He changed Tiwat

Han Fulai nodded slightly. "Hmm... It's not far off, though. As far as I know, Miss Vera's profession is an intelligence trader... what we commonly call an information broker. She has a wide network of connections, and she has contact with all sorts of people. It's not hard to imagine that she knows a few members of a treasure-hunting gang. I think that raven seal was put into the gift by Miss Vera."

Yura didn't ask Han Fulai how he knew Vera's true identity. More than that, she was concerned about something else—"You mean, she's the one who found out about Gianna? In other words, it was actually Vera who blackmailed Miss Gianna? She's the mastermind behind it all?"

"No, I didn't say that. I guess Miss Violet was just a middleman... Yura, think about it again. Besides extorting money, Sgroch even set his sights on church relics. Isn't that a bit too audacious for a mere heist group?"

He patted the blank Eye of God on his body.

"Don't forget, the most precious relic in the church right now, the 'Lyre of the Sky,' is on me."

Chapter 348 It's you again, Kaeya!

After Han Fulai's reminder, Youla's eyes widened immediately.

She certainly hadn't forgotten that she was currently on a mission to "protect the sacred relic."

In truth, if Gianna hadn't discovered the "Tibetan Silver Crow Seal" in the gift this morning, she would have preferred to keep the blackmail a secret. She had said she had already prepared the "hush money" for Sgrochi this time. If she hadn't been worried about her husband and daughter, she wouldn't have taken the risk of coming to the outskirts of the city with a dagger to confront Sgrochi.

Why did Sgroch's appetite suddenly increase? Wouldn't it be better to take a slow and steady approach to extortion? Why did he have to cross Gianna's bottom line?

—In order to force Gianna to help them find out about church relics.

On closer reflection, it's highly suspicious that a mere heist group would set their sights on church relics, even going so far as to inquire about the "Sky Harp." Did they really have the confidence to break into the church's basement? Given Sgroch's cowardly nature, it seems unlikely.

But if someone tipped them off, telling them that a precious relic would appear outside the city, within their reach...

Yura clapped her hands, suddenly realizing what she meant.

"Our borrowing of the 'Sky Harp' happened yesterday, and only the priests in charge of guarding the sacred objects knew about it... If Giliana can't withstand the pressure and tells Sgroch about the 'Sky Harp's' whereabouts, this group of thieves might come after us? The 'Sky Harp' being taken out of the heavily guarded church basement is undoubtedly the perfect opportunity for these thieves!"

"The mastermind behind this, Violet and the people behind her, wanted this treasure-hunting gang to come after us, so they deliberately put the treasure-hunting raven seal into the gift Rudolf gave to Gianna!"

Han Fulai nodded and continued, "Yura, think about it again. What if Giliana really couldn't withstand the pressure and revealed the whereabouts of the 'Sky Harp' to the treasure-hunting group, and then Sgroch and his team came to ambush us? What would happen then?"

What will the outcome be...? Need I even say more? Sgroch and the others only managed to escape alive thanks to Yura's mercy...

If she didn't have to consider Giliana's situation, Yura would have simply encountered a group of ruthless robbers. In that case, she wouldn't have held back. Those thieves from the treasure-hunting gang would have been crippled, if not killed...

"The mastermind behind this is actually Sgroch's treasure-hunting group? That person wants to use us to eliminate that group?"

Yura completely understood the underlying logic of the whole matter.

According to the mastermind's plan, this was supposed to happen like this—Yura and Han Fulai encountered some clueless bandits on their way back to the city with the "Sky Harp," and the treasure-hunting team was naturally wiped out, which also helped Giliana keep her secret... Thus, the world where only the treasure-hunting team was injured was achieved, a truly happy "Happy Ending."

Han Fulai saw through this, which is why he said the matter was over—after all, from the beginning, the treasure-hunting group must have been under the control of the mastermind behind the scenes, and for that mastermind, the treasure-hunting group had long since become a "discarded pawn".

If the mastermind behind it all wanted, Sgroove's heist could disappear at any time.

Looking across Mondstadt, there aren't many people capable of making such an arrangement, helping Lady Gianna in such an awkward way, and even daring to use Yola and Han Fulai as "weapons"...

Han Fulai laughed and said, "Yura, do you believe it or not? That cavalry captain we all know is already waiting for us at the gates of Mondstadt."

Just as Han Fulai had predicted, when they arrived in Mondstadt, a cavalry captain who was out shopping happened to "bump into" them.

"Oh, what a coincidence, we bumped into each other on the street. How about we grab a few drinks tonight?" Kaiya greeted them with a grin.

However, he was met with a fierce glare from Yura.

Wendy grinned as well, "Captain Kaeya, instead of drinking, why don't you think about how to help Miss Yura cool down?"

Without waiting for Kaiya's reaction, he ran away.

Sister Giliana, concerned for her family, did not linger. After bowing deeply to them, she departed.

Kaiya, who was being glared at fiercely by Yura, scratched his head and had no choice but to quietly ask Han Fulai, "Deputy Minister Han, can you tell me what I did to offend Miss Lawrence?"

Han Fulai kindly resolved Kaiya's doubts: "Captain Kaiya, we encountered a group of treasure hunters on the way."

“Oh.” Kaya nodded.

"We beat them up."

"Oh...?" Kaya seemed thoughtful.

"As a result, the leader, Sgroch, confessed that you had ordered them to rob the place."

"Huh?!" Kaiya was dumbfounded.

He quickly denied it: "That's impossible...no, it's absolutely a false accusation!"

Han Fulai patted Kaiya on the shoulder with a smile: "I also believe it's a false accusation, but Captain Kaiya, you have to prove it to us... For example, if you personally wipe them out, then I'll believe you."

Yura gave a cold laugh. "Or, I could drag someone named Vera back to the interrogation room. I believe she would be very willing to tell me the truth."

Kaeya covered her face... Hadn't this completely exposed everything...?

Han Fulai was still smiling.

"If Captain Kaiya doesn't explain things clearly, we can't have this drink... Not only can we not have the drink, but we might not even be friends anymore. I hate being lied to..."

At this point, Kaiya had no choice but to confess.

"Actually, think about it. Miss Gianna has been blackmailed by the heist gang for a long time because of this. In order to maintain the peaceful life she finally got, Miss Gianna obeys that guy's every word. If this continues, something even more terrible than paying money might happen."

"The saying goes, 'A short pain is worse than a long one.' Only by facing the most terrible problem head-on can we prevent the worst outcome from happening later. So I asked Miss Violet to give Miss Gianna a push."

"Although the treasure-hunting gang can be useful occasionally, ... those who would do something like 'threatening other people's families' are absolutely not to be associated with. It's better to find and eliminate such pure criminals as soon as possible."

"As you all know, if we were to handle this with the main force of the Knights, it would be difficult to leave any survivors. It's best to let them disappear quietly. Whether it's through Miss Gilliana or through the two of you, it's all a good deed."

Han Fulai stroked his chin and asked, "Judging from your tone, you didn't instruct Vera to do something like 'threatening other people's families'?"

Kaeya spread his hands innocently: "I have no grudge against Miss Giriana, why would I reveal her and her family's identities to the treasure-hunting group? I was thinking of taking a break... Look, I've just added another job to my resume?"

Yura and Han Fulai exchanged a glance.

Kaeya meant that although he had Vale put the Raven Mark in the gift, he was not the one who initially revealed Gianna's identity to the thieves; it was someone else.

"Who did that?" Yura asked bluntly.

Kaya smiled. "Sister Victoria took in Miss Giliana, and she has information on every nun... Besides her, those with access to church personnel files also include her superiors..."

Han Fulai already knew who Kaiya was talking about.

Cardinal Calvin of the Church of Mondstadt.

Please take a few days off

Last night, my mother suddenly experienced chest pain and was taken to the hospital for examination in the middle of the night. In order to rule out any risks, I have to accompany her to various examinations and outpatient clinics for the next few days.

Therefore, I must ask my readers for a few days off. I may indeed be unable to guarantee full attendance for updates this month.

Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding Purple sweet potato pudding

Taking leave, for a funeral

These past few days have been filled with misfortunes for our family. A few days ago, my mother was hospitalized for chest pain, but fortunately nothing serious happened. However, my grandmother was hospitalized for an acute cerebral infarction.

Despite several days of intensive care, my grandmother passed away at noon today at the age of 83.

Although I was mentally prepared when I received the critical condition notice, I was still deeply saddened to hear the bad news.

We shared hardships, yet he left us too soon; amidst the chaos and separation, will we ever find our way back together?

I am ashamed before my sovereign and parents, yet I am still alive; life and death are unpredictable, and all things are wrong.

May the old man enjoy eternal peace in heaven.

January 27th, Jia Chen Year

Chapter 349 Candidate for "Crown of Thorns"

"You mean Cardinal Calvin...?" Yura thought of the former inspector general who appeared in the "Gate of the Eagle" ruins.

If we were to say who within the church had the greatest ability and motive to "leak secrets," Cardinal Calvin would indeed be the prime suspect.

Cardinal Calvin, as the acting archbishop remaining in Mondstadt, has been overseeing the affairs of the Church of the West for nearly a year, and the Church's personnel power naturally falls under his jurisdiction.

Moreover, on the day Han Fulai was conferred the title of "Honorary Knight", Kaia had already hinted to Han Fulai that Cardinal Calvin was suspected of "international involvement" - after all, Cardinal Calvin's son, the former Inspector General of the Knights of Favonius, Illock, joined the Fools after being purged by the Knights.

If a son betrays the Knights, it's hard to believe that his father has no problems.

Although Cardinal Calvin once publicly severed ties with Illok and expelled him from the family, it is hard to say whether there were still lingering connections between them.

To put it bluntly, even if it was just to help Ilock meet his performance targets, this cardinal is highly suspected of leaking information... The Fools might already have everything that's in the West Wind Church archives.

Furthermore, the Calvin family is a branch of the Imloka family, one of the three founding families of Mondstadt, and can be considered a "renowned family" with a long history in Mondstadt, so they are qualified to covet the highest power throne in Mondstadt.

It's not hard to imagine that the Calvin family, like the Lawrence family, would want to use the Fools, a "foreign force," to plot a "restoration." As the heir of the Lawrence family, Yura felt that she could understand the Calvin family's mentality to some extent.

But there's a problem here.

"What secrets does Sister Gilliana hold that would warrant a proxy archbishop targeting her?" Yura asked, voicing her biggest question.

It's not unusual that Sister Gianna, a former member of the Treasure Raiders, was blackmailed, but the fact that her information was likely deliberately leaked to Sgroch and other members of the Treasure Raiders by Cardinal Calvin makes the situation seem rather strange.

Regardless of why Gilliana was targeted by Calvin, given Calvin's status as Cardinal and Acting Archbishop, he wouldn't need to resort to such roundabout methods as leaking information to the Heist to deal with a nun under the Church's jurisdiction.

In fact, if he wanted to deal with Giliana, he could simply expel her and send her file to the Knights.

Gianna's stain as a former member of the Treasure Raiders cannot be erased, which is why she was blackmailed by Sgroch and his gang. She used to make a living in the Treasure Raiders and held a fairly high position. She had done all sorts of things, including looting ruins, swindling, robbery, and assault.

Even though Gianna has now reformed, if the Knights were to pursue the matter, she would inevitably face at least three years in prison...

As the head of the church, Calvin only needed to handle Gianna according to the law and regulations, which was something no one could find fault with.

But why did he choose such a roundabout method to cause trouble for Gianna through the Treasure Thieves? Even if he wasn't afraid of leaving any evidence of collusion with the Treasure Thieves, in terms of efficiency alone, the Treasure Thieves couldn't compare to the Knights.

Instead of using legitimate methods, they choose to resort to shady means... The reasons behind this are quite intriguing.

Kaeya shook his head and said, "Actually, he might not be targeting Gianna..."

"So that's how it is..." Han Fulai's face showed a knowing expression when he heard Kaiya say this.

Upon hearing this, Kaiya smiled and said, "It seems that Deputy Minister Han has already come up with that reason."

Yura glared at Kaiya, then glanced at Han Fulai: "What else do you know? Confess!"

—Although Yura doesn't know Keqing, the Jade Balance Star of Liyue, at this moment, she already understands Keqing's feelings when she listens to Ganyu and Han Fulai chatting.

If you were to ask Han Fulai what reasons he could come up with... he could come up with ten or eight in an instant.

For example, Giliana might have stumbled upon Cardinal Calvin's secret meeting with the Fools; or Giliana might have some incriminating evidence against Cardinal Calvin; use your imagination a little more, you could even think that old man Calvin has some peculiar fondness for "slightly plump" married nuns, and he'll torture her first before making her "atone"...

Anyway, a bishop, if he doesn't have a daughter as beautiful as Jean, is bound to be a villain who does all sorts of evil deeds. Countless literary works on Earth have profoundly revealed this point.

—And villains with beautiful daughters are usually redeemed later on because their daughters join the main characters' group…

Unfortunately, Cardinal Calvin only had one wicked son, and that wicked son is dead... Oh, speaking of which, it was Han Fulai who killed him with his own hands. It seems that Cardinal Calvin is destined to remain a villain and can never be redeemed...

Han Fulai put away his "divergent thinking" and put on a sincere expression as he said to Yura: "Actually, Cardinal Calvin's interests are aligned with Sister Gilliana's in this matter—he also wants to silence that treasure-hunting group."

"You mean, he leaked Giliana's information to those treasure hunters, actually intending to harm not Giliana, but the treasure hunters themselves?"

Upon hearing this, Yura tilted her head slightly and thought about it carefully.

Judging from the methods Sgroch used to blackmail Gianna, this group was clearly repeat offenders. They were prepared to be double-crossed before they went to see Gianna, not only by ambushing her but also by hiding Gianna's information in their hideout as leverage, ensuring that even if Gianna tried to kill them, she wouldn't be able to silence them.

Given Sgroove's modus operandi, if Cardinal Calvin had ever colluded with them, they would likely have incriminating evidence against him.

To the acting archbishop, these people were a ticking time bomb, and naturally they should be eliminated as soon as possible.

But even following this logic, there are still two things she doesn't understand.

Yura stared at Kayya again, and said seriously, "Two questions. First, what makes Cardinal Calvin think Giliana can do it? Second, Kayya, what role did you play in this?"

Gianna was indeed exceptionally skilled. Her insight into seeing through Yura's disguise, and the glint of a knife hidden in her sleeve, all proved that Gianna was no ordinary person... But Yura didn't think Gianna could really take down the entire heist team single-handedly.

...especially after Gianna had been a housewife for several years and gained weight.

Putting herself in Calvin's shoes, if Yura were in Calvin's position, she would definitely choose a more successful method to silence him.

The other question is even more crucial—Kaiya sent Violet to provoke Gianna, also with the intention of quietly covering it up... But wouldn't that be helping Calvin?

Suppose that Kaiya also wanted to cover this up for some purpose, but now he suddenly reveals it. What is his intention?

Yura's question undoubtedly hit the nail on the head, but Kaeya remained remarkably calm.

“Well, let me answer your first question first… The answer is simple, because Miss Gilliana is not only a former member of the Treasure Raiders… but also a candidate for ‘Crown of Thorns’ in the Church of the West Wind.”

Chapter 350 A Shocking Scandal in the Church

“'Crown of Thorns'…”

Yura instantly remembered Rosalia, the "drinking buddy" she met at the "Cat Tail Tavern".

She still remembered the stories Rosalia had told her, and the non-reflective short sword Rosalia had hidden in her sleeve.

Previously, after witnessing the bizarre scene of the nun and the treasure-hunting gang meeting on the street, Yura had secretly wondered if Giliana might be a member of the church's "Crown of Thorns." Now it seems that she may not be wrong, but she is not far off.