Lumine pulled Focalors aside and quietly explained the situation to her.
"Lumine, Paimon! Take my dad and Miss Focalors and get out of here first!" Gaming called over his shoulder, gripping his weapon tightly.
"...This one is too formidable. Let us withdraw and seek an easier target!" Jiehu turned and said to Houzhang.
"Let us go, let us go!" Houzhang immediately agreed, and the two hurriedly fled the scene.
"Hmph! You think I'll let you escape?" Gaming raised his greatsword and chased after them.
"Gaming..." Yip Tak watched anxiously as his son ran off.
After Lumine and Paimon finished explaining everything, Focalors stared in the direction Jiehu and Houzhang had fled, looking even more stunned than before.
She was no longer shocked that the two adepti had agreed to play robbers.
She was shocked that they could not even play robbers properly.
Wasn't acting something anyone could improvise? How did those two manage to look so unnatural?
"Sigh... as expected, when it comes to acting, no one compares to our Furina," Focalors said with a sigh.
Lora, who had been watching from the shadows, remained silent for a long while before finally sighing as well.
"Honestly, those two could perform a comedy at the Opera Epiclese."
The grand stage of the Opera Epiclese.
All lunatics welcome!
Xianyun lowered her head and pressed a hand to her forehead, completely at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Focalors was already urging Yip Tak along.
"Come on, Uncle Yip. We should leave this place first. Who knows how many more bandits are hiding nearby?"
"Yes, that would be best..." Yip Tak nodded and followed Focalors and the others away.
"Wait... what did Focalors call him? Uncle Yip?" Xianyun's eyes widened in surprise as she hid nearby. She turned to look at Lora.
However, instead of the awkward expression she had expected, Lora looked as if everything was perfectly natural.
"What's wrong with that?" Lora blinked innocently at Xianyun, then raised her hands like little cat paws. "Everyone in the Hydro family is young and adorable. Meow~"
Whether Hydro Archon or otter, they were all adorable.
"Utterly shameless," Xianyun scoffed.
While Xianyun was criticizing Lora, Focalors and the others continued running. Before long, however, Zhongli suddenly appeared ahead of them, calmly flying a kite.
"Is he... another actor you hired?" Focalors stopped and quietly asked Lumine and Paimon.
Both of them spread their hands, indicating that Zhongli had nothing to do with their arrangements.
Lora, still watching from the shadows, was speechless.
"Why is he here flying a kite? Is that really what he should be doing right now?"
"What do you think he should be doing at a time like this?" Xianyun asked.
Lora: "..."
Honestly, the image that appeared in her mind was Zhongli strolling through the streets of Liyue with a birdcage in one hand and a pair of walnuts in the other.
Yip Tak had already approached Zhongli and anxiously called out to him.
"Sir, take my advice. Reel in your kite and leave quickly! There are bandits nearby!"
Little did he know that the man before him was the mastermind behind the two "bandits" from earlier.
Zhongli glanced back at Yip Tak. After noticing Focalors and the others behind him, he calmly reeled in his kite.
"Bandits? Goodness, in broad daylight..."
"Ahem!" Paimon hurriedly coughed.
"Hm?" Zhongli looked over and saw Lumine and Paimon frantically signaling him with their eyes.
"Oh. I see."
Zhongli nodded slightly.
Whether he had actually understood them was anyone's guess.
"I have heard that many people have caught colds recently. If your throat is uncomfortable, Paimon, perhaps you should sit down and have some tea."
"Huh? Uh... no, no! I just... ate too many pastries..." Paimon hurriedly explained.
Focalors leaned toward Lumine and whispered, "I think he understood perfectly. He's just pretending he didn't."
Lumine nodded. "I think so too. Mr. Zhongli certainly looks like an expert at playing dumb."
Lora patted Xianyun on the shoulder.
"See that? That's my daughter. Isn't she clever?"
Xianyun brushed off her hand. "Keep your hands to yourself. Are we really that close?"
Lora: "..."
Meanwhile, Zhongli continued speaking to the group.
"If bandits are active nearby, the Millelith should be notified."
"That won't be necessary. Our transport guard has already gone after them," Lumine quickly replied.
"Oh? Since you say so..." Zhongli looked thoughtful, then turned to Yip Tak. "Sir, every profession has its own specialists. Why not leave this matter to those best suited to handle it?"
Yip Tak remained silent for a long moment. Finally, he sighed and nodded.
"You're right. We'll do as you suggest. We shouldn't stay here and get in their way."
"The scenery here is pleasant, and we have nothing else to do for the moment. Why not find a quiet place to sit, calm ourselves, and wait for good news?" Zhongli suggested.
Yip Tak sighed again and nodded. "Yes... that sounds good."
At Zhongli's suggestion, the group found a roadside stall and sat down.
Once tea had been served, Paimon explained the situation to Zhongli.
"Uncle Yip has a good reason to be worried. Our transport guard, Gaming, is his son."
"Gaming..." Zhongli nodded thoughtfully. "I have heard that name before. He is the talented young man who has recently been performing Wushou Dance in the city, correct?"
"Oh? You've seen him perform too, Zhongli?" Paimon asked curiously.
Zhongli nodded. Deliberately speaking where Yip Tak could hear him, he addressed Lumine and Paimon.
"Yes. That young man has a solid foundation and highly refined technique. His coordination with the Suanni is especially seamless."
"He's that impressive?" Focalors looked at Zhongli in surprise, then turned to Lumine and Paimon. "What is Wushou Dance?"
"Uh..." Paimon looked slightly speechless.
"See? Your daughter," Xianyun said, nudging Lora.
Lora glanced at her. "Are we really that close? Hands to yourself!"
Furina watched the two of them from behind, looking thoroughly exasperated.