At the entrance of Liyue Harbor, Qiu Xue shifted her form, transforming into Qiu Bai.
Only then did Qiu Bai take a closer look at the stockings in the system's inventory.
They were pure white, with intricate golden patterns engraved on either side.
"...Why do these look so much like thigh-highs?"
Qiu Bai's mouth twitched. Upon closer inspection, he couldn't hold back a chuckle.
That said, they would probably look great on his female form.
"Whatever."
"I'll wear them the next time I turn back into Qiu Xue. If not, I can always give them to my sister."
Muttering to himself, Qiu Bai stroked his chin.
After all, these stockings were capable of nourishing divine power.
With that thought, he casually made his way toward Liyue Harbor's main gate, where he heard the voices of Zhongli, Lumine, and Paimon.
Looking over, he saw them speaking with a masked Fatui operative.
...
"You are Zhongli, the consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, correct?"
"The Millelith are keeping a close watch on us right now. These are unusual times, so you'd best not act recklessly."
The Fatui member, Felix, spoke slowly to Zhongli.
After all, the Fatui had been far too involved with the Funeral Parlor.
...
"Hey! Paimon, Lumine, Zhongli!"
"What are you guys talking about?"
Qiu Bai approached upon seeing the group engaged in conversation.
"Ah, Guest Consultant Qiu Bai of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Felix was slightly taken aback upon seeing him.
"Long time no see, old friend."
Zhongli turned, smiling at the newcomer.
"Qiu Bai! You're here too?"
Paimon waved excitedly.
Qiu Bai walked up to them and ruffled Paimon's hair.
"Qiu Bai, it's been a while."
Lumine looked up at him with a smile.
"What were you discussing just now?"
Qiu Bai glanced between the three of them, then at the Fatui operative before him, curiosity in his tone.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, we were just talking about the current state of affairs."
Felix spoke slowly, explaining in response to Qiu Bai's inquiry.
...
"The current state of affairs?"
Qiu Bai feigned confusion—of course, he already knew things were tense.
By now, the Adepti were likely already confronting the Liyue Qixing.
"The Adepti have begun their descent from Jueyun Karst,"
"They come with ill intentions, no doubt."
Felix explained, noticing Qiu Bai's supposedly puzzled expression.
"They've come to seek retribution?"
Zhongli crossed his arms, eyeing the Fatui operative.
"Most likely. I've heard that several of the Qixing have already gone out to meet them."
"Though calling it a 'meeting' is a stretch—it's more like they're trying to keep the Adepti outside the city."
Felix scoffed, his tone carrying a hint of mockery toward both the Qixing and the Adepti.
Then, crossing his arms, he continued, "But both sides are stubborn. It's already reached a stalemate."
Hearing this, Zhongli stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought.
Then, he spoke calmly, "This outcome was inevitable."
"The Adepti do not recognize the Qixing; they only acknowledge their contract with the Geo Archon."
"But should they decide to launch a direct assault, I fear Liyue Harbor won't be able to hold them back."
Zhongli lowered his hand and turned his gaze toward Felix.
"But the Qixing won't just sit idly by, waiting for their fate to be decided."
Qiu Bai chuckled lightly at the side—it seemed Zhongli was rather satisfied with the current Qixing.
"Hmph. Who doesn't know how unyielding they are?"
"But precisely because of that, the conflict between humans and Adepti is on the verge of erupting!"
Felix scoffed again, his disdain evident—after all, the Qixing's hardline stance extended to the Fatui as well.
Zhongli simply waved his hand.
"And? Why does it feel like the Fatui have suddenly become everyone's scapegoat?"
He looked directly at Felix as he spoke.
"Hah, it's all because of Ningguang."
"She claims that, with a storm brewing, the Millelith must gain complete control over the Fatui's movements."
Felix sneered, glancing at the trio before him.
"Hmph. And only now do they decide to keep the Fatui in check? The Qixing aren't all that impressive after all."
"In any case, Mr. Qiu Bai, Mr. Zhongli—you are Lord Childe's collaborators. Your stance partially reflects ours, so be careful not to let anyone catch you in a compromising position."
Felix cast a pointed look at Zhongli and Qiu Bai, his tone carrying a clear warning.
Zhongli and Qiu Bai exchanged glances.
...
"My friend, if this disaster spirals beyond control,"
"I must ask you to intervene."
Zhongli's voice transmitted directly into Qiu Bai's mind.
"Tch, no need to be so formal."
"Relax, Morax—I'll handle it."
Qiu Bai replied in the same manner.
After all, as far as the world was concerned, the Geo Archon was already dead.
But the Immortal of Yin and Yang has merely gone missing!
"It looks like the tensions in Liyue Harbor..."
"Have reached their breaking point!"
Paimon turned to the Traveler beside her, concern in her voice.
Lumine looked at Zhongli and Qiu Bai, her eyes firming with determination.
"I don't want to just stand by and do nothing," she declared.
After spending days in Liyue, getting to know its people, she didn't want to watch things spiral out of control.
Not to mention, she still needed to search for clues about the Geo Archon.
"You mean to use your unique neutral status to mediate?"
"Or do you intend to rely on your own strength to shift the balance?"
"Neither path will be easy," Zhongli remarked, his voice calm as he regarded Lumine and Paimon.
"...Speaking of which, Mr. Zhongli, I heard that Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has also been dragged into this conflict."
"Right now, your people are locked in a standoff with the Millelith," Felix interjected, glancing at Zhongli.
Hearing this, Zhongli rubbed his chin, his lips twitching slightly.
Hu Tao… That child. Who knows what she might pull off this time?
"This is troublesome."
He turned his gaze to Lumine, Paimon, and Qiu Bai.
"I should go ahead and check on the Funeral Parlor."
"Hopefully, Master Hu is handling things well enough for now… I just hope she doesn't make too big of a mess."
Zhongli nodded toward Qiu Bai before preparing to leave.
Qiu Bai nearly laughed—he was rather curious about Zhongli's reaction when he inevitably saw his "sister" again.
Turning to Lumine and Paimon, he continued,
"Traveler, you should give it some thought as well."
"In my opinion, if you want to prevent an explosion, you should figure out where the fuse is first."
With that, Zhongli strode into Liyue Harbor, leaving Lumine and Paimon momentarily bewildered.
Paimon turned to Qiu Bai, confused.
"You're not going, Qiu Bai?"
"I mean, you are a guest consultant at the Funeral Parlor."
She scratched her head, not understanding why Qiu Bai wasn't rushing back as well.
Qiu Bai didn't answer directly.
"...Think back. Who's been footing the bill for all your expenses?"
His words were calm but pointed.
Childe...?!
Realization dawned on Lumine and Paimon.
"Oh! I... I think I get it now!"
"If anyone's eager for chaos in the city, he's the first person that comes to mind!"
Paimon jabbed a finger at the air, her analysis spot-on.
"That guy is definitely using this mess to pull some shady stunt!"
"But where would he go?"
Paimon waved her hands in frustration.
"When everything descends into... well, chaos, where would he head?"
She pressed a hand to her forehead, struggling to figure it out.
Liyue was vast—how were they supposed to track him down?
"...There's only one place he'd go."
Lumine's expression turned resolute. She looked back at Qiu Bai.
"Qiu Bai, are you coming?"
Having him along would certainly make things easier.
After all, both she and Paimon still vividly remembered how he punched a stone and left a perfect imprint.
Qiu Bai smirked.
"Sure, I'll go with you."
"After all, I am pretty strong."
He ruffled Paimon's head, ignoring her inevitable protest, before glancing at Lumine.
"Let's go—
To the Golden House."