Mondstadt...
Yun Fan walked out of the Favonius Cathedral, looking at the bustling crowd in the plaza. He couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
I really am a sinful person.
Just moments ago, he had gone to see Barbara and gently informed her of his impending departure from Mondstadt. As expected, Barbara was stunned when she heard the news. After a brief moment of silence, she quickly shook her head, saying she understood.
But the moment she lowered her head, the sadness and loneliness that flashed across her face didn't escape Yun Fan's notice. Ah, such a gentle and heartbreaking child.
"Let me think... Barbara, the slacker bard, Acting Grand Master Jean, little Klee... I've already said my goodbyes to everyone I needed to, right? Yeah, that should cover it. Besides, it's not like I'm never coming back. I still have to take Klee to the Golden Apple Archipelago."
Yun Fan returned to the Good Hunter, packed up his belongings, and stored them in his inventory. Then, he walked downstairs to the main dining area.
After glancing around the place he had called home for a year, Yun Fan suddenly smiled. He turned to Sara, who was enjoying a rare moment of leisure at the front desk, and said, "Sara, I'll be leaving Mondstadt soon. From now on, the Good Hunter is yours to manage."
"Boss, are you leaving so soon?" Sara tried to hide her glee but couldn't help feeling a bit sad. Once Yun Fan left, she would be in charge of the Good Hunter! She would definitely hire a few more employees and delegate all the work to them, finally enjoying the perks of being the boss.
"Yes, I trust you with the Good Hunter. If you run into any problems while I'm away, go to Dawn Winery or Angel's Share and find Diluc. I've already spoken to him, and he'll help you." Without waiting for Sara's response, Yun Fan walked out of the Good Hunter.
"Understood, Boss Yun Fan. Have a safe journey," Sara bowed to Yun Fan's retreating figure. Yun Fan raised his arm and waved goodbye without turning back.
Only after Yun Fan left did Sara straighten up, sighing with a hint of amusement.
"The boss is still the same as ever, trying to look cool even at a time like this."
Jade Chamber, Ningguang's study...
Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, sat at her desk, her sharp eyes gleaming with intensity.
She was currently locked in a fierce game of chess, not daring to let her guard down for even a moment. Though the battlefield was just a chessboard, the tension in the room was palpable.
Her opponent was none other than Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. After making her move, Keqing couldn't help but praise, "This 'Millennial Liyue' game is truly fascinating. Ningguang, you never cease to amaze."
"I'm flattered to receive such praise from you, Keqing," Ningguang replied with a smile, her tone laced with a hint of teasing.
"You're at it again," Keqing sighed, shaking her head. Ever since she and Ningguang had grown closer, she had come to realize that this woman was secretly quite mischievous.
Though she appeared domineering and authoritative in front of others, in private...
The two continued their game, the battle heating up. In the end, Ningguang's superior skills won her the match.
"Keqing, I win," Ningguang said, unable to hide her smile. For her, defeating Keqing seemed to be a source of great pride.
"Hmph, enough small talk. Ningguang, why did you call me here this time?" Keqing huffed, though she couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated. Losing to the creator of "Millennial Liyue" was one thing, but it still stung!
"I called you here to discuss the Fatui," Ningguang's tone suddenly turned serious, her expression shifting so quickly that Keqing couldn't help but twitch her lips.
"You must have noticed that the Fatui have become increasingly active in Liyue recently. They've been secretly gathering and mobilizing troops, which suggests they're planning something big," Ningguang said, lightly tapping the chessboard with her fingernails, producing a crisp tap-tap sound.
"I have noticed, but recently, monsters have been appearing frequently around Mt. Tianheng. I've been busy leading troops to clear them out and haven't had time to focus on the Fatui," Keqing admitted without making any excuses.
"I've already sent people to monitor the Fatui's movements. As for their Harbinger, Childe, he's been spending a lot of time with Mr. Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Ningguang said, pulling out a long pipe from somewhere and filling it with tobacco.
Since Keqing had become a disciple of the adepti, her combat prowess had skyrocketed, making her one of the most powerful Vision holders in Liyue. Her newfound strength had even begun to shift some of the military authority that wasn't originally under her control toward her, much to the displeasure of the other Qixing in charge of military affairs. However, given her connection to the adepti, they couldn't openly oppose her.
"Consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?" Keqing frowned, puzzled. Why would the Fatui be interested in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Were they planning to order funeral services for their subordinates?
"You might not know this, but Mr. Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, is a man of vast knowledge and wisdom, well-versed in both ancient and modern affairs. I suspect Childe is trying to learn some of Liyue's ancient secrets from him."
"If this Zhongli is so remarkable, why haven't you recruited him?" Keqing asked, surprised by Ningguang's high praise.
"I've tried, but his ambitions lie elsewhere," Ningguang said, lighting her pipe and taking a deep breath, her tone tinged with regret.
"What a shame," Keqing sighed, feeling the loss of such a talented individual.
"By the way, take a look at this," Ningguang suddenly remembered something and got up, walking to her bookshelf. She pulled out an envelope from a drawer.
"This is... the Honorary Knight who helped Mondstadt resolve the dragon crisis? And she's apparently a traveler from another world? She's already arrived in Liyue?" Keqing's expression changed. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a big deal, but with the Rite of Descension approaching, any foreign presence could cause unnecessary complications.
"Mondstadt has been quite lively lately. Besides this Honorary Knight, even Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, who hasn't been seen for centuries, suddenly appeared and even bestowed a divine decree on one of his followers' love life. How amusing," Ningguang said with a light laugh.
"Hmph, what an unreliable god."