Her eyes hardened slightly, gaze turning deep.
"—About the Fatui's movements within Mondstadt," Ningguang finished.
Jean was stunned for a moment, then her expression grew solemn.
She gently set down her teacup, golden eyes serious.
"Your judgment is correct," she said slowly.
"The Fatui are indeed plotting something.
They've been seeking powers and relics related to the gods."
"Our Skyward Harp, one of Lord Barbatos's treasures, was stolen by the Fatui."
"Although they ultimately failed, the attempt was real."
"Recently, their activity in Mondstadt has been frequent.
They've been collecting intelligence on specific targets. It seems their plan has already made… substantial progress."
"As for the exact details… I don't know."
"Our wind guardian dragon, Stormterror, awoke from his confusion.
Because of that, the Fatui seem to have abandoned their plan in Mondstadt."
"Their goal is all things connected to the gods—
including the powers granted to the chosen."
"Many Fatui in Mondstadt have already withdrawn.
They're no longer as aggressive as before."
"Which likely means…"
"They'll shift their focus to your Liyue."
Ningguang and Ganyu exchanged a glance, both of their expressions turning darker.
Fatui.
As expected, they were quietly setting their pieces in place.
"It seems we must raise our guard," Ningguang said, voice level but firm.
The Rite of Descension, Liyue's greatest annual ceremony, was about to begin.
It wasn't merely ritual.
It was also the Qixing's formal report to Morax, and a public affirmation of Liyue's order.
On that day, the Millelith's finest would patrol the city.
Merchants, envoys, and travelers from all lands would pour into the harbor.
Liyue Harbor would see its busiest, most crowded moment of the year.
Which made security even more critical.
She quickly ran through recent intelligence in her mind.
Two nights ago, Baixiao had reported a "flying great ship" in Liyue's skies.
Today, Mondstadt's Acting Grand Master Jean had suddenly appeared in Liyue.
On the surface, the events seemed unrelated.
But in Ningguang's eyes, they might represent a deeper shift.
Whose ship had that been?
And now Jean was here, bringing news of the Fatui's hunt for divine power.
"The timing is… interesting," Ningguang murmured.
She put down her cup.
"Ganyu. Starting tomorrow, increase Millelith patrols around the harbor, the markets, and the Tianheng area," she ordered.
"Especially around the Rite's main site," she added.
"We can't allow any unstable factors to appear."
"Yes," Ganyu replied softly, nodding.
"And one more thing," Ningguang continued.
"Tell our intelligence network to watch the Fatui's movements in Liyue closely."
Her golden eyes narrowed.
"This group… has been far too quiet."
A quiet Fatui—
was the most dangerous kind.
Ganyu blinked.
Now that she thought about it—
The Northland Bank had seen far fewer disputes of late.
Their elite agents were uncharacteristically calm.
Even the Harbingers hadn't appeared much.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Liyue Harbor—
Northland Bank.
Unlike the radiant Jade Chamber, the bank's hall felt heavy and suffocating.
In the richly decorated chamber, silence reigned.
Firelight flickered on the walls, casting jittery shadows.
"What?"
Childe frowned, gaze lifting toward the elite soldier kneeling before him.
A flash of surprise passed through his golden eyes.
"Say that again."
The Fatui soldier bowed his head lower.
"Lord Harbinger, we've just received intel," he said steadily.
"Acting Grand Master Jean of Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius has arrived in Liyue. She has already been received by Lady Ganyu and taken to the Jade Chamber."
"..."
The atmosphere grew heavier at once.
Childe narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop in a steady rhythm.
Jean, here in Liyue…?
This was no trivial matter.
What was her position?
One of Mondstadt's highest leaders.
Why would someone like that suddenly appear in Liyue?
The Qixing were meticulously cautious.
If this were a standard diplomatic visit, there would have been prior notice.
An envoy, formal letters, proper ceremony.
Not… whatever this was—
Appearing suddenly in the middle of the harbor.
Almost like teleportation.
Had Jean come to investigate something?
Or… had Mondstadt already begun to notice more than he'd expected?
Childe's frown deepened, though his expression remained outwardly calm.
The soldier's voice was cautious:
"Lord Harbinger… should we adjust our plan?"
Childe didn't answer immediately.
He closed his eyes for a moment and drew in a long breath.
Whatever Jean's purpose, her presence signaled one thing:
The situation in Liyue was shifting.
If the Knights of Favonius truly got involved here—
his margins would shrink.
He had to move faster.
"..."
He opened his eyes again.
They were calm—but cold and sharp.
"Contact La Signora. I want her opinion," he ordered.
His fingers tapped the tabletop one last time.
"And at the same time—
accelerate our original plan."
"Tomorrow…"
"I'm going to meet that Traveler."
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
The Fatui in the hall stiffened, holding their breath.
Lord Childe…
was finally going to act.
Elsewhere again—
Cloud Retainer's (Yun-Han) side — Yun-Han Teahouse & Private Pavilion
Night deepened.
Soft moonlight shone through carved lattice windows, coating the Yun-Han building in a pale silver glow.
On the third floor of the Yun-Han complex, in a private pavilion belonging to Yun Jin, a small banquet was quietly underway.
The pavilion blended Liyue's elegant architectural style with the refined atmosphere of a scholar's residence.
Red pillars supported intricately carved eaves.
Fine calligraphy and paintings of drifting clouds hung on the walls.
Inside, the furnishings were simple but exquisite, brimming with cultured taste.
From the half-open windows one could see Liyue Harbor's glittering nightscape.
Lanterns studded the harbor like fallen stars.
The water reflected the lights of ships and buildings, forming a shimmering sea of color.
In this gentle night air, Yun Jin was personally entertaining her guests.
On the low table, an elegant tea set gleamed faintly.
Yun Jin still wore her opera attire.
Her manner, however, was restrained and dignified rather than showy.
Her white, slender fingers brushed past the lid of the teapot.
She lifted a purple clay pot with practiced ease and slowly poured hot tea into porcelain cups.
Amber tea swirled as it filled each cup.
A soft fragrance rose with the steam, filling the pavilion with a soothing warmth.
"Please, have some tea," Yun Jin said gently.
She pushed the cups toward Kairo, Zhongli, and Ying, voice clear and soft.
"This is Yun-Han's special blend, Biyun Spring Dew—fresh and sweet, with a long, clean aftertaste. I hope it can ease your travel fatigue."
Kairo nodded slightly, lifting the tea to his lips.
The tea tasted clear and sweet, carrying a faint orchid scent that spread across his tongue and settled into a lingering freshness.
Zhongli took a small sip and nodded in approval.
"This tea has a very balanced, mellow charm," he commented calmly.
Paimon sniffed at the fragrant air, tilted her head, and her eyes lit up—
then quickly turned a bit conflicted.
"Mm… it smells really good," she muttered.
"But…"
She peered down at the little tea cup in front of her and pouted.
"Without something to eat with it, it feels like there's something missing…"
Hearing that, Yun Jin chuckled, eyes soft as she looked at Paimon.
She gently slid a plate of snacks toward her.
"No need to worry," she said.
"These are osmanthus pastries and lotus cakes—sweet but not cloying, and perfect with tea."
Paimon's eyes sparkled instantly.
She grabbed a piece of osmanthus pastry and popped it into her mouth.
The crisp, tender pastry melted at once, spreading sweetness and floral fragrance.
"MmMM! This is so good!" she squealed, cheeks puffing with joy.
She flailed her little hands in excitement, staring at Yun Jin with stars in her eyes.
"Yun Jin, you're amazing!"
Yun Jin smiled and waved lightly.
"There's no need for such big praise," she replied.
"In a moment, the dishes from Xinyue Kiosk will arrive—
those will be the real highlight of tonight's meal."
"'Real' Liyue cuisine!!?"
Paimon's spirit shot back to life, hands rubbing together eagerly, eyes blazing.
"Really?! That means… we're going to eat the most authentic Liyue food soon?!"
She immediately turned to the window, craning her neck eagerly, clearly hoping the delivery would arrive right now.
Ying could only pinch the bridge of her nose, helpless.
"Why do you get that excited every time you hear 'food'…" she sighed.
Paimon hugged the snack plate and answered righteously:
"Who wouldn't be excited about Liyue's food?!"
Yun Jin chuckled softly.
She delicately rotated her teacup, amber tea rippling at the motion.
Her gaze drifted to Kairo, and a faint curiosity flickered in her eyes.
She could tell this man was… unusual.
The way he carried himself, the strange power around him, and that snow-white lion of his—
All of it made her want to know more.
Even so, she didn't rush to pry.
Before the banquet formally began, she kept to polite small talk and simply watched Kairo calmly.
Tea fragrance drifted; the atmosphere was warm and relaxed.
It was at this moment that Kairo's expression flickered slightly.
Because before his eyes, lines of text appeared again in the void—
[You chose "Watch and wait" in response to Yaowang Secret's hidden surveillance.]
[Congratulations. Option 1 complete.
Reward obtained: Demonic Husk Soldier — you can summon a husk soldier of the "Moyin Body," who will obey your orders unconditionally.]
As the notification flashed past, Kairo could feel the new power settle into him.
He could summon this soldier at any time—
but unlike the Eternal Winter Wraith, this one couldn't be dismissed back into storage once brought out.
Summoning him would mean he had to be left somewhere.
In Liyue, I don't really need extra muscle yet, he thought.
Better to keep this in reserve… for when I actually need a loyal guard.
"Tap, tap, tap—"
At that moment, light footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Along with them came a rich, mouth-watering aroma.
A neatly dressed waitress from Xinyue Kiosk climbed up, carrying an ornate food box.
"Tap, tap—"
Her steps were steady and graceful.
Even from inside the box, heat and fragrance seeped out.
"One by one," she murmured as she set the box down with practiced care.
"Miss Yun, the dishes you ordered are ready."
"Sorry that the Golden Crab took a bit longer than expected."
She flipped open the lids and began placing dishes one by one onto the table.
First came Moonlight Eggs—
Golden on the surface, shaped like blooming lotus blossoms, translucent shrimp glimmering within—like a rising moon caught in a flower.
Next was Golden Crab—
Delicate crab meat wrapped in a thin fried batter, glowing gold, paired with bright green vegetables and vibrant red tomato garnish.
Finally, a steaming plate of Stir-Fried Fish Noodles appeared.
Fragrant sauce-coated fish pieces tumbled together with chewy rice noodles, releasing an intoxicating scent.
The waitress introduced each dish briefly as she set them down.
Paimon and Ying's eyes grew wider with each new plate.
Even the names sounded poetic.
"It smells sooo good!!"
Paimon's nose twitched wildly.
She rubbed her little hands together, staring at the feast, practically quivering with desire.
Her tummy had been growling for a while.
Now, with all these fragrant dishes laid out, it was like standing in front of heaven's gates.
The waitress stepped back, bowing lightly.
"The dishes are all served," she said. "Please, enjoy."
Steam curled up from the food.
Each dish was so beautifully plated it almost looked like a painting.
Yun Jin smiled and made a light gesture with her hand.
"Please—help yourselves."
The word had barely left her lips before Paimon rushed in—
And the banquet truly began.
After the meal, tea fragrance still lingered.
On the third floor of Yun-Han's pavilion, the faint scent of sandalwood mingled with the sweetness of cakes, enveloping the little room.
Paimon leaned back in her chair, patting her now round belly with both hands.
Her face radiated pure bliss.
"Waaah, today was way too happy…" she sighed.
"Liyue's food is just… I could eat it forever…"
Kairo eyed her, expression a bit helpless.
"If you eat any more," he said mildly, "you really won't be able to fly."
One-third of the table's dishes had gone straight into her stomach.
Paimon stiffened, then immediately sat up straight and flapped her little arms defensively.
"No way! Eating lots just gives me more energy to fly!" she protested.
Yun Jin watched them with a soft smile.
She took another sip of tea and said:
"If Paimon likes Liyue cuisine so much, she can always visit Xinyue Kiosk again tomorrow."
Paimon's eyes lit right back up—
Then she touched her stomach and let out a dramatic sigh.
"But… I really can't eat another bite. I'm totally full…"
She gave her own little belly a gentle pat.
"Super satisfied!"
Everyone laughed.
In this warm atmosphere, the night's little private banquet slowly drew to a close.
Outside, the night deepened.
The harbor lights were like fallen stars.
Liyue Harbor glittered like a city that never slept.
After the banquet, instead of heading to the Pearl Barge again, the group chose to go to Heyu Tea House to listen to storytelling.
Beside Yun-Han
Heyu Tea House.
Lanterns flickered.
The tea on the tables still steamed faintly.
A storyteller sat on the raised platform, fanning himself slowly as he spoke.
"...A thousand years ago, Liyue was not as prosperous as it is now," he narrated.
"Monsters roamed the land, and adepti walked among the peaks. The Geo Lord Morax led the illuminated beasts to slay demons and subdue evil on all sides…"
His cadence rose and fell, and the tea house was quiet, everyone listening intently.
Sometimes the crowd gasped; sometimes they whispered in awe.
Kairo sat quietly, fingers tapping lightly on the table, expression calm.
Paimon was half sprawled over the table, eyes shining in excitement.
"Wow! So Liyue used to be that dangerous…" she whispered.
Then she snuck a look at Zhongli beside her—
and let out a little snicker.
If only the storyteller knew…
the "Geo Lord" he's praising so highly is sitting down here listening to him…
And with that amusing little contrast hanging in the air,
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