Kapitel 7: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [7]
Liyue Harbor, Jade Chamber
Towering above all, floating high in the sky, the Jade Chamber was the residence of the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, the very heart of Liyue's economy.
Rumor had it that countless secrets of wealth were hidden within, tempting merchants to spend fortunes for just a chance to step foot inside and have an audience with the Tianquan.
Such was the power of the Tianquan Star — the symbol of Liyue's prosperity and strength.
On the six-sided stone platform outside the palace, Ningguang, the Tianquan, looked down upon the bustling lives of Liyue's citizens. One hand delicately rested on her pipe as she stood with a quiet grace.
Behind her were her three secretaries, Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi, each holding urgent reports.
Baiwen stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Lady Ningguang, the new representative from Snezhnaya's Northland Bank has arrived at the port. According to information from Snezhnaya, it seems his identity may not be as simple as it appears... He might be connected to that certain someone."
"For years, the Northland Bank has aimed to have their currency replace Mora. This personnel change might be the first step in their next scheme. Lady Ningguang, should we send someone to keep an eye on them?"
"That wouldn't be proper Liyue hospitality," Ningguang said with a slight shake of her head.
"For now, do nothing rash. Pick a suitable day and invite him for a meeting."
"Understood, Lady Ningguang."
After briefing Ningguang on other recent matters, the three secretaries returned inside to handle their tasks, leaving Ningguang alone on the stone platform.
She gazed out at the vast harbor, her thoughts drifting.
Could it really be him? After all these years, is he still so fixated on revenge?
Suddenly, the sound of high heels clicking against stone steps echoed from behind her.
A tall woman in a deep blue, form-fitting leather suit with a white cape walked up the platform.
"Did you find anything?" Ningguang asked calmly, taking a puff from her pipe.
"Based on all reliable sources, his identity is spotless — the new representative from Snezhnaya, accompanied by three subordinates. He's currently settled in the upper floors of the Northland Bank," Yelan reported.
"So, there are... unreliable sources?"
"Recently, Snezhnaya held a selection for a new Trainee Harbinger. It seems they're aiming to fill the Twelfth Seat," Yelan said in a low voice.
Just as Snezhnaya had informants scattered across the other six nations, Liyue had its own eyes and ears within Snezhnaya.
Ningguang mused aloud, "The Twelfth Seat..."
Each of the Fatui Harbingers had the power to create chaos in any of the other six nations.
In recent years, the Fatui's military expansion had been frighteningly fast, and their presence now covered the wilds of Teyvat.
For the safety of Liyue, and due to past betrayals, Ningguang had always approached any Fatui-related matters with utmost caution.
"Interestingly enough, the one selected vanished a few days after the ceremony, never appearing in public. There wasn't even a proper conferral of honors — it's as if he never existed.
And his disappearance coincides with the departure of that merchant ship carrying the new representative."
"Do we have any details on him?"
"A male, former instructor for new Fatui recruits, an orphan from Liyue, skilled in spear techniques. Also, he's... rather annoying."
"..."
Ningguang blinked, momentarily thrown off by Yelan's description.
"Annoying?" she echoed.
"That's what the informants reported. Apparently, he used some underhanded tricks during the Harbinger selection and trained recruits in ways that made them want to punch him."
"I see."
A small smile appeared on Ningguang's face.
"Keep an eye on him. Report any suspicious actions to me immediately."
"Understood."
Yelan nodded, her figure flickering before vanishing from the stone platform.
"This is the first time I've heard such a... unique description," Ningguang murmured, her gaze lingering on the ships in the harbor.
Liyue Harbor
Liyue Harbor lived up to its reputation as the premier port of Teyvat, with a daily traffic of ships so vast it was hard to comprehend.
After a long wait to dock, Luo Qing's merchant vessel finally found a spot.
It turned out that bringing the three recruits along had been a brilliant idea.
Over the months-long voyage, teaching them the Thirteen Fatal Thrusts had earned him enough Frustration Points for another ten-pull in the system.
He was just waiting for the right moment to hit the button.
Escorted to the top floor of the Northland Bank, only a few high-ranking bank officials knew of Luo Qing's true identity.
To most of the regular staff, he was simply their new superior, with no hint of his true mission or intentions.
Their living quarters were on the top floor of the Northland Bank, one of the highest pavilions beneath Yujing Terrace.
From the top floor, he could look out from north to south, overseeing the entire harbor.
Sending the three recruits to their rooms to rest, Luo Qing removed his cloak.
The pleasant climate of Liyue made it too warm to continue wearing it. It seemed he'd have to switch to lighter clothing, like the locals.
He inspected the room thoroughly, ensuring no one was lurking in the shadows, before finally collapsing onto the bed.
Months of turbulent sea travel had nearly turned his brain to jelly.
Even with an important mission hanging over him, there was no rush. Now that he had a chance to rest, he intended to make the most of it.
Closing his eyes, he used his arm to shield himself from the sunlight streaming through the balcony window, and a wave of drowsiness washed over him.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a sudden chill on his back jolted him awake.
He sat up, staring towards the balcony.
"Who's there?!"
Rushing out to the balcony, he scanned the direction of Yujing Terrace, seeing nothing but the wooden pavilions and green-tiled roofs... and the occasional bird flying by.
No sign of anyone.
"Fast escape..."
As a seasoned intelligence agent from the House of Hearth, Luo Qing had a sharp instinct for tracking and being tracked.
He was certain someone had been watching him from outside the balcony.
"Already being monitored? Looks like Liyue's intelligence network is top-notch," he muttered to himself.
Just as he turned to head back inside, a thought struck him, and he stepped back out onto the balcony.
[Use the "Let's Learn to Meow Together" Item Card? Select target: Natalia, Igor, Sergei, Li Hua, Han Meimei... Yelan...]
The system allowed him to target any individual within a ten-meter radius for an item card, with potential targets appearing on his screen.
In a sense, the system's item cards also acted like a radar, revealing who was nearby.
"Knew it, you haven't left yet."
Standing on the balcony, Luo Qing called out, "I know you're there. If you don't show yourself, don't blame me for what happens next!"
Seconds passed in silence, with no response.
Meanwhile, atop the green-tiled roof just above Luo Qing's balcony, Yelan sat casually with one arm propped under her chin, watching him with a bemused expression.
Did this Snezhnayan really think he could fool anyone with such a childish trick? How naive.
Below, Luo Qing shouted again, "I've already warned you! Don't make me do it!"
Yelan chuckled, thinking, Go ahead, I dare you. What can you possibly do?
But what happened next caught her completely off guard.
Wait... why do I suddenly feel like singing?
"Let's... learn to..."
In her confusion, her lips moved on their own, and she started to sing.
Oh no, I've been caught!
Realizing something was wrong, Yelan attempted to flee, but it was too late.
Luo Qing vaulted onto the roof, landing directly in front of her.
"Meow... meow... meow."
[Frustration Value from Yelan +10]
Kapitel 8: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [8]
A full rendition of "Let's Learn to Meow" takes three minutes and twenty-nine seconds. Excluding the eighteen seconds for the intro and outro, there are three minutes and twenty-one seconds of actual singing.
Luo Qing's item card effect lasted for five minutes. If the target's mental resilience was weaker than his own, they'd end up singing the song twice.
But Yelan, known for being an elusive presence within the Ministry of Civil Affairs, possessed an extraordinary willpower. Luo Qing's item card only affected her for two minutes.
Yet those two minutes were more than enough for Luo Qing to do plenty~
In the upper floor of the Northland Bank's pavilion, at a square tea table made of refined sandwood, Luo Qing and Yelan sat facing each other.
As a newly captured Liyue "prisoner of war," Luo Qing was quite satisfied with his prize. He was ready to interrogate her, to forcefully extract the reason she was spying on him!
On the opposite side of the table, Yelan knelt with her hands and toes bound by thumb cuffs, her gaze locked onto Luo Qing with a mix of rage and frustration.
Never in her life did she expect to be captured by Luo Qing in such a humiliating manner, let alone be forced to punch the air with cat paws while singing such an embarrassing song...
Those two minutes were the most agonizing moments of her life.
"Speak! Who are you, and why were you spying on me?!"
Of course, Luo Qing knew exactly who she was, but he had to play the fool to avoid revealing his own knowledge.
Yelan remained silent in the face of his question, her fingers straining subtly against the cuffs, attempting to break free.
Noticing her movement, Luo Qing chuckled coldly.
"I wouldn't bother. The more you struggle, the tighter those cuffs will get.
If you keep this up, your slender fingers will be ruined from lack of blood flow.
And don't even think about using elemental energy — these cuffs block elemental power. I'm sure you've noticed that already."
Luo Qing stood and circled around Yelan, putting on an air of authority.
"So, why not just tell me who you are and why you were watching me? Maybe I'll even let you go if you're honest."
Finally getting a chance to play the villain, Luo Qing was going to enjoy it to the fullest.
Seeing Yelan's steadfast expression, as if she were ready to sacrifice herself for her mission, made his heart race with excitement.
Is this the thrill of being a villain?
Ah, it felt fantastic.
"So, still not talking? Impressive. Don't blame me, then!"
He waited, but Yelan remained silent, refusing to say a word. Luo Qing nodded slightly, then called out towards the door.
"If you three keep eavesdropping, I'll make you regret it!"
Suddenly, there was a scurry of footsteps outside the door.
"Natalia, you stay. Come in," Luo Qing commanded.
One set of footsteps abruptly stopped.
After a moment, the door creaked open, and Natalia, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, entered. She was just as tall as Yelan, wearing an awkward smile.
"Master Luo Qing, you... you called for me?"
"Come in. I have a task for you."
"Uh..."
Natalia hesitated, glancing at Yelan who knelt at the tea table, her posture revealing every elegant curve.
Wow, this Liyue woman's figure is stunning...
"Master Luo Qing, you could handle this on your own... Do you really need me here?"
"Hmm?"
"Y-yes, sir."
Regretting her decision to join the two men in eavesdropping earlier, Natalia reluctantly stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her.
Yelan's gaze shifted from the two of them, her eyes filled with defiance.
"Master Luo Qing, what exactly do you want me to do...?"
Natalia's nervous glance fell once more upon Yelan.
Does Master Luo Qing enjoy... threesomes?
Hiss...
"Stand behind her," Luo Qing ordered.
"Understood."
Natalia obeyed, moving to stand behind Yelan. Due to the thumb cuffs on her toes, Yelan's shoes had been removed.
"Now, I'll ask you one last time. Why were you spying on me?"
Luo Qing's voice was cold, his eyes sharp as he issued what seemed like a final ultimatum.
Even Natalia felt a chill down her spine — she had never seen Luo Qing so serious before.
But Yelan merely sneered, remaining silent.
"Fine, impressive determination. Natalia!"
"Yes, Master Luo Qing!"
"Tickle her feet."
"Y-yes, s—what?!"
Natalia froze, thinking she must have misheard.
"Did I stutter?"
"N-no, you were clear."
"Then hurry up and do it."
"Yes, sir!"
Natalia had been bracing herself for something much darker, maybe even a life-or-death situation, but Luo Qing's command was... to tickle?
Even after arriving in Liyue, it seemed that Master Luo Qing was still as quirky as ever.
Following orders, Natalia's cold fingers slowly reached Yelan's bare soles.
Despite Yelan's frequent fieldwork, the Vision granted her a perfect physique. Her feet were immaculate, soft and smooth, without the calluses of a normal warrior.
Luo Qing had already noticed this when he bound her toes.
And why didn't he do the tickling himself?
He feared Yelan would kill him someday for it.
Meanwhile, Yelan couldn't help but scoff internally. She'd never heard of a torture method involving foot tickling.
She'd survived countless perilous missions — this was nothing to her.
But the moment Natalia's fingers brushed against her sensitive soles, a wave of unbearable ticklishness shot through her body.
Before long, Yelan's expression began to change, her eyes twitching, glaring daggers at Luo Qing.
Some people are naturally immune to tickling, but Yelan was clearly not among them.
[Frustration Value from Yelan +1+1+1+1...]
"Master Luo Qing, is this pressure good?" Natalia asked, fingers gently working Yelan's feet.
"Perfect, keep going. I'll be right back."
Seeing that Yelan's face was already contorting, Luo Qing nodded in satisfaction and walked over to his pile of luggage.
As he rummaged through it, he casually added,
"Oh, and Natalia, try tickling her armpits too."
"Yes, Master Luo Qing!"
After a few moments, Luo Qing returned, cradling a Kamera in his hands.
He placed it on the tea table, not saying a word, simply watching Yelan's growing discomfort.
Around thirty minutes passed.
By now, Yelan's face was a study in strained emotion.
Struggling against the relentless tickling had left her cheeks flushed, sweat dripping from her brow, staining her thighs. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes as she gasped for breath, chest rising and falling with each ragged exhale.
She still glared defiantly at Luo Qing, though.
"Not bad at all. You managed to hold out until now."
Luo Qing admired her resolve, nodding approvingly.
Tickling might sound childish, but it was a legitimate interrogation method. Prolonged tickling could lead to incontinence or even death by laughter if taken far enough.
"Alright, that's enough, Natalia. You can stop."
"Yes, Master Luo Qing... huh?! What happened to her...?"
Natalia stepped away, staring at Yelan's flushed and humiliated expression with shock.
She had only tickled her, so why did Yelan look like she had endured some kind of terrible torment?
"Perfectly normal. Smile for the Kamera."
Luo Qing gestured with his hand, holding the Kamera in front of Yelan's face before pressing the capture button.
A few seconds later, the device clicked, and a white-bordered photograph popped out.
Luo Qing examined the photo.
Yelan, kneeling at the tea table, her expression a mix of shame and rage, her eyes glistening — it was a sight of breathtaking beauty.
Perfect. A true collector's item.
"Execution's over. Let's go, Natalia. It's time for dinner."
Luo Qing pocketed the photo, shot a final glance at Yelan, and walked out of the room with Natalia in tow.
Once they had left, Yelan glared in their direction before turning to the tea table.
Amidst the porcelain teaware lay a small, delicate key.
She knew all too well what it was: the key to her cuffs.
With Luo Qing's skill, there was no way he could have accidentally left it in plain sight.
He must have done it on purpose.
Is he trying to help me?
Her mind raced with possibilities, but first, she had to get out and report everything to Lady Ningguang.
Whatever the case, her mission came first.
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