A trace of grievance flickered in Ningguang's eyes.
She had clawed her way to this position through relentless struggle. Never once had she lowered her voice to beg anyone.
The words she had just spoken had already cost her tremendous resolve — and yet he continued pressing her.
Lu Lin caught the expression and briefly felt like a scoundrel bullying a noble lady.
But he knew he couldn't soften now.
The crack in Ningguang's defenses was the result of many converging factors. An opportunity like this might never come again. He couldn't exactly ask Zhongli to "die" another time.
He had to push through and shatter that final layer of armor.
His hand still hadn't withdrawn. He squeezed lightly again, smiling.
"What's wrong? Lady Ningguang, seated high above the masses — no one's ever begged you for help before? Think about how they must have spoken to you."
Ningguang bit her lip. Struggle flashed across her beautiful face.
After a long breath, she forced her voice softer, thinner.
"Lu Lin… please help me. I'm begging you."
The tone was a little overly deliberate — clearly forced.
But with her natural voice and the immense contrast between her status and this submissive plea, it struck deeply.
Lu Lin was extremely satisfied.
"Mmm… now that sounds a little more like asking. But not quite enough~"
"Don't push your luck. What more do you want?" She glared — but without her usual authority. Instead, there was something almost endearing in it.
"You know how Liyue works. This is the land of contracts. Rex Lapis values fairness above all.
Every request comes with a price. If you want my help, you'll have to offer something equivalent."
Her heart tightened.
If he wanted Mora or material wealth, that would be simple. She had no shortage of either.
But she knew him.
That wasn't what he wanted.
"What do you want?"
"I don't know. Depends on what you're willing to give. But I promise — in this crisis, I can do more than you imagine. Whatever you offer will be worth it."
He was confident — almost leisurely.
They both knew what he wanted.
He just wanted her to say it herself.
She hesitated.
This was the first decision in her life that felt so difficult.
At last, the most exalted woman in Liyue lifted her chin, her gaze firm.
"You once said you wanted my heart. If you help Liyue through this crisis… I will give myself to you. Do with me as you wish."
When the words left her lips, she exhaled deeply — as though releasing an enormous weight — and leaned into his chest.
This was a Ningguang no one had ever seen.
He couldn't resist teasing her again.
"Hmm. I'll accept that condition. Then according to Liyue's custom — the contract is formed."
She softly completed the phrase:
"Those who break a contract shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock."
Watching her lips move, he kissed her again.
This time, she didn't resist at all. Instead, she responded instinctively.
In the quiet alley, they remained locked together for a long while.
Meanwhile
At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao's mood was relatively stable.
As someone who walked the boundary between life and death, she viewed mortality lightly. Rex Lapis's "death" shocked her — but did not devastate her.
At Yuehai Pavilion, Ganyu was even less shaken.
As one who had fought alongside Rex Lapis since the Archon War, she knew his strength better than anyone.
There might exist forces capable of killing him — but none that could do so silently.
Outwardly, she performed sorrow.
Inwardly, she simply assumed it was part of his plan.
However, acting sorrowful was difficult when sudden waves of familiar pleasure stirred within her.
Lu Lin… at a time like this?
The sensation intensified — especially under the amplification of [Double Happiness].
Fortunately, it remained controlled and did not escalate further.
Back at the Qixing
Lu Lin finally released Ningguang and helped straighten her disheveled clothing.
"Let's return to the Jade Chamber. Gather your capable subordinates. I'll begin assigning tasks."
At the Jade Chamber, Keqing watched the two of them walk in side by side.
Her emotions were complicated.
When she had woken earlier, she too had felt as though the sky had fallen.
Two nights in a row… losing control.
And somehow, it all revolved around this man.
She wondered if Ningguang would mention her embarrassing behavior.
Judging by the atmosphere between them now, her earlier suspicions about their closeness seemed confirmed.
But she still couldn't fully understand what had happened to Ningguang last night. It couldn't have simply been "self-soothing."
No one did that for three straight hours.
Keqing looked at Lu Lin's handsome face and spoke softly:
"Lu Lin… I didn't expect your words yesterday to come true so quickly. Liyue has truly lost Rex Lapis's guidance."
Though she advocated human governance and independence from gods, she did not disrespect Rex Lapis.
And now, with him gone, the burden rested entirely on the Qixing.
"Don't panic," Lu Lin said calmly. "You are the finest minds in Liyue. Think of this crisis as an examination — a test of whether humans can govern Liyue themselves.
As for how to pass…"
He smiled faintly.
"I know the answer."
"What is it?"
"Let's wait until everyone is here. Then we'll discuss it properly."
Keqing frowned slightly.
Wait for who?
The next moment left her stunned once more.
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