The second day of the Rite of Parting.
Compared to the grim and heavy atmosphere that had hung over Liyue Harbor yesterday, today the city had already regained a sense of calm under the coordination of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Even so, sorrow and confusion still visibly lingered in the streets and alleys.
Most Liyue citizens were listless and low-spirited.
But surprisingly, there wasn't much panic.
The Qianyan Army remained stationed throughout Liyue Harbor, and their patrol strength had nearly tripled.
Even if the people felt uneasy, one glance at the sheer number of Qianyan soldiers patrolling everywhere, and just a moment of listening to the rumble of cavalry hooves in the distance…
…was enough to reassure them.
These were not the same days as before.
Liyue's newfound strength had imprinted itself on the hearts of every citizen in just two months.
All businesses had returned to normal operations.
Lumine yawned as she stepped out of the small courtyard at the base of Mt. Tianheng.
She seemed well-rested, probably having slept soundly last night.
"How strange, Lumine."
Paimon floated beside her, frowning in confusion.
"Why hasn't Ryen come back yet? Even Nahida and Klee aren't around! And also—Jean and Lisa are missing too!"
"Where did they all go?"
Lumine pouted with disinterest.
Ever since she found out this whole thing was just a scripted performance orchestrated by the Geo Archon—Zhongli himself—she'd completely lost interest in the Rite of Parting.
She pointed upward and muttered:
"They're probably at the Jade Chamber. Zhongli must've told Ryen to lay low to stop us from dragging his physical form into that world to heal."
Paimon nodded in agreement.
"That does sound exactly like something Zhongli would do! So, Lumine, what are we doing today?"
Standing at the gates of Liyue Harbor, Lumine placed her hands on her hips and thought for a moment.
"Let's go find Zhongli. Didn't he say he needed our help with the Rite of Parting arrangements?"
"I heard it's being funded by the Northland Bank—we can totally squeeze Childe for a fortune!"
Hearing that, Paimon perked right up and zipped in front of her.
"Let's go, Lumine! Hurry up! If we're late, that guy Zhongli will sneak off to drink tea again!"
Just as she said that, Zhongli's voice sounded from the side:
"Drinking tea is indeed a fine pastime. But first, we must settle the matter of the Rite of Parting."
Zhongli suddenly appeared beside Lumine, as if he'd been standing there the whole time.
"You're way too sneaky—it's creepy, okay?!"
Lumine rolled her eyes and grumbled:
"Why do I have to be the one collecting materials for you? And running all over Liyue?!"
Zhongli gave her a calm look and didn't hide the reason:
"This is a contract I made with your brother. I will help you leave behind lasting memories on the land of Liyue."
Even though Lumine had suspected Zhongli knew all about Aether's situation, hearing him confirm it outright still made her freeze for a moment.
Then she frowned and asked:
"So you're telling me… that guy made a deal with you, and now I'm the one doing errands across Liyue just so I can leave behind some kind of 'memory imprint'?"
"If you choose to understand it that way, I won't argue."
Zhongli gave a small nod.
Lumine's expression darkened.
"That jerk! He won't even meet with his little sister who's been searching high and low for him, and he has the nerve to make her run around doing favors?! Unbelievable!"
"What kind of big brother does that?!"
Zhongli gently pressed his lips together, but didn't mind explaining further:
"This is tied to your strength recovery. Back then, he traveled across all of Teyvat and regained his power—becoming even stronger than before."
"For you, it's also a good thing."
Lumine paused, gazing thoughtfully at Zhongli.
"You seem to know Aether really well."
Zhongli nodded slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low voice:
"It happened many years ago. I wasn't supposed to tell you this—it's related to certain confidential contracts between us."
"But now that Liyue has partnered with Ryen, secrets like these aren't all that important anymore."
"You could say that we once used each other. But now, we've found better choices. I no longer need to rely on him."
"Still, you're my friend. I don't mind helping you recover some of your power early."
"If you're willing to help me complete the Rite of Parting, then I will give you the answers you seek."
Lumine let out a long sigh.
"Like I have any say in this. Fine, fine! What's the first step?"
A trace of mild irritation flickered in Zhongli's eyes as he looked toward the street.
"There's a perfume shop… and a rather troublesome person we'll need to deal with."
---
Lumine's movements did indeed attract attention from the Qianyan Army. Last night, Ganyu had already issued instructions—not to interfere with Lumine, but to keep an eye on her activities.
This, in fact, was what Childe had hoped for.
He'd arranged to meet Lumine privately so that she would draw public attention, giving him space to act.
But…
The script had changed!
There were nearly four thousand Qianyan soldiers deployed in Liyue Harbor now. Even though they were watching Lumine, the patrol force near the Northland Bank was only increasing.
Forget Childe—even regular Fatui agents had to fill out strict documentation just to go shopping, with multiple Qianyan soldiers tailing them.
There wasn't a single chance to make a move.
Still, Childe wasn't too bothered.
Truthfully, his main goal yesterday was to get closer to Lumine.
After all, the Fatui—or more precisely, Childe and Rosalyne—now cared more about using Lumine as a bridge to ease tensions…
And eventually…
Meet Ryen.
That part of the plan was already halfway complete. That was worth celebrating.
Standing on the second floor, gazing out at the slowly recovering city of Liyue Harbor, Rosalyne said softly:
"You should head out now. Otherwise, the Geo Archon may come looking."
"…I know."
Childe shrugged, glanced down at his Delusion, and muttered with a hint of sarcasm:
"Who would've thought… just to get out of Liyue Harbor and avoid the Qianyan Army's surveillance, I'd have to activate Phase One of my Foul Legacy…"
With a troubled sigh, crackles of lightning flickered across his body.
The Qianyan Army's watch was far too tight. If he wanted to slip out right under their noses…
…he had no choice but to activate his Delusion and enter Phase One of his Foul Legacy, pushing his speed to the brink of lightning.
Only then could he escape swiftly.
"You sure the adepti won't come after me for using my Foul Legacy in Liyue Harbor?"
Childe asked warily. Rosalyne scoffed and replied:
"This whole script was written by the Geo Archon himself. At least for now, they won't make a move on you."
"That's good then… By the way, I saw this morning that Her Majesty replied to your letter. What did it say?"
At that, Rosalyne went silent for a moment, sighing softly with a complicated expression.
"She said to settle the Rite of Parting chaos as soon as possible. The Tsaritsa may personally come to Liyue Harbor in a few days."
Childe raised an eyebrow.
"So the Tsaritsa's already prepared to split the Fatui?"
"The Tsaritsa has her own plans."
Rosalyne gave Childe a calm glance and said indifferently:
"All we need to do is follow her orders exactly. That's enough. No more questions—go."
"Tch. Fine, fine! You're so annoying, you know that?!"
Childe scratched his head in frustration, turned around, and walked toward the hidden exit…
Taking a deep breath, elemental energy surged violently from his Delusion. In an instant, a strange lightning-armored form cloaked Childe's body.
With a thunderous crack, he shot through the alleys of Liyue like a streak of lightning.
Before the Qianyan Army could even react, Childe had already left Liyue Harbor.
Maybe the soldiers didn't catch it…
But the adepti currently strolling around Liyue Harbor saw everything clearly.
Still, they knew Zhongli and the Fatui's plan—and so they didn't intervene.
Otherwise, even if Childe activated his final form of the Foul Legacy, they could still slam him into the ground with ease.
---
At the Jade Chamber
Ningguang and Ryen were snuggled under an opulent blanket in her room.
Before them floated a separate monitor display.
Childe's every move had been fully recorded and observed by Ningguang.
Turning back, she looked at Ryen with a faint smile.
"So… he's part of the Archon's plan too?"
Ryen raised an eyebrow and teased her while holding her close:
"What do you think?"
Ningguang gave him a sidelong glare, clearly not interested in pursuing the question further.
Liyue Harbor's current setup was now so airtight that even calling it an impenetrable fortress would be an understatement.
If it were just the Fatui stirring up trouble, Ningguang truly didn't believe they could kick up any serious waves.
They'd be crushed at the city gates.
Ningguang narrowed her eyes and spoke after a pause:
"You and the Archon both know how strong Liyue Harbor has become."
"If this trial were just a monster tide—or even remnants of some dark god—it would still be suppressed effortlessly."
"That's why I don't think the Archon would waste time on such a simple trial. Now, let me guess—which unlucky old god did he decide to target this time?"
Ryen chuckled.
"You already have an answer, don't you?"
He tapped her nose lightly and said in a gentle voice:
"My Ningguang has always been the embodiment of wisdom."
"Of course!"
If anyone else said that to her, Ningguang would find it utterly disgusting—but if it came from her man…
Well, that was called romance.
Hugging Ryen's arm and nestling into his chest, a warm sense of security filled her heart.
Now she finally understood why Ganyu and Hu Tao enjoyed being so clingy with Ryen. The happiness of being with him far surpassed the satisfaction of earning Mora.
"The god under Nantianmen is an old friend of the Archon's—he wouldn't target him."
"The Chasm has the qualifications for a trial, but it's tied to Celestia. The Archon wouldn't meddle there lightly."
"The remnant spirit near Qingce Village doesn't even deserve to be considered."
"After weighing everything… only that thing in the sea remains."
Ningguang looked confidently at Ryen, who chuckled in amusement.
"You've already opened the test paper. Where does that leave Zhongli's dignity?"
"But I haven't made any preparations against that location."
Ningguang smiled confidently.
"I believe in Liyue Harbor's ability to handle emergencies. Besides, unsealing an ancient god isn't an instant process—we'll have enough time."
"So?"
Ryen asked.
"So…"
Ningguang flipped herself over and grinned:
"Let's not waste the moment. Right now, it's just the two of us—no one will bother us…"
No matter what, unless a demon god launched an attack today—Ningguang wasn't leaving this room for anything.
This was her turn.
No one could interrupt it!
---
Meanwhile, far across the sea…
The Stellar Predator ship finally returned to Liyue.
Beidou, accompanied by Ayaka and Kazuha, had also arrived at Liyue Harbor.
But the moment she stepped ashore, Beidou was struck by a thunderbolt of a news update:
The Geo Archon's tribulation had failed. He was gravely wounded and unconscious!
~~----------------------
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