Chapter 49: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [49]
No wonder Baishi had returned last time with such a resentful expression after being sent to fetch him. Now, Ningguang finally understood.
She politely declined the fishing rod that Luo Qing offered her, saying she would simply wait nearby.
The midday sun was shining directly overhead, and soon enough, beads of sweat appeared on Ningguang's forehead. If she kept standing there, her snow-white, delicate skin would soon be as tanned as Xinyan's.
"Here, Miss Ningguang, if you don't mind, you can wear this for a while."
Luo Qing took off his fisherman's hat and handed it to Ningguang.
Though the straw hat didn't exactly match her elegant attire, Ningguang was still a woman who cared about her appearance. After some internal struggle, she took the hat from Luo Qing and placed it on her head, choosing to stand behind him and Zhongli while they waited for a fish to bite.
With Ningguang standing behind them, Luo Qing naturally avoided discussing anything about Zhongli. Instead, he occasionally joked with Zhongli about Hu Tao's cooking to pass the time.
Fortunately, after half an hour, the first fish finally took the bait—a plump Bombfish that was so large it barely fit into the fishing basket.
"Well, I'll trust Hu Tao one more time. Tonight, I'll come over to your place for dinner."
Luo Qing handed the basket to Zhongli, then suddenly remembered something and added, "The two of them have already arrived. You just need to meet them later; I won't be joining you."
Hearing Luo Qing's words, Ningguang felt a spark of suspicion in her heart.
Perhaps this Mr. Zhongli really was connected to the Fatui?
"Alright, sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Ningguang. Let's go."
"Mm..."
Ningguang cast another glance at Zhongli, who continued fishing alone, before leaving the dock with Luo Qing.
Xinyue Kiosk
To prepare for today's meeting with Luo Qing, Ningguang had reserved a private room well in advance.
Inside the spacious room, only Ningguang and Luo Qing were present. Not even her closest aides, Baishi, Baixiao, and Baiwen, accompanied her this time.
"Mr. Luo Qing, since we are now well-acquainted, I won't beat around the bush."
After so much waiting, Ningguang was finally back in her element, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her.
No more staring at that calm water, waiting for a fish to bite!
"Mr. Luo Qing, on behalf of the citizens of Liyue, I want to express my gratitude for your assistance in repelling Osial and Beisht that day."
Ningguang stood up and offered a slight bow to Luo Qing.
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal, Miss Ningguang. As a champion of justice, it was my duty."
"..."
"I do have a few questions I'd like to ask, if you don't mind."
"Go ahead."
"Why did you suddenly show up that day and destroy our Guizhong Ballista?"
Ningguang's tone was gentle.
Luo Qing's actions were unpredictable, his behavior often erratic. Rather than sending spies to gather intelligence, she felt it would be more effective to be direct and open with him.
Besides, it was due to Luo Qing's earlier warning that they had managed to prepare for Osial's assault. And later, when they could no longer hold Osial back, he had stepped in to defeat the creature.
All things considered, aside from stealing an artifact from Cloud Retainer's domain and destroying the Guizhong Ballista, Luo Qing had not shown any real hostility toward Liyue.
Despite being a Fatui Harbinger, Ningguang thought he might be someone worth winning over.
"Oh, that? It was just a favor for a friend," Luo Qing replied with a slight smile.
"Just... a favor?"
Ningguang found it hard to accept that answer.
Just a casual favor had led him to destroy their most crucial weapon against Osial?
It made him seem like one of the Adepti—indifferent to human lives and incomprehensible in his actions, acting solely on personal whims.
"By 'friend,' do you mean Childe?"
"My, Miss Ningguang, your intelligence network is quite impressive. If you had known about his plans a bit earlier, perhaps I wouldn't have needed to step in."
"Mr. Luo Qing, forgive my boldness, but could you tell me—are you a friend to Liyue?"
"Does it matter?"
"It does. It matters a great deal to Liyue," Ningguang replied earnestly.
As someone with a strong desire for control, she couldn't tolerate someone as unpredictable and powerful as Luo Qing wandering freely in Liyue.
It was like leaving a ticking time bomb unmonitored, not knowing when it might go off.
"I assume Miss Ningguang is aware of my identity?"
"A Fatui Harbinger-in-Training."
"Uh, you could actually drop the 'in-training' part," Luo Qing chuckled and continued, "So, the stance of Snezhnaya is my stance."
Hearing this, Ningguang's brows furrowed slightly.
People with an unpredictable nature were the hardest to understand. From her perspective, she had no desire to make Luo Qing an enemy.
"Then why did you help us repel Osial?
If you had simply watched from the sidelines, Liyue would have surely suffered an unprecedented catastrophe—something that would have suited your interests more, wouldn't it?"
"Forgive me, Miss Ningguang, but I must correct you on one point.
Snezhnaya has no intention of becoming enemies with any nation. From start to finish, we have only had one objective. As for what that is, I think you already know."
"The Gnosis..."
"Exactly. So, rest assured, Liyue holds no more value to us. There's no need to worry."
"So, does that mean you've already taken the Gnosis?"
"Ah, now that's your conclusion, not mine. I didn't say that."
Luo Qing smiled knowingly.
As much as he disliked being cryptic, his position as a Harbinger meant he couldn't reveal everything outright.
"Well then, that's all I can share. Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Ningguang."
With that, Luo Qing stood up and turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back around.
"Is there something else, Mr. Luo Qing?"
Ningguang asked, slightly puzzled by his sudden return.
"Can I take the food here to go? I might be starving tonight..."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Ningguang +1]
They had been so engrossed in conversation that neither of them had touched their food, and considering he'd be dining at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tonight...
While Luo Qing did trust Hu Tao's culinary skills, he thought it wise to have a backup meal ready—just in case.
Carrying a stack of takeout boxes, Luo Qing returned to Northland Bank.
As soon as he opened the door, he overheard a lively conversation in the lobby.
Childe: "I mean, we're colleagues! How could you and Luo Qing trick me for so long without feeling the slightest bit guilty?"
Signora, crossing her arms and deflecting: "Oh, please, the plan was Luo Qing's idea. If you have a problem, take it up with him."
Lumine and Paimon were shocked: "Wait, so it was his idea to have Zhongli fake his death too?!"
Signora shrugged, still deflecting: "Of course. I wasn't even in Liyue during that time. Everything that happened was his doing."
Paimon, fuming: "I thought Luo Qing was a pretty honest guy, but he's such a sneak! Even coming up with a fake death plan... And we ended up being fugitives for so long because of it!"
Lumine grumbled: "You thought he was honest? Paimon, when did you lose your sense of judgment?"
As they debated, they noticed Luo Qing standing at the doorway, a stack of takeout boxes in hand, trying to slip upstairs unnoticed.
"Luo Qing! I see you there! Don't you dare run!"
Paimon shouted.
Chapter 50: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [50]
"Ah, well... everyone's here, huh? You keep chatting, I'll just be on my way..."
"No, you're not going anywhere."
"..."
Seeing Childe call him out, Luo Qing had no choice but to carry the takeout boxes over to the group, pretending he hadn't overheard their previous conversation.
"Do you all need something from me?"
Paimon pointed accusingly at Luo Qing, shouting, "Luo Qing! So it was you behind all this!"
Feigning innocence, Luo Qing blinked. "Huh? What did I do? I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb! It's obvious you've been planning everything that's happened in Liyue!"
"Oh, you mean that."
Realizing he couldn't fool them any longer, Luo Qing decided to come clean. Glancing at Zhongli, who was standing by silently with a wise expression, he shifted the blame with a grin.
"I was just the schemer, really. The true mastermind was Zhongli. After all, if he hadn't approved, none of us would've dared to act in Liyue. It's not like we could've taken on him all at once, right? Isn't that right, Lord Tartaglia?"
"..."
Childe's expression darkened. He was technically Luo Qing's superior, yet he often felt like he was the one being led around by the nose—as if he were Luo Qing's subordinate.
"Luo Qing, do you want to fight?"
"Ah, no thanks. Too many people want to fight me lately. My schedule's a bit full."
"..."
"Well, if Zhongli had truly wanted to put a stop to everything, he could have done so easily. A god's power would have quickly calmed the storm, right?" Paimon reasoned.
Lumine shook her head. "Not necessarily. Just look at Mondstadt next door..."
"Hmm... that's true."
"Anyway," Luo Qing said with a carefree shrug, "the plan was mine, but Zhongli gave the final approval. If you've got a problem, you can take it up with him. I've got things to do, so I'll be going now."
Luo Qing gave Zhongli a friendly pat on the shoulder, acting like they were the best of buddies.
Childe and Signora observed this interaction thoughtfully. Even though they both acted casually around Zhongli, knowing his true identity as a god meant they still maintained a level of caution. They were well aware of what could and couldn't be done.
Casual gestures like patting him on the shoulder? That was something neither of them dared to attempt.
After a few more minutes of small talk, Luo Qing carried the takeout boxes upstairs. He called his four subordinates to join him, and they began devouring the food together.
With dinner at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor still uncertain, Luo Qing figured it was best to fill up now.
As they were eating, the sounds of footsteps echoed in the hallway. It seemed the conversation downstairs had come to an end. Soon after, Rosalyne pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Luo Qing raised his chopsticks and greeted her with a smile. "Oh, Lady Signora! What brings you here? Have you eaten yet? Care to join us?"
"Hmph, no thanks. Enjoy your meal."
Rosalyne looked disdainfully at the takeout boxes, then made her way to the sofa and sat down, speaking calmly.
"I'll make sure to report the success of the operation to recover the Geo Archon's Gnosis accurately to Her Majesty. It won't be long before you're formally promoted to the Twelfth Harbinger."
Luo Qing chuckled. "Thank you, Lady Signora. But if you have a favor to ask of me, why not just get straight to the point?"
"Hmph, you're certainly smarter than Tartaglia."
Rosalyne crossed her legs and sneered. "I have matters that require someone's supervision. It takes too long to travel back to Snezhnaya."
"I'm Lord Tartaglia's subordinate. If it's a matter of reassigning duties, perhaps you should discuss it with him first," Luo Qing suggested, suspecting that this had something to do with Inazuma.
Rosalyne crossed her arms confidently. "I'm the Eighth Harbinger, and he's the Eleventh. Do I really need his permission?"
"..."
Well, she wasn't wrong.
"Alright, what's the task?" Luo Qing asked, setting down his chopsticks. "Just so you know, I'm not interested in taking the blame for anything shady."
Rosalyne glanced at Luo Qing's four subordinates, smirking. "Fine, let's talk in private."
"Alright, Natalia, you and the others wait outside for a bit. We'll finish eating later."
"Yes, Lord Luo Qing."
Natalia and the others quickly swallowed their food, glanced at Rosalyne, and then hurried out of the room.
Once they were alone, Rosalyne continued, "Although your current rank doesn't require you to know this, you'll soon be the Twelfth Harbinger, so it doesn't matter if I tell you."
"The plan to recover the Raiden Shogun's Gnosis is reaching a critical stage. If it weren't for a direct order from Her Majesty, I wouldn't be returning to Snezhnaya at this time. While I'm gone, I need someone to oversee things in Inazuma."
"Inazuma? That place sounds... a little dangerous," Luo Qing replied, feigning hesitation. "And if all I get are words, it's hard for me to be motivated."
Rosalyne sneered. "Hmph, I'm not asking you to go toe-to-toe with the Raiden Shogun. Everything is already in place. All you have to do is keep an eye on those fools and make sure they follow the plan. Isn't manipulation your specialty?"
Luo Qing shook his head. "I'll need additional compensation."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Rosalyne +1]
"Fine, what do you want?"
Luo Qing hesitated for a moment before grinning. "Uh... how about you?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Rosalyne +1]
"You better watch your mouth, or I can't guarantee what will happen next."
Rosalyne's eyes glinted coldly, and a thin layer of frost formed on Luo Qing's hair, turning it ice-blue.
"Just joking," Luo Qing said with a smirk, brushing the ice off his hair. He then stepped closer, standing over her.
"I'll go to Inazuma in your place, Lady Signora, but I'll need you to do something for me in return."
Luo Qing's imposing stance made Rosalyne slightly uncomfortable, so she leaned back into the sofa, crossing her arms and meeting his gaze.
"Fine. What's the favor?"
"It's something that will benefit both of us. When you return to Inazuma, I'll tell you."
"Hmph, you're starting to sound like the Doctor."
Rosalyne scoffed and got up to leave. "The ship to Inazuma departs in a month. Make sure you wrap up whatever business you have in Liyue by then."
Rosalyne had never truly seen the extent of Luo Qing's abilities. Her arrogance and self-assuredness made her believe no one would dare challenge her. If she knew what Luo Qing had in mind, she might have regretted agreeing so quickly today.
As soon as she left, Natalia and the others eagerly returned, ready to continue their interrupted meal.
"Lord Luo Qing, what did Lady Signora want?" Theresa asked with innocent curiosity.
"Nothing much. Just wanted me to watch over things in Inazuma for a while."
Luo Qing replied offhandedly, though his thoughts wandered elsewhere.
If he ended up stealing away one of Her Majesty's most trusted subordinates...
She wouldn't be too angry, right...?
---
T/N: AHA I LIED IT WAS NATALIA ALL ALONG! MUIHAUHAUHUAHUAH okay im gonna sleep now...
Future me here, please ignore whatever I said at top.
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