Chapter 5: Keqing – A Chat Group? A Better Way to Supervise Work?
Ningguang's Late-Night Visitor
The moon hung high above Liyue Harbor, casting silver light upon the floating Jade Chamber. Inside, the soft crackle of incense mingled with the rustle of papers.
Despite the late hour, Ningguang remained at her desk, eyes scanning the mountain of documents before her.
From a simple street vendor to Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, she had climbed through sheer intellect and will—her success paid for in sleepless nights and unrelenting ambition.
The quiet was shattered by a voice that didn't belong.
> "So this is the Jade Chamber? Hm… it truly lives up to its reputation as the most extravagant place in Liyue."
Ningguang's eyes snapped up.
A man in white stood near the window, his robe flowing gently in the night breeze. His features were obscured, yet his presence commanded the room.
Something about him—his poise, his aura—felt faintly familiar, reminiscent of Morax himself.
An adeptus, perhaps?
Her tone was calm, but her gaze sharpened.
"Who are you?"
The stranger chuckled softly.
"You recover quickly. No wonder you're Tianquan of the Qixing."
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. After all, if someone were to assassinate Liyue's Tianquan inside her own domain, I doubt Morax would sit idly by."
Before Ningguang could reply, a strange ripple of light danced across her vision. A sudden weight settled in her consciousness.
> [You have been invited to the Teyvat Chat Group.]
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Ningguang Joins the Chat Group
An unfamiliar interface materialized within her mind, filled with symbols and flowing text.
> A chat group?
She skimmed the introduction, her quick mind dissecting the information in seconds.
A system that grants power? Purifies Abyssal corruption? Even the adepti could not claim such ability.
She glanced at the list of members:
Kael – unfamiliar name. Likely the intruder before her.
Zhongli – the "walking encyclopedia" of Liyue; polite, eccentric, and… wealthy in words, not Mora.
I Am a Little Bird? – Ningguang blinked. Surely no one in Liyue would use such an embarrassing name.
Before she could dwell on it, another notification appeared:
> [Ding! Welcome, Keqing, to the Chat Group!]
Her eyes glinted with intrigue.
Keqing? This might be entertaining.
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Keqing's Furious Entry
> Keqing: "What is this?! And who's that intruder?! Don't think running away will save you! Breaking into someone's home is illegal!"
Ningguang: "Ah, so you've met him as well."
Keqing: "Σ(っД;)っ Ningguang?! You're here too?! Do you see this thing? It says it can 'purify Abyssal energy.' Ridiculous! Impossible! And that man—he's going straight to jail when I catch him!"
Ningguang smirked faintly.
Typical Keqing—unyielding, diligent, and perpetually outraged by anyone who broke even the faintest rule.
Still… she couldn't help but wonder what, exactly, Kael had done to trigger such fury.
He didn't… walk in on her, did he?
A quiet cough from Kael interrupted her thoughts.
> Kael: "The group leader isn't here right now. Also, do you really think you can catch him? Instead of shouting, maybe explore the chat group a little?"
He shot a guilty glance toward Zhongli.
Mentally, he added a note:
Avoid entering homes through windows. Especially when someone's bathing.
---
Zhongli's Observation
Zhongli, standing beside him, said nothing of Kael's earlier blunder. His tone remained calm, as if observing a chess match.
"With their intelligence," he murmured, "they'll deduce your identity soon enough."
Kael grinned. "So what if they do? I'll deny it. Mystery adds charm, doesn't it?"
He folded his arms, eyes gleaming.
"Think of it—an unknown 'Demon God' suddenly grants them power. Power that could change Liyue's destiny. How will they react? Serve it? Study it? Or fear it?"
Zhongli tilted his head. "You're testing their hearts."
"Maybe," Kael said softly. "Or maybe I just want to see what kind of world humanity will build when given divine tools—and no divine chains."
For a long moment, the two gods watched the night sky in silence.
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Keqing and Ningguang's Curiosity
> Keqing: "Kael? Who are you? Are you that intruder?!"
Kael: "No, no! I'm just a traveler. Some mysterious being gave me these powers and added me here. I'm innocent!"
Keqing: "...Really now? (╬▔皿▔) You'd better not be lying!"
Kael: "Wouldn't dare! Anyway, this chat group is amazing! I fought some Hilichurls earlier and gained points. Then I used them to learn a technique called 'Basic Internal Cultivation'! My strength skyrocketed—I might even surpass the Archons one day!"
Both women paused.
> Ningguang: "…Surpass the Archons?"
Keqing: "Ridiculous. Though…"
She trailed off. If even part of his claim was true, it was something worth investigating.
> Zhongli: "The technique is indeed real," his calm voice joined the chat. "It may not compare to adeptal arts, but it offers mortals a structured path to growth."
Ningguang: "Even you acknowledge it, Mr. Zhongli?"
Keqing: "Mr. Zhongli?! You're here too? Well, this just became far more interesting!"
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The Hidden Experiment
High above the clouds, Kael closed the chat with a quiet smile.
"They've taken the bait," he said.
Zhongli gave a slight nod. "Then the test begins."
Below, in Liyue Harbor, two of the Qixing stared at the strange new interface—one with cautious curiosity, the other with frustrated fascination.
For now, the chat group connected them all, unseen threads binding gods and mortals alike.
Would the leaders of Liyue embrace this power for their people?
Or would they clutch it like dragons guarding their hoards?
Kael didn't know the answer yet.
But whatever path they chose—
He would be watching.
And the world of Teyvat would never be the same again.
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✨ End of Chapter 5