At this moment, standing on the high mountain behind Yuehai Pavilion, Shenhe glanced at Junze below and took out a canvas.
On the canvas was a detailed map of Liyue.
However, it was marked with numerous crosses and circles.
If Junze had seen it, his scalp would have tingled.
Every cross marked the locations of his missions from the past week.
The circles marked places Shenhe had identified where vishaps or other monsters might appear.
If the Ink Shadow Adeptus appeared again, it would likely be in those areas.
If not for Uncle Tian's commission to suppress the vishaps undergoing a sudden change, Junze would have had a near one hundred percent chance of running into Shenhe today.
"Ganyu has left. That child should be disappearing soon as well."
Shenhe glanced at the canvas once more, then looked at Junze below, who was coaxing Huixin, and spoke with certainty.
After observing Junze for so many days, Shenhe had almost completely grasped his schedule.
He always disappeared when Ganyu was not paying attention to him.
Though she did not know how Junze accomplished it, that did not prevent her from preparing accordingly.
"The moment he disappears, somewhere in Liyue, that Adeptus appears…"
Shenhe murmured softly.
Meanwhile, Junze had no idea that he was already being watched by his master's junior sister.
"Older Sister Huixin, you should go back to work. Ze will stay here and read."
Junze held a milk bottle in one hand and one of Ganyu's books in the other, speaking obediently.
"Alright. If anything happens, call Older Sister Huixin."
Huixin, a staff member of Yuehai Pavilion, naturally knew Junze well.
She adored and trusted this cute and sensible child.
After speaking, she returned to work.
With Ganyu absent today, the workload temporarily fell onto her shoulders.
She had to work harder.
"Gulp. Gulp. Gulp."
After Huixin left, Junze finished the bottle of coconut milk Ganyu had left behind in one go.
"Hic."
He let out a milky burp.
"Life is like this. What more could one ask for?"
Junze looked at the now empty bottle and sighed contentedly.
"I never expected Master's output to be this high."
"Doesn't Master feel uncomfortable, keeping so much to herself every day?"
He glanced at the two remaining bottles in the cabinet, planning to drink them later.
He only had one day. He needed to finish everything quickly.
He opened the system's Map.
Junze vanished from the room.
"He disappeared."
Shenhe rolled up the canvas and vanished as well.
Though she still had doubts, she needed to catch him in the act.
As for why she was doing this.
She likely did not know herself.
Perhaps she simply wanted an answer.
Using the teleportation mechanism, Junze arrived at the outskirts of Liyue.
He hurried toward the mining site where the most incidents had recently occurred.
[Emergency Mission: Rescue the Miners]
[Description: Save the miners]
[Reward: 30 Primogems per person]
"Huh? Such good luck?"
Junze stared at the mine in surprise.
He had only meant to try his luck, but he had run straight into the accident scene.
"Run!"
"Run!"
The miners rushed out from underground.
Something terrifying had appeared below.
"You handle evacuating the miners. The rest of the Millelith, follow me inside."
At that moment, a sharp and decisive voice rang out from below.
Junze looked over, surprise flashing across his face.
"Master Ke is here. And Eula too."
Indeed, directing the scene below was Keqing.
It made sense.
If even Junze had thought to investigate the mines, how could one of the Liyue Qixing not think of it?
But why was Eula, a Knight from Mondstadt, here with Keqing?
Would Liyue's higher authorities allow a Mondstadt knight to intervene in their affairs?
The thought flashed through Junze's mind, but he did not dwell on it.
"I have to get in quickly."
The accident had just happened.
If he went down now, the truth might be revealed immediately.
Black mist erupted from Junze's body.
Using the movement enhancement granted by Trail of the Qilin, he leapt from above and charged straight into the mine.
"Everyone"
Keqing held her Lion's Roar, about to give orders, when the sudden surge of black mist cut her off.
The mist rushed straight into the mine.
"It's the Ink Shadow Adeptus!"
Both miners and Millelith recognized him instantly.
After all, Junze had appeared frequently lately.
That signature ink-like black aura had become unforgettable to the people of Liyue.
Unlike the miners' surprise, Keqing frowned slightly.
"Ink Shadow Adeptus?"
Eula's eyes flickered.
"I'll go save them first."
Without hesitation, she followed the tail of Junze's black mist and rushed into the mine.
"Eula!"
Keqing shouted.
But Eula had already disappeared inside.
"Damn it."
Eula's independent action made Keqing stomp her foot in frustration.
She had clearly said she did not need outside assistance.
"We also—"
Boom.
Before Keqing could finish speaking, another rumble interrupted her.
The mine entrance suddenly collapsed.
The passage was completely sealed.
"Tch."
Keqing frowned but immediately gave orders to the surrounding Millelith.
"Bring explosives."
"Get a surveyor here. Determine the correct blast point as fast as possible."
"Yes!"
The Millelith moved at once.
Keqing stared at the blocked entrance, irritation evident.
The Ink Shadow Adeptus was secondary.
But if that Knight of Favonius died in Liyue, the diplomatic consequences would be severe.
It would greatly hinder Liyue's future operations.
"Ningguang, you really love making things difficult for me."
Keqing rubbed her temples, a headache forming.
Inside the mine.
Boom.
The collapse at the entrance naturally caught both Junze and Eula's attention.
They both frowned.
A collapsed entrance meant more than just being unable to leave later.
It also meant the mine itself might cave in entirely.
If they did not find the cause quickly, they might be buried alive.
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