"Jealousy! Ganyu: You are the worst class of Qixing I've ever led!"
Hearing his subordinate's report, Tartaglia sank into deep thought.
La Signora... was on a date!?
He couldn't imagine that arrogant woman going on a date with anyone, let alone with a fake Fatui Harbinger!
His head was currently filled with questions.
They had agreed that La Signora would handle the matter today. Who would have thought she would be talked down by the other party instead?
Regardless, the assassination of Rex Lapis and his fall at Yujing Terrace was now a set fact. He didn't know how La Signora and that other Harbinger had pulled it off, but now wasn't the time to trace the source.
He immediately ordered, "Send out everyone. Use every means necessary to gather intelligence. We must find the whereabouts of Rex Lapis's body. This is the best moment to obtain the Gnosis!"
"Also, how is the progress on the counterfeit Sigils of Permission?"
Hearing Tartaglia's assignment, several Fatui subordinates hurried forward to report.
"My Lord, the duplication of the Sigils of Permission is going very smoothly. We will meet the quota soon; it should only take a few more days."
Tartaglia nodded. "Make it fast. I can't wait to fight."
With that, countless Fatui poured out of the Northland Bank.
In a corner opposite the bank sat a tea table. A gentleman dressed in a long coat was leisurely sipping tea. His eyes were indifferent, like an ancient well a thousand years old, without a single ripple. Even though the city was in such chaos that no one could sit still, he remained calm and unhurried.
Zhongli.
From now on, he would live his life under this identity. He knew that once today's plan was set in motion, the Fatui would be the most active. To monitor their movements, there was no better place than one overlooking the Northland Bank. Thus, he had been drinking tea here since early morning.
The Fatui thought they had spotted the Millelith hovering nearby to monitor them, but they failed to notice there was one more person watching.
Zhongli set down his teacup and let out a long sigh.
"So that's how it is..."
"He isn't a Fatui Harbinger, yet he knows my thoughts. Just who is he..."
"In just a few days in Liyue, he has become so close with the Liyue Qixing. He took the Gnosis and devised such a brilliant plan... what is his goal?"
"Regardless, he truly possesses things ordinary people do not. Wisdom, calm, ability, and decisiveness..."
"Compared to a Liyue without a god, perhaps there is a better choice..."
"The production of Mora at the Golden House cannot stop..."
"Did the Gnosis choose him...?"
Saying this, Zhongli slowly rose and looked toward the distant ocean. A light flickered in his indifferent eyes; he seemed to have reached a new conclusion.
...
When Ye Xi entered Yujing Terrace, he saw Ningguang and Keqing standing before the Exuvia, looking lost.
"What happened?" Ye Xi asked, knowing full well the answer.
Ningguang's brow furrowed. "Rex Lapis, the guardian of Liyue, suddenly fell from the heavens. He has no breath left."
[At a time like this, shouldn't you be locking down the news and hiding the Exuvia?]
Ye Xi really wanted to remind them; he was anxious. If Childe's people found out the situation and discovered the Exuvia early, things would get complicated.
He still needed to go to Jueyun Karst to invite the Adepti. On one hand, he wanted to check on Shenhe, and on the other, he needed the Adepti in place. Otherwise, if the Adepti didn't know about Morax's "death," his efforts would be in vain.
All of this was based on the premise that Childe couldn't find the Exuvia. If Childe found the body early and realized the Gnosis was missing, he would definitely break the seal on Osial, Overlord of the Vortex, ahead of schedule. There wouldn't be enough time then.
Hearing Ye Xi's inner thoughts, Ningguang knew what to do next.
She waved her hand and declared, "The Lord has been murdered! Seal the scene!"
At her command, the Millelith on the scene moved instantly, beginning to interrogate suspicious individuals in the vicinity.
It was only then that Tianshu, known as Uncle Tian, arrived late. Seeing the Exuvia on the ground, Uncle Tian was stunned. He had known nothing of this. His heart shattered instantly.
"Rex Lapis! This... how could the Lord...?"
Just as he was falling into despair, he saw Ningguang and Keqing directing the Millelith to take the Exuvia away. He looked at them with disbelief and questioned, "Keqing, Ningguang... why are you both not panicking at all?"
"Eh?"
Ningguang and Keqing looked at each other. They already knew Rex Lapis had faked his death, so how could they possibly be panicked?
Hearing Uncle Tian's question, the two of them quickly put on a display of flustered worry.
"You're right, the Lord has been murdered. We must investigate the cause immediately!"
"We need to hold a meeting to discuss this right away!"
Seeing that the two of them weren't actually panicked at their core, Uncle Tian was speechless. Although he didn't know what was going on, it was obvious they weren't acting normally!
He couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. Rex Lapis had protected Liyue for thousands of years. How could they, as the Liyue Qixing, be so indifferent? This was unacceptable! How could a citizen of Liyue be so cold!
His heart was full of indignation. He suddenly felt that Ningguang and Keqing were just youngsters who couldn't be trusted.
"You aren't following the rules! Where is Ganyu? I'm going to talk to her!"
Keqing didn't know how to explain. They knew Rex Lapis was acting, but Uncle Tian was being kept in the dark. Seeing him so shocked and distressed made her feel a bit sorry for him.
"Uncle Tian, as the Liyue Qixing, we cannot lose our composure in such a crisis! The Lord's passing might be a new turning point for Liyue. The era of the Adepti has passed. If even the Liyue Qixing cannot face this, what will happen to Liyue's future?"
In Keqing's heart, Rex Lapis's retirement was a good thing. After working for thousands of years, it was time for him to rest.
Hearing Keqing's words, Uncle Tian's brow furrowed tightly. Leaving behind a sharp "Rude!", he headed toward Yuehai Pavilion.
Ye Xi remembered his errand to Jueyun Karst and said, "I'll go find Ganyu. I have some business."
He also entered Yuehai Pavilion.
In his mind, Uncle Tian represented the old school of thought, while Ningguang and Keqing symbolized the younger generation. Uncle Tian couldn't let go of the Adepti and wanted to rely on them to govern Liyue. In that case, Liyue's future might not soar, but it would at least be under Adeptal protection.
Keqing's generation believed they couldn't blindly seek protection. They had to empower themselves so that even without the Adepti, humanity would have the means to protect itself. Children who leave their parents grow up faster!
The conflict between these two factions would be hard to resolve.
When he arrived at Ganyu's office, he found Uncle Tian already there, discussing the "assassination."
"Ganyu, the Lord has been murdered. How should Liyue respond?"
"Eh!?"
Faced with Uncle Tian's question, Ganyu didn't know how to answer and could only keep her head down, buried in work. Seeing her so unbothered, Uncle Tian grew even more confused.
"Why does it feel like none of you are worried about the Lord's death?"
He really didn't understand. Why was everyone acting like Rex Lapis's murder was none of their business?
Ganyu felt a twinge of guilt. Everyone knew this was a play for Rex Lapis's retirement, except for Uncle Tian and the other members of the Qixing who were left out of the loop.
"Uncle Tian, let's discuss this later. I still have work to process."
Uncle Tian glanced at the documents on her desk and was instantly shocked. The papers were all various plans regarding the redistribution of power. Rex Lapis had only just been "murdered," so how could they have drafted these so quickly?
A terrifying thought flashed through his mind.
'Could it be that Ningguang and the others have been plotting a power grab for a long time!?'
He was utterly stunned. No wonder no one was panickingthey were already prepared! But why hadn't Ningguang and the others consulted him?
'After all this time, am I the outsider?'
Uncle Tian felt instantly rejected and heartbroken. "Sigh... Ganyu, I understand."
With that, he walked toward the door looking incredibly weary. As he reached the exit, he let out a long sigh. "The new generation replaces the old..."
"Eh!?"
Ganyu felt like Uncle Tian had misunderstood something. She wanted to explain but didn't know how. "Uncle Tian, don't think too much into it..."
Uncle Tian looked grief-stricken. "No need to explain. I know. I understand everything..."
Ye Xi silently watched Uncle Tian's retreating, dejected back. He felt the weight of time passing. Why did this old gentleman look so wronged?
"Ganyu, there's something I need to tell you..."
Ye Xi got straight to the point. He intended to go to Jueyun Karst to see the Adepti. The problem was that as an outsider, it would be difficult for him to secure a meeting. It would be different if Ganyu accompanied him.
Ganyu had an excellent relationship with Cloud Retainer and the other Adepti. Once they reached Jueyun Karst, those Mountain Shapers would probably appear to meet them before they even had to speak.
Ganyu had her own thoughts on the matter. Since they knew the fake death was a ruse, was there still a need to notify the Adepti?
As she hesitated, she heard Ye Xi's inner voice.
[I have to hurry. If Osial, Overlord of the Vortex awakens and the Adepti aren't there to help, Morax will be forced to show himself. If that happens, the retirement plan is ruined.]
Hearing this, Ganyu's eyes filled with surprise.
'Osial is going to return!?'
'The god Rex Lapis suppressed with his Stone Spears!?'
She immediately realized the gravity of the situation. No wonder Ningguang had heard Ye Xi's thoughts about the Jade Chamber disappearing. It was likely to deal with Osial!
She hurriedly said, "Alright, I'll go tell Ningguang and Keqing, and then we'll set off!"
Ye Xi nodded.
...
The Jade Chamber.
On this floating island reachable only by the Liyue Qixing and their three secretaries, Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao were whispering outside the door.
"These laws seem to have been decided in advance, right? Could it be that Lady Ningguang has wanted to seize power for a long time?"
"It's so strange..."
"Shh, I think it might be Lady Keqing..."
While they were gossiping, Ganyu arrived at the Jade Chamber via the Plaustrite elevator.
"Miss Ganyu? You've come as well! Lady Ningguang is in the hall!"
Ganyu nodded politely. "Thank you."
She gently pushed open the hall doors and immediately heard the sound of an argument coming from downstairs.
"Isn't this just showing off?"
"I am not showing off, Keqing. Don't worry about such things."
"You two, stop fighting. Look what time it is."
"Beidou, I knew you'd take Ningguang's side!"
"..."
Ganyu was curious about what was happening. As she walked down the spiral staircase, she saw Ningguang in the office area. She was actually wearing a navy blue dress, and she looked stunning.
"What is everyone discussing? Miss Ningguang's clothes are very beautiful." Ganyu greeted everyone sweetly.
Keqing quickly rushed to Ganyu's side and complained, "Ganyu, look! I just came to the Jade Chamber to discuss our next move, and Ningguang suddenly said she had to change! She claimed that wearing this outfit would make her thinking more agile! I think she's just trying to flex on me! It's just something Ye Xi gave her, I have one too!"
Hearing this, Ningguang turned her head and said sourly, "The additional ability of this dress is indeed to quicken one's thinking. If you insist on interpreting it as showing off, there's nothing I can do. I only want to devise the most secure plan for what comes next. However, judging by the fabric and material, your outfit is indeed not as good-looking as mine. Beidou, what do you think?"
Ningguang looked at Beidou with an air of arrogance.
Beidou hurriedly stepped between them to stop a gnashing Keqing and laughed. "Come on, stop arguing. Is this really the time for this? Does a little thing like a dress matter more than the future direction of Liyue?"
Keqing and Ningguang shouted in unison, "Yes!"
Then, they began to argue again.
Ganyu felt a bit of a headache coming on. She hadn't expected the Liyue Qixing to start an internal fight at such a critical moment. And over something like this. In all her years as a secretary, this was a first.
Keqing crossed her arms and said triumphantly, "Yesterday, I even went to Ye Xi's Adeptus Arts: Realm Within to take a bath! I'll tell you a secretthe clothes I wore before are still at his place. He must have taken them to add to his collection! When you like someone, you even like the clothes they've worn!"
"You!"
Ningguang's brow furrowed, and she snorted. "I didn't expect someone as young as you to have such filthy thoughts, thinking of Ye Xi as some pervert. Who would want your old clothes? Ye Xi probably used them as firewood! It was just a bath. Yesterday, Ye Xi and I were feeding each other wine. Can you do that?"
Keqing suddenly resembled a cat with its fur standing on end, stomping her feet in frustration. If Keqing had a tail, it would surely be sticking straight up right now!
Next to them, Beidou looked helpless. "Stop it, you two. The people of Liyue are still waiting for you to save them..."
Seeing this scene, Ganyu let out a deep sigh. "Sigh... you really are the worst class of Liyue Qixing I've ever led..."
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