Additional chapter for reaching 100 powerstones. Let's try reaching 150 before reset
.....
Shajin slowly removed his hat and sunglasses, casually tossing them into the Vision.
His mocking gaze never left Diluc, as though mocking his incompetence.
"Although most of Mondstadt's main forces have gone on an expedition, we still don't need a 'criminal' to help you!" Diluc's tone was filled with challenge and disdain.
"Heh, Mondstadt, always so restricted, how can it solve its current dilemma without external help?" Shajin retorted, his tone equally sharp. He and Diluc stood firm, eyes locked, the tension between them at its peak. It felt as though any moment could trigger an intense conflict.
"Hey, Venti, who's this handsome man with the beautiful eyes?" Lumine couldn't help but lean closer to Venti, whispering in curiosity.
Venti also lowered his voice to answer, "His name is Shajin. He's known as the 'Gambling Saint' in Liyue, undefeated in the casinos."
Venti's gaze never left Shajin, and he continued, "But three years ago, he deliberately released an ancient god's wife, Beisht, causing a catastrophe. Although no civilians were harmed, nearly all of Liyue's coastal buildings were destroyed."
Lumine's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe that the seemingly charming blonde man before her had committed such a heinous act.
"Eventually, he was sentenced to exile and was driven out of Liyue." Venti's voice held a tone of regret and helplessness.
Lumine looked at Shajin, her mind filled with confusion and doubt. Why had such a person come to Mondstadt? And why was he provoking Diluc?
"Diluc, you know, my inn has vast intelligence-gathering capabilities. When it comes to collecting information, I'm not worse than you~" Shajin spoke with confidence, his voice smooth.
"And what you need to do now is figure out a way to take back the Skyward Harp from the Fatui's base," Shajin said casually.
"Huh!? You already know where their base is?" Paimon asked in surprise.
"Of course~" Shajin smiled confidently, pulling out a map and pointing to a marked location. "Here, this is the entrance to the Fatui's base. Whether what I say is true, you can judge for yourselves."
Diluc took the map, studying it carefully. His brow furrowed slightly as he pondered whether to trust the information Shajin had provided. The news seemed too sudden and important to dismiss easily.
At that moment, Shajin seemed to sense Diluc's hesitation and smiled. "It's a shame I didn't get to taste the Dandelion Wine, but no worries. I'll be back to find you next time."
With a snap of his fingers, golden light enveloped Shajin's body, and in a flash, he disappeared.
Looking in the direction where Shajin had vanished, Diluc's expression grew even more somber.
Just then, another unexpected person arrived.
"Jean, what brings you here?" Lumine asked in confusion.
Paimon quickly hid behind Lumine. "We didn't take the Skyward Harp, really!"
Jean smiled softly. "Don't worry, Lumine, I'm not here to reprimand you. Right now, I'm just Jean, not the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."
"Huh, what does that mean?" Lumine tilted her head in confusion.
"Because of the external pressure from the Fatui, the Knights of Favonius can't openly express goodwill toward the Anemo Archon. It would be misinterpreted as indulgence and inaction, so I have to act privately."
Jean then added, "I'm here because of an invitation from my senior."
"Senior?" Lumine tilted her head again.
"Heh, I couldn't stand the Knights of Favonius dragging their feet and compromising, so I quit. And also, don't call me 'senior.'"
Diluc, with a stone-cold expression, remarked, "Enough talk. Right now, the most urgent task is to find the Skyward Harp so we can use it to soothe Dvalin."
Jean noticed the map on the table.
"Impressive as always, sir. Your intelligence-gathering skills are still top-notch."
"Don't call me 'sir,' and this map isn't mine. It was left by Liyue's 'Gambling Saint.'"
"'Gambling Saint,' the one who caused the Beisht Rebellion?!"
"Exactly. We don't have anything of interest to him, so this map is most likely genuine."
Jean thought carefully, her brow furrowing as she tried to recall the appearance of Liyue's 'Gambling Saint.' It felt vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it.
Suddenly, she had a potential lead but didn't have time to think it through as Lumine said, "We shouldn't delay any longer. Let's go retrieve the Skyward Harp!"
Lumine quickly pulled out her sword, ready to head out with the others to reclaim the artifact.
Jean no longer hesitated and followed the group, ready to embark on the journey.
They needed to recover the Skyward Harp as quickly as possible to thwart the Fatui's sinister plot.
…..
Meanwhile, at the Stormterror's Lair.
A blonde young man extended his right hand, using his power to control the toxins inside Dvalin at a manageable level.
Just then, a strange voice came from behind.
"Heh, isn't this the Abyss Prince? Or should I call you Lumine's brother, Aether?"
Aether's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the voice, and he instinctively summoned his sword, slashing backward.
However, his attack was easily caught by a gloved hand, the glove glowing faintly with golden light.
"Fighting and killing aren't good, don't you think?" The stranger spoke casually, clearly not taking Aether seriously.
"The Fatui's Twelfth Harbinger, 'The Gambler,'" Aether said, recognizing the identity of the intruder.
"What do you want here?!" Aether's eyes were sharp, his gaze fixed on the stranger.
Shajin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he casually sat atop the unconscious Dvalin.
His actions were puzzling, as if he had some hidden agenda.
Around them, Abyss Heralds and Abyss Mages stood guard, ready to lay down their lives at the prince's command.
"Don't panic, Prince. I'm just here to discuss a little cooperation."
"For example, ensuring that your sister remains safe in Teyvat~"
"My dear Prince, you wouldn't want your sister to come to any harm, would you?"
"You… What do you know?"
"Trust me, I know much more than you can imagine."
"What do you want?"
Aether fell silent for a moment before responding.
"You only need to…"
…..
"Adventurine, you better give me an explanation! Why did you pull all the elite forces guarding the Skyward Harp base!? Now the Skyward Harp has been taken back!"
Rosalyn's body was surrounded by icy frost, and ice shards flew toward Shajin, but he flicked his fingers, shattering them.
The surrounding Fatui members continued to handle the broken furniture without a hint of surprise.
It was clear they had grown accustomed to such events.
_
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