On the sands of Guyun Stone Forest, a group of hilichurls were roasting meat around a bonfire.
Suddenly, a spear swept out from the darkness, scattering the flames and knocking several hilichurls to the ground. Those hit by the attack lay motionless, their fates uncertain.
"Si-va ro-ma!"
The remaining hilichurls, realizing someone was crashing their little feast, cursed in their guttural language and grabbed their weapons, charging at Luo Qing.
A few minutes later, the hilichurls lay defeated.
Luo Qing wiped the grime off his Millelith Spear, deciding to keep it in hand rather than stowing it back in his system inventory. It would allow him to be battle-ready should any more monsters show up.
Though the night was deep, the jagged islands of Guyun served as clear markers, guiding him in the right direction.
After clearing out several more hilichurl camps, Luo Qing reached the central island of Guyun Stone Forest.
"This should be the place, right? So where is everyone?"
Holding the spear in one hand, he pulled out a map of the local Fatui outposts in Liyue and started comparing it to his surroundings.
Suddenly, a purple lightning moth flitted down onto his map, buzzing with crackling Electro energy.
Before he could figure out what it was, the moth opened its mouth and spat a bolt of electricity at his face. From behind him came a sultry female voice:
"Caught you~ Sneaky peeker~"
Luo Qing dodged to the side, turning to see a girl in a purple hooded cloak, wearing an eyepatch, holding a Mistgrass Lamp. Several more Electro moths swirled around her, their lights flickering like tiny lanterns as she smiled playfully.
"Seems like the outpost markings weren't too far off," Luo Qing muttered, slipping the map back into his coat. He was about to explain his identity as her superior when the Electro Cicin Mage cut him off without hesitation.
She raised her lamp high and shouted, "Go get him, my pretties! This is our chance for glory!"
The Electro Cicins surrounding her seemed to go berserk, their electric arcs growing brighter. They circled Luo Qing and unleashed waves of Electro energy.
"Hey! I'm your superior... What are you—" Luo Qing shouted as he dodged, trying to explain.
Though the girl was technically a subordinate, he didn't want to get too rough with her. If he did, she'd likely end up sprawled out on the ground, eyes vacant, tongue sticking out, fingers forming a peace sign.
"Superior, you say?"
The mage snorted with disdain. "Well then, my 'superior,' come play with me a bit~"
"You've got to be kidding me..."
As the mage chased Luo Qing across the sand, he suddenly realized the source of the misunderstanding.
He looked like any other Liyuean, holding a Millelith Spear — anyone would doubt his claim of being a Fatui officer.
Seeing the problem, Luo Qing rummaged through his pockets until he found a badge. With a sharp flick, he tossed it straight at the mage's face.
"Ugh, ow..."
With a thunk, the badge smacked her right on the forehead.
"You dare— hey, wait... What is... hey?!"
Her angry retort turned to confusion and then shock.
In a Cave at the Heart of Guyun
Luo Qing sat beside a standard-issue Fatui campfire, a bubbling pot of meat stew hanging above it. Judging by the smell, it had just finished cooking, but whoever prepared it hadn't gotten the chance to eat.
The Electro Cicin Mage, who had been chasing Luo Qing earlier, now stood nervously in front of him. Her previous swagger was completely gone, her hands fidgeting nervously behind her back.
"What's your name?" Luo Qing asked.
"T-Theresa... Leader of the 47th Advance Recon Team, assigned to Guyun Stone Forest..." Theresa stammered, her voice barely audible.
She couldn't believe her luck — she had just been hunting for some fresh meat, thinking she could toy with a random Liyuean for fun. Who would have thought she'd bump into her direct superior?!
[Frustration Value from Theresa +10]
Theresa's gaze lingered on the gleaming Fatui badge by the fire, her mind racing.
Every Fatui member was issued a personalized badge. Each badge indicated rank — a dull brown for recruits, a vibrant red for officers.
But the dark gold badge that now rested beside Luo Qing... she had only seen it in training manuals. It was the exclusive mark of the Fatui Harbingers.
Each Harbinger was known for their eccentric personality, and their movements were often unpredictable. With Fatui influence spread across Teyvat, some lower-ranking members had never even seen a Harbinger in person.
To ensure effective command, all Fatui personnel were required to memorize the appearance of the Harbinger badges.
That was why, at the sight of the badge, Theresa froze, unsure of what to do.
"Tell me, Theresa," Luo Qing said calmly, ladling a bowl of stew and setting it down beside him. "Do you know what it means to attack a superior?"
"U-um... Lord Luo Qing, I didn't mean it! I just wanted to..."
"Wanted to what?" Luo Qing pressed.
"Uh... I just thought..."
Theresa's cheeks flushed as she fidgeted, clearly unwilling to finish her sentence.
"Speak," Luo Qing ordered.
"I-I've been here for months without seeing a soul... When I saw you, I thought you were just a random Liyuean, so I wanted to have a little fun... scare you off a bit..."
"..."
Now it was Luo Qing's turn to be speechless.
"And what exactly was your plan to 'have fun'?"
"Well... I-I thought I'd give you a little zap?"
Theresa peeked up, only to flinch when Luo Qing's face hardened. She hastily explained:
"B-but, Lord Luo Qing, my pretties wouldn't have harmed you! At most, you'd feel a little tingle — just enough to scare you away! That's all I've ever done to anyone who wanders here... I've never given chase before!"
"And what about how you made them chase me earlier?"
"Uh... that..."
"Fine," Luo Qing sighed, patting the ground beside him and nodding at the stew. "Take a seat. This was your dinner, right? Eat up — I have a task for you."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Luo Qing!" Theresa's face lit up, a relieved smile spreading across her features. She removed her eyepatch, revealing deep blue eyes that shone with gratitude. Sitting down on the rug, she cradled the bowl of stew and sipped it carefully.
The Electro Cicins, now much calmer, hovered near her Mistgrass Lamp, their tiny eyes blinking at Luo Qing curiously.
As she took another sip, Theresa's face relaxed in contentment. The stew was made from prime hilichurl meat, simmered with concentrated broth packets she'd brought all the way from Snezhnaya — a meal she was proud of.
Feeling emboldened by Luo Qing's forgiving nature, Theresa shifted closer, her voice lowering to a curious whisper.
"Um, Lord Luo Qing... what rank are you?"
"Apprentice," Luo Qing replied without looking up, his gaze fixed on the fire.
"Apprentice...? Is that even a rank for a Harbinger?"
Confusion creased Theresa's brow. Clearly, word of Luo Qing's appointment as an Apprentice Harbinger hadn't reached her remote post.
Although she didn't fully understand, there was no doubting the legitimacy of the dark gold badge.
"Are you going to eat, or should I just send you on the mission now?" Luo Qing asked, sounding exasperated.
"O-oh, right!"
Theresa obediently buried her face back in the stew. As she sipped, she couldn't help but steal glances at Luo Qing's profile.
She had to admit, he was pretty handsome for a superior.
How would he compare to the infamous Childe, who was rumored to be arriving soon?
Not that Childe would visit this forgotten, desolate outpost... right?
---
T/N: So... he looks like any average Liyuean...but he has blonde and blue eyes. Works for me .
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