**Chapter 22: Tensions Rise**
Jingchen gazed at the assembled Fatui, a hint of helplessness flickering across his face.
In a foreign land, such a large gathering was undeniably dangerous.
Moreover, we were the Fatui, a group widely distrusted throughout Teyvat.
"Everyone, return to your posts immediately. Any new assignments will be communicated through the Northland Bank manager."
A Debt Collector suddenly pressed forward.
"Lord Harbinger, how much longer must we cooperate with Liyue?"
Jingchen narrowed his eyes, his cold gaze sweeping down upon the man.
The Debt Collector instantly felt as if he were standing on the edge of an icy abyss, scrambling backward in panic.
"Has the Ninth Company been exploring the Chasm for over half a month now?"
"Yes, Lord Jingchen."
"Then prepare additional supplies and manpower to support them."
"But Lord, aren't supplies supposed to be provided by Liyue?"
Jingchen recalled the Ninth Company's ordeal: Childe's sudden release of Osel had shattered relations between the Fatui and Liyue, cutting off all resources to the Ninth Company. Trapped in the sunless depths of the Chasm, they were left to fend for themselves in perpetual darkness.
He wasn't some saintly figure, nor was he like that woman from the House of the Hearth. But the Ninth Company had been trained by him. Their heartfelt blessings for him and Columbina still echoed in his mind as if it were yesterday.
"All purchase invoices for supplies and other expenses should be submitted to the Northland Bank for reimbursement."
Upon hearing that all supply invoices would be reimbursed, the Fatui naturally lost all their worries about financial burdens.
"If there's nothing else, you may disperse."
Just as the Fatui were about to leave, Keqing and Ganyu led a contingent of Millelith soldiers to surround them.
Keqing glared fiercely at Jingchen and Columbina, her hostility toward Columbina particularly palpable. Electric sparks crackled in her eyes, brimming with jealousy and resentment.
Columbina returned Keqing's gaze with equal defiance, fully aware that this "purple cat" was likely another "secondhand love."
Seeing the deathly animosity between Columbina and Keqing, both the Fatui and Millelith soldiers immediately drew their weapons, tensions rising to a fever pitch.
Ganyu quickly stepped between the two groups.
"Everyone, please calm down! Junior Brother Jingchen, please urge the Fatui to do the same."
Jingchen waved his hand dismissively.
"Take three steps back. Columbina and I will handle this."
The Fatui obeyed instantly, obediently retreating three steps.
Ganyu instructed the Millelith to exercise caution and retreat as well.
Gradually, the Fatui and Millelith began to calm down, but the animosity between Columbina and Keqing remained as sharp as ever.
*Sigh, it seems things are only escalating.*
Keqing bit her lip, her voice sharp with anger as she addressed Columbina.
"You're Columbina, the Fatui's Third Seat, the Maiden?!"
"Hmm? I'd prefer you call me Columbina, Jingchen's wife."
"You—! Hmph, sharp-tongued as ever. This isn't Snezhnaya; you can't act so recklessly here!"
"Oh? Sharp-tongued and reckless, am I? Perhaps the Yuheng Star would like to experience the power of the Fatui's Third Seat firsthand?!"
Keqing continued to glare at Columbina, her own aura equally fierce.
Yet deep down, Keqing reminded herself repeatedly: *The Fatui's top three seats—each one's power must be treated with utmost caution.*
If Columbina made the first move today, Ganyu would undoubtedly intervene.
The Millelith and the Fatui both understood the tense atmosphere between Keqing and Columbina.
It was all because of Jingchen.
Watching a good drama unfold is a temptation few can resist, especially when it involves a romantic showdown.
For once, the Millelith and the Fatui found themselves in rare agreement, standing quietly side by side.
Ordinary citizens of Liyue, drawn by the commotion, gradually gathered until the entire street was packed.
Even Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xiangling, and others were among the crowd.
Chongyun, his face a picture of confusion, turned to Xingqiu beside him.
"Xingqiu, do you know why the Yuheng Star, Brother Jingchen, and that mysterious girl are standing in the middle of the street, swords drawn and the air thick with tension? What's their relationship?"
Xingqiu drew his sword and casually twirled it.
"This seems like some kind of romantic entanglement. Even my own brother has been in similar situations. Still, Brother Jingchen remains as handsome as ever. As for that mysterious girl, she seems to be a Harbinger."
Xiangling crossed her arms, her face beaming with smug satisfaction.
"Do you guys know who that mysterious girl is?!"
Chongyun scratched his head, utterly perplexed. Xingqiu, though equally clueless, ventured a guess.
"Could it be something like a former and current relationship?"
Xiangling dropped the act and blurted out, "Hehe, she's our sister-in-law!"
"Huh? Sister-in-law? Not just a girlfriend?!" Xingqiu and Chongyun stared at Xiangling in disbelief.
Xiangling smiled faintly and pulled out the white butterfly ribbon Columbina had just given her.
"Look, this is a gift from my sister-in-law."
Chongyun froze, then pressed further, "But what about the Yuheng Star? What's her relationship with Brother Jingchen?!"
Xingqiu casually opened his book and said, "A tangled mess, sigh. Let's just watch how things unfold."
At Heyu Teahouse, Yun Jin was performing on the three-foot-high stage.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from the audience: "The Yuheng Star and a mysterious girl are arguing over Lord Jingchen!"
"What?! Jade Herald Keqing and Lord Jingchen?!"
The audience erupted into a frenzy. Such a dramatic showdown was rare enough, but to involve the esteemed Lord Jingchen and the Jade Herald herself?
In an instant, the audience members surged out of the teahouse.
Yun Jin frowned slightly. The gossip-loving nature of people truly ran deep.
Yet, amidst the chaos, an old man remained seated.
"Old man, aren't you going to watch the commotion?"
"Mr. Yun, my legs are stiff. I need to rest for a while."
Just as Yun Jin turned to continue singing, the old man shuffled away, his legs dragging with each unsteady step.
Yun Jin sighed helplessly.
*A once-in-a-millennium spectacle... Even I'm a little curious. I might as well go see what's happening.*
Xiangling spotted Yun Jin arriving and asked, her face full of confusion, "Yun Jin, what are you doing here?!"
"Ah, the audience kept talking about this 'once-in-a-millennium spectacle' and rushed over here. After my performance, the stage was empty, so I figured I'd come see for myself."
"Look, the main players are over there: Brother Jingchen, his wife, and Jade Herald Keqing."
Yun Jin glanced over. The dynamic between the three was indeed... terrifying.
This was the first time she had ever witnessed a true love triangle in real life.
When she was a child, her father had taken her to visit Jingchen once, but they hadn't kept in touch afterward.
Yun Jin glanced back and noticed the erudite consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor among the crowd.
.....
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(End of Chapter)