Days went by.
Maybe because the rooftop really was too cold, Yelan eventually gave in to Luo Qing's persistent persuasion and moved inside. For the past few days, they practically lived and ate together, with Yelan only leaving to hide somewhere else when it was time to sleep.
But even then, according to Luo Qing's item tracking tool, she never strayed more than ten meters away from him. Every time he checked, Yelan's name was always within range.
To her credit, Yelan was undeniably diligent when it came to her duties.
One morning.
Maybe it was the calm before the storm or just a spell of bad weather, but despite being early in the day, dark clouds loomed over Liyue Harbor, casting a gloomy atmosphere over the entire port. The tense mood was palpable.
The Adepti who came to confront the Qixing had already started arriving over the past few days. Fortunately, with Ganyu's mediation, no fights had broken out. Yet, despite her best efforts, the two sides remained locked in a tense standoff with no progress on solving the matter of the Geo Archon's death.
Waking up early, Luo Qing habitually scanned his surroundings with his tracking item, but this time, he couldn't detect Yelan's presence.
He stepped out onto the balcony, called out for her a few times, but received no reply. It dawned on him then—Yelan was gone.
After washing up, he went downstairs to the bank's lobby, where he saw a few familiar faces.
The Traveler, Paimon, and Zhongli were in the lobby, seemingly asking around for information about the recent events in Liyue.
Luo Qing didn't interrupt, instead leaning on the railing, eavesdropping on their conversation from above.
Sensing Luo Qing's gaze, Zhongli looked up and met his eyes. Luo Qing put a finger to his lips, and Zhongli played along, not revealing his presence. He continued speaking with the Traveler and Paimon.
Soon enough, the Traveler seemed to have an epiphany, grabbed Paimon by the leg, and dashed out of the Northland Bank. Zhongli also exited with them.
Once the coast was clear, Luo Qing descended the stairs. He already knew where the Traveler and Zhongli were headed, and while he could have followed them, he decided it wasn't necessary.
After all, he thought, Childe is my colleague. No need to intervene, especially since the Traveler can handle herself just fine.
More curious about the commotion at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Luo Qing headed in that direction.
Even before he turned the corner, he saw a squad of Millelith soldiers blocking the entrance to the parlor, and he could hear heated voices coming from the crowd.
"We, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, have been here since the Archon War, for seventy-seven generations! And now you dare accuse us of colluding with the Fatui? Do you even know what you're talking about?"
Hu Tao stood firmly at the entrance, hands on her hips, face puffed up in righteous anger, refusing to let the Millelith enter.
"Master Hu," said the squad leader in a cold tone, "we have solid evidence that your consultant, Zhongli, has had dealings with a Fatui Harbinger. If the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is truly innocent, why do you resist us taking him in for questioning? This is a matter of Liyue's safety. I advise you not to interfere."
"Hmph! I personally approved all of Zhongli's tasks! If you want to take him, then take me too!" Hu Tao declared, stepping in front of Zhongli.
"Master Hu, they do have a point. It's best if I—"
"No way!" Hu Tao cut him off with a stubborn huff. "We haven't done anything wrong! Why should you be taken away? Zhongli, don't worry. As long as I'm here, they won't lay a hand on you!"
Luo Qing watched as Zhongli, for once, wore an expression of helplessness.
What must be going through Zhongli's mind right now, being falsely accused of colluding with the Fatui to assassinate the Geo Archon himself? Luo Qing mused, smirking.
Just then, Zhongli's eyes met Luo Qing's among the crowd. Luo Qing gave him a knowing smile, lightly patting his chest before activating his last item card.
The next moment, the squad leader, who had been firmly arguing with Hu Tao, suddenly burst into tears.
His sobs grew louder until he collapsed to his knees, crying and shouting:
"I confess! I admit it! I shouldn't have gone to that auction and secretly bought the chamber pot used by the Geo Archon! I... I even compared its size when I got home..."
"..."
Everyone, from Hu Tao to the Millelith, stood there in stunned silence, utterly bewildered.
Weren't we just arguing a second ago? How did this turn into... this?
The Millelith soldiers, equally shocked, struggled to console their weeping commander, but his sobs wouldn't stop. Embarrassed, they quickly dragged him away from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, planning to return once their leader had calmed down.
With the show over, the crowd dispersed. Luo Qing approached Zhongli and Hu Tao, giving Zhongli a quick glance before focusing on the furious funeral director.
Even the densest man should realize when a girl is upset, Luo Qing thought, chuckling softly. Then, he reached out to gently pat Hu Tao's hat, soothingly saying:
"Come on, Master Hu. Don't be mad. It's just that Liyue is in turmoil, and they're a bit desperate. Besides, they're not the brightest bunch."
"Hmph! The funeral rites for the Geo Archon should be the top priority, but instead, they're obsessed with hunting down some imaginary assassin! We're helping prepare for the Rite of Parting, and they have the nerve to accuse us of treachery! It's infuriating!"
Hu Tao stomped her foot, cheeks puffed up indignantly. Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she swatted Luo Qing's hand away, adding:
"And don't pat my head! I'm still growing!"
"..."
"Alright, alright..." Luo Qing said, retracting his hand.
"You're here to see Consultant Zhongli again, aren't you?" Hu Tao asked, raising an eyebrow as her temper seemed to cool.
"Uh... is that a problem?" Luo Qing replied cautiously.
"Hmph... I didn't say it was," Hu Tao huffed before turning to leave. "I've got to teach a class to the staff. You two talk things over."
After Hu Tao left, giving them space, Luo Qing turned his gaze to the distant Golden House and asked casually:
"Is the situation in Liyue unfolding as you expected, Mr. Zhongli?"
"All the tensions have reached a boiling point. It won't take much to tip them over," Zhongli replied calmly. "Managing such a volatile situation will test the abilities and wisdom of the ruling powers. If they fail, Liyue could descend into chaos."
"So, Mr. Zhongli, how did you handle such matters in the past?"
"Me?" Zhongli paused, his expression turning thoughtful. "Back then, they wouldn't dare to act this way."
That's not because they wouldn't—it's because they didn't dare, Luo Qing thought, amused.
"But don't worry, Mr. Zhongli. The plan remains the same. The real show is yet to come," Luo Qing said, a smile playing on his lips.
Though the plan had been laid out by Zhongli, Luo Qing, and the Lady Harbinger, it was clear that Luo Qing and the Lady were just facilitating something that was inevitable. Childe didn't need much nudging to create chaos; it had all been part of his plan since the moment he arrived in Liyue.
Even the creation of the Sigils of Permission had been prepared back in Snezhnaya under Luo Qing's supervision, just waiting for Childe to arrive and set things in motion.
Of course, Zhongli wasn't privy to all these details. He simply assumed that Luo Qing had successfully guided Childe to this outcome. For Zhongli, this was exactly what he wanted: to see if Liyue could stand on its own, without a god to guide it.
As they continued to converse, a sudden burst of golden light shot from the Golden House, soaring into the sky before veering off toward Guyun Stone Forest.
Moments later, the ground trembled, and the stone pillars that formed Guyun Stone Forest began to shake.
The sea, darkened under the stormy sky, churned with growing intensity.
---
T/N: Give it up Hu Tao... Being short is fine... ദ്ദി(ㅠᯅㅠ)