Xia Zhi and Xia Zhen strolled along the streets.
After a while, Xia Zhen asked curiously in a hushed voice, "Cousin, where are we going?"
"To the Northland Bank."
"The bank? What for?"
"To pawn you."
"!"
"We're going to do some roleplaying."
"A game?"
"You'll see."
"Oh…"
Xia Zhen didn't ask further.
When they were close to the bank entrance, Xia Zhi stopped.
Xia Zhen looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Just need to prep."
Xia Zhi reached out and took her hand.
Xia Zhen froze.
She was… actually being held…
Then Xia Zhi activated [Stealth Mode].
"C-Cousin, you—"
What now?! How do I pretend like this is nothing?!
"They can't see us now."
"Huh?"
Xia Zhen looked around. Sure enough, no one seemed to notice them at all.
"Cousin, return to the jade pendant for now."
"...Okay."
She gave him a complicated look before dissolving into mist and slipping into the Soul Jade she carried.
Xia Zhi plucked the floating pendant from the air and clipped it onto himself.
Then he opened his inventory and selected the [Temporary Certificate].
He had already written on it in advance:
[Fatui Harbinger - Childe]
He equipped the [Temporary Certificate] in his panel.
Instantly, his skill list updated with new temporary abilities: [Foul Legacy Transformation], [Havoc: Obliteration]...
The names were... flamboyant.
Xia Zhi deactivated [Stealth Mode] and walked straight toward the Northland Bank.
A system prompt echoed in his mind.
"Host has acquired Trait: [Hypnosis]."
"Trait [Roleplay] of [Temporary Certificate] is now activating. All nearby individuals will subconsciously accept the temporary identity [Fatui Harbinger - Childe]. The weaker the target's willpower, the easier this acceptance becomes."
Two burly guards stood at the bank's entrance. As soon as they saw the black-glasses-wearing stranger approaching, their expressions shifted from surprise to panic. They bowed respectfully.
"Lord Childe!"
Xia Zhi nodded and stepped through the doors.
Inside, all the staff bowed in deference as he passed.
He made his way to the main hall.
The bank manager, Andrei, rushed to greet him. "Lord Childe! You've returned!"
Xia Zhi nodded. "Mm."
He headed straight to the private office.
Andrei trailed behind, rambling nervously. "I thought you wouldn't be back so soon, what with Lady Signora's incident... And the Liyue Bank these past few days—"
Xia Zhi waved him off. "Enough. Just bring me everything that's happened in Liyue during my absence. I'll make my own judgment."
Andrei bowed. "Understood, my lord."
He retreated.
Xia Zhi glanced around the office. Compared to the ostentatious opulence of the bank's outer hall, this room was surprisingly serene.
A few minutes later, Andrei returned with a stack of documents, setting them gently on the desk before bowing once more. "All here, Lord Childe."
"Mm. You're dismissed."
"Yes, my lord."
Andrei even closed the door behind him as he left.
Xia Zhi pulled out the Soul Jade.
"Cousin, come on out."
Xia Zhen emerged from the pendant, blinking at him.
"What is it?"
"Cousin... why do you suddenly give off such a strange vibe?"
"I told you, it's roleplay. I'm Childe now—Tartaglia."
"...Is that so."
"Alright, enough staring. Help me search this office."
"For what?"
"Something confidential."
"Got it."
Xia Zhen nodded and began rummaging through drawers and shelves.
Xia Zhi watched her out of the corner of his eye.
Sure enough, [Hypnosis] had worked like a charm on Andrei and the staff—but not on her.
This must be that clause: the weaker the will, the easier the roleplay is accepted. Conversely, the stronger the will, the harder it is.
As a former Electro Archon with her own Meditation Space, even as a remnant soul, Xia Zhen's willpower was formidable.
Still, this counted as a good field test.
Xia Zhi turned his attention to the files on the desk.
Most were reports on recent events in Liyue.
He skimmed them until a particular list caught his eye.
Each name had a number beside it.
A monthly bribe amount.
"So many people in Liyue's officialdom colluding with the Fatui…"
"Well, they do have money."
"Fair enough."
He copied down the list.
The next document was another list, even longer, though the amounts were smaller.
This time, it wasn't high-ranking officials, but local merchants and small shops.
"The Fatui's reach really runs deep, huh."
"That's what money does."
Xia Zhi copied this list as well.
Nothing else seemed noteworthy after that.
He returned the documents to the desk.
"Cousin, find anything useful?"
"Nope."
"Not even in the hidden compartments?"
"None."
"Alright, time to head back."
"Okay."
Xia Zhi picked up the Soul Jade.
Xia Zhen vanished into mist.
He stepped out of the office.
Andrei was already waiting. "Lord Childe!"
"I've seen enough about the Liyue Bank. No action is required."
"Huh? But—"
"You don't need to worry. That's an order."
"Understood."
"Right now, we can't afford a direct clash with the Qixing. Tomorrow, you'll personally deliver gifts to the Liyue Bank. A goodwill gesture."
"Yes, my lord."
"I've other matters to attend to. I'm leaving."
"Safe travels!"
Xia Zhi nodded and walked away calmly under the watchful eyes of the staff.
The two of them returned to the Summer Shop.
Halfway there, Xia Zhi removed the [Temporary Certificate].
Xia Zhen gave him another glance, sensing how that odd aura around him had vanished all at once.
"Boss, you're back!"
"Mm, we're back."
Xia Zhen shut the door behind them, and just as she turned around, she saw Xia Ci put down her book and walk over from the table, standing in front of Xia Zhi with her hand outstretched expectantly.
"Cousin, you promised!"
She really looked like a little girl begging for candy.
Xia Zhi chuckled, pulled out a small bottle, and handed it to her.
"Here you go."
"Thank you, Cousin!"
Xia Ci accepted the bottle, her face glowing with joy.
Xia Zhen watched the whole thing unfold, a little puzzled.
What exactly was in that bottle…?
What could possibly make her best friend this eager?
"Cousin, what did you two go do?"
"Not telling."
"!"
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