Moonlight spilled across the quiet courtyard as Adrian finished recounting everything to Zhongli.
Zhongli listened in silence, brows lowered in deep thought, before finally letting out a long, helpless sigh.
Adrian took a sip of hot tea and finally voiced the question that一 It has been troubling him:
"Emperor, why have you allowed the Fatui to stir trouble in Liyue for so long?"
Zhongli lifted his gaze toward the pale moon.
"Liyue has known peace for too long. Too many have sunk into comfort and arrogance.
The Fatui's existence ensures Liyue never forgets vigilance."
Adrian instantly understood the deeper reasoning—but he still sneered.
"But you never expected that Liyue's upper class would choose to cooperate with them, right?"
Zhongli's expression did not waver.
"Their actions… indeed disappoint me.
But I believe someone will eventually change all of this."
Adrian blinked.
"You mean Ningguang and Keqing?
Ningguang cares more about money than governance, and Keqing is too rigid.
They don't look like your miracle candidates."
Zhongli finally smiled—calm, knowing, unfathomable.
"They alone may not be enough.
But you are still here, are you not?"
Adrian nearly choked on his tea.
"Emperor, I'm just a funeral director! Leave Liyue's fate to those ladies, please."
Zhongli did not argue further.
He simply finished his tea and departed like a drifting cloud.
Early Next Morning
The sunlight had barely touched Liyue Harbor when Adrian dragged open the store's doors…
Only to see Keqing already waiting, arms crossed, posture elegant and impatient.
"Adrian, tell me quickly—how do we catch Wang?"
Adrian yawned so wide his jaw clicked.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"Already did."
Adrian snorted.
"Of course you did, Miss Rich Girl.
Meanwhile, I'm starving to death."
Keqing glared hard enough to kill a hilichurl.
"Stop whining. Eat quickly. If Wang runs away, forget about your Tianheng Mountain land."
Adrian muttered:
"Anyone who works under you… truly unlucky."
Breakfast & Banter
As they walked, Adrian bought soy milk, buns, and fried bread.
He even offered Keqing a piece—she rejected without hesitation.
"We're going to Bubu Pharmacy." he said.
Keqing's lips curled.
"What? Are you too weak and need tonics?"
Adrian shot her a look.
"I'm a disciple of the immortals. My stamina is one day and one night, one night and one day—why would I need tonics?"
Keqing froze—
Then her ears flushed red.
"You—You pervert!"
Adrian only shrugged.
At Bubu Pharmacy
Qiqi was outside doing soft-body exercises.
Adrian smiled and waved at her, then walked in.
Baizhu was grinding medicine when he saw him.
"If you have business, speak. If not, get out."
Adrian clutched his chest dramatically.
"Why do you only speak gently to others? To me you're so cruel!"
Baizhu narrowed his eyes.
"Because every time you appear, trouble follows."
On his shoulder, Changsheng the white snake poked her head out.
"You are even more annoying than Hu Tao."
Adrian flared.
"Hey! Hu Tao wants to bury Qiqi every day. How am I worse than THAT?"
Changsheng replied lazily:
"Hu Tao's at least simple-minded. You are full of schemes."
Adrian coughed, trying to save dignity.
"Anyway—we're here to catch that fraud calling himself Starfall Heaven-Lord."
Baizhu frowned.
"Why come to me? I only treat patients."
Adrian explained:
"He isn't a cultivator, yet he can use talismans that require life-force."
Changsheng's eyes flickered.
"If a mortal forces themselves to wield power not their own… they pay with life force.
To replenish it, he will seek strong tonics."
Adrian snapped his fingers.
"Exactly. The fraud will come here sooner or later."
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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