Port of Snezhnaya
Although the Liyue Qixing and the Fatui often clashed, trade between the two nations remained unaffected.
In fact, the Northland Bank of Snezhnaya was thriving in Liyue, becoming an essential part of Liyue's economy.
The Qixing kept a close eye on any Fatui activities within Liyue, so Luo Qing's official role wasn't as a Trainee Harbinger — instead, he would be the new branch manager of the Northland Bank in Liyue.
The plan to obtain Mondstadt's Anemo Archon's Gnosis had progressed smoothly, and they were nearing the final phase. The next target was Liyue's Geo Archon's Gnosis.
However, due to Rex Lapis's overwhelming power, the Fatui's strategy was to make preparations in advance and avoid a direct confrontation.
Luo Qing was the vanguard, sent to further infiltrate Liyue's power structure and assist Childe and La Signora in recovering the Geo Gnosis.
According to Pierro, this was a test. If Luo Qing performed well, the Twelfth Seat would be his.
But Luo Qing couldn't shake the feeling that Pierro was just dangling a carrot in front of him.
The horn signaling the ship's imminent departure blared across the docks.
Luo Qing stood at the edge of the pier, unmoved, as if waiting for someone.
Behind him, the three unlucky recruits looked dejected, still wondering what they had done to deserve such a punishment.
To be fair, being taken to Liyue by Luo Qing wasn't entirely a bad thing.
Their military rank had instantly risen from mere recruits to the direct subordinates of a Harbinger. They answered only to Luo Qing himself.
Apart from the Harbingers and the Tsaritsa, they could disregard anyone else's orders.
If Luo Qing became a full-fledged Harbinger by the end of this mission, their standing within the Fatui would rise with him. They might even get the chance to meet Her Majesty herself.
"Master Luo Qing... the captain wants to know when we can set sail," Natalia asked, brushing snowflakes off her cloak as she walked up to him.
"There's no rush. I'm waiting for a promise to be fulfilled. Tell the captain to wait a bit longer," Luo Qing replied, eyes fixed on the distant end of the docks.
"Understood."
Natalia nodded slightly, relayed the message to the captain, and returned to stand with the other two recruits.
"Natalia, who's Master Luo Qing waiting for? Is it family?" Sergei asked curiously.
"I thought he was from the House of Hearth, didn't they say he has no family?" Igor muttered.
Natalia shrugged, "Master Luo Qing mentioned a promise that hasn't been fulfilled. He's probably waiting for someone specific."
"Could it be that Master Luo Qing has someone he loves? Maybe he wants to see her one last time," Sergei speculated boldly.
"Yeah, yeah, that makes sense! Master Luo Qing might be a bit odd, but he's definitely better looking than the other instructors!"
Standing a few paces ahead, Luo Qing's forehead twitched as veins pulsed in irritation.
The three recruits seemed to think they were speaking quietly enough that Luo Qing couldn't hear them.
Little did they know, he was already considering what lesson to teach them once they were on the ship.
They dared to gossip about him right in front of him? Had they forgotten everything they learned in the recruit camp?!
Just as the trio was speculating about Luo Qing's mysterious "lover," wondering about her figure and whether she had long legs, a hulking man with a scruffy beard approached from the distance.
Sergei's face fell with disappointment. "Oh, it's just Instructor Belov. How boring."
Natalia smirked. "Could it be that Master Luo Qing and Instructor Belov are... involved?"
Igor nodded in agreement. "It's possible. After all, they've always been close. Didn't they even share the same cigarette once?"
As they eagerly debated whether Luo Qing was the dominant partner or not, Belov reached into his coat and pulled out a small, ornate box. He took a long drag from his cigarette, his voice rough.
"The item's inside."
Luo Qing accepted the box, opening it just a crack.
Inside lay a neatly folded pair of black stockings. The slight creases in the fabric hinted that they had once been worn.
"Hmm... it should be authentic."
Luo Qing, who had grown up in the House of Hearth, was very familiar with Arlecchino's usual outfits.
The style and design were unmistakable.
Genuine.
He closed the box and tucked it carefully inside his cloak, as if it were a precious treasure. Just as he was about to leave, he paused and asked,
"You didn't wash them, right?"
"Nope, kept them just as they were."
"Good."
Luo Qing turned to go, and Belov called out from behind,
"Don't you dare die in Liyue, you hear?"
Without looking back, Luo Qing waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry, I plan to live a long life."
Seeing Luo Qing turn, the three recruits immediately straightened up, standing at attention with serious expressions.
Luo Qing's gaze swept over them, making a mental note to deal with them once they were on the ship.
There were no grand farewell parades, nor any private conversations with influential figures. Luo Qing and his three subordinates boarded the merchant ship bound for Liyue.
To travel from Snezhnaya to Liyue by sea required almost circling half of Teyvat. Even with favorable winds, the journey would take several months.
Luo Qing had no intention of wasting that time. Most of the people traveling with them were legitimate Snezhnayan merchants, unaware of his true identity.
Therefore, to avoid drawing too much attention, Luo Qing decided it would be best to torment the three recruits he had brought with him.
As the ship left Snezhnaya's port, the land soon vanished from sight, replaced by endless waves.
"So, we're really leaving our homeland... I wasn't ready."
"Yeah, who knows when we'll return."
"I haven't even had a girlfriend yet... and now I'm off to Liyue. Ah, Master Luo Qing! Are you here to get some fresh air too?"
The three recruits were standing on the deck, sharing their homesickness, when Luo Qing strolled out of his cabin, looking refreshed.
He had locked himself in his cabin ever since they boarded, so they assumed he had just come out to stretch his legs.
"You three... seemed to be having a lively chat back at the dock," Luo Qing said, his tone casual.
The three immediately tensed, realizing that Luo Qing had likely overheard them.
"Natalia!"
"Present!"
"From what I heard earlier, it seems like you think I'm a dominant type?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Natalia +1]
"Igor!"
"Present!"
"It sounded like you believe I enjoy having Belov in compromising positions?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Igor +1]
"Go get your weapons."
"Yes, sir!"
The three recruits scrambled to the cabin, returning with the standard Snezhnayan spears that Luo Qing had instructed them to bring.
Standing side by side on the deck, their actions caught the attention of several curious Snezhnayan merchants who had come up for fresh air.
The recruits exchanged puzzled looks, wondering why Luo Qing had them bring such unfamiliar weapons.
"There's an old saying in Liyue: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
To adapt to life in Liyue, I'm going to teach you a spear technique from that region.
It's called the Thirteen Fatal Thrusts."
Soon, the ship's deck echoed with the synchronized chanting of the three recruits,
"Endless longing, endless yearning! Boundless love, beyond all limits!"
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T/N: Erm actually it's When in Liyue, do as the Liyueans do. What is Rome? umu