Jade Chamber —
"So that girl named Rita… she's really just a maid?"
After listening to Keqing recount the whole encounter, Ningguang immediately asked this with clear doubt in her eyes.
"She claimed she was.
As for whether it's true… I can't say.
But she did look like a maid—just not an ordinary one.
If she truly serves someone, then her master is definitely not simple."
Keqing herself was a bit surprised Ningguang's first question was about that.
Still, she quickly offered her analysis.
And indeed, Ningguang's attention had gone there.
"You analyzed it well. I think the same," Ningguang said lightly.
"A girl who's elegant, composed, and that powerful… and yet calls herself a mere maid?
Then the one she serves… hm.
To be honest, I'm rather curious to meet her master—if what she said is true."
From a handful of clues, Keqing had made a very reasonable deduction.
Ningguang appreciated that.
But what she cared about even more was this:
If the maid's words were true, then the one hidden behind her must be a frighteningly capable person.
Someone who could grasp information even the Qixing didn't have.
Someone who knew whether the mysterious girl who "slayed" the Geo Archon would return.
Someone decisive enough to send a maid imbued with terrifying power.
That person would never be simple.
And she doubted such a person would help Liyue out of kindness.
No good deed was free—Ningguang understood human nature well.
"And I don't trust her," Keqing said coldly.
"For all we know, her master is the one who killed the Geo Archon.
Feeding us that information could simply be to dull our vigilance."
The logic was sound—if the mysterious girl was truly capable of killing Rex Lapis, then she wasn't someone mortals could easily read or approach.
So how could a maid know her intentions?
Which left only one explanation:
Her master was the mysterious girl—
or worked directly under her.
"Keqing," Ningguang asked suddenly, "if that mysterious girl were to return and target Liyue again… do you think, without the Archon's protection, we or the Adepti could stop her?"
Keqing stiffened.
"I—no matter what, we must—"
"That's not what I'm asking."
Ningguang calmly cut her off.
"I know your sense of duty.
But I want your answer."
Keqing fell silent.
"…If it truly came to that," she finally said,
"then no—we would not be able to stop her.
That level of battle is not something humans can face."
Humans had wisdom—
but gods and adepti possessed overwhelming power.
And even the strength humans did have often came from divine boons.
"I agree," Ningguang said softly.
"And since it's just you and me here, I won't recite pretty words about morale."
"If she intended to attack Liyue again, she wouldn't need to be so roundabout."
Keqing raised her head slightly.
"Meaning…?"
"Meaning," Ningguang narrowed her eyes,
"I think that girl named Rita wasn't lying.
But that doesn't mean we can let down our guard.
As for her words about another threat looming over Liyue—
I am… very interested in meeting the one pulling the strings."
— Outside Liyue Harbor
"A traveler from afar?"
The familiar voice echoed under the golden glow of the Geo Archon's statue.
The tall figure turned—
Zhongli.
"Well… you could say that," Su Mo replied.
"But this country seems troubled.
Its mood feels… heavy."
"Nothing in this world remains peaceful forever," Zhongli said.
"Just as people experience highs and lows, so too do nations.
Whether they continue forward depends on their own effort."
He smiled slightly.
"And such decisions are for those in power to worry over—not for the likes of us."
"True enough," Su Mo said.
"Still… since you seem like a scholar of considerable knowledge, could I trouble you to take a look at something?"
He pulled out the pale yellow slips he'd taken from the Fatui.
"I wouldn't call it considerable," Zhongli replied humbly, "but I can try."
He examined the papers carefully, brows slightly furrowed.
"There are no symbols drawn…
But their shape resembles the Taboo-Agnostic Talisman."
"Taboo… what? What does it do?"
Zhongli explained:
"The Taboo-Agnostic Talisman was forged by the Geo Archon himself in ancient times.
He granted them to mortals so they could request an audience with the adepti.
They carry a portion of his divine power to repel evil."
Su Mo blinked.
So they were that important?
"And… may I ask," Zhongli continued gently,
"where did you obtain these?"
"From some Fatui out in the wilderness," Su Mo answered honestly.
"No idea what they were doing.
It was nearly night, yet they were sneaking around—
and they suddenly attacked me.
So I taught them a lesson."
"I see."
Zhongli nodded, thoughtful.
"Mr. Zhongli, and also—"
A sharp voice cut him off.
"That damned maid…"
Keqing, descending from the Jade Chamber, froze mid-step.
She had not expected to see
the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultant Zhongli
standing together with
that suspicious 'maid'.
And they looked… rather familiar with each other.
Keqing's expression darkened.
Absolutely not.
This… must not become something improper.
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