After testing out the new items, Luo Qing returned to the Northland Bank.
Teresa, who had been covered in wounds earlier, was now fully recovered. The damaged parts of her Alchemist uniform now revealed smooth, unblemished skin. Not a single scar remained.
Initially, Natalya and the other two didn’t think much of the pill Luo Qing had given Teresa, assuming it was just an effective healing medicine. But when they saw Teresa’s wounds visibly closing up, they realized how powerful the fist-sized, brown pill really was.
With Teresa’s numerous sword wounds completely healed in minutes and without leaving any scars, they recognized that it was truly a miraculous remedy.
The trio’s respect for Luo Qing grew even deeper.
Such a valuable medicine—it was clear Luo Qing had gone to great lengths to obtain it, yet he had handed it over so nonchalantly…
They were moved to the verge of tears.
Back in his study, Luo Qing noticed that Natalya and the others were looking at him with an unusual intensity, almost as if they were deeply moved.
The only exception was Teresa, who seemed slightly regretful—possibly because she had already consumed the medicine.
“What’s with those looks?” Luo Qing asked as he entered, feeling a bit uncomfortable under their gazes. Teresa immediately rushed to him, grabbing his hand. Her expression was filled with eagerness, almost as if she might start crying any moment.
“Lord Luo Qing, I swear I’ll repay you one day!”
“…”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Calm down a bit.” Luo Qing pulled his hand away from Teresa, sounding a little exasperated.
“So, can I get another one of those pills?” Teresa asked, her eyes sparkling. “It was huge! I really, really liked it!”
“Do you even realize what you’re saying…?” Luo Qing was speechless. He wondered how someone could be more outrageous than him.
“Please, Lord Luo Qing, I really want another one!” Teresa whined, tugging at his sleeve with a hint of coquettishness.
After being on the battlefield for so many years, battling with hilichurls and monsters, Teresa was well aware of how precious that pill was. Simply put, it was a second chance at life.
Unlike Natalya and the others, Teresa’s ability to read situations was far more refined. Seeing how casually Luo Qing had given the pill earlier, she sensed that it wasn’t of significant importance to him, so she was determined to try and ask for another one.
What did she have to lose?
“Stop being ridiculous!” Luo Qing took out another one of the brown pills and tossed it onto Teresa’s forehead before turning to Natalya and the others. “If you run out, just ask me for more. Don’t start acting like her, understood?”
“Yes, Lord Luo Qing,” Natalya and the others replied solemnly. They couldn’t help but admire Teresa’s boldness for being so carefree in front of Luo Qing.
“By the way, each of you pick one of these,” Luo Qing said as he casually waved his hand. Three modern firearms appeared on the ground—dark and with peculiar shapes that made the trio curious.
“Lord Luo Qing, what are these?” Igor asked, looking puzzled.
“They’re weapons for you. The three of you have pretty low combat capabilities, so these will be for self-defense.”
“Thank you, Lord Luo Qing.”
One by one, they made their choices. Sergey picked the Gatling gun, Igor selected the rocket launcher, and Natalya chose the sniper rifle.
“What about mine?” Teresa asked, poking her head out once more. Her motto was that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and if she could freeload from Lord Luo Qing, she absolutely would.
“Aren’t you fine with your thunder wasps?”
“But all my little wasps were wiped out by the people of Liyue! I don’t have any left!”
“Then grow more. There’s none for you.”
“Oh…”
“Alright, you three stay here while I go teach you how to use them…” Luo Qing was about to take them outside for weapon training when a knock came at the door.
“Lord Luo Qing, someone’s here to see you,” Felix’s voice called from outside.
“Me? Who is it?”
“It’s a silver-haired woman with a spear. She said she’s here to see you but didn’t mention why. What should I do?”
“…”
There was no need to guess. The description alone was enough for Luo Qing to know who it was.
But what had he done to make Shenhe follow him all the way from Jueyun Karst to Liyue?
“I’ll be right down.”
“Yes, sir.”
Since Shenhe was looking for him, Luo Qing had no choice but to postpone the weapons training. After telling the trio to stay put, he headed downstairs to meet her.
Sure enough, as soon as he arrived at the entrance, he saw Shenhe standing there. Because of the spear she carried, the guard at the entrance, Nadia, eyed her warily, ready to act if necessary.
Now that Shenhe had figured out his identity, there was no point in keeping up the pretense. Luo Qing decided to meet her face-to-face without any disguises.
On the other side, Shenhe had learned that Luo Qing was from the Fatui, and the Northland Bank might be a place to find him. She followed some hints all the way to Liyue Harbor, asking around to find her target, barely holding back her temper in the process.
Now, as she stood at the door, she couldn’t quite explain what she felt. Somehow, she couldn’t let go of what had happened back in Jueyun Karst.
Luo Qing approached Shenhe, motioning for Nadia to step aside. With a smile, he greeted her.
“Miss Shenhe, what brings you here today?”
“Your real name is Luo Qing, right?” Shenhe asked, her voice even as she raised her spear.
“Yes, it is. Sorry about the deception back at Jueyun Karst,” Luo Qing replied with a nod. “So, what’s the reason for your visit, Miss Shenhe?”
“I…” Shenhe hesitated, suddenly unsure of her purpose.
Why had she come looking for Luo Qing?
After a moment of indecision, Shenhe stepped back and raised her spear, pointing it straight at Luo Qing’s face. “You humiliated me that day. I’m here for revenge.”
“Revenge?”
Luo Qing was momentarily stunned. He thought back—he had gone easy on her during their last encounter, and she hadn’t stood a chance against him. Yet here she was, seeking revenge?
Was this girl really so eager to be defeated again?
Luo Qing, a decent person by nature, was bemused. Had he not been so principled, Shenhe would have found herself in an even worse position.
Observing Shenhe closely, Luo Qing sensed a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Curious, he reached out and gently nudged her spear aside with his finger, leaning in slightly to meet her gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Seconds passed, and unexpectedly, Shenhe averted her gaze, turning her face slightly away.
…
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