"Lady Yuheng, this is far enough."
After descending from the Jade Chamber, Keqing had been tailing Su Mo the entire time.
He finally had to turn back and say something—
because like this, he couldn't exactly go home.
"Hmph. Just don't let me find out you're deceiving us."
Keqing realized only after hearing her own footsteps that she had followed him far longer than intended.
Embarrassed, she forced a stern tone to cover it up.
Rita—or rather, the person she believed to be Rita—had given them what seemed like important information.
But none of it was verifiable.
And that mysterious "young master" behind her remained an unknown variable.
So Keqing kept her guard up.
"But Lady Yuheng," Su Mo said with a delicate smile,
"you don't seem to be able to beat me. Are you sure you'll be alright?
Please don't force yourself."
This woman…
Keqing inhaled sharply.
"Yes, you're right, I can't beat you," she snapped.
"But if you have the confidence to face the anger of all of Liyue,
then by all means—try."
"Very well. But as I said—time will prove everything.
If you'll excuse me, Lady Yuheng."
Seeing Keqing so tense, Su Mo decided not to tease her anymore.
With that, he leaped onto a nearby rooftop and vanished into the night.
'Something beneath the sea…
The girl who killed the Archon won't return…
Someone plans to strike at Liyue…
And that mysterious young master…'
Keqing lingered in the street, staring at the direction where the "maid" disappeared.
She had much to think about—
and no time to rest.
I really shouldn't have run that far…
Su Mo—back in his original form—finally returned to Liyue Harbor from the outskirts.
He instantly regretted how far he had traveled.
After separating from Keqing, he ran all the way to an isolated area just to safely transform back with the system's cover.
Secure? Yes.
Convenient? Absolutely not.
Though the Herrscher of the Void's teleportation would've solved everything,
he chose to walk back himself—just to stay safe.
Keqing definitely wouldn't expect me to come back looking like this…
He had played the elegant, untouchable "mysterious maid" earlier—
and now here he was, panting like an exhausted traveler.
At least no one saw him.
The "young master" and his "maid" still maintained their perfect mystique.
All according to plan—
Keqing?
Why is she still here?
Su Mo froze.
Keqing was standing not far away, seemingly lost in thought.
Su Mo?
That strange boy who always drinks tea with Zhongli…
Noticing eyes on her, Keqing looked up—and recognized him instantly.
Despite not having a Vision, he could use elemental power—several types at that.
She had taken note of him long ago, and they had crossed paths multiple times.
"Lady Yuheng, out so late?
Waiting for someone?"
Su Mo walked up calmly.
He had no reason to panic—Keqing couldn't possibly connect him to the "maid."
"No. But… let me ask you something."
Keqing kept her gaze steady.
"Do you think someone would leak important information—yet not all of it—
then hide behind the scenes just to watch others struggle?
Like in… murder cases, for example."
She didn't suspect him.
She simply believed an outsider's perspective might spark something.
"Absolutely possible," Su Mo replied without hesitation.
"There are people who enjoy watching others suffer through half-truths.
It gives them a sense of control—
of pulling the strings.
That feeling of manipulating those with higher status than oneself?
Some find it… intoxicating."
He spoke seriously, because he truly wasn't doing it for fun—
he was doing it for the system's mission.
"I see…"
Keqing fell deep into thought.
What he described…
she had seen it countless times among officials and newly-appointed nobles.
Those intoxicated by authority, using it to twist others beneath them.
So that's how it is…
So that's how it is…
"Thank you, Su Mo.
If this leads anywhere, I'll treat you to a meal.
I must go."
Energized by a new direction, Keqing hurried off.
"Uh—sure…"
Watching her rush away with sudden enlightenment, Su Mo felt… guilty.
Because he had just misled her entirely.
Amitabha… please forgive me.
Carrying his tiny burden of guilt, he began walking home.
"Mr. Zhongli, who are we waiting for?"
The next morning, Su Mo arrived early to meet Zhongli, as planned.
But Zhongli said they still needed one more person.
"Childe," Zhongli replied.
"The young man you met yesterday."
"Oh? So he's helping too?
Didn't expect someone so willing to provide money and labor.
He must really respect the Archon."
Su Mo's impression of Childe improved again.
"Ahem… perhaps.
He came to the Funeral Parlor late last night to discuss it.
But it's good—an extra set of hands.
We must finish all preparations by today."
"So urgent?
Will we even make it in time?"
"It is not a matter of time," Zhongli said quietly, sipping his tea.
"There are things beyond our control.
What must come will come.
All we can do is prepare."
Su Mo blinked.
What was that supposed to mean?
Before he could ask—
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Childe's cheerful voice called out.
"I was held up a bit."
"No worries," Zhongli said calmly.
"Now that we're all here, let us begin.
First, we must—"
"Mr. Zhongli," Childe suddenly interrupted,
"If the Archon truly has passed…
where is his mortal shell?
We'll need it for the funeral rites, won't we?
Should I be preparing something?"
Zhongli shook his head.
"No need to worry.
When the time comes, we will see it."
"Hahaha! Then I'm relieved.
Whatever's needed, leave it to me— I'll prepare everything for the Archon!
Though… I wonder if he can sense my sincerity?
Maybe he'll send me a gift or two.
Don't you think so?"
His laughter echoed through the morning air.
Su Mo and Zhongli exchanged glances.
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