The Empire's Blade Is Her Tongue

The livestream was buzzing, and the crowd on-site was just as animated. Those up close craned their necks to stare at Xu Lingqu, while those farther back watched the big screen projection. Everyone was curious about this dazzling newcomer who had burst onto the scene, and interviews were the best way to gauge someone's character.

The Moye cadets were all standing nearby, watching Xu Lingqu too. Most of them still didn't know her all that well. Only Jin, who understood everything, stood off to the side with his arm slung over Xu Xiqin's shoulder, grumbling, "These reporters are about to get a taste of our commander's razor-sharp tongue."

Xu Xiqin swatted his hand away. "When has my sister's tongue ever been like a razor?"

Liu Zheng said, "...Razor-sharp is a bit much."

It was more like that strange feeling that she was mocking you the moment she opened her mouth.

"Xu Lingqu always speaks with great finesse," Shen Shouli said seriously.

Jin silently clutched his head. "You lot are beyond saving, aren't you?"

Meanwhile, the interview was in full swing.

"Was the decision to weave through and flank in this match made by you?"

"Who else?"

"What are your thoughts on Shaji's Chief Commander Guan Chuanjun?"

"A defeated opponent."

"Why do you, as a B-level command student, have such strong combat ability?"

"I trained."

"The duel between Cimei and Du'e just ended—do you look forward to facing them next time?"

"It doesn't matter much whether I do."

"In the next qualifier, will you again resort to such a risky decapitation strike on the opposing commander?"

"Depends on how stupid the opposing commander is."

"How do you rate your performance today?"

"Rash."

"Huh? Why do you say that? Care to elaborate?"

"I copied your assessment of me."

"Uh..."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Xu Lingqu to be this kind of person—calm but with a sharp edge, like an ice cube coated in chili oil. Thanks to her personality, even the post-match interview was a joy to watch. If she'd been all business or soft-spoken, it would have been boring.

The livestream comments were equally wild:

[So Moye's Sword of the Empire actually refers to Xu Lingqu's tongue]

[I feel like Xu Lingqu has a subtle sense of humor]

[She's a bit arrogant, isn't she? A little rude, honestly]

[That comment up there ran too fast to report—rude? This is just normal talk!]

[Damn it, your whole family's arrogant. She won, so anything she says is right!]

[Thank goodness, we've got a code-breaker—we're saved]

...

Xu Lingqu was surrounded by a chattering crowd, and after answering for what felt like forever with no end in sight, she grabbed Shen Shouli, who was standing nearby, to take her place and suffer in her stead. Shen Shouli was a bit surprised to be chosen, but his face didn't show it. He simply walked over obediently and swapped with Xu Lingqu. The media, who normally couldn't get a word out of the Young Master Shen, readily agreed and began their first interview with him:

"Shen, what do you think is the biggest reason for Moye's victory this time?"

"Xu Lingqu."

"As the only S+ level soldier present, who do you most want to face?"

"No one."

"Then do you think anyone here can match you?"

"If you mean someone stronger than me—Xu Lingqu."

...

Jin had already given up caring, and merely thought to himself that he'd love to see what General Shen would think if he saw this interview.

Xu Lingqu managed to escape and headed toward Moye's rest area. Her commander's lounge was at the very back, next to the instructors'. The hallway was full of jubilant Moye cadets still riding the high of victory. When they saw Xu Lingqu, they stood up and saluted her as "Commander," each one eager for the next match under her sole command.

Jin couldn't help but remark, "Tsk, when I saw Guan Chuanjun guess you'd be tracking Peng Yue, my heart skipped a beat. I never thought the camera would swing to Tang Muwen. By the way, where is he? He's gone."

"He's always been elusive like that," Liu Zheng said. "Maybe it's because it's too hot?"

"Huh?" Jin blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Tang (sugar) melts when it's too hot." Liu Zheng's face was deadpan.

Xu Xiqin puffed her cheeks, holding back a laugh like a little hamster, while Jin was completely baffled.

"She's telling a bad joke," Xu Lingqu explained.

Jin: ...

From a corner of the corridor ahead, two muffled chuckles sounded.

"Who's there!" Xu Xiqin narrowed her eyes in alert.

Li Muyi stepped out of the shadows, looking sheepish, and said, "Sorry."

"Du'e? Didn't you guys go to the annex to fight Cimei? Is it over? Why are you in our rest area?" Jin raised an eyebrow and stepped to the front.

"We lost, a few seconds after you beat Shaji," Li Muyi said helplessly, glancing back. "Um..."

Behind him, Jinfang Taibai emerged, his face clearly tear-stained. He stared at Xu Lingqu for a moment, then asked, "What would it take for you to transfer to Du'e?"

There he was, trying to poach her right in her own rest area.

"Hey, what are you doing here? You want our commander to transfer?" Jin started to get annoyed.

"He came to cry," Li Muyi said, ruthlessly exposing Jinfang Taibai. "He said it'd be too embarrassing to cry in our rest area, and everyone at Cimei would laugh at him if he cried there, and it's not right to go to Shaji since they're all upset. So he could only come here. I'm really sorry—that's just how he is. Sorry for the trouble."

He was sweating from all the apologizing.

"You promised to cover for me!" Jinfang Taibai hissed, then immediately ratted out the person behind him. "Guan Chuanjun is here too!"

Guan Chuanjun?! Did he come to see what it felt like to sneak behind Moye?

Jin was glad Shen Shouli was still outside being tormented by reporters, or else there would have been a scene.

Since he'd been called out, Guan Chuanjun stepped out from further back. His expression was complicated as he looked at Xu Lingqu. "I didn't come to cry. I came to... say something to you." He looked utterly deflated, even the few rebellious strands of yellow in his black hair drooping lamely.

"I was too immature before," Guan Chuanjun said, his heart still racing, scenes from the final moments of that match flashing in his mind. Senior Colonel Ren was right—because of his arrogance, Shaji had lost regrettably this time. But no matter how regrettable, he had to face reality. Guan Chuanjun decided to start by acknowledging his opponent. He thought of how he'd wanted to send her flowers, thinking he could "win her over," and wanted to slap himself twice.

"From now on, I'll consider you my biggest rival in this academy league. Next time we meet, I'll win it back." He didn't feel confident saying it, but he put on a brave front.

Xu Lingqu nodded. "Then next time I face Shaji, I'll try to consider total annihilation and loss ratios like you do. Decapitation just isn't exciting enough."

Guan Chuanjun: ...

Jinfang Taibai poked Li Muyi. "I told you coming to Moye would cheer me up fast." Whether it was Xu Lingqu angering him or Xu Lingqu angering others, either way, it was entertaining.