At the northern foothills of Mt. Tianheng, Tartaglia led a squad of Fatui disguised as Millelith, retreating swiftly.
Recently, nothing had gone his way.
Many Fatui secret bases in Liyue Harbor had been wiped out. Not only had the replication of the Talismans of the Adepti been completely halted, but their intelligence-gathering capability had also been severely restricted.
As a result, Tartaglia still couldn't determine where the Exuvia had been hidden.
When he learned that Ying had gone to Jueyun Karst to seek out the Three-Eyed Five-Manifestations Adepti, he devised another plan.
He would conceal his identity, approach Ying, accompany her in meeting the Adepti, infiltrate their circle, and then secretly sow discord between the Adepti and the Liyue Qixing to provoke conflict.
Amid the chaos, he would locate the Exuvia.
After all, once the Adepti intervened, they would surely demand to examine the Exuvia and investigate the Archon's death. The Qixing couldn't keep it hidden forever.
If conflict erupted, he could take advantage of the turmoil to seize the Gnosis.
But the plan failed again.
The moment he approached Ying under a false identity, she recognized him.
The Fatui's reputation preceded them, and an Eleven Harbinger gaining trust was difficult enough — let alone while concealing his identity.
They fought.
Ying's true strength far exceeded Tartaglia's expectations. Even after activating his Foul Legacy transformation, he couldn't defeat her.
He had no choice but to retreat in disgrace.
His plan itself wasn't flawed.
What he didn't know was that Lu Lin had already revealed his identity to Ying. She had been wary of him from the start.
After that failure, he resorted to a more direct method.
Disguised as Millelith, the Fatui ambushed Ying and the Adepti, attempting to frame the Qixing and provoke conflict.
The attack was swift and calculated. Tartaglia himself didn't appear — no real victory was needed. Only suspicion.
After striking once, the disguised troops vanished into Mt. Tianheng.
Mt. Tianheng
When Lu Lin arrived with Ningguang and Keqing, they encountered the furious Adepti head-on.
"Greetings, esteemed Adepti. I am the current Tianquan, Ningguang—"
"Hmph! The Liyue Qixing truly have audacity!"
A majestic qilin-like deer stepped forward, voice booming with anger.
It was Moon Carver.
"Esteemed Adepti have traveled far. We have come personally to receive you. Why such harsh words?" Ningguang replied calmly.
"Receive us? You mean by sending Millelith to attack us?!"
Moon Carver stomped, kicking up sand and stones.
Ningguang stood firm. Keqing's hand quietly moved to her sword hilt. The air grew heavy with tension.
Lu Lin stepped forward, smiling gently.
"Moon Carver, please calm yourself. You mentioned Millelith attacked you. Could you describe what happened? To my knowledge, there has been no unusual troop movement within Liyue Harbor today."
"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" Moon Carver demanded.
The Adepti had secluded themselves for years. Their true names were rarely spoken.
"I am Lu Lin. A young man once asked me to invite the Adepti down the mountain. I entrusted the matter to Ying. The Talisman she carries was given by me."
The three Adepti exchanged glances.
Ying nodded, confirming his words.
Yet she was confused — he had helped her escape the Millelith. How was he now standing beside the Qixing?
Cloud Retainer's companion, Mountain Shaper, stepped forward and recounted the ambush.
"The attackers wore Millelith armor."
Keqing responded firmly.
"I am Yuheng Keqing. There was no large-scale Millelith deployment today. Those attackers were likely impostors seeking to provoke conflict between the Qixing and the Adepti."
"If we bore hostility," Ningguang added, "we would not have come alone. We would have brought forces."
They had indeed arrived without escorts — a gesture of sincerity.
Suddenly, a youthful-looking Adeptus appeared.
"I followed them into a valley. They changed uniforms before leaving."
Lu Lin spoke calmly.
"Then it is likely the Fatui seeking to muddy the waters."
Moon Carver remained unconvinced.
"Even so, allowing foreign forces to operate so freely within Liyue's borders is failure. The Archon was assassinated during the Rite of Descension, yet the Qixing suspect innocent civilians rather than seek the true culprit. Disgraceful.
We have upheld our contract with Rex Lapis for a thousand years. If the Qixing prove incapable, we shall enter the city and assume control."
At this, Ningguang's eyes sharpened. Keqing gripped her sword more tightly.
Lu Lin, however, remained composed.
"The Adepti have long resided in the mountains. Liyue has changed. To judge hastily would be unfair. Why not enter the city, observe, and complete the Rite of Parting before making conclusions?"
The white crane spread her wings, stopping Moon Carver.
"Moon Carver, the young one speaks reasonably. We have indeed been distant from mortal affairs. Let us first observe the city.
You mentioned preparations for the Rite of Parting?"
"Yes," Lu Lin replied. "And Ying's assistance will be needed."
"Very well. The Qixing have not forgotten tradition. This pleases me."
Cloud Retainer regarded Lu Lin thoughtfully.
There was something about him… a familiar aura.
The confrontation subsided for now.
The Adepti did not enter the city with the Qixing but instead took human forms to observe Liyue independently.
Ningguang and Keqing had nothing to hide.
Lu Lin turned to Ying.
"Thank you for your efforts."
She crossed her arms slightly.
"What exactly is going on? How did you end up aligned with the Qixing?"
He smiled.
"It's a long story. Shall we find somewhere quiet and talk?"
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