Chapter 201: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [201]
Babale spoke coldly, crossing her arms as if preparing to summon her familiar.
But before she could finish her incantation, a massive, sturdy, light-yellow rock spine suddenly emerged in her field of vision and slammed into her head.
Thunk.
Her head snapped back, and she collapsed to the ground.
Before her vision blurred entirely, she vaguely heard a single sentence:
"Let's tie her up first…"
When her vision returned, she found herself tightly bound, lying in the central square of a camp.
In front of her, Luo Qing and his companions were busy writing something on a blackboard they'd procured from who-knows-where.
She instinctively wanted to get angry but paused when she heard a quiet voice beside her.
"Lady Babale, you're awake?"
"Hm?"
She turned her head and saw that nearly all members of the Tanit tribe had been bound and gathered in the square.
A commotion stirred among the crowd as they noticed their leader regain consciousness.
Luo Qing, hearing the noise, turned around. Seeing that Babale had woken up, he didn't seem surprised. Clearing his throat, he greeted the crowd with enthusiasm.
"I'm Luo Qing. Greetings to all my dear friends of the Tanit tribe!"
"…"
[Babale's Frustration +1]
[Azarig's Frustration +1]
Luo Qing, satisfied with the strong reaction from his audience, nodded approvingly and continued:
"The Akademiya has heard that, due to the harsh desert environment, you folks haven't established a proper education system.
"Grand Sage Azar is deeply concerned about this and has personally instructed us to bring you some warmth and guidance. We're here to help you build a strong learning system, improve your personal character, embrace new ideals, and become model citizens of the new era!"
"Aren't you all excited~?"
"…"
[Babale's Frustration +1]
[Azarig's Frustration +1]
[Raizda's Frustration +1]
"Lady Babale… what do we do now?" whispered one of the tribe members, unable to stand Luo Qing's infuriating grin any longer.
Many of them had been minding their own business earlier when Luo Qing and his crew suddenly approached, asking if they wanted to embrace "new ideals" and become "model citizens."
Those who dared to decline were immediately knocked unconscious and tied up. Even when others realized Luo Qing's group had come to pick a fight and tried to resist, they were easily subdued in a few moves, unable to land a single counterattack.
Some even attempted to flee, only to black out before leaving the camp.
Eventually, every member of the Tanit tribe in the camp was captured and dumped in the square together.
"For now, don't act rashly…" Babale whispered.
As someone who had climbed to her position through grit and survival, she understood the value of patience. She would wait for the right moment to take Luo Qing down.
"Yes, Lady Babale…"
Hearing her command, the Tanit tribe members quieted down and turned their attention to Luo Qing.
"To foster a strong learning environment," Luo Qing began, "I'm introducing a new schedule.
"From today onward:
Everyone must wake up at 6 a.m. sharp.
6:15—Morning exercises.
6:45—Breakfast.
8:30 p.m.—Evening exercises.
10:30 p.m.—Lights out.
"Additionally, each of you must write a daily reflection on 'new ideals,' with a minimum of 5,000 words."
By the time he finished, the Tanit tribe, including Babale, was utterly bewildered.
Was this some new form of punishment?
"Well then, if anyone has suggestions, feel free to bring them up! As your teaching director, I'll do my best to accommodate."
"Um…"
Babale raised her hand cautiously.
"I'd like to ask… what exactly are these 'new ideals' and what does it mean to become a 'model citizen'?"
Despite knowing Luo Qing's group was physically superior, Babale decided to bide her time and play along until an opportunity to counterattack presented itself.
"Ah, an excellent question from Student Babale!" Luo Qing gave her a thumbs-up, clearly pleased.
"In short, 'new ideals' mean keeping up with the times here in Teyvat. Let go of outdated traditions, avoid unnecessary scheming, be honest, treat others kindly, and foster unity. To become a 'model citizen' means working together for Sumeru's brighter future!"
"…"
The members of the Tanit tribe weren't the only ones struggling to keep their composure. Even Natalia and Rosalyne from Luo Qing's crew found it hard to suppress their reactions.
What exactly had gotten into him?
Still, recalling how the Harbinger had once described Luo Qing's talents in manipulating minds, they reasoned that this was probably part of some greater plan.
"Excuse me, Luo Qing—"
"Correction: From now on, address me as 'Teaching Director.'" Luo Qing interrupted.
"…"
"Fine… Teaching Director. The tribe still needs to hunt and trade resources to survive. This schedule might…"
"Of course, the schedule is merely a reference. Adjustments can be made as necessary…"
Hearing this, Babale felt a bit relieved. As the tribe leader, she had to ensure the tribe's daily operations continued smoothly. Otherwise, starvation was inevitable in the harsh desert.
But just as she began to relax, Luo Qing added with a grin:
"However! The daily 5,000-word reflection and morning and evening exercises are non-negotiable!"
"…"
[Babale's Frustration +1]
"Well then," Luo Qing clapped his hands, "let's start with Step One: learning the morning and evening exercises."
With a thought, the ropes binding the tribe members vanished, reabsorbed into his control.
The sudden freedom startled the Tanit tribe members. Was Luo Qing not worried about them rising up against him?
Even Babale hesitated, debating whether to rally everyone for an attack.
Before she could decide, a man from the back grabbed a weapon from the ground and charged at Luo Qing.
"You've gone too far!"
Before he could reach Luo Qing, a light-yellow rock spine materialized near his abdomen, sending him flying backward. He collapsed in a heap, unconscious and foaming at the mouth.
Everyone froze in place, swallowing nervously as they turned to look at Luo Qing.
Eyes narrowed, he smiled.
"Dear students, I strongly advise against challenging the Teaching Director. The consequences are quite severe~."
---
Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.
If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!
-With love, Nahida 🌱
Chapter 202: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [202]
Under Luo Qing's oppressive rule, the members of the Tanit tribe had no choice but to follow the schedule he imposed on them.
Every morning, they had to wake up early and gather at the ruins square to perform a strange dance that Natalia had taught them.
To make matters worse, the music from the oversized gramophone was painfully off-key, and the awkward movements of the dance were nothing compared to the elegance of the Eremites' techniques.
After dancing, they were forced to chant slogans like "Embrace new ideals, become model citizens," and every night, they had to write a 5,000-word reflection on these so-called "new ideals."
Many of them, being desert dwellers who had rarely even held a pen, were at a complete loss when it came to writing reflections. It was pure mental torture.
After just a few days, some tribe members were already feeling delirious, their lives devoid of hope.
Of course, they had considered rebelling. But Luo Qing's immense strength made it clear that careful preparation was necessary to take him down in one decisive move.
Despite the mandatory morning exercises, evening drills, and nightly reflections, Luo Qing didn't closely monitor them during the day. Life otherwise carried on as usual—except for the strict requirement to return to the camp by lights-out. Anyone who failed to do so would face an additional 5,000-word reflection and be forbidden to sleep until it was completed.
Babale used every hunting trip as an opportunity to send messengers to other tribes through Azarig. She portrayed Luo Qing as a heartless tyrant—a villain who enslaved men and turned women into… well, victims of unspeakable treatment. She urged the other tribes to prepare for an all-out assault on Luo Qing, framing it as a fight for survival.
Tonight, as everyone was gathered to "do their homework"—no, to write their reflections—Babale discreetly surrounded herself with her most loyal confidants, discussing how to overthrow Luo Qing.
"What's the word from the other tribes?"
"Lady Babale, they've agreed to help. But they demand an additional 30% share of future resource exchanges," Azarig whispered, glancing nervously toward Luo Qing's guards, who were holding ominous black weapons.
One of them, a blonde-haired girl, glanced in their direction. Azarig immediately ducked his head and pretended to obediently write his reflection, his large hands awkwardly gripping a small pen.
"This can't go on any longer. When will they be ready to act?" Babale bit the tip of her pen, utterly uninterested in the nonsense she was supposed to be writing. Just thinking about Luo Qing's treatment of her these past few days made her blood boil.
She was the tribe's leader! How could she be forced to endure the same humiliating tasks as ordinary tribe members?
"If all goes according to plan, tomorrow night. Combined, the tribes should be able to summon at least fifty vengeful spirits. Everyone will be in position, waiting for your signal," Azarig murmured as he continued to write.
"Good… very good."
Babale felt a surge of relief. This nightmare was finally coming to an end! Once Luo Qing was captured, she would make sure he suffered as much as she had—no, even more!
As she fantasized about her vengeance, a loud voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Time's up! Hand in your reflections, one by one!"
The command came from Natalia, the blonde-haired girl, who seemed just as puzzled as anyone else about Luo Qing's insistence on these bizarre nightly assignments. Still, as his subordinate, she had no choice but to comply.
At her order, the tribe members began lining up to submit their work. Natalia meticulously reviewed each one, her sharp eyes scanning for any shortfalls.
Anyone who failed to meet the 5,000-word requirement would face a harsh penalty: they'd not only have to write another 5,000 words but also endure a public flogging—shirtless, of course—before being hung up for the entire camp to see.
Seated beside Natalia, Rosalin idly played with her fingers. If anyone dared to cause trouble, she was more than willing to turn them into either an ice sculpture or a pile of ashes.
Her loyalty and warmth were reserved exclusively for Luo Qing. To everyone else, she remained the haughty and merciless Crimson Witch of Flames.
Though the members of the Tanit tribe were tough in their own right, they were no match for a former Fatui Harbinger.
At the back of the line, Babale was beginning to panic.
She had been so absorbed in daydreaming about her revenge that she'd forgotten to write her reflection.
"Azarig…" Babale whispered urgently, glancing toward Natalia and Rosalin, who were busy reviewing submissions. "Let me borrow yours."
"Huh?" Azarig looked confused.
"You didn't write yours?"
"No."
"…"
Azarig hesitated. If he gave Babale his reflection, he'd have nothing to submit.
He'd seen firsthand what happened to those who failed to hand in their work: the whippings, the public humiliation, the sleepless nights.
Even though he was Babale's subordinate, his loyalty wasn't exactly unwavering.
"Well… Lady Babale, the weather's quite nice tonight, isn't it?"
"?"
Before Babale could respond, Azarig bolted toward Natalia, cheerfully exclaiming, "Teacher! Please check my reflection for its unwavering sincerity!"
"…"
"Don't rush, don't rush. One at a time," Natalia replied, stifling a laugh. Was the tribe really so broken that they were this eager to submit their homework?
"Azarig, you traitorous fool!" Babale hissed under her breath.
Her suspicion had been correct: Azarig wasn't entirely loyal. Still, she needed his strength to deal with Luo Qing, so she swallowed her anger—for now.
Since Azarig wouldn't help, Babale turned to another target: a young boy from the tribe.
"Ret, how many words did you write?"
"Uh, 5,001, Lady Babale," the boy stammered, clearly nervous at being addressed by the tribe's leader.
"Good…" Babale nodded approvingly. "Ret, give me your reflection."
"But… Lady Babale, I…"
"Don't worry, Ret. Once Luo Qing is dealt with tomorrow, I'll reward you handsomely for your loyalty."
"But…"
Ret hesitated. If he gave his reflection to Babale, he'd have nothing to submit. That meant an extra 5,000 words, a whipping, and a sleepless night…
"What's wrong?" Babale's tone shifted to a subtle threat. "Are you defying your leader? Do you want to betray the tribe?"
"I-I wouldn't dare!"
"Then hand it over!"
"Yes… yes, Lady Babale."
Reluctantly, Ret handed over his reflection, his hands trembling as he watched Babale take it.
Just as she turned to leave, a voice interrupted them.
"Well, well, what's this?"
The two froze as they turned toward the speaker.
"Copying homework, are we?"
---
T/N: heh i copy homework all the time...
Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.
If you'd like to support WiseTL, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Even a small gesture is like sunlight and rain to a growing flower—it helps the garden of stories flourish and bloom!
-With love, Nahida 🌱
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