"So even you think this is too much of a coincidence, Qiu Nian?"
Paimon clasped her hands behind her back and looked at him.
"It is indeed too coincidental."
"In that case, I'll help as well. Lives are at stake, after all."
"I'll go assist Mr. Zhongli over there. You two can continue investigating here."
Qiu Nian nodded slightly at Lumine and Paimon.
With that, he turned and walked toward Zhongli's direction.
[The two old guys are teaming up again]
[Why do I always feel like something's off when they're together (facepalm)]
[That's not just your imagination]
"Then let's hurry and keep investigating!"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a smile.
After searching for a while without results, they returned to Kun Jun.
"Kun Jun, did you find anything worth investigating?"
Paimon asked.
"There's only a stone tablet."
Kun Jun replied, looking at it.
"Doesn't sound very useful."
"I'll check elsewhere."
Paimon flew off to another direction.
"Sigh… better than nothing. Let's take a look."
Kun Jun sighed and stepped forward.
Then he activated his unique ability to read the "memories" of stone.
"…!"
"This is—"
His eyes widened instantly, and he took several sharp breaths.
"Huh? What's wrong with you?"
Paimon flew back beside Lumine, looking worried.
"Huff… huff… just a bit dizzy for a moment."
"It's nothing. I'm fine now."
Kun Jun exhaled and spread his hands in explanation.
Lumine frowned slightly.
She could clearly sense that something about Kun Jun had changed.
His tone had grown deeper.
His manner of speaking had shifted.
There was even a faint sense of authority in his presence.
What exactly happened just now?
"What's up with Kun Jun?"
"It's like he just learned something huge."
Xuehua muttered, confused.
[Even his tone changed]
['If fate allows, we shall meet again'—that line from the PV, it has to be him]
[Yeah, I wasn't sure before, but now I'm convinced (facepalm)]
[Kun Jun, you're definitely not simple]
"Did you discover anything?"
Lumine asked, brows slightly furrowed.
"For now… no."
Kun Jun crossed his arms and replied.
"No choice then, Traveler. I'll keep searching over there—how about you climb the tree and take a look?"
Paimon suggested helplessly.
"You're sure there's a clue up there?"
Lumine put her hands on her hips, giving Paimon a skeptical look.
"You won't know unless you try!"
"And you can get a better view from above!"
Paimon puffed up confidently.
"…Hmm."
"Ah! R-right?"
Kun Jun had been deep in thought, but suddenly reacted to Paimon's words with surprise.
"Of course! My ideas are always great—"
"Wait, I can fly!"
"Oh, then I'll go instead. You two wait here!"
Paimon was just about to head toward the Dragon-Queller Tree—
"Everyone, over here!"
Zhongli's voice called out.
Meanwhile, on Zhongli and Qiu Nian's side—
"…I can now confirm."
"This matter is related to Azhdaha."
Zhongli looked at the tunnel below and sighed.
"The Millelith chased those Geovishaps all the way from Liyue Harbor to near Tianqiu Valley."
"When they found nothing, they ate some wild fruit and prepared to return."
"But at that moment, their consciousness was controlled by Azhdaha."
Qiu Nian explained calmly.
"They are, after all, only mortals."
"They wandered for days without food or drink…"
"Until they collapsed from exhaustion near Nantianmen."
"With his abilities, such a feat is not difficult."
"But if he has truly awakened…"
"The current seal should not be able to contain him for this long."
Zhongli rested a hand on his chin, puzzled.
"If Kun Jun's consciousness is Azhdaha…"
"And the entity controlling those Millelith and miners is also Azhdaha…"
"Then perhaps…"
Zhongli seemed to grasp something.
"What we should be considering now is not that."
"If Azhdaha fully awakens and breaks free of the seal…"
"It will be no small disaster for Liyue."
Qiu Nian shook his head slightly.
"If he truly breaks free…"
"With you and me joining forces…"
"He should not be able to cause destruction on the scale of a thousand years ago."
Zhongli turned to look at the newly dug tunnel below.
From within, faint clanging sounds echoed.
"So you've already counted me as part of Liyue, have you?"
Qiu Nian said with a faint smile.
"Am I wrong?"
"I am a Liyue citizen—those are words you often say yourself, my friend."
Zhongli smiled lightly.
"Even if I am a Liyue citizen…"
"If you want my help, shouldn't there be compensation?"
Qiu Nian teased.
"Compensation…"
Zhongli rested his hand on his chin, seemingly considering it seriously.
"Director Hu has always advocated mutual assistance among colleagues."
"It seems I should report your request for compensation to her."
He crossed his arms, looking like he was about to "report" him.
"Morax."
"If that's the case…"
"Should I also report the five million Mora you still owe me?"
Qiu Nian replied calmly.
After all, everyone had their own leverage.
Their banter might seem childish—
But in truth, this was something they did from time to time.
At that moment—
Lumine, Paimon, and Kun Jun arrived.
Zhongli and Qiu Nian immediately dropped their playful exchange and turned serious.
"This path was recently excavated."
"It seems the answer lies ahead."
Zhongli turned to them and explained.
"There are sounds coming from inside the tunnel…"
"Uwaa… I—I don't want to go first!"
Paimon trembled, frightened.
After all—
Qiu Nian was currently injured, and she no longer felt as secure as before.
"Qiu Nian may be injured, but Zhongli isn't."
Lumine smirked at Paimon.
"…Injured…"
Kun Jun murmured, looking at Qiu Nian with a complicated expression.
"Hehe, then Zhongli, you have to protect us!"
Paimon immediately perked up and stomped her foot playfully.
"Mm. Don't worry."
"I'll take the lead."
Zhongli nodded, his tone reassuring.
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