Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

The lights of Liyue Harbor are especially dazzling tonight, as if the Milky Way has been shattered and poured onto the earth.

The atmosphere of the Lantern Festival has already permeated every brick and stone of the port city. Tomorrow is the main day, but the grand prelude has already begun.

Between the vermilion-lacquered beams and pillars of Feiyunpo, shimmering brocade is wrapped, and the patterns of auspicious clouds and mythical beasts are vividly depicted under the lamplight.

The streets and alleys of Chihuyan are decorated with countless exquisite love knots and auspicious paper-cuts, all in a bright red that reflects the smiling faces of passersby.

Along the harbor, various uniquely shaped lanterns painted with flowers, birds, fish and insects have begun to be test-flown sporadically, dotting the dark blue night sky like fireflies, foreshadowing the magnificent launch ceremony tomorrow.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of caramelized sugar paintings and the warm, glutinous scent of freshly steamed pastries, intertwined with the rich aroma of wine wafting from the distant Three Bowls of No Port.

The vendors' loud shouts rose and fell, and children, holding their newly acquired toy windmills or candied hawthorns, laughed and weaved through the crowd. Their cheerful laughter mingled with the sounds of string and bamboo instruments and gongs from street performers rehearsing opera.

The streets were bustling with people, locals busy with their final shopping, while foreign merchants stared wide-eyed at the wealth and vibrancy of Liyue Harbor.

Lanterns, symbols of wealth circulation, are passed swiftly between countless hands. Jewelers count the large bills, their smiles wide and their eyes narrowed. The commercial pulse of the entire port is surging strongly with the approach of the Lantern Festival. These small paper bills are the most fervent blood flowing in the economic veins of Liyue.

At the dock, workers were carefully unloading crates of standard lanterns ready for launch from the cargo ship, while clerks from the General Affairs Department moved between the shops and stalls, checking supplies, maintaining order, and ensuring that tomorrow's grand ceremony would proceed without a hitch.

Several long-established antique shops and teahouses have already put up signs for "Hai Deng Elegant Gathering," indicating that there will be a series of appreciation and exchange sessions among literati during the festival.

From the magnificent Scarlet Cloud Slope to the lively Tiger Rock, from the solemn Jade Capital Terrace to the bustling port, every inch of Liyue Harbor is immersed in the joy and activity of the festival.

This is the eve of the most important celebration for this ancient commercial port. No matter which corner you look from, Liyue Harbor is in its most bustling state, weaving a magnificent scene of gold and jade.

But behind the dazzling prosperity, some undercurrents are still surging.

The news of Ningguang and Beidou setting sail was a secret of Liyue Harbor, and everyone who knew about it was put on a gag order. Everything in front of the Rock Temple proceeded as usual.

At that time, Zhongli had just been invited to board the ship, and Yelan also came to the dock to keep watch. The number of Qianyan Army patrolling the dock was appropriately increased, and in its place, there was a lack of defense in another area.

Then coordinate the general affairs offices in various parts of Liyue.

Or rather, it should be described as a wing room behind the General Affairs Department complex, where a woman named Salt Mother, who had come back from the dead, was being held captive.

Heureia.

Yelan couldn't keep an eye on Heulia all the time; she still had a lot of work to do. So, the person keeping an eye on Heulia was replaced by Wu Pei, whom the traveler had met before. The Thousand Rock Army, which was originally keeping watch, was also significantly reduced due to the job transfer, changing from three squadrons to a ten-person squad.

After so many days of surveillance and confirmation from the immortals, Ningguang was quite certain that Heuria had lost all ability to resist, and reducing the number of guards was an inevitable result.

After all, we can't put all of Liyue's focus on a demon god who has lost all his power, can we?
However, it was this moment of relaxation that gave some people an opportunity to take advantage of it.

In the complex of buildings behind the General Affairs Department, in front of an unnamed side room.

Hongyu, a soldier of the Thousand Rock Army, gripped his spear tightly, his leather armor gleaming coldly in the dim lantern light.

He walked towards the door of the side room and patted the thick shoulder armor of Qianyan Army's Da Kun, who was on guard duty. "Shift change, Da Kun, go and rest."

Da Kun nodded and stretched his stiff neck.

Da Kun was originally a guard at the South Wharf Shipyard, but with the Lantern Festival approaching and too many foreign merchants coming, Da Kun's plump figure was not conducive to displaying the good spirit of the Qianyan Army. Therefore, Instructor Fengyan transferred him to the General Affairs Department for patrol and guard duties.

Hongyu was a veteran who was transferred to Feiyunpo during its renovation.

The two men each led four soldiers, dividing them into morning and evening shifts, and they surrounded the secluded room tightly. Meanwhile, in the shadows, Ye Lan's subordinate, Wu Pei, concealed himself and secretly kept watch.

Hongyu stood in the spot Dakun had given up, his back straight. Dakun relieved himself of the burden on his shoulders, shifted his feet, but did not leave immediately.

Seeing this, Hongyu lowered his voice, as if talking to himself: "They're taking care of an old woman, yet they've divided her into two shifts of ten people each. That's quite a show of force."

He glanced at the tightly closed door. "Da Kun, have you figured out anything?"

Da Kun shook his head, his thick hands unconsciously rubbing the edge of his armor: "We were ordered to guard her, so we guard her. The orders are to keep an eye on her, not let her see outsiders, and not let her know anything about what's going on outside. As for anything else... I don't know."

Herria's true identity is an unquestionable secret; even the Thousand Rock Army guarding this place does not know what kind of person they are watching.

The two then exchanged their thoughts on working here in hushed tones. Da Kun was rather introverted, so Hong Yu did most of the talking, with Da Kun nodding in agreement.

As they chatted, Hongyu's gaze drifted into the distance, where several trial-lit night lanterns were trembling as they rose into the darkening sky.

“The Lantern Festival is almost here,” he clicked his tongue, his tone tinged with obvious regret. “The docks will definitely be bustling with activity… and we’re stuck in this desolate place.”

He leaned closer to Da Kun, lowering his voice even further.

"Let those four brothers keep an eye on her. How can four soldiers not keep an eye on an old woman? Let's sneak off to the dock for a stroll, get some fresh air, and come back before the instructor checks the post, without anyone noticing."

Having spent so much time together, Hongyu and Dakun had seen Heulia's true face. Although they didn't know the old woman's identity, Hongyu felt that it was impossible for the old woman to leave the room while being guarded by four Thousand Rock Army soldiers.

Instructor Fengyan's orders to them were simple: keep an eye on the old woman in the side room, prevent her from coming into contact with outsiders or hearing outside news, but try to meet her needs if she has any other requests.

Hearing Hongyu's words, Dakun's Adam's apple bobbed. He remembered the group of stray cats that always surrounded him begging for food by the stone steps of the dock.

He also wanted to go to the pier to see the cats he often fed. With the Lantern Festival approaching and the flow of people increasing, he wondered if the cats were safe and if they were frightened by the sudden increase in people.

Da Kun hesitated, clenching and unclenching his fists, but in the end, he shook his head heavily.

"No, Brother Hongyu, dereliction of duty is a serious crime under military regulations, I can't do it."

He turned around, dragging his slightly heavy steps, and headed towards the barracks where they were resting.

Hongyu stared at Da Kun's retreating figure, letting out a short, sharp snort. He tapped the ground lightly with the butt of his gun in frustration, finally resigned himself to his fate and stood still, his gaze returning to the silent doorway. The leather armor on his shoulders stretched taut in the dim light, revealing stiff lines. (End of Chapter)