Keqing?
Why is she here?
The moment he heard the familiar voice, Su Mo turned back—
and sure enough, Keqing was standing right there.
"Well, if it isn't the Yuheng herself.
Working this late—truly admirable."
Although he hadn't expected Keqing to suddenly appear at this moment, Su Mo didn't panic.
He could tell from her slightly startled expression that she didn't come hunting for him with backup—just a coincidence.
"There's no need for that tone," Keqing said, arms crossed.
"People might misunderstand and think you're my maid."
She didn't draw her weapon. She wasn't planning to fight—yet.
"Ah, it seems Lady Yuheng dislikes me quite a bit.
In that case, I shall take my—"
"Wait."
Keqing cut him off sharply.
"Someone wants to see you."
She had no intention of letting this suspicious "maid" slip away.
Even if she didn't trust Rita's words, Ningguang's judgment was another matter entirely.
Since Ningguang wished to meet this girl, Keqing simply had to bring her back.
"It seems the兩of you already know each other."
Zhongli's calm voice drifted between them.
"In that case, I shall not intrude."
The interest of the Qixing in this girl did not concern him.
Zhongli was focused on something else—something far more important to him.
He had come here to think and reflect.
Now that he already knew what he must do, there was no need for him to remain.
Yet another matter bothered him more:
The girl before him… was hard to see through.
As if she didn't belong to this world.
A traveler from another realm?
One who carries power from beyond this world?
"Mr. Zhongli, you're heading back?" Keqing asked respectfully.
Despite being a funeral parlor consultant, Zhongli possessed astonishing knowledge.
If his mannerisms weren't so similar to the Geo Archon's traditional ways, she would've already tried to recruit him into the Qixing.
"It is late," Zhongli replied gently.
"You two should also be careful on your way."
He nodded, hands behind his back, and walked away toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Keqing watched his figure recede—
and for just a moment, her heart tightened.
The Archon…
She finally understood the weight Rex Lapis had carried all those years.
What he could do effortlessly, mortals struggled to even approach.
She wasn't ready.
But she had no choice but to be.
Liyue now faced both internal unrest and external threats.
As one of the Qixing, she had to shoulder the responsibilities their Archon once bore.
"...Why are you staring at me like that?
Thinking of attacking?"
Keqing snapped back to reality when she suddenly felt the maid's gaze on her.
Her hand instinctively moved toward her weapon.
"Lady Yuheng," Su Mo said with a soft smile,
"If I meant to attack you, I would've done it earlier.
Why wait until now?"
He tilted his head thoughtfully.
"I was simply curious why you were looking so longingly at that gentleman's back. Could it be—"
"Enough."
Keqing flushed in irritation.
"Speculating about others without basis is extremely rude."
"I didn't even say anything yet," Su Mo said innocently.
"But very well… this isn't something I should pry into."
Her expression darkened.
"Now then, Lady Yuheng—
you said someone wished to see me?"
"Hmph. The one who wants to see you is Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Qixing."
Keqing's tone was slightly sour.
This infuriating maid—
her politeness was nothing but a weapon, her respectful smile hiding a dozen subtle jabs.
If Keqing weren't certain she couldn't win, she would've zapped this woman with lightning already.
"Tianquan?
Another high-ranking figure…
Truly, I'm honored as a humble maid."
Su Mo maintained perfect elegance.
He had long heard of Ningguang's reputation—even her early struggles had countless versions circulating through Liyue Harbor.
"Then I shall trouble Lady Yuheng to lead the way."
Since Ningguang herself wanted to see him, he would gladly comply.
This was exactly the result he had hoped for.
As for the possibility of an ambush—
Su Mo decided to trust Liyue once.
This was a nation of contracts; if even the Qixing broke their word, they couldn't call themselves such.
And besides—Rita wouldn't be the one suffering.
"You… Fine. Follow me."
Keqing hadn't expected Rita to agree so quickly.
She was prepared to argue.
But the maid complied without resistance.
Inside the Jade Chamber
"So you must be Miss Rita."
Ningguang spoke with composed grace, though Keqing's quick return surprised her.
"And you," Rita replied with a flawless curtsey,
"must be the great Tianquan of Liyue—Lady Ningguang."
It was Su Mo's first time seeing Ningguang in person.
"No need for such formality," Ningguang said with a light smile.
"Call me Ningguang. Tea—"
"No need for tea," Rita interrupted politely.
"I doubt you invited me here simply to chat.
This is about what I told Lady Yuheng, yes?"
Ningguang's crimson lips curved.
"Indeed.
And if my guess is correct… you're not acting alone.
You have someone behind you."
Sharp. Direct.
Just as Ningguang preferred when the situation demanded it.
"Impressive as always, Lady Ningguang," Su Mo answered with gentle admiration.
"Then I will not hide it—
I am merely a maid.
I act only under my young master's instructions."
Young master.
Ningguang's mind immediately skimmed through the influential families of Liyue—
but the possibilities were too many, and none fit perfectly.
"Then may I ask—"
"Ningguang," Su Mo interrupted softly,
"good meals must be eaten slowly.
And my young master dislikes public attention.
He prefers to remain a quiet observer in the shadows.
I hope you can forgive him."
Ningguang wasn't surprised.
A person like that would never show their hand easily.
"I can understand that," she said.
"But how can I be sure your 'young master's' words are true?
What you told us concerns all of Liyue."
"Time will prove everything," Rita replied.
"And surely Lady Ningguang won't abandon all preparations simply because of my young master's single message?"
"Of course not."
Ningguang smiled faintly.
"Still… your master is truly mysterious—and rather troublesome.
He could have stated things clearly, yet instead leaves riddles for us to guess."
"Perhaps that is simply his preference," Rita said gently.
"A drama must contain twists and turns if it is to leave an impression."
Always graceful, always smiling—
Su Mo delivered his nonsense with perfect credibility.
"Before我忘记," he added suddenly,
"My young master asked me to remind you of one thing."
Ningguang raised a brow.
"Be wary… of what lies beneath the sea."
Beneath the sea?
Her eyes sharpened instantly.
This was no small hint.
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