He changed Tiwat

“Don’t forget, I am the ‘successor of the Emperor’,” Han Fulai replied.

Ningguang glanced at him, nodded, and said nothing more.

Shen He asked hesitantly, "Should we ask our master and senior sister for help?"

Ningguang and Keqing both showed hesitant expressions on their faces.

Han Fulai paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm afraid it's too late. We don't have much time, and everyone still hopes to handle the matter of Guili Plains with our own human strength... Yaoguang Star is still in Liyue Harbor. I wonder if it's too late to ask him to take action?"

Most of the immortals are currently at Mount Okuzang, and Xiao is recovering from his injuries. Without the spatial abilities of "Yaksha Logistics," it's clear there's no time to summon reinforcements from the immortals. If we're talking about a human with combat power comparable to an immortal, the first person Han Fulai thinks of is Jiang Xue, the fisherman.

Ningguang shook her head. "Yaoguang Star is currently working with Tianshu Star to capture the remaining members of the Seven Stars who colluded with the Fools. They are probably too busy to deal with it right now."

—Yes, the major events that have happened in Liyue recently are not just the floods. While he and Keqing were fighting the floods in Guili Plain, earth-shattering changes were also taking place in Liyue Harbor.

"I see." Han Fulai thought for a moment and said, "Ahe needs to continue casting spells to protect the dike. Now that Lady Keqing has woken up, I can hand over my responsibility as acting commander to Lady Keqing... I'll handle this matter."

Ningguang suddenly said, "I'll go with you."

Han Fulai paused for a moment, then cupped his hands in thanks to Ningguang: "Thank you for your kindness, Lady Ningguang. There are some risks involved in fighting the Pure Water Spirits. There may be other conspirators behind this. Lady Ningguang is of noble birth, and I dare not trouble you with such a risk. I would like to ask you to accompany Lady Keqing to oversee the command."

Ningguang sighed and said in a low voice, "Yes, you don't trust me."

—Yes, their relationship is not what it was back when they fought together against Oser and Bache in the Jade Pavilion. They can no longer entrust their backs to each other when facing an enemy.

These words caused a moment of silence in the room.

Han Fulai smiled somewhat awkwardly, about to say something polite, when Keqing suddenly stepped between him and Ningguang—

"I'll go with you. You've already taken on enough for me; you should at least show me some appreciation, right?"

Han Fulai was stunned for a moment, "Lord Keqing, your illness has only just been cured..."

Ke Qing grabbed his hand and pulled him outside, saying as they walked, "Subordinates are not allowed to contradict their superiors."

Chapter 394 Let the bright moon shine upon me, I conceal my heart, refusing to reveal it to anyone.

Han Fulai and Ke Qing left, and once again only two white-haired beauties remained on the icy dike, silently gazing at each other.

Ningguang was about to leave when Shen He suddenly spoke up: "Miss Ningguang, I have something I'd like to ask you."

Shen He actually took the initiative to talk to her and even asked her for a favor?

Ningguang stopped abruptly, looking at Shenhe with some surprise.

This was indeed quite unexpected for Ningguang.

You see, when Shen He helped build the Jade Pavilion last time, Ning Guang promised to answer any question she asked as a reward. In the eyes of those merchants, the right to ask a question was worth far more than ten thousand gold pieces, but Shen He just couldn't think of any questions—she was a true cultivator, almost without desires, and everything Ning Guang possessed was indeed worthless to her.

This "goddess" Shen He is perhaps the most otherworldly human being in the world... but Shen He actually said that she had something to ask of her.

Ningguang blinked with interest: "Please go on, Miss Shenhe."

Shen He paused for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said seriously, "Please ask Miss Ningguang to help my husband."

Ningguang's eyes widened instantly.

Even with Ningguang's exceptional shrewdness, she couldn't have foreseen Shen He's request at that moment.

Are you kidding me? Your husband just rejected me! He said to your face that he doesn't trust me anymore! And now you want me to go and help him? Don't I have any pride? ...Even if I didn't have any pride, he wouldn't dare ask me for help, okay?

Ningguang coughed lightly and said, "Yuhengxing is going with him, so there's no need for me."

Shen He gently shook his head: "Having A Qing alone is not enough; we need Miss Ning Guang to go."

"...Why does it have to be me? In terms of martial arts, Yuhengxing is far superior to me." Ningguang couldn't help but ask.

You've already called her "Ah Qing," so you're clearly closer to her, aren't you? Shouldn't you trust Ke Qing more? Besides, they're going to team up to fight monsters, shouldn't they choose someone with better martial arts skills?

Shen He shook his head again and said softly, "'Tianshui Song' is unfavorable for crossing great rivers, but favorable for meeting a great person. The battle with the Pure Water Spirit corresponds to 'crossing great rivers,' while Miss Ningguang is 'a great person.' Miss Ningguang is Tianquan Star, the great person in charge of the law. Only you can interpret the 'Song' hexagram."

Ningguang chuckled: "Just for that reason?"

“…That’s not the only reason.” Shen He stared intently at Ning Guang. “I grew up in the mountains, surrounded by the sounds of bamboo and pines, practicing the ‘Tongzhen’ method and learning the meaning of ‘Dongguan’, so I can distinguish between sincerity and lies. Miss Ning Guang’s words just now that she wanted to go with him were sincere.”

Ningguang smiled and shook her head. "Even if I genuinely wanted to go with him, it might not be a good thing for him. Miss Shenhe, aren't you afraid I have ulterior motives?"

"When he was underwater just now, Miss Ningguang's concern for him was genuine."

Ningguang did not answer.

Shen He continued, "Back in the Jade Pavilion, I asked you a question. I asked you then, 'Can I integrate into Liyue Harbor?'"

Ningguang nodded.

Before the Battle of Ba Che, Han Fulai asked her to help Shen He return to human society, and they agreed that he would talk to Shen He. At that time, Shen He didn't know what he wanted to ask, but after thinking it over, he asked this interesting question.

She still remembers her answer back then: "Liyue Harbor is an inclusive city. As long as you abide by its rules and regulations, it will not reject you. So, the important thing is whether you can feel a sense of belonging to Liyue."

“I remember I didn’t know what ‘belonging’ meant back then, and you replied to me: ‘There’s always a reason to like a place and integrate into it. Maybe it’s because you met someone here, experienced something here, or maybe you just enjoy the atmosphere of Liyue and got used to living this way.’ You said back then that you hoped I could find a reason to stay soon.”

"I now have a sense of belonging in Liyue Harbor, and a reason to stay."

A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Shen He's face, clearly indicating that he was thinking about her "place of belonging".

"Should I say 'Congratulations'?" Ningguang smiled faintly.

Shen He didn't respond to Ning Guang's words, but continued earnestly: "Thanks to you, I finally understand this principle—we need a reason for everything we do. Miss Ning Guang, you came to Guili Plain, you stood here waiting for him to return, and you offered to accompany him into danger—all of these have their reasons."

"You like him, so you won't hurt him."

Ningguang's expression froze. She realized that sometimes, the simpler a person is, the harder they are to deal with.

Shen He is like a pure mirror, reflecting only the most authentic things in her heart. Makeup or disguise can only deceive the eyes of others, but not the person in the mirror.

Shen He looked at Ning Guang calmly, as if waiting for her answer.

After an unknown amount of time—perhaps tens of seconds, perhaps several minutes—Ningguang finally managed a weak smile.

“Miss Shen He is joking. My relationship with Xiao Han is at most that of siblings, not what you think…”

Come to think of it, her and Han Fulai's relationship as brother and sister was a private matter. Even now that they've become rivals, they've never said they'd break off their relationship, so it's okay for her to say that... well, it's okay.

“'Siblings'?” Shen He tilted his head. “That’s not what he said.”

Ningguang hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What...did he say?"

“He apologized to me, saying he almost did something to betray me,” Shen He answered frankly.

"Cough." Ningguang coughed heavily, turned her face away, not daring to look at Shen He, and it was hard to tell whether her expression was crying or laughing.

“It’s only right for someone who’s called ‘sister’ to help their younger brother, right? For example, when A-Qing calls me ‘sister,’ I’ll give her the shrimp balls.” Shen He’s big eyes blinked as he stared at Ning Guang, giving her the look that said, “You won’t be leaving until you agree.”

Ningguang finally nodded. "The water spirits are harming the Guili Plains Dam, which is to harm the interests of Liyue. As one of the Seven Stars of Liyue, I shouldn't have left this matter to him and Keqing alone. I will go there after I have settled things at the Guili Plains camp... but Shenhe, don't expect me to be of much help."

Although Shen He maintained his hand seals, he still bowed to Ning Guang and said, "Thank you, Miss Ning Guang."

Ningguang left the icy dike and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Her conversation with Shen He just now was probably the most humiliating she had ever been. Now that she was out here, she actually felt a little bit of relief that she had successfully escaped.

At that moment, the voice from the Eye of God at her waist rang out again: "Ningguang, I also have a question to ask you."

Ningguang's expression instantly returned to normal, and she asked in a low voice, "What is it?"

"Do you want to save him, or do you want to kill him?"

Ningguang paused for a moment before replying, "Can't we save him first, then kill him?"

"But you heard it too, he actually likes you."

Ningguang looked towards Qingce Mountain and softly recited two lines of poetry:

"The night-blooming jasmine blossoms on the branches, heralding a unique spring; sitting here, she absorbs the wind and dew as the morning dawns. Let the bright moon shine upon her, she conceals her fragrant heart, not revealing it to anyone."

Chapter 395 My sword has never been weak!

This was probably the most assertive Keqing had ever been since she met Han Fulai.

With Ke Qing pulling him along like this, Han Fulai didn't have time to raise any decent objections, especially since Ke Qing had silenced him.

Well, speaking of which, Keqing really is his boss, someone who can threaten to deduct his salary.

The Biyue River has swelled, flooding the road from Guili Plain to Qingce Mountain. Now, the only way to reach Qingce Mountain is by boat. The Pure Water Spirit sealed within the Qingce Mountain Secret Realm was able to appear in Guili Plain because of the flood.

At Ke Qing's command, soldiers brought them a small boat for searching and rescuing those who had fallen into the water.

In theory, Keqing's personal guard, including Jingcheng, should have come along, but Keqing didn't let them. On one hand, the small boat couldn't accommodate so many people; on the other hand, ordinary soldiers, without weapons like the "Return to the End" to protect the elemental creatures, couldn't harm them at all. Sending more would be pointless, so it was better to stay on Guili Plain and continue protecting the dike.

It wasn't until the two boarded the small boat that Han Fulai had a chance to speak.

"Has Lady Keqing ever considered that one of us will always need to stay in Guili Plains? If we both leave Guili Plains, the position of commander-in-chief will have to fall to Lady Ningguang. Afterwards, when people talk about 'who commanded the flood control campaign,' that name might just become Lady Ningguang."

Ke Qing, who was punting the boat at the moment, asked him with some surprise, "Does Ning Guang want the flood to submerge Guili Plain?"

Han Fulai shook his head. "That shouldn't be the case."

"So that means she also has to guard Guili Plain, right?" Ke Qing smiled mischievously. "If she wants to share in the credit, she also has to bear the corresponding responsibility. If Guili Plain is lost while we are sealing the Pure Water Spirit, she will be responsible."

"Whatever her ulterior motives, she now has to do everything in her power to protect Guili Plain. You didn't want her to come along before because you didn't trust her, right? You suspect she played some important role in this, didn't you?"

"In that case, let's keep her here in Guili Plain, so that she has nowhere to unleash her evil schemes, hmph."

Han Fulai was stunned and blurted out, "Ah Qing, you've gone astray."

Ke Qing blushed and laughed, "It's all your fault. This is called 'being influenced by one's surroundings'."

Han Fulai thought for a moment and then said, "But originally, the credit for the flood control efforts in Guili Plain should all belong to you, Lord Keqing. Now that Lord Ningguang has been given the opportunity to intervene, it is still somewhat imperfect."

"So what?" Keqing shook her head. "When you and I were building water conservancy projects and fighting floods in Guili Plain, were we doing it for personal honor or disgrace? You withstood the pressure and refused to divert the flood to Mingyun Town, and even risked your own safety to go into the water to relieve danger multiple times. Did you do it so that everyone would call you 'Lord Han'? Since it's for the sake of the people of Liyue, why should we care about these trivial matters?"

Hearing Keqing's words, Han Fulai was also moved. "It is truly my great fortune to be able to work with Lady Keqing."

"Hmph, you're only just realizing that now?" Ke Qing pouted, looking at him with an expression that said, "Now you know how great I am."

The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

After laughing, Han Fulai said seriously, "Lady Keqing, when I went underwater to investigate, I encountered a water spirit and a shapeshifter, and I actually made some other discoveries."

"Is this what you told Ningguang before... 'There are other conspirators behind this'?" Keqing asked.

“Yes.” Han Fulai nodded. “I found salt on the Pure Water Sprite and the Shapeshifter, including the salt-based artifacts they used to corrode the Guili Plains Dam and Ice Wall. There is likely some kind of salt-based secret technique behind this.”

Although there are only seven elements on the continent of Teyvat and no such thing as a "salt element," Keqing still understood what Han Fulai meant. Keqing also knew that Han Fulai had inherited the legacy of the Salt God, and the "Luhua New Moon" that he gave her was still on the desk in Keqing's boudoir.

Hearing Han Fulai mention it, she frowned.

"Speaking of conspirators involved in salt-related schemes... Ginhara-cho?"

"It's highly likely," Han Fulai said. "Lady Ningguang once told me that she wanted to take down the 'Three Stars.' Now, of the three stars, Tianxuan Star and Kaiyang Star have already been brought to justice, but Tianji Star, which is closely related to these two, has remained silent. Isn't that strange?"

"...You mean, the mastermind behind this is that Rouran from Tianji Star?" Ke Qing asked, somewhat taken aback.

Although they didn't interact much normally, Keqing always had a pretty good impression of that noble young man, and it was hard for her to associate Rouran with such a conspiracy.

However, Ningguang's recent sweeping tax audits, starting with the Silver Plains Office, were clearly intentional. Keqing, as one of the Seven Stars, naturally knew that the actual controller of the Silver Plains Office was Tianji Star, so it was only natural that Tianji Star would retaliate.

Why did he retaliate against Guiliyuan, not Ningguang? Had she offended this Tianji Star?

Moreover, destroying the Guiliyuan levee will harm the entire population of Liyue.

Han Fulai scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm afraid they're after me. The people of Yinyuan Hall are all descendants of the Salt God, and Rou Ran of Tianji Star is the leader of the Salt God's descendants. I possess the Salt God's inheritance, which has indeed affected their interests."

Ke Qing couldn't help but rub her forehead, thinking to herself, "You're quite good at causing trouble for me. You've stirred up the remnants of the Seven Stars and Salt Gods, and made such a big fuss. So if the Guili Plain Dam is destroyed, it'll all be her personal secretary's fault for possessing such a treasure."

Despite her inner complaints, Ke Qing still waved her hand dismissively and declared, "I've said it before, you're mine. If they try to harm you, they're going against me!"

"So, Lady Keqing insisted on coming with me this time because she's protecting me?" Han Fulai said with a smile.

"Yes, yes, I am... your superior, of course I have to protect my subordinates." Ke Qing's pretty face blushed again, and the memories from the camp quietly resurfaced in her mind.

Han Fulai had only said it casually, but seeing Ke Qing blushing, he also recalled the intimate moments they had shared in the tent.

He knew, of course, that his relationship with Ke Qing needed to be addressed, and that it wasn't something a girl should bring up... But now wasn't the time for romance, so Han Fulai quickly changed the subject: "Given my current situation, it is indeed difficult for me to handle this alone. Actually, it would be a lie to say that I know how to seal the Pure Water Spirit; I really don't know the method... but the person who broke the seal definitely does."

“The conspirators are after me. If I give them a chance, they will definitely seize it. If they want to attack me, those conspirators will have to be exposed no matter how well they hide.”

“This matter should have been entrusted to A-He, but she is indeed too busy right now… However, since Lady Keqing has come along, I am even more confident.”

"what do you mean……"

"Do you remember our plan at Qingxupu? I used myself as bait to lure the snake out of its hole. Lord Keqing was the one who stalked the thief! Everything depends on Lord Keqing!" Han Fulai said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Ke Qing blinked, suddenly a little excited.

She is still relatively new to the Seven Stars and has not yet witnessed the change of the Seven Stars... but now it seems that she has the opportunity to personally bring down a veteran Seven Star?

And, and he even said he relies on me!