Their commission was suspicious.

Flying is no longer an option; the gates of the Knights' Order aren't very high, and it would be easy to bump your head if you tried to fly.

Keqing without Doritos.jpg

Chapter 202 The Tsundere Leader Qin

"Qin, I've come to get my book." Chen Luo entered the Knights Order and immediately found himself in a broken doorway.

That is, to break down the door and enter.

Actually, Chen Luo didn't understand one thing: why Qin, the acting leader, had her office at the entrance of the Knights Order.

Normally, shouldn't the higher the rank of a leader, the higher or safer their office be?

Or is it because the Knights Order is a military organization, and its leader is the most powerful person, that they are fearless?

However, Chen Luo personally prefers that many people come to help the Knight Commander Jean.

After all, Qin is a very busy person.

Chen Luo truly couldn't understand why they had to make Jean do the searching for the cat. What use were those knights still patrolling Mondstadt anyway?

Are you just going to coast along and wait to die?

"You're here. What you asked for is right next to you." After hearing Chen Luo's voice, Qin continued to handle her official duties without looking up, while pointing to the side with her free left hand.

Following the left hand of the zither, Chen Luo looked towards the corner where about ten thick alchemy books were placed.

"These books look so thick," Chen Luo said, walking to a corner and looking at a stack of books that was only a dozen or so in number but already half his height.

“Oh, these are the books I asked Sugar to pick out for you. Didn’t you say you had never been exposed to alchemy before? So after hearing your request, Sugar selected a few alchemy books from the Knights’ collection, the most representative books from each stage of alchemy.”

“According to Sugar, these books range from the basics to more advanced alchemy texts. It will take at least a year to read and understand the contents of these books, but after mastering them, one can basically be considered a qualified alchemist,” Jean said.

"Oh, okay. Then remember to thank that sugar for me." Chen Luo nodded, looking at the pile of books.

This arrangement of books is remarkably logical, progressing from the basics of alchemy to its ultimate conclusion. It's a choice befitting professionals.

“No problem. Normally, if you want to express your gratitude, you should do it in person, but Sugar isn’t good at dealing with people, so I’ll pass on the message for you.” Qin nodded.

"Huh?" Qin, who was handling official business, suddenly paused and then looked up.

"What's wrong, Qin?" Chen Luo asked when he saw Qin, who hadn't looked up even when he came in, suddenly raise her head.

"You... smell quite a bit of Lisa's perfume on you?" Qin looked at Chen Luo with some suspicion.

"...Qin, isn't your focus a little strange?" Chen Luo paused, touching the first book.

"You forgot? I was doing research with Lisa in another workshop. I even helped out. It's normal to smell her perfume on me, isn't it?" Chen Luo said helplessly.

But speaking of which, Qin, why are you so sensitive about this?

And he seemed quite skilled at it.

"Oh, that's true." Qin nodded in realization, then lowered her head and continued working.

"Of course, it's also possible that the fragrance got on her during a full-body massage."

"Hmm?" Qin, who had just lowered her head, raised it again.

“If you get tired from the experiments, you can just rest, right? Besides, I’m quite good at massage. Qin, would you like to try it? It will definitely relax your body and relieve fatigue,” Chen Luo asked Qin.

"No, no need." Qin shuddered at the thought of the full-body massage Chen Luo had mentioned.

Something this stimulating is best avoided. It's a bit too much for Qin.

"Oh, Qin, you might have misunderstood. I was only talking about massage, specifically for the limbs and back. I studied proper medical massage. It used to be used to relieve muscle tension for patients who were bedridden for a long time." Seeing Qin's somewhat evasive gaze, Chen Luo instantly understood her concerns.

Chen Luo felt that the other party was insulting him.

Please, I'm a legitimate massage therapist, I massage bedridden patients, how could you have such wild ideas?

Of course, the profession of massage therapist can easily lead to all sorts of speculation.

"Oh, I see. But never mind. I've already rested at the bar for an hour, so I don't have time for a full-body massage." Hearing Chen Luo say this, Qin was clearly relieved, but she still declined.

If it's just a massage of the limbs and back, that's fine.

It seems I misunderstood.

“Just resting for an hour won’t relieve your fatigue. How about this, since you don’t want a full-body massage, how about I massage your shoulders? Now do some chest expansion exercises, do your shoulders feel sore?” Chen Luo instructed Qin while touching the alchemy books.

"This... does seem a bit sore." Following Chen Luo's instructions, Qin expanded her chest a little and then placed her hands on her shoulders, kneading them.

This problem can indeed occur if you work in an office for long periods of time. Even if you don't work in an office, but instead play games or sit for long periods of time, this situation can still happen.

The simplest way to tell if this is the case is to gently tap the other shoulder with your fist. If you feel a soreness that is different from pain, then you should definitely get your shoulder massaged.

There's a reason why massage exists; for example, Chen Luo often massages himself.

A normal human body cannot massage itself, but luckily Chen Luo had the silk thread.

"This..." Qin was tempted for a moment, because she did feel that her shoulders were very sore and stiff.

It was fine before, but after Chen Luo pointed it out, Qin became somewhat uneasy.

[Ding! You have a new request!]

Quest Reward: 20 Primogems

"Alright, you don't need to say anything more, I understand. Qin, you really need to massage your shoulders, otherwise it will affect your work efficiency."

The request from the zither is much more direct than the zither itself.

"Well... thank you." Seeing that Chen Luo had even walked directly behind her, Qin could only reluctantly accept Chen Luo's kindness.

"Bear with it, it might hurt a little at first, that's common during massages. Oh, by the way, if you can, could you take off your outer garment first? The transmission of spiritual energy will be a bit problematic through the fabric." Chen Luo nudged Qin's collar as he spoke.

"The transmission of spiritual energy?"

“Oh, I see. Spiritual power is a unique power in our world. It’s different from magic. Spiritual power can nourish the body, relieve fatigue, and is very beneficial for the body’s repair. Moreover, the massage technique I learned seems to resonate with spiritual power, which can make the effects of spiritual power more effective,” Chen Luo said.

"Oh, okay." Although Qin didn't understand what spiritual power was, she still took off her outer garment out of trust in Chen Luo.

After all, if Chen Luo really had ulterior motives, it wouldn't make a difference whether he had an outer garment or not.

"Get ready, it'll hurt a little at first." After saying that, Chen Luo placed his fingers on Qin Guangjie's shoulder and then pinched it hard.

"Ugh! It does hurt a bit, but... it also feels a bit comfortable, and I can feel a warm current flowing through my shoulder." When Chen Luo first started massaging her, Qin did cry out in pain, but it wasn't a full-blown pain; it quickly turned into comfort, so she stopped crying out soon after.

"The spiritual energy in your world is indeed a wonderful thing," Qin said with some emotion.

“That’s true. While spiritual power and magic power certainly have their advantages, spiritual power has a significant advantage in healing. And as for the zither, you can enjoy a massage while handling your official duties,” Chen Luo reminded him.

"Oh, okay." Hearing Chen Luo's reminder, Qin picked up an official document and began to examine it.

Although I can't write my signature precisely while getting a shoulder massage, I can read the official document first, put it aside in my mind, estimate the handling opinions, and then directly make corrections after the massage is over.

Within Chen Luo's fingers, spiritual energy began to flow in a fixed manner to Qin's shoulder.

Chen Luo did indeed discover that this set of massage techniques was quite compatible with spiritual energy. Although it could be used even without spiritual energy, the effect was outstanding when combined with spiritual energy.

Actually, this is not very strange.

In the 500 years following each millennium, as time passes, a great many secret techniques are gradually forgotten.

Moreover, as spiritual energy is depleted and it becomes impossible to cultivate spiritual energy again, many previously highly secret techniques and knowledge will be disseminated as ordinary items.

Why is it that some martial arts in reality are so different from those described in ancient times? It's not that the ancients lied, but that they couldn't be cultivated without spiritual power.

It's like a cannon barrel without shells; at best, it can be used as a huge stick to swing around, and because the barrel is so big, it's not even as effective as a regular wooden stick when used for fighting.

Chen Luo's luck was neither good nor bad; this massage technique was considered above average and could be used in conjunction with spiritual energy.

Perhaps in the past, this technique was used to serve princes, ministers, or even concubines in the imperial harem.

Of course, considering that Yun Lian'er was also in that hospital, who knows, the old man who taught her massage might actually be a very capable person.

As expected, the outcome is still uncertain, and we are all potential dark horses...

In short, before the spiritual energy revival, you had no idea who the real hidden master was.

Perhaps an old man sweeping the streets on the side of the road has a secret martial arts manual hidden in his home, a manual he uses to prop up table legs.

[Ding! Mission complete. Mission a great success.]

"As expected, artificially increasing the difficulty can indeed lead to a critical hit and a great success reward." Chen Luo nodded in satisfaction after hearing the news.

Chen Luo's massage, at least before the commission was issued, was described as a regular massage. However, his use of spiritual power to massage later undoubtedly increased the difficulty.

Based on the principle of equivalent exchange, it is normal to give more rewards after the other party has been greatly satisfied.

This isn't exactly exploiting a bug; it's more like how much you gain based on your ability and effort. Unfortunately, this kind of tactic can only be used for first-time kills.

For example, if you massage the harp for the leader again in the future, the leader will naturally have some expectations, so he might issue a 30 Primogems request in the beginning.

A 30-stone commission is more than a 20-stone commission, but less than the stone reward for a Great Success.

However, Chen Luo himself was not greedy; he was already quite happy to have the first extra profit.

However, this method isn't applicable at all times; it's difficult to achieve the desired effect when aiming for three stars or higher.

Or rather, the more difficult the task, the harder it is to use this method. After all, completing those tasks is difficult enough, let alone exceeding the target.

For example, Chen Luo's only five-star mission is to save Kalena. If he exceeds the mission requirements, it's impossible for Chen Luo to save two Kalenas, right?

Where can Chen Luo get a free Karen?

Is it in a dream?

"This massage should make you feel much better, right? If you need anything else, Qin, just call me anytime. I'll be there whenever you need me, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Probably..." Chen Luo said, taking out a few small cards.

"These are 10 request cards. If you need my help with a massage or anything else, you can write down what you need on these cards, then tear them up, and I'll know," Chen Luo said after placing the 10 cards on Qin's table.

"Is it really okay for you to work so hard?" Qin hesitated for a moment as she looked at the blank cards on the table.

“There’s nothing good or bad about it. Just think about the citizens of Mondstadt. They ask you for help with everything, big or small. You should be able to understand me then. I originally thought you, Jean, would be the one who understands me the most,” Chen Luo said.

“This is different. I am the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. It is my duty to protect Mondstadt, so I have an obligation to help the citizens of Mondstadt solve their problems. But to order you around like this…” Jean hesitated.

I feel that doing this is going too far.

“Sigh, it’s your duty to help those Mondstadt citizens, and it’s my duty to help you too. You should have noticed that I’ll be rewarded for helping you fulfill your wishes, so don’t worry. If you really want to give me something, then give me something interesting. I don’t mind the extra income. But it doesn’t need to be too expensive,” Chen Luo said.

"Because I'm not personally that interested in money."

"Oh, is that so? A little gift? I'll remember it." Qin nodded.

"Anyway, these cards are yours. How you use them is up to you. But if possible, it would be best if you could find me some simple and straightforward tasks to do. Forget about delivering letters. Oh, by the way, even if you tear them up without writing a request, I'll still receive a request. But I still suggest you write one." Chen Luo said, turning his head before leaving.

"Ok."

"Sigh, I almost forgot something again." Chen Luo had already walked towards the door, but suddenly turned back and put down 10 more cards.

"These 10 are for Lisa. Remember to teach her how to use them, bye-bye." Chen Luo then skipped and hopped towards the door.

Chapter 203: The Crystallization of Creation?

"Wait, Chen Luo." Qin suddenly called out to Chen Luo, who had already turned the doorknob.

"What's wrong now? Do you need help?" Chen Luo asked, turning around.

"No, it's those alchemy books over there that you forgot to take," Qin said, stretching and pointing to the large pile of books in the corner.

"Oh, I've already finished learning that one, so I'll ask Qin to help me return it. If possible, could you lend me some other alchemy books?" Chen Luo waved his sleeve and left without a trace.

Pushing open the door, I saw two members of the Knights of the Order pressed against the doorway, eavesdropping.

One is Noelle, and the other is a woman I don't recognize, but she looks familiar; she might be some named NPC.

"What... are you doing?" Chen Luo glanced at Qin, then casually closed the door, and squinted as he leaned down to look at the two people.

"Well, um... we just heard Qin making some unusual noises, and we thought it might be some kind of attack, so we were a little worried. So..." the unfamiliar female knight said somewhat awkwardly.

"Mr. Chen Luo, what were you and Qin doing in the house? Could it be... Mr. Chen Luo, are you Qin's boyfriend?" Noel asked directly out of curiosity.

"...Don't overthink it, it's just a massage, don't misunderstand." Chen Luo offered a rather weak explanation for the matter.

The reason they were described as pale is because disbelief was written all over their faces.

Chen Luo has a clear conscience, but he can't let these two spread rumors.

Noelle's words seem a bit more reliable, but I'm not so sure about this person I don't know.