Chapter 35: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [35]
No matter how Luo Qing tried to tease her, Ganyu remained hesitant, keeping a noticeable distance as if reluctant to get too close to someone associated with the Fatui.
Luo Qing didn't take it personally. After all, most of the unrest in Liyue was due to the Fatui's meddling, so it made sense that Ganyu would be cautious around him.
Several days later, Liyue Harbor finally came back into view. But unlike before, the floating Jade Chamber had shifted locations, no longer hovering above the Golden House but positioned closer to Liyue Bridge. Additional Millelith guards were stationed on the bridge as well.
From a distance, Luo Qing spotted a familiar figure with lavender hair, directing the crowds.
As the two of them approached, that figure stepped forward to greet them.
"Ganyu, you're just in time. Ningguang is waiting for you on the Jade Chamber. You should head there immediately... and who might this be?" Keqing asked urgently, her eyes flicking over to Luo Qing. She recalled that Ganyu had mentioned taking a break for some relaxation. So, who was this man beside her?
"Hello, Miss Keqing. I'm Ganyu's friend, Luo Qing," he introduced himself.
"Luo Qing..." Keqing's brow furrowed. She remembered Ningguang mentioning this name, categorizing him as someone to watch closely—especially because of his position as a Fatui Harbinger.
"This area is currently under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Civil Affairs," Keqing said in a measured tone. "If you have no official business, Luo Qing, I suggest you return to the city for your own safety."
She didn't openly acknowledge her knowledge of his identity. For now, handling the arrival of the Adepti was a higher priority.
"Uh... Keqing, what's happening here?" Ganyu asked, eyeing the Millelith moving equipment in the distance, her voice tinged with concern.
"The abandoned Guizhong Ballista was repaired, and Ningguang wants it brought to the Jade Chamber just in case," Keqing explained tersely.
Ganyu fell silent, feeling a pang of sadness. There was a clear sense of tension in Keqing's words. The Adepti only recognized the Geo Archon and the contract, not the Liyue Qixing. If the Adepti came with hostile intentions, conflict wasn't out of the question.
And in such a scenario, where would that leave her—someone who was neither fully human nor Adeptus?
"I'll have a good talk with Ningguang," Ganyu said firmly. Then, remembering that Luo Qing was still beside her, she turned to him politely. "Luo Qing... I have to go back to work now. I'll see you next time."
"Alright, next time then," Luo Qing replied, waving as Ganyu left. A twinge of disappointment lingered in his heart.
I finally went from 'Mr. Luo Qing' to just 'Luo Qing'... and now I'm back to 'Mr. Luo Qing' again.
The Fatui's reputation is really just too terrible.
Before long, Luo Qing returned to the Northland Bank.
Even before entering, he could feel several eyes watching him. With a quick glance down the street, his years of experience in intelligence work allowed him to spot several plainclothes spies monitoring the bank's entrance.
Inside, Natalia was busy talking to a customer at the counter. When she noticed Luo Qing enter, she rushed to his side, clearly concerned.
"Luo Qing, where have you been the past few days? We thought something happened to you!"
"I just went on a little vacation," Luo Qing said with a shrug. "But why are there so many eyes on us now?"
"It's because of Lord Childe," Natalia explained. "Ever since the research camp replicated enough Sigils of Permission, he's been spreading rumors non-stop."
"Rumors that the Adepti in Jueyun Karst are furious over the death of the Geo Archon and are planning to come to Liyue for answers. If the Qixing can't give them what they want, they'll supposedly take matters into their own hands and 'reset' Liyue with force."
"The Tianquan is furious, so she's been restricting our movements. Even ordinary Snezhnayan merchants are under surveillance now."
"Do you think the Qixing would really fight those Adepti?" Natalia asked, her curiosity piqued.
"That's Liyue's business, not ours," Luo Qing replied nonchalantly. "Stay out of sight unless absolutely necessary, got it?"
"Yes, Luo Qing," Natalia nodded obediently.
After a few more instructions, Luo Qing made his way upstairs.
The moment he opened the door, he felt that something was off. Walking to the balcony, he called out:
"It's cold outside. Why don't you come in?"
As soon as he spoke, a water-thin thread of elemental energy dropped from the roof, attaching itself to the railing. In the next moment, Yelan gracefully flipped down onto the balcony.
Luo Qing didn't seem surprised. He walked back inside, casually preparing tea as he spoke.
"What brings you to me again?" he asked. His tone was calm, yet the implication was clear—why had she decided to spy on him so openly?
"Orders from above. I'm just following instructions," Yelan replied, taking a seat at the tea table.
Luo Qing chuckled. "Even now, your Lady Ningguang still has time to worry about me?"
Pouring a cup of tea, he placed it in front of her.
Yelan took a sip without hesitation. "As much as I'd like to investigate your Lord Childe, I was told to focus on you. So, I have to follow orders."
"Oh, I'm just a law-abiding citizen," Luo Qing said with a grin. "There's nothing interesting here. But how long do you plan to keep your little spies on me?"
"Until the matter with the Geo Archon is fully resolved, and... until the situation with the Adepti is settled," Yelan said matter-of-factly.
"Ugh, sounds like a headache," Luo Qing said, rubbing his temple as he glanced out at the ocean. Then, he leaned forward, a playful glint in his eyes.
"You know... my bed is big and comfy. Why don't you stay the night?"
"..."
[Irritation +1 from Yelan]
"That won't be necessary. I have my own arrangements," Yelan replied with an unreadable expression.
"Oh? Aren't you worried I might sneak out while you're sleeping? How can you be so sure?" Luo Qing pressed. "I really think you should sleep with me tonight. That way, if I move, you'll know right away. I won't have a chance to slip away. Completely foolproof!"
"..."
Yelan stared at him, utterly speechless. After a long moment, she muttered, "You're insufferable," before downing her tea in one gulp and vanishing over the balcony.
Of course, she didn't stop her surveillance—she simply didn't want to engage with Luo Qing any longer.
Now sitting on the rooftop alone, Yelan rested her chin on her hand, staring out at the distant ocean. She was waiting for this whole mess to end.
Ningguang's reason for sending her to watch Luo Qing was simple: because Luo Qing wouldn't retaliate against her. Anyone else would likely have ended up bound and thrown into the sea by now.
Luo Qing called out a few more times, but when Yelan refused to respond, he lost interest.
No matter how long she watches, she won't find anything worthwhile, he thought to himself.
As long as Childe keeps stirring up trouble, I just have to sit back and wait.
Judging by the current progress, it wouldn't be long before Osial came looking for him for revenge.
I wonder if Ningguang and the others will be able to handle it when the time comes.
---
T/N: He hasn't received any +1 notifications from Ganyu...Omg are they the OTP?
If there are any mistakes let me know!
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Chapter 36: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [36]
Maybe because the rooftop really was too cold, Yelan eventually gave in to Luo Qing's persistent persuasion and moved inside. For the past few days, they practically lived and ate together, with Yelan only leaving to hide somewhere else when it was time to sleep.
But even then, according to Luo Qing's item tracking tool, she never strayed more than ten meters away from him. Every time he checked, Yelan's name was always within range.
To her credit, Yelan was undeniably diligent when it came to her duties.
One morning.
Maybe it was the calm before the storm or just a spell of bad weather, but despite being early in the day, dark clouds loomed over Liyue Harbor, casting a gloomy atmosphere over the entire port. The tense mood was palpable.
The Adepti who came to confront the Qixing had already started arriving over the past few days. Fortunately, with Ganyu's mediation, no fights had broken out. Yet, despite her best efforts, the two sides remained locked in a tense standoff with no progress on solving the matter of the Geo Archon's death.
Waking up early, Luo Qing habitually scanned his surroundings with his tracking item, but this time, he couldn't detect Yelan's presence.
He stepped out onto the balcony, called out for her a few times, but received no reply. It dawned on him then—Yelan was gone.
After washing up, he went downstairs to the bank's lobby, where he saw a few familiar faces.
The Traveler, Paimon, and Zhongli were in the lobby, seemingly asking around for information about the recent events in Liyue.
Luo Qing didn't interrupt, instead leaning on the railing, eavesdropping on their conversation from above.
Sensing Luo Qing's gaze, Zhongli looked up and met his eyes. Luo Qing put a finger to his lips, and Zhongli played along, not revealing his presence. He continued speaking with the Traveler and Paimon.
Soon enough, the Traveler seemed to have an epiphany, grabbed Paimon by the leg, and dashed out of the Northland Bank. Zhongli also exited with them.
Once the coast was clear, Luo Qing descended the stairs. He already knew where the Traveler and Zhongli were headed, and while he could have followed them, he decided it wasn't necessary.
After all, he thought, Childe is my colleague. No need to intervene, especially since the Traveler can handle herself just fine.
More curious about the commotion at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Luo Qing headed in that direction.
Even before he turned the corner, he saw a squad of Millelith soldiers blocking the entrance to the parlor, and he could hear heated voices coming from the crowd.
"We, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, have been here since the Archon War, for seventy-seven generations! And now you dare accuse us of colluding with the Fatui? Do you even know what you're talking about?"
Hu Tao stood firmly at the entrance, hands on her hips, face puffed up in righteous anger, refusing to let the Millelith enter.
"Master Hu," said the squad leader in a cold tone, "we have solid evidence that your consultant, Zhongli, has had dealings with a Fatui Harbinger. If the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is truly innocent, why do you resist us taking him in for questioning? This is a matter of Liyue's safety. I advise you not to interfere."
"Hmph! I personally approved all of Zhongli's tasks! If you want to take him, then take me too!" Hu Tao declared, stepping in front of Zhongli.
"Master Hu, they do have a point. It's best if I—"
"No way!" Hu Tao cut him off with a stubborn huff. "We haven't done anything wrong! Why should you be taken away? Zhongli, don't worry. As long as I'm here, they won't lay a hand on you!"
Luo Qing watched as Zhongli, for once, wore an expression of helplessness.
What must be going through Zhongli's mind right now, being falsely accused of colluding with the Fatui to assassinate the Geo Archon himself? Luo Qing mused, smirking.
Just then, Zhongli's eyes met Luo Qing's among the crowd. Luo Qing gave him a knowing smile, lightly patting his chest before activating his last item card.
The next moment, the squad leader, who had been firmly arguing with Hu Tao, suddenly burst into tears.
His sobs grew louder until he collapsed to his knees, crying and shouting:
"I confess! I admit it! I shouldn't have gone to that auction and secretly bought the chamber pot used by the Geo Archon! I... I even compared its size when I got home..."
"..."
Everyone, from Hu Tao to the Millelith, stood there in stunned silence, utterly bewildered.
Weren't we just arguing a second ago? How did this turn into... this?
The Millelith soldiers, equally shocked, struggled to console their weeping commander, but his sobs wouldn't stop. Embarrassed, they quickly dragged him away from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, planning to return once their leader had calmed down.
With the show over, the crowd dispersed. Luo Qing approached Zhongli and Hu Tao, giving Zhongli a quick glance before focusing on the furious funeral director.
Even the densest man should realize when a girl is upset, Luo Qing thought, chuckling softly. Then, he reached out to gently pat Hu Tao's hat, soothingly saying:
"Come on, Master Hu. Don't be mad. It's just that Liyue is in turmoil, and they're a bit desperate. Besides, they're not the brightest bunch."
"Hmph! The funeral rites for the Geo Archon should be the top priority, but instead, they're obsessed with hunting down some imaginary assassin! We're helping prepare for the Rite of Parting, and they have the nerve to accuse us of treachery! It's infuriating!"
Hu Tao stomped her foot, cheeks puffed up indignantly. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she swatted Luo Qing's hand away, adding:
"And don't pat my head! I'm still growing!"
"..."
"Alright, alright..." Luo Qing said, retracting his hand.
"You're here to see Consultant Zhongli again, aren't you?" Hu Tao asked, raising an eyebrow as her temper seemed to cool.
"Uh... is that a problem?" Luo Qing replied cautiously.
"Hmph... I didn't say it was," Hu Tao huffed before turning to leave. "I've got to teach a class to the staff. You two talk things over."
After Hu Tao left, giving them space, Luo Qing turned his gaze to the distant Golden House and asked casually:
"Is the situation in Liyue unfolding as you expected, Mr. Zhongli?"
"All the tensions have reached a boiling point. It won't take much to tip them over," Zhongli replied calmly. "Managing such a volatile situation will test the abilities and wisdom of the ruling powers. If they fail, Liyue could descend into chaos."
"So, Mr. Zhongli, how did you handle such matters in the past?"
"Me?" Zhongli paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "Back then, they wouldn't dare to act this way."
That's not because they wouldn't—it's because they didn't dare, Luo Qing thought, amused.
"But don't worry, Mr. Zhongli. The plan remains the same. The real show is yet to come," Luo Qing said, a smile playing on his lips.
Though the plan had been laid out by Zhongli, Luo Qing, and the Lady Harbinger, it was clear that Luo Qing and the Lady were just facilitating something that was inevitable. Childe didn't need much nudging to create chaos; it had all been part of his plan since the moment he arrived in Liyue.
Even the creation of the Sigils of Permission had been prepared back in Snezhnaya under Luo Qing's supervision, just waiting for Childe to arrive and set things in motion.
Of course, Zhongli wasn't privy to all these details. He simply assumed that Luo Qing had successfully guided Childe to this outcome. For Zhongli, this was exactly what he wanted: to see if Liyue could stand on its own, without a god to guide it.
As they continued to converse, a sudden burst of golden light shot from the Golden House, soaring into the sky before veering off toward Guyun Stone Forest.
Moments later, the ground trembled, and the stone pillars that formed Guyun Stone Forest began to shake.
The sea, darkened under the stormy sky, churned with growing intensity.
---
T/N: Give it up Hu Tao... Being short is fine... ദ്ദി(ㅠᯅㅠ)
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