The golden rays of the setting sun bathed every corner of Liyue Harbor. Its warm light washed over the ancient structure of Bubu Pharmacy, lending the bustling city a rare tranquility and solemnity.
Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, Zhongli, and Childe left the busy Bubu Pharmacy, stepping onto the stone-paved streets and walking through the lively crowds toward the Rite of Parting grounds at the Yiyan Terrace.
The area once prepared for the Rite of Descension had now been transformed into a solemn altar for the Rite of Parting.
Workers bustled about—some hanging lanterns, others arranging offerings. A grave and respectful air hung thick in the atmosphere.
Zhongli slowly ascended the altar and gently placed the Everlasting Incense into the censer.
Shao Yun stood nearby, seemingly lost in thought. He turned to Zhongli and asked, "What else are we missing?"
Zhongli paused in contemplation, then replied, "We're still short of the Cleansing Bell, a kite, and a wild Glaze Lily."
Shao Yun nodded, about to speak, when Zhongli cut him off.
"We've already done enough for today. Remember our plan for tonight?"
Childe curiously leaned in with a grin, clearly eager to gossip. "What plan? Mind if I tag along?"
His eyes sparkled with interest and anticipation.
Shao Yun shot Childe a glare, his tone sharp with exasperation. "You're so annoying. Do you have to show up everywhere?"
Childe grinned unfazed, replying cheerfully, "Just trying to help you reconcile with the Fatui. More friends, more paths, right?"
Going down the Fatui's path isn't a 'road'—it's a straight-up dead end.
Shao Yun rubbed his fingers together.
"All right then. First step—reimburse me."
Childe blinked, caught off guard by the sudden demand. He scratched his head in confusion. "Didn't we already charge it to the Northland Bank? What's there to reimburse?"
Shao Yun's frown deepened, clearly irritated. "The incense was paid out of my own pocket. They wouldn't let me run a tab, so you better cough up the money."
The realization dawned on Childe. He reached for his wallet and asked, "How much was it?"
Shao Yun raised three fingers. "Three hundred thirty thousand Mora."
Childe's eyes went wide with disbelief. His voice trembled slightly. "Are you kidding me? What kind of incense costs that much?!"
Shao Yun smirked at Childe's reaction, the corner of his lips curled with disdain.
"What, not willing to pay? 'Cause if you're not—"
Childe quickly cut him off, waving his hands. "No, no! I'll pay. Don't get mad."
He counted the Mora in his bag, then looked up with a troubled expression. "After paying for the Everlasting Incense, I've only got two hundred thousand left…"
Shao Yun glanced at the coin pouch, then looked toward Feiyun Slope in the distance—where the Northland Bank stood.
He pointed lazily. "Then go withdraw some."
Childe turned to go, but suddenly hesitated. He looked back, uncertain.
"How about… you come with me, Shao Yun?"
Shao Yun gave him a sly smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Aren't you worried I'll rob the place?"
Childe was momentarily stunned by the remark, then gave a sheepish laugh and scratched his head. "I don't think you're the type to break a contract. And honestly, going back and forth is kinda tiring."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully. After a moment, he said, "Then I want four hundred thousand. Seventy thousand is my courier fee."
Childe was completely stunned. He stared at Shao Yun in disbelief.
A bandit! He opens his mouth, and seventy thousand Mora just flies away!
He stammered, barely able to speak. "Ah!"
Shao Yun, amused by the reaction, nearly slapped him to bring him back to his senses. Instead, he kept his cool and said coldly, "So? You bringing me along, or bringing the money here? Pick one."
Childe, cornered by Shao Yun's pressure, took a deep breath and calmed himself.
"I'll bring you. Think of the seventy thousand as my travel tax."
Shao Yun nodded, accepting the deal.
The two of them prepared to head for the Northland Bank.
Just then, Zhongli's voice called out.
"We'll wait for you at Iron Tongue, Tian's place—at Chihu Rock. Don't forget."
Shao Yun waved over his shoulder. "Got it."
…
In the heart of Liyue's vibrant market, the Northland Bank stood tall atop Feiyun Slope. From the outside, it looked like any other Liyue building—simple, dignified, traditional.
But the moment Childe and Shao Yun stepped through its heavy wooden doors, it was as though they had entered another world entirely.
Inside, a grand spectacle of gold greeted them. Gilded decorations covered every surface—from the ornate chandeliers above, to the marble tiles below, to the polished walls all around. It felt like stepping into a palace forged from pure wealth.
Childe and Shao Yun walked steadily toward the counter, where a woman in a Fatui uniform stood—Ekaterina.
Seeing them, she immediately bowed respectfully. "Master Childe. And Master Childe's friend. Welcome."
Childe nodded and said directly, "I need four hundred thousand Mora. Reimbursement for mission expenses."
Ekaterina didn't hesitate. "Understood. Please wait a moment." She quickly began preparing the withdrawal.
Shao Yun gave a cold glance at her address, then muttered to Childe, "I'm not your friend."
Childe smiled lightly, unfazed. "Haha, I'd like it if you were a friend to the Fatui."
But Shao Yun shook his head, his tone resolute. "Same as always—only if I'm dead."
His eyes were hard and unwavering.
While they waited, Shao Yun scanned the bank's interior with a sharp gaze, as if memorizing the layout—like a bandit scoping out a target.
His intense focus piqued Childe's curiosity.
"What are you looking at?"
Shao Yun turned back, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I'm thinking… you've got so few guards. Aren't you afraid someone will rob this place?"
Childe laughed at first. "Hahaha, who'd dare rob a Fatui stronghold—"
Then he caught the undertone in Shao Yun's look. His smile faltered, and he swallowed hard.
"Let's not joke about that… We have a contract, remember? And I thought we got along pretty well."
Shao Yun didn't respond directly. He just patted Childe's shoulder lightly and said, "Then I'll look forward to the day you break it."
His voice was calm, but it sent a chill down Childe's spine.
No guilt, no fear of ghosts. Childe knew—this ceasefire was Ningguang's stalling tactic.
The air grew tense, like a taut string ready to snap.
At that moment, a crisp voice broke the silence.
Ekaterina returned, holding a heavy bag of Mora. "Master Childe, the funds are ready."
Childe seized the moment, forcing a smile. "Great." He handed the money over to Shao Yun without delay.
"Here—four hundred thousand Mora, not a Mora short."
Shao Yun took the pouch, then gave Childe a long, meaningful look before turning to leave.
Just as he stepped away, Ekaterina called out politely, "Farewell, Master Childe's friend."
Shao Yun stopped in his tracks. He looked back at her and said slowly:
"This is the nicest I've ever been to you Fatui. Next time I show up… this place'll make the Goth Grand Hotel look peaceful."
And with that, he walked out without looking back.
Ekaterina stared after him, confusion and unease written across her face. She turned to Childe, bewildered.
"Master Childe, that man…"
Childe let out a deep sigh, clearly troubled. "That's Shao Yun. A man so dangerous even Lady Ningguang had to personally draft a ceasefire treaty with him."
Ekaterina was stunned speechless. Her voice trembled. "T-That…"
She could hardly believe that quiet, departing man possessed such terrifying strength.
Childe shared her concern. "It's only a matter of time before we clash. When that happens, be careful. The Goth Grand Hotel incident… may happen here."
Ekaterina steadied herself. "With you here, why should we be afraid?"
Childe shook his head, face dark. "The Goth Grand staff said the same. But in the end, only 'The Fair Lady' survived. He really will kill without hesitation."
Ekaterina's fear deepened. She thought a moment, then suggested, "Should we strike first?"
Childe immediately shut it down. "Absolutely not. If we provoke him… this bank will become bloodier than the Goth Grand Hotel."
She could already picture heads hanging outside the bank like lanterns.
The thought of the Fatui being massacred made her grit her teeth, full of stubbornness and unwillingness. She muttered, "Everyone has a weakness. We could target someone close to him—"
But Childe raised a hand, cutting her off. Doing that would bring disaster so great, "Snezhnaya" alone would suffice as a synonym for desolation.
"No more of that, Ekaterina. Our top priority is finding the Geo Archon's immortal form and seizing the Gnosis. Any updates?"
Ekaterina bowed her head, guilt on her face. "Apologies, Master Childe. We haven't located the Geo Archon's immortal remains. Not even the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has a lead. We've searched every corner of Liyue Harbor—even Jade Chamber-related sources—but still no sign of his body."
Childe frowned slightly, gazing toward the door, deep in thought.
He muttered, "Inside Liyue Harbor…"
Then he nodded. "Keep searching. I'll try to extract more intel from Shao Yun. He might know something we don't."