Lately, a large number of scoundrels have emerged, not only defrauding the elderly but even tricking children out of their money, causing considerable trouble.
Ningguang also intervened, leading the Millelith to dismantle numerous scam operations and confiscate substantial amounts of ill-gotten gains. This illustrates the immense profitability of fraud, yet crime remains crime and will not be tolerated.
This has left Keqing somewhat exhausted, and she still had to work overtime today. Just as she was about to start her shift, she encountered a few people who had witnessed the preceding scene.
Ganyu looked at the person before her with a slight blush, her earlier impulse to question Lu Ze completely gone, replaced by a shy glance at Keqing.
“Alright, I won’t delay your tasks. Hurry along, and be careful on your way.”
Keqing slowly released her hand and walked inside without looking back. The blush on Ganyu’s face gradually faded.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Ganyu returned to normal, looking at Lu Ze with a questioning gaze. Who did he just call fat?
She had definitely heard her name. He was utterly audacious, calling her so fat!
“Ganyu, don’t look at me like that. I don’t know anything, truly…”
How could Lu Ze possibly not know? If not for that murderous glare, he might have continued speaking.
“You’d better not know. If I catch you saying that about me again, you’re finished. Let’s go, I’ll take you somewhere.”
Ganyu said softly. The group then left the Jade Chamber together, venturing out of Liyue and heading towards the legendary Cloud Retainer’s abode in the Jueyun Karst, intending to gather some information.
After all, among the Adepti, she was the one who enjoyed gossip the most.
As they reached the cave entrance, Paimon looked at the shallow water and suddenly had a whimsical idea.
“In the story, that man accidentally fell into the water and attracted this particular Adeptus. Why don’t we try it? Perhaps it will attract them too?”
It sounded somewhat logical, and Lumine was momentarily taken aback. Paimon, you came up with the bad idea, why are you making me do it? You should do it yourself!
“Don’t expect me to help you. You came up with the bad idea, so you do it.”
Paimon immediately grew anxious. She had absolutely no confidence in swimming. How could a little flying spirit possibly fall into the water? How had she managed it back then?
“Traveler, you know I can’t swim, and it’s just a short swim, it’s nothing.”
Seemingly annoyed by Paimon’s plea, Lumine reluctantly agreed. She quickly dove into the water and swam around, while Paimon, on the shore, shouted loudly:
“Someone’s drowning! Are there any kind Adepti who can come and save them…”
The next moment, the Traveler was pulled ashore. Although she was soaking wet, the person didn't seem to mind, looking at her with some concern in their eyes.
“With your skills, you shouldn’t have fallen into the water. Did something happen?”
This person was none other than the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, with the tall, mature figure of an Adeptus disciple, Shenhe, standing behind him. Both had intended to save her, but Xiao had been a step faster.
“Are you alright? You look like you’ve swallowed a lot of water.”
Shenhe looked at Lumine with worry. She did not want this person to be harmed.
“I’m fine. We were just looking for an Adeptus who can play beautiful music and even save people unseen. Have you two seen her?”
Upon hearing the general description, Xiao shook his head and said:
“To my knowledge, I don’t have any friends of that nature. However, your method of searching is too extreme. You should avoid using it in the future; it’s quite worrying.”
Seeing Lumine being lectured, Paimon, who was in the wrong, also spoke up:
“It’s my fault, all my fault! I shouldn’t have come up with such a silly idea. I’m truly sorry.”
Shenhe, after a few seconds of thought, also shook her head.
“As an Adeptus disciple, I don’t know any Adepti like that. I’m truly sorry, I can’t help you.”
Lumine withdrew from Xiao’s support and said with a smile:
“It’s alright, both of you. Xiao, you must be very busy, right? I haven’t seen much of you since we last parted. How is it going? Did it succeed?”
Xiao naturally understood what she was asking about.
“It succeeded, but they still need some time to adapt. With the current progress, we should be able to reunite tomorrow. I have Lu Ze to thank for this.”
Xiao looked at Lu Ze, who was leaning against a large tree nearby, and bowed slightly.
“Ah, Conqueror of Demons, please rise. This is but a drop in the ocean compared to the time and effort you’ve dedicated to protecting Liyue.”
Upon hearing Lu Ze’s name, Shenhe was slightly startled. She then quickly looked behind her, having not noticed a person standing under the tree earlier.
“Is that Lu Ze?”
The man turned his head to look at her, a gentle smile on his face, and said:
“Yes, it’s me. It’s been a while, Miss Shenhe. I’ve missed you terribly.”
The two finally met again after many days. Shenhe smiled slightly and whispered:
“This is Cloud Retainer’s abode. I have one here too. Would you like to come over for a visit? I’ll make you tea and water, and we can have a good chat.”
Her words stirred some interest in Lu Ze, but he sighed and said:
“No need for that. I won’t be staying here long. I have to rush back for dinner this afternoon. I’m truly sorry, but we’ll definitely meet again next time.”
After politely declining, a hint of disappointment crossed Shenhe’s face, but she quickly recovered. After confirming that the Traveler beside her was unharmed, she began to inquire about this ‘music’.
It was the first time she had heard the term, and she was curious about what this ‘music’ was.
“Music, it’s something that gives people a feeling, allowing them to remember a certain story. When you hear music, that scene inevitably comes to mind.”
To explain better, Lumine hummed a rendition of ‘Gentry Lord’s Divine Revelation’ on the spot, which caused Shenhe to recall the scene from that time.
“In that case, I understand a little better. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”
Shenhe hummed the tune as she walked away into the distance.
Xiao, beside her, transformed into scattered black fragments and vanished from the spot. Everyone was accustomed to this.
After all, most Adepti were elusive and appeared and disappeared without a trace, and Xiao was likely one of them.
They had not taken more than a few steps when they saw a crane standing on a rock, observing them with a scrutinizing gaze.