Many humans have already migrated under the protection of Sky-River Court, but some human gods returned with only a few followers.
"They don't trust us. They say Sky-River Court is just making trouble, refusing to follow the gods' arrangements, and will bring down heavenly punishment." These gods were quite helpless.
Moon-Venerable asked in confusion, "Don’t they know that if they stay in God-Emperor Jadecrest’s territory, they’ll end up as sacrificial offerings sooner or later?"
"They know, but they’re used to it. They say their ancestors have always lived this way."
"Oh."
Moon-Venerable went to find Quinn, but saw Dragon-Qilin organizing the Heavenly Dragon Imperial Palanquin. Quinn and the young man named Loren Shaw were already aboard, while the girl called Annie fixed her lantern to the palanquin and ran over to solemnly kowtow to Moon-Venerable.
Moon-Venerable was startled and quickly tried to help her up, but couldn’t manage it. She anxiously looked to Quinn for help.
Quinn smiled and said, "You’ll understand one day."
Moon-Venerable walked to the carriage and asked, "You’re planning to leave?"
Quinn nodded. "God-Emperor Jadecrest won’t dare touch the humans for now. The last time I went to Jadecrest Divine Palace, it was enough to cow him for a thousand years. But even if he can’t deal with me directly, he can still borrow the might of Heavenly Court to retaliate. I can’t drag you all into this, so I have to leave."
Moon-Venerable asked, "When will you be back?"
Quinn paused, then smiled. "As Shepherd Heavenly Venerable, I probably won’t be back for a while. But as Cloud-Venerable, Cloud-Venerable will always remain here."
Moon-Venerable’s gaze grew complicated. After a long silence, she finally said, "But Cloud-Venerable isn’t you."
Quinn leaned against the window, waved goodbye to her, and said, "Don’t alarm anyone else. We’ll meet again someday."
The Heavenly Dragon Imperial Palanquin rolled toward the Celestial River, growing smaller and smaller in Moon-Venerable’s sight until it finally vanished.
Suddenly, Venerable Skysoar’s delighted voice rang out: "Moon! Moon! Come here quick—I’ve figured it out! The reason my hairpin disappeared wasn’t theft, but that a hairpin from the future arrived!"
She was so excited she practically started hopping around, seeming even more eccentric than usual.
Moon-Venerable felt even more melancholy at her words. Just then, a pleasure barge drifted down the Celestial River from upstream; Cloud-Venerable jumped off with several attendants, looked at the jubilant Skysoar, and laughed, "Why are you so happy, Sister Skysoar?"
Moon-Venerable stared at Cloud-Venerable, looking him up and down more than ten times, then circled him several times, scrutinizing him over and over.
Cloud-Venerable was baffled by her scrutiny and stood there a little awkwardly.