At the edge of Yujing Terrace—
"Traveler! Are they coming to arrest us?!"
"We didn't do anything! They're not going to label us as suspects, are they?!"
Paimon froze mid-bite, her greasy little fingers pointing at the onrushing Millelith, her round eyes wide with alarm.
Lumine's face darkened. "Look at what you're holding before you say that—!"
"Holding…?" Paimon looked down at the pig's head in her arms. Realization struck. "It's Zhongli! He must've known we'd mess up the plan, so he deliberately shoved the offering into my hands—made me eat it!"
"You've got some nerve! Weren't you the greedy one?" Lumine scooped her up and ran. The play had begun—there was no choice but to act their parts.
"My pig head!!"
Caught off guard, Paimon dropped the precious meat, her wail echoing through the air.
Lumine gritted her teeth. "Quit whining! Later we'll make that patsy take us to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk for a feast!"
Paimon's eyes lit up instantly.
Right! If the story followed the game, a certain filthy-rich guy was about to show up. Just thinking about it put spring in her steps.
…
Meanwhile, Ken and his group appeared quietly on Mt. Tianheng.
"Let's go too. Where shall we eat?" Ken asked cheerfully. He wasn't worried about Lumine or Paimon. Even if his presence had shifted the plot, they could always retreat to Blue Star if things turned dire.
Venti's eyes sparkled. "Liuli Pavilion! I've always wanted to try authentic Liyue cuisine. They say it's one of the nation's finest styles."
"Liuli Pavilion?" Hu Tao raised a brow. "We're not putting that on the Funeral Parlor's expense report, are we?"
Zhongli thought for a moment. "No need to worry. Just send the bill to the Northland Bank. I have a decent relationship with one of their Harbingers—Childe."
"Then dinner at Xinyue Kiosk," Ken decided instantly. If Tartaglia was footing the bill, better take full advantage.
Both Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk were among the most extravagant restaurants in Liyue. A rare chance to freeload—why not indulge?
Hu Tao clapped her hands. "Perfect! I've been craving their signature dishes. Today, we feast!"
And so, after two lavish banquets—lunch at Liuli Pavilion and dinner at Xinyue Kiosk—two bills totaling 300,000 mora were delivered straight to the Northland Bank.
Watching Zhongli's unruffled composure, Ken couldn't help but mutter inwardly. Truly worthy of being Rex Lapis—who else could so shamelessly stick the Fatui with the tab?
During dinner, Ken remembered Barbara and had several dishes packed—spicy stir-fried delicacies with Jueyun Chili, perfect for her fiery taste. Naturally, he sent that bill to the Bank too.
"I feel dizzy… Liyue's wine really packs a punch."
After two rounds of feasting and endless cups, Venti swayed drunkenly. He refused to burn the alcohol away with divine power, stumbling as he walked.
Ken opened a vortex portal and tossed him back to the Blue Star villa. Then he, Zhongli, and Hu Tao made their way toward the Liyue Specialty Shop to learn more about the aftermath of the Rite of Descension.
But just as they arrived, Ken spotted a familiar purple silhouette.
"Keqing?"
In Liyue, only one girl wore twin tails like cat ears. Even from behind, he recognized her instantly.
Sensing them, Keqing turned, her jade-like face solemn, violet eyes shadowed with grief and anger.
"Mr. Ken. Consultant Zhongli. Director Hu."
She drew out a sketch and held it up—Lumine and Paimon. Her delicate face was tense.
Though she had always voiced doubts about Rex Lapis' rule, Keqing knew in her heart she respected him deeply. Her home was filled with statues of the Archon. She simply did not want Liyue's people to forever rely on divine shelter.
Now, with Rex Lapis slain during the rite, she had to investigate. He was Liyue's god—no one could be allowed to defile him.
"Today, this blonde girl was present at the scene of the assassination. Her floating pet was gravely disrespectful toward Rex Lapis. Highly suspicious. When the Millelith tried to capture her, she escaped with the aid of a mysterious figure."
Keqing paused, eyes narrowing. "And as far as I know… she dined with you just yesterday."
The Qixing all had their own sources. Even without Ningguang, Keqing would have known.
Ken smiled gently at the sketch, voice calm and sincere. "Yes, we shared a meal. As fellow travelers from beyond this world, there's a certain kinship… but we aren't close."
"Not close, hm?" Keqing produced another sketch. "And this one? According to my sources, he seemed very familiar with her. He even performed a song at your shop yesterday."
The sketch was unmistakable—Barbatos himself.
Before Ken could speak, Zhongli said evenly, "Ah, him. A bard from Mondstadt. Yes, he sang here yesterday, then joined us for a meal. Our intent was only to hire him for the shop's opening. But in hindsight… he asked many questions about Rex Lapis. He even followed us to the rite."
"At the very moment of Rex Lapis' death, he vanished without trace. Yet later, he rejoined us for dinner as if nothing had happened. At the time, I found it odd, though I thought little of it. Now, in light of your inquiry, I must admit—his behavior was suspicious indeed. Unfortunately, after supper he disappeared once more. We cannot help you further."
Ken: "…"
Hu Tao: "???"
Hu Tao's plum-blossom eyes widened as she watched Zhongli—calm, solemn, reporting his "suspect" without hesitation.
Selling out his friend so casually. By name, no less.
Wasn't the poor Anemo Archon just here for a meal? Now he was branded a potential assassin of Rex Lapis?
"I see. Then we must indeed capture and question this bard." Keqing sighed softly. She hadn't gleaned much else.
But she recalled Ningguang's words: everyone caught in this whirlpool seemed connected to Zhongli.
Her brows knit. "I've also heard this shop once belonged to the Fatui. Their only foothold in Feiyun Slope. Surely they wouldn't abandon it willingly. How did you acquire it, Mr. Zhongli?"
"It was a gift from the Harbinger Childe." Zhongli said without hesitation. "I then passed it to Mr. Ken, as a token of goodwill."
Keqing's eyes sharpened. "You're close with him?"
"Not especially… We merely share an arrangement. Occasionally, I send him a few bills. If you have questions, Miss Keqing, please, ask freely." Zhongli's dark-golden gaze remained steady.
Keqing fell silent for a moment, surprised by his frankness. Wind tousled her bangs, the moonlight gleaming off her twin tails. At length, she said firmly, "To be honest, we suspect the Fatui are involved in Rex Lapis' assassination. If you learn anything of their dealings, you must tell us."
Before coming, Ningguang had discussed strategy with her. Whether or not the Fatui were guilty, they made the perfect scapegoat. Better to direct public wrath toward outsiders than risk turning it on the Qixing.
Keqing hadn't fully agreed with such mercantile pragmatism—but the Fatui were suspicious. To uncover the truth, she could not ignore them.
"Indeed. I, too, find Childe's conduct odd. He spared no expense to befriend me—an inherently unequal exchange. Once, drunk, he even babbled about a Fatui factory on Liyue's outskirts, secretly transporting… something. At the time, I dismissed it as drunken talk. Now, I suspect he was serious."
With that, Zhongli neatly shifted blame toward Tartaglia as well.
Hu Tao's mouth twitched violently at his practiced ease. To keep her from bursting out laughing, Ken discreetly pinched her waist. She straightened instantly, face flushed.
Ken thought Zhongli's tactics fair enough. A little unkind, perhaps—but Venti would come to no harm. At worst, a bit of friendly backstabbing among old acquaintances. As for the Fatui, monopolizing Liyue's banking all these years—they could afford some expenses.
Keqing frowned thoughtfully. "I see. Thank you, Mr. Zhongli. Once the culprit is found, the Qixing will surely thank you properly."
Hu Tao blurted, "Huh? Don't you dislike Rex Lapis most of all? Shouldn't you be glad he's gone?"
She clearly couldn't understand Keqing's tsundere ways.
"Hmph… I may disagree with his autocracy, but Rex Lapis is still Liyue's god." Keqing's cheeks flushed as she spoke stiffly.
Hu Tao pouted, ready to tease further, but Ken held her back. As Liyue locals, they couldn't appear too lighthearted now—not when suspicion hung heavy.
After all, in Liyue there were only three kinds of people:
Rex Lapis devotees, fanatical Rex Lapis devotees… and Zhongli.
Keqing, too, feared further questions, and quickly shifted the subject. "Mr. Ken, the Great Prophet from another world—did you foresee Rex Lapis' death?"
Thinking back to their conversation yesterday, she realized too late that his words had seemed… pointed.
Now, her violet eyes glimmered with doubt.
Ken replied calmly, "Does the Yuheng truly wish to rely on my divination to uncover the truth of Rex Lapis' death—and Liyue's future?"
"I…" Keqing gripped her sword, chin lifting. "Even without prophecy, the Qixing will find the truth. If we cannot weather storms like this without Rex Lapis, how could we ever lead Liyue to a brighter tomorrow?"
Rigid, proud, even stubborn—Keqing lacked Ningguang's smooth pragmatism. But Ken knew she would answer exactly so.
He smiled. "In that case, we await your news. The assassination of Rex Lapis is a great tragedy for us all."
"Thank you for your cooperation. We will get to the bottom of this." She glanced toward a shadowed alley. "I have a friend who wishes to meet you."
"Beidou?" Ken had sensed her presence already. Since she bore no hostility, neither he nor Zhongli reacted.
Keqing nodded. "Yes. Perhaps the timing is poor, but with Rex Lapis gone, Liyue must work even harder. Speak with her. And forgive her rough manners."
From the shadows stepped Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet, her black boots striking the stone. Bold, unrestrained, formidable.
Hu Tao's eyes lit up at once. To her, the famed Beidou looked like a fat sheep ready for shearing.
Before Keqing could introduce them, Hu Tao leaned in, voice solemn: "In this time of mourning, Captain Beidou—do you have need of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services?"
Beidou: "…"
Keqing: "…"
Keqing almost groaned at Hu Tao's antics, but then smirked inwardly. Perhaps this mischievous girl might even manage to put the unruly captain in her place.
With that amusing thought, she inclined her head. "Thank you again for tonight's clues. I'll continue the investigation. Speak freely among yourselves."
As Keqing departed briskly, Ken glanced at Zhongli, a faint smile on his lips.
The god stood right here—how much did he resemble the Archon of old?