The Northland Bank had been ordered shut by the Ministry of Civil Affairs for "tax rate violations," under mandatory rectification for half a month.
A Fatui consultant, having carelessly littered in violation of Liyue's Environmental Protection Act, was sentenced to three months in prison.
Thirteen Fatui debt collectors, charged with violent enforcement, were detained by the Millelith pending trial.
Piece after piece of news piled up before Tartaglia, and not a single one was good.
And yet…
Forget about violent debt collection—but what did "tax rate violations" have to do with forced closure?
And how could "careless littering" be worth three months in prison?
He'd even seen kids relieving themselves by Liyue Harbor's gate, and no one arrested them!
Each case was clear as day: Liyue was targeting the Fatui.
And they expected him, a man of the sword, to deal with diplomatic disputes? How absurd!
Looking at the resentful faces of his subordinates, Tartaglia also felt helpless.
Anyone could see Liyue was deliberately making things difficult.
But the question was—how to handle it?
In the past, though restrictions were many, Liyue had never been this overt in their hostility.
Could it be… they had discovered something?
Tartaglia couldn't be sure. The problem was that everything Liyue did was perfectly "by the book."
Rules that were once ignored or enforced leniently were now applied with utmost strictness.
Just as he was about to contact the Tsaritsa, her divine power flickered on him, transmitting her order:
The Fatui in Liyue were to keep a low profile. Before the Rite of Descension, they were not to stir unnecessarily.
This was baffling. The Fatui's domineering ways had been modeled after the Tsaritsa herself.
And now she was the one yielding first?
Even if they couldn't provoke Rex Lapis, wasn't this too spineless?
But Tartaglia had no choice. Since the Tsaritsa had decreed it, the Bank and the Fatui would have to behave.
As for him…
The Tsaritsa's order only mentioned the Bank and the Fatui—not him, the Harbinger.
So Tartaglia began ordering his men to compile intelligence on recent developments in Liyue.
What he saw left him utterly stunned.
Where Liyue had once been calm and familiar, everything had changed since the day the thunder tribulation shook all of Teyvat.
Liyue was suddenly gathering massive amounts of animals, ores, medicinal herbs, and minerals.
Even books of every sort were being collected.
The Fatui's movements were watched, the Bank inspected repeatedly, and today even forcibly closed.
Meanwhile, in the streets, cultivation tales were spreading like wildfire.
Even Tartaglia, a warrior, knew enough of politics to recognize an official hand behind this sudden wave of public opinion.
The Millelith were being sent frequently to Jueyun Karst. Spies he dispatched returned with shocking news:
In just days, the Millelith had grown incomparably stronger.
Many soldiers now possessed physiques surpassing the human limit—some rivaling that of Visions' chosen.
It was absurd.
Tartaglia wanted to investigate more closely.
But with thousands of Millelith stationed there, and their newfound strength, even he couldn't be sure of escaping once engaged.
Moreover, Jueyun Karst was the domain of Liyue's Adepti. If a fight broke out here, who knew how many immortals would descend upon him?
Thus, even when he saw the sword immortal he longed to challenge, Tartaglia had to smother his battlelust.
"Since she flew back to Liyue Harbor… surely she'll return to Jueyun Karst again?"
He flexed his wrist, grinning.
"Then I'll just wait for her on the road."
"Her Majesty won't fault me—this is reconnaissance, after all."
Muttering to himself, he studied the Millelith's formations, then slipped away in a ripple of water.
Meanwhile, Keqing boldly flew back to the Jade Chamber on her sword.
With cultivation rumors already rampant, and her mission being to deliver martial manuals for the Millelith, secrecy was pointless.
Besides, she was a cultivator now. Why should a sword immortal hide her presence?
Her sword-light tore a long trail across the sky like a comet's tail.
Though faint under daylight, many eyes still witnessed it.
Soon, news spread through Liyue Harbor: the sword immortal had arrived.
At the Jade Chamber, where matters had grown increasingly complicated, most of the Qixing were gathered.
They had already been informed that the martial manuals were complete and on their way.
Thus, apart from those unable to return in time, all were present when Keqing landed.
As soon as she set foot, Uncle Tian chuckled:
"Yuheng Star is as straightforward as ever. With a single flight like that, you'll stir up half the city again."
"These days, public rumor scarcely needs our nudging—several versions of cultivation tales have sprung up on their own."
Keqing inclined her head, answering quickly:
"Let's skip the pleasantries. Tomorrow Mount Shu begins its Nine Nether Secret Realm exploration. I need to return and prepare."
"Take the martial manuals—then I must go."
At once, the Qixing grew solemn.
"Tomorrow already? Did Mr. Jiang say how long it might take?"
Keqing shook her head.
"Unclear. It may be swift, or lengthy. Regardless, with the Lord of Geo, the Anemo Archon, and Lady Alice herself present—"
"With three late Nascent Soul cultivators leading, and the sect master advising from outside, it should not be too dangerous."
"But since we don't know how long we'll be gone, Liyue will rely on you."
Uncle Tian sipped his tea and said gently:
"No problem. With the enhanced Millelith, we have confidence in handling threats."
"But you—all of you, the Tianquan, the Yuheng, Ganyu, the immortals, even the Archon—if anything happens to you, Liyue is finished."
Keqing nodded solemnly, then handed over several martial manuals.
They were passed among the Qixing, who skimmed them and gasped in awe.
Though unable to cultivate, they could still understand the immense value of techniques that turned mortals into transcendents.
The thought that a "Celestial Being" could rival high-ranking abyssal minions shocked them even more.
For cultivators to create such power casually—how terrifying must true cultivation be?
They couldn't help but envy Keqing and Ningguang's fortune.
"All details are recorded in my notes. As for candidates—"
Before she could finish, the Kaiyang Star interjected:
"Don't worry. We'll handle it. You focus on tomorrow's trial."
Seeing this, Keqing said no more.
Just as she prepared to leave, she added:
"Oh—and you yourselves may cultivate these manuals. The First Seat said while talent is still required, they are not nearly as demanding as cultivation."
"Reaching the Celestial Being stage grants three centuries of life and formidable strength. As the Qixing, you ought to be stronger."
"As for demonic beast meat, worry not. Once we return, some may already be bred. We'll submit the matter to the sect master for approval."
"Remember: you must practice the martial path."
The Qixing exchanged glances, smiling faintly. Yaoguang Star quipped:
"Rest assured. Something this powerful—how could we not? If we can't cultivate, we'll at least practice martial arts."
Their words were light, but the yearning in them was plain.
Keqing only nodded, then mounted her sword and departed.
Watching her vanish into the clouds, the Qixing sighed wistfully before eagerly examining their manuals again.
If they could not cultivate, martial arts would suffice.
Combined with their Visions, they could still reach heights unimaginable to ordinary men.
For Liyue's future, the land needed more pillars—not just Ningguang and Keqing.
The Qixing themselves would bear that weight.
Keqing, rushing back to Jueyun Karst to inform the troops and dismiss morning drills, never noticed the frail, green-robed man at the Harbor's gate, eyes burning with fervor as he watched her.
Baizhu had long heard the rumors of cultivation. With his intelligence, he recognized the Ministry's hand.
Such widespread narrative must either be a smokescreen—or groundwork for something greater.
And given that people truly flew on swords…
It was groundwork indeed.
Which meant cultivation was real.
And with it—longevity, health, vitality.
All within reach.
"Jueyun Karst…"
Baizhu clenched his fists, coughing violently from the excitement.
"You alright?"
The serpent, Changsheng, coiled around his neck, spoke with concern.
Baizhu shook his head.
"I'm fine… Changsheng, did you see?"
"See what?"
Baizhu's lips curved as he pointed after Keqing.
"Your hope! My hope!"
"You'd better not get too carried away," Changsheng sighed with almost human weariness.
"Cultivation—it sounds far too fantastical…"
"No! Cultivation must be real! It must be!"
Baizhu cut her off, coughing harder in his fervor.
Changsheng fell silent, deciding not to agitate him further.
If clinging to cultivation gave him hope, it was better than that other pursuit.
"So… what do you plan?"
Changsheng asked softly. Baizhu gradually calmed, then turned to the dazed little girl beside him.
He crouched, straightened her hat, and said gently:
"Qiqi, do you want to gather herbs in Jueyun Karst?"
"Gather herbs…"
For a moment, her vacant eyes lit up.
"Qiqi… wants to gather herbs…"
"Good. This time, I'll take you myself."
Taking her by the hand, Baizhu set off step by step toward Jueyun Karst, not even returning to Bubu Pharmacy to make arrangements.
But as Keqing hastened toward the Millelith at Jueyun Karst, an unexpected figure blocked her path.
A razor-sharp water blade shot from the ground toward the sky.
Keqing flicked her fingers—snap—and it shattered instantly.
"Excellent!"
From atop a nearby peak, Tartaglia raised his hand in exhilaration.
Staring up at the indistinct figure standing on her flying sword, his eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
"Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia—comes to pay respects to an immortal! I beg you… for a battle!"
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