During her final conversation with Zhongli, Mu Qingge asked him why he had organized his own funeral.
Zhongli explained that he didn't want Liyue's traditions to be forgotten. He also revealed that the Rite of Parting had been tacitly approved by the Qixing, clarifying that Ningguang and the others weren't acting as Mu Qingge had previously assumed.
The Geo Archon is defending Ningguang and the others, Mu Qingge thought. He probably worries that this incident might create friction between Mu Qingge and the other Qixing.
But how could that ever happen?!
I adore all the characters in Genshin Impact. How could I ever resent them?
Ahem... Mu Qingge cleared her throat mentally. This persona's perspective excludes outright villains like Tartaglia, and those who are technically antagonists but not entirely evil.
It would be stranger if I didn't have some reservations about them.
Afterward, they headed to Yujing Terrace to meet Lumine and Paimon, who had borrowed the Cleansing Bell.
Paimon's imitation of Madame Ping was utterly hilarious. If Mu Qingge hadn't been so concerned about maintaining her composure, she would have burst out laughing.
Later, as they were purchasing kites, Tartaglia suddenly appeared.
"Childe?" Paimon jumped in surprise at his sudden interruption.
"Ha ha, just passing by," he replied with a casual wave.
Tartaglia glanced at Mu Qingge among the four, slightly puzzled by her presence.
However, this was clearly not the time for suspicion.
"Mr. Zhongli is as usual. He never looks at the price or his wallet when paying—or when asking someone else to pay."
"Yet, ironically, he fully understands the value of money and the hardships of ordinary people. He simply can't seem to grasp that being poor is a possible situation for himself."
"Or, to put it another way, he simply can't imagine a version of himself without money."
Paimon chimed in immediately, "This is unbelievable! How hasn't he starved to death yet?"
Mu Qingge glanced at Zhongli, then back at Paimon, her expression momentarily flickering with something unreadable before she ultimately said nothing.
During this scene in the player interface, the camera lingered on Mu Qingge's face.
While players admired her peerless beauty, they didn't give it much thought.
The earlier conversation between Zhongli and Mu Qingge near the Statue of The Seven hadn't been included in the game, so players remained completely unaware of Zhongli's true identity.
Childe then provided Lumine with another sum of money. Mu Qingge, having no money of her own, couldn't maintain her pretense of wealth any longer.
Her monthly salary hadn't been disbursed yet.
The four hired several workers at the docks. Thanks to Mu Qingge's presence, the laborers barely bargained, agreeing to work as soon as they were offered payment.
For these workers, it was simple:
If Lady Mu needs us to do something, we'd do it even without pay!
Among the Qixing, though Mu Qingge commanded military affairs, she held considerable prestige in the public's eyes.
After everything was settled, during Zhongli and Mu Qingge's absence, Tartaglia approached Lumine and Paimon.
"Yo? All done? You can keep the remaining money. No need to return it. Those who serve the Fatui are never left empty-handed."
Paimon crossed her tiny arms, huffing indignantly, "Hmph! Do you think you can bribe me with handouts like this?"
Unfortunately, Paimon's bravado lasted only a few seconds before she deflated, gazing expectantly at Tartaglia:
"When will you give us the next payment?"
Lumine sighed, pressing her hand to her forehead in exasperation.
"Paimon, where's your ambition?"
"Ha ha, I have some information—if you can tell me, I'll open the Northland Bank's vault to you for half an hour."
"What information?"
Paimon's interest was piqued, but Lumine immediately grew wary, remembering the Fatui's reputation and Mu Qingge's earlier warning. She stopped Paimon:
"No!"
"Eh? Do you even know what he wants?"
Lumine said almost instinctively:
"What else could the Fatui want? Remember what happened in Mondstadt..."
Paimon covered her small mouth. "Ah, in Mondstadt, the Fatui's La Signora..."
Before Paimon could finish, Tartaglia let out an annoyed hmph, his tone no longer as friendly as before:
"Alright, alright, honestly, what are you even talking about?"
Seeming to realize his slip in tone, Tartaglia added, "What's gotten into us? The atmosphere was so strange just now, wasn't it?"
Intimidated by Tartaglia's sudden intensity, Paimon uncharacteristically remained silent.
Lumine, too, kept her silence.
At that moment, Zhongli and Mu Qingge approached. Zhongli was explaining the next steps of their plan when he sensed the strange atmosphere and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Tartaglia offered a brief explanation before excusing himself and leaving.
"Lumine, what's the matter?"
Lumine shook her head, and Paimon remained silent. Seeing their reticence, Mu Qingge didn't press further.
-
Live Stream:
[I knew something was off about Childe! That expression just now was clearly furious!]
[My waifu Mu was right all along! The Fatui are definitely hiding something sinister.]
[Should we tell Qingge? Would that make things better?]
[Foolish! We should have told her already! Tartaglia seems terrified of her.]
-
Back in Liyue:
At Bubu Pharmacy, the story continued to unfold as planned.
Mu Qingge knew what was coming next, but she had no intention of interfering.
This is a crucial part of the game's story, isn't it?
I can't deprive the players of experiencing the full narrative just for my own convenience.
At little zombie Qiqi's request, the four adventurers made a trip to Tianheng Mountain to repair the Guizhong Ballista. They returned empty-handed.
When Zhongli and the others finally understood Qiqi's true intentions, they were speechless.
But facing the adorable Qiqi, they could only resign themselves to their misfortune.
Bai Shu arrived to diffuse the situation.
Shortly after, Tartaglia arrived as well. Upon hearing about the Cocogoat incident, he burst into laughter and insisted on covering the bill himself.
Finally, Zhongli spoke his trademark line:
"Hmm, 2 million—it doesn't sound like much at first, but rationally speaking, it is indeed one million less than three million."
With the Incense of Parting matter resolved, Zhongli bid farewell to the group and departed.
Mu Qingge followed Zhongli out.
Childe's secret exchange with the Fatui spy had revealed the location of the Exuvia: the Golden House.
Player Perspective
[So their target is the Exuvia!]
[While what they said earlier wasn't wrong, their true goal is the Gnosis!]
[We're doomed! Does anyone know the Fatui already have the intel?!]
[Ugh... How do they take the Gnosis? By gutting them? That's a bit too cruel, isn't it?!]
[Just look at how Barbatos's Gnosis was taken. They probably just extract the Gnosis without harming the body. It shouldn't be that brutal, considering this is a 16+ game.]
-
Liyue.
Preparations for the Rite of Parting were nearly complete, and Zhongli insisted on hosting a farewell feast.
Mu Qingge declined the Geo Archon's kindness, stating she wouldn't participate in the remaining events.
It wasn't because she didn't want to, but rather because she needed to return and oversee affairs.
Feng Yan had already sent messengers urging her return, as he couldn't make decisions on several major issues.
Perhaps it wasn't that he couldn't decide, but rather that Mu Qingge's judgments had always proven correct, and he was unwilling to risk deviating from her guidance on such critical matters.
Moreover, Mu Qingge needed to prepare for the upcoming challenges—whether facing Childe, Osial, or even the wife, Beisht.
The Millelith had to be fully prepared!
These soldiers were precious to their families; their lives must be safeguarded at all costs!