This System... does any attractive woman count as a target object? Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, discreetly observing Lumine again.
She matches the description from the intelligence reports. This golden-haired woman must be the Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius.
She's traveling to find her family, Qin Yu mused. It's not surprising they'd come to Liyue, but I didn't expect to meet them face-to-face.
Qin Yu smiled. "Hello. My name is Qin Yu. This is Shenhe."
"Mm," Shenhe murmured, giving a slight nod.
"We're headed to Yujing Terrace to watch the Rite of Descension," Qin Yu suggested, glancing at Shenhe. "Since we're going the same way, would you like to join us?"
Seeing that Shenhe didn't object, Qin Yu felt slightly relieved.
Paimon's eyes lit up. "Wow! That's perfect! Liyue Port is so big, we were worried about getting lost. What do you think, Lumine?"
Lumine smiled politely. "Thank you, you're a big help."
"It's just the way we're going, no need to be so formal," Qin Yu said. "Come on, this way. It's crowded, so stay close!"
"Okay, got it!" Paimon chirped excitedly.
Wait, we're still holding hands...Oh well, it probably doesn't look weird to anyone anyway.
Besides, it's not really a big deal.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Qin Yu started up the stairs. Paimon and Lumine exchanged a glance before following behind, keeping a respectful distance.
"I can't believe we met such kind people right after arriving in Liyue!" Paimon exclaimed. "Looks like our luck's turning around! Maybe we'll find your brother in Liyue after all."
"I hope so," Lumine nodded.
Paimon glanced at Qin Yu and Shenhe's retreating figures.
"They're holding hands! They must be really close. And Miss Qin Yu is so beautiful—what was that Liyue saying again? 'Looks reflect the heart'—hmm, I really picked the right person."
"So you just struck up a conversation because you thought she was pretty?" Lumine said, exasperated.
"Hehe."
Though their voices weren't loud, Qin Yu's enhanced hearing from her skill and attribute boosts allowed her to clearly hear their conversation.
Hmph, more compliments wouldn't hurt.
In a good mood, Qin Yu slowed her pace, guiding the way while explaining which street and district they were in. Eventually, they arrived at Yujing Terrace.
The area around the Rite of Descension was crowded with people, and the Millelith stood guard.
As Lady Ningguang's personal maid, Qin Yu could observe from the pavilions of Yujing Terrace. Considering Shenhe's aversion to crowds, she decided to take that approach.
Still, Qin Yu asked, "We could watch from over there too, Shenhe. What do you think?"
"I'll follow your lead."
I knew she'd say that.
Qin Yu turned to Lumine and Paimon. "Would you two like to join us?"
"Eh? Is that allowed—?"
"No need, thank you very much."
Paimon was about to accept eagerly, but Lumine politely declined.
Qin Yu didn't press for details. If Lumine had refused, that was that. Overbearing enthusiasm would only make them uncomfortable. She had long since mastered the art of striking the right balance.
"Then let's part ways for now."
"Oh, goodbye!"
Paimon and Lumine waved slightly as they watched Qin Yu and Shenhe disappear behind the pavilion. Once they were gone, Paimon asked, puzzled:
"Why didn't you accept?"
Lumine replied calmly, "Her position isn't ordinary. The fact that she can enter these buildings so freely likely means she has connections to Liyue's upper echelons. I think it's best we avoid getting involved with Liyue's elites for now. After all, we're just here to observe."
Lumine's rational and logical reasoning left Paimon speechless.
"I-I thought of that too!" Paimon hastily added.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm."
"Ugh, you're just brushing me off!"
Qin Yu and Shenhe entered the pavilion and climbed to the second-floor balcony, arriving just as the Rite of Descension was about to begin.
"Come to think of it, is this your first time seeing the Rite of Descension, Shenhe?" Qin Yu asked, leaning against the railing with a smile.
"Yes," Shenhe replied slowly. "When I was little, our village was quite far from the city. Moreover, my family was a branch of an exorcist clan, not merchants, so Rex Lapis's God's Edict didn't affect us. Later, I lived in Jueyun Karst, cut off from the mortal world... So this is my first time."
Hearing this, Qin Yu felt a renewed surge of concern for Shenhe.
But she's probably just stating facts. Bringing it up might only make things awkward. So she forced a smile and continued, "Then you should watch closely! I still remember how awestruck I was the first time I saw Rex Lapis as a child."
"I will."
At the Rite of Descension site, Ningguang lifted her head and gazed at the sky. An inexplicable unease washed over her, but she brushed it off as mere anxiety.
"The auspicious hour has arrived," Ningguang announced, stepping forward.
Here it comes!
In previous years, Qin Yu wouldn't have been this excited, but this time Shenhe, who had never witnessed the Rite of Descension before, stood beside her.
It was like watching a story unfold with a friend, eagerly anticipating their reaction as the plot reached its climax. A rare, excited glint sparkled in Qin Yu's eyes.
"It's coming," Qin Yu said.
Shenhe nodded slightly.
A radiant light erupted as four gemstones, guided by Ningguang's will, began to orbit before plunging into the mechanism on the stone platform. A golden beam shot skyward, instantly transforming the heavens.
"It's here!"
Yet the sky darkened again, becoming ominously overcast in an instant.
Qin Yu froze, bewildered. Strange... this isn't how it was supposed to happen.
Looking around, she saw Ningguang's equally stunned expression. Clearly, the situation wasn't unfolding as planned. As everyone stood bewildered and confused, Shenhe's murmured words reached Qin Yu's ears:
"It's here."
Glancing up, Qin Yu saw a figure plummeting from the sky.
A thunderous crash echoed as dust billowed outward. When the dust settled, the crowd gasped at the figure's true form.
Half-dragon, half-qilin—Qin Yu had seen this form countless times before.
"Eh?"
Hence her shocked expression.
This was precisely the god she had hoped Shenhe would witness:
Liyue's Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon.
He lay utterly still, motionless. From their vantage point, they could even glimpse the tip of his tongue lolling in his open mouth.
Could it be...?
Even Shenhe, her voice tinged with disbelief, whispered:
"Rex Lapis... he's dead."
Ha!?!?!?!
Ningguang strode forward with a solemn expression, knelt down, and examined the body closely.
Not a single breath remained. How could this be...? Lost in thought, Ningguang snapped back to attention. Her gaze swept over the agitated crowd, and she knew she had to take control of the situation immediately.
"The Lord Emperor has been assassinated!" she declared. "Seal off the area!"
Ah, he's really dead, Qin Yu thought numbly, hearing Ningguang's words.