The blue-haired woman exited the room, closing the door behind her. Out of habit, her sharp gaze swept the surroundings, quickly spotting a man of extraordinary bearing seated by the viewing platform.
Suddenly, she saw the man rise, his eyes meeting hers.
'Yelan?'
Feng Yi murmured softly to himself.
In his past life, he had seen leaks from the insiders and had some impression of this woman. She seemed to be a member of the General Affairs Department, elusive and unpredictable.
'Is this the Feng Yi Lady Ningguang spoke of? Interesting...'
Yelan's lips curved slightly. She averted her gaze, then flicked her blue hair and white mink coat, turning to disappear at the end of the corridor.
Watching Yelan's retreating back, Feng Yi's mind frantically sifted through all the information related to Yelan.
The work of the Liyue General Affairs Department was transparent and open. From the high officials in Jade Chamber to the basic employees of the eight departments, their basic information was recorded in the government registry. Only Yelan, who claimed to work there, was an exception.
Most of her colleagues had never even heard her name, and she was not found in the registry.
It truly matched her style – elusive and unpredictable.
It was said that she was like a ghost, often appearing in the center of various events in different guises, and vanishing before the storm subsided.
Occasionally, a faction would receive her assistance, but just as they congratulated themselves, the same assistance would soon appear for another party.
Those who had suffered losses gritted their teeth in frustration, yet no one could see through her intentions or discern her stance.
Some believed she was a spy serving a mysterious organization, adept at fanning the flames and profiting from it.
Even more insisted that she was merely a fervent anarchist, with no organization and no proper objective; even if she did, it was only to stir the pot further, ignite the fire brighter, and draw everyone into the world of madness she created.
Amidst the various opinions, everything about her became a mystery. The truth, perhaps, could only be answered by Yelan herself.
However, it was also not an easy task. Until she decided to be seen, no one could find her.
This was roughly all Feng Yi knew about Yelan; she was truly a mysterious woman.
Thinking this, Feng Yi knocked on the door of Ningguang's study.
On the other side, Yelan was leaning against the railing of the stairwell, using the concealed vantage point to observe Feng Yi entering Ningguang's study.
She took out a small notebook from her pocket, found the page with Feng Yi's name on it, and jotted down her initial impressions.
In the eyes of Liyue's citizens, the General Affairs Department kept a special attention registry.
Not many people were listed, but all of them were talented individuals – the leader of an unparalleled brave armed fleet, a powerful traveler from another land, and even some reclusive yet renowned Adepti...
These individuals could easily stir up immense trouble in Liyue. Even if they had no such intention, the General Affairs Department kept a closer watch on them to prevent any unexpected events.
Few knew that outside this registry, there was another secret intelligence registry with a higher classification.
The people on this registry were the truly dangerous characters threatening Liyue.
Were there Fatui Harbingers? Or mysterious Abyss forces? Or were even gods registered?
Beyond the Seven Stars, perhaps only Yelan could answer this question, as she was the compiler of both registries.
Considering Feng Yi's goodwill towards Liyue and his complex and friendly relationship with Liyue's high-ranking officials, Yelan temporarily recorded Feng Yi's information in the first registry.
After writing it down, Yelan showed a slight, satisfied smile.
Such work results pleased her. She refined the registry day after day, just as a crow brings back shiny little treasures to its nest day after day.
The difference between the two obsessions was that crows could complete their task with just a flap of their wings, while the amount of blood and sweat she had to expend was unknown.
But fortunately, she did not care about the cost at all. She believed that whatever she paid would be far less valuable than the intelligence itself.
'One day, they will be of use – Liyue will never again fall into disaster unknowingly, as it did five hundred years ago.'
Yelan reaffirmed her belief. With her here, Liyue would not be caught unprepared.
...
"Feng Yi, when you came in, you must have seen her too, right? Yelan is a very interesting person, and to me, an absolutely trustworthy one. She's tactful and her abilities are impeccable."
Ningguang put down her work and pulled Feng Yi to sit by the tea table, commenting briefly on Yelan, who had just left.
"As long as you know what you're doing, no one can see people better than you..."
During their brief first encounter, Yelan gave him a sense of deep cunning, something ordinary people might not be able to handle.
Feng Yi was about to remind Ningguang, but suddenly thought, in terms of cunning, who could compare to Ningguang?
As the Tianquan of Liyue, in charge of Liyue's administrative power, Ningguang had seen all sorts of people. If she were not shrewd, she would have been replaced long ago.
So he didn't say anything more and wasn't concerned about what Ningguang and Yelan discussed.
"Don't worry, I certainly know. Although you two haven't officially met yet, you will surely have many interactions in the future..."
Ningguang smiled slightly. Yelan's ancestors had served Liyue wholeheartedly, and by extension, Yelan was a descendant of heroes, a true patriot.
Trusting her subordinates, Ningguang granted Yelan great trust and privileges.
Over the years, Yelan had not failed Ningguang's trust and privileges, like a ghost, often appearing in various situations in different guises, and vanishing before the storm subsided.
With her elusive and unpredictable style, she brought Ningguang much confidential and important intelligence.
As a result, Yelan stood out among the intelligence personnel and became a special intelligence officer directly reporting to Ningguang, transforming into Ningguang's other eye for overseeing Liyue and even the continent of Teyvat.
This is what is meant by: Where the Heavenly Stars think, a phantom traveler roams.
"Interactions? She's so elusive, what kind of interactions could I have with her? Never mind, let's not talk about her. I just want to 'interact' with you now..."
"Hm? Wait a moment, Bai Shi is at the door. Please wait for me, I'll send her away..."
Ningguang first froze, then understood.
Making up an excuse to send Bai Shi away, she began a deep exchange with Feng Yi, turning years of longing into a raging flood...