"If you're looking for the adepti, I might be able to help," Childe suddenly interjected, overhearing their conversation.
Hu Tao's [Staff of Homa] instantly reappeared in her hand. She leveled a cold glare at him. "And just what are you trying to say?"
Childe quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Now, now, there's no need to be so hostile. I know the Fatui have a poor reputation, and I'm aware that Signora left you with a terrible impression, but this truly has nothing to do with me."
Paimon folded her arms grumpily. "It's a bit more than just a bad impression!"
Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes suspiciously, carefully observing Childe. He wasn't certain if the Harbinger's earlier shock had been genuine, but listening to what he had to say might help reveal the Fatui's plans.
Childe calmly produced several [Sigils of Permission]. "These were meant to grant me an audience with Rex Lapis. But now, it seems they're of little use."
"These are… [Sigils of Permission]," Zhongli recognized them instantly.
"You truly are knowledgeable, Mr. Zhongli."
"What exactly is a [Sigil of Permission]?" Paimon tilted her head curiously.
"It's a token granted by Rex Lapis himself," Zhongli explained. "Whoever bears one can visit the adepti freely in the mountains."
He cast a mildly astonished look at Childe. "However, they're extremely rare nowadays—I didn't expect you to possess so many."
"I happened to come by them by chance," Childe offered vaguely, clearly not intending to reveal how he'd obtained them.
"So… we can use these to find the adepti?" Paimon carefully took one, examining it closely.
"Exactly," Childe confirmed. "Liyue was founded through the combined might of the Geo Archon and the adepti. Now, with Rex Lapis' assassination, the adepti must be informed."
He turned his attention to Aether and Paimon, the Adventurers' Guild members. "Would you two mind delivering this news to the adepti in the mountains?"
"Why not go yourself?" Aether questioned cautiously.
Childe shrugged helplessly. "You've seen how Director Hu reacted to me. Even with a Sigil, I doubt the adepti would be any friendlier."
Hu Tao let out a faint scoff but offered no rebuttal.
Childe pressed on, adding, "Besides, you're not affiliated with any faction here. Your neutral position makes your words far more trustworthy."
He paused, glancing meaningfully toward Ningguang, who stood nearby, brows furrowed in deep contemplation. Without hiding his suspicions, he continued openly, "It's strange that the Qixing ordered the Millelith to interrogate every witness. Could any mortal truly assassinate the invincible God of War? He never relinquished his divine power… This clumsy reaction almost feels as if they're trying to hide something."
Jiang Bai had already considered this possibility, but to him, Childe's words were obviously an attempt to deflect suspicion. They suspected him, so he suspected the Qixing—it reeked of shifting blame.
"I'll accept your request," Aether declared, taking the Sigil from Childe. Yet, he made no immediate move to leave.
Having delivered his message, Childe casually excused himself, as if his sole objective had been fulfilled.
Watching him leave, Jiang Bai's eyes narrowed further. "Director, how trustworthy do you think his words are?"
"About fifty-fifty," Hu Tao replied thoughtfully.
Childe's intent to have the Traveler notify the adepti was real enough, but his motive likely involved sowing chaos in Liyue.
The adepti had stepped back from mortal affairs thousands of years ago. Now, with Rex Lapis dead, there was no chance they'd stand idle. Conflict between the adepti and the Qixing was inevitable, and the adepti were notoriously temperamental and powerful—enough to throw Liyue into chaos.
As for whether Childe himself was involved in Rex Lapis' murder, they'd have to investigate further to know for certain.
"Do you think the Qixing could be behind this?" Jiang Bai asked again, curious about her thoughts.
Hu Tao shook her head decisively. "Impossible. Childe was right about one thing—mere mortals couldn't possibly assassinate an Archon who commands absolute martial prowess. At least, not the Qixing."
As for why Ningguang sealed the venue, it was clearly to justify interrogating every suspicious individual thoroughly.
Indeed, many attendees—including Childe himself—were swiftly detained by the Millelith for questioning.
Finally, the Millelith soldiers turned toward their group.
The soldier approaching them saluted respectfully. "Routine inquiry—please cooperate."
His gaze immediately fell upon Aether and Paimon, clearly outsiders. "Who are you two, and where did you come from?"
"I'm Paimon, and this is Aether. We're travelers from Mondstadt. We just arrived in Liyue yesterday and heard today was the Rite of Descension, so we decided to join Jiang Bai to see it for ourselves…"
Paimon's nervousness showed slightly, but she cleverly avoided revealing their true reasons for coming.
The soldier nodded, convinced. Having arrived only yesterday, they'd have no reason or opportunity to harm the Archon. Still, he turned toward Hu Tao and Jiang Bai for confirmation.
"They're telling the truth—I can vouch for them," Jiang Bai said quickly.
Hu Tao nodded as well, affirming their story.
Satisfied, the Millelith soldier shifted to questioning Jiang Bai's group. Though he'd often seen these three around Liyue Harbor, he still asked the necessary questions.
"When did you three arrive at Yujing Terrace, and what brought you here?"
"Around ten in the morning," Hu Tao answered honestly. "We'd heard the Fatui tried to seize the Anemo Archon's power in Mondstadt. Concerned they might attempt something similar here, we came to keep an eye on them."
The soldier nodded understandingly, realizing why she'd attacked Childe earlier.
Just then, Baishi, Ningguang's secretary, approached respectfully. "Everyone, Lady Ningguang requests your presence."
Ningguang's summons included not only Jiang Bai's group but also Aether and Paimon.
The five followed Baishi obediently. As they left, Jiang Bai glanced back at the dragon's corpse, now covered with a white cloth and prepared by the Millelith for transport—though he had no idea where they'd take it.
Zhongli observed silently, offering no comment.
Inside the chamber, Ningguang was absorbed in reviewing a thick stack of intelligence reports, brow furrowed deeply.
Upon seeing their arrival, she rose immediately and got straight to the point.
"What are your thoughts regarding Rex Lapis' assassination?"
She was thoroughly familiar with everyone present—including the newly arrived Traveler and his companion. She certainly harbored no suspicion toward Mondstadt's Honorary Knight.
As for Jiang Bai's trio, all were affiliated with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Though Jiang Bai's origins were somewhat mysterious, he'd been a familiar face in Liyue Harbor for over a year now—hardly a prime suspect.
Zhongli spoke first, calmly repeating his earlier stance. "From a rational perspective, Rex Lapis' death is most likely due to natural causes."
Ningguang shook her head slowly. "I considered that possibility too, but too many things remain unexplained. If Rex Lapis knew his time was near, surely he'd have left instructions. Yet this happened without warning…"
She paused briefly, frustration clear in her eyes. "Yet he was the invincible God of War. What mortal could possibly assassinate him?"
Paimon rubbed her chin thoughtfully, feeling her brain overheating. "So it can't be this, and it can't be that… then, could it be that the Geo Archon isn't actually dead?"