Liyue Harbor, Jade Chamber
Towering above all, floating high in the sky, the Jade Chamber was the residence of the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, the very heart of Liyue’s economy.
Rumor had it that countless secrets of wealth were hidden within, tempting merchants to spend fortunes for just a chance to step foot inside and have an audience with the Tianquan.
Such was the power of the Tianquan Star — the symbol of Liyue’s prosperity and strength.
On the six-sided stone platform outside the palace, Ningguang, the Tianquan, looked down upon the bustling lives of Liyue’s citizens. One hand delicately rested on her pipe as she stood with a quiet grace.
Behind her were her three secretaries, Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi, each holding urgent reports.
Baiwen stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Lady Ningguang, the new representative from Snezhnaya’s Northland Bank has arrived at the port. According to information from Snezhnaya, it seems his identity may not be as simple as it appears… He might be connected to that certain someone.”
“For years, the Northland Bank has aimed to have their currency replace Mora. This personnel change might be the first step in their next scheme. Lady Ningguang, should we send someone to keep an eye on them?”
“That wouldn’t be proper Liyue hospitality,” Ningguang said with a slight shake of her head.
“For now, do nothing rash. Pick a suitable day and invite him for a meeting.”
“Understood, Lady Ningguang.”
After briefing Ningguang on other recent matters, the three secretaries returned inside to handle their tasks, leaving Ningguang alone on the stone platform.
She gazed out at the vast harbor, her thoughts drifting.
Could it really be him? After all these years, is he still so fixated on revenge?
Suddenly, the sound of high heels clicking against stone steps echoed from behind her.
A tall woman in a deep blue, form-fitting leather suit with a white cape walked up the platform.
“Did you find anything?” Ningguang asked calmly, taking a puff from her pipe.
“Based on all reliable sources, his identity is spotless — the new representative from Snezhnaya, accompanied by three subordinates. He’s currently settled in the upper floors of the Northland Bank,” Yelan reported.
“So, there are… unreliable sources?”
“Recently, Snezhnaya held a selection for a new Trainee Harbinger. It seems they’re aiming to fill the Twelfth Seat,” Yelan said in a low voice.
Just as Snezhnaya had informants scattered across the other six nations, Liyue had its own eyes and ears within Snezhnaya.
Ningguang mused aloud, “The Twelfth Seat…”
Each of the Fatui Harbingers had the power to create chaos in any of the other six nations.
In recent years, the Fatui’s military expansion had been frighteningly fast, and their presence now covered the wilds of Teyvat.
For the safety of Liyue, and due to past betrayals, Ningguang had always approached any Fatui-related matters with utmost caution.
“Interestingly enough, the one selected vanished a few days after the ceremony, never appearing in public. There wasn’t even a proper conferral of honors — it’s as if he never existed.
And his disappearance coincides with the departure of that merchant ship carrying the new representative.”
“Do we have any details on him?”
“A male, former instructor for new Fatui recruits, an orphan from Liyue, skilled in spear techniques. Also, he’s… rather annoying.”
“…”
Ningguang blinked, momentarily thrown off by Yelan’s description.
“Annoying?” she echoed.
“That’s what the informants reported. Apparently, he used some underhanded tricks during the Harbinger selection and trained recruits in ways that made them want to punch him.”
“I see.”
A small smile appeared on Ningguang’s face.
“Keep an eye on him. Report any suspicious actions to me immediately.”
“Understood.”
Yelan nodded, her figure flickering before vanishing from the stone platform.
“This is the first time I’ve heard such a… unique description,” Ningguang murmured, her gaze lingering on the ships in the harbor.
Liyue Harbor
Liyue Harbor lived up to its reputation as the premier port of Teyvat, with a daily traffic of ships so vast it was hard to comprehend.
After a long wait to dock, Luo Qing’s merchant vessel finally found a spot.
It turned out that bringing the three recruits along had been a brilliant idea.
Over the months-long voyage, teaching them the Thirteen Fatal Thrusts had earned him enough Frustration Points for another ten-pull in the system.
He was just waiting for the right moment to hit the button.
Escorted to the top floor of the Northland Bank, only a few high-ranking bank officials knew of Luo Qing’s true identity.
To most of the regular staff, he was simply their new superior, with no hint of his true mission or intentions.
Their living quarters were on the top floor of the Northland Bank, one of the highest pavilions beneath Yujing Terrace.
From the top floor, he could look out from north to south, overseeing the entire harbor.
Sending the three recruits to their rooms to rest, Luo Qing removed his cloak.
The pleasant climate of Liyue made it too warm to continue wearing it. It seemed he’d have to switch to lighter clothing, like the locals.
He inspected the room thoroughly, ensuring no one was lurking in the shadows, before finally collapsing onto the bed.
Months of turbulent sea travel had nearly turned his brain to jelly.
Even with an important mission hanging over him, there was no rush. Now that he had a chance to rest, he intended to make the most of it.
Closing his eyes, he used his arm to shield himself from the sunlight streaming through the balcony window, and a wave of drowsiness washed over him.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a sudden chill on his back jolted him awake.
He sat up, staring towards the balcony.
“Who’s there?!”
Rushing out to the balcony, he scanned the direction of Yujing Terrace, seeing nothing but the wooden pavilions and green-tiled roofs… and the occasional bird flying by.
No sign of anyone.
“Fast escape…”
As a seasoned intelligence agent from the House of Hearth, Luo Qing had a sharp instinct for tracking and being tracked.
He was certain someone had been watching him from outside the balcony.
“Already being monitored? Looks like Liyue’s intelligence network is top-notch,” he muttered to himself.
Just as he turned to head back inside, a thought struck him, and he stepped back out onto the balcony.
【Use the “Let’s Learn to Meow Together” Item Card? Select target: Natalia, Igor, Sergei, Li Hua, Han Meimei… Yelan…】
The system allowed him to target any individual within a ten-meter radius for an item card, with potential targets appearing on his screen.
In a sense, the system’s item cards also acted like a radar, revealing who was nearby.
“Knew it, you haven’t left yet.”
Standing on the balcony, Luo Qing called out, “I know you’re there. If you don’t show yourself, don’t blame me for what happens next!”
Seconds passed in silence, with no response.
Meanwhile, atop the green-tiled roof just above Luo Qing’s balcony, Yelan sat casually with one arm propped under her chin, watching him with a bemused expression.
Did this Snezhnayan really think he could fool anyone with such a childish trick? How naive.
Below, Luo Qing shouted again, “I’ve already warned you! Don’t make me do it!”
Yelan chuckled, thinking, Go ahead, I dare you. What can you possibly do?
But what happened next caught her completely off guard.
Wait… why do I suddenly feel like singing?
“Let’s… learn to…”
In her confusion, her lips moved on their own, and she started to sing.
Oh no, I’ve been caught!
Realizing something was wrong, Yelan attempted to flee, but it was too late.
Luo Qing vaulted onto the roof, landing directly in front of her.
“Meow… meow… meow.”
【Frustration Value from Yelan +10】
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