"The Geo God has been assassinated! Seal off the entire area!"
Under Ningguang's command, a large contingent of Millelith flooded Yujing Terrace, guarding the corners of the venue to prevent anyone from leaving.
"She just said, 'The Geo God has been assassinated'? So… something happened to the Geo God?"
Paimon suspected she might have misheard; that incredibly powerful Geo Archon was actually assassinated, and right in front of them? What… what was going on?
Paimon suddenly looked at Hu Tao. Earlier, she had said that the auspicious time Ningguang was waiting for was quite similar to the auspicious times the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor used for funeral services. Had she already sensed that something like this would happen?
"Don't look at me like that. How would I know something like this would happen?"
She was just making a joke to lighten the mood; how could she have known something like this would occur? She wouldn't dare take on this responsibility. If she were actually to bear this crime, she would be arrested.
"However, since the Geo God was assassinated, the Liyue Qixing will surely hold a funeral for her, right? The scale of the Geo Archon's funeral is beyond compare to any ordinary funeral."
As expected of the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao immediately thought of business. With such a major event concerning the Geo Archon, the Liyue Qixing, as the administrators of Liyue Harbor besides the Geo Archon, would certainly hold a grand funeral for him.
In terms of funerals, the most professional in Liyue Harbor was the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. As long as she sent her consultant to negotiate, this business deal would surely be secured.
Did the Geo God hear her wish and, unable to bear the suffering of Liyue Harbor's residents, choose to sacrifice himself to boost the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business?
Oh, the Geo God is truly great! She felt that when she returned this time, she should get a statue of the Geo Archon to enshrine at home.
While Hu Tao and Xiangling were chatting, Lumine looked uneasily at the Millelith who were checking identities.
As she felt anxious, her hand was taken. She turned to see that Durandal was holding her hand.
"You seem very uneasy. What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Although Durandal didn't show much change in expression, in Lumine's eyes, it was a different image. In her imagined scene, Durandal was looking at her worriedly, and this imagined scene eased her uneasy heart.
"I'm just a little worried. As foreigners, and with the ability to use elemental power without a Vision, if the Millelith find out, will we be suspected of assassinating the Geo Archon?"
If they were truly suspected of being criminals, would they be arrested by the Millelith? How long would they be imprisoned for a crime like murdering the Geo Archon?
Lumine didn't want to waste precious time on such baseless charges. She still had to collect valuable Primogems every day and had her plan to cultivate friendship with Durandal; she had no time to waste.
"Being treated as suspects? You don't need to worry about that. We also have Hu Tao and Xiangling, two locals from Liyue Harbor, as proof. They won't be suspicious."
"But…"
"If they really dare to do that, even if it means becoming enemies with Liyue Harbor, I won't let them succeed."
Although doing so would violate the agreement with Zhongli, the content of their agreement was that Liyue Harbor would not provoke her, but arresting Lumine clearly crossed her bottom line.
Seeing Durandal's words full of killing intent, Lumine was not as nervous as before. Because Durandal was saying this for her sake, which made her happy, and at the same time, her worries completely dissipated.
Right, what exactly was she worrying about? She clearly had such powerful support. Even if she were really arrested, she would probably be rescued very quickly, right?
Lumine gently squeezed Durandal's hand. With this warmth, Lumine indicated that she had nothing to worry about anymore.
Soon, the Millelith finished investigating everyone's identities present; there were basically no suspicious individuals.
Hu Tao and Xiangling, the two locals, had left early. Their identities were definitely not an issue, and given the Geo God's assassination, they both needed to return quickly.
Xiangling wanted to inform her father of the situation, while Hu Tao wanted to return quickly to make preparations, getting everything ready for such a big client as the Geo Archon.
"Alright, your identities are also clear. I apologize for keeping you here for so long. Please understand that this incident is very serious, and we cannot afford any carelessness."
Durandal and Lumine were the last to be checked. In fact, the Millelith officer checking identities already knew their identities were not an issue when he saw them.
Durandal was the highly renowned divine physician recently. Her reputation in Liyue Harbor was excellent. If the Millelith were to arrest her, the General Affairs Department's doors would probably soon be trampled down by those she had healed.
It was the same for Lumine. She had helped many people during this time and also had a good reputation. Such a person could similarly not be the one who assassinated the Geo God.
However, there was no choice; this matter was truly too serious. He could not let them leave just because of these reasons.
"It's alright, you're just doing your duty, no need to mind it."
Lumine truly had no reason to blame such a diligent and responsible Millelith.
Moreover, it was precisely because of such strict scrutiny that they were completely cleared of suspicion. This could also be considered a good thing, couldn't it?
"Then we'll be leaving. You still have things to investigate, right? I won't disturb you anymore."
Lumine was holding Durandal's hand, preparing to leave, when a Millelith suddenly ran over and called out to them.
"My apologies, ladies. Tianquan Star requests your presence. Could I trouble you both to come over?"
Tianquan Star? That Ningguang? Why would she invite them instead of investigating the Geo Archon's matter?
Durandal wasn't planning to bother with her, but Lumine was very interested in this invitation. According to her, she felt that Ningguang calling them over this time might very likely be to entrust them with something.
What does an entrustment represent? It represents Reward! It represents Primogems!
No amount of Primogems is too little. As soon as she thought of this, Lumine immediately pulled Durandal's hand and walked in the direction indicated by the Millelith.
Durandal was thus helplessly dragged by Lumine to Ningguang's location. She was still on Yujing Terrace, holding a beautifully crafted pipe that clearly looked expensive, looking troubled while gazing in the direction of Liyue Harbor's streets.
"Lady Ningguang, the people you invited have arrived."
Ningguang nodded, turned around, and looked at Lumine and Durandal, a faint smile on her lips.
"Hello, ladies. I apologize for taking up so much of your time. I invited you here today because I have something I wish to trouble you with."
"I don't have time to accept your commission, Tianquan Star."
Compared to Lumine, Durandal had no intention of being polite to Ningguang. She strongly disliked such scheming people, especially women! She was more prone to anger.
Although she understood that her feelings were entirely due to the psychological trauma caused by Hulder, she really didn't want to get too involved with this person who smiled so falsely.
"Durandal…"
Paimon looked nervously at Durandal. She wouldn't start a conflict with her here, would she? She was a high-ranking official of Liyue Harbor; she couldn't be casually provoked.
If Durandal really did that, they would probably have to leave Liyue Harbor early and head to the next nation.
"It's nothing, I just remembered some unpleasant things and couldn't hold back. I still have some matters to attend to, so I won't be accompanying you."
Durandal shook her head, signaling Paimon not to worry. Then, without regard for politeness, after saying a few words to Lumine and Paimon, she turned and left Yujing Terrace.
Ningguang didn't stop her either. Durandal left Yujing Terrace smoothly, leaving only Lumine and Paimon behind.
Hmm, it's a pity I still couldn't get involved with Durandal, but having Lumine around is also good. With her strong execution ability, she perfectly meets my requirements.
And... does Durandal really not care about this matter? Not necessarily. Lumine is preparing to accept her commission, after all.
If Lumine encounters any danger during the investigation, will she do nothing? She certainly won't stand idly by.
Durandal, having left Yujing Terrace, walked along the streets of Liyue Harbor. The events at Yujing Terrace had already spread throughout Liyue Harbor, and practically everyone knew about the God's demise.
Everyone was discussing it, and each person had what they believed to be the correct idea. Durandal listened for a bit, but not a single one was right; some people's statements were even more nonsensical, completely laughable.
The words of these people didn't catch Durandal's attention at all. The only thing she wanted to do now was to find Zhongli and ask him what the purpose of his elaborate act was.
That half-dragon, half-qilin creature earlier was not a fake; in Durandal's perception, it should have been real, but apart from that body, it had nothing.
In other words, that body was merely used to make people believe the God had died; beyond that, it served no purpose.
Why would Zhongli do such a thing? A God is extremely important to their nation; besides guiding them, he can also deter other nations.
Now that the Geo God has been assassinated, will those already arrogant Fatui really not take the opportunity to do something?
She needed to understand the reasons behind this, otherwise she wouldn't be able to cooperate with his subsequent plans.
She visited the teahouses and walking spots Zhongli usually frequented, but couldn't find any trace of him.
Finally, she went to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The staff there informed her that Zhongli had gone out for something and would probably return later.
As for how much later, the young lady wasn't quite sure, as Mr. Zhongli's whereabouts are unpredictable.
To leave at such a time, has he gone to set up the next chess piece? But... how does he plan to move the next piece?
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