On the Jade Chamber, Ningguang convened the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti for a discussion.
The death of that Liyue Qixing member filled everyone present with immense anger. Their expressions were grave, and although everyone had arrived, no one spoke for a moment.
Finally, the predecessor of that Liyue Qixing member sighed deeply and spoke.
"I never expected the excellent successor I carefully chose would die so quickly at the hands of that villain..."
"It was my fault. I should have held onto the position for two more years."
"It doesn't matter if my old bones die for Liyue, but he was still so young, sigh..."
Hearing these words filled with grief, the other Liyue Qixing members hurriedly spoke to comfort him.
"Please accept our condolences. The deceased is gone, and only by bringing the murderer to judgment can we appease his spirit in heaven."
"I also bear responsibility for this matter. I shouldn't have entrusted this dangerous task to him, only for him to suffer the murderer's insane retaliation."
At this moment, Ningguang, whose face showed obvious fatigue, slowly spoke.
"We have no time for mourning. I have already had the orders rescinded. Although this will only embolden the murderer, it is our only choice."
"The crisis Liyue faces this time is unlike any before. The murderer is using the people of Liyue as hostages while attempting to sway their faith, turning the Liyue Qixing against our own citizens."
"Hmph, what arrogant folly!"
Moon Carver spoke in anger.
"Liyue was won through the countless sacrifices and blood shed by Rex Lapis and the Adepti. How can we allow another to reap the harvest?"
The other Adepti were also furious, yet they felt completely powerless in the current situation.
The murderer was clearly weak, not even a Vision wielder, yet he had caused them such immense trouble.
Despite their overwhelming strength, they were utterly useless because they could not find the murderer himself.
"Have you Liyue Qixing still not locked onto the location of that arrogant brat?"
Keqing quickly came forward to explain.
"The Millelith's search has met with extreme resistance, making the search efforts impossible to continue."
"Furthermore, after this incident, many within the Millelith are unwilling to continue the search."
Keqing paused, then spoke again.
"I had originally planned to form a team composed entirely of Vision wielders to forcibly carry out the search, but now that the murderer has become so reckless, I'm afraid this method won't work either."
"If we force the search to continue, I worry he will directly target the rest of the Millelith."
Keqing's concerns were not unfounded. After all, the murderer had already forced one of the Liyue Qixing to commit suicide in front of all the people of Liyue, claiming that the decree issued by that Qixing had hindered Liyue's development and future.
He was a sinner who obstructed the arrival of a new era.
Such a blatant criminal act was met with the support and praise of countless people. The current people of Liyue had become exceptionally unfamiliar and fanatical.
"What are we supposed to do now? Is there really no way to stop him from pushing Liyue toward the brink of collapse bit by bit?"
Moon Carver spoke again, and at that moment, Ningguang slowly began to speak.
"I summoned all of you here precisely for this reason."
"I have a plan. Since he has chosen to openly declare war on the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti, we shall respond in kind."
"The murderer lacks the strength to face the Adepti in battle. He will never willingly show himself. This will cause the halo of his fabricated 'Kira' to be questioned."
"Perhaps this will wake the people of Liyue up, and they might even voluntarily reveal the murderer's whereabouts."
After hearing Ningguang's words, the gathered crowd and the adepti pondered for a moment before nodding.
"It's not a bad solution, if a makeshift one."
After Mountain Shaper left this remark, a silence once again fell over the scene.
Another moment passed before one of the Liyue Qixing couldn't help but speak up.
"Rex Lapis... he must know about Liyue's current situation, right? Isn't He planning to take action?"
"Rex Lapis specifically had Xiao Ping gather us all in Liyue Harbor because of this very matter. As for whether Rex Lapis will take action, it is not for us to speculate upon."
Madame Ping slowly shook her head and spoke.
"Rex Lapis must have his deep reasons for doing this; He sees further and considers more than we ever could."
Ningguang also nodded.
"This crisis does not necessarily require Rex Lapis's personal intervention to be overcome. When the news of Rex Lapis's passing was initially announced, we should have foreseen that Liyue would face countless crises in the future."
"If every matter required Rex Lapis's intervention, then the so-called human governance we initially proclaimed would have been nothing more than a laughingstock."
Everyone present understood Ningguang's meaning. The Liyue Qixing who spoke up was not someone who liked relying on others, but this time there had been simply too many casualties, and he was completely at his wit's end.
"You may proceed with confidence. The adepti will not refuse to assist in any matter where cooperation is required."
Mountain Shaper spoke slowly.
"If the absolute worst-case scenario ever truly unfolds, I believe Rex Lapis will not stand idly by."
The meeting concluded, and Ningguang kept Keqing behind to continue their discussion.
"Keqing, what is the latest update on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Ningguang felt her throat grow dry and drained the tea on the table, which had already gone cold.
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has already escaped its financial crisis. However, Director Hu has conversely become uninterested in the parlor's business, entrusting nearly all matters to others. These past few days, she has only been strolling through the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor with Consultant Chen Feng."
After hearing these words, Ningguang nodded.
"Keqing, do you think Chen Feng has shown any differences from before during this period?"
Keqing replied slowly.
"I have tested him again previously, and did not discover any changes in his physical condition."
"No, I mean changes in other aspects."
Hearing Ningguang's words, Keqing looked at her and asked.
"Ningguang, do you still suspect Chen Feng?"
"He has always been working for Liyue and has not shown any abnormal behavior. Besides, he and Director Hu Tao were the ones who discovered the murderer back then. I thought this incident was just a coincidence."
Ningguang shook her head.
"It's just a hunch of mine."
"Although this hunch has no basis, I believe that Chen Feng is not only connected to this incident, but he is also an important character in it."
Ningguang paused and continued speaking.
"On this matter, my views are the same as Yelan's."
"Yelan also told me before that perhaps the shortcut to solving the problem lies with Chen Feng and Director Hu Tao."
"Back then, it took Chen Feng about fifteen minutes to chase the murderer to his home, while it took Yelan's team about twenty minutes to arrive. In other words, Chen Feng spent five minutes in the murderer's room during that interval."
"Even if it's true as he said, that he investigated the murderer's room, he still had at least a three-minute gap."
"In those three minutes, we don't know what he saw, what he heard, or what he thought..."
Hearing Ningguang's words, Keqing was clearly stunned for a moment, then spoke with some surprise.
"Yelan had already noticed this back then? Why didn't she explain this to me and Ganyu?"
"Because Yelan knows that in this matter, there is a candidate more suitable than you, me, or anyone else."
"Have you heard? The Liyue Qixing and the Adepti have collectively declared war on our God, Kira!"
"Of course I've heard about such a major event. After all, those Adepti previously followed Rex Lapis, so they naturally cannot tolerate a new God interfering with Liyue."
"Sigh, I say these Adepti are just acting out of boredom. Rex Lapis protected Liyue for thousands of years, and we are all very grateful to him. Even if he unfortunately passed away, I believe everyone will not forget him."
"But this doesn't mean we can't choose a new God to protect us in the future. To appear at this time and stop us is simply too overbearing!"
"And the Liyue Qixing are the same. If they didn't have the ability to sanction those sinners themselves, that's one thing, but now that a new God who actually cares about us, the common people of Liyue, has finally come and punished these sinners, they're suddenly not happy about it."
"They even tried to strip away all our freedom not long ago. And now look what's happened: the God got angry and handed down punishment, and the new Liyue Qixing who had just taken office for a few days are gone, so now the previous Liyue Qixing have to step back in."
"Why bother doing that if they knew it would turn out like this? Do they really think the Gods have no temper? Although the God Kira is the God of Justice, it doesn't mean He can tolerate repeated provocations from mortals!"
"Now it's even more ridiculous. They've actually lost their minds and declared war on the God? Who gave them the confidence to do such a thing? Aren't they afraid that the God, in His fury, will completely purge them all?"
"I know the reason. I heard from a friend that the higher-ups apparently believe the God Kira is actually just an ordinary person named Qi Shu, which is why they dare to be so arrogant and directly challenge him."
"An ordinary person? Is there such a thing as an ordinary person with such immense power?"
"I think the Liyue Qixing are just desperate, making a last-ditch effort..."
After the announcement that the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti had declared war on Kira appeared, the news quickly spread through the crowds. Many people were eagerly anticipating this drama, but almost no one bet on the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti.
Of course, it wasn't completely hopeless. After all, the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti had previously suppressed Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, after his seal was broken.
That's what makes this worth watching!
Not long after the announcement appeared, Kira's response also appeared.
Ultimately, Kira agreed to have a final battle with the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti to completely resolve the issue of Liyue's ownership.
Kira's followers began to spread this news widely after hearing it. In their eyes, the ultimate winner would definitely be Kira.
The Liyue Qixing? The Adepti? They were just a bunch of clowns!
And this outcome was also greatly beyond the expectations of the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti. They hadn't expected the murderer to actually dare to accept the challenge.
Although the murderer's willingness to show himself was good news for them, a sense of unease still lingered in everyone's hearts. After all, this matter was simply too abnormal.
Did the murderer have some new trump card? Or was he playing another trick?
But even though they knew this matter was extremely abnormal, the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti could only begin preparing for battle.
Just like the murderer, they had no room to retreat in this matter either.
Whichever side backed down, they would likely lose everything and suffer a crushing defeat.
What was originally an open scheme against the murderer had now pushed the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti to the edge of a cliff together.
But this development was perhaps not a bad thing, because they indeed could not afford to delay any longer. Every minute and every second, new victims would appear.
It was fine in the beginning, as those who died were all incorrigible sinners.
But starting from the second day, many victims whose crimes were clearly not punishable by death met their end, and the number of deaths surged.
By the third day, even people like petty thieves were ruthlessly stripped of their lives. Such harsh standards of punishment struck them with a chill of horror.
They dared not even imagine what would become of Liyue if this continued.
All they knew was that all of this had to be stopped as soon as possible!
"I never expected Qi Shu to actually accept the challenge."
Hu Tao stared at the contents on the notice board, then shook her head and spoke.
"He is most likely playing some scheme again. Just you wait, this Director will definitely capture you with her own hands this time!"
Right after Hu Tao finished her words, she suddenly felt her own arm being gripped tightly.
"Director Hu Tao, do you mean that you are also going to join the battle this time?"
Hu Tao turned her head and met Chen Feng's worried gaze, nodding.
"Of course. Don't forget that this Director is a combatant of the Task Force. I will definitely participate in this final battle."
"Of course, Consultant Chen Feng, your small frame is a no-go. You should just stay at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and wait for this Director's good news!"
Just after she finished saying this, Hu Tao felt Chen Feng grip her arm even tighter.
"Can you please not go, Director Hu Tao? I will worry about you."
"Don't worry!"
"Consultant Chen Feng, it's not as if you aren't aware of this Director's strength. Rest assured, this Director will be in no danger!"
Hu Tao patted Chen Feng's shoulder and spoke to comfort him.
"Besides, the Adepti will be attending one after another. With such a magnificent lineup, even if Qi Shu truly still has other tricks up his sleeve, I believe it will only be a futile struggle."
"But Director Hu Tao, I have a terrible feeling in my heart. This time, it might be very dangerous!"
"Sigh, Consultant Chen Feng, you are worrying too much!"
"Alright, alright, this Director won't be gone for long. I will be back very soon."
"When that time comes, this Director will take you to Liuli Pavilion for a good meal to celebrate. Oh, and definitely don't mention this matter to Consultant Zhongli. He has been slacking off too much lately, so he must be properly urged forward!"
At this moment, Chen Feng did not feel relieved by Hu Tao's comfort, but instead, the worried expression on his face became even more obvious.
"Director Hu Tao, do you really have to go? Actually, it would be completely sufficient to have the Adepti take action."
"That guy made Wangsheng Funeral Parlor suffer so miserably, nearly destroying the reputation that Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had accumulated over thousands of years. This Director must capture him with my own hands to vent my anger."
After hearing Hu Tao's words, Chen Feng lowered his head and did not speak again.
However, the hand clutching Hu Tao's still had not let go...