Several days passed, and the shadow left by Osial's attack seemed to have faded from Liyue. The city had once again returned to its usual bustling prosperity.
With the Adepti retreating, the Qixing had now taken full control of Liyue, making it truly a land ruled by humans.
In recent days, Ningguang had been too busy overseeing the post-disaster reconstruction and other cleanup efforts to think about Luo Qing's situation. She had simply ordered a news blackout, keeping the identity of the person who repelled Osial known only to the Qixing and a few trusted higher-ups.
According to recent reports from Yelan, despite his exposed identity, Luo Qing hadn't fled. Instead, he continued to wander the streets of Liyue every day, as if he were a true Liyue native.
Now that the reconstruction of the harbor was nearly complete, Ningguang felt it was time to probe Luo Qing's intentions once again.
A figure with the strength of a god, and from the Fatui no less, was not someone she could afford to leave unchecked.
But unlike the last time, Luo Qing had, after all, helped Liyue by driving Osial back. She couldn't wait for him to come to the Jade Chamber on his own.
This time, she made time in her schedule, preparing to take the initiative and meet Luo Qing in person.
Morning
The sun was shining, and the salty sea breeze blew gently across the harbor.
Ningguang arrived alone at the entrance of Northland Bank.
As the leader of the Qixing, visiting the Fatui's bank in person was certainly a significant gesture towards Luo Qing.
Upon entering the hall, those who recognized Ningguang's identity were visibly tense, unsure why this ruler of Liyue had come here alone.
"Ningguang, may I ask what brings you to Northland Bank today?"
Manager Andrei quickly stepped forward to greet her. Although the relationship between Liyue and Snezhnaya was far from cordial, Ningguang was, after all, the de facto ruler of Liyue. Showing her the proper respect was imperative.
"I'm here to see your Lord Luo Qing. Is he in?"
Ningguang's voice was calm as she began to survey the interior of the hall.
Though the architecture was based on Liyue's style, many of the furnishings had been replaced with Snezhnayan designs. The bank's setup was also quite different from Liyue's native treasuries—proof that it was a foreign bank with some influence.
Sensing someone watching her, Ningguang looked up and spotted a refined woman wearing a half-face mask, peering down at her through a half-open window on the second floor.
There was something strange about this woman's aura...
Even from a distance, Ningguang could sense a cold intensity emanating from her, beneath which lay a hidden warmth.
It seemed as if someone else had spoken to her, and the masked woman broke eye contact with Ningguang, turning her head slightly.
Her lips moved, as if she was engaged in a conversation.
"Excuse me, Ningguang, but Lord Luo Qing left early this morning. He isn't in the bank right now..."
"Can you tell me where he went?"
Ningguang's tone was firm, with a hint of authority that brooked no refusal.
"Well... alright, let me go check for you."
Andrei hesitated for a moment before running upstairs to ask Natalia, who, after some inquiries, directed him back downstairs.
Catching his breath, Andrei relayed, "Lord Luo Qing's subordinates said he went fishing at the southern docks with the guest consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Maybe it would be best if you visited another day?"
"Alright, thank you."
Ningguang nodded slightly, about to leave, but she couldn't resist looking back up at the second floor. The window was now closed, and the woman's face was no longer visible.
After Ningguang left, inside the second-floor room:
"Why did she come here?"
"Lady Signora, she said she was looking for Lord Luo Qing," Andrei replied respectfully.
"Oh, Luo Qing... he certainly knows how to attract a woman's attention."
Signora's lips curled into a subtle smile, whether it was praise or mockery was unclear.
"Hey, instead of gossiping about our colleague, why not think about what we're going to do next?"
Across from Signora, Childe took a sip of Snezhnayan firewater, his expression tinged with frustration.
No matter how he thought about it, his plan seemed flawless. He'd not only released Osial but also summoned his wife, Beisht.
It had seemed inevitable that Morax would intervene when Liyue could no longer withstand the assault.
But out of nowhere came this Li Feiyu, who took down Osial in just two strikes.
His carefully laid plans had been completely derailed.
"Heh, we'll discuss it when Luo Qing gets back."
Signora's smile deepened, and she said nothing more.
Noon, the old dock at Liyue's southern coast
Two men sat side by side on the wooden pier. One of them wore a wide-brimmed fisherman's hat to shield himself from the midday sun. Each held a fishing rod, their voices occasionally drifting on the breeze.
"Let me tell you, the fish here aren't very bright, especially the Thorn Fish and Bombfish. They'll bite at any bait. We'll definitely catch something big today—no way we're going home empty-handed!"
"Lady Hu Tao said that if we catch something big, we can bring it back, and she'll personally cook it."
"Hu Tao cooking? Yikes... maybe not. Oh, by the way, the Rite of Parting is coming up soon, do you..."
Luo Qing was about to ask Zhongli if he'd attend his "funeral" and pose for a picture with him when he suddenly heard the distinct sound of high heels clicking against the wooden planks behind him.
He turned around to see a tall, silver-haired woman with red eyes—her expression cool and her legs long—walking steadily in his direction.
"Lord Luo Qing, it's been a while."
Ningguang gave a polite nod, her gaze briefly flicking to the young man sitting beside Luo Qing.
Previously, during her investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Archon's death, she had looked into this mysterious consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, only to find no useful information. All she knew was that he was kind, knowledgeable, and unhurried.
Seeing how closely Luo Qing interacted with him now, Ningguang couldn't help but wonder if this Zhongli had any connections to the Fatui.
Luo Qing removed his fisherman's hat with a smile.
"Oh, Lady Ningguang, what a coincidence! You're here to fish too?"
"..."
Ningguang was momentarily speechless, thinking to herself that her attire clearly wasn't meant for fishing.
She steadied herself and spoke politely, "I have some questions weighing on my mind, and I was hoping Lord Luo Qing could answer them. Would you mind accompanying me to Xinyue Kiosk for a discussion?"
"Questions? Are they about personal matters?" Luo Qing shook his head slightly. "I've never been in a relationship, so I might not be much help with those."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Ningguang +1]
Ningguang took a deep breath to steady her emotions. "No, it's about recent events."
"Oh, I see. But I haven't caught any fish yet..."
Luo Qing pretended to be troubled. "If I leave now, they'll call me a failure as a fisherman...
How about this, Lady Ningguang—I'll lend you a fishing rod, and you can join us for a bit?"
"..."
[Frustration Value from Ningguang +1]
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T/N: Okay I SHOULD have fixed the format...
Future me again, I forgot what this was about :)