The Astral Express hummed softly, its constant rhythm filling the stillness of Caelus's room. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor, lost in thought. Days had passed since Baiheng's last request and the letters she left behind, yet the hollowness inside him refused to heal. Her words, written with care and a touch of affection, had helped soothe some of the ache, but the void still lingered—like a part of him had been torn away with her departure.

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't been sleeping well, not since Baiheng's passing. The sleepless nights left him heavy with exhaustion, both physical and emotional. No matter how hard he tried to shake it, the sense of loss gnawed at him, a reminder that even warriors like him weren't immune to grief.

A knock at his door broke the silence.

"Caelus? You in there?" March's familiar voice came from the other side. She had been checking on him more often than usual, her concern evident even though she never pressed too hard. He hadn't talked much about what happened since Baiheng's letters had arrived, and March, as perceptive as she was, had sensed something was off.

Caelus let out a soft sigh. "Yeah, I'm here."

The door slid open, revealing March standing in the doorway. Her usual upbeat demeanor was subdued, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Still hiding in your room, huh?"

"Not hiding," Caelus said with a weak smile. "Just... thinking."

March crossed her arms, watching him for a moment. "You've been doing a lot of thinking lately. More than usual."

He shrugged, but didn't offer much more. She knew better than to pry, but the concern in her eyes was hard to miss. "Anyway," she continued, shifting gears, "General Jing Yuan and Bailu just boarded the Express. Jing Yuan says he wants to talk to you."

Caelus felt a weight settle in his chest. He knew this was coming. Baiheng had mentioned Jing Yuan in her letter—had left him something as well. Caelus had been expecting this conversation, but it didn't make the thought of it any easier. The General had been a close friend and ally of Baiheng, their bond forged through shared battles and trust. No doubt, Jing Yuan wanted to discuss her final words.

"I figured he'd want to talk," Caelus muttered, standing up and stretching. His muscles ached from the tension that hadn't left his body in days. "I'll be there in a minute."

March gave him a small, reassuring smile. "Okay, just don't take too long. Bailu's here too, and she's already pestering Dan Heng for lessons."

Caelus managed a chuckle. "I'm not surprised."

With a final glance, March turned and left, leaving Caelus alone with his thoughts once more. He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection in the mirror. He didn't look great—dark circles under his eyes, the strain of sleepless nights etched into his face. He tried to smooth out his disheveled appearance before heading to the Parlor. He had to look at least somewhat presentable for Jing Yuan.

The Parlor was buzzing with quiet conversation when Caelus stepped inside. Jing Yuan sat calmly at one of the tables, his ever-composed demeanor in place as he watched the activity around him with his sharp, thoughtful gaze. Near the corner, Bailu was predictably pestering Dan Heng, tugging at his sleeve with a look of determination.

"Teach me more, Dan Heng! You promised!" Bailu whined, her wide eyes filled with stubborn persistence.

Dan Heng, clearly used to her antics, sighed. "I said I'd teach you later, Bailu. You need rest too."

"But you always say later," she pouted, hands on her hips. "I'm ready now!"

When Caelus entered, Bailu's attention shifted immediately, her eyes lighting up. "Caelus!" she called out, bouncing over to him. But her smile quickly faded as she took in his tired expression. "You don't look so good," she said, frowning in concern. "Are you sick?"

Caelus smiled weakly, crouching down slightly to meet her eyes. "Just haven't been sleeping much. That's all."

Bailu crossed her arms and gave him a stern look, mimicking the scolding tone she often heard from her elders. "Well, you should be resting more! You're supposed to take care of yourself, you know?"

Caelus chuckled softly. "I'll do better, I promise. I didn't mean to worry you."

Satisfied, Bailu's expression softened, though she still seemed wary. "Good. You better, or I'll have to pester you even more than I do Dan Heng."

Dan Heng, overhearing their conversation, took the opportunity to step in. "Bailu," he said with a calm tone, "why don't I show you some High Elder Vidyadhara magic now? That way you can learn what you've been asking for."

Bailu's eyes widened in excitement, her earlier concerns about Caelus momentarily forgotten. "Really? You're finally going to teach me?"

Dan Heng nodded, offering her a small, patient smile. "I am."

With that, Bailu practically dragged Dan Heng away, her enthusiasm bubbling over as they moved to a quieter corner of the Parlor. Caelus watched them go, a small smile on his face, before turning back to Jing Yuan.

Caelus approached the table, his steps hesitant as Jing Yuan sat across from him, silent and observant. The General's sharp golden eyes followed his every movement, examining him with the same intensity he reserved for battle strategies. Caelus could feel the weight of Jing Yuan's gaze, and it only deepened the unsettled feeling twisting in his gut.

He sat down, his body tense, fingers twitching slightly as he braced himself for the conversation ahead. Jing Yuan said nothing at first, the silence stretching between them like a taut string, until it became almost unbearable.

Then, in a low, calm voice, Jing Yuan finally spoke. "Do you know why I'm here, Caelus?"

Caelus nodded, his throat dry. "I do."

"Good," Jing Yuan replied, his voice still measured but holding an undercurrent of something deeper—something raw. "When I first received a letter from Baiheng, I... thought it to be a cruel joke. A malicious prank, meant to provoke me. I assumed someone had found a way to use her memory against me, to enrage me into recklessness."

Caelus frowned, imagining the cold fury Jing Yuan must have felt in that moment. A letter from a fallen friend—anyone would assume it was some twisted trick.

"But," Jing Yuan continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as if recalling the moment, "as I read it, I knew it was real. Her handwriting... the words she used... It was as if I could hear her voice again, talking to me like she used to."

His gaze softened for a brief second, the mask of the calm General cracking just enough to reveal the man beneath. A long silence followed, heavy with the weight of unspoken memories.

Then Jing Yuan's expression hardened once more as he turned his attention fully to Caelus. "What happened?" he asked, his tone direct but not unkind. It was a question Caelus had known would come eventually, but one he hadn't fully prepared to answer.

Caelus took a deep breath, his heart tightening. "I haven't told anyone yet... I'm still trying to deal with it myself," he admitted, his voice quiet, almost fragile. He could feel Jing Yuan's eyes on him, but there was no judgment in them—just quiet understanding. "I don't know how or why, but I found myself aboard Baiheng's ship. I don't remember how I got there. When I woke up, she was... there. In the flesh."

Jing Yuan's gaze softened slightly, the realization dawning that this experience had affected Caelus far more than he had anticipated. He remained silent, allowing Caelus to continue at his own pace.

"She was... tending to my wounds," Caelus went on, his voice trembling just enough to betray the emotions he'd been holding back. "I didn't even know I was hurt, but there she was, taking care of me like it was the most natural thing in the world."

He closed his eyes, remembering the strange warmth of that moment—the surreal feeling of seeing Baiheng alive, breathing, her touch as gentle as it was steady.

"I couldn't believe it at first. She knew my name, my achievements. She knew... everything about me." Caelus let out a shaky breath, the memory still fresh in his mind. "She told me she could see into the future. That's how she knew."

Jing Yuan nodded slowly, his expression distant, as if recalling a memory of his own. "Baiheng had that ability... to glimpse the future. But," he added with a small, almost sad smile, "she never set foot on the Astral Express. It was one of her regrets."

Caelus nodded, feeling a strange kinship with Jing Yuan in that moment. They both carried a piece of Baiheng's memory with them now, though their experiences with her were vastly different. Yet, it was the same woman who had touched their lives in profound ways.

Caelus shifted in his seat, feeling the weight of the conversation pulling him deeper into uncomfortable territory. His fingers traced the edge of the table, his mind replaying the last moments he had spent with Baiheng. He had already revealed so much, but there was still one part—her final request—that he hadn't spoken of. And now, with Jing Yuan's eyes on him, waiting patiently, Caelus knew he couldn't avoid it much longer.

"She... after we talked about my experiences on the Astral Express," Caelus began, his voice tight with emotion, "Baiheng... she had a request of me."

He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, the words catching in his throat. It wasn't just the embarrassment of it—it was the raw, intimate nature of what Baiheng had asked him that made it so difficult to say. His chest tightened, the vulnerability of that moment rushing back to him all at once.

Jing Yuan, ever perceptive, noticed the change in Caelus's demeanor. His eyes softened, and he leaned back slightly, offering him space. "Take your time," Jing Yuan said, his voice calm and reassuring.

Caelus swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. He knew he had to say it, to get the words out, but it felt like an insurmountable task. "She told me... she knew she was going to die the next day. And that... there wasn't anything either of us could do to stop it."

Jing Yuan's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of pain in his eyes, the knowledge of Baiheng's fate clearly still a wound for him, too. He didn't speak, didn't push Caelus for more. He waited, letting the silence stretch between them.

Caelus took a deep, shaky breath, his hands trembling slightly as he continued. "She... made a request of me."

Jing Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, his curiosity evident. "What was the request?"

Caelus's face flushed red almost instantly. He felt the weight of embarrassment crushing him, his heart pounding in his chest. How could he possibly explain what Baiheng had asked him? How could he put it into words that didn't feel wrong, or awkward, or...?

"She wanted... she asked me to..." Caelus stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he struggled to find the right way to say it. His face burned with embarrassment. "To... to..."

Jing Yuan's eyes widened, realization dawning on him as he quickly held up a hand, cutting Caelus off before he could continue. "I understand," Jing Yuan said quickly, his tone gentle but firm. "You don't need to say anything more."

Caelus exhaled sharply, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thank you," he muttered, his face still flushed but his shoulders relaxing as the tension eased. "I really... didn't want to..."

Jing Yuan chuckled weakly, rubbing the back of his neck as he processed what Caelus had almost said. His usual calm composure cracked just a little, a faint flush of discomfort crossing his own features. "I can see that night was... more than I imagined," he murmured, his voice low.

Caelus nodded awkwardly, grateful that Jing Yuan had spared him from having to relive the details aloud. The General's understanding had lifted a weight from him, and though the embarrassment still lingered, he felt lighter somehow.

For the first time since Baiheng's death, he wasn't carrying the burden of her final moments alone.

Caelus then cleared his throat, trying to dispel the lingering embarrassment from the earlier exchange. His cheeks were still warm, but he forced himself to focus, knowing that the conversation wasn't over yet.

"After... that," he began, his voice steadier now, though still tinged with a hint of awkwardness, "I passed out. When I woke up, I was back on the Astral Express... and that's when we got the letters."

Jing Yuan nodded, his expression thoughtful as he pieced together the final part of the story. The pieces all made sense now—Baiheng's reappearance, her final moments, and the letters that followed. He had suspected as much, but hearing it from Caelus filled in the gaps.

After a moment of silence, Jing Yuan spoke again, his voice calm but with a weight behind it. "In her letter to me... she apologized."

Caelus looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Apologized?"

Jing Yuan nodded slowly, his expression softening as he recalled the words written to him by his departed friend. "She said she was sorry for leaving us all behind. It's something she didn't need to say, of course, but that was just like Baiheng—always thinking of others, even in her final moments." He paused, his gaze distant before focusing back on Caelus. "But she had a request of me as well."

Caelus's eyes widened slightly, waiting for Jing Yuan to continue.

"She asked that I allow you to adopt Bailu," Jing Yuan said, his voice steady but carrying a quiet gravity. "Baiheng knew what Dan Feng had done... that he had risked everything to bring her back. And while she wasn't entirely sure how much of herself lived on in Bailu, she knew the challenges Bailu would face in the future."

Jing Yuan's words hung in the air for a moment, the weight of Baiheng's foresight clear in his tone. But before Jing Yuan could say more, Caelus interrupted, his voice firm yet trembling slightly with emotion.

"Baiheng wanted me to look after Bailu," Caelus said, his throat tight. "As if... as if she were our daughter. From that night."

Jing Yuan nodded, a solemn expression crossing his face. "Yes. That's exactly what she said."

There was a long silence, broken only by the distant hum of the Astral Express beneath their feet. The reality of it all settled in, the enormity of Baiheng's final request sinking deeper into Caelus's heart. The idea of being responsible for Bailu—of raising her, protecting her—felt daunting, but at the same time, it was exactly what Baiheng had entrusted to him. It wasn't just about Bailu's safety; it was about carrying on Baiheng's legacy.

Jing Yuan finally spoke again, breaking the stillness. "The most surprising part was that the Marshal granted the adoption." He leaned back slightly, a faint hint of amusement touching his lips. "With everything happening lately—the Vidyadhara's recent schemes putting too many people on the Xianzhou in danger—the Marshal agreed it would be best if Bailu were raised in a... relatively safer, but healthier environment."

Caelus blinked, caught off guard. "The Marshal... agreed?"

"She did," Jing Yuan confirmed. "She believes in the Astral Express and the Nameless as steadfast allies to the Xianzhou. And Bailu... well, she'll be safer with you, with all of you on the Express. It's the kind of place that fosters growth, where she'll be cared for and guided." His eyes met Caelus's with a quiet intensity. "She'll have a family."

The words hung in the air, the weight of the decision settling over Caelus like a heavy cloak. It was no small responsibility, but in his heart, he already knew what his answer would be. He had already started to feel that connection to Bailu, and knowing Baiheng's trust in him—knowing what she had seen in her visions—made the path clear.

Caelus straightened in his seat, a new sense of resolve filling him as the weight of the decision settled comfortably on his shoulders. "I'll accept," he said, his voice clear and unwavering.

Jing Yuan smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across his usually composed features. "Thank you, Caelus. Not just for accepting, but for bringing peace to the High-Cloud Quintet. Baiheng would be proud." His gaze softened as he added, "I know for certain that Jingliu received a letter as well... and that means Blade did too."

Caelus nodded, his thoughts drifting briefly to Blade. Their past was filled with conflict, but even Blade—haunted by his own demons—deserved closure. The thought of what Baiheng might have written to him lingered in Caelus's mind. Despite everything, Blade had been part of that history, and perhaps Baiheng's words would offer him some semblance of peace.

Shaking off the thought, Caelus turned his attention back to the present. "Does Bailu know about the adoption?" he asked, a note of concern in his voice.

Jing Yuan shook his head. "She doesn't. I thought that was something you should tell her yourself." His smile returned, softer this time. "I think she'll be thrilled, though. She's already fond of you."

Caelus nodded, letting out a slow breath. The prospect of telling Bailu filled him with a mix of nerves and anticipation. But, in the end, he knew it was the right thing to do—for both of them. "Thank you, Jing Yuan. For everything."

Jing Yuan's smile widened, a rare display of personal affection from the usually stoic General. "No, Caelus. Thank you. You've always been a loyal ally to the Xianzhou, but more than that... I'm proud to call you my friend."

The warmth of Jing Yuan's words settled over Caelus, and for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities didn't feel so heavy. They shared a brief but meaningful silence before Jing Yuan's expression shifted, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, before I forget," Jing Yuan said, reaching into his robes and pulling out a small envelope. He handed it to Caelus with a knowing smile. "This is for you."

Caelus blinked in surprise as he took the envelope. "What is it?" he asked, eyeing the plain paper with curiosity.

Jing Yuan's enigmatic smile deepened. "You'll find out," he said, his tone teasing.

Before Caelus could press further, Jing Yuan activated the Astral Express's Space Anchor technology, disappearing in a shimmer of light as he returned to the Xianzhou.

Alone now, Caelus looked down at the envelope in his hands. He carefully opened it, the paper crinkling as he unfolded its contents. To his shock, it was another letter—from Baiheng.

Her familiar handwriting filled the page, and Caelus could practically hear her playful voice as he read the words:

Since you've been taking far too long to snap out of your little funk, I figured I'd take matters into my own hands. Consider this a little nudge to get you back on track—and by back on track, I mean setting you up with someone who can keep up with your... more refined tastes.

Caelus's eyes widened as he continued reading, the teasing nature of the letter unmistakable. And then, as he reached the end of the page, something fell out—a small photograph. He picked it up, turning it over... and immediately his face flushed a deep shade of red.

It was a rather... risqué picture of Yukong. The image looked recent, too recent, as if it had been taken specifically for this purpose. Yukong stood posed confidently, her usual regal demeanor on full display, though in much... less clothing than normal.

Caelus couldn't believe his eyes. His mind raced, trying to process the fact that Baiheng had somehow orchestrated this. "Of all the things..." he muttered, his voice cracking slightly in disbelief. He quickly folded the picture and letter, tucking them away into his pocket before anyone could accidentally see.

As he stood up, preparing to find Bailu and share the news of her adoption, he could almost hear the faint echo of Baiheng's laughter, teasing and mischievous, following him through the halls of the Astral Express.

With a deep breath, Caelus smiled to himself, shaking his head. Even in death, Baiheng was still pulling the strings—still making sure he didn't linger too long in his sorrow. It was comforting in a strange way, knowing that she had thought this far ahead.

Now, with a new purpose and a family to care for, Caelus headed off to find Bailu, his heart lighter than it had been in days.