Chương 13: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [13]
Off the Coast of Liyue
As twilight settled over the horizon, the Alcor sailed like a prowling dragon toward Guyun Stone Forest.
To the southeast of Liyue Harbor lay Guyun Stone Forest, the prison of the Vortex God, Osial. Ordinary ships, whether heading to Sumeru or Inazuma, would give the area a wide berth, not daring to draw too close.
But Beidou and her Crux Fleet had never feared the so-called prison of a sealed god. They were even known to hold martial arts tournaments on the very stones of Guyun.
As a hitchhiker on this journey, Luo Qing's freedom of movement was limited. For the duration of the voyage — several hours in total — he was restricted to the ship's forward deck, with strict orders not to wander elsewhere.
At the aft deck, the Alcor's master, Beidou, was overseeing the ship's navigation. She seemed busy, uninterested in giving Luo Qing any attention.
Clearly, only the Traveler had the privilege of being treated like a VIP here.
Feeling bored, Luo Qing turned to the bow of the ship, where the dragon's head carving loomed into view. Sitting comfortably atop the dragon's head was a young man in a crimson sailor's outfit. Two Vision stones dangled from his waist: one glowed with a faint green light, while the other was dull and lifeless.
He seemed out of place among the bustling sailors, a calm presence amidst the chaos. Holding a green leaf in his hands, he blew a wistful tune — a melody from his homeland.
"The cherry blossoms in your homeland are in bloom, aren't they, Kaedehara-san?" Luo Qing said casually as he leapt onto the dragon's head, sitting down beside Kaedehara Kazuha as if they were old friends.
The trip would take several hours, and Luo Qing needed someone to chat with.
"You know me?" Kazuha asked, lowering the leaf and looking curiously at Luo Qing.
"Yes, I've heard your story — a wandering swordsman exiled from his homeland," Luo Qing replied easily, pulling out a small flask from his coat. Being a Snezhnayan, he had adopted the habit of carrying alcohol wherever he went.
"Care for a drink?"
"Thank you," Kazuha replied. He glanced at the bottle, then at Luo Qing, and took a sip.
This was the Crux Fleet's territory. Kazuha doubted that Luo Qing would try anything suspicious here. It was Luo Qing's casual familiarity that piqued his curiosity.
"Snezhnayan firewater... Not something you often find in Liyue," Kazuha remarked, eyeing the intricate engravings on the flask.
He had sailed with the Crux Fleet for a while, tasting drinks from across Teyvat, including the strong spirits from Snezhnaya.
"So, are you from Liyue?" Kazuha asked.
"Luo Qing, from Qingce Village. I rarely visit the harbor," Luo Qing replied.
"Then how did you come to know about me?" Kazuha asked, still puzzled.
"Well..." Luo Qing hesitated, then pulled out a pair of dark sunglasses from his pocket and put them on. He adjusted them dramatically, speaking with sudden seriousness.
"Because I'm a fortune teller."
"A fortune teller...?"
"Want me to tell your fortune? Name your query," Luo Qing offered enthusiastically.
"..."
Kazuha was momentarily taken aback, wondering if Luo Qing had just insulted him or genuinely offered to tell his fortune.
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"Then... how about you tell me where my journey will lead?" Kazuha asked, gazing out toward the distant shore.
"Tell me where this wandering leaf will finally rest."
"Alright!" Luo Qing exclaimed. He pulled out a tortoiseshell and three copper coins, placing the coins inside. He shook them in front of Kazuha, muttering under his breath:
"Big Duck Duck is the best... Big Duck Duck is the best... Big Duck Duck is the best..."
"Alright, let's see what your fate holds!"
The coins clattered onto the dragon's head with a soft thud. Just as Luo Qing was about to interpret the results, a wave suddenly crashed against the bow. One of the coins slipped off and plummeted into the sea.
"..."
"..."
"Perhaps we should just leave it at that. Thank you for your efforts," Kazuha suggested, inwardly wondering what Luo Qing had been mumbling earlier.
"No worries! I can read it with two coins just as well!" Luo Qing declared confidently, waving away Kazuha's concerns. He pretended to study the remaining coins.
After all, he already had the story's script in his head. The fortune-telling was just a cover.
"Kaedehara-san, do you long to return home?"
"My homeland... it doesn't welcome me anymore," Kazuha said softly, staring out at the deep purple thunderclouds that loomed far over the Inazuman seas.
He didn't understand what the Shogun sought through eternity, sealing the nation and forging a statue inlaid with countless Visions, spreading dread across Inazuma.
"Don't worry," Luo Qing said, patting Kazuha on the shoulder. "The Shogun's will is bound to change soon, and the cherry blossoms of your homeland will bloom for you once more."
"A Shogun who chases eternity... will even she change her mind?" Kazuha wondered aloud, lost in thought. He glanced back at Luo Qing, then asked:
"Mr. Luo Qing, where do you think our lives are ultimately heading?"
"Hm," Luo Qing pondered for a moment. "If I had my way, I'd aim for the warm embrace of young, long-legged beauties."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"Mr. Luo Qing, I was referring to our purpose in life, our ultimate goal. What is the reason we exist?"
"Oh, that's easy," Luo Qing replied. "To snuggle up close with young ladies and enjoy life's finest thighs."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"You certainly are a free spirit, Mr. Luo Qing," Kazuha said with a gentle smile, turning his gaze back to the distant shore.
Yet in his heart, he couldn't help but think how much he wished he could be as carefree as this man.
Not long after, the Alcor arrived at Guyun Stone Forest.
The entire Crux Fleet had anchored there, preparing for their journey to Inazuma at dawn. Even Beidou's bold sailors were reluctant to venture too close to the heart of Guyun, instead docking along the southern edges. They watched as Luo Qing disembarked.
The sailors had no idea what Luo Qing meant by "paying respects." They assumed he had ancestors buried here and, after offering some quick farewells, returned to their duties.
Before parting, Kazuha gave Luo Qing a bottle of fine sake from Inazuma — a token of gratitude for the "fortune-telling."
Luo Qing made his way deeper into the stone forest, navigating by the memories of the story in his mind.
The sea breeze whistled through the rocky spires, filling the air with a haunting melody. Fortunately, the moonlight and starlit sky were bright enough for him to see the sandy ground beneath his feet, preventing him from stumbling into the waves below.
Dotted across the stone spires were small, flickering campfires. Luo Qing knew better than to assume they were welcoming flames.
A closer inspection revealed that those campfires were surrounded by small, dark figures with strange masks: hilichurls.
Though technically classified as "monsters," hilichurls exhibited some level of intelligence, and rudimentary communication with them was possible. However, their violent tendencies and physical strength kept most ordinary people at a safe distance.
Several paths to the inner parts of Guyun were blocked by hilichurl camps. If Luo Qing wanted to reach the heart of the Stone Forest without swimming, he'd have to fight his way through.
"Perfect. Time to test my new weapon."
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned the Millelith Spear from his inventory. The heavy weapon materialized beside him, striking the ground with a deep, resonant thud.
Chương 14: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [14]
On the sands of Guyun Stone Forest, a group of hilichurls were roasting meat around a bonfire.
Suddenly, a spear swept out from the darkness, scattering the flames and knocking several hilichurls to the ground. Those hit by the attack lay motionless, their fates uncertain.
"Si-va ro-ma!"
The remaining hilichurls, realizing someone was crashing their little feast, cursed in their guttural language and grabbed their weapons, charging at Luo Qing.
A few minutes later, the hilichurls lay defeated.
Luo Qing wiped the grime off his Millelith Spear, deciding to keep it in hand rather than stowing it back in his system inventory. It would allow him to be battle-ready should any more monsters show up.
Though the night was deep, the jagged islands of Guyun served as clear markers, guiding him in the right direction.
After clearing out several more hilichurl camps, Luo Qing reached the central island of Guyun Stone Forest.
"This should be the place, right? So where is everyone?"
Holding the spear in one hand, he pulled out a map of the local Fatui outposts in Liyue and started comparing it to his surroundings.
Suddenly, a purple lightning moth flitted down onto his map, buzzing with crackling Electro energy.
Before he could figure out what it was, the moth opened its mouth and spat a bolt of electricity at his face. From behind him came a sultry female voice:
"Caught you~ Sneaky peeker~"
Luo Qing dodged to the side, turning to see a girl in a purple hooded cloak, wearing an eyepatch, holding a Mistgrass Lamp. Several more Electro moths swirled around her, their lights flickering like tiny lanterns as she smiled playfully.
"Seems like the outpost markings weren't too far off," Luo Qing muttered, slipping the map back into his coat. He was about to explain his identity as her superior when the Electro Cicin Mage cut him off without hesitation.
She raised her lamp high and shouted, "Go get him, my pretties! This is our chance for glory!"
The Electro Cicins surrounding her seemed to go berserk, their electric arcs growing brighter. They circled Luo Qing and unleashed waves of Electro energy.
"Hey! I'm your superior... What are you—" Luo Qing shouted as he dodged, trying to explain.
Though the girl was technically a subordinate, he didn't want to get too rough with her. If he did, she'd likely end up sprawled out on the ground, eyes vacant, tongue sticking out, fingers forming a peace sign.
"Superior, you say?"
The mage snorted with disdain. "Well then, my 'superior,' come play with me a bit~"
"You've got to be kidding me..."
As the mage chased Luo Qing across the sand, he suddenly realized the source of the misunderstanding.
He looked like any other Liyuean, holding a Millelith Spear — anyone would doubt his claim of being a Fatui officer.
Seeing the problem, Luo Qing rummaged through his pockets until he found a badge. With a sharp flick, he tossed it straight at the mage's face.
"Ugh, ow..."
With a thunk, the badge smacked her right on the forehead.
"You dare— hey, wait... What is... hey?!"
Her angry retort turned to confusion and then shock.
In a Cave at the Heart of Guyun
Luo Qing sat beside a standard-issue Fatui campfire, a bubbling pot of meat stew hanging above it. Judging by the smell, it had just finished cooking, but whoever prepared it hadn't gotten the chance to eat.
The Electro Cicin Mage, who had been chasing Luo Qing earlier, now stood nervously in front of him. Her previous swagger was completely gone, her hands fidgeting nervously behind her back.
"What's your name?" Luo Qing asked.
"T-Theresa... Leader of the 47th Advance Recon Team, assigned to Guyun Stone Forest..." Theresa stammered, her voice barely audible.
She couldn't believe her luck — she had just been hunting for some fresh meat, thinking she could toy with a random Liyuean for fun. Who would have thought she'd bump into her direct superior?!
[Frustration Value from Theresa +10]
Theresa's gaze lingered on the gleaming Fatui badge by the fire, her mind racing.
Every Fatui member was issued a personalized badge. Each badge indicated rank — a dull brown for recruits, a vibrant red for officers.
But the dark gold badge that now rested beside Luo Qing... she had only seen it in training manuals. It was the exclusive mark of the Fatui Harbingers.
Each Harbinger was known for their eccentric personality, and their movements were often unpredictable. With Fatui influence spread across Teyvat, some lower-ranking members had never even seen a Harbinger in person.
To ensure effective command, all Fatui personnel were required to memorize the appearance of the Harbinger badges.
That was why, at the sight of the badge, Theresa froze, unsure of what to do.
"Tell me, Theresa," Luo Qing said calmly, ladling a bowl of stew and setting it down beside him. "Do you know what it means to attack a superior?"
"U-um... Lord Luo Qing, I didn't mean it! I just wanted to..."
"Wanted to what?" Luo Qing pressed.
"Uh... I just thought..."
Theresa's cheeks flushed as she fidgeted, clearly unwilling to finish her sentence.
"Speak," Luo Qing ordered.
"I-I've been here for months without seeing a soul... When I saw you, I thought you were just a random Liyuean, so I wanted to have a little fun... scare you off a bit..."
"..."
Now it was Luo Qing's turn to be speechless.
"And what exactly was your plan to 'have fun'?"
"Well... I-I thought I'd give you a little zap?"
Theresa peeked up, only to flinch when Luo Qing's face hardened. She hastily explained:
"B-but, Lord Luo Qing, my pretties wouldn't have harmed you! At most, you'd feel a little tingle — just enough to scare you away! That's all I've ever done to anyone who wanders here... I've never given chase before!"
"And what about how you made them chase me earlier?"
"Uh... that..."
"Fine," Luo Qing sighed, patting the ground beside him and nodding at the stew. "Take a seat. This was your dinner, right? Eat up — I have a task for you."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Luo Qing!" Theresa's face lit up, a relieved smile spreading across her features. She removed her eyepatch, revealing deep blue eyes that shone with gratitude. Sitting down on the rug, she cradled the bowl of stew and sipped it carefully.
The Electro Cicins, now much calmer, hovered near her Mistgrass Lamp, their tiny eyes blinking at Luo Qing curiously.
As she took another sip, Theresa's face relaxed in contentment. The stew was made from prime hilichurl meat, simmered with concentrated broth packets she'd brought all the way from Snezhnaya — a meal she was proud of.
Feeling emboldened by Luo Qing's forgiving nature, Theresa shifted closer, her voice lowering to a curious whisper.
"Um, Lord Luo Qing... what rank are you?"
"Apprentice," Luo Qing replied without looking up, his gaze fixed on the fire.
"Apprentice...? Is that even a rank for a Harbinger?"
Confusion creased Theresa's brow. Clearly, word of Luo Qing's appointment as an Apprentice Harbinger hadn't reached her remote post.
Although she didn't fully understand, there was no doubting the legitimacy of the dark gold badge.
"Are you going to eat, or should I just send you on the mission now?" Luo Qing asked, sounding exasperated.
"O-oh, right!"
Theresa obediently buried her face back in the stew. As she sipped, she couldn't help but steal glances at Luo Qing's profile.
She had to admit, he was pretty handsome for a superior.
How would he compare to the infamous Childe, who was rumored to be arriving soon?
Not that Childe would visit this forgotten, desolate outpost... right?
---
T/N: So... he looks like any average Liyuean...but he has blonde and blue eyes. Works for me .
╮(￣▽￣"")╭ ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ ╮(￣▽￣"")╭
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