An indescribable sensation rose from deep within her.
Keqing puffed out her cheeks, wanting to refute him — but before the words could leave her mouth, a wave of electric-like pleasure shot straight through her mind.
"Mm~ Let go… of me! I don't… like it!"
The straightforward girl's soft, sweet moan contrasted sharply with her usual personality.
"Don't like it?" Lu Lin smiled. "Then what were you doing the night before last at the entrance to Cuijue Slope…?"
"No! Don't say it! Don't bring up Cuijue Slope!"
It was as if a switch had been flipped. She shook her head wildly and struggled in his arms.
But Lu Lin was no longer someone she could break free from so easily.
"The past already happened. Ignoring it won't change anything. Do you still think you don't like it? Not telling the truth doesn't really suit your honest personality, does it?"
Like a devil pressing his advantage, he leaned closer — and his hand moved slightly further.
The moment he did, his fingertips felt unmistakable warmth and dampness.
The black stockings beneath her skirt were already slightly soaked.
Keqing clamped her legs tightly together, refusing to let him go further. She bit her lip, brows furrowed stubbornly.
He chuckled softly.
"So tell me, Miss Keqing — do you like it? Lying isn't something the Yuheng of the Qixing would do, right?"
She turned her head away and refused to look at him.
After a long silence, she squeezed two barely audible words through her teeth:
"…I like it."
"Oh? Since you like it… should I continue?"
His fingers lightly traced over the silk.
She puffed out her cheeks and said nothing.
Silence meant consent — yet at that very moment, Lu Lin released her and set her down, even helping straighten her skirt.
"No answer? Guess you don't want me to."
As his touch left, relief flooded her — yet, unexpectedly, so did a faint trace of disappointment.
Hearing his teasing tone, her face flushed red. She turned and stormed off.
"Don't go yet! There are still two ballistae left to fix. I need your help!"
She stopped after two steps, turned back with a stern expression.
"I'm only staying for the bigger picture. Don't misunderstand. And don't bully me again. Understood?"
"Of course, of course. We're both prioritizing the greater good."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Hurry up then."
Repairing the Guizhong Ballistae
When working seriously, Lu Lin was surprisingly proper.
With experience from the first machine, repairing the remaining two went much faster. Soon, all three ballistae were restored.
On the way back, Keqing finally asked the question on her mind.
"Why are you so determined to repair these? Do you expect civil unrest? A war?"
"Civil unrest is unlikely," Lu Lin replied. "Liyue has been peaceful for years. Losing the Geo Archon won't immediately cause internal collapse — especially with the Qixing united."
"But such a major event will certainly alert the Adepti in Jueyun Karst. There might be conflict. We must prepare."
"However, the ballistae aren't meant for them."
"Then for what?"
"For external threats."
"The Fatui?" she asked.
"They're involved — but they're not necessarily the final opponent."
Lu Lin knew everything: the Fatui's goal, Childe's plan, Zhongli's intentions.
Childe would first search for the Geo Archon's Gnosis inside the Exuvia. If it wasn't found, he'd conclude Rex Lapis had faked his death — and then unleash Osial using mass-produced Talismans of the Adepti to force him out.
Lu Lin refused to let events unfold that way.
He had Ningguang hide the Exuvia's location.
He ordered the destruction of the Fatui's talisman workshop.
If Osial could be prevented entirely, that would be ideal.
If not — the repaired ballistae would serve as weapons against him.
The Jade Chamber was Ningguang's life's work. Lu Lin had no intention of letting it be destroyed if he could prevent it.
As for Zhongli's "test" of Liyue's independence?
Preventing the crisis altogether was arguably an even better answer.
Keqing sensed he wasn't telling everything, but she restrained her curiosity. They returned to Liyue Harbor together.
Northland Bank – Liyue
Inside a quiet office, an orange-haired young man sat calmly behind his desk.
Childe.
"My lord, the Millelith raided the Heyu Teahouse. All our talisman craftsmen were arrested. The Talismans of the Adepti were confiscated."
Childe's eyes flashed with anger.
"That was our most discreet base. Not a single talisman left?"
"Only the five delivered to the bank yesterday remain."
"That's troublesome. Five won't be enough."
He stroked his chin.
"Interesting. Liyue's Qixing have capable people. Even my backup plan was disrupted."
Nothing had gone smoothly.
The Geo Archon's sudden death.
The Exuvia hidden.
The mysterious traveler disappearing right before him.
And now, Fatui strongholds being struck one after another.
Unusual.
After a moment, he smirked.
"Do they think this is enough to stop me?"
He stood.
"Send an elite squad with Her Majesty's token. Have them sail out to the deep sea — find Beisht — and deliver a message."
"Yes, my lord."
Another subordinate rushed in.
"My lord! A scouting team spotted the traveler in Jueyun Karst!"
"Oh?" Childe's eyes gleamed.
"So she still went to Jueyun Karst after all? Tell me exactly where."
"If you're liking the story please do vote and For Early Access of chapters
please visit patreon.com/Killua_001"
Access collection before the price go up and be the Early supporter