The graceful young woman paused, thinking carefully."I only caught a quick glance—blue hair, short stature... I think it was a girl!"
"And she had a really serious expression, not even the slightest smile."
At this point, the woman spread her hands with a puzzled look.
"Did they take this path?"
Qiu Bai asked her slowly, his gaze calm and steady.
"Yes, they walked straight down this road."
The young woman nodded and replied to Qiu Bai.
"Let's go after them!"
Paimon shouted, and the group quickly took off in that direction.
After watching them leave, the woman clutched her chest and let out a breath of relief.
Zhongli and Qiu Bai looks had nearly left her speechless.
The group, mid-run, suddenly came to a halt.
"There are footprints on the ground... ah! There's someone over there!"
Paimon widened her eyes, spotting a woman ahead just about to be attacked by a juvenile Geovishap Hatchling.
"Help! Please, someone help me!"
A cry for help echoed from afar.
Qiu Bai brows furrowed and in an instant he vanished from sight.
Just as the Geovishap Hatchling leapt toward the woman, ready to strike—
Qiu Bai appeared right in front of her like a flash.
Though they were called juvenile Geovishaps, it was only in comparison to their massive adult forms—they were still larger than a human.
Qiu Bai threw a powerful punch right into the creature belly!
With a heavy impact, the hatchling was launched through the air.
Boom!
With a dull thud, it slammed into the nearby cliff wall, then dropped to the ground, motionless.
The other nearby hatchlings seeing what had happened, turned and ran without hesitation.
"Thank you, kind sir!"
"My name is Wanyu, thank you so much for saving me!"
The woman, wearing traditional Liyue attire with a long dress, black stockings, heels and glasses, stood up and gratefully thanked Qiu Bai.
"Hehe, no need to be so formal, Miss Wanyu."
"It was just a small effort, no trouble at all."
Qiu Bai turned toward her with a smile.
The breeze fluttered his clothes and tousled his hair slightly, his handsome features briefly left Wanyu stunned.
"Qiu Bai!"
Paimon voice rang out from behind and Kun Jun, Lumine, and Zhongli caught up shortly after.
"These creatures are way too aggressive, they attack you just for passing by!"
"They pounced on me without a word... If it weren't for this gentleman, I might've been done for. Thank you so much."
Wanyu patted her chest, letting out a relieved sigh. She then looked at Qiu Bai, cheeks slightly flushed.
"My name is Wanyu, and I'm with the Liyue Shengluting."
"I'm responsible for research on historical and cultural relics."
She introduced herself softly while gently resting a hand on her chest.
"Shengluting?"
"That's the same place Uncle Yu from the Dream Archon incident came from, right?"
"Looks like all those experts came from there."
Qiu Bai smiled at the mention—he remembered Uncle Yu, the archaeology expert who donated five million Mora to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
It seemed like people in the field of historical relics were all pretty well off.
"Aww, not a miner..."
Paimon waved her hand and looked at Lumine with a hint of disappointment.
"A miner?"
Wanyu looked puzzled.
"Yeah, we're looking for a group of miners, twelve in total!"
"All tall men carrying mining tools."
Paimon nodded as she explained to Wanyu.
"I think... I've seen the people you're talking about."
Wanyu thought for a moment and then said to Paimon.
"Really?"
Paimon widened her eyes in surprise, staring at Wanyu.
"Yes. I left from Nantianmen two days ago, heading toward Lingju Pass."
"On the way, I ran into a group—a child and a dozen or so adults."
Wanyu explained while looking at the group.
"Miss Wanyu, could you tell us a bit more?"
Lumine asked politely.
"I was in a bit of a hurry, so I didn't get a good look."
"I can't remember their faces or details... sorry."
Wanyu tried to recall but couldn't come up with more, apologizing to everyone.
"This is already enough. Thank you, Miss Wanyu."
Zhongli nodded and spoke calmly.
"I'm glad I could help!"
"Then I'll be on my way—I have an academic conference to attend. Once again, thank you, sir."
Wanyu thanked Qiu Bai again and began walking back in the direction of Liyue Harbor.
"Based on Miss Wanyu's description..."
"It seems that group was headed toward Nantianmen."
Qiu Bai said to the others.
"But are we sure it's the same group?"
Kun Jun looked at Qiu Bai with a bit of doubt.
"Heh... a child and over a dozen adults."
"And since they were carrying mining tools, it should be the same group."
Qiu Bai turned to Kun Jun with a smile.
"But a child mixed in with a bunch of adults?"
"That's not exactly common."
Paimon waved her hand as she spoke.
"It's actually quite common."
Lumine, Kun Jun, Qiu Bai and Zhongli all turned their gaze toward Paimon.
"Uh... well, um..."
Paimon suddenly became tongue-tied. After all, weren't they currently just four adults and one small child-like Paimon?
"Hey, look at that stone over there!"
Kun Jun seemed to spot something and pointed toward a piece of Cor Lapis.
"Oh oh! That trick!"
Paimon clapped her hands, almost forgetting about that method.
"This should work. Let me give it a try."
Kun Jun waved and slowly walked toward the Cor Lapis.
He then crouched down and placed his palm on the surface of the crystal.
"Hmm..."
"Yes, it's them. They followed this path."
After a moment Kun Jun stood up turned to the group and confirmed.
"Brother Kun reading the memory of a stone..."
"No matter how many times I see it, it's still fascinating."
Zhongli looked at Kun Jun with a smile.
"This so-called ability really doesn't come in handy most of the time."
"But if it can bring Mr. Zhongli some amusement, then I suppose it's worth something."
Kun Jun chuckled as he replied.
"Indeed, reading the memory of a stone..."
"I've never heard of such a power before."
Qiu Bai looked at Kun Jun and asked curiously.
"Doesn't Mr. Qiu Bai also have the ability to teleport?"
"I'd never heard of that either before meeting you."
Kun Jun smiled in response.
"Heh, fair enough."
Qiu Bai let out a light laugh, not denying it.
"Little Kun, you're basically our compass!"
"With you around, we'll never lose our way."
Paimon said cheerfully as she looked at Kun Jun.
"Hahahaha, is that so? Then I guess my trip here wasn't in vain."
Kun Jun smiled, placing a hand on his chest.
"Hmm, this feels... kind of like we're solving a case. So fun."
Kun Jun rubbed his chin and chuckled, thinking back to when they had first arrived here.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)