While the others were gathering flowers, Liyue Harbor was far from peaceful.
The adepti who had already conferred showed no intent to conceal their forms. Feet upon drifting clouds, they flew as true immortals from Wangshu Inn all the way to Mt. Tianheng.
Ningguang and Keqing, having received word, waited outside the city early on. They immediately gave orders for all Fatui in Liyue to be strictly monitored—not secretly this time, but brazenly, face-to-face surveillance. At the first sign of anomaly, immediate arrest.
In that instant, the entire Northland Bank and every Fatui foothold in Liyue was locked down.
Toward both the Fatui and the adepti, Ningguang's stance was equally unyielding.
The adepti arrived at Mt. Tianheng, only to find the Jade Chamber barring their path.
Ningguang stood atop it, facing them.
Though the pretext for summoning them had been to investigate the Archon's death, this was not yet the time to examine the exuvia.
"Honored adepti, greetings. I am Ningguang, Tianquan of the present Liyue Qixing, here to receive you."
Keqing stood at her side, equally poised. "I am Keqing, Yuheng of the Qixing."
"Receive us? Is this what you call a reception?" Moon Carver's tone was sharp, his gaze flicking past her to the fully armed Millileth soldiers behind, and the Jade Chamber itself standing in their way. The ridicule in his words needed no elaboration.
"Do not take offense, immortals. Liyue Harbor is restless, and hostile powers eye us from without. For the safety of the people, I must respond with caution."
"Your meaning is that we might strike at Liyue Harbor?" Cloud Retainer's crane eyes narrowed, the pressure of an adeptus rolling forth.
Yet beneath that suffocating weight, Ningguang remained composed, her posture steady.
"I dare not. But I dare not gamble with the lives of Liyue's people either. The Archon's passing is a matter of grave import. You immortals, long apart from the mortal realm, might find the harbor unfamiliar. And with petty villains seizing upon the chaos, should an adeptus strike, the people would panic. It is only to prevent such a scene that I take this precaution."
"Hmph. Fine words. But in truth, you bar our way into the city." Cloud Retainer snorted coldly.
"I do not intend to bar you. Liyue was built by immortals and Archon together—this none dispute. I have prepared wine and delicacies within the Jade Chamber, so that we may discuss the future course of Liyue. I ask that you accept our hospitality."
The adepti exchanged glances.
Ostensibly they had come at invitation, to examine the exuvia and seek the truth of the Archon's death. But more than that, they came to judge—whether the people of Liyue could safeguard their own Liyue.
The Qixing had met them outside the city with a display of force. A warning, plain as day. This generation of the Qixing was far more assertive than they had imagined.
Very well, then. They would see what this Tianquan intended to say—and do.
Outside Liyue Harbor, Childe stood, watching the Jade Chamber high above with the gathered adepti. A headache pressed against his temples; he pinched the bridge of his nose.
If the adepti were ascending the Jade Chamber, then the exuvia was very likely hidden there. But if he attempted to break in now, he would face the combined assault of both Qixing and adepti.
He loved to fight—but not to die.
"…It might not actually be on the Jade Chamber…"
Childe set his little brain to work once more, struggling for a way through.
His true goal was the exuvia—and from it, the [Gnosis].
Until that was accomplished, awakening the slumbering god was not the best choice. That was only a backup—should the Geo Archon not truly be dead and the [Gnosis] remain unfound, then as a last resort, perhaps. But not unless driven to the brink.
"Think… what other angle is there?"
He ran through every connection he had in Liyue, and at last, the thread returned to those managing the Rite of Parting: Zhongli and his party.
Aside from the Qixing, they alone surely knew where the exuvia was kept.
The question was—how to pry it from them?
Perhaps simply force them, compel them to fetch the [Gnosis] for him?
But what could he use as leverage?
The Traveler had just arrived in Liyue, no deep ties—nothing in Liyue could be used to threaten him.
Jiang Bai and Zhongli, however, did have weaknesses. And those weaknesses were glaringly obvious.
But the issue was—how could he possibly seize Hu Tao, to use her life as threat?
She bore a [Vision], her strength was not negligible, and she was sharp and slippery. Controlling her without a sound was nearly impossible.
Unless… perhaps he could seize Jiang Bai, and use him to threaten Hu Tao and Zhongli?
He thought it through. That too seemed unworkable.
First, Jiang Bai might not matter enough to the other two. Second, Jiang Bai also bore a [Vision]—capturing him would not be simple.
As for Zhongli… Childe dismissed that notion before it was even fully formed.
Instinct told him he should not attempt it.
Emmm.
Then maybe… lure Hu Tao out of Liyue Harbor, and fabricate the illusion that he held her hostage? Then use that illusion to threaten Jiang Bai directly?
That… might work. Easier, at least, than truly capturing Hu Tao.
Decision made, he whistled. A debt collector appeared at his side in silence.
"Find a few locals—or have some disguised as such. Tell the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor that malevolent spirits have appeared near Wuwang Hill, lingering and harming the living. Make it sound urgent, dire—ten-thousand-fire-emergency. Tell her she must come at once."
He was about to wave him off, then thought better of it.
"And mind your story. Don't let her catch any slip. Once she's outside, trap her somewhere. Cut off every link to the outside."
"Yes!"
At that very moment, Hu Tao was perched on the railing of Yujing Terrace, legs swinging idly, staring blankly at the grounds before her.
The arrangements were nearly complete. Once the last item was prepared, tomorrow the Rite of Parting could formally begin.
The adepti had arrived. Ningguang had gone to receive them.
And yet—her heart was heavy, pressed down by something nameless. She couldn't shake the sense that something bad was about to happen.
Until a few figures came stumbling, shouting in panic.
"Is Director Hu here? Director Hu?!"
Their clothes were torn, their faces pale, as though shaken by some great terror. Their expressions were unsettled, haunted.
She jumped down from the railing. "I'm here. What happened?"
The moment they saw her, they clutched at her like drowning men seizing straw. Without a word, they dropped to their knees.
"Director Hu, we beg you—save us!"
The sudden formality startled her; she hurried back a step, tense. "What happened?"
"Ghosts! So many ghosts!" one of them cried, his voice breaking. Even speaking of them, his voice trembled.
"They've set their sights on us!"
Hu Tao's brows knit, the plum-red light in her eyes flickering as she studied them.
She did not see the signs of evil spirits clinging to them. But… there was indeed an unusual weight of yin energy on their bodies.
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