Chapter 83 – The Treasure Hoarders' Plan

Seeing Ganyu like this, Qiu Bai let out a light chuckle.

Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance, then turned their gaze toward Qiu Bai.

“This guy Qiu Bai must know something.”

“Let’s ask him later.”

Paimon glanced at Qiu Bai, who was secretly snickering, then turned to Lumine and whispered.

Hearing this, Lumine nodded as well, then shifted her gaze back toward Sister Lan.

“Well, we were just saying that even the Treasure Hoarders, who dare to touch anything, originally knew it was best not to get involved with the Abyss, because it’s just too sinister.”

Sister Lan placed her hands on her hips as she spoke to the group.

“But according to recent intelligence received by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the two major factions of the Treasure Hoarders in the Mondstadt-Liyue region—the southern and northern giants—are planning to join forces for a major undertaking.”

Ganyu, having regained her composure, picked up where Sister Lan left off, explaining to the three before her.

“Treasure Hoarders… the southern and northern giants?”

Paimon rested her chin on her hand, looking puzzled.

“Yes. In the underworld, they’re known as the Southern Elder Sister and the Northern Strange Bird.”

Sister Lan explained to the confused Paimon.

“Ah, Strange Bird… I remember him.”

“He fought Amber in Mondstadt… but who is the Southern Elder Sister?”

Paimon thought hard but still couldn’t recall who the Southern Elder Sister might be.

“Southern Elder Sister means ‘the eldest sister.'”

“So, this so-called Southern Elder Sister should be the big sister of the Treasure Hoarders.”

Qiu Bai smiled as he looked at Sister Lan. He knew about the Treasure Hoarders’ big sister—Sister Bao.

“As expected of Mr. Qiu Bai.”

“I’ve heard you’re knowledgeable, and now I see it’s true. You deduced her identity just from those two words.”

Sister Lan glanced at Qiu Bai curiously, surprised that he had inferred so much from just “Elder Sister.”

“That’s right. From what I know, the leader of the Treasure Hoarders in the Liyue region is called ‘Big Sister’ by her followers.”

“Some also say her skills have been recognized by the God of Treasure Hoarding, making her the God’s Elder Sister.”

“But… that’s probably just a rumor.”

Sister Lan waved her hand dismissively as she explained to the group.

“In short, the Treasure Hoarders have discovered an unexplored ruin.”

“This ruin is secretly heavily guarded by the Abyss Order.”

Ganyu explained to the group, then nodded toward Qiu Bai.

“Although this is a very dangerous sign, from the Treasure Hoarders’ perspective, they only see it as a place with treasure.”

“So they’ve devised a plan: first, send a portion of the Treasure Hoarders as cannon fodder to draw away the Abyss Order’s forces.”

“Then, rely on a single elite expert to infiltrate the ruin and retrieve the treasure.”

Ganyu spoke slowly.

“For this purpose, it’s said that Big Sister and Strange Bird have specially invited a Grand Treasure Hoarder from Fontaine.”

Sister Lan took over, addressing the group.

“Grand Treasure Hoarder… sounds like a very imposing title.”

Paimon clasped her hands behind her back, tilting her head as she looked at Sister Lan.

“Yes, that person is quite a legendary figure.”

“The so-called Grand Treasure Hoarder is equivalent to what a Grand Adventurer is to us in the eyes of adventurers.”

Sister Lan crossed her arms as she explained.

“Like the adventurer Lady Alice, for example?”

Lumine asked curiously.

“Klee’s mother.”

Qiu Bai rested his chin on his hand, murmuring to himself.

“You all know about the author of the ‘Teyvat Travel Guide,’ right?”

“Exactly. The status of the Great Treasure Hoarder is on par with hers—that’s how esteemed it is.”

“So even the two major powers from the north and south went to great lengths to invite him, entrusting him to personally oversee the entire Treasure Hoarders’ plan.”

Sister Lan looked at Lumine as she spoke. Nearly everyone across the continent knew about that Teyvat Travel Guide.

“Recently, Liyue Harbor has undergone tremendous changes, and both the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Millelith are far too busy.”

“They have no time to deal with this kind of hearsay about Treasure Hoarders’ activities.”

“But, in my intuition, anything related to the Abyss harbors unknown threats.”

At this point, Ganyu glanced at Qiu Bai.

Seeing Ganyu’s gaze, Qiu Bai rubbed his nose. This was a hint for him to go—his plan to slack off seemed to have failed.

“So, I wanted to post a commission at the Adventurers’ Guild.”

Ganyu said to Lumine and Paimon.

“We also understand the dangers of the Abyss.”

“Since we happen to be passing by…”

Lumine paused, glanced at Qiu Bai beside her, and instantly felt resolute inside.

Paimon also looked at Qiu Bai beside her and immediately felt a surge of security.

“Then we’ll take on this commission!”

Paimon said to Ganyu with a smile.

“Ah, thank you so much.”

Ganyu smiled at Lumine and Paimon, though her gaze couldn’t help but drift toward Qiu Bai.

With the Adeptus Lord present, this matter should undoubtedly be resolved without issue.

“Excellent, truly reliable guild members.”

“Well then, safe travels. The details of the commission will be handled by the guild.”

Sister Lan crossed her arms and said with a smile.

“Adeptus Lord, I’ll trouble you with this.”

Ganyu transmitted her message to Qiu Bai using Immortal Arts.

“Don’t worry, Ganyu.”

Qiu Bai nodded. Sister Lan then provided the location and details.

“We’ll take care of it, don’t worry, Sister Lan.”

“The three of us are really strong!”

Paimon gave Sister Lan a reassuring look.

“If Qiu Bai weren’t here,”

“Paimon probably wouldn’t have spoken with such confidence.”

Thinking this, Lumine couldn’t help but cover her forehead.

The three of them then walked along the streets of Liyue, heading toward the exit of Liyue Harbor.

“But speaking of which, that Abyss-guarded ruin is really quite far.”

“It’s actually in the direction of Jueyun Karst, near Mt. Aozang.”

Paimon waved her hand, her gaze subtly drifting toward Qiu Bai.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s really too far.”

“If we walk there, we’ll probably be exhausted.”

Lumine quickly chimed in to support Paimon.

Hearing the two of them play off each other, Qiu Bai couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

“Ahem, walking is also a form of cultivation.”

“It might broaden your horizons, Lumine and little Paimon.”

Qiu Bai cleared his throat, then crossed his arms and spoke calmly.

“Walking broadens horizons?”

“You, of all people—why didn’t you say that when we were looking for Xiao?”

Hearing this, Paimon stomped her foot angrily. This guy Qiu Bai was clearly teasing them.

“Hehe, alright, I won’t joke with you anymore.”

“Once we leave Liyue Harbor, I’ll take you there directly.”

Qiu Bai looked at the angry little Paimon and said with some amusement.

He really did enjoy teasing this adorable little one from time to time.

“Hooray!”

“I knew Qiu Bai was the best.”

Paimon happily clapped her hands.

“Paimon, you sure surrendered quickly!”

Lumine placed her hands on her hips with a teasing look, mocking Paimon.