"Ahem."
The black-robed cat darted lightly across the rooftops, but upon hearing a deliberate cough behind him, his face stiffened. He turned to see Granny Ping, hands clasped behind her back, watching him.
"Oh, what a coincidence! You out for a rooftop stroll too?" he tried to play it off.
"I could take a walk to Yujing Terrace, head over to Tigerfish Rock, or even go to the harbor to watch the sunset, but I've never had a hobby or habit of strolling on rooftops," Granny Ping replied, her gaze dangerous. "Did you go visit that Gu boy?"
"Sigh, don't even mention it. You bring it up, and I get even more frustrated," the black-robed cat groaned. "I just wanted to enjoy a good meal, but that kid totally flipped the tables on me. Unbelievable."
"But your spiritual energy is far more refined than the last time I saw you," Granny Ping remarked. "That means you did eat something beneficial."
At this, the black-robed cat's expression grew complicated.
"Hmph, I thought the kid could only whip up dishes worthy of a top chef, but I wasn't expecting him to make something so... strange."
The two of them moved to another location. After listening to the cat's retelling of events, Granny Ping fell silent, looking in the direction of the Gu family's residence.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "He really said all that to you?"
"That's right. If I didn't know he was a Fengxiang practitioner, I'd have grabbed him by the scruff to demand an explanation," the cat nodded. "From the way he was talking, it seemed like he was dead serious. I even got the strange feeling that he's already planned everything out."
"Planned the destruction of Liyue Harbor?" Granny Ping shook her head. "He's not that kind of person. Something must have affected his state of mind."
"Let's be honest, even if he's a Fengxiang practitioner, why would he say all that to someone he's meeting for the first time?"
"What's so strange about that?"
The black-robed cat shrugged, unconcerned. "Isn't it said that the two best times to speak the truth are either with a total stranger or a trusted friend? I suppose I fall into the former category."
Granny Ping scoffed. "You saw how he handled those thieves. Do you really think he's someone who'd spill his heart out to a stranger?"
"I was planning to deal with you myself, but now it looks like you're even more confused than I am. I'll let you off this time."
"Phew, that's a relief," the cat sighed, catching up to walk alongside her. "How about a cup of tea? You can't imagine what I ate tonight—it's a taste I hope to never experience again."
As the sun rose and the night retreated, Gu Sanqiu found himself staring at two visitors at his door: one was familiar, the other a complete stranger.
"Gu Fengxiang, we have an urgent matter that requires your attention," said the unfamiliar man, offering a formal letter of request. "The Yuheng star of the Qixing has summoned you. Please meet at Yuehai Pavilion before nightfall, and someone will guide you to her."
"You're a secretary from Yuehai Pavilion?" Gu Sanqiu asked.
Yuehai Pavilion, the meeting place of the Qixing, could be thought of as Liyue's government headquarters. The secretaries there were the ultimate combination of overworked employees and workaholics.
"Yes, I must be off now. Good day."
After the stranger left, Gu Sanqiu turned to look at the familiar face of Yi Cheng. "What about you? Why are you here? Don't tell me you just happened to be patrolling nearby."
"Heh, I was sent to guide you. The others freaked out when they heard I was supposed to fetch you, so I had no choice but to come alone," Yi Cheng said with a grin. "Well, my task is done, so I'll be on my way."
"Wait, take this with you," Gu Sanqiu tossed him a small package. "It's some bread a friend sent from out of town. Might not be to Liyue's taste, but it'll keep you full."
Item: Caterpillar Bread
Source: Mystic Realm
Note: Grill it for three minutes on both sides after killing the worm. The toxic liquid inside turns into a thick jam, making it a perfect snack. Some wealthy cultivators only eat the jam inside.
"Thanks, Fengxiang. That bowl of noodles you gave me last time kept me full for ages. Your cooking is something else," Yi Cheng said, giving him a thumbs-up.
Watching him leave, Gu Sanqiu found himself eyeing Yi Cheng's flat stomach with curiosity.
I wonder what his digestive system is like... I'd love to dissect him and find out. The bowl of bone broth ramen I gave him would have kept a normal person full for an entire day. Yet for him, it was just 'kept me full for a while.' Strange indeed.
"Hmm, perhaps dissecting Yi Cheng would be worth it," Gu Sanqiu mused, munching on a snack he'd packed earlier. The bread wasn't bad, but the memory of the black-robed cat's talk of worms exploding in his mouth had killed his appetite.
"I used to love sweets..."
"Please wait a moment."
The Millelith guarding the entrance narrowed his eyes when he recognized Gu Sanqiu, but he still dutifully blocked the way with his spear.
"Fengxiang, we don't allow outside food. Please finish it before entering."
"Oh, right. Sorry, I haven't been here in a while, I forgot the rules."
"Are you Gu Fengxiang? Please, follow me. Yuheng has been expecting you."
As Gu Sanqiu was led to another part of the pavilion, the guards visibly relaxed. The recent events had already spread through town, and they had no desire to cross paths with this walking supernatural enigma.
"Yuheng is inside," the guide said.
Gu Sanqiu nodded, entered the room, and closed the door behind him. Casually, he sat down, lit a cigarette, and looked at the girl with cat-ear-shaped hair, busy at her desk.
Why do I feel like I've been running into cats non-stop these past few days?
"No smoking in Yuehai Pavilion. If you want to smoke, you'll have to step outside," she said without looking up.
Unfazed, Gu Sanqiu took out a stack of silver bills and tossed them onto her desk.
"Here, fines for a full day. In fact, if possible, I'd like to apply for a monthly or yearly pass."
"You..." Keqing's hand hovered over the bills, about to throw them back, but then her eyes caught the amount, and she hesitated.
"This is...?"
"Keqing, Yuheng star, mighty busy one. Use that money to buy yourself some treats, or maybe some cosmetics, instead of pouring it all into the orphanage," Gu Sanqiu exhaled a cloud of smoke. "That job's best left to people like me, who are both wealthy and idle."
"This is from Granny Lin. She's worried about you, so I'm just following her instructions."
"Are you saying you don't want my money?" Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow.
(•́へ•́╬)
"Strictly speaking, Mora, as the general equivalent currency, isn't subject to anyone's whims. One Mora can't magically turn into ten just because you're the Yuheng star. Maybe it works like that here in Liyue, but I trust you wouldn't do something like that."
"In summary, I'm not disrespecting your money, but rather—"
Gu Sanqiu cut himself off as Keqing, sword in hand and a terrifying smile on her face, stepped dangerously close.
(´･ᴗ･`)
"Go on, keep talking. Don't be afraid. Tell me your real thoughts."
"Surely a true Fengxiang practitioner wouldn't lie to me now, would he?" Keqing tilted her head, lightly tracing her sword across Gu Sanqiu's chest.
"By the way, lying to a member of the Qixing is a serious crime, you know~"
---
T/N: You can consider Gu to be part of 2 Clans, that's why some characters refer to him with a different last name.
If there are any mistakes let me know!
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