Yujing Terrace, Liyue Harbor.
After making a wish, Lumine moved to another incense burner to make another one.
"I hope I can find a clue about my brother from the Geo Archon."
Paimon was fidgeting, waving her hands impatiently.
"I wonder how long Lady Ningguang will take to get ready?"
Then, she followed Qiu Bai as they walked toward the center of Yujing Terrace.
Around them, whispers spread among the crowd.
Qiu Bai and Lumine squeezed through the masses.
"Wow, there are so many people!"
"Let's move a little closer. We can't see anything from back here."
With that, Paimon flew ahead.
Lumine also pushed forward, her gaze locking onto Ningguang at the front.
Qiu Bai, on the other hand, remained at the back, quietly observing. Being an Archon, he didn't need to push forward—he could see everything just fine.
At that moment, Ningguang stood at the center of Yujing Terrace. She glanced up at the sun, then gracefully stepped forward on her jade-like legs.
"The auspicious hour has arrived."
The attendants beside her bowed their heads and stepped back.
A surge of Geo energy formed around Ningguang, followed by the appearance of four gemstone-like entities, resembling elemental constructs.
The gemstones hovered around her in a slow, elegant dance.
Then, Ningguang extended her finger toward the incense burner in front of her. One by one, the jade stones embedded themselves into it.
In an instant, a golden pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the heavens.
The entire atmosphere shifted—colors drained from the world as the winds roared and dark clouds gathered.
Suddenly, thunder crackled, and lightning tore across the sky.
Then, from above, a half-dragon fell.
...
"I may have seen this scene in the game before..."
"But witnessing it in person—it really does feel different."
Qiu Bai rested his chin on his hand, watching with mild amusement.
Although... wasn't this dragon a little too small?
Then again, it made sense—this was just a false body.
If the real Morax had fallen, half of Liyue Harbor would have been reduced to rubble.
...
Ningguang's expression turned grave. She quickly stepped forward and knelt down to examine the fallen form. Around her, the crowd erupted in murmurs.
Slowly, she stood up and backed away. Then, turning swiftly, she raised her hand.
"The Emperor has been assassinated! Lock down the area!"
The moment her words fell, a wave of Qianyan soldiers rushed in from the entrance, surrounding the entire terrace.
"Search everyone—leave no suspicious person unchecked!"
With those orders given, Ningguang stood frozen, staring at the lifeless form of the Geo Archon. The scene from moments ago replayed over and over in her mind.
"If the Emperor has been slain… then what about the Immortal Lord?"
"A force capable of killing a god…?"
"Whoever is behind this—there's no way they're leaving Liyue alive."
Her gaze sharpened.
Qianyan Formation—capable of resisting even an Archon!
...
"W-What the heck is going on?!"
Paimon clutched her head in disbelief.
"She said the Emperor was assassinated..."
"N-No way… Does that mean the Geo Archon is... d-dead?!"
"The Qianyan Army is moving in. Looks like they're investigating anyone who was too close to the scene."
Lumine cautiously scanned the surroundings.
"The Geo Archon is dead… what does that mean for my brother's whereabouts?"
But then, another thought struck her.
"Wait… we're the ones who were closest to the scene."
Lumine frowned.
"If this god was an enemy of the past, he cannot be left in the hands of his followers."
With that thought, she subtly turned and began moving toward the exit.
"Hey, wait for me!"
Paimon stomped her foot and hurried after her.
...
Meanwhile, Qiu Bai stood calmly, waiting for the inspection.
There was no reason for him to run.
As expected, a Qianyan soldier approached, flipping open a notebook.
"Age?"
"Twenty-two."
"Occupation?"
"Guest Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Name?"
"Qiu Bai."
"...Alright, everything checks out. You may go."
The soldier nodded and moved on.
...
"Someone is escaping!"
"After them—quickly!"
Qiu Bai didn't need to guess.
It's Lumine and Paimon, obviously.
The remaining citizens, now understanding what had just happened, were left in stunned silence.
Some even collapsed onto the ground in shock.
He muttered to himself.
"First the Immortal Lord, now the Emperor Lord."
"What will become of Liyue in the days to come...?"
"A contract that lasted for thousands of years—gone, just like that."
"No! I refuse to believe it! How could the Emperor Lord and the Immortal Lord be slain?!"
Qiu Bai observed the crowd's reactions and sighed.
"The people of Liyue have become far too reliant on him… and on Morax."
"This nation called Liyue—it must learn to stand on its own."
...
Ningguang, standing in the distance, couldn't conceal her disbelief and sorrow.
Her gaze drifted toward Qiu Bai.
Why was this new guest consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor so mysterious?
A few days ago, Keqing had informed her of his arrival, describing him as someone with a strikingly celestial appearance.
From what Ningguang had gathered through her investigations, this Qiu Bai was humble, knowledgeable in all matters, and a close friend of Zhongli.
Polite and composed, he carried no visible ill intentions.
Yet, for all her resources and intelligence networks, she had found nothing on his past.
Before becoming a guest consultant, this "Mr. Qiu Bai" seemingly did not exist.
"A truly enigmatic man."
"Even the death of a god... and not a single ripple of emotion?"
A thought stirred within her—perhaps it was worth getting to know him better.
With that in mind, she started toward him.
...
Qiu Bai stood by the railing of Yujing Terrace, his hands behind his back.
The wind stirred his white robes, and for a brief moment, Ningguang found herself distracted by the sight.
She quickly composed herself and approached.
"Since you've already passed the investigation, Mr. Qiu Bai,"
"why linger? Why not take your leave?"
She stood beside him, gazing at the same distant horizon.
"Heh, just passing the time, enjoying the view," Qiu Bai replied casually.
"The Qianyan Army instructor never said I had to leave immediately, did he?"
Turning to look at her, he smiled.
Ningguang—the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
A woman of immense wealth, power, and influence.
From a girl too poor to afford shoes, to the most powerful merchant in Liyue—it had been no easy journey.
"And yet, it is you, Lady Tianquan, who chooses to engage in idle conversation with a mere guest consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"I must say, I feel deeply honored."
There was no sarcasm in his tone—only amusement.
After all, in the grand scheme of things, he truly was just a guest consultant in Liyue Harbor.
"Mr. Qiu Bai is too modest."
"I simply find myself… curious about where you come from."
Ningguang frowned slightly.
Too many unanswered questions surrounded this man.
Qiu Bai could sense her wariness, but he simply turned his gaze back to the horizon, his hands still clasped behind his back.
"I am just a guest consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"At least… for now."
Then, after a brief pause, he murmured:
"Liyue, the land of gods… How will it respond to the death of one?"
Ningguang was momentarily taken aback.
By the time she regained her senses, Qiu Bai was gone.
Had he vanished into thin air?
Could he be an Adeptus…?
...
I will grow old. The Seven Stars will change hands. And yet, Liyue Harbor will endure, ever prosperous.
"Even if the Emperor Lord and Immortal Lord are truly gone, Liyue still has the Qixing… and its people."
"The era of human rule has begun."
Ningguang's gaze hardened with resolve.
The Qixing stood as the pillars of Liyue. If she faltered now, so too would the people's faith.
There was no room for weakness.
"But that Mr. Qiu Bai… truly a mystery."
"Could he be an Adeptus? But… I don't recall ever hearing of one like him."