Not only Futsu Mitama, but even Aila and Kuki Shinobu found themselves quietly puzzled by how Keqing seemed to know so much.
At present, neither Aila nor Kuki Shinobu was aware that Keqing held the position of Yuheng among the Liyue Qixing. They only knew that her identity was far from ordinary. Yet even they had not expected her to possess intelligence related to a suspected bloodjade branch. The revelation was, to say the least, surprising.
"In the border area between the South Gate and Tianqiu Valley, large numbers of Geovishap Hatchlings and Geovishaps have been spotted."
Keqing spoke without preamble. In her view, since Futsu Mitama had entrusted her with valuable information, it was proper to return the gesture in kind.
That said, the matter she shared—while important—posed its greatest threat to ordinary travelers. Judging from Kuki Shinobu and Aila's bearing, their capabilities were not weak by any measure. Coupled with Millelith patrols stationed nearby, danger would only come to those who acted recklessly.
"A large number of Hatchlings and Geovishaps? Those things…move in groups?" Kuki Shinobu frowned slightly. During her time studying in Liyue, she had crossed paths with these unique creatures before.
Her most vivid memory of them was simple: hard. As hard as stone itself.
If she had not possessed an Electro Vision—and the training of a shrine maiden—she doubted she could have broken through their defenses at all. Hatchlings were still manageable, but full-grown Geovishaps far exceeded expectations.
Even so, her expression settled quickly. She understood her place—she was the weakest of the three. With Aila and Futsu Mitama around, she only needed to fulfill her role, not clash head-on with stone-scaled beasts like before.
Seeing her reaction, Keqing knew Kuki Shinobu was familiar with the threat. She continued evenly:
"Normally, Geovishap Hatchlings and Geovishaps do not gather in groups. In the wild, one usually encounters only a few strays. But recently, in that border region, sightings have increased drastically. That is why I suspect the appearance of a legendary Geovishap. To welcome their king, lesser Vishaps may be gathering."
With that, Keqing turned toward Futsu Mitama, her gaze steady.
"The bloodjade branch you're seeking likely requires Geovishap blood for refining. If you encounter one, do not attempt to deal with it alone. Report it to the Millelith. As the discoverer, you'll receive compensation—and if bloodjade branches can indeed be produced, you'll certainly receive a share."
She spoke responsibly, though inwardly she doubted they would encounter such a creature. Ever since the calamity of the Dragon Crisis centuries ago, Geovishaps had vanished. Their collective movement—while unusual—was not unheard of. According to scholars from Sumeru, such occurrences were part of their life-cycle transitions, when Hatchlings matured into full Geovishaps.
Each time this happened, the Millelith's workload grew accordingly.
"Alright." Futsu Mitama accepted her warning with ease. In truth, he knew more about Geovishaps than Keqing imagined.
A Geovishap, according to ancient accounts, was a slumbering earth-shaking dragon—one that had once moved mountains under the command of the Dragon King.
And that Dragon King…very likely Azhdaha.
Its power was far inferior to Azhdaha's, but its status resembled the relationship between Zhongli and the adepti—one of subordinates and ancient ties. Coincidentally, the location Keqing mentioned was precisely where a Geovishap was said to have once awakened. If Hatchlings and Geovishaps were gathering again, the reason was unlikely to be coincidence—they were sensing something.
"What, what? What are you talking about?"
Xiangling approached with Guoba in tow. The day's business at Wanmin Restaurant had just ended. Futsu Mitama and the others had long finished their meal and were simply chatting to let their food settle.
Kuki Shinobu quickly summarized the earlier discussion.
"Oh—that place!" Upon hearing the location, Xiangling's eyes brightened. She misunderstood slightly, assuming that was their next destination.
"I know it well! I can take you there. I was planning to gather ingredients tomorrow anyway—Jueyun Chilis, Slimes, sweet flowers. I heard they're flourishing recently."
Originally, Futsu Mitama had no firm plans. But hearing this, a short trip did not sound unappealing. Most of their business in the harbor was already settled. And since they rarely had the chance to visit Liyue, experiencing its landscapes firsthand seemed worthwhile.
He nodded. "Alright. But the Rite of Descension is in a few days. I plan to return to Liyue Harbor beforehand."
He held expectations toward this year's ceremony. After all—it would be the final Rite of Descension in its traditional form. Next year, a certain Archon planned to offer Ningguang quite the surprise.
Xiangling nodded earnestly. With Keqing—who oversaw the Rite—standing nearby, she naturally wouldn't miss the ceremony either. A round trip would only take about two days; there was plenty of time.
With that, tomorrow's plans were set.
After some small talk, the group parted ways. Xiangling and Guoba waved enthusiastically as they left.
On the road back, Futsu Mitama stretched lightly and sighed in satisfaction.
"I'm so full. Xiangling's cooking really is incredible."
Kuki Shinobu agreed. "Wanmin Restaurant has always been well-known, but after Xiangling's rise, it became truly popular. Her creativity allows the restaurant to compete with Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk."
She had never imagined Slimes could become ingredients—until she tasted Xiangling's dishes. Aila, meanwhile, studied the Perfect and Graceful Maid manual again, determined to master dishes pleasing to her Young Master.
Then Kuki Shinobu glanced toward her.
"Aila, aren't you curious about what the shopkeeper's daughter said earlier?"
Futsu Mitama also looked over. He, too, had been pondering it. If a man had said those words to Aila, he would have confronted him with a smile that was anything but friendly. But the shopkeeper's daughter was an ordinary—albeit pretty—girl. She hardly seemed the troublesome type.
Which raised the question: why did someone from Liyue find an Inazuma girl familiar?
Removing impossibilities, only one explanation remained—perhaps Aila truly had been in Liyue in her childhood. Before the Sakoku Decree, it was entirely possible to be brought there, only to end up in Inazuma later and lose her memories.
Aila, however, shook her head.
"There's no need to be curious. No matter where I come from, my goal remains the same."
She understood what Kuki Shinobu implied. But to her, the past brought no comfort—only potential trouble. Humans were selfish in this way and so was she. Instinctively, she rejected the weight of a past she did not need.
Futsu Mitama watched her quietly. Aila's gaze turned toward him.
"As long as I can remain by your side, that is enough for me."
He nodded. "I understand."
Her smile softened. For her, that understanding alone was enough. Kuki Shinobu exhaled inwardly. She still believed a person without memories was incomplete—but she would not force Aila, nor become like those in her own family, who pushed obligations under the guise of care.
When they returned, black smoke was pouring from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's chimney, accompanied by a strange, indescribable smell drifting through the street.
"What happened here?" Kuki Shinobu covered her nose.
Hu Tao emerged with a broom and dustpan, face smudged with soot, clothing darkened except for her immaculate hat.
"Yo You're back"
She tossed the unidentifiable remains into a trash bin. The odor thickened.
"Are you…alright?" Kuki Shinobu asked cautiously.
Hu Tao sighed. "I planned to make almond tofu for dinner…but it didn't turn out so well. Then I tried Pearl Jade Retreat Soup—failed again. Even the Millelith came by. After that, I tried a simple mora meat dish and…well…"
She glanced at the trash can with a complicated expression. Normally, her cooking was edible—never pretty, but edible. For some reason, today everything had gone disastrously wrong.
"Oh, right!" She suddenly remembered something and turned to Futsu Mitama.
"Some Fatui came by while you were out. I figured your relationship with them isn't great, so I sent them away. They asked where you went—I told them I didn't know."
Aila's eyes sharpened instantly. The Fatui again—persistent as ever.
"Did they say what they wanted?" Futsu Mitama asked. If they were Fatui from Mondstadt, Inazuma, or Sumeru, he would assume the worst. But in Liyue… the Harbinger stationed here was Childe.
"They said Childe wanted to invite you and Zhongli to dinner," Hu Tao replied cheerfully. "And they said I could come along for a free meal!"