Chapter 16 – Tartaglia, Fatui Harbinger

Lumine and Paimon, who were fleeing at that moment, found themselves surrounded by the Millelith.

Just as Lumine drew her signature Dull Blade, ready to fight her way out…

A stranger’s voice suddenly sounded beside them.

“Miss! Be careful, don’t move!”

A figure darted out, transforming a bow into two sharp blades.

With powerful Hydro Element, he swiftly took down the Millelith in a few moves.

Only then did Lumine get a clear look at the newcomer’s face—he wore a scarf around his neck, and his attire was exquisite, looking very expensive.

“Over here, over here!”

“They’re over here, don’t let them escape!”

Lumine was still in a daze at that moment.

“Follow me.”

Tartaglia glanced back and signaled.

Lumine and Paimon exchanged a look before quickly following him.

After running for what felt like ages, they finally shook off the Millelith’s pursuit.

“Huff… huff… that was exhausting.”

Paimon floated in the air, panting heavily.

“Which muscle exactly does magical flight use?”

Lumine gave Paimon a deadpan look, even though she seemed to be the one more exhausted.

“How heartless! My phantom limbs are clearly tired!”

“Ah, right!”

Paimon suddenly turned to the man beside them, looking puzzled.

“By the way, who are you, mister?”

“You can call me ‘Childe.'”

Tartaglia explained.

“Wow, what a terrible personality. Just because you saved us once, you think we’re your servants?”

Paimon placed her hands on her hips and glared at Childe.

Meanwhile, far away in Snezhnaya, the Fatui Harbinger “The Knave” sneezed.

“Is the weather getting colder?”

Lumine also crossed her arms and stared at Childe.

“Hahaha, I didn’t mean it like that. A name is just a label.”

“Just like how you must have met ‘La Signora’ in Mondstadt, right?”

Tartaglia explained with a smile.

“Childe”? “La Signora”?

“You’re a Fatui Harbinger!”

Paimon covered her chest in shock, while Lumine shielded Paimon with one arm, eyeing Tartaglia warily.

“Uh, no need to be nervous. I’m not here to fight you.”

“Did ‘La Signora’ leave a bad impression on you?”

“Sigh, that woman… I don’t like her either.”

“Alright, let’s all temporarily forget about that woman’s actions! I’m here to help you.”

Tartaglia looked at Lumine and Paimon with enthusiasm.

Lumine waved her hand dismissively at Tartaglia.

“Go away, we don’t need help from the Fatui.”

Childe scratched his head awkwardly, his gaze shifting away.

“Hey, I am a Fatui Harbinger after all. Don’t be so dismissive.”

“I’m not a bad person, well… I might be a bad person, but I’m not here to cause trouble for you.”

After a lengthy explanation from Childe, Lumine half-doubtfully chose to trust him for now.

He then took Lumine to the Northland Bank and gave her a Talisman.

“To put it simply, this is a token—a token that will prevent the ‘Mighty and Illuminated Adepti’ from harming you.”

Childe held a Talisman in his hand as he explained to Lumine.

“You said… Adepti?”

Paimon looked at Childe in surprise.

“Head north out of the city, west of the Guili Plains, and you’ll find a stone forest called Jueyun Karst. The people of Liyue believe it’s where the Adepti reside.”

“Just believe?”

Lumine asked with some confusion.

Childe turned to look at Lumine and explained.

“That’s right, they believe in the legends, so they only make offerings to the Adepti at the outskirts of Jueyun Karst, not daring to venture deeper. But I don’t need to believe, because I know the Adepti of Jueyun Karst truly exist.”

Childe paused before continuing.

“I also know that the Adeptus Lord’s abode you’re searching for is there as well. But I heard that the Adeptus of Yin and Yang was stolen while his body was still in slumber.”

“In short, if there’s anyone in Liyue now who can help you… it can only be the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti of Jueyun Karst.”

“…”

Jueyun Karst.

Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer had returned here after failing to find the Adeptus Lord.

They had flown across the entire land of Liyue, using their Adeptal Energy to search for traces of the Adeptus Lord.

But there was not a single trace to be found. After an unsuccessful search, they could only return here.

At this moment, Qiu Bai was walking somewhere in Jueyun Karst, with every Hilichurl and Slime along the way meeting their demise.

He was searching for something—yes, treasure chests.

Who would have thought that the esteemed Adeptus of Yin and Yang of Liyue didn’t even have any Mora!

“My lifelong reputation was almost ruined.”

Indeed, having not used money for five hundred years, he had long lost his concept of currency.

When he went to Xinyue Kiosk to eat today, he was momentarily stunned when it came time to pay. Fortunately, the Director was there.

“Qiu Bai! How come you’re just like that guy Zhongli!”

“I won’t allow you to pick up bad habits. Think of a way to get Mora! And no breaking the law!”

Qiu Bai rubbed his ears. He could still remember Hu Tao shouting right next to his ear.

Sigh, he didn’t know how to do business. He could only make a living by opening treasure chests.

From yesterday until now, he had already opened over a hundred thousand Mora.

Lumine: “No wonder treasure chests are getting fewer and fewer.”

Qiu Bai helplessly fought Hilichurls while gathering some precious herbs.

“Why didn’t I think of it before? With my Power of Yang, I could totally open a clinic.”

“Since I’ve already come all this way, I’ll go back and discuss with the Director about opening a clinic.”

Thinking this, Qiu Bai suddenly felt something was off. If he opened a clinic, wouldn’t that be cutting into Hu Tao’s business?

Forget it, I’ll figure it out when I get back.

Just as Qiu Bai was feeling a headache over Mora.

Lumine and Paimon, not far behind, spotted Qiu Bai walking ahead.

“Qiu Bai!”

Paimon waved her hand.

Hearing the call, Qiu Bai turned to look at Paimon and Lumine.

“I truly didn’t expect to see you here.”

“My friends.”

Qiu Bai smiled as he turned to face Lumine and Paimon.

Qiu Bai genuinely hadn’t expected to see Lumine and Paimon here.

Has the plot already reached the part where they go to find the Adepti?

“Qiu Bai, why are you here?”

Lumine asked with some confusion.

“Aren’t you afraid being here alone?”

“We can protect you. The Traveler is really strong!”

Paimon crossed her arms, looking especially proud.

Qiu Bai was amused by Paimon’s expression.

He reached out a hand and patted Paimon’s head.

“Don’t worry, little Paimon, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m quite strong too, you know.”

Paimon quickly escaped from Qiu Bai’s hand. This person always gave her a misleading sense of familiarity.

“Don’t pat Paimon’s head!”

“I’ve decided to give you an ugly nickname!”

“I’ll call you… I can’t think of anything right now, I’ll decide later when I think of something.”

Lumine was also covering her mouth and laughing beside them.

“Hmph, Traveler, you’re laughing at me too? Don’t laugh!”

The group continued to playfully bicker as they made their way deeper into Jueyun Karst.

Along the way, Qiu Bai unhesitatingly gathered every medicinal herb he came across.

This left Lumine and Paimon staring at him with puzzled expressions.

“Ahem, didn’t you ask earlier what I came here for?”

“It’s because I’ve run out of Mora recently, so I thought I’d gather some herbs to sell for money.”