After dealing with Osial, Ningguang turned around and noticed that several of the Adepti behind her were still standing there in stunned silence.
Thinking about it, that was only natural.
An ancient god had just been defeated with a single move.
Anyone would be shocked.
Truth be told, even she herself found it hard to believe.
If her Cash Cannon possessed this kind of destructive power…
Then what about everyone else's rewards?
Especially those Rule Skills.
If they were ever activated…
Just how terrifying would they be?
"Ahem."
Noticing the strange look in Ningguang's eyes, Xianyun discreetly nudged Mountain Shaper, who was still frozen in place.
"Everyone is watching. Must you make such a spectacle of yourself?"
"W-What… was that just now?"
Mountain Shaper was still in a daze.
First, Rex Lapis had supposedly been assassinated.
Then an ancient god had attacked.
He had been genuinely worried.
Yet now…
The Tianquan had casually tossed out some Mora and erased the ancient god from existence.
How could he not be stunned?
For the first time, he felt as though he had secluded himself for so long that he'd completely fallen behind the times.
"Merely a special ability."
Xianyun looked at everyone else's reactions with mild disdain.
They were all Adepti.
Yet look at her.
Had she looked surprised?
Among everyone present, she had been the least worried.
If things truly got out of hand…
She could always send Shenhe.
As long as she told Shenhe, "I've strengthened you," then Shenhe would simply slap Osial to death.
What was there to fear?
"Very well."
Madam Ping slowly sighed.
"This old woman shall return first."
She couldn't quite understand what had happened either.
But one thing had become very clear.
Liyue no longer needed the Adepti to protect it.
"In that case, this Adeptus shall also take his leave."
Moon Carver prepared to depart as well.
He intended to visit Liyue more often in the future.
Ever since Xianyun had asked him to divine Shenhe's fate, something had been bothering him.
Her destiny had changed without any warning whatsoever.
More importantly…
His divination had revealed that Shenhe's Red Luan Star had begun to shine.
That was an unmistakable sign that romance had entered her life.
The more he thought about it…
The more he felt he must have missed something important.
Not far away, Valerius quietly watched the Adepti leave one after another.
He decided it was time to leave as well.
The cleanup afterward didn't interest him.
Returning to the inn, he didn't send Shenhe back to her own room.
Instead, he brought her into his own.
There were things he needed to clarify.
Otherwise, he couldn't shake the guilty feeling that he had somehow tricked an innocent young woman who knew nothing of the world.
After inviting her to sit beside the table, Valerius brewed a pot of tea.
"Shenhe…"
"What exactly do you feel toward me?"
"I like you."
…That direct?
Valerius was instantly put on the defensive.
He opened his mouth several times but couldn't find the words.
"You know about Bronya and me, right?"
"I don't mind."
That completely killed the conversation.
Valerius found the whole situation rather strange.
Shenhe wasn't supposed to have this kind of personality.
Why was she being so straightforward?
"…Um… did someone teach you to say those things?"
"Mm."
Shenhe nodded honestly.
"Ningguang taught me."
Good grief.
Now he finally understood.
No wonder Shenhe had been acting like this.
Ningguang had brainwashed her before he arrived.
"Ahem…"
"Forget what she taught you."
"Tell me what you really think."
He had to correct this.
Otherwise Shenhe would gradually become more and more like Ningguang.
That would be a disaster.
After thinking quietly for a while, Shenhe finally spoke.
"I want to stay by your side."
"You… are the red cord that binds me."
"…I see."
Valerius felt deeply moved.
Everything Ningguang had coached Shenhe to say had certainly worked in his favor.
But he had never liked answers motivated by calculation.
Shenhe, however…
Wanted nothing from him.
She simply wished to remain with him.
"Alright."
He nodded solemnly.
"Then tomorrow…"
"I'll take you home."
"Mm."
The two continued talking late into the evening.
Most of the conversation consisted of Valerius speaking while Shenhe quietly listened.
Even so…
He found it strangely comforting.
When night fell, Shenhe returned to her own room.
Meanwhile, Valerius pulled out a pure white pillow.
"Heh…"
"I've been through enough by now."
"This time I can definitely handle it."
He threw himself onto the Dream Pillow.
Surely…
By now he could withstand its effects.
The night grew quiet.
The third watch arrived.
"AAAAAH! HOLY SHIT!!!"
A horrified scream shattered the silence of the night.
…
The next morning…
Valerius brought Shenhe to the entrance of the Northland Bank.
"Shenhe."
"Do you remember what to say?"
"I do."
"Miss Lumine and Mr. Zhongli purchased goods from us totaling ten million Mora."
"Exactly."
Valerius gave her an approving nod.
A promising student indeed.
The two strode confidently into the bank and walked directly to the front counter.
"We're here to settle an account."
"Here's the bill."
He handed over an invoice.
The clerk accepted it casually.
After a single glance…
His eyes nearly popped out.
Ten million Mora?!
And it was an invoice?!
"…Are you certain this belongs here?"
"Of course."
"Mr. Zhongli told us to come collect the payment."
"If you don't believe me, ask whoever's in charge whether Zhongli's bills are supposed to be paid."
Seeing Valerius act so confidently, the clerk suddenly wasn't so sure.
Lady Signora had indeed instructed them that any invoices brought by Zhongli were to be honored.
But…
This amount was outrageous.
Previous expenses had been considerable.
Yet none came anywhere close to ten million Mora.
"Please wait."
"I'll verify it."
Unable to make the decision himself, the clerk headed inside.
A moment later…
Signora emerged alongside him.
"So…"
"You're the one trying to collect payment with Zhongli's invoice?"
"That's right."
Signora sneered.
"And how exactly do I not know that Zhongli bought anything from you?"
Zhongli himself was currently inside.
He had personally confirmed that he hadn't purchased anything.
Which meant only one thing.
The invoice was fake.
Trying to scam the Fatui?
What nerve.
Had this fool no idea how death was spelled?
If they weren't currently in Liyue…
She would've attacked immediately.
"This is the invoice for the purchases made by Miss Lumine and Mr. Zhongli."
"Hurry up and pay."
Shenhe cared nothing for Signora's opinion.
Since Valerius had said it was Zhongli's bill…
Then it was Zhongli's bill.
And this woman was refusing to pay.
Without hesitation, Shenhe drew her spear.
If necessary…
She'd tear down this black-hearted bank today.
How dare they refuse to pay Valerius what he was owed?
"W-Wait!"
Valerius hurriedly stopped her.
He was only trying to scam a little spending money out of the Fatui.
There was no need to escalate things.
"Heh."
Signora remained completely unfazed.
Start a fight inside the Northland Bank?
Go ahead.
She'd happily teach them a lesson.
"Hm?"
"Valerius? Shenhe?"
"What are you two doing here?"
Paimon's voice suddenly rang out.
She blinked in confusion.
Hadn't they said a scammer had come to the bank?
Why were Valerius and Shenhe here instead?
"…Uh…"
The moment familiar faces appeared, Valerius instantly felt awkward.
Well…
There went his reputation.
Standing nearby, Zhongli couldn't help but smile wryly.
Valerius certainly had guts.
Using his name to scam people.
Then again…
The victims were the Fatui, not the people of Liyue.
In that case…
It wasn't really a problem.
Besides, he and Valerius had signed a contract earlier.
Valerius agreed not to interfere during the Rite of Descension.
In return…
Zhongli had promised to cover some of Valerius's expenses.
Now that all those expenses had simply been transferred onto the Northland Bank…
He found the arrangement rather satisfactory.
At the very least…
He no longer had to worry about Hu Tao discovering the mountain of unpaid invoices he had been hiding.
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