"Was there a particular reason?"
Facing Ningguang's question, Shenhe remained silent.
Ningguang, however, showed no intention of letting the matter drop. She pressed further. "Why won't you speak, Miss Shenhe? Is there a reason you cannot share with others? Are you aware of the immense trouble your momentary impulse has brought upon Liyue?"
"..." Shenhe's brow remained tightly furrowed, her silence unbroken.
Cloud Retainer stepped in front of her disciple, addressing Ningguang. "Young lady Ningguang, due to her calamitous energy spiraling out of control, my disciple's mind was affected. She has no memory of the events at that time. Pressing her is futile."
"Oh? So you're saying Miss Shenhe has lost her memory?" Ningguang played with her pipe, her tone noncommittal.
Cloud Retainer nodded. "That is indeed the case."
A faint smile touched Ningguang's lips. "Very well. Since you, Cloud Retainer, say so, I shall not press the matter further."
Cloud Retainer continued, "What happened was indeed my disciple's mistake. I will not shirk responsibility. Tell us what compensation is required, young lady Ningguang."
Ningguang shook her head. "You jest, Cloud Retainer. From its very founding, Liyue Harbor has faced numerous calamities and disasters, all of which were weathered under the protection of the adepti. This has continued for over three thousand years. The debt Liyue owes to the adepti is as vast as the mountains and seas. How could I have the audacity to speak of compensation?"
Whether her words were sincere or not, they did serve to slightly lessen the displeasure in Cloud Retainer's heart.
"Young lady, you are indeed sensible and mindful of past favors." Cloud Retainer gave a slight nod. "What you say is true. But there is no need for excessive sentimentality. We adepti acted under Rex Lapis's decree, merely upholding the original 'Contract.'"
"Liyue's current prosperity naturally also relies on the protection of the Lord of Geo," Ningguang said, a faint smile gracing her lips. She continued, "Let us set aside talk of compensation. However, there are still some lingering issues stemming from Miss Shenhe's actions. If you, Cloud Retainer, would be willing to provide some assistance, both I and Liyue Harbor would be immensely grateful."
Cloud Retainer flapped her wings. "Young lady Ningguang, you are quite eloquent. You merely seek this master's assistance under a different pretext. Very well. Since this matter originated with my disciple, state plainly what help you require."
Shenhe looked up, her voice soft. "If there is a need for me, I am also at your disposal, Miss Ningguang."
"Hehe, I merely mentioned it in passing. There is no need for such formality," Ningguang said with a smile, shaking her head. "No definitive news has returned regarding that matter yet. Perhaps assistance won't even be necessary."
Cloud Retainer looked puzzled. "That matter? To what are you referring, Ningguang?"
"It is like this..."
Seeing that Cloud Retainer and Shenhe seemed unaware, Ningguang proceeded to explain in detail the events following Liyue's anomalous phenomena—the frenzied Ruin Guards.
"To think such a thing occurred. As you describe, those ancient machines awakening from ruins and swarming out en masse must have been drawn by something. If their creators did not program a specific trigger, then it must be something possessing immense allure to the machines themselves." Cloud Retainer murmured softly
"Your speculation aligns with mine, Cloud Retainer. Upon recognizing their unusual behavior, I instructed agents to investigate the matter continuously." Ningguang nodded, walking to a table and unrolling a scroll listing names. "Just a few days ago, we finally uncovered some crucial leads. I immediately assembled a team of experts from Liyue Harbor to form an investigation team and dispatched them to the ruins at Tianqiu Valley."
Cloud Retainer approached, lowering her crane head to peer at the list. "Lu Ban? Ah, that lad. I remember him. He displayed extraordinary talent for mechanics even as a child. I recall even considering taking him as a disciple back then, though certain matters ultimately prevented it."
She added with a touch of emotion, "To think decades have passed. That little boy has grown into a capable figure in his own right."
"Lu Xian, Lu Tai... these are his disciples from the same clan, I presume? Hard to say what fraction of his talent they possess, but if he accepted them, their ability and character must not be lacking."
Cloud Retainer read the names on the list with interest. For an adeptus with such a long lifespan, reminiscing about the past was itself a source of amusement. From time to time, she would recognize a mortal name from long ago and offer a brief comment.
Then, her gaze settled on an unfamiliar name. "Ji An? The surname 'Ji' is rather uncommon in Liyue..."
"...Ma-Master!"
At that moment, Cloud Retainer heard Shenhe's voice from behind her, striving to mask its tremor.
Cloud Retainer turned, puzzled. "Hm? What is it, disciple?"
Shenhe had, at some point, moved behind her. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and for some reason, her hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.
"Could I... take a look at the list?"
Her eyes were fixed intently on the page beneath Cloud Retainer's beak as she spoke, her voice strained.
Shenhe's strange demeanor caught Ningguang's attention. A flicker of curiosity passed through her eyes as she observed silently.
"Oh, of course, disciple. Look if you wish." Cloud Retainer moved aside.
Shenhe hurried forward, bending over the table. Her finger traced across the page before finally stopping on one name.
"Ji... An."
The two syllables seemed to possess a strange power, causing her body to shudder visibly.
For an instant, her usually placid face was a canvas of extraordinarily complex emotions: joyful surprise, doubt and apprehension...
"Disciple, what is wrong?"
"Has Miss Shenhe noticed something unusual?"
Her extreme reaction prompted both Cloud Retainer and Ningguang to speak.
"I... no... I'm fine."
Shenhe remained motionless for a long moment before straightening up. She kept her head bowed, her white hair obscuring her face and her expression.
Ningguang, who had been closely watching her, naturally noted where Shenhe's finger had landed.
Lifting her pipe, Ningguang asked with a light chuckle, "Miss Shenhe, could it be that you are acquainted with Mr. Ji An?"
"I..."
Shenhe's lowered hands clenched and unclenched. Finally, she lifted her head and addressed Ningguang with as calm an expression as she could muster.
"This... name is the same as that of an old acquaintance of mine. I wished to confirm with you, Miss Ningguang, whether he is... the person I believe him to be."
Ningguang did not directly answer her request. Instead, she smiled and asked,
"Oh? What a coincidence. Your old acquaintance shares the same name as the specialist in the investigation team? Might I ask what relation this namesake 'Ji An' holds to you, Miss Shenhe?"
"...The nature of my relationship with him is none of your concern."
Shenhe lowered her eyes, her tone turning cool.
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