“One pill?!”
Lumine stared at the dirt-clod-looking object in Luo Qing’s hand, thinking, Can you even call that thing a pill?
Charging her a hundred thousand Mora for it seemed a bit excessive.
“Just one bite, and any injury will be healed instantly! Special discount today, only a hundred thousand Mora. So, what do you think? Want to buy one?”
“…”
Lumine eyed Luo Qing’s expression, which was practically screaming “scam artist.”
She had a nagging suspicion that buying from him would end poorly.
“When did you start selling things?” she asked, puzzled.
“Oh? I didn’t tell you?” Luo Qing feigned surprise before continuing with a smile.
“Before becoming an executive, I was a… traveling merchant! Yeah, I used to peddle all sorts of medicines for bruises and injuries. It’s totally normal to carry around some healing pills, right? A special deal for you, just a hundred thousand Mora! One pill?”
“….”
“Luo Qing, didn’t you just say that this was a treatment for bruises?” Paimon interjected, poking her head out.
“Did I? You must’ve misheard,” Luo Qing said, feigning innocence, while nudging the pill closer to Lumine’s chest.
“So, how about it? One pill?”
“…”
Lumine and Paimon exchanged skeptical looks.
Over the course of their travels, the two of them had amassed a decent amount of Mora.
They were practically walking wallets—able to afford any luxury, even spending the night at the most lavish establishments… Ahem, that’s beside the point.
The truth was, they had the money.
But this was clearly one of Luo Qing’s scams, and they really didn’t want to fall for it.
As the two hesitated, Teresa—who had been watching—decided to try her luck, thinking she might snatch a good deal if they didn’t bite.
“Lord Luo Qing, if they don’t want it, can I buy it?”
“?”
Luo Qing turned to look at Teresa, wondering, When did I ask you to play along?
“What are you even doing? Step aside and cool off.”
“Oh…” Teresa sulked and retreated.
“So, are you buying?” Luo Qing grinned, turning back to Lumine and Paimon.
“…”
“What do you think?” Paimon asked Lumine, wavering.
She didn’t really believe Luo Qing, but the pressure of being publicly pitched to, surrounded by a small crowd of onlookers, was making her toes curl with embarrassment.
“Alright… fine. Here’s your hundred thousand Mora…” Lumine said, fishing the sum from her backpack and handing it over.
“Much appreciated! Come back anytime!”
The next second, Luo Qing quickly shoved the All-Healing Pill into Lumine’s hand, grabbed the money pouch, and shouted,
“Teresa, let’s go!”
Without looking back, he dragged Teresa away at a brisk pace, waving as he called out to Lumine,
“When someone’s on the brink of death, you can use that pill! Make sure they swallow it whole—no water allowed!”
“…”
Lumine and Paimon watched Luo Qing’s retreating figure.
Somehow, it felt like they’d been scammed out of a hundred thousand Mora and the target of a prank.
Lumine looked down at the fist-sized pill in her hand.
Who on earth could swallow something this big in one go?
…
Meanwhile…
After parting with Lumine, Luo Qing continued his journey towards the Delusion Factory.
He had given Lumine the pill, but whether it would be of any use would depend on whether she trusted his words.
There was nothing more he could do. If it wasn’t needed, then fate had decided.
Passing the remains of the Serpent’s Head, the Delusion Factory came into view.
Luo Qing had no intention of meeting Scaramouche; he just planned to board a ship at the nearby port under his pretended status as an executive-in-training.
As he was about to enter the port, he suddenly felt eyes on him again.
Following the feeling, he looked up to a nearby cliff and saw a familiar figure dressed in pale pink. She smiled gently at him as if greeting an old friend.
“Why am I running into so many acquaintances today…?”
Luo Qing muttered, feeling a bit helpless. He pulled out his golden executive badge from his coat and tossed it to Teresa.
“Go to the port and find us a ship. I’ll be back after meeting a friend.”
“Oh… Yes, Lord Luo Qing!” Teresa stared at the golden badge in her hand.
Such a valuable item, yet Luo Qing had handed it to her without a second thought.
It seemed that he truly trusted her…
The moment Luo Qing left, she immediately began to rub the golden badge against her cheek with fervor…
…
Not long after, Luo Qing stood on the cliff beside the Delusion Factory.
Yae Miko was humming a tune, glancing down at the Fatui soldiers patrolling below. When she heard footsteps behind her, she turned and greeted him with a light smile.
“Fancy meeting you here, Luo Qing. What a coincidence.”
She had already investigated Luo Qing’s identity thoroughly, so his presence in the area was not a surprise to her.
“It’s been a while, Miss Yae,” Luo Qing said, moving to stand beside her.
“What brings you to Tatarasuna, on vacation?”
“Vacation? Oh, please. This place is so desolate, I wouldn’t come here if I had a choice.” Yae Miko chuckled softly before giving Luo Qing a probing look.
“But what about you? Why are you here? Is it work-related?”
“Nope. Just hitching a ride back to Inazuma City.” Luo Qing shook his head, then added with a smirk,
“Rest assured, Miss Yae, this place isn’t under my jurisdiction. Do as you please—even if you plan to blow it up, I won’t stop you.”
The Delusion Factory was Doctor’s project. If anything, Luo Qing would happily fan the flames for Yae Miko.
“Is that so?” Yae Miko murmured, her gaze drifting back to the Fatui below.
“Well, I suppose I should thank you, then.”
“By the way, Miss Yae, do you happen to know who’s in charge of that group down there?” Luo Qing asked, testing the waters.
“In charge?” Yae Miko raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly.
“This is Inazuma, after all. I don’t really care who their leader is.”
Her primary purpose in Tatarasuna was to track down the traveler from Liyue, but she also had her eye on the Fatui’s operations in the area.
She already had intel on the Delusion Factory’s location. Her real goal was to gather evidence of the Tenryou Commission’s collaboration with the Fatui. If things went smoothly, she wouldn’t mind blasting the place with lightning.
“I see, you don’t know then…”
Luo Qing chuckled, patting Yae Miko’s shoulder before pointing toward the factory’s entrance.
“There’s someone inside that both you and Ei are very familiar with. I’m sure he’ll be surprised to see you too.”
“Someone familiar?” Yae Miko looked intrigued, her mind racing as she pieced together who Luo Qing might be referring to.
Then, as if hearing a delightful joke, she chuckled softly.
“Oh? So, that little guy’s hiding here? I wouldn’t mind playing a game with him.”
Luo Qing leaned closer.
“Then, Miss Yae, could you do me a small favor when you meet him?”
“Oh? What kind of favor?”
“Just tell him he’s a forsaken orphan abandoned by his mother.”
“…?”
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