"Su Ming, where do you plan to go next?" Lumine asked.
"I'm heading over to Yuehai Pavilion. It's always easier to get things done when you have someone on the inside. I'm going to find an old acquaintance and see if she can lend us some help."
The corners of Su Ming's mouth curled upward, as if he had just thought of something pleasant.
Hearing this, Shenhe immediately realized who he was looking for. "Are you going to see her?"
"Yeah, but it's getting late. We should find a place to stay first."
"Lumine, how about you?"
Lumine didn't give it much thought. "Let's just find a room. It's been a long day of traveling, and I'm pretty tired. I'll just get some sleep today and figure everything else out tomorrow."
"Then we'll part ways for now. I have someone I need to meet first," Su Ming said. "By the way, regarding a place to stay, just find somewhere for tonight. After tomorrow, I don't think we'll be lacking for a roof over our heads."
"Oh, and tomorrow at noon, let's meet at Wanmin Restaurant in Chihu Rock."
Before Lumine could even react, Su Ming suddenly gave her small head a vigorous rub, then laughed and slipped away with Shenhe.
He left Lumine's bashful and annoyed voice trailing behind him.
After Su Ming left, Lumine crouched down, burying her face in her hands.
The annoyance she felt just a moment ago had completely evaporated, leaving only the embarrassment.
Her heart fluttered with a sudden shyness. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with the lingering sensation of Su Ming's hand resting on her head.
"Ah..."
Paimon flew over, circling Lumine once before asking, "Lumine, are you okay?"
"...I'm fine. Just let me be quiet for a bit, Paimon."
"Are you really okay? But your face is so red! You aren't sick, are you? Maybe I should chase after Su Ming and bring him back?" Paimon asked worriedly.
"I'm really fine! Let's... let's just go find a place to stay."
"Alright then."
At the Northland Bank, Tartaglia sat in a chair resting, having just finished his daily training.
He had just sat down to take a sip of water and wipe away his sweat when he received a report from his subordinate.
"Lord Childe, the Honorary Knight you asked us to watch has just returned to Liyue Harbor."
"Oh? She's back? It seems things went smoothly then." Tartaglia smiled and asked, "What is she doing now?"
"She's looking for a place to stay. Lord Childe, there is something I think you should be aware of."
Tartaglia said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "If you have something to say, just say it. Stop beating around the bush."
"My deepest apologies!" The Fatui Debt Collector behind Tartaglia bowed in terror. "It's about the Honorary Knight... our informants at Wangshu Inn collected some peculiar intel."
"While at Wangshu Inn, she was accompanied by an existence that was never recorded in our intelligence network..."
The agent then began to report the details of the intelligence they had gathered.
After listening, Tartaglia asked in surprise, "An unrecorded powerhouse? Interesting... I'd quite like to meet him."
"And then there's that Conqueror of Demons... he's another adeptus not mentioned in our records."
"Hahahaha! This trip to Liyue was definitely the right choice. I didn't expect to run into so many interesting opponents."
At the Jade Chamber.
The Tianquan, Ningguang, looked out at the night sky with a trace of melancholy, listening to the pitter-patter of the drizzling rain.
She didn't know what the intentions of the Adepti who had arrived together were, nor did she know their opinion of Liyue Harbor or the Liyue Qixing.
Currently, those Adepti were waiting in an elegant private room within the Jade Chamber.
She and the other available members of the Qixing were about to enter that room to negotiate with them.
At the thought of this, she couldn't help but rub her temples.
"Lady Ningguang, an urgent report from Wangshu Inn!"
"Hmm? Did something happen?" Ningguang asked.
"Yesterday, Wangshu Inn was attacked by the Abyss Order. Fortunately, the Conqueror of Demons and an Adepti disciple came to their aid."
"Furthermore... the report specifically mentions that the Adepti disciple used very unique methods."
"He has no Vision, and the techniques he uses aren't those of the exorcist clans."
"His power primarily manifests as a type of ink-black ice."
"When he uses it, the temperature of the surrounding environment drops instantly."
After hearing this, Ningguang asked in astonishment, "A special power different from both secret arts and Elemental Power?"
"Yes." Her trusted confidant nodded. "And according to the latest reports, he, his senior sister, and the outlander who was wanted after the Rite of Descension have all just arrived in Liyue Harbor together."
"Lady Ningguang, should we keep an eye on them?"
Ningguang thought for a moment before saying, "There's no need. Notify the Ministry of Civil Affairs to rescind the wanted poster."
"Also, in the name of the Qixing, send a gift to each of them. And while you're at it... if they have any requests, try your best to satisfy them."
"Understood. I'll get right on it."
"Good. It's about time for the meeting... Have the Tianshu and the Yuheng arrived?"
"Both lords are already seated in the council chamber."
"Fine. I'll head there now."
In the courtyard in front of Yuehai Pavilion, Su Ming stood in the corridor by the pond, waiting.
Soon, Shenhe returned, carrying a small bag of Qingxin flowers.
"Su Ming, are we really just bringing these as a gift?"
Shenhe looked at the Qingxin in her hand and asked in confusion, "I heard Master say that gifts should be somewhat valuable, shouldn't they?"
Su Ming waved his hand. "It's fine. Senior Sister Ganyu has a real taste for these."
"Did you forget the stories Master used to tell us? When Senior Sister Ganyu was little, she almost ate the Qingxin on those peaks in Jueyun Karst into extinction!"
Shenhe: "...Fair point."
After saying that, Su Ming thought for a moment and added a reminder, "By the way, when you see her, whatever you do, don't let it slip that Master spends her free time telling us about Ganyu's embarrassing childhood stories."
Shenhe nodded. "I understand."
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