere with Li Chen. This was the sort of situations that truly nagged at Jingliu- one thing was for someone like Li Chen to be unreachable, another was for the General of the Luofu to go missing too.

Marching around and investigating on the matter, Jingliu was half-glad half-annoyed with Baiheng's commentary.

"I bet these two are sparring," She hummed confidently. "In fact, we should check the more resilient training areas."

"Why do you think so?" Jingliu asked, her beloved Foxian fiend giving her a wide grin.

"I know A-Chen. He can't live without training, and Teng Xiao is the sort of grumpy old man that wouldn't say no to a chance to skip on paperwork."

That made sense. And also not. It explained a potential scenario, but it wasn't corroborated by any proof. Yet, Jingliu decided to follow this lead first. A lead was better than no lead. And the trail they chased took them to a highly-secured training area that was used by the Generals during sparring. Jingliu could hardly make it through with her current level of permissions, and it was lucky for her that the guards put no resistance in letting Baiheng pass through too.

The lengthy claustrophobic halls contributed to a growing sense of unease and anticipation, she felt her hand reach for the hilt of her sword out of instinct. Jingliu expected Baiheng to point that out, but as she heard nothing from her friend, the long-haired woman paused at the sight of the Foxian looking absolutely... unnerved.

"So... are we sure they are here? Because, I am not afraid or anything but... something doesn't feel right."

Knowing her usual guts, this came as a surprise to Jingliu, but as she scanned more into their surroundings... Jingliu felt Li Chen's presence quite close, yet heavily suppressed by the thick walls around.

"Yes. And they are close."

They finally reached the last door leading to what appeared to be a control room, with various humanoid automata moving around to monitor the unfolding spar. It was an odd choice for non-living entities to be used - at least, it felt like an odd one before they got hit by pure and utter... something. It was intense, it was terrifying and even Jingliu's usual poker face cracked to show surprise and dread as she recognized what it was.

The Heat. It was intense- same for the pressure. Baiheng's eyes almost bulged out of her face with the sudden might hitting the air, making it heavier. Jingliu handled it properly, steeling her resolve as coldly as it could get, but Baiheng was hardly her physical equal, her legs shaking as the Foxian found a grip by her arm as they walked inside the control room.

Various screens monitored the fight, several cameras showing the high-paced spar with different perspectives and, much to Jingliu's surprise, it was reaching its climax.

Teng Xiao had actually used Lightbringer to try and defeat his student. The golden-colored behemoth of pure lightning rushed forth with its mighty spear, while Li Chen was... standing his ground. He was bruised, his clothes in tatter, but a grin on his face as he culled an orb of red energy within his palms brought to the side.

"Kaaameee...haaaameee..." Jingliu's eyes widened as she saw the orb brought forward mere moments before the lance struck and- "HA!"

The beam of pure red struck into the lance and melted it before their own eyes.. The Lightbringer, known as one of the most powerful abilities in the Xianzhou, was suddenly wrecked by the attack. The beam redirected itself to not strike at Teng Xiao, but the ensuing detonation caused the behemoth to falter and fully collapse. Silence ensued within that cacophony of noises, but it was clear the fight was over. The pressure vanished shortly after, but Jingliu couldn't break away from her stiff posture, her wide eyes fixed on the approaching duo as they floated towards the control room and-

Baiheng's hand softly touched her chin and lifted up so her mouth could be closed.

"You could get some... flies," She muttered, trying to sound cheeky but appearing just as breathless as she was. Jingliu would never be this speechless, but she just had no response to that or what came next.

"Oh, you two are... here?" Li Chen asked, still carrying a giddy-looking Teng Xiao on his back. The sight was hilarious to some extent, but Li Chen appeared quite worse to wear.

"Chenny, that was super-hot!" The Foxian blurted out, smiling widely at the big frown she got from the tired fighter. "Like, the pressure, the heat- You got super-strong!"

He shrugged. "Never skipping on training, that's what up."

Jingliu blinked at that blatant bullshit, but Baiheng snorted and rolled her eyes, "Silly Chenny, you can try to hide your secrets but I, Investigator BaiBai, shall soon unravel the truth! Also, do get the General looked up, he seems more senile than usual."

Li Chen left shortly after, but the two women lingered a little more as Jingliu was fully woken up by a kiss on her cheek by the Foxian.

"Liuliu~, my nose picked up your happy scent. Don't tell me you got a type~."

Her jaw hit the floor, but Baiheng bolted away before Jingliu couldn't answer.

All she had left was her awkward thoughts at those muscles Li Chen had that were revealed from his torn clothes, and a wet feeling dampening her lower underwear.

AN

BaiBai is a bit of a liar herself. If only she could be a bit honest with her cunning plans!