Stepping out of the reception room, Su Ming didn't use the Teleport Waypoint to descend. Instead, he took to the skies using Sky Dancing Technique and flew away.
The only reason he had used the waypoint to come up in the first place was to give the Tianquan face by making a relatively formal appearance. Judging by Ningguang's reaction just now, his goal had been successfully achieved.
Now that he had revealed the Fatui's true objective and pointed out that the Exuvia was hidden within the Golden House, he would have to seriously doubt the competence of the Qixing if they still failed to take action.
"Whew, that feels refreshing. Now, I just need to sit back and watch the show."
Su Ming landed from the high altitude and returned to his residence.
"You're back?" Cloud Retainer said, glancing up at Su Ming as he dropped from the sky.
"Yeah, it's over," Su Ming replied with a smile. "Master, what are you working on?"
"Just fiddling with some gadgets... Why do you ask?" Cloud Retainer suddenly grew wary.
"Hehe, Master, could you help me fiddle with a little something too?"
A visible tick of irritation popped onto Cloud Retainer's face.
"You rebellious disciple! This Immortal hasn't even settled the debt of you keeping secrets from me yet! You don't show a shred of remorse, and yet you have the nerve to come asking for favors?!"
"Besides, as I recall, aren't you quite proficient in the Art of Mechanisms yourself? Back on the mountain, didn't you create plenty of little trinkets?"
Su Ming quickly began to flatter her. "Oh, didn't you say it yourself, Master? Those were just tiny objects, nothing that could be shown in public. How could my skill in mechanisms possibly compare to yours?"
"I was wrong before. You are a great person with a big heart, Master, please forgive me."
Hearing Su Ming's words, Cloud Retainer's anger dissipated significantly. She was clearly quite susceptible to his praise.
Seeing his master's attitude soften, Su Ming couldn't help but think to himself, Master is still so easy to coax... Just a few words and she's already coming around.
Striking while the iron was hot, he continued, "Master, the thing I want this time is actually quite complex. With my meager intelligence, how could I ever match you? Please, just give me a hand."
"Hmph, seeing as you are sincerely admitting your fault, this Immortal shall grant your request this once." Cloud Retainer looked up and spared Su Ming a glance.
Su Ming rubbed his hands together and said, "Master, do you think you could make me a fishing rod that can fish automatically? You know, the kind that can hook the bait, cast the line, and reel it in all by itself?"
Cloud Retainer: "???"
Do you even hear yourself right now?
"Is it impossible?" Su Ming guessed based on Cloud Retainer's expression and let out a sigh. "Ah, I guess even Master can't do it?"
"Who said this Immortal can't?!"
The reverse psychology worked perfectly.
Su Ming let out an imperceptible smirk before quickly putting on a terrified expression. "No, no, that's not what I meant. Master has been busy lately, so it's understandable that you wouldn't have time for such a trivial matter."
Cloud Retainer glared at Su Ming. "Who said I don't have time?! This Immortal can whip up such a trinket in minutes! Just you wait I'll have it for you by tonight!"
With that, she huffed and marched into her room.
Seeing his plan succeed, Su Ming broke into a satisfied grin.
"Aha, now when I go fishing, I can just sit aside and do my own thing. System, this doesn't count as cheating, right?"
[As long as the host performs the act of fishing. Rods that complete the entire process independently will not trigger the reward mechanism.]
"I know what I'm doing. I'll just spare one hand to hold the rod, that'll be fine, right?"
[...That is acceptable.]
While Su Ming was chuckling to himself, Shenhe's voice drifted from behind him.
"Su Ming, you're back?"
"Yeah, I'm back," Su Ming asked with a smile. "Didn't you go with Lumine and the others? Taking a walk through the streets is better than staying cooped up here, isn't it?"
"They invited me," Shenhe said. "But... I didn't agree."
"Still not used to crowds?"
"Mhm."
Su Ming sighed and gave a helpless smile. "You should still head out for a bit. If you stay home every day, you'll grow moldy. It just so happens I have nothing to do either."
"But Master..."
"It's fine. She's in seclusion. We just need to be back before dinner."
"...Alright."
"Let's go then. I haven't really explored Liyue Harbor much myself. Let's pick up the sightseeing where we left off a few years ago."
"Mhm."
The two of them stepped onto the street, drawing countless gazes along the way. Their attire, looks, and temperament were simply too outstanding. They seemed almost out of place amidst the mundane, everyday bustle of Liyue Harbor.
As Su Ming walked, he didn't pay much attention to the street vendors. Instead, he seemed quite interested in the roadside architecture. Shenhe, on the other hand, kept her gaze focused entirely on Su Ming.
"By the way, are you hungry? It's about time for a meal, and I know a good place," Su Ming suddenly asked.
"A little. I didn't eat much this morning, and with the energy spent on cultivation, I am indeed a bit hungry."
Hearing Shenhe's answer, Su Ming smiled. "Then let's head to Wanmin Restaurant. The food there is great, and the prices are reasonable."
"Okay," Shenhe nodded.
To her, it didn't matter what they ate, as long as she could spend a little more time with him. That was her only thought. She wasn't actually that hungry, but since Su Ming wanted to go, she would go.
However, before she could catch up to Su Ming, who was walking ahead, someone grabbed her.
A playful young girl wearing a black hat, her chestnut hair tied in twin tails, and possessing a pair of plum blossom pupils, held a stack of flyers in one hand while tugging at Shenhe's sleeve with the other.
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