Chapter 24: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [24]
Since getting acquainted with Zhongli, Luo Qing had finally found a kindred spirit in the art of fishing. Every few days, he'd stop by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to drag Zhongli along, casting lines together at Liyue's fishing spots. Over time, the two of them had become quite familiar with each other.
Luo Qing even offered some "constructive" suggestions for Zhongli's dramatic death scene, advocating for a head-first dive from the sky while dramatically shouting, "My life is over!" Unsurprisingly, Zhongli rejected his ideas.
As for the belated arrival of Childe, he remained blissfully ignorant of his role as the unwitting pawn. Luo Qing and Rosalyne had carefully concealed their progress in Liyue, leading Childe to believe they were failing miserably. Determined not to disappoint Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, Childe proudly declared his intent to personally shoulder the task of retrieving the Geo Archon's Gnosis.
Childe had a poor opinion of Luo Qing—perhaps due to the latter's unremarkable combat performance during the Fatui's selection process. Because of this, he didn't bother asking Luo Qing if he had any relevant information about Liyue's situation.
With Childe taking over operations at the Northland Bank and overseeing the replication of the Sigils of Permission at the research site, Luo Qing found himself with little to do. His days passed in idle leisure, often spent fishing with Zhongli.
And now, the long-awaited Rite of Descension had arrived.
Early in the morning, Luo Qing led his three subordinates to Yujing Terrace, eager to secure a prime spot to witness Zhongli's dramatic performance.
As they climbed the steps to Yujing Terrace, a soft and sweet voice reached Luo Qing's ears from behind. He turned to see a blonde girl and her floating companion asking passersby for directions to the best vantage point for viewing the Rite.
"Tsk, tsk, my foolish little sister... Finally, we meet," Luo Qing muttered to himself.
"Lord Luo Qing?" Natalia looked at him quizzically, noticing his odd expression.
"Ah, it's nothing. Just spotted someone... interesting," Luo Qing replied with a smile before continuing his ascent.
Knowing what was about to unfold and given his delicate position, Luo Qing chose not to mingle with the Liyue crowd gathered around Yujing Terrace. Instead, he took a small side path up to Mt. Tianheng, finding a spot on a rocky outcrop halfway up the mountain where he could watch everything unfold below.
Before long, the Millelith began dispersing the crowd, creating a clear space at the center of Yujing Terrace. Ningguang and a group of officials emerged from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, moving to the center to prepare the ceremonial site.
Feeling a sudden unease, Ningguang glanced up towards Mt. Tianheng and caught sight of Luo Qing and his group sitting on the rocks.
He's here too?
She recalled Yelan's report on the events at the research base and Luo Qing's involvement. Though he had let Yelan go twice, Ningguang still couldn't trust him completely.
A flicker of concern crossed her face, and she subtly gestured towards a hidden figure in the crowd. Yelan, blending seamlessly among the spectators, nodded and began to make her way toward Luo Qing's position.
"Oh? Here to watch the ceremony with me?" Luo Qing said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the mountainside. He had easily caught on to Ningguang's subtle signal.
Natalia and the others glanced at him, puzzled by his seemingly random comment. Moments later, a shadow flickered through the trees, and Yelan stepped out to join them.
Natalia and the others recognized her—the woman Luo Qing had released twice before. They didn't understand why their lord had let this spy go, but as his trusted subordinates, they didn't question his decisions.
"Why are you watching the Rite from up here?" Yelan asked, leaning casually against a nearby tree. Her hostility toward Luo Qing had diminished after being spared twice.
"Too many people down there. Besides, the higher up you are, the better the view," Luo Qing replied with a smirk.
"..."
"And you?" He turned to look at Yelan. "Shouldn't you be down there handling security? If anything happens to your precious Archon, wouldn't you be held responsible?"
He chuckled, wondering what expression she'd make when Zhongli's lifeless form plummeted headfirst onto Yujing Terrace later.
"Keeping an eye on you is my assignment," Yelan said coolly, her expression calm.
"Keeping an eye on me? Am I that charming?" Luo Qing teased.
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Yelan]
Yelan said nothing more, settling herself against the tree and watching Luo Qing closely.
Seeing that Yelan had fallen silent, Luo Qing lost interest in teasing her further. He pulled out a cup of homemade bubble tea and sat cross-legged on the rocks, sipping leisurely as he watched the preparations below.
The presence of an extra person made Natalia and the others slightly tense. Every now and then, they'd glance at Yelan to ensure she wouldn't try anything suspicious.
Meanwhile, a certain blonde girl and her floating companion had managed to squeeze through the crowd, taking their place near the ceremony site.
A dragon's roar suddenly echoed from the heavens. The crowd looked up to see a cloud descending, a dragon's silhouette dancing within—the true form of the Geo Archon.
Having ruled Liyue for 3,700 years, Morax was a deeply revered figure among its people. Even Yelan, who was watching from the mountain, unconsciously adopted a respectful posture as the dragon's cry resonated.
At Yujing Terrace below, Ningguang stood before the incense table, awaiting the Archon's arrival to deliver his decree for Liyue's future.
Every year, the Archon's pronouncements would ripple through Liyue's commerce, stirring up excitement and speculation. Thus, most of the spectators gathered for the Rite were businessmen of all ranks and status.
As the cloud dispersed, the crowd held its breath, expecting Morax to descend and bestow his decree. Instead, what landed on the incense table, scattering offerings everywhere, was the lifeless, stone-colored body of the Archon.
Ningguang's pupils dilated, a storm raging behind her composed facade. As the leader of the Qixing, she couldn't afford to panic, no matter the crisis.
Suppressing her shock, Ningguang approached the body, bending slightly to check for any sign of life. After a thorough examination, she furrowed her brow and announced in a low voice:
"The Archon... has been slain! Seal off the area!"
The crowd erupted in chaos, whispers and shouts filling the air. The Millelith moved quickly, sealing off the entrances to Yujing Terrace, allowing no one to leave.
Ningguang steadied herself and cast a sharp glance towards Luo Qing's position. From her vantage point, she saw him sitting there, completely unruffled, sipping his tea as if he were watching an ordinary show.
"Was it you?" Yelan's eyes narrowed, an arrow already nocked in her bow, pointed directly at Luo Qing.
"Please, give me some credit," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. "If I'd orchestrated this, do you really think I'd be sitting here, waiting to be caught?"
He didn't bother turning to look at Yelan, his gaze fixed instead on the small blonde figure down below, who was trying—rather poorly—to sneak away from the chaos.
A sudden thought struck him, and he pointed towards the blonde girl and her floating companion.
"Hey, look at that person. Blonde hair, sneaking around—clearly not from here. Looks super suspicious, don't you think? Maybe you should investigate."
Yelan followed his gaze and did see a pair of figures stealthily attempting to slip past the Millelith.
But Luo Qing still looked suspicious, and she didn't want to let him off just like that. Torn, she hesitated, unsure of what to do.
"I'll be back. Your innocence isn't proven yet," Yelan said finally, trusting her instincts.
With a swift leap, she vanished into the forest, pursuing the fleeing figures below.
---
T/N: FRIG IT WAS SIGILS SIGILS NOT SIGIL SIGILS FUCK
Chapter 25: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [25]
On Yujing Terrace, a sea of people gathered as the Millelith began carefully inspecting each visitor attending the Rite of Descension.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a few hurried words, seemingly realizing the gravity of the situation, and decided to sneak away through the crowd—an action that did not escape Luo Qing's notice as he observed from his perch.
Luo Qing couldn't help but wonder why Lumine felt the need to flee so stealthily. Every year, many foreigners came to watch the Rite, and while the Millelith weren't the most competent guards, they were hardly indiscriminate. Lumine's actions would only draw suspicion.
Unsurprisingly, the Millelith noticed Lumine's attempt to slip away.
"That's the Traveler?" came a lively, enthusiastic voice from behind Luo Qing. Turning, he found Childe standing there, having arrived unnoticed.
"Indeed, Lord Tartaglia. She has close ties with the Anemo Archon in Mondstadt and has come to Liyue to seek out the Geo Archon. Befriending her might just lead you to Morax's whereabouts," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of his bubble tea.
He'd known Childe was hiding nearby, even eavesdropping on his conversation with Yelan. But there was little of value in their chat, so Luo Qing hadn't bothered to intervene.
"Let's hope your information is accurate," Childe said, cracking his knuckles before leaping from his hiding spot. In an impressive display of agility, he landed right in front of the Millelith, intercepting their pursuit of Lumine with a well-placed flying kick to one guard's face.
"Run!" he called to Lumine, who didn't need to be told twice. She darted away, while Childe's sudden attack put him face-to-face with Yelan, who arrived a moment later.
"Well, what do you think? Who's going to win?" Luo Qing asked with amusement, turning to Natalia and the others.
"Uh... Lord Tartaglia, I suppose?" Natalia ventured hesitantly. Childe was notorious as Snezhnaya's number one berserker, a reputation well-known among Fatui recruits.
"Why aren't they fighting yet...?" Luo Qing muttered in disappointment, watching the tense standoff between Childe and Yelan below.
He'd come all the way here for the show, after all. It would be such a letdown if nothing exciting happened.
The standoff didn't last long—Yelan was the first to move, attempting to bypass Childe to go after Lumine. But Childe reacted instantly, summoning a Hydro bow and firing a quick arrow to block her path.
Forced to engage, Yelan retaliated with her own water-based attacks, leading to an intense battle between two Hydro archers. As Natalia had predicted, Childe's raw strength gave him the edge, and before long, he found an opportunity to break away and escape.
Having fulfilled his objective of aiding Lumine's retreat, Childe saw no need to press for a conclusive victory.
"Well, that's that. Let's head back," Luo Qing said with a nod, standing up. He'd seen what he needed to, and there was no reason to stick around. He planned to visit Zhongli at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor later, perhaps to fish and discuss how best to play Childe.
After bypassing the Millelith guards surrounding Yujing Terrace, Luo Qing and his group descended the mountain from the opposite side. Just as he was about to grant his subordinates a well-earned break before heading to Wangsheng, a squad of Millelith soldiers appeared, blocking their path.
"You there! Did you see a blonde-haired girl and her floating companion run this way?" the squad leader asked urgently.
Luo Qing looked at the squad leader with a sudden spark of excitement, raising his voice dramatically.
"Officer! You've come to the right person!"
"Where did she go?!" the squad leader asked, his hopes rising.
"Well, funny thing... I didn't see her at all."
"..."
[+1 Frustration from Zhang Deshuai]
The leader's face darkened, and he glanced at Natalia and the others—foreigners with blonde hair and blue eyes. His expression hardened, and he motioned for his men to surround Luo Qing's group.
"I have reason to believe you are connected to the suspect who attacked the Geo Archon. You'll be coming with us to the Ministry of Civil Affairs," he declared seriously.
"Excuse me?" Luo Qing was genuinely taken aback. This guy's really throwing accusations around like it's second nature.
"The suspect had blonde hair, and so do you. If you have any objections, you can bring them up at the Ministry," Zhang Deshuai said coldly.
"Hold on! You Liyue people are going too far! We are employees of Snezhnaya's Northland Bank! Falsely accusing us could lead to a diplomatic incident!" Natalia snapped, her frustration boiling over. Igor and Sergei moved to shield Luo Qing, ready for a confrontation.
"Snezhnayans?! That only makes you more suspicious. I advise you to come quietly," Zhang Deshuai responded, his prejudices flaring. Recent troubles in Liyue had often involved the Fatui, and Zhang Deshuai felt justified in his caution.
"You dare!" Sergei growled, stepping forward to confront the Millelith.
"Stand down, Sergei. Let me handle this," Luo Qing said, placing a calming hand on Sergei's shoulder. He stepped up to Zhang Deshuai, their gazes locking.
"Are you certain you want to drag us to the Ministry?" Luo Qing asked coolly.
"Do you think you have a choice?" Zhang Deshuai retorted.
"Ugh," Luo Qing grimaced in distaste before suddenly shouting over Zhang's shoulder, "Miss Ganyu! We're innocent, I swear!"
Not far away, Ganyu, who was overseeing the effort to calm the crowd, heard someone calling her name. She turned to see a black-haired young man waving desperately at her, his face a picture of exaggerated distress.
Ganyu couldn't ignore a cry for help. After giving a few instructions to her fellow secretaries, she walked over to investigate.
"What's going on here?" she asked gently, glancing at the Millelith soldiers surrounding Luo Qing's group.
Seeing that Ganyu didn't recognize him, Luo Qing figured it wouldn't matter. He grabbed her hand, his face a picture of exaggerated despair as he wailed, tears streaming down his face.
"Miss Ganyu! We're just honest businesspeople, but these officers are accusing us of being connected to the attack on the Geo Archon! We're innocent! We don't have the power to harm the Archon!"
Luo Qing felt like his acting skills had reached a new peak—he was practically Oscar-worthy.
"Is... is that true?" Ganyu asked, frowning at Zhang Deshuai.
Zhang Deshuai's expression twisted. Why didn't I notice Ganyu was nearby? If I'd known, I'd have never risked such a rash arrest.
Ganyu was a respected figure in Liyue, having served since the days Morax himself founded the nation. Though technically a secretary to the Qixing, her status far surpassed even the most senior among them.
The Qixing came and went, but the secretary was eternal.
"Miss Ganyu, they are from Snezhnaya, which is why we found them suspicious..." Zhang Deshuai tried to explain.
"Oh, so all Snezhnayans are criminals, huh? And just a moment ago, you said it was because my subordinates were blonde, just like your suspect. Now you're changing your story?" Luo Qing interrupted, his tone sharp and accusatory.
He rearranged his expression into a perfect imitation of wounded innocence before turning back to Ganyu.
"Miss Ganyu, this man is simply too unreasonable!"
---
T/N: WAIT IS HE NOT BLONDE???????? WAS I FRIGGING TRICKED DID I READ IT WRONG? Why am I translating this at midnightttt
If there are any mistakes let me know!
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