"It is a rare sight indeed for the Yuheng to seek my assistance."
Ningguang looked at the hurrying Keqing and could not help but offer a playful tease.
Keqing remained as serious as ever. "Enough. I actually have a matter that requires your help. Be serious."
"Very well. Has something happened in Liyue Harbor?"
Keqing nodded. "It did happen within Liyue Harbor, but it is hard to say if it qualifies as an 'incident' yet."
Keqing recounted the events that had just transpired to Ningguang before asking, "I wanted to ask if you know this man's origins. As you know, Liyue Harbor seems stable on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath.
The news that Rex Lapis was assassinated during the Rite of Descension cannot be hidden forever. Every faction is restless right now; we cannot afford another unknown variable."
After listening to Keqing's description, Ningguang pondered for a moment and then asked, "The man you saw... what did he look like? Was he handsome?"
Keqing froze, then snapped, "Hey! At a time like this, that's what you ask?!"
"Don't misunderstand, I am just confirming his identity." Ningguang remained perfectly calm as she pulled a photo from a drawer. "Take a look. Is it him?"
Keqing took the photo, which showed Su Ming's side profile.
"Yes, it's him."
Keqing nodded, and then she realized something was off.
"Wait! Why are you carrying a photo of this man with you?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Keqing seemed to have a realization. "Ah... you haven't finally... could it be... you have a crush on him?"
Ningguang's face darkened. Seeing this, Keqing realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself. "Ah... my apologies. Right, you aren't the type to harbor crushes on anyone. Wait, have you two already"
Tap, tap.
The smile on Ningguang's face grew increasingly "kind," yet she did not lose her composure. She simply tapped her finger on the desk. "Do not let your imagination run wild. This is simply a matter of maintaining vigilance toward a target of interest."
Then, to prevent Keqing from overthinking, Ningguang simply brought out all the intelligence she had gathered regarding Su Ming.
"See for yourself."
Keqing knew she had likely misunderstood Ningguang and gave an embarrassed smile before sitting down to flip through the files.
Very quickly, her expression shifted.
"A disciple of Cloud Retainer?"
"He repelled monsters alongside the Conqueror of Demons at Wangshu Inn?"
"He was the one who left the Fatui Harbinger Childe heavily injured and near death?!"
"And that localized, bizarre blizzard at the foot of Mt. Tianheng yesterday is also suspected to be his work?!"
The more Keqing read, the more alarmed she became. After her brief shock, she realized that a being like this could influence the entire situation in Liyue Harbor with a single move.
Keqing put down the organized intelligence with a heavy heart, then looked at Ningguang. "What does he think of Liyue Harbor? What is his view of the Qixing?"
Ningguang smiled. "I spoke with him once... generally speaking, he bears no hostility. He even provided some interesting intel that gave me a clearer understanding of the Fatui's objectives."
Hearing Ningguang's words, Keqing remembered the secret operation Ningguang had hurriedly organized a few days agothe one where even the Adepti had been invited.
"Are you saying... that intel was provided by him?" Keqing asked in disbelief.
"Exactly. So I believe that, for the time being at least, he does not side with either the Qixing or the Adepti. He simply stands with Liyue."
Ningguang gave her answer with a smile.
However, her smile did not last long.
"Oh my, are you discussing me? It seems I've arrived at an awkward time."
Keqing and Ningguang both felt a sudden chill run down their spines at the sound of the voice.
Turning toward the sound, they saw Su Ming leaning against the window frame.
Seeing the two of them on high alert, Su Ming chuckled and explained, "Relax, I just got here. I don't have a habit of eavesdropping or peeping. I simply remembered something I forgot to tell you Qixing. When I ran into the Yuheng earlier, it slipped my mind again, so I took the liberty of dropping by."
Ningguang quickly regained her composure. "Next time Mr. Su visits the Jade Chamber, you are welcome to follow protocol. I will instruct those below to open the doors for you. There is really no need to fly up like this."
"So, what is it that brings you here in such a hurry?"
Su Ming smiled. "I'm just passing a message on behalf of the Conqueror of Demons. The Abyss Order has been restless lately and seems to be planning something in Liyue. He wanted the Qixing to be vigilant so you don't fall into the Abyss Order's traps."
Ningguang nodded. Her intelligence network had seen some inklings of movement from the Abyss Order. But the fact that an Adeptus had issued a warning meant the situation was clearly more complicated than she had previously thought.
"The Qixing acknowledges this. We will take it seriously. Please rest assured. However, regarding the Adepti..."
Su Ming replied, "Don't worry, I have already notified my senior uncles. If the Qixing encounters difficulties regarding the Abyss Order that you cannot resolve, they will step in to help. But I must also remind you: Heaven helps those who help themselves. Do not place all your hopes on the Adepti and the gods for every single thing."
Having said his piece, Su Ming leaped out of the window and flew away using the Sky Dancing Technique.
"Heaven helps those who help themselves..." Ningguang closed her eyes, mulling over the phrase.
Keqing's eyes, however, were lit with a bright spark.
Based on that single sentence alone, Keqing felt she would get along quite well with the man.
Among the Qixing, she had always been the rebellious one. She had always believed that Liyue should not constantly rely on or believe blindly in Rex Lapis. Humans needed to have their own judgment and make their own choices.
Heaven helps those who help themselves.
The efforts of the people of Liyue were the "self help," while Rex Lapis was the "Heaven" who only intervened when mortal effort was no longer enough.
Keqing reached a sudden enlightenment.
The scattered theories that had been floating around her mind were suddenly combed into perfect order.
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