Chương 266: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [266] [40 PS]
This bonus chapter is a small gift—may it bring you a touch of tranquility.
---
Eula felt the voice was familiar and quickly looked up toward the cliff.
At the edge of the steep cliff, Lou Qing sat leisurely, a mint leaf dangling from his mouth, exuding an air of relaxation.
"Did you…"
"Yes, indeed."
Lou Qing chuckled softly, leaping down gracefully from the cliff. He casually patted the massive rock spine pinning the Stonehide Lawachurl to the ground and remarked in a calm voice, "So, how about it? Mine's big enough, right?"
"…"
Though Eula had no clue what exactly Lou Qing was implying, the smug look on his face told her all she needed to know.
This guy was definitely taking advantage of her.
"Counting this time and the last, Miss Eula, you owe me two lives now."
Lou Qing crossed his arms, a smirk on his face reminiscent of a certain merchant from Sumeru.
"How do you plan to repay me?"
"Hmph…"
Eula snorted softly, crossing her arms as she looked away, wearing a disdainful expression directed squarely at Lou Qing.
"I could've handled them myself even without your intervention. Sure, it would've cost me more effort, but still…"
She hesitated, then added, "And when exactly did I owe you two lives?"
"Two lives, indeed."
Lou Qing moved a bit closer, his head tilting as he grinned meaningfully.
"Surely Miss Eula hasn't forgotten that time your little guerrilla squad tried to finish me off while I was gravely injured?"
"That was…"
Eula tried to justify herself but was swiftly interrupted by Lou Qing.
"Did you really think a Harbinger of Snezhnaya would just let it slide after you merely tickled my feet and forced me to play guide? A simple scratch and it's all forgiven?"
Truth be told, Lou Qing understood well enough that Eula and her group had likely just wanted to capture him and take him to Mondstadt for interrogation.
But at that time, he had been barely clinging to life after Raiden Shogun's blade had left him hollowed out—an ultimate "one HP" situation.
If it weren't for the miracle elixirs he had, even sparring briefly with Eula's squad might've cost him the critical window for treatment. Bleeding out wasn't exactly far-fetched.
"…"
"So, with this time and the last combined, it's two lives. How does Miss Eula plan to repay her debt?"
Lou Qing snorted, his face assuming the expression of a debt collector.
"I…"
Eula felt a wave of frustration. While the situation just now had indeed been dire, she still had her Vision. At the last moment, she could've summoned Cryo energy to create an ice wall, blocking the Stonehide Lawachurl and its Hilichurl companions' assault.
But before she could act, Lou Qing's massive rock spine had crashed down, solving the problem in an instant.
Did that really count as him saving her?
"I could've handled it myself. Besides…"
She looked away awkwardly and mumbled, "You've already taken two of my swords. What more do you want?"
"Oh?"
Lou Qing feigned surprise, summoning the two greatswords from his system inventory with a thought. He planted them in the ground, fiddling with them dramatically.
"So, according to Miss Eula, these two greatswords are as important as your own life?"
"I…"
Eula stared at her former swords in Lou Qing's hands, her heart aching as if it were bleeding.
"Would Miss Eula like to reclaim these two greatswords?"
Lou Qing trailed his fingers along the blade's edge, his tone tempting. "If you agree to do something for me, you can take one back. How about it?"
"You…"
Eula scrutinized Lou Qing from head to toe, wondering how someone so brazenly irritating had managed to become a Harbinger.
"What do you want me to do?"
"First, say whether you agree or not."
"…"
Eula gazed at the Song of Broken Pines he held, deliberating for a long time. Finally, she crossed her arms and said haughtily, "Let me make this clear: I won't do anything unethical or immoral."
"Of course~. Now, for the first task…"
Lou Qing smiled mischievously, his tone light.
"Miss Eula, would you perform the Ritual Dance for me?"
"What…?"
Eula was momentarily stunned. She had expected him to demand secrets about Mondstadt or some similarly egregious request.
Her plan had been to scold him harshly, declare her noble knightly spirit, and make it clear she would never compromise with the Fatui.
Then she'd turn on her heel and storm off in defiance.
But he only wanted her to dance the Ritual Dance?
Hmph…
It was just a dance. Surely it wouldn't endanger Mondstadt in any way, right?
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious~."
"…"
Eula gulped, her gaze drifting reluctantly to the greatsword in his hand—her beloved weapon.
It was only a dance. Performing it for him… shouldn't be that big of a deal, right?
After wrestling with her thoughts for a while, Eula finally sighed, her cheeks tinged red. She muttered softly, "Where do you want me to dance?"
"Right here~."
"Now?"
"Now."
"…"
Eula glanced behind her, ensuring no reinforcements from the guerrilla squad were in sight, and took a deep breath before stepping back a few paces.
"I'll only do this once."
Closing her eyes, she raised her arms gracefully.
Without any accompanying music, Eula began to dance, her movements elegant and captivating. Her lithe form swayed like a deep-blue spirit, her curves mesmerizing even in the silence of the moment.
Lou Qing had seen Nilou dance often during his time in Sumeru, but Eula was different. Nilou, for all her grace, was still a girl. In terms of sheer physical allure, she couldn't compare to Eula.
Even without music, Eula's dance left Lou Qing utterly spellbound.
His gaze naturally fell to where it should—her soul… or was it Mondstadt's rhythm? Wait, neither of those sound right…
The dance ended quickly.
Eula exhaled deeply, her face slightly flushed as she looked back at Lou Qing.
"I've done the first thing. Now…"
"Miss Eula, your dance was truly remarkable. It's clear you've practiced a lot," Lou Qing clapped lightly, his expression one of genuine appreciation.
"My sword."
Eula ignored him, her focus entirely on her reclaimed weapon.
"Here you go."
Lou Qing casually lifted the White Iron Greatsword from the ground and tossed it to her.
Eula eagerly caught the sword, giving it a light swing to confirm it was indeed her own. Then, her eyes returned to Lou Qing, her expression impatient.
"What's the next task?"
Though the White Iron Greatsword was nice, it paled in comparison to the Song of Broken Pines. She was eager to complete the next task and reclaim her treasured blade.
"Well, since Miss Eula seems so eager, I suppose it's fine…" Lou Qing grinned slyly, enunciating each word clearly.
"The next task is…"
"Just say it."
"Promise me three more things."
"…?"
[Frustration +1 from Eula]
---
Ah, Reader. You've stayed for the bonus chapter—how delightful.
Even amidst the quiet of eternity, there's joy to be found in shared moments like this.
If you wish to offer your strength, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each effort helps to shape a world where such moments can thrive.
— Ei
Chương 267: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [267] [50 PS]
This bonus chapter is a small gift—may it bring you a touch of tranquility.
---
Eula's earlier impatience vanished as she glared at Lou Qing, her grip tightening on the White Iron Greatsword she had just retrieved. Realizing she wasn't his match in strength, however, she reluctantly loosened her hold.
"Well, Miss Eula, are you going to agree or not?"
Lou Qing's slight smirk infuriated her. To Eula, he resembled nothing more than a shameless merchant.
"If you agree to three more tasks, you'll have this exquisitely perfect greatsword back in your hands~. Doesn't that sound tempting?"
"…"
[Frustration +1 from Eula]
In all her years, Eula had never met anyone so brazenly shameless!
If she agreed to three more tasks now, wouldn't that just lead to another three afterward?
Was this guy trying to play some kind of endless nesting doll scheme?!
"Typical. Snezhnayans truly live up to their reputation as swindlers."
Eula spoke with disdain, realizing she should've known better than to expect a fair deal with someone from Snezhnaya.
"Hey now, Miss Eula, there's no need for such regional prejudice."
Lou Qing feigned indignation. "Say another word of regional slander, and I might just take back that White Iron Greatsword of yours."
"…"
"And for the record, while I'm indeed from Snezhnaya, my bloodline traces back to Liyue!" Lou Qing added, striking a righteous pose. "My lineage carries the soul of the Geo Archon's contracts—built on fairness and honor!"
He patted the Song of Broken Pines in his hand and continued with a perfectly earnest expression.
"Miss Eula, if you think about it, the value of this greatsword is at least three times that of your White Iron Greatsword, right? Asking for three tasks in exchange is nothing short of fair."
"I'm even giving you a familiar discount! What's there to complain about?"
"…"
Lou Qing's reasoning was so convoluted that Eula was momentarily speechless.
Wait… so her greatsword was just a unit of measurement now?
One White Iron Greatsword equaled one favor?
Forget Snezhnayans… no, I can't say that. This guy specifically! Lou Qing! How can you be this shameless?!
"Hmph, and what's to stop you from asking for three more tasks after I finish these?"
Eula's voice was cold, her eyes narrowing. She wasn't falling for this trick again.
"Depends on my mood."
"…"
He didn't even try to deny it!
He was actually admitting that he planned to keep this game going indefinitely!
"Hmph, I'm not agreeing to anything."
Eula turned her head away, forcing herself not to look at the Song of Broken Pines in his hand. As long as she didn't look, she wouldn't feel tempted…
"Still, if you don't at least try, Miss Eula, I'm afraid your beloved sword might leave you forever~."
Lou Qing's voice turned teasing, dripping with temptation.
"I heard this sword holds great sentimental value for you, doesn't it? Such a shame… if you don't act, it might just become my plaything~."
"…"
"Enough!"
Eula snapped, unable to endure Lou Qing's incessant goading any longer.
Why, oh why, can't I just beat this guy?!
"Well then, for the first task…"
Seeing that his provocation had worked, Lou Qing spoke with a calm, deliberate tone.
"Miss Eula, you know where my residence is, don't you? Judging by the distance, it should take you about half a day to get there."
"So, by midnight tonight, please come find me there~."
With that, Lou Qing's figure vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of where he had gone.
He had said everything he needed to. The rest depended on Eula's resolve.
"This guy…"
Eula stood frozen in place for a long moment after Lou Qing's departure, her gaze subconsciously drifting toward the direction of Eagle's Gate Beach.
The first task was simply to meet him by midnight…
It didn't seem like too big of a deal, did it?
Should I…?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out nearby, snapping her back to reality. Turning toward the sound, she saw the members of her guerrilla squad returning with reinforcements.
"Captain Eula, we're here to help… huh?"
The squad's leader, accompanied by Knights of Favonius reinforcements, had rushed over at full speed. From a distance, they had only seen their captain surrounded by Hilichurls. They hadn't noticed the giant rock spear impaling the creatures.
It wasn't until they reached Eula that they saw the peculiar Geo construct pinning the Hilichurls to the ground, long since lifeless.
"Captain Eula, what is this…?"
The squad leader seemed puzzled.
Eula's Vision was Cryo. How could these Geo spears have come from her?
"Someone intervened."
Eula's voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
"Someone helped you? Well, we have to thank them properly! Where are they now?"
The squad members looked around but saw no sign of anyone else.
"That person is already gone."
"Ah, I see… well, we'll thank them properly when we meet them next time."
The squad members held great respect for Eula, who had saved them from many dangerous situations in the past. They were immensely relieved to find her unharmed. They made a mental note to find the mysterious savior later and express their gratitude.
"Captain Eula, should we head back now to report what happened?"
"Hmm…"
Eula hesitated for a moment, seemingly coming to a decision. Finally, she spoke.
"You all go back and report. I'll return later."
"Captain, you…"
"I'm going to find that person."
"Oh, of course! It's only right to thank them personally."
The squad members exchanged understanding glances, assuming their captain intended to express her gratitude in person.
"Captain Eula, please convey our thanks to them as well! We'd really appreciate it."
"Yes, Captain!"
"…"
[Frustration +1 from Eula]
---
Nightfall
The full moon rose over the sea, its gentle light blanketing the land in silver.
Lou Qing sat alone on a cliff overlooking Eagle's Gate Beach, humming softly as he gazed at the horizon.
Standing behind him was Natalia, holding a black-and-white outfit adorned with lace. The specific style was hard to discern.
"My lord…"
After a long silence, Natalia spoke, unable to suppress her curiosity. "She probably won't come, right? Should we just head back?"
The cold wind on the cliff was biting, and her thin outfit wasn't helping. She longed to retreat to the warmth of the tents below.
"Says who?"
Lou Qing smiled as he sensed movement in the distance.
"She's here."
---
Ah, Reader. You've stayed for the bonus chapter—how delightful.
Even amidst the quiet of eternity, there's joy to be found in shared moments like this.
If you wish to offer your strength, step forward: [patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each effort helps to shape a world where such moments can thrive.
— Ei
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