Yelan, "You mean... those outsiders might attack the Jade Chamber?"

Baizhu had also seen Ningguang summon Chen Fan to the Jade Chamber; she surely had something to discuss.

And.

Now that Qiqi had been found, he was relieved. Naturally, he would not inquire into why Ningguang had summoned Chen Fan.

"Take care, Mr. Baizhu."

Ningguang watched Baizhu leave, then turned her gaze to Chen Fan.

Bi Ji sensed that the atmosphere had become somewhat solemn—

"The two of you currently have nowhere to stay. Why not spend the night at the Jade Chamber?"

After a pause, Ningguang suddenly smiled faintly. "First, let me formally introduce myself."

"I am Ningguang."

"Chen Fan."

Chen Fan could not figure out why Ningguang was inviting him to stay in the Jade Chamber, but after some thought, he did not refuse.

After all, if he refused, he really would have to sleep on the streets.

His earlier reasoning had been this.

Although he had changed his appearance, his purchases had left records. Since the Liyue Qixing oversaw all commercial operations in Liyue Harbor, if they truly investigated, they would inevitably uncover traces of his disguise.

Under the circumstances of the original plot, perhaps it would not have come to this.

But so many people in strange attire, unusual to Liyue citizens, had appeared at the Rite of Descension. That would inevitably put the Liyue Qixing on alert and prompt a full-scale investigation.

Therefore.

Chen Fan had known that someone would definitely come looking for him, which was why he had spoken to Bi Ji that way earlier.

Only, though the outcome was the same, Ningguang's intentions remained unfathomable to him.

Of course.

If he could not figure it out, then so be it.

"Other than those few adepti and Rex Lapis, there's no one else in Liyue I need to fear."

"Oh, right. There's also Tartaglia in Foul Legacy, La Signora—and the sealed Azhdaha!"

His earlier clash with Sui at Wangshu Inn had given Chen Fan a rough understanding of his own strength.

Ordinary Vision bearers, like Lumine, posed no threat to him at all.

"This way, please!"

Before long, Ningguang had Ganyu lead Chen Fan and Bi Ji to a room beside the Jade Chamber. From the looks of it, it had long since been prepared.

As she watched Bi Ji depart, the smile on Ningguang's face slowly faded.

A little girl with a braided butterfly bow atop her head hurried in from outside. "Sister Ningguang."

"How is Keqing?"

"She's temporarily stable."

After a pause, lingering fear remained on the little girl's face. "But I can only stabilize Sister Keqing's condition for now—if she is to be properly treated, we can only seek out Teacher or Mr. Baizhu."

This little girl was none other than Qiqi's friend, Madame Ping—or rather, Streetward Rambler's disciple, Yaoyao!

"I'll consider it."

Ningguang did not agree immediately. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Go keep an eye on Keqing first. Make sure her condition remains stable and nothing happens."

"Mm!"

Yaoyao nodded and hurried back.

As she ran, she muttered, "Those outsiders are far too violent. And they're actually so powerful—"

After Yaoyao left, Ningguang was the only one remaining in the room.

But only a moment later.

A figure emerged from the shadows.

She had short black hair with a bluish sheen, styled with side-swept bangs. Her tall figure was clad in a blue-and-white leather outfit matching her hair color.

However, the entire leather outfit was connected as one piece—her top, bottoms, and boots all joined together. Together with her accessories, it gave her an air of nobility.

It was Yelan, famed for appearing and disappearing like a ghost, ever-changing and unpredictable!

Ningguang's special intelligence officer!

"How did it go?"

Yelan stepped forward two paces. She appeared to have sustained a few injuries. Hearing Ningguang's question, she shook her head. "No. That man's command over the Anemo element is too strong. I couldn't catch up to him."

After a pause, she added, "And he has no Vision, yet he can ride the wind with ease. It was very difficult for me to pursue him."

"Also, the Millelith have discovered traces of the other outsiders. Several hundred Millelith soldiers are currently receiving treatment for injuries, and the entire force is somewhat unsettled—"

After a pause, she looked at Ningguang. "This may already be beyond our ability to handle. Should we... seek the adepti?"

Ningguang closed her eyes and remained silent for a long time.

It turned out—

After the Millelith sealed off Liyue Harbor—

Tianfeng Douluo had been the first to escape. The Millelith pursued him, only to be wounded. Keqing happened to witness it and engaged him in battle. Yet Tianfeng Douluo, relying on his understanding of the wind, wore Keqing down from high in the air and injured her.

However, Yun Jin had finished her performance and discovered the situation, stepping in to help. Gaming, who had likewise just finished performing, also came over to lend a hand. Even with the three of them joining forces, they only managed to injure Tianfeng Douluo. They could not keep him there and could only watch as he escaped.

Afterward, Ningguang sent Yelan to follow him, but she lost track of him as well.

Then, while they were preparing to send Keqing to the clinic for treatment, they were ambushed midway by another outlander.

Yun Jin and Gaming were severely injured and fell unconscious one after another. At the final moment, Keqing made a desperate last stand and defeated the opponent.

But her own wounds were too severe, and she collapsed unconscious on the ground. Yaoyao happened to pass by, stabilized her condition, and urgently sent her to the Jade Chamber.

In addition!

Ningguang had also received a report from the Millelith: the impostor scholar captured in Liyue Harbor last night had broken out of prison and escaped.

The Liyue Qixing's Kaiyang Star had now been dispatched to investigate and deal with the matter.

Yet as things stood, there was still not the slightest clue regarding the murder of the Geo Archon.

At the same time—

Someone had sent word that there seemed to be Fatui activity around the Golden House in southern Liyue, though no one knew what they were plotting.

One incident after another had come flooding in over the course of a single day and night.

Even with Ningguang's extensive experience, she felt somewhat overwhelmed by the situation and unable to handle it all.

There was no helping it.

She only had so many people at her disposal.

Although she was the Tianquan and could mobilize many people, most of those involved in these matters were quite powerful and operated as individuals hidden among the populace. The large weapons she had prepared were simply useless against them.

So—

At present, the only ones who could possibly contend with them were likely the adepti—

"We'll discuss it later."

Ningguang let out a breath and looked at Yelan. "Your injuries aren't serious, are they?"

"They're nothing."

"Rest and recuperate in the Jade Chamber for now."

Yelan froze. That didn't sound like Ningguang at all.

She opened her mouth, about to say something, when her expression suddenly changed. She jolted awake and stared at Ningguang in alarm. "You mean—"

"Those outlanders might come attack the Jade Chamber?"

"So you kept this outlander named Chen Fan in the Jade Chamber because you wanted to—"

Ningguang glanced at her without speaking.

"But why do you think this outlander you invited, Chen Fan, would help?"

[PS: I'm a little hesitant to say this, but this book's premise is kind of... well, I'm not sure whether I should give it a female lead or something?]