Genshin Impact, Teyvat's own beloved immortal.

This is an extremely narrow road, with nowhere to hide except by flying or escaping into the ground.

"Huh? What's that sound?! Who's over there?"

The lone patrolman from Chiiwa seemed to hear something unusual and quickly rushed over, raising his spear.

However, there was nothing in front of him, only silence.

Meanwhile, just a few steps away from the Thousand Rock Army, Lu Sheng and Hu Tao were hiding close together in a crevice in a rock.

Lu Sheng maintained an ice mirror in his palm, reflecting the color of the opposite stone to disguise himself.

The indentation was very small, so the two bodies could only press tightly together, and they could hear each other breathing.

Hu Tao's face flushed slightly. She carefully swallowed a mouthful of saliva and lowered her eyes to look at their chests pressed together.

It fits so perfectly! Not a single gap can be seen!

Phew~ Luckily my breasts are small, otherwise they would have been obvious.

Thump... Thump... Thump...

Because they were pressed so close together, Hu Tao could feel the trembling of Lu Sheng's heartbeat.

So stable...

Is it reasonable that his heartbeat didn't fluctuate at all under these circumstances? Or is it that his mental fortitude is ridiculously strong?

That's right. Anyone who can think of such a way to evade the Thousand Rock Army's patrols at a critical moment is definitely not ordinary.

Meanwhile, on Lu Sheng's side...

Paimon, who was hiding inside his body, suddenly felt a series of strong and rapid vibrations coming from the other side.

Thump thump thump thump...

Who's playing the rattle drum?

After waiting for the patrolmen to leave, the two crawled out of the crevice, and a moment of silence followed.

"Let's go, let's leave before the patrol returns, Yujingtai is just ahead."

Hu Tao's voice was much softer than before, and her pace quickened considerably as she dashed ahead into the Jade Capital Terrace.

Lu Sheng followed closely behind.

"You guys, move the things over there. The incense burner is in the wrong position; it needs to be shifted a few inches to the left. Why haven't the ordered materials arrived yet? Go and urge them; tell the merchant that they'll have to pay a huge penalty for late delivery."

"Yes, Lady Keqing!"

On the largest square in Yujingtai, a purple-haired girl with two cat-ear-like tufts on her head was busily arranging the construction and layout of the venue.

Keqing has been busy for several days and nights preparing for the upcoming Immortal Invocation Ceremony.

Since it's a regular event that happens every year, she's gotten used to it.

Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll find a place to rest for a few days.

Ke Qing straightened her collar and turned to go to Qunyu Pavilion to report on her work progress, but instead saw two people who shouldn't be there.

"walnut?"

Mondstadt-Liyue Chapter: Chapter 33: The Traveler Wants to Visit the Jade Pavilion

"How did you get in? Leave now. This place is still under construction. If you want to pray for blessings, come back on the day of the spirit summoning ceremony."

Because Keqing knew Hu Tao, she didn't immediately have them kicked out; she only verbally persuaded them to leave.

However, her gaze remained fixed on the blond man next to Hu Tao.

With blonde hair and foreign clothing, she's not a native of Liyue. Why is she with Hu Tao?

Hu Tao explained, "Oh dear, we're not here to pray for blessings. His name is Lu Sheng. I met him near Dihua Prefecture. He came from Mondstadt and has a letter from the Knights Commander to the Seven Stars. The Thousand Rock Army below wouldn't let us in, so I had to find a way to sneak him up here."

Upon hearing that there was a letter from the Mondstadt commander, Keqing immediately became serious.

"I heard there's a dragon plague in Mondstadt. Could it be that the guild leader wants Liyue to send troops to help?"

Lu Sheng shook his head. "The Dragon Disaster has been resolved, but it involves something more complex. There are reports that the Abyss Order has infiltrated Liyue. Leader Jean believes it is necessary to inform Liyue to take precautions."

"The Abyss Order?" Keqing's already serious face grew even more solemn. "It's been a long time since I've heard that name... Where's the letter? Give it to me."

Lu Sheng took out Qin's letter and handed it to Ke Qing.

Ke Qing opened the letter and read it carefully from beginning to end. Suddenly, she looked up at Lu Sheng, then down at the letter, and then back at him, asking, "The 'dragon-slaying hero' mentioned in the letter, is that you?"

"It was me, but I received help from the Wind God."

Lu Sheng had nothing to hide about this.

On the contrary, Hu Tao, who was standing to the side, opened her eyes wide and blinked at Lu Sheng.

No wonder he was able to remain calm in that situation; he's been through a lot before.

"The Wind God? The rumors circulating among Mondstadt merchants lately are actually true. The Wind God of Mondstadt has reappeared. This is surprising news. Ningguang will definitely be interested."

Ke Qing quickly put away the letter and said to Lu Sheng, "I'm going to Qunyu Pavilion. Come with me, and I'll take you to see Ningguang."

Lu Sheng didn't move, but instead gestured with his eyes that there was another person beside him.

Ke Qing sighed softly, "She can't go up."

"Why? Could it really be the Heavenly Palace up there?"

Keqing could not miss the hidden meaning in Lu Sheng's words. She was not annoyed, but patiently explained: "Qunyu Pavilion is the brain of Liyue's commerce. Every piece of news in it can affect the entire market, and in severe cases, it can even lead to economic collapse. There have been such cases before."

"And what about me?" Lu Sheng asked.

“You’re an outsider, not a businessman, and know nothing about Liyue’s business. Even if we put those documents in front of you, you wouldn’t understand them.”

Huh? Don't understand? Who do you think you are? Lu Sheng felt that his intelligence had been insulted.

Yes, you may look harmless and cute, but that doesn't mean anything.

So Qunyu Pavilion has trade secrets, right?

Okay, wait and see, I'll give you a really big one, no matter how high or low it is.

If I don't take this opportunity to make a fortune and suck Liyue's blood, I'll dye my hair green.

"Oh, it's alright." Hu Tao proactively distanced herself from the situation. "I'm the head of the Rebirth Hall, a businesswoman, so I should indeed avoid any appearance of impropriety. Bringing you here, I've done my job as your guide."

"Alright, mission accomplished. I should head back to work at the Rebirth Hall now. We need to hurry up and finish those coffins you ordered. Remember to come find me at the hall when you have time; I'll play the suona for you, hehe~"

Hu Tao put her hand in front of her mouth and made a suona playing motion. After speaking, she waved goodbye, turned around and left Yujingtai.

"Without further ado, let's go."

Ke Qing called out to Lu Sheng and led the way. Finally, they arrived at a suspended platform and waited for the floating stone to ascend to the Qunyu Pavilion.

While waiting, Keqing turned her head slightly to look at Rikuo and asked casually, "How does Liyue compare to Mondstadt?"

Lu Sheng replied calmly, "Fools compare, wise men appreciate. Every place has its own customs and traditions, with different advantages and disadvantages, and various external and internal factors. How can they be compared?"

Keqing looked straight ahead again. "I just want to know if the area is still prosperous after the dragon calamity."

"With the Wind God here, the Mondstadt people will recover quickly. They have proven with blood that the Abyss Order is capable of stopping a powerful army of monsters. If we don't take precautions, the next place to be devastated will be Liyue."

"There's no need to worry about that. Our Liyue military strength is quite reliable. If even Mondstadt, where all the main forces are out, can hold out, there's no reason for Liyue to be worse than Mondstadt. Besides, with the Emperor and the immortals around, the Abyss Order can't cause any major trouble. The Floating Stone is here, let's go up."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Bang!

Hu Tao pushed open the door with a carefree attitude and stretched comfortably.

"Ugh! What a tiring day!"

"Oh? Is that so? What did you gain today, Master? Tell me about it."

A very steady voice came from inside the hall, each word clear and pleasant to the ear.

Hu Tao could tell who it was just by hearing the voice. It was Mr. Zhongli, the most popular guest of their Rebirth Hall, who impressed all the ritual attendants with his omniscient knowledge and mastery of etiquette.

She looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Zhongli, that old-fashioned fellow, was still sitting upright at the octagonal table, holding a teacup but not drinking, looking exactly like a statue.

"Hehe, you probably won't believe it, but what happened to me today was truly perilous. Let me tell you all about it..."

Hu Tao recounted in detail how she went out to solicit business, met Lu Sheng, a traveler from Mondstadt, and traveled with him. During their journey, they were ambushed and robbed by tomb raiders.

"At first, I thought Rikuo was just an ordinary traveler. I never expected that he would actually be the dragon slayer of Mondstadt, and he even knows the Anemo Archon! So, if he knows the Anemo Archon and I know him, it's like I know the Anemo Archon too~"

Zhongli listened silently until she frowned at the logic in Hu Tao's last sentence.

You already know the Rock God, little girl.

"Yes, it's Barbatos, the Demon God of Mondstadt. He has indeed been missing for a long time. I didn't expect him to appear at this time."

"As expected of Mr. Zhongli, you are very knowledgeable about Mondstadt's culture. However, I am a little worried. Lu Sheng said that the Abyss Order has infiltrated Mondstadt and they are trying to enter a place called something like the Dragon King's Palace. I wonder what they are looking for."

A fleeting look of surprise crossed Zhong Li's usually calm eyes, before he instantly regained his composure.

"Perhaps they are referring to the Dragon Tree, where, according to legend, an ancient dragon king is imprisoned underground."

Hu Tao waved her hand dismissively, saying, "It's just a legend. Only a fool would believe it. Oh well, I need to hurry and get someone to bring the body back for burial. I can't just take the money and not do the job. Come on, Grandpa Zhong, please enjoy your drink~"

The little girl is teasing Zhongli again, calling him an old-fashioned relic.

Zhongli slowly put down his teacup, opened the window and looked up at the Jade Pavilion in the sky, murmuring softly, "The traveler who killed Dvalin? Hmm, worth seeing."

Mondstadt-Liyue Chapter: Chapter 34: The Traveler Enters the Jade Pavilion

Upon ascending to the Qunyu Pavilion, one is still awestruck by its magnificent splendor when standing before this celestial palace.

The pavilions and towers, with their carved railings and jade steps, resembled a celestial palace. Looking down at Liyue from here, everything was laid out before my eyes, and an inexplicable surge of emotion welled up in my heart.

Is this the perspective from the pinnacle of power?

Ke Qing urged, "What are you daydreaming about? Don't waste time."

"Okay, here we come."

Lu Sheng turned and walked towards the largest attic, pushed open the door and entered. The interior was decorated in an elegant and dignified manner, without any embellishment. It seemed simple and unremarkable, but those who knew their stuff could tell at a glance that an inconspicuous table in the corner could sell for hundreds of thousands of Mora outside.

Wow... how much will it cost to fix this?