By your resolve, Tapisserie Éternelle has been unleashed—this is but one of the four treasures you have earned!
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After escorting Ganyu and Shenhe out of the city, Luo Qing decided to give Ganyu his last remaining "Teleportation Toilet" to facilitate easier travel between Sumeru and Liyue.
He insisted that she install it in her personal quarters once she got back to Liyue.
Having spent enough time in Sumeru to understand the device's peculiar yet practical function, Ganyu felt a little conflicted but ultimately nodded in agreement.
Before parting ways, Luo Qing took a moment to share a kiss with both Ganyu and Shenhe, stamping his own "seal of approval" as a farewell gesture.
He watched them walk away until their figures disappeared entirely before turning back toward Sumeru City.
By the time Luo Qing made it home, the day had stretched on a bit longer than expected.
After updating Makoto about Ganyu and Shenhe's departure, Luo Qing settled onto the sofa. He focused his thoughts and projected his awareness into the Void.
Although Lumine no longer wore a Void Terminal, Alhaitham still did—and Luo Qing had discreetly marked Alhaitham's terminal for tracking long ago.
Following the trail through the Void network, it didn't take long before Luo Qing located Alhaitham's position.
With a flick of his will, Luo Qing slipped his awareness into Alhaitham's mind. Moments later, Alhaitham's point of view unfolded before him.
The man was seated at a long wooden table, engrossed in a discussion with several others.
Across from him sat Lumine, Paimon, Dehya, Cyno, and others. Judging by their numbers and the intensity of the conversation, this must have been the moment they were finalizing their plans to retake Sumeru City.
"Moving faster than I expected…"
Satisfied with their progress, Luo Qing was about to withdraw his consciousness from Alhaitham's mind when a flicker of curiosity held him back.
What goes on inside this Grand Scribe's head on a normal day?
Unable to resist, he skimmed through Alhaitham's thoughts and memories.
"Studying, reading, sleeping, studying, reading, planning the rebellion…"
Yep. Just as I thought—a textbook scholar's brain.
Disappointed, Luo Qing shook his head. He'd been hoping to find something a little spicier.
He exited Alhaitham's mind and prepared to log off from the Void when a powerful pulse of awareness emanated from the direction of the Jingliu Workshop.
Curious, Luo Qing redirected his consciousness toward the source.
"This is…"
Luo Qing's gaze locked onto the awakened Scaramouche at the head of the Perfected God. He was slightly taken aback.
He's awake already?!
Had Scaramouche already fully absorbed the power of the Gnosis?
Luo Qing swallowed hard, considering whether to approach him directly for a conversation.
But before he could act, Scaramouche abruptly lifted his head. His gaze, as if piercing through space, seemed to lock directly onto Luo Qing's awareness.
"That place again…"
Sensing that the probing consciousness originated from the residential area, Scaramouche's irritation flared.
He was a god now—yet some unseen force kept challenging his authority.
Feeling his divine dignity affronted, Scaramouche silently vowed that once he had fully mastered the power of the Gnosis, he would leave the workshop and personally visit that house to uncover the truth.
Back in his own home, Luo Qing retracted his awareness with a wince.
The image of Scaramouche's enraged expression lingered in his mind.
Did he notice me? No way… right?
Troubled, Luo Qing stood up and headed upstairs. He stopped at the second room on the right and pushed the door open.
"What are you doing?! How can you just barge in without knocking?!"
Ei's startled voice greeted him as she hastily pressed her light novel against her chest and scooted further into her bed.
Her loose kimono left her clad in little more than a pair of panties, so she instinctively tugged the blanket over her exposed legs.
"This is serious business," Luo Qing said, shutting the door behind him as he walked toward her bed.
"If it's serious, then talk! Why are you taking off your shoes? It's not even nighttime yet!"
Panic flashed across Ei's face as she pulled the blanket tighter, retreating further into the bed.
With Ganyu and Shenhe now gone to Liyue and Ayaka off at the Grand Bazaar with Nilou, the only people left in the house were Makoto, Theresa, and herself.
And Ei had heard… rumors.
Rumors about how her elder sister and Theresa had shared Luo Qing's bed on occasion.
If Luo Qing made a move on her now, those two were more likely to cheer him on than stop him. They might even offer guidance!
"There's nowhere else to sit, so I'm just squeezing in," Luo Qing said nonchalantly.
"You—!"
Speechless, Ei watched as Luo Qing shamelessly climbed onto the bed, settled behind her, and casually wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I wanted to ask you something," he said.
"Then ask!" Ei huffed, frowning as she grabbed his wandering hand. "Ask your question, but stop touching me."
Luo Qing rested his chin on her shoulder, his gaze falling on the light novel in her hands. "Remember that puppet you abandoned?"
"You mean…"
Ei's expression shifted, memories of a certain young boy surfacing in her mind.
"So, you do remember," Luo Qing said, nodding. "He's in Sumeru now."
"And?" Ei huffed dismissively, her attention drifting back to her novel.
By now, she no longer resisted Luo Qing's displays of physical affection. If she had, she wouldn't have let him cuddle her to sleep that one night—or sniff her chest.
"I set him free ages ago. Where he is or what he does has nothing to do with me."
"But he doesn't see it that way~," Luo Qing teased, chuckling. "He's still holding onto a grudge against you."
"..."
Ei's eyes lingered on the page in her hands for a moment before flicking back to her book.
"Let him. That's his choice. It has nothing to do with me."
"Tsk, you're such a cold-hearted parent," Luo Qing remarked, planting a kiss on her shoulder. "What will you do if he comes seeking revenge?"
"Revenge…"
For a moment, Ei's gaze turned vacant, but her voice soon regained its usual calm.
"If he wants a fight, so be it. I'm here in Sumeru. Tell him that if he thinks his strength is sufficient, I won't mind facing him in battle."
"Really?"
"Why would I lie?" Ei scowled, yanking Luo Qing's hand out of her kimono.
He's so shameless! Touching me when I'm not wearing anything underneath!
"If that's all you wanted to say, leave. Stop interrupting my reading."
"Come on… let me sit a little longer…" Luo Qing muttered, pretending to settle in further.
While enjoying Ei's company, Luo Qing's mind wandered. He wondered if he should warn Lumine once she returned, just in case things escalated.
If this mother-son pair really ended up fighting, Sumeru City might end up with a new "middle parting."