Near Cuijue Slope.
the ground was covered in cracks and pits, as if struck by some unknown force.
Compounded by the abnormal weather phenomena, the paths everywhere were layered with accumulated snow and shards of ice.
Just as Keqing and Ningguang had feared, Yanfei and the residents she was responsible for relocating had now fallen into a desperate situation.
This evacuation team, unfortunately, encountered two groups of wandering Ruin Guards on their way back to Liyue Harbor and found themselves blocked from both ends.
In their panic, they could only hastily form a defensive line by encircling their carts.
But against those war machines, it was of little use.
The temporary stronghold was already in chaos.
The shouts of adults. The frightened whinnies of horses. The sobs of the elderly and children.
For these people, their only hope now was the pink-haired young woman standing in front of them a Vision bearer Miss Yanfei.
"Lawful Fire, guide me!"
Yanfei summoned flames with her law book, wrapping them around the four Ruin Guards.
Under her precise Pyro control, the intensely hot flames warped and deformed the leg joints of two of the automatons, finally halting their advance.
The people behind her, seeing this, couldn't help but cheer, calling out her name.
But compared to their joy, Yanfei's expression remained tense, without a hint of relief.
She stared into the distance, where more Ruin Guards were being drawn by the commotion.
'This is bad. The situation is getting worse and worse...'
Yanfei's face was pale, fine sweat beading on her forehead, and the hand holding her law book trembled, nearly numb with exhaustion.
She could feel an old injury in her chest aching faintly, hindering the flow of her elemental energy.
"What should I do..."
"If this continues, we probably won't last until Liyue's reinforcements arrive..."
Earlier, Yanfei had been nearby, providing legal consultation for a land dispute between two families in the area. She happened to get caught up in the aftermath of the battle where Shenhe had unleashed her power and lost control, summoning the Adeptal weapon.
Yanfei was still some distance from the center of that battle, yet she could sense the violent, destructive power running rampant—its terrifying intensity making her secretly shudder.
Then came the abnormal weather phenomena—the snowfall over Liyue.
After receiving a message from the Millelith, she realized the severity of the situation and immediately agreed to protect the dozen or so nearby households during evacuation.
But now, she felt immense regret.
If she had known the situation would become this dangerous, she wouldn't have so readily accepted the Millelith's request.
It wasn't that she cared about her own safety. With her Vision and half-Adeptus blood, if she wanted to leave, these clumsy Ruin Guards couldn't stop her.
But if she left—what would happen to these dozen households?
She couldn't just stand by and watch them die.
Yanfei bit her lip. Even someone as strong-willed as her couldn't help but show a trace of despair in her eyes.
---
Meanwhile, on a high slope above.
A group of people looked down upon the trapped Liyue evacuation team below.
At their head stood a handsome young man dressed in luxurious attire, his orange hair partially covered by a red mask worn sideways.
Behind him stood over a dozen strangely dressed men and women, also wearing masks.
A fat man holding a firearm and carrying a strange box on his back; a tall, burly man wielding a giant hammer crackling with lightning; a slender young man holding a yellow staff; an alluring woman dressed in ice-blue, carrying a lantern...
"Lord Child, shall we go down to assist?"
The man with the Electro Hammer bent down and asked in a deep voice.
He was, of course, referring to Yanfei and the others below.
"No need to rush."
Child smiled easily, looking down at the Liyue convoy as if watching a flock of lambs being hunted by wolves—driven to a dead end.
"Only when people are in dire straits, on the brink of life and death, will they be more grateful for timely help. To make Liyue owe us a favor, we must wait a little longer."
The Electro Hammer Vanguard nodded in acknowledgment and stepped back, waiting quietly for the right moment.
Until Child saw Yanfei below get struck by a Ruin Guard, her petite body sent flying.
He allowed a slight smile to touch his lips.
"It seems it's time for us to make our entrance."
Child flicked his wrists, and two gleaming water blades materialized in his hands. He prepared to descend from on high—to become the savior of these Liyue people.
"Hmm? What's that..."
Just then, he let out a sound of surprise, his expression changing abruptly, his movement halting mid-launch.
---
Thud!
Surrounded once again by several Ruin Guards, her strength failing, Yanfei's movements became increasingly sluggish. Finally, caught off guard, she was struck hard by a Ruin Guard's iron fist.
She was sent flying backward instantly, feeling as though the immense force of the blow had displaced her internal organs. The pain was so intense she nearly lost consciousness.
If it weren't for her half-Adeptus bloodline and resilient body, that single blow would have been enough to kill her.
'Is this it? The reinforcements... they didn't make it in time after all...'
As her body flew through the air, in that fleeting moment, many thoughts flashed through her mind.
Looking at those panicked civilians, her lips moved slightly:
"I'm sorry... I made a contract, but I failed to keep it. I couldn't protect you..."
Yanfei knew all too well that she had no strength left to continue fighting.
She had reached her limit.
She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain of impact upon landing.
However, in the next moment—
Yanfei instead felt a gentle force catch her.
Then, she fell into a warm embrace.
A gentle male voice sounded in her ear:
"You are not at fault. You have already done what you should. You have, at the very least, fulfilled your part of the agreement. You should not be bound any further."
"..."
She had always been a strong girl.
Even moments ago—believing she had reached the end of her life—she hadn't shed a tear.
But now, hearing such kind words...
Her nose stung with unshed tears.
Few people knew that Yanfei was a rare mixed-blood Adeptus who had never formed a contract with the Geo Archon. After all what she desired most was a life of freedom and happiness.
Yanfei struggled to open her tear-blurred eyes, a surge of impulse rising in her heart—wanting to see clearly what the person who had saved her looked like.
Someone with such a voice... he must be a gentle, refined gentleman, right?...
However—
When she opened her eyes, she saw a single large eye glowing with crimson light, staring intently at her, flickering as if curious about her.
???
"Ah!"
Yanfei let out a startled cry, nearly struggling free and falling.
"A... a Ruin Hunter?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.
-------
A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
Honkai Impact 3rd, I Can Transform into a Valkyrie!
patreon.com/deadlygoober