"Hmm, the death isn't recent. The body still has some warmth."
"The cause of death should be homicide. I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to shoot an arrow into their own head."
Hu Tao circled the corpse twice, rubbing her smooth chin as she analyzed the victim's cause of death. But who would kill someone in a place like this?
The victim's clothes looked quite expensive. The murderer hadn't stripped them, which meant the motive wasn't robbery. Since it wasn't robbery, it was most likely a personal grudge.
A glint of excitement sparkled in Hu Tao's eyes. Detective Hu Tao had finally stumbled upon a case. Remembering how Keqing had refused to let her join an investigation before, she clenched her small fists in determination. There were also traces of monsters in the area. Following this path might let her both solve the case and clear out the monsters. Two birds with one stone.
"Then this director will help Keqing with her problem. If I clear out the monsters and still haven't found the killer, she can handle the rest herself."
Hu Tao twirled her Staff of Homa in a flourish. Her intuition told her that before she finished clearing this path of monsters, she would find the killer.
While Hu Tao searched for clues, her little ghost discovered a shiny stone in a corner. Following its usual routine of "when in doubt, ask Hu Tao," it picked up the stone and flew over to her.
At first, Hu Tao thought it had taken it from some wealthy household. After the little ghost gestured frantically, she realized it had simply found the jade.
"Things are getting complicated. Little one, let's go deeper. This director's intuition tells me the answers we're looking for are there."
Normally, Hu Tao would have reported this to the Millelith and gone in with them. But the soldiers were busy fighting monsters and couldn't spare anyone. She would have to go after the killer herself.
Deeper in the path, the Fatui squad leader silently approached a dead-end wall. The noble family members watched him with burning eyes, desperate to escape this place.
"What are you doing? Find the secret passage and get us out of Liyue Harbor! Are you Fatui just stringing us along?"
"I've told you many times. We Fatui aren't like you people. We don't deceive."
The squad leader narrowed his eyes at the entrance of the path and slowly pulled out a Delusion from his coat. Seeing their captain produce a Delusion, the other Fatui agents readied their weapons.
Realizing the Fatui weren't joking, the family members turned and raised their weapons nervously, staring at the corner of the path. It was the only place someone could hide.
Fear gripped them. They were terrified that Ningguang had already dealt with Osial and was coming for them. That Keqing was bringing the Millelith to throw them in jail. That the adepti would punish them.
Under the heavy, tense atmosphere, sweat beaded on many foreheads. In the cramped space, aside from ragged breathing, there was not a single sound.
One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes passed, and still, no one appeared at the corner. Some of the family members were confused, but more were angry. Were the Fatui just playing with them?
"Hey, you Fatui think this is funny? I'll tell you—huh? Where did they go?"
A noble turned to confront the Fatui, only to find them gone. The agents at the back of the group had vanished without a trace.
"Damn it! The Fatui played us!"
"What? How dare they? Aren't they afraid of retaliation?"
"Quick, find the passage! They disappeared here, so it must be nearby."
His words reminded the others. They rushed to the walls, frantically searching every inch. At this moment, they seemed to have forgotten they were part of centuries-old noble families. Things they would never have touched before were now being scoured by their hands.
"Wait, something's wrong!"
"The ground beneath us doesn't feel like stone. This texture isn't stone."
Not stone? The words stunned everyone. Weren't these paths always paved with stone? If not for the speaker being from a family specializing in ores and minerals, they would have dismissed it outright.
"This material isn't stone. The Fatui must have set this up."
Wiping away a layer of mud revealed a metal slab. A few brave ones stepped closer to inspect it. Seeing it was just a chunk of metal, they called the others over.
"This must be something from Snezhnaya. Only they could make something like this."
"I think you're right. But... does anyone else feel like this thing is getting hot?"
"Now that you mention it, I feel it too. It's really warm. Wait... why is it glowing?!"
Those who realized the danger tried to flee, but it was too late. A flash of light engulfed them all. Then, a small mushroom cloud rose from within Liyue Harbor.
"Looks like some expert is fighting monsters in there. Quite the spectacle."
"Brothers, we can't fall behind. Fan out and keep searching for monsters. If you find survivors, take them to shelter."
A few Millelith soldiers on monster patrol stared at the rising mushroom cloud, then returned to their task. They might not be the strongest, but they would contribute in their own way.
"Tsk, that bomb pack quite a punch. It was originally meant for the Millelith. Ended up using it on them instead. What a waste."
"Still, not all their valuables were destroyed. With this haul, we'll be living well for a while."
Beneath a layer of foul mud, a mechanism was triggered. The Fatui squad leader and his men emerged from a hidden passage.
Seeing no survivors, the squad leader rubbed his hands together, greedily eyeing the wealth buried beneath the corpses. This was a thousand years of accumulated treasure from these noble families. With this money, even if they retired in Snezhnaya, they would never want for anything again.
"Haha. Looks like I get the last laugh after all."
"Oh my. Look what your director has found. A few murderers. How about you all come to the Ministry of Civil Affairs for some tea?"