During the Rite of Descension, Ying and Paimon had merely glanced at the Emperor's "Dragon Corpse."
As a result, they were immediately branded as prime suspects in the Emperor's assassination, placed on wanted lists, and relentlessly pursued by the Millelith.
Without Tartaglia's intervention to trigger the subsequent Archon Quest, the two could only flee all the way to Mt. Aocang.
"Traveler, how is it that Rex Lapis mysteriously vanished the moment we arrived in Liyue? And those Fatui in Liyue—they scatter at the mere sight of us! It's completely different from Mondstadt!"
"Enough. I need some peace and quiet."
Ying sat alone outside Cloud Retainer's Immortal Abode, a slumbering green snake coiled at her feet.
With a swift kick, she sent the snake flying, sending it crashing into Paimon, who was hovering mid-air.
"This is so annoying! I wanted to find Rex Lapis in Liyue and ask him about my brother. But the moment we arrive, we're met with this cursed situation!"
Paimon frantically tossed the green snake aside and flew to Ying's side, asking irritably, "Traveler, was that on purpose or just a mistake?!"
"Leave me alone, Paimon. I need some time to think!"
"But you just—!"
The bickering duo fell into another argument.
The green snake, Changmeng, was a Spirit Beast of considerable age, as Baizhu and her sister Changsheng had both told her. Columbina was already by Jingchen's side; she should let him go.
Changmeng paused, but her stubborn nature compelled her to wait—at least until Cloud Retainer returned. She wanted to hear the exact news of Jingchen's fate from Cloud Retainer herself.
Unexpectedly, this golden-haired stranger had inexplicably kicked her away.
*Damn it!* After centuries of life, she never held grudges overnight. Revenge was always taken on the same day.
And so, Ying unwittingly triggered a series of ill-fated Archon Quests.
***
Inside Moonsea Pavilion, Ningguang and Keqing had just concluded the Seven Stars Conference.
Since the assassination attempt on Emperor Rex Lapis, the Seven Stars' duties had become even more demanding and crucial.
As the two women emerged from the pavilion, they spotted Beidou leaning against the wall outside.
"You two! What took you so long for a meeting?!" Beidou exclaimed, her voice carrying a hint of impatience.
Keqing waved her hand dismissively. "Ah, well, with Emperor Rex Lapis's assassination attempt and Uncle Tian nearing retirement, his responsibilities have had to be distributed among the other Seven Stars."
Beidou shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh? If only Jingchen were here. His work efficiency rivals Ganyu's—he could definitely lighten your workload."
Upon hearing Jingchen's name, Keqing and Ningguang's already somber expressions darkened further.
Beidou chuckled awkwardly, quickly changing the subject. "Ningguang, Keqing, Watatsumi Island wants to collaborate with us. Should we get involved?"
"Watatsumi Island? Handle it yourself, Beidou. Some things—and some people—are best left unsaid."
***
Meanwhile, Jingchen and Columbina remained in the Serenitea Pot, spending their days joking around and reading light novels.
They also discussed what places they would take their future child to travel with Northland Bank's Mora.
More often than not, Jingchen and Columbina would...
...cuddle together on the swing, gazing at the autumnal scenery Cloud Retainer had adorned their bridal chamber with.
Columbina smiled gently.
"A'chen, these carefree days are truly wonderful, like a dream!"
"A'ya, though this time has been lovely, we... *sigh*."
Columbina paused, as if realizing she had been playing without a care for days.
The matter of obtaining Raiden Shogun's Heart from Yae Miko had completely slipped her mind, vanishing like smoke.
Columbina coughed awkwardly, trying to regain her composure.
"A'ya, I have a plan to obtain Raiden Shogun's Heart."
"Really?!"
"We'll discuss it tomorrow. Let's enjoy ourselves today!"
***
During this time, the happiest person was undoubtedly Sayu.
She slept all day long, and with no one else in the room, she didn't bother maintaining any other appearance.
She simply reverted to her original form and slept soundly in the room, without a care in the world.
When hungry, she'd nibble on rice balls from her spatial backpack; when thirsty, she'd snack on fruit from the table.
She was free from Kano Nana's surveillance, Kamisato Ayato's orders, Yae Miko's presence, and the Endgame members' lectures.
This was truly a blissful existence!
In contrast, the other four women in Inazuma faced more complicated circumstances.
Sayu, whom Yae Miko had summoned, remained completely silent, and Jingchen hadn't appeared for days.
This left Yae Miko, who hadn't experienced such restlessness in over five centuries, unusually unsettled.
Even her favorite fried tofu and Yae Publishing House light novels had lost their appeal.
"How strange!" she mused. "Jingchen's last trace was in Ritou, yet there's been no sign of him since! And that Sayu... could she have fallen asleep somewhere? Hmph. To defy even my orders—her audacity has truly grown!"
Liuda Xika, disguised as Xuan Dong Lingqin, had been working as a Shrine Maiden at Narukami Shrine.
She found the job surprisingly fulfilling and was beginning to have second thoughts about returning to the Fatui.
(Meanwhile, the real Momoyo, under Ayato's orders, was scouring the world for Sayu's whereabouts.)
Yae Miko turned leisurely, her smile fixed on Liuda Xika.
"Xuan Dong Lingqin—no, Fatui agent Liuda Xika. Do you know where Jingchen has been these past few days?"
Liuda Xika froze, then hastily explained, "Lady Guuji Yae, I... I am Xuan Dong Lingqin!"
"Oh my, your disguise won't fool me," Yae Miko chuckled. "Though Momoyo (the real Xuan Dong Lingqin) has taken leave for personal reasons, the difference between you two is like a hair's breadth—yet a world apart."
"I..."
Yae Miko stepped behind Liuda Xika and whispered in her ear, "I've noticed you genuinely enjoy being a Shrine Maiden. If you don't want to lose this job, tell me what you know about Jingchen."
"Lady Guuji Yae, I..."
Seeing Liuda Xika's continued hesitation, Yae Miko said calmly, "I can guarantee your position as a Shrine Maiden indefinitely. All I need is a general idea of Jingchen's whereabouts.
Of course, neither Momoyo of Endgame nor your teacher Yefei could ever threaten you as long as I'm here."
Terrifying Fox Spirit lightning crackled around Yae Miko.
Liuda Xika recalled Katarina's letter, her painful childhood memories of the House of the Hearth, and finally, Jingchen's disgust for the House of the Hearth and the actions of Dottore and Arlecchino on the ship.
"Lady Guuji Yae," Liuda Xika said, "I... I can't betray Lord Jing Chen. He was my dearest friend Katarina's superior, and among all the Harbingers, he's the only one who treats the orphans of the House of the Hearth as human beings—a true Knight."
Yae Miko paused, the Fox Spirit instantly dissipating. Could Jingchen's personal charisma truly inspire such loyalty and devotion in his subordinates?
*Is this still the Fatui I know—the ones who commit every evil deed and never do a good turn?!*
*Heh.*
*Interesting, very interesting. As expected of the only man to have caught my eye in five centuries.*
*I find myself increasingly wanting to keep him by my side forever, to pursue eternity with him.*
"Liuda Xika—no, no, Xuan Dong Lingqin.
Rest assured at Narukami Shrine. Though you haven't revealed Jingchen's whereabouts, your words have reaffirmed my deepest convictions.
When Momoyo returns, I'll explain everything to her and ensure she resumes her duties with Endgame.
As for your teacher, Yefei, I'll find a way to handle her for you."
Liuda Xika looked slightly flustered. *The formidable Lady Guuji Yae is actually willing to help me?*
*Could it be that Lord Jingchen left an indelible mark on Lady Guuji Yae's heart during his time as Deputy Guuji at Narukami Shrine?*
Lady Guuji Yae had promised to ensure her continued service as a Shrine Maiden.
*Teacher Yefei, Momoyo, Lord Jingchen...* *Sigh.*
*Well, let's just take things one step at a time.*
..........
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