"Why steal it? Maybe... personal preference?" Yun Fan thought for a moment and gave a clearly unreliable answer.
"Preference?" Keqing's lips twitched. Who would have such a preference?
"Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'll leave the rest to you. Good luck," Yun Fan shook his head, gave Keqing a little encouragement, and then turned to leave Yuehai Pavilion.
"Wait, Yun Fan," Keqing reached out and stopped him. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Why don't you handle this yourself?"
'If I handled it myself, how would I get to see the cat vs. duck battle?' Yun Fan thought to himself but said, "Liyue is no longer a child. I believe in the Qixing and the people of Liyue to protect their homeland. By the way, the Geo Archon was quite impressed with your ideas during the Rite of Descension."
"The Geo Archon... was impressed?"
"Xiao." After leaving Yuehai Pavilion, Yun Fan found a relatively secluded spot and softly called out Xiao's name.
A few moments later, a green light shimmered, and Xiao appeared before Yun Fan.
"Yaksha Xiao, at your service. What are your orders, Lord Yun Fan?"
"Mm," Yun Fan acknowledged. A few days ago, he had noticed Xiao's presence in Liyue Harbor. Lumine must have summoned him. But why wasn't he with the other adepti?
"Have you seen Cloud Retainer and the others?" Yun Fan extended his senses but didn't detect Cloud Retainer's presence in Liyue Harbor.
"Lord Yun Fan, Cloud Retainer and the others have returned to Jueyun Karst."
Yun Fan: ???
"They've returned to Jueyun Karst?" Yun Fan was surprised and asked for confirmation.
"Indeed," Xiao confirmed. Seeing Yun Fan's confusion, he explained, "Mountain Shaper performed a divination. According to him, a calamity is approaching Liyue. Thus, they returned to Jueyun Karst to prepare their divine tools, leaving me here to guard."
"Mountain Shaper really has some skills. He even predicted that," Yun Fan marveled.
"Xiao, the calamity will be handled by me and Cloud Retainer. There's something more important for you to do."
"Please give your orders, Lord Yun Fan."
"Tomorrow night or the morning after, the Fatui will cause chaos in Lingju Pass and the southern gate, inciting monster rampages. To avoid harming innocents, I need you to keep an eye on things," Yun Fan explained the Fatui's plan to the Vigilant Yaksha. With Xiao's strength, dealing with a few Geovishaps and Ruin Guards shouldn't be a problem. Without the burden of karmic debt, he could fight at full strength.
"Yes!"
"Miss Lumine, thank you for the information," Ningguang instructed Baiwen to bring three cups of tea. She personally brewed the tea and placed a cup in front of Lumine as a gesture of thanks.
"Ningguang, you don't seem surprised. Did you already know?" Paimon couldn't help but ask, seeing how calm Ningguang was. Her reaction was too composed.
"Hehe, I had already anticipated the Fatui's actions. These troublemakers would never stay quiet. I just didn't know when they would act. But based on your information, it should be in the next couple of days, right?" Ningguang gently swayed her pipe, her eyes narrowing, exuding unparalleled confidence.
"As expected of Ningguang," Paimon couldn't help but praise. The Qixing were indeed a group of very smart people.
"Though it's a pity we couldn't confirm their exact timing. Otherwise..."
"They will launch a surprise attack on the Golden House at noon the day after tomorrow. Ningguang, deploy the Millelith's main force to set up defenses. I will personally lead the troops," before Ningguang could finish, Keqing's pleasant voice interrupted. Everyone turned to look at her.
"Ah, it's Keqing." "Long time no see, Keqing." Lumine and Paimon greeted her in turn, and Keqing smiled and nodded in response.
"The day after tomorrow at noon? Understood. Be careful," Ningguang nodded in agreement. She assumed Keqing's information came from the adepti.
"Um... Keqing, about the commission you gave us..." Paimon spoke up awkwardly, her hands behind her back, fidgeting.
"We didn't find Yun Fan. The adepti don't know of his existence," Lumine said tactfully, implying that this "Yun Fan" might not be an adeptus and that Keqing might have been deceived.
"Mm, thank you for the reminder. But I've already found Yun Fan. He's in Liyue Harbor right now."
"You found him? Then who is Yun Fan..."
"Ahem, Paimon, don't ask," Lumine coughed lightly. This little one really couldn't help but ask about everything. Didn't she know some things were better left unsaid?
"No need for that. We're friends, aren't we?" Keqing shook her head. "Yun Fan is my master. He left Liyue a year ago, and I was worried, so I asked you to help look for him."
"Huh? So he's just your master? I thought it was a love... mmph!" Seeing Paimon about to blurt out something inappropriate, Lumine quickly covered her mouth. If Paimon said it out loud, it would be awkward for both of them.
"Haha, we'll be going now. We still have some things to take care of," Lumine picked up Paimon, ready to make a quick exit. If they stayed any longer, who knew what Paimon might say?
"Lumine, wait," Keqing called out to her.
Lumine turned around, looking at Keqing in confusion. Was there something else?
"On the day the Fatui attack the Golden House, I hope you can help me fight them off," Keqing said. During the battle against the Geovishaps, Keqing had witnessed Lumine's strength. Controlling two elements at once was unheard of. If Lumine weren't so focused on her journey, Keqing would have loved to keep such talent in Liyue.
"I will," Lumine nodded solemnly.
Since she had suffered a loss against La Signora, she would make up for it against Tartaglia. After all, judging by their titles "Childe" and "Signora," they must be close, right?