"Why?" Perhaps not expecting Yun Fan to refuse, Paimon was momentarily stunned before quickly pressing for an answer. Not only her, but Lumine also cast a probing gaze at Yun Fan.
"Well, let's just say I have some... history with the adepti of Jueyun Karst. If I go with you, it might just backfire," Yun Fan scratched his head and replied hesitantly.
"History?"
"Yeah, I almost beat them to death once."
Seeing Yun Fan say such a thing with an embarrassed expression, Lumine and Paimon felt as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through their hearts. This guy really had a "life-and-death" relationship with the adepti! They had thought they finally found a reliable ally, but now it seemed they would have to go alone.
After Lumine and Paimon left, Zhongli, who had been observing Yun Fan deep in thought, also set down his wine cup.
"I heard you agreed to the marriage proposal from Cloud Retainer. Have you been to Jueyun Karst since returning to Liyue?"
"Sigh, no, I haven't," Yun Fan replied with a bitter smile. To be honest, he didn't know how to face Shenhe. After all, he was no longer the naive scholar who had first arrived in Teyvat.
Looking back now, agreeing to the marriage proposal with Shenhe on a whim was quite reckless. Even taking Keqing as his disciple had been a spur-of-the-moment decision.
"Ah..." Yun Fan sighed again.
But since he had chosen to agree, he had to take responsibility like a man.
Seeing Yun Fan's expression, Zhongli understood his thoughts and said, "I see. That child Shenhe is also a pitiful soul. As her elder, I hope you will handle this properly."
Zhongli spoke as Shenhe's elder. Since Shenhe was Cloud Retainer's disciple, Zhongli could be considered her grandmaster. As an elder, he couldn't let Yun Fan off the hook so easily.
"Thank you..."
——————
"Lord Childe, the golden-haired traveler has left Liyue Harbor with her companion," a Fatui Debt Collector reported to Tartaglia inside the Northland Bank.
"I see. Did she do anything unusual before leaving? Anything out of the ordinary?" Tartaglia was meticulously maintaining his weapon, his eyes fixed on the Rust bow. He didn't even glance at the Debt Collector as he spoke.
The Debt Collector thought carefully. Aside from disappearing briefly around noon, the traveler hadn't done anything unusual. She had probably just gone for lunch. So, he reported no anomalies.
"Reporting, sir, no abnormalities were detected."
'Perhaps she's not from the Qixing? Well, it doesn't matter. As long as she helps me complete my plan,' Tartaglia thought to himself, then ordered the Debt Collector.
"Alright, you may leave. Also, continue searching for the remains of Rex Lapis. I refuse to believe the Qixing can hide it in the sky." After saying this, Tartaglia continued polishing his bow, though his mind was already wandering.
Since the traveler had set off, his plan could now proceed. He didn't entirely rely on Zhongli to reveal the location of Rex Lapis's remains. It would be great if he got the information, but it wasn't essential.
Once the adepti of Liyue arrived in Liyue Harbor to confront the Qixing, the city's defenses would undoubtedly weaken. That would be the perfect time to act.
"Hmm? Why are you still here?" Tartaglia snapped out of his thoughts and noticed the Pyro Debt Collector still standing beside him. His brow furrowed slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of displeasure.
"L-Lord Childe, I have something else to report," the Debt Collector stammered, lowering his head under Tartaglia's sharp gaze.
"Speak," Tartaglia waved his hand impatiently.
"It's Lord Pantalone. He said... your expenses have exceeded the budget. Especially after hearing that you've been using the Northland Bank's funds to... raise a man, he plans to cut your funding." The Debt Collector's head was practically touching the ground. He was on the verge of tears. Pantalone had ordered him to deliver this message, and he dared not disobey.
Hearing this, Tartaglia's face darkened. What did he mean by "raising a man"? His sexual orientation was perfectly normal! Besides, wasn't this all for the sake of the Gnosis? What bad luck! His reputation was ruined!
"Lord Childe..." The Debt Collector felt his heart pounding. The Harbingers' tempers were unpredictable, and he didn't want to die here.
"Get out!" Tartaglia waved his hand, signaling for the Debt Collector to leave immediately.
"Yes, sir!" The Debt Collector, relieved to have survived, quickly ran off, leaving Tartaglia with a stormy expression.
——————
"Fall!"
Lumine, wielding the Sword of Descension, was locked in a fierce battle with a Geovishap. The scales of this monster were incredibly tough, making it difficult for her Anemo abilities to deal significant damage.
Fortunately, Lumine had already interacted with the Geo Statue of the Seven and could wield Geo energy. Seizing the moment after the Geovishap's attack, she unleashed a Starfell Sword.
Boom!
The massive meteorite slammed into the Geovishap's head, leaving it dazed and disoriented.
"Starfell Sword!" "Fall!" "Ha!"...
Seeing her attack was effective, Lumine pressed her advantage, unleashing a series of Starfell Swords. The Geovishap, still reeling from the initial blow, was overwhelmed by the relentless assault and fell to the ground, defeated by the dishonorable outlander.
"Wow! Traveler, your Geo abilities are amazing! Much stronger than Venti's Anemo!" Paimon looked at Lumine with admiration.
"Hmph," Lumine puffed out her chest proudly, as if to say she could take on ten more of these creatures. But then her expression turned serious.
"Since coming to Liyue, the overall strength of the monsters we've encountered is clearly higher than in Mondstadt. It's hard to imagine that the people of Liyue have to deal with such powerful creatures every day," Lumine said with a sigh.
"Yeah," Paimon nodded in agreement. It felt like the monsters in Mondstadt were weak and fragile, while the ones in Liyue were pumped up with adrenaline.
Thud, thud, thud...
As they were talking, Lumine and Paimon suddenly felt the ground tremble slightly. Puzzled, they looked around, trying to find the source of the vibrations.
"Ah! Traveler, look over there!" Paimon exclaimed in horror. Lumine followed Paimon's gaze and was equally shocked.