Early morning.
"Eh?" Liyue opened her eyes. The moment she woke, she felt the unusual calm of her surroundings and sat up abruptly.
Only then did she realize—she wasn't lying in some crack in the wilderness, nor was she curled up among jagged rocks.
"It's been so long since I've slept this comfortably…" She stretched lazily, silver-white eyes curiously scanning the room.
The layout was simple. A bed, a table, and on the wall hung several swords—held in place with spider silk.
"So this is his room? Doesn't seem all that special."
She sat on the edge of the bed, her small feet swaying as her gaze lingered on the wall of swords. Aside from that, there really wasn't much else worth noting.
After staring for a while, she finally rose and stepped out of the room.
She found Luciel at the table, sketching something. Mino, meanwhile, was tending to breakfast, stirring the pot carefully.
"Good morning," Liyue greeted softly.
Luciel looked up. "How was your sleep?"
"…It was fine." Her cheeks tinged pink.
"That's good. Come, have breakfast." Luciel beckoned.
Mino brought the pot over, setting it on the table, then handed out the utensils.
There weren't enough wooden bowls, so she took out an iron lunch box to use instead. Each of them got a portion of hot broth and a generous slab of roasted meat.
"Don't just stare—eat."
Luciel noticed the two girls hesitating, so he lifted his own bowl first and took a sip of the broth.
Seeing him start, the girls followed suit.
"Mmm~" Liyue took a sip and let out a satisfied hum.
"Ahhh~" Mino slurped noisily, unwilling to lose out.
Luciel chewed leisurely on his meat, watching the rabbit-eared girl inexplicably compete with Liyue.
"Luciel, aren't you planning to move today?"
Setting down her bowl, Liyue licked the corner of her lips before continuing, "You've carried off so many of Bloodbeard's supplies. They'll definitely come after you."
"They can track us here?" Luciel asked, swallowing his bite of meat.
"You're practically on their doorstep. Of course they can," Liyue said, rolling her beautiful eyes.
"Maybe." Luciel smirked faintly. He sipped his broth, then asked, "Liyue, do you know the way to the Moon Lake Tribe?"
He had promised Mino he'd take her there. Besides, he was curious himself—how could a tribe of tens of thousands survive in this wasteland?
"You're planning to go to the Moon Lake Tribe?" Liyue frowned, her white brows knitting.
"Why? Is there a problem?" Luciel noticed her expression—it was as though she didn't want him to go there at all.
"If it were before, no. You could have gone without issue." Liyue's face turned serious. "But now… with that spirit beast crystal fish, it's dangerous."
Luciel blinked. "People from the Moon Lake Tribe know I have it?"
"They don't now," she admitted, "but that doesn't mean they won't later."
Her pretty face darkened as she thought it through. "Big tribes always plant spies in bandit groups. Sooner or later, word will spread that Bloodbeard's crystal fish was stolen."
"You mean… someone might sense the crystal fish on me?" Luciel quickly understood.
"Yes." Liyue nodded.
"You're saying it's the ability of a mutant?" Luciel's eyes flicked to Mino's twitching rabbit ears.
At the mention of danger, Mino immediately lost her appetite.
"Exactly." Liyue tore into her meat, speaking between bites. "What you should focus on now is moving quickly. The Bloodbeard bandits have mutants who can track your trail."
Once she swallowed, her tone grew grave. "When Bloodbeard returns, he'll definitely lead a hunt for you."
"Moving isn't an issue. Just tell me the route to Moon Lake Tribe." Luciel smiled faintly.
"Luciel, no!" Mino suddenly grabbed his arm, her small hand trembling.
"Let's go somewhere farther away instead—someplace Bloodbeard can't follow."
"That's nearly impossible… unless you abandon most of your supplies," Liyue muttered. Her gaze flicked toward the stacked goods in the hall. To truly escape pursuit, they'd have to throw away nine-tenths of it. All her hard work from last night would go to waste.
"Well, we won't be carrying the crystal fish into the Moon Lake Tribe."
Luciel gently patted Mino's hand, his voice calm. "You forgot—we have the little Black Tortoise."
For him, the trip wasn't only about Mino—it was also to seek other sources of beast spars.
Last night, the Rock Tortoise had evolved to Tier 4, costing him a thousand evolution points. He needed to replenish them.
"But… the Bloodbeard bandits will come after us…" Mino's delicate face was full of worry.
She was easily satisfied. If it was dangerous, she'd rather skip going to the Moon Lake Tribe. There would always be another chance in the future.
"Don't worry. I'll make them regret chasing us." A sharp gleam flashed in Luciel's black eyes.
"Don't underestimate Bloodbeard," Liyue warned. "I'd guess he's at least a Tier 4 Enhancer."
"Then what about you? What level are you?" Luciel asked curiously. Finally, he had a reference point.
"I'm a Tier 4 archer." Liyue lifted her chin proudly. Then, with modesty, she added, "In close combat… I'm only about as strong as a Tier 3 Enhancer."
"That's still impressive." Luciel's eyes flickered. Deep down, he thought he could probably crush her with one hand.
"What do you mean, 'impressive'?" A vein popped on Liyue's forehead. Somehow, his words felt more insulting than flattering.
Luciel only smiled and smoothly changed the subject. "So… which way to the Moon Lake Tribe?"
"That way." Liyue puffed out her cheeks as she pointed.
"Then you'll guide us from here on out."
Realizing she couldn't dissuade him, Liyue sighed. "Fine. But what exactly are you planning to bring to Moon Lake Tribe?"
"Everything, of course." Luciel said it as if it were obvious.
"…What?" Liyue stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. This man was far too greedy.