"Cloud Retainer, in your view, what is the most important thing that has sustained Liyue through these thousand years?"
Just as the situation was about to reach a stalemate, Keqing stepped forward, ignoring Ningguang's signals. Facing the aggressive Cloud Retainer, Keqing showed none of Ningguang's hesitation.
"Hmph, do you even need to ask? Of course, it's because of Rex Lapis."
Cloud Retainer's voice was filled with pride. Xiao and the others nodded in agreement. In their eyes, without Rex Lapis, even after the Archon War, Liyue wouldn't have lasted long. The greed of mortals would eventually spark another war.
Keqing, however, seemed to disagree. The more deeply she managed Liyue, the more she understood the importance of practical action. She didn't think these secluded adepti understood governance at all.
"Rex Lapis? I don't think so. In the end, it is us humans who must strive to survive."
Keqing's voice was not loud, but to the four adepti, it struck like thunder. After a few seconds of silence, aside from Xiao, the other three adepti showed signs of anger. Cloud Retainer reacted most strongly. The admirer of Rex Lapis flapped her wings, unleashing a terrifying pressure that swept across all of Liyue Harbor.
"Young lady, I recall you are the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. To speak such treasonous words as the Yuheng—I daresay your term as Yuheng has come to an end."
"If I believe I am right, I must speak up and take action. That has always been my philosophy. Even if you are an adeptus, Cloud Retainer, I will say what needs to be said."
Facing Cloud Retainer's reprimand, Keqing stood her ground. Everything she did was for Liyue Harbor. Even if she died at the hands of an adeptus today, she would have no regrets.
"And I don't think I said anything wrong. Rex Lapis certainly deserves our respect, but he cannot protect us forever. In a thousand, ten thousand years, it will be us mortals walking through Liyue."
"Cloud Retainer, only we mortals know the path Liyue must take from here. You need not trouble yourself with it."
Cloud Retainer was genuinely furious at this point. The illusion shrouding her body rippled with emotion, but most eyes were fixed on Keqing and didn't notice the anomaly.
Only Ningguang caught a glimpse of something unusual out of the corner of her eye. But this was hardly the time to ask. She suppressed her curiosity, resolving to question Ganyu about what was really going on with Cloud Retainer once the adepti left Liyue Harbor.
"Very well. Then answer me this—why did the Liyue Qixing try to conceal Rex Lapis's assassination?"
"Cloud Retainer, we weren't trying to hide anything—"
Keqing was cut off before she could finish.
"Young lady, if the Qixing weren't trying to hide something, why lock down the news? Have you done something shameful?"
"Cloud Retainer, we only wanted to investigate the truth ourselves. We weren't deliberately hiding it."
"And besides, we also wanted to prevent unnecessary panic from spreading through Liyue Harbor. If we truly had something to hide, we wouldn't be standing here today."
Ningguang couldn't stay silent any longer. If they were branded as having deliberately concealed Rex Lapis's death, her reputation as Tianquan would take a severe hit. The noble families in Liyue Harbor wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
"I say, Morax, are you just going to watch? I feel like they might actually come to blows at any moment."
"No, they won't. Cloud Retainer may look furious, but deep down, she already finds the Yuheng's words reasonable. And I also think the Yuheng makes a good point."
"More importantly, Azhdaha, weren't you supposed to take Klee and Qiqi away from Liyue Harbor? Why are you back?"
High above, Zhongli sipped his tea and watched the confrontation between Keqing and Cloud Retainer. According to his plan, Azhdaha absolutely could not participate in this battle. If she did, with her power that easily overwhelmed Osial, the adepti would never witness the strength of ordinary mortals. Then Ningguang would have no proof to show that mortals could protect Liyue.
"After all these years as brothers, you still don't trust me? I'm just here to watch your back."
Zhongli smiled and said nothing. He didn't doubt Azhdaha's sincerity. With him staying out of it, only Azhdaha could single-handedly overwhelm Osial. With her as backup, even if the plan went off course, he wouldn't need to intervene.
"That's thoughtful of you. Have some snacks and rest. Even if something does happen, I think Cloud Retainer and the others can handle it."
Zhongli offered Azhdaha some pastries while silently calculating the time. If his estimate was right, Su Bai and the others should have encountered the Fatui's intercepting force by now. He wondered what expression they'd make when they saw how many enemies there were. Judging by the scent of blood on Azhdaha, she had been busy killing Fatui lately.
...
On the main road to the Golden House, the usually wide path was now blocked by various obstacles. Many were made of metal, clearly not the work of wild monsters.
Paimon touched the sharp blades on one of the obstacles, then pulled out an apple and spun it along the blades. In no time, she had a peeled apple in her hand.
"Wow, Su Bai, Lumine, these blades are really sharp. Let's take a detour. The whole road ahead is filled with these barricades."
Su Bai jumped up to get a better view. Sure enough, over a dozen barricades were scattered ahead, with some bear traps placed in the gaps between them. Clearly, someone didn't want anyone passing through.
Lumine tapped and slashed at the obstacles with her Blackcliff Longsword. The crisp sound of metal striking metal showed how sturdy they were. She frowned—these things would be hard to get past.
"Trying to buy time with this?"
Su Bai was almost certain this was the Fatui's doing. No other organization would waste so much iron ore on something like this.
For ordinary people, this might be impassable. But for Su Bai, the Fatui's efforts would be in vain. As an adeptus who had just learned Anemo control from Xiao, flying over this distance shouldn't be difficult.
"Lumine, hold on tight. I'm going to show you what it feels like to fly."