Keqing pondered the question Takumi posed in her mind.
Liyue really didn't have an academy like Sumeru. There wasn't even a structured teaching system. If someone wanted to learn something, they could only do so through various sects or self-study.
Many sects in Liyue taught different skills, but most knowledge remained in the hands of the wealthy. Just like her—when she was a child, she studied under private tutors hired by her family.
If a school were built, many people in Liyue could learn useful knowledge. This would be beneficial to Liyue with no drawbacks.
There was no reason for Keqing not to support it.
"Liyue's government will fund the construction of a school?"
"This really needs to be discussed with Ningguang. I'll go back with you."
She felt she had to be involved in the discussion.
Takumi nodded. "No problem. Let's go together. The school will be free, and all expenses will be covered by Liyue's government. We need Ningguang's approval."
Hearing this, Keqing was stunned. Free education?
That was great, but convincing Ningguang—a woman who valued money—might be difficult. However, it wasn't impossible. Liyue had a long history of investing in projects that benefited the nation.
She believed Ningguang would agree, though it would cost a significant amount of money.
After discussing the matter, Keqing turned her attention to Qiqi.
"Takumi, why are you with her?"
She recognized Qiqi—a pharmacist's assistant at Bubu Pharmacy.
Takumi looked at Keqing, then at Qiqi, and suddenly said:
"Keqing, are you sure there's no connection between your family and Qiqi? You know she's a zombie, right?"
"Qiqi died in the battle between the Adepti and demons, but was later saved by the Adepti."
"She was sealed in a lake by the Adeptus, Lishui Dieshan Zhenjun, and was only discovered a few years ago."
"Do you know? The sword technique Qiqi uses is called Yunlai Ancient Sword Technique."
"And she has purple hair."
"Keqing, do you think Qiqi could be one of your ancestors?"
Hearing Takumi's words, Keqing was dumbfounded.
"Wait... Yunlai Ancient Sword Technique?"
Keqing was suddenly uneasy.
Her family's sword style was the Yunlai Sword Technique.
If there was no connection, she wouldn't believe it.
She looked at Qiqi closely, especially her purple hair. Most of her family members also had purple hair. When she first learned about Qiqi, she hadn't thought much about it. She never knew Qiqi used Yunlai Sword Technique.
Now that Takumi pointed it out, she realized the seriousness of the matter.
Qiqi, noticing Keqing's gaze, tilted her head in confusion.
"Qiqi, can you show me your Yunlai Sword Technique?" Keqing asked.
She wanted to confirm it.
She knew how her family's swordsmanship had developed—it had been passed down and refined over generations. If Qiqi's technique resembled hers, then there was no doubt that Qiqi was linked to her family.
Possibly even her ancestor.
She needed to figure it out.
Hearing Keqing's request, Qiqi nodded. "Okay."
But Takumi stopped them. "We'll deal with this later. Eat first."
"If there's a connection, we don't need to rush. After dinner, you can verify whatever you want."
"Also, when we return to Liyue Harbor tomorrow, you can check your family's genealogy. If Qiqi is related to your family, you should take her away from Bubu Pharmacy."
Baizhu didn't seem trustworthy. Keeping Qiqi away from him would be safer.
Hearing Takumi's words, Keqing frowned slightly. She understood what he was implying.
"I understand."
Qiqi, however, was confused but didn't dwell on it.
If she and Keqing were really family, did that mean she had a home?
The thought of having a family gave Qiqi a strange feeling.
During dinner, Keqing noticed Qiqi eating without much enthusiasm. She felt a little sorry for her.
Qiqi's existence as a zombie was truly pitiful.
After the meal, Keqing eagerly pulled Qiqi aside to demonstrate her Yunlai Sword Technique.
Although some movements differed slightly from what she had learned, Keqing could still recognize her family's sword style.
That meant her family's swordsmanship had originated from Yunlai Ancient Sword Technique.
She was now almost certain.
The next step was to check her family's genealogy when they returned to Liyue Harbor.
She was determined. She needed to find out if anyone had gone missing in her lineage and confirm whether her family's swordsmanship was once called Yunlai Ancient Sword Technique.
The next morning, Keqing knocked on Takumi's door early.
"Get up. We need to go back."
Takumi sighed, feeling helpless, but got up for breakfast.
After eating, he drove Keqing, Qiqi, Shenhe, and Klee towards Liyue Harbor.
Along the way, Takumi noticed many buses and vehicles heading toward Guiliyuan.
Passengers filled the buses, and people were driving towards the city.
It was hard to believe that in just a few months, he had transformed this place into a bustling hub.
Liyue's rapid development had drawn attention from other nations. Many countries had even sent embassies to establish diplomatic ties and discuss trade opportunities.
Even the people of Snezhnaya were shocked by Liyue's progress.
Was this truly Liyue?
It felt like a dream—completely different from other countries.
On the way back, Keqing suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, Takumi."
"The musket you asked me to help procure from Snezhnaya—Ningguang has it ready."
"But since you were at Shimen, I didn't bring it to you."
"Now that we're returning, we can take care of it."
Previously, Takumi had asked Keqing to acquire a firearm from Snezhnaya.
She had obtained it, but Takumi had left for Shimen before she could deliver it.
Now that they were heading back, it was the perfect time to retrieve it.
She wouldn't forget again.