"I slept... well enough, I guess..."
Fang Qiu smiled awkwardly but politely.
How did the proprietress know she had slept well last night...?
The proprietress's gaze grew even more reproachful.
In other words — while she had been wallowing in her drink last night, this girl had probably been sleeping like a baby.
Whatever.
What else could she do?
She had no choice but to forgive her.
After chatting for a few more sentences, Fang Qiu continued on her way toward Chihu Rock. Along the way, outside a teahouse, she spotted another familiar figure.
It was that law expert.
She was holding a copy of Sword and Fairy 2, reading it while standing in line for the projection screening of Sword and Fairy 1.
Fang Qiu kept walking toward Chihu Rock.
Along the way, smoke curled from kitchen chimneys and the fragrance of cooked rice filled the air.
It was the height of the morning bustle.
As she passed Wanmin Restaurant, Xiangling was busy serving dishes to the breakfast crowd.
Fang Qiu didn't want to disturb her. She only greeted Guoba, who was doing somersaults outside Wanmin Restaurant, before continuing on her way to the blacksmith's shop.
The blacksmith's shop was next to the Adventurers' Guild. As she passed the Guild, quite a few adventurers were picking up commissions from the request board.
"Did you hear? Something seems to have happened over at The Chasm. I wonder if they'll post any commissions for it — the bounty for that place is sure to be hefty..."
"The Chasm? Hsss... brother, calm down. That place is eerie as hell — better not go. I don't want to look up one day at the Adventurers' Guild's Lantern Rite gathering and find you missing."
"Is it really that bad? I'm someone who almost beat a Vision-holder, you know. Taking on four Hilichurls solo is nothing to me. Even a Mitachurl, I can put up a fight against."
"That's nothing. I can handle two Hilichurl Berserkers at the same time and even I don't dare go in deep — let alone you. They say The Chasm was like a meat grinder back in the day. Several Adepti died in there, not to mention countless Vision-holders, and ordinary people don't even bear mentioning... Plus, I've heard the discounts at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor have been getting steeper lately. My guess is, our Guild is already considering a partnership with them..."
"This... it's really that bad? Several Adepti have died?"
"What else? Anyway, I took the job escorting a merchant ship to Inazuma. By the time I get back from Inazuma, it'll be just in time for Lantern Rite."
Hm?
Overhearing their conversation, Fang Qiu couldn't help but pause slightly.
It wasn't that she had any interest in this so-called Chasm — they'd said Adepti had died in there, and she had no interest in learning more about such a dangerous place.
What caught her attention was the news that the merchant ship from Inazuma would soon be returning.
She still hadn't read the letters Naganohara Yoimiya and Kamisato Ayaka had sent her, and once she'd read them she'd need to write replies.
She'd read them when she got home after replacing the lock.
As for Lantern Rite.
There should still be a few days yet.
But at the same time, Fang Qiu felt a little excited about it.
According to the memories in her head, Lantern Rite was somewhat like New Year and a lantern festival from her previous life.
On that day, people would take to the streets to release sky lanterns, guess riddles, watch operas, and set off fireworks.
It was an even grander festival than the Moonchase Festival.
Fang Qiu continued making her way toward the blacksmith's shop. From far off, she could see the blacksmith master gripping his hammer and pounding away forcefully at a chunk of red-hot iron. Each strike reshaped the metal slightly and sent fierce sparks bursting into the air.
Mm...
Truly a master craftsman of the old school.
But the moment she walked up to the shop and saw the weapons hanging inside, Fang Qiu was utterly dumbstruck.
Row upon row, line upon line — the entire shop was filled with the Demon Swords and Demon Suppression Swords from the Sword and Fairy 1 projection.
"Miss, may I help you with something?"
The apprentice asked. "Since four or five young ladies have already come in asking, let me say this up front: these Demon Swords and Demon Suppression Swords are Miss Ningguang's order — they aren't for sale."
"Uh, I'm not here to buy a sword. I was hoping someone could come to my house and replace a door lock."
Fang Qiu said, slightly embarrassed.
"Uh... sorry, miss, the shop is swamped right now. We can't spare anyone to go out..."
The apprentice scratched his head. "We'll have to finish this batch of orders first... Please come back this afternoon."
As if seeing right through Fang Qiu's intention to try another blacksmith, the apprentice continued:
"Miss, there's no point going to another shop either. All the blacksmiths in the area have either been pulled away to the Jade Chamber construction site, or they're like us — busy forging Demon Suppression Swords and Demon Swords."
"Alright then."
Hearing what the apprentice said, Fang Qiu could only sigh helplessly.
All she could say was... Miss Ningguang truly lived up to her name...
She couldn't even go home now — the door had been frozen shut by Shenhe and she couldn't break it open. She might as well wander around Chihu Rock for a bit.
Oh, right — she could go check on how Sister Ying'er was coming along with the panda-print nightdress, and supervise her at the same time, to make sure she didn't go adding random features on a whim.
Just as Fang Qiu was about to head toward Spring Fragrance Kiln, she caught sight of another familiar figure at the docks.
The figure was tiny, dressed in blue zombie-style robes with bandages wrapped around her feet. At that moment, she was standing in place, holding a long sword.
Wasn't that Qiqi?
What was she doing there?
Fang Qiu blinked slightly and went over to her.
"Qiqi."
Fang Qiu greeted her.
"Ah... it's you."
Hearing her voice, Qiqi turned around.
"Qiqi, what are you doing here?"
Fang Qiu was a bit confused. "And you're holding a sword, too."
Normally, didn't Qiqi stay at Bubu Pharmacy?
Besides, this time she didn't even have the small finch Fang Qiu had given her.
"The sea... is dangerous."
Sword in hand, Qiqi spoke in halting fragments. "Qiqi is... helping to disperse the crowd."
"What exactly is going on?"
Fang Qiu asked.
"Mm... Ningguang said there is something bad in the sea, so she sent Qiqi to disperse the crowd. But no one listens to Qiqi, so Qiqi can only stand guard here."
Qiqi said, somewhat dejected.
Then she squeezed her tiny fist and added, "If there's danger, Qiqi will step forward and protect everyone... You shouldn't go near the sea either, it's dangerous."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Fang Qiu patted Qiqi's little head, but at the same time she also furrowed her brow. She'd nearly forgotten about this matter.
So it really was about to happen?
Whatever was in the sea.
Fang Qiu couldn't help but feel a touch of tension.
What on earth was in the sea, that even the Liyue Qixing and Beidou were treating it with such caution?
Surely it wasn't going to be like the time when the Overlord of the Vortex flooded Liyue?
Beyond that, there was one more thing that struck Fang Qiu as strange.
Even though the situation was so dire, why was Ningguang still taking the time to rebuild the Jade Chamber at such a critical juncture?
What on earth was she thinking?
Fang Qiu lifted her head and looked out at the docks.
There were still quite a few people on the wharf.
But very quickly, Fang Qiu noticed one thing.
That was — Sister Beidou's The Alcor was gone.
"You... should hurry and leave."
Qiqi said.
"I'll stay and help you disperse the crowd."
Fang Qiu said with a smile.
"But... it'll be dangerous for you. Qiqi... doesn't want you to be in danger."
Qiqi said.
"Don't worry. I'm actually pretty strong."
Fang Qiu smiled and said.
These past days, her strength had grown by leaps and bounds, you might say.
If it came to long-range combat, she should now be able to defeat two Hilichurl Berserkers.
About on par with that adventurer earlier who had been cursing out the rookie.
Mm...
Though that adventurer didn't seem to have a Vision...
But she could at least put up a fight now — handling some small fry shouldn't be a problem.
...
Meanwhile, Shenhe, the Traveler, and Paimon had arrived at the abandoned quarry outside the Golden House.
This was precisely the construction site for the Jade Chamber.
The workers were toiling away in full swing.
The Jade Chamber had already been hoisted into the air, bound in place by several thick iron chains.
"Look, look! The Jade Chamber's already flown up into the sky — but it looks like it's being tied down by something."
Paimon said.
"That's because the renovations aren't finished yet."
A voice rang out.
They turned to look. The speaker was Baiwen, walking toward them. Coming along with her were Beidou and Yun Jin.
"Baiwen! Beidou's here too, and Yun Jin! Do you still remember us? After watching the projection of Sword and Fairy 1, we all ate at Wanmin Restaurant together."
Paimon greeted them.
"Of course I remember."
Yun Jin smiled gently and said.
"Hehe, that's good then. Eh, wait — Yun Jin, why are your eyes so red? And you seem to be a bit out of it."
Paimon asked.
"Well, it's all because of her..."
Yun Jin shot a reproachful glance at Shenhe and said.
"Because of her?"
Paimon couldn't help tilting her head.
"Haha, I already asked your question. Yun Jin read a bit of Sword and Fairy 2 before bed last night, ended up crying for ages, and didn't sleep well all night."
Beidou laughed from the side.
Then her brow suddenly furrowed. She studied Shenhe carefully and said: "Hm? Fang Qiu, you're interested in that Ningguang's troubles too? Hm? Wait... you're not Fang Qiu."
"Eh?"
Hearing Beidou's words, Yun Jin couldn't help but freeze beside her.
Not Fang Qiu?
What did that mean?
This face — by any measure, surely this was Fang Qiu?
Baiwen was likewise completely lost in confusion.
She had also met Fang Qiu before.
This peerless beauty, this head of snow-white hair, this graceful figure — by any measure, surely this was Fang Qiu?
"Your eye color is different from Fang Qiu's. And the impression Fang Qiu gives me is like a small finch — soft and delicate. But you're different. You're like a blade. Even I can feel the threat from you."
Beidou narrowed her eyes slightly and said.
Hearing Beidou's words, Yun Jin only then noticed the giveaway.
The woman before them really wasn't Fang Qiu.
It wasn't that she couldn't tell — rather, she had automatically assumed the person before her, whose appearance was nearly identical to Fang Qiu's, was Fang Qiu.
On top of that, she was standing right next to the Traveler.
"As expected of Beidou — she figured out so quickly that Shenhe isn't Fang Qiu. I was just about to tell you all about that."
Paimon said admiringly. "Her name is Shenhe, not Fang Qiu."
And so Paimon recounted the whole story from start to finish to Yun Jin and Shenhe.
"So that's how it is. Miss Shenhe, I'm very sorry just now — I mistook you for someone else."
Yun Jin apologized.
"It's fine, I don't mind."
Shenhe shook her head and said.
"Hahaha, no need to stand on ceremony. Since you're a friend of the Traveler, Paimon, and Fang Qiu, then we're all in the same boat."
Beidou laughed and said. "Just — I didn't think there could be two people in the world so alike. You and Fang Qiu — could you possibly be twin sisters who got separated long ago?"
"I'm not sure either."
Shenhe shook her head and said. "But when I'm with Fang Qiu, my heart feels especially calm. Perhaps Fang Qiu and I really do share some connection."
"It looks like Shenhe and Fang Qiu got along well last night."
Paimon said with a smile.
"Mm. Indeed, quite well."
Shenhe said. "Only — she's a bit restless when she sleeps. She likes to kick off the covers, and after kicking off the covers, because she gets cold, she likes to cling onto people."
"Cling onto people? What kind of clinging?"
Paimon blinked, slightly stunned.
"Mm, that's right."
Seeing Paimon ask, Shenhe described in detail everything that had happened that morning.
As she spoke, everyone present — except for Beidou — turned bright red in the face and ears.
"Eh... uh, Shenhe, actually you don't need to go into that much detail — no, it's more like you went into too much detail... I can picture it now."
Paimon covered her ears, then immediately glanced around, before letting out a sigh of relief. "Good thing no men around heard that."
"Too much detail?"
Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"Hahaha, that little Fang Qiu really is interesting — even her sleeping habits are this entertaining."
Beidou laughed heartily and said.
"Sleeping together, huh..."
Yun Jin, on the other hand, blushed and pictured the image of Fang Qiu in a nightdress clinging onto someone. Her heart was pounding fiercely.
Thump-thump, thump-thump.
"Truly unexpected..."
Baiwen coughed and quickly changed the subject, telling them all about the progress of the Jade Chamber renovations.
She had just finished speaking when someone came looking for her on business, so she took her leave first.
Leaving the others to chat about Fang Qiu.
After chatting for a while, they began discussing cooperation — they were planning to monopolize the top three spots together.
Once they'd settled on it, they split up to go about their own tasks.
...
Meanwhile, Fang Qiu had no idea that all the embarrassing things she'd done that morning had already been blown wide open by Shenhe. She was at the docks, busy helping Qiqi disperse the crowd.
Sure enough, these people simply wouldn't listen to Qiqi.
However, with Fang Qiu's help, some people who had no urgent business at the docks turned around and left.
Among them was Uncle Tian, who had earlier lent them his boat so they could go out to sea.
He said he wanted to go to the docks to check on his boat — and was firmly rejected by Fang Qiu.
She appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him, and only after a great deal of effort did she finally manage to persuade Uncle Tian.
But what struck Fang Qiu as strange was that, when she first said the sea was dangerous, Uncle Tian hadn't shown the slightest trace of surprise on his face, nor a hint of fear — only a look of mixed exasperation and amusement.
Yet after Fang Qiu started pondering this, only then did she see fear and surprise begin to surface on Uncle Tian's face.
Watching this, Fang Qiu couldn't help but sigh.
Uncle Tian was getting old.
Even when she said it was dangerous, it took him this long to react...
Time spares no one.
Still, fortunately Uncle Tian wasn't an unreasonable man. After she explained the gravity of the situation to him, Uncle Tian turned around and left.
____
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