Honkai Star Rail Simulation: I'm Surrounded By Characters

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Su Qing entered the courtyard, surprised by the gathering of familiar faces—Jing Yuan, Yingxing, Dan Feng, Bai Heng... Yet, his gaze immediately landed on a less conspicuous spot near the steps under the eaves.

"May I ask who this is?" Su Qing politely inquired.

Jing Yuan chuckled, "Ha ha, you spotted them right away."

Bai Heng also smiled, "See, I told you! Even standing at the back, they're unmistakable at first glance."

Jingliu stepped forward.

Moonlight cascaded down upon her, accentuating her serene demeanor. Her long white hair gently swayed, as pure as snow, and her skin shimmered with translucence.

[March 7th: This entrance under moonlight! Absolutely stunning!]

[Silver Wolf: @Black Swan, fess up—did you secretly add a filter?!]

[Black Swan: (laughs) No way, not me.]

[Sparkle: So it's Su Qing's own filter then?]

[Firefly: Even less likely!!]

[Sparkle: Alright, alright, no filters involved. Just calm down for now, Firefly, okay?]

[Firefly: I'm perfectly calm.?]

[Stelle: That won't do; you need to add some special effects. Eh, ?←??.]

[Firefly: I said, I'm calm.?]

[Stelle: Perfect!]

Just as Stand users gravitate towards each other, so too do swordsmen.

As soon as Su Qing crossed the threshold, Jingliu raised her head to look at him. The moment her gaze landed on Su Qing, he could sense its presence.

When their eyes met, their thoughts collided instantly, akin to an invisible clash of swords.

Jingliu observed him silently, scrutinizing carefully.

Then she spoke, "You wield a sword?"

"And you also use a sword?"

"Care for a friendly match?"

"With pleasure."

The others watched with keen interest from the sidelines.

As expected, despite their claims that meeting wasn't necessary, they couldn't help but engage each other immediately upon sight. The two shared numerous similarities, and Jing Yuan and his friends could tell at once that Su Qing and Jingliu would undoubtedly get along well.

However, witnessing them ready to spar right away was somewhat surprising.

Bai Heng glanced at the items Su Qing had placed on the stone table. "Well, you didn't need to bring such treats with you."

Su Qing and Jingliu stepped into the center of the courtyard.

This small yard was reasonably spacious; the other four moved aside towards the stone table on the right, clearing space for their encounter.

Standing firmly, Su Qing focused his intent, causing a longsword to materialize out of thin air beside him.

The difference between controlling a sword with fingers and controlling it with qi became apparent here. With finger control, one must form a specific sword seal by pressing together the index and middle fingers, directing the sword while actively moving these fingers.

Generally, being able to command two swords simultaneously using both hands is considered impressive.

In contrast, controlling a sword with qi allows direct manipulation through one's thoughts. No special hand gestures are needed, and if one's mental strength is strong enough, commanding three to five swords—or even more—at once becomes entirely feasible.

[Stelle: Hmm... Suddenly reminded me of that time Silver Wolf used their toes to type on a keyboard.]

[Stelle: @Silver Wolf, hypothetically, could you lie on the ground and use all your limbs' toes, operating at least four swords simultaneously?]

[Silver Wolf: ...How am I supposed to answer that?!]

[March 7th: (visualizing)(bursting into laughter) Leaving aside feasibility, wouldn't that be incredibly ungraceful!]

The sword summoned by Su Qing first circled around him several times, akin to warming up with graceful flourishes, attuning itself to his intent.

Then, he nodded at Jingliu, and the longsword flew forth, signaling the start of their match.

Both combatants wielded swords with a heavy air of lethality.

To onlookers, it was a nerve-wracking spectacle.

However, there were subtle differences between their styles.

Su Qing's attacks were more direct.

His swordsmanship had been honed over centuries on the battlefield. Nearly every move aimed for a fatal strike, prioritizing efficiency above all else.

Jingliu's technique originated from a senior cloud rider, exhibiting greater formality. With each swing and thrust, her movements appeared fluid and elegant.

Clang!

Jingliu deflected Su Qing's flying sword, swiftly closing the distance.

After receiving a direct hit from Yingxing's Dismay, the other sword trembled slightly, momentarily unresponsive.

In this brief moment, Jingliu reached Su Qing. To observers, as a ranged fighter, being closed upon could spell defeat.

Unexpectedly, Su Qing raised his hand, summoning a second sword.

With both blades in hand, he launched a direct assault.

Jingliu retreated.

Yet, even when Su Qing extended his arm fully, the advancing sword showed no sign of stopping. He smoothly released his grip, sending the blade hurtling faster towards its target.

Cornered, Jingliu twisted her body, toe-tapping off the ground, and executed a backward somersault.

Under the moonlight, her slender waist traced a graceful arc as the longsword swept beneath her.

After recovering from its initial onslaught, the battered flying sword resumed its attack. Meanwhile, the newly summoned blade circled nearby, providing support and searching for vulnerabilities.

Throughout this exchange, Su Qing remained stationary, hands clasped behind his back.

The two flying swords seemed to possess their own intelligence, maneuvering autonomously with unparalleled agility as they struck and parried.

Jing Yuan couldn't help but remark, "No matter how many times I watch him fight, I'm always envious of his combat style."

"Just standing there while his flying swords slay enemies on their own—no exertion required, no bloodstains to bear. Truly effortless elegance."

[Sushang: Hmm? See what I mean? Being cool is a lifelong commitment! Even General Jing Yuan envies him!]

Yingxing stood nearby, arms crossed over her chest. "Who do you think will win?"

Bai Heng placed her bet on Jingliu; last time, Su Qing had whisked her away at breakneck speed. Moreover, when Jingliu protected Bai Heng before, she had fiercely carved a path through the enemy ranks.

Dan Feng slightly shook his head, having witnessed Su Qing's battles where he employed some inscrutable techniques yet unutilized today.

Jing Yuan stroked his chin. "I'll go with Su Qing."

"Bah, traitorous disciple!" Bai Heng chided playfully.

Jing Yuan smiled. "Not at all—it just shows my impartiality."

The situation on the field began to shift.

Initially, both fighters were merely testing each other.

However, as Su Qing summoned a second flying sword, both combatants intensified their efforts.

With each swing of her blade, Jingliu's movements now emitted a shimmering sword glow.

After several exchanges, the circling flying sword seemed to spot an opening and swiftly closed in. Jingliu prepared to defend, but suddenly, the other offensive sword vanished from her sight.

A prickling sensation behind Jingliu alerted her, and she hastily turned around. It was too late to dodge; all she could do was strike frantically. Normally, such force would not alter the trajectory of a flying sword...

Yet with a crack! the blade, struck by Dismay for the second time, shattered into two pieces.

Jing Yuan promptly called out, "Excellent! Hold your hands! It's a draw!"

Jingliu's sword glows had already left marks on the ground. If they continued, the entire courtyard risked being demolished.

Seeing the broken sword, Bai Heng rushed forward, slightly worried. "Are you okay? I've heard in martial fiction that swords are connected to one's heart, so if the sword breaks, the wielder might also get hurt..."

Su Qing waved his concern aside. "Don't worry, this happens frequently on the battlefield." He casually summoned a new longsword, adding, "I have plenty more."

Bai Heng visibly relaxed.

Jingliu approached as well. "My apologies," she said, her demeanor cool and composed, her voice devoid of much inflection. Yet inexplicably, Su Qing sensed genuine remorse within those words.

[March 7th (pondering): Only you can discern her emotions beneath that cool demeanor. Such a classic trope...]

[March 7th: Wait, could it be?! A new ship has emerged??]

[Stelle: Can't you ever stop shipping them, huh?]

Thus, Su Qing earnestly reassured Jingliu once more.

Jingliu gave a slight nod, this time even subtler, with no discernible emotion conveyed through his gesture.

As Yingxing approached and witnessed the power of Zhi Li in Jingliu's hands, Su Qing felt a stirring of interest.

He turned to Yingxing. "Could you forge me a weapon as well?"

"Ah, so now you want one after rejecting it earlier?" Yingxing walked closer, grinning widely. "Beg me. Beg and I'll forge it for you."

"Oh, never mind then." After a moment's thought, Su Qing added, "I'll ask the general for help instead. With his support, the Artisanship Commission should be willing to create a custom weapon for me."

"The Artisanship Commission? Just a bunch of stubborn old men wasting their time." Yingxing placed a hand on Su Qing's shoulder. "No need to involve them; I'll forge it for you."

Su Qing grinned mischievously. "Beg me. Beg, and I'll let you forge it for me."

Yingxing paused, taken aback. "You..."

Jing Yuan burst out laughing, thoroughly amused.

Seeing Yingxing frozen in place, Bai Heng and Dan Feng couldn't suppress their amusement either.

Everyone knew Yingxing's unyielding pride; he had never before been teased so openly. Witnessing this scene naturally struck them as both novel and amusing.

The corners of Jingliu's lips also curved slightly upwards.

Su Qing smiled as well. "Just kidding, don't take it seriously. Now that I've experienced the Zhi Li Sword's power, if you can forge one of similar quality for me, I would indeed be immensely grateful."

"...Fine," Yingxing replied, looking somewhat dejected.

However, just like how chefs enjoy watching their guests savor their creations, skilled artisans yearn to see their crafted weapons being used. Su Qing's combat style resonated with Yingxing's preferences. He couldn't wait to witness his own weapon gracefully soaring through the air.

Unable to contain his excitement, Yingxing said, "Then give me your requirements, and I'll start designing right away."

Jing Yuan intervened, "Hey, hey, hold on—don't rush. It's rare for us all to gather together like this. Let's sit down and chat first."

Present at the gathering were some of the most renowned individuals from Luofu's younger generation, aside from Jingliu and Su Qing. While they mostly knew each other to varying degrees, this was their first time assembling so comprehensively.

They took seats on round stools around the small stone table. Naturally, the initial topic of conversation revolved around the peculiar circumstance of Su Qing and Jingliu serving as cloud riders for centuries without ever meeting.

Su Qing conceded willingly, "Alright, you're right. It is indeed about time we met. This swordsmanship exchange has been quite fruitful."

Jingliu remained silent.

Bai Heng chimed in, "Earlier, Jingliu insisted on not attending. Let me think—how did she put it?" She cleared her throat and mimicked Jingliu's detached tone with a straight face, despite her naturally cheerful demeanor, which brought laughter to everyone present. "-most people in this world, generally speaking, aren't much different from each other."

Jingliu finally spoke up to stop her, "Bai Heng... that's already past us; there's no need to bring it up again."

[Sparkle: LOL, @Jingliu, feeling embarrassed now?]

[Jingliu: Not at all.]

[Stelle: Hmm, should we try giving Jingliu sunglasses too?]

[Jingliu: No, why would I need them?]

[Qingque: Ha ha, Jingliu wearing sunglasses seems so out of place. Silk suits her better.]

Su Qing pointed to the table, "I brought some snacks, homemade—you can all give them a taste."

He had evidently abandoned his earlier reluctance to cook within simulations. With Xianzhou dwellers' lengthy lifespans, diversions beyond combat were necessary.

Everyone was taken aback. "You know how to make these?"

Their impressions of Su Qing stemmed solely from his association with Yaoqing, never imagining he could also create pastries.

Su Qing nodded, "Just the basics."

After tasting Su Qing's desserts, everyone was effusive with praise.

[Stelle: Su Qing - somewhat skilled in cooking.]

[March 7th: Su Qing - slightly proficient in martial arts.]

[Qingque: Su Qing - mildly popular among girls.]

[Sparkle: Laughing, the first few were fine, but you couldn't resist on the last one, huh? "Somewhat" leading straight to a harem situation, right?]

[Seele: If Jingliu joins the potential harem, the intensity would skyrocket.]

[Jingliu: Don't worry. From what it seems now, Su Qing and I are just friends.]

[Sparkle: Just Friends Jingliu...]

[Sparkle: Hopefully, your "just friends" won't escalate like Kafka's "just teammates" scenario.]

[Kafka: ?]

[Kafka: More like "just classmates" with Himeko, perhaps?]

[Himeko: Oh really?]

This was their first gathering together.

Some individuals, despite knowing each other for years, might remain distant strangers. Yet others could forge deep connections after only a few brief encounters. Clearly, this group fell into the latter category.

They conversed merrily under the pristine moonlight, well into the late night, without showing any signs of fatigue.

In truth,

Jingliu knew that her encounter with Su Qing wasn't their first meeting. The disaster at Cang City had left very few survivors, especially considering the circumstances under which she saw him.

On the eve of being assimilated by the Abundance Emanator, it was thanks to Su Qing's intervention that Jingliu managed to seize her nearby sword and persevere.

Seeing his lack of reaction, Jingliu, with her reserved nature, didn't press further. It mattered little; these were events from centuries past.

At the time, facing Shuhu directly, he likely hadn't even noticed her presence.

As she listened to the others' animated conversations, Jingliu picked up a osmanthus cake and savored it slowly. She greatly enjoyed its fragrant, soft, and sweet texture.

From that day forward,

Su Qing and the group occasionally gathered again in this small courtyard. Though everyone was busy, barring major conflicts, they could usually find a few opportunities each year to reunite.

Jingliu and Su Qing, once complete strangers, began meeting periodically. However, every encounter involved other people present as well.

Both Su Qing and Jingliu were deeply immersed in their swordsmanship and missions against demonic entities, only attending gatherings when suggested by others.

By the way, the group often went collectively by the name "High-Cloud Quintet."

Su Qing had already joined the cloud riders during his time at Cang City, gaining recognition earlier than most. While not officially counted among them, whispers throughout Luofu indicated that he was widely considered the frontrunner for the next general position.

[Qingque: Too bad; I thought we'd finally become the High-Cloud Sextet.]

[Seele: LOL!]

[Stelle: No, it's still the High-Cloud Quintet! But with six members, isn't that just common sense?!]

[March 7th: ??? Which universe's common sense is this? Never heard of it before!]

One day, Su Qing and Jing Yuan took on the task of clearing Sui Yang remnants together.

Following General Teng Xiao's battle against Liaoyuan, although Liaoyuan was defeated, it fragmented into numerous pieces causing havoc, necessitating immediate purging and sealing.

The scene then shifted abruptly.

It focused on a peculiar Sui Yang, acting furtively with suspicious behavior.

This didn't seem like a fragment of Liaoyuan but rather something from elsewhere, taking advantage of the chaos to infiltrate.

[March 7th: Close-up? Is there something special about this Sui Yang?]

[Black Swan: She's currently in her Sui Yang form, so you might not recognize her.]

[Black Swan manipulated the image, transforming it into a more familiar appearance.]

[March 7th: Huh???]

[March 7th: Isn't that Phantylia?!]

[Fu Xuan: ...Indeed it is.]

[Fu Xuan: According to company records over the past six hundred years, at least 122 worlds have fallen into inexplicable turmoil.]

[Fu Xuan: The orchestrator behind this chaos is likely Phantylia as the Lord Ravager.]

[Fu Xuan: However, based on the timeline, she shouldn't have become the Lord Ravager yet—still in her simple and unadorned Sui Yang form.]

[March 7th: So even then, was Phantylia already sneaking around, looking ready to do something mischievous?!]

Phantylia didn't consider herself to be acting sneakily.

She merely took advantage of Liaoyuan's defeat to absorb some fellow beings, aiming to bolster her own strength. Unfortunately, at that precise moment, she encountered Su Qing, who had arrived to seal away Sui Yang.

Little did she know, this encounter would span a thousand years.

Nor could she foresee the profound and unforgettable memories Su Qing would subsequently bring into her life.

[March 7th: Huh? Is Phantylia also going to be one of those targeted for conquest?]

[Sparkle: Nah, not quite. More likely, she'd just end up being another target for chopping by Su Qing.]