Lumine and Paimon returned to the entrance of the Northland Bank.
Childe was already waiting for them at the door.
It seemed the Fatui truly had eyes everywhere.
Lumine wondered if they had people at Wangshu Inn as well.
She thought probably not—otherwise, Xiao and Mu Yang wouldn't have remained indifferent.
As they approached Childe, he wore his usual friendly expression, a smile still lingering on his lips.
"You're finally back. How was your trip to Jueyun Karst?"
Lumine recounted everything she had seen and heard.
Of course, she only mentioned things related to Cloud Retainer and the others—Mu Yang was left out.
After listening, Childe nodded repeatedly.
"I see…"
"Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, Cloud Retainer, the Vigilant Yaksha…"
Clearly, some of these titles weren't within the Fatui's intelligence network.
Childe acted like a close collaborator.
"As a gesture of goodwill, I also have some information to share with you."
He told Lumine about the Qixing's reaction to the Geo Archon's death.
Their response was quite intriguing.
"They've publicly declared that since the true culprit hasn't been found, no one is allowed to pay respects to the 'Exuvia.'"
"They've even tried to suppress the news… but with so many people coming and going during the Rite of Descension, even the Qixing can't completely stop the rumors."
Paimon asked Childe,
"What's the 'Exuvia'?"
Childe explained.
By Liyue's common understanding,
Rex Lapis was also an Adeptus.
The Geo Archon was the God of Contracts, also known as the Prime of the Adepti.
That's why the body he left behind was called the "Exuvia."
Childe then steered the conversation back to the Adepti.
"All of the current 'The Mighty and Illuminated Adepti' once swore contracts to protect Liyue."
Paimon nodded in agreement.
"Oh, so that's why they're so concerned about Liyue's affairs."
Childe said the Adepti had both the responsibility and the right.
"Now that the Qixing, who govern Liyue, have run into trouble, the Adepti have the right to demand answers."
"The Geo Archon's soul has ascended to the heavens—so why would the Qixing hide his remains? It's highly suspicious…"
After speaking, Childe glanced at Lumine's expression.
Lumine looked somewhat troubled.
"I don't really agree with this approach either."
Paimon followed up.
"Ah! Right, we came here to find that god in the first place."
"If the Qixing hide the 'Exuvia' and don't let anyone near it…"
"Lumine's goal of seeking out all seven Archons will be completely ruined!"
On the way back, Lumine had told Paimon—
Aside from meeting Mu Yang—
She could handle everything else normally.
Otherwise, with Paimon's loose lips, trying to control her might just make things worse.
Sure enough, as soon as Childe heard this, he became interested.
He pressed Paimon further.
"Oh? You're seeking out the Seven Archons? For what purpose?"
Lumine coldly replied, "That's none of your business. No comment."
Hearing this response,
Childe wasn't angered at all.
Instead, he smiled and praised her.
That was a good answer.
As expected of Mondstadt's Honorary Knight.
Not so easily tricked into revealing information by the Fatui.
After the flattery,
Childe crossed his arms.
"This time, I can still help you."
"Huh? Really?"
Paimon found it hard to believe.
Because from the beginning until now,
Lumine's attitude toward Childe had always been guarded.
Yet, Childe kept offering his assistance again and again.
——————
Guinaifen, watching this, analyzed:
"Look, even though we've been treating him so coldly, he's still all smiles."
"And he still wants to help us—isn't it obvious?"
"He's totally here on a mission."
[Does that stop me from admiring his slim waist?]
[Alright, alright, playing like this, huh?]
[Don't rush, let's hear what the Qixing have to say first. We haven't even met any of them yet—this is all just Childe's side of the story.]
[The Qixing? Has our bounty been lifted yet? Don't tell me we're about to become inmates.]
[The Adepti should've arrived by now, right?]
——————
"Give me some time. Just a little time… to find someone."
"I'll find you the person who can break this deadlock."
Lumine was half-convinced, half-skeptical.
But then Childe suddenly spread his hands.
Speaking in a cheerful tone:
"Ah… how amusing."
"The calmer the setup, the more intense the chaos when it finally erupts."
"To witness the moment the undercurrents burst, make sure you stay alive until we meet again."
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"You're not the type to say things like that."
Childe laughed and waved, then walked into the Northland Bank.
After that, it was just a matter of waiting for Childe's reply.
During this time,
Mu Yang, relying on the system to conceal his presence,
Continued to silently watch over Lumine.
Though he knew Childe's last words were just for show—
Lumine's value to the Fatui had only just begun.
They wouldn't send anyone to attack her.
And the Qixing certainly wouldn't either.
——————
A few days later in Teyvat,
Lumine finally received word from the Northland Bank.
At the bank, the receptionist told her:
Lord "Childe" has fulfilled his promise to them.
"You mean finding that person?"
The receptionist replied:
"Yes. Lord 'Childe' promised to find someone who could break the deadlock for you."
"The promises of the Fatui Harbingers are never empty."
Then, the receptionist directed them to go to "Liyue Pavilion" to meet Childe.
At the mention of this, Paimon suddenly perked up.
The entire way, she chattered to Lumine about Liyue's culinary traditions.
——————
Since this part didn't involve combat, Guinaifen watched the story unfold lazily.
While watching, she couldn't help but comment:
"Paimon only acts like a proper guide at times like this."
[Classic mooching off free food.]
[Her most useful moment yet.]
[What's with just 'Liyue Cuisine' and 'Yue Cuisine'? Shouldn't our Country have a hundred flowers blooming?]
[Are you looking for—Wanmin Restaurant?]
"Speaking of Wanmin Restaurant, should I build Xiangling, folks? Teach me, I'm kinda torn."
[Build her! Just forge a Crescent Pike for her—unstoppable.]
[Don't listen to that guy, check a proper guide.]
[She's really good, if she's not I'll eat noodles upside-down.]
[I'll even break a boulder with my chest, how about that?]
...
Guinaifen didn't expect this question to spiral out of control.
The chat was veering way off topic.
And it was getting hard to rein in.
She quickly manually clicked through the dialogue.
Moving the character to the front of "Liyue Pavilion."
Entering the cutscene.
"Alright folks, let's hold off on those wild challenges—I've done them all before."
"This is a Genshin stream, let's get back to the Genshin story."
——————
Back in Teyvat,
Lumine arrived at "Liyue Pavilion."
Childe told her:
The person who could solve the problem of "the Qixing hiding the Geo Archon's remains" had been found.
And was waiting inside.
"Come with me. I've prepared a—"
"Hmm, in this nation, it's called a 'dining meeting.'"
[Liyue has its own version of business dinners?]
[Important discussions over a meal—very Liyue.]
[Feels authentic.]
Lumine nodded and followed Childe inside.
Two attendants promptly greeted them.
"What an honor to see you again, Lord Childe. Our humble establishment is graced by your presence."
"The private room is ready. Mr. Zhongli is waiting for you both."