After enjoying two days of leisure at Yilong Wharf, Luna and her companions continued their journey to Liyue Harbor.
Along the way, they encountered a young man who identified himself as a guard, a kind of armed escort.
Navia asked curiously, "A guard? Of what? Is it a gang?"
The young man, named Gaming, chuckled. "A agency, maybe, but not a gang. With the Millelith around, there's no room for big gangs. Even small ones get investigated."
Luna explained, "Other countries have different definitions and attitudes toward gangs."
Navia's eyes widened in realization. "True enough," she mused. "Not all gangs are as reasonable as the Spina di Rosula..."
Gaming also mentioned that he was part of a lion dance troupe, inviting them to watch his performance sometime.
After he waved goodbye, Furina remarked with interest, "I've heard lion dancing is quite intricate, no simpler than opera. And Liyue Harbor has opera singers too—what's her name again?"
Arlecchino: "Ms. Yun Jin."
"Right, right!"
That's something we absolutely must see!
Of course, their top priority remained finding the Tianquan.
They crossed the water by wooden boat to Qingce Village and strolled through the bamboo forest...
"Halt!"
As soon as the words left his lips, several figures emerged from the bamboo forest, each with their faces masked and wielding sharp weapons.
The leader brandished a broadsword, chanting:
"This mountain isn't mine to own, but if you want to pass, you'll have to pay the toll!"
Wow, bandits! Furina gasped, her peripheral vision taking in their group: Arlecchino, Luna, Chiori, Navia, Lynette, and her Salon members she could summon at any moment. Furina wore a subtle smirk.
Are you sure you want to fight us?
Luna sighed, drew her pistol, and fired a shot at the sword-wielding man.
Bang! The bullet instantly knocked the broadsword out of his hand.
The man: "..."
Furina laughed smugly. "This is Fontaine's technology! Can your sword even match the speed of our guns?"
In the next instant, Luna and Navia charged forward. One swung her sword, the other her umbrella, and in the blink of an eye, they had knocked all the bandits unconscious, bound them hand and foot, and tossed them aside.
Navia donned her sunglasses. "Dare try to steal from the Spina di Rosula?"
Luna chuckled. "They've got some serious guts."
Lynette quipped, "You guys are even more like bandits than they are."
Chiori glanced at Arlecchino. "Did you teach them that?"
Arlecchino smiled faintly. "We rarely resort to such methods."
-
After crossing Dihua Marsh, they stayed overnight at Wangshu Inn.
Arlecchino stated bluntly, "Wangshu Inn is also an informant for Ningguang. She likely knows we've arrived. Meeting her won't be difficult now, but we should still bring a gift."
They had heard that Ningguang was particularly fond of Mora.
"Just send her money directly?" Furina asked.
"No," Arlecchino replied. "What Lady Ningguang truly values is... something of worth."
Worth... Furina and Luna pondered briefly, then their thoughts converged.
Their most outwardly valuable asset was undoubtedly—
Furina declared confidently, "Just as I suspected?"
Luna smiled. "Need you even ask?"
A performance, of course! The people of Liyue must witness their theatrical prowess.
With the gift prepared, all that remained was to continue their journey.
As they traveled further south, the number of travelers gradually increased. Realizing they were nearing Liyue Harbor, they quickened their pace.
Even before they could see it, the lively sounds of the city carried far across the sea. As they drew closer, the sprawling metropolis of Liyue Harbor came into view, nestled beneath the azure sky above the cerulean waters.
Furina's eyes widened. "It's completely different from what I imagined!"
Navia sighed contentedly. "We've finally arrived!"
Chiori gazed at Liyue Harbor in silent contemplation.
"Homesick?" Luna asked with a gentle smile.
"...A little, but only a little."
Lynette's cat ears drooped. "It looks so crowded... I hope it won't be too noisy."
"Want me to cover your ears for you?" Luna offered.
"Then I couldn't walk properly."
"I'll carry you, then."
Lynette was tempted but shook her head. That would draw too much attention.
Navia volunteered eagerly. "I'll carry you!"
Lynette shook her head even faster. She had no desire to be carried by any of the women surrounding Luna.
As Luna's gaze returned to Liyue Harbor, a warmth settled in her heart. Despite it being her first formal visit, the city felt strangely familiar and welcoming.
A hand landed lightly on her head.
Luna turned to see Arlecchino, who murmured softly, "Let's go, Luna."
"...Alright."
Floating above the city was the Jade Chamber, where Ningguang resided.
After the awakening of the God Osial, the Adepti and humans had fought side-by-side to suppress the God. The previous Jade Chamber, which had served as a seal, was destroyed in that battle.
This new Jade Chamber had been recently rebuilt.
Yet the method of ascension remained the same.
Upon entering the city, a young woman claiming to be Ningguang's secretary greeted them and guided them to the Jade Chamber.
From the outside, the Jade Chamber appeared magnificent and wondrous; inside, it was resplendent with gold and jade.
Furina whispered, "Though the overall decor is seamless, it seems every detail is designed to showcase the Tianquan's wealth."
Chiori sighed, "If you go to Inazuma, you'll see that their 'big shots' are nothing like the ones here..."
Yet Ningguang was a true titan among the elite, wielding power that transcended ordinary authority.
Liyue had entered an era of human governance, with the Liyue Qixing serving as its de facto rulers.
Lynette asked, "I heard the Yuheng Keqing also has ears on her head?"
"That's just her hairstyle," Chiori replied.
Luna watched the secretary leading them, a young woman with shoulder-length black hair and amber eyes. She appeared to be the fourth secretary, in addition to Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao.
"Lady Ningguang, they've arrived."
Seated in a chair with a pipe in hand, the white-haired woman lifted her gaze.
This was Ningguang, the Tianquan Star, one of the Liyue Qixing.
Ningguang's gaze swept over Luna and her companions, lingering for a few seconds each on Luna, Arlecchino, and Furina before she offered an elegant, warm smile.
"Thank you for your hard work, Qin Yu."
(Spy- Main Character of "Beware of Liyue Woman". Same universe afterall)
The secretary smiled back and served tea to Luna's group.
"I've been expecting you for some time now. Please, don't stand on ceremony. Take a seat," Ningguang gestured.
Once they were seated, Ningguang continued:
"I never imagined that after bidding farewell to Childe, we would now welcome the unfathomable Knave and the children of the House of the Hearth under her command, along with The Thundering Brocade Tailor, and—"
Her gaze turned to Luna and Furina.
"—the two dazzling stars of Fontaine, Miss Luna and Lady Furina."
"A truly unexpected combination. From what I gather, your visit to Liyue isn't merely for tourism, is it?"
As expected, the Tianquan's intelligence network is formidable.
However, they had nothing to hide. Their reasons for being here had nothing to do with Liyue or Fontaine—only personal matters.
Arlecchino smiled. "Miss Ningguang, there's no need to be so wary. I'm simply fulfilling my duty as a 'Father'—I've come to reveal my daughter's true origins."
"Oh? Her origins?"
Ningguang studied Luna intently.
"Looking at her now, she does bear some resemblance to the people of Liyue, and also to those of Mondstadt... A mixed-blood?"
"Yes."
"What connection does she have to the Gunnhildr clan?"
"A distant relative."
Huh?
I'm a distant relative of the Gunnhildr clan? Luna was hearing this for the first time, and the others were equally astonished. The Gunnhildrs were one of Mondstadt's oldest and most prestigious families.
And the current Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius was none other than Jean Gunnhildr.
Ningguang pondered. "Oh? But her golden hair does resemble..."
She paused, then beckoned to her secretary.
"Investigate. If she's a distant relative of the Gunnhildr clan, her mother or father should have a notable reputation or records."
"Understood."
The secretary closed her eyes briefly, and after a moment, she announced, "Information found."
(spy- Human computer Qin Yu go brr)
How did she find it so quickly? Furina wondered, utterly perplexed.
"Miss Luna's father is likely Chen Liuxing, the last member of a branch family of the Exorcist Clan."
So Luna was also the daughter of an Exorcist Clan member?
An Exorcist Clan member, a Knights of Favonius member, and a Phantom Thief to boot! Furina couldn't help but exclaim:
"Luna, you certainly have quite the collection of identities."