Twenty minutes earlier, near Emerald Peak.
Su Han was leisurely strolling alone, taking in the scenery. The group following him, Clement and his men, were beginning to grow suspicious.
"Boss, is this guy really some kind of master, or is he just out for a walk? We've followed him from the city for two whole hours, and there's been no sign of anything."
"I'm wondering the same thing. If he were a master, he should've shown something by now. But if he's not, who'd come sightseeing in this desolate place?"
Clement hid in the shadows, a trace of unease flickering in his mind.
This place was completely barren. Not only was there nothing to see, even the birds didn't want to relieve themselves here. What kind of normal person would come to a dump like this?
Hearing his boss mutter, one of the subordinates asked, "Boss, maybe artists are just… weird like that?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Clement looked at him curiously, as if sensing a possible explanation.
The subordinate quickly explained, "I heard in Fontaine, a lot of painters and photographers risk their lives to reach dangerous places just to capture the perfect shot. Maybe this guy's the same, he draws the 'Storm and Cloud' comics, right? Maybe he just came out for some inspiration."
Clement's eyes lit up, agreeing with the reasoning.
"You've got a point. Let's go. Lord Tartaglia's back, if we want a promotion, we need to make some contributions. And really, in this wilderness, even if we kidnap him, who'd know?"
Clement led his men toward Su Han. There were more than a dozen of them, all elite Fatui agents. He'd spent no small amount of favors to organize this team.
If they managed to capture Su Han, it'd be a huge merit. Even if Lord Tartaglia didn't like him, this accomplishment could earn Clement a place among the "Rich" faction.
Fifty meters.
Thirty meters.
Ten meters.
As they drew closer, Clement's excitement grew. He thought the shopkeeper was clearly a weakling.
At three meters, Su Han finally noticed them, his face showing panic, clearly startled.
"W-Who are you people?"
"Mr. Su, we're from the Fatui! Your business in Liyue Harbor is booming. But wouldn't you like it to do even better? If you join us, you can gain even greater wealth!"
Seeing his men had surrounded their target, Clement relaxed. There was no way the man could escape now.
Su Han, pretending to be afraid, said, "Fatui? No way! I've heard people in the city talk about you. The Fatui are an evil organization, they bully the weak, spy on old ladies taking baths, and even steal lollipops from three-year-olds!"
Clement nearly exploded with anger. "Shut up! We Fatui would never do such things, especially not stealing lollipops! Mr. Su, I'll give you one last piece of advice, don't waste time stalling. If you won't cooperate, we'll have to take you somewhere else. Take him!"
The Fatui were loyal servants of the Tsaritsa, how dare someone accuse them of being peeping scoundrels!
Since Su Han refused to talk, Clement didn't bother anymore. He waved his hand, and his men charged forward ferociously.
But before they could even touch Su Han's clothes, he casually waved his hand, knocking two of them unconscious instantly.
The scene stunned everyone. Was the intel wrong?
"You, you can fight?"
"Fight? Nah, I was just born strong! Don't underestimate me, you lawbreaking thugs! You think you can kidnap me? I'll arrest you all and throw you in prison!"
Su Han puffed out his chest proudly, pretending to be mighty. Clement laughed in disbelief. Knocking out two fools, and he thought he was a master?
"Since Mr. Su refuses the toast and insists on the penalty wine… don't blame me."
Flames ignited along Clement's scythe. Now, the Debt Collector was serious.
Whoosh!
Clement's body vanished, and the air temperature spiked.
"Kill him, boss!"
"He's just a merchant acting tough!"
"Lord Clement, go get him!"
Encouraged by his subordinates, the invisible Clement was full of confidence. Maybe the guy had some strength, but Clement had trained for over ten years.
In just a few breaths, he circled behind Su Han. The latter, unable to see him, was shouting nervously, "Where'd he go? Don't tell me you're a ghost!"
Suddenly, a flaming scythe sliced through the air toward Su Han's neck. Clement sneered, "I'm right behind you."
Just one strike, and the job would be done. Easy work.
But at that exact moment, Su Han turned around and, by pure chance, punched Clement squarely in the nose. The blow sent blood gushing down his face.
Clement was completely stunned.
His world went black, and one thought echoed in his mind: I've trained for ten years… was it all just so I could meet this man's fist?
But the guy was just a comic shop owner!
Looking down at the kneeling opponent, Su Han tilted his head. "Wait, are you really supposed to be an elite of the Fatui? That was terrible technique. Who announces an ambush out loud? If you hadn't spoken, I wouldn't even have noticed you."
The surrounding Fatui exchanged awkward glances.
One second ago, they thought their boss had it in the bag.
Then he had to open his mouth and act cool. Now look at him, completely humiliated.
Kneeling on the ground, Clement gasped angrily, "You..! you're not human!"
"Yeah," Su Han said with a grin. "I was born with divine strength. Moving a little fast is normal."
"You bastards, attack! All of you, get him!"
Hearing the order, the subordinates hesitated no longer and charged together.
Clement smirked despite his pain, but soon, that smirk froze, turning to horror, and then despair.
The moment they clashed, a blazing sword appeared in Su Han's hand. With a few effortless swings, roaring flames engulfed his enemies, reducing them all to charred corpses.
Staring at the scorched ground, Clement pointed a trembling finger at Su Han. "You… you…"
Su Han's tone grew cold. "You were right about one thing, I'm not human. I'm a Kirin (Qilin). Too bad your master's on his way. I was going to play with you longer. When you get to the underworld, tell your fellow Executors, if they enjoy causing me trouble, they'd better be ready for revenge."
The moment he finished, the Fire Kirin Sword pierced Clement's skull. Even in death, the debt collector's eyes were full of regret.
The battle over, Su Han didn't linger. His body turned into mist, flying swiftly toward the Wangshu Inn before returning along the main road to Liyue Harbor.
Ten minutes later, Tartaglia arrived at the scene. Looking at the field of ashes and Clement's lifeless body, eyes still open in unwillingness, his expression darkened.
"As I thought," he muttered coldly.
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