"Sir~"
Yingda clutched her chest pitifully, looking up at Taro with pleading eyes.
"Don't act so helpless."
Taro pinched her cheek with a light smile.
"Before I get back, see how much information you can draw out from them."
"I'll be checking later."
"Leave it to me, sir!"
Yingda puffed out her chest proudly.
"I'll dig up everything—even the color of their underwear if I have to!"
"I definitely won't let you down!"
Her secretary position was safe for now.
Next step—prove herself.
She had to turn this into her moment of glory.
She couldn't let those two mysterious newcomers slip by without being thoroughly investigated.
If she succeeded, her mistake would be erased.
Her post as Taro's secretary couldn't fall into Huoliya's hands—
not ever!
"Good. I'll be waiting for your report."
Taro nodded approvingly.
Then, together with Fanan, he activated teleportation and vanished.
"Whew…"
Watching her teacher and her "big sister" disappear,
Yingda clenched her fists. "Alright, let's do this!"
"Think you can handle it?"
Huoliya's teasing voice drifted over from the doorway.
"Be careful you don't end up revealing our secrets instead."
"If you're not careful…"
Yingda snorted. "You underestimate me?"
"It's just intel work. Easy stuff."
"And don't you dare mess with me. If you do, I'll tell on you."
So long as no one got in her way, Yingda was confident.
"Relax. I wouldn't interfere with real business."
"I'd never risk annoying the boss."
Huoliya smiled slyly. "Then I wish you luck."
"Just don't mess it up~"
"Hmph! You'll see!"
Yingda glared, spun on her heel, and marched toward Wanmin Restaurant.
"..."
Watching her go, Huoliya shook her head.
That girl really was too naïve.
She hadn't even realized what the boss's real intent was.
Poor thing.
The so-called "intel gathering" was just a cover—
in truth, Taro wanted Yingda herself to leak information.
He was clearly targeting the girl's brother—Aether.
And he'd decided to start by studying Lumine first.
Somehow, that made Huoliya feel… a little sorry for the Abyss Prince.
She hoped Taro wouldn't torment him too badly.
As for whether to help Yingda?
No—why bother?
Teaching that brat a lesson was more fun.
Huoliya tapped her chin, thinking of something else entirely.
Instead of meddling, she'd rather plan what to cook tonight.
That annoying girl had stolen her first time, and she still hadn't gotten even.
Revenge—served hot and late at night.
She'd heard from that little bard from Mondstadt that there was something called a "candlelight dinner."
Perhaps it was time to try it.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
Humming softly, Huoliya swayed her curvy hips and slipped into the kitchen.
Tonight, she was in the mood for meat.
And she'd make sure Yingda got eaten alive if she tried to interfere again.
That girl might be timid, but Huoliya had no intention of losing face twice.
"Lululu~"
She closed the door behind her, her gentle humming echoing through the hall.
Under the dim lantern light, she began preparing her private candlelit dinner—
just for herself and her beloved boss.
Jade Chamber, Deck.
Taro and Fanan materialized atop the floating fortress.
The Millelith guarding it barely reacted anymore.
Since Morax's abdication and Guizhong's ascension as the new Geo Archon,
Liyue's immortals were no longer hidden.
Once upon a time, seeing even one adeptus was a once-in-a-century event.
Now they came and went freely—appearing and vanishing at will.
The Millelith had gotten used to it; their presence was little more than ceremonial now.
Whoosh!
Bursts of air followed as several figures descended.
Guizhong led the group, followed by Madame Ping, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper.
They landed one after another on the deck.
Creak—
Before greetings could even be exchanged, hurried footsteps echoed from within.
Ningguang and Keqing emerged quickly from the inner hall.
With that, all three parties were present.
"Everyone's here."
"Good. Let's begin."
Taro raised a hand.
A wave of blue light flickered—
and before them, a vast gateway opened, leading into a miniature world of endless sky.
"I'll explain once," he said calmly.
"Follow me inside."
"It's faster than talking one by one. Once you enter, the information will synchronize automatically."
He stepped through first.
Everyone stared for a moment.
"Please, this way," Fanan said with a polite smile.
"The Jade Chamber isn't the right place for demonstrations. This world will let you see everything clearly."
Guizhong smiled, intrigued.
"Perfect. I'd like to see what kind of world your 'sir' can create."
"You might be disappointed," Fanan said softly.
"His world isn't vast—what lies beyond it is… desolate."
"Desolate?"
Guizhong blinked, curiosity deepening.
Without hesitation, she walked through the shimmering gate.
The other immortals exchanged looks, then followed.
Even Meno hesitated only briefly before entering after Fanan nodded.
"Change of venue, then."
Ningguang smiled lightly. "Looks like all my preparations were for nothing."
"Let's go."
"I don't need you to tell me."
Keqing lifted her chin and strode in first.
"..."
Ningguang sighed, following unhurriedly behind.
Once everyone had entered the Celestial Micro-World,
Fanan turned to the Millelith.
"Everyone, please guard this location until we return."
"Yes, ma'am!"
They quickly formed ranks, surrounding the shimmering portal in a tight defensive perimeter.
At the same time.
Beneath the night sky, above the sea of clouds—
a faint pink light streaked through the air.
The little white kitsune, Yae Miko, soared forward.
Ahead, she could already sense the divine aura of her old friend, the Electro Archon.
But she also felt traces of something new—
Liyue's divine resonance, thick and layered.
She glanced toward Yujingtai, then turned her gaze to the floating Jade Chamber in the distance.
Lightning flickered faintly across her fur.
Without hesitation, she darted upward, racing toward the luminous sky-palace.
Her acquaintances in Liyue were few.
Among the Qixing, only one knew her well.
And beyond them—Ganyu, her gentle "sister."
Ganyu's aura wasn't at Yujingtai.
It was at the Jade Chamber.
That settled it—she'd go there directly.
Etiquette could wait; this was urgent.
Ganyu would recognize her presence immediately anyway.
Whoosh!
The pink fox accelerated, streaking like a comet toward the glowing pavilion.
(End of Chapter)
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