By the time the three returned to Liyue Harbor, the sky had been dyed orange by sunset. Ships returned to port, lanterns were lit—it was dusk.
Cloud Retainer was preoccupied. Upon landing, she quickly said:
"I will immediately report this to the Archon. You… conduct yourself properly. Do not use that power lightly again."
Then she vanished in a streak of light.
Ganyu, burdened by her mountain of administrative work, gave Yi Chen an apologetic look.
"Mr. Yi Chen, I still have official duties. Today's matters… please be extremely cautious."
She left, still worried.
Yi Chen strolled back alone to the Knights of Favonius guest residence.
The moment he entered the courtyard, he saw Kaeya leaning against a pillar, wearing an unmistakable "I saw everything" expression.
"Oh my, oh my,"
Kaeya drawled.
"Our busy man is back? First day in Liyue and you're already chatting happily with that elegant secretary—then strolling together until dusk. Tsk tsk."
He leaned closer and elbowed Yi Chen.
"Looks like 'Mondstadt's Most Devoted Man' is about to become 'Liyue's Most Devoted Man'? So—blue-haired qilin lady, huh? Planning to hit confession number one hundred soon?"
Normally, Yi Chen would've fired back.
But right now—
He felt smug.
He lifted his chin and scoffed.
"Ha. Kaeya, you think too small. All romance, no vision."
He straightened proudly.
"That was friendly exchange between kinsmen. Kinsmen, get it? I'm a qilin. A divine beast. Pretty impressive, huh? Not even on the same level as ordinary mortals like you."
He expected shock. Awe.
Instead—
Kaeya's eye widened dramatically.
"You—so you really aren't human?! Yi Chen! You really aren't human!"
Yi Chen: "…my fist is itchy."
Before Yi Chen could demonstrate "divine beast elbow technique," a knight rushed in.
"Captain Kaeya! The Fatui advance unit has arrived near the docks! They want to meet Liyue's Qixing and our representatives—hostile intent suspected!"
Kaeya's smile vanished instantly.
"Fatui… of course now."
"Let's see what game they're playing."
Yi Chen followed silently.
Anyone messing with the Knights—
or causing trouble for Grand Master Jean—
would not be forgiven.
At the docks, the scene made Kaeya narrow his eye and Yi Chen's gaze go cold.
Fatui Harbinger No. 11—Tartaglia (Childe)—stood casually there.
At his feet lay several Knights of Favonius, groaning in pain.
Civilians watched from afar.
Childe rolled his wrist, smiling lightly.
"I've long heard the Knights of Favonius are impressive,"
he said mockingly.
"But judging from this… not much."
He lifted his foot to kick a fallen knight—
But before it landed—
A blur flashed.
Yi Chen appeared like a wall.
BAM!
His leg slammed into Childe's shin.
Both staggered back half a step—perfectly matched.
Childe froze—then grinned widely.
That strength… pure, violent, exhilarating.
Yi Chen's voice was ice-cold.
"You think you're good at fighting?"
Childe licked his lips.
"Yes. I do."
Then—he attacked.
Water blades flashed.
Yi Chen's rage surged—
But—
"STOP!"
Keqing's voice cut through like lightning.
She arrived with Millelith troops, immediately controlling the scene.
She placed herself between Childe and the Knights.
"Harbinger Tartaglia. Attacking foreign envoys in Liyue Harbor—are you trying to destroy diplomatic relations?!"
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