Chapter 48. The Crisis of Liyue Harbor, Hu Tao and Klee
Under the deterrence of Futsu Mitama's three Archon authorities, the ghostly figures that had appeared in the original story did not attempt to stop them with reckless desperation.
It was unclear whether they had simply retreated in fear, or whether these red ghostly figures were truly, as some lore researchers suggested, the lingering souls of the Millelith and Exorcists.
Even in death, they would not allow anything from this place to escape.
Of course, Rex Lapis was an exception, for in some people, faith was engraved into their very bones.
This could already be seen from the earlier situation involving Bosacius, a hundred Millelith, and a dozen Exorcists. Even when controlled by the spatial will, if they sensed the arrival of Rex Lapis, they would still instinctively choose submission, because the presence of an Archon was something they could not resist.
So whether these red ghostly figures feared divine authority, or had sensed the aura of an Archon and withdrawn accordingly, Futsu Mitama did not know. But he could clearly feel one thing—Kokomi was about to collapse!!!
"It's fine, I'm fine, don't worry about me."
At this moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi lay on the ground like a fish thrown onto the shore, her eyes devoid of light.
At the corner of her mouth, a clear, colorless liquid could be seen. It was obvious that she was extremely uncomfortable. Or rather, extremely dizzy?
Futsu Mitama was momentarily surprised, because given Kokomi's physical condition, she should not have reacted like this.
"Ko—ko—mi—!!!"
Paimon shouted anxiously, while secretly flashing a peace sign and taking a photo.
This scene could not be concealed from anyone present who had access to the Chat Group.
Kuki Shinobu looked somewhat helpless, while Lumine covered her face, seemingly at a loss for how to respond to Paimon's behavior.
"I injected Elemental Power, but it didn't work." Black Aila also immediately offered "help," though it had no effect on Kokomi.
Shenhe, without a word, placed a light-blue talisman on Kokomi's forehead, attempting to use its power to restore her condition.
But it had no effect whatsoever. Clearly, this was not a simple physical or mental issue.
Seeing this, Futsu Mitama naturally arrived at a conclusion. Kokomi, bearing the title of Orobashi's Divine Priestess, was most likely experiencing something akin to motion sickness.
But why this was happening, he did not understand, because the concept of a "car" had not even appeared within this context.
"We're almost there, bear with it."
Futsu Mitama spoke with rare patience as he suddenly accelerated, pouring surging Elemental Power into the Fantastic Compass.
In truth, this path was not long at all. It would normally take only about ten minutes to reach the surface of the Chasm. It was merely Kokomi's condition that made Futsu Mitama slightly anxious.
So he compressed a ten-minute ascent into just a few minutes, even adding a second acceleration.
"Buzz—!!"
The rapidly ascending magic circle made Sangonomiya Kokomi's expression grow even worse. She looked as though she wanted to vomit, yet could not.
"Oh no, I feel really dizzy too."
Paimon, who had been making peace signs earlier, now felt intensely uncomfortable. She dropped to the ground with a soft "splat," clearly on the verge of collapse.
She, too, felt dizzy and disoriented. Now, she could finally understand a portion of Kokomi's suffering.
But before Paimon could descend further into that dizziness, they exited the space in an instant, arriving outside the Chasm.
As they emerged, the Fantastic Compass that had accompanied them descended to the ground and gradually dissolved into scattered points of light before everyone's eyes.
"Eh?!"
Not far away, Ganyu, who had been maintaining vigilance, noticed Futsu Mitama and the others. A trace of surprise flickered across her eyes, as she had not expected them to return so soon.
She lowered her bow, leapt upward, and descended gracefully.
In short order, she arrived beside them. Seeing that nearly half the group was lying on the ground, she blinked and asked,
"What happened to all of you?"
At that moment, Kokomi seemed to struggle to her feet before suddenly rushing behind a nearby rock at an astonishing speed.
"Ugh—!!"
Ganyu's expression became even more peculiar, unable to comprehend what the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island had just experienced.
"That was close. I almost ended up like Kokomi."
Paimon looked shaken, as she too had felt the urge to vomit. Fortunately, Futsu Mitama had been fast enough.
Otherwise, she would be crouched behind a rock right now, just like Kokomi.
"Why is this happening?"
Shenhe tilted her head slightly, unable to understand the situation.
"I don't know."
Kuki Shinobu was equally puzzled, because by all reasonable measures, Kokomi's physical condition ranked among the best in their group.
Yae Miko had once examined Kokomi and concluded that her physical strength surpassed that of most ordinary humans.
According to Yae Miko, despite her delicate appearance, Kokomi could defeat a Mitachurl through physical strength alone, even without the use of Elemental Power.
This was not an exaggeration. Relying solely on her body, she could indeed bring down a Mitachurl. Very few among them could accomplish such a feat.
At present, only Futsu Mitama, whose physical constitution was far beyond human, and Shenhe, who possessed innate superhuman strength, could likely achieve the same.
Even Black Aila, despite her potential comparable to an Adeptus, would shake her head if asked whether she could defeat a Mitachurl barehanded.
Impossible—absolutely impossible.
"Everyone, I'm fine."
At that moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi stepped out from behind the rock. Her eyes remained lifeless as she looked at everyone and spoke with forced seriousness.
"I feel as though I saw stars in the water and fish dancing in the sky. So everyone, don't worry about me. I am truly fine."
Yet as she spoke, both her lips and legs trembled slightly.
If a squad of Millelith soldiers were to arrive at this moment and see Kokomi in such a state, they might very well assume that Futsu Mitama and the others had done something unspeakable to her.
"Wow…" Paimon looked at Kokomi and muttered, "Kokomi must be delirious. Her expression is completely stiff—It's better to rest, okay?"
"Your lips are trembling when you speak."
Lumine also advised gently, "Don't force yourself. We're not in a hurry. Take it slowly."
Xiao and Shenhe both nodded. Although they did not understand the cause, everyone had weaknesses they could not overcome.
At present, the best course for Kokomi was to rest, rather than forcing herself to endure.
"Ah? I thought I hid it quite well."
Kokomi, still with vacant eyes, sat down on the ground. Now that she had been "exposed," she admitted, "Then I will rest for a while. I feel as though stars and fish are dancing inside my head."
Futsu Mitama's lips twitched slightly. So this was what she meant by stars in the water and fish in the sky.
"So…what happened?" Ganyu asked, still curious about Kokomi's condition.
This was clearly not the result of a curse. As the secretary of the Liyue Qixing, she had witnessed countless battles and situations.
If Kokomi had been cursed, Ganyu would have sensed it immediately.
Thus, she was curious what kind of experience could leave the Divine Priestess in such a state, especially given her considerable strength.
"This… how should I explain it." Futsu Mitama rubbed his forehead slightly. After a brief pause, he said, "It was probably caused by riding the lift too quickly."
"Lift?" Ganyu tilted her head in confusion, clearly unfamiliar with the term.
Riding a lift could cause such a reaction?
That said, some Millelith soldiers and miners had once mentioned that descending into the Chasm via lift could cause dizziness.
However, such dizziness was usually tolerable. If it became unbearable, reassignment could be requested.
As for the miners, they would typically visit Bubu Pharmacy to obtain medicine to alleviate the symptoms.
It was simply that too much time had passed. The Chasm had been sealed for over two years.
During those two years, Ganyu had handled an overwhelming number of responsibilities, and such minor details had long since slipped her mind.
Now, seeing Kokomi's condition, Ganyu could roughly imagine what she had experienced.
"Have your matters been resolved?"
Ganyu set aside her curiosity, recognizing that such questions were better directed privately to Yelan rather than discussed openly.
"Mhm." Futsu Mitama nodded. He glanced at Black Aila beside him, then looked back at Ganyu and said, "The matter is resolved. Is there anything below that still requires our assistance?"
At present, although their condition had not been ideal within that strange space, once they returned to Teyvat, recovery would come quickly so long as no intense battles occurred.
Moreover, with Black Aila present—someone unafraid of Abyssal Power—dealing with residual black sludge would be far easier.
Ganyu shook her head gently and smiled. "There is no need. I imagine you are all quite tired. Please go and rest. Miss Keqing is currently overseeing matters below. I do not expect any further trouble. If the black sludge erupts again, I will inform you."
Hearing this, Futsu Mitama did not press further. If anything did occur, Keqing would notify them as well.
"Then we will take our leave." His tone was direct. Their task was complete, and it was time to rest.
Within the Chasm, while there had not been many truly powerful enemies, there had been no shortage of skirmishes.
This, however, was only natural.
Futsu Mitama's current strength already stood at the highest tier within Teyvat. Archons, regardless of circumstance, were always apex combatants.
Upon reaching such a level, one could no longer act freely.
Any careless action could easily result in widespread destruction.
Within that mysterious space, Futsu Mitama had once attempted to unleash his full strength.
The result had been immediate—the space itself shattered completely under his power.
This left him deeply aware of just how terrifying Archons truly were. It was no wonder that those who had survived the Archon War were far from ordinary.
Even now, thousands of years later, the remnants of fallen Demon Gods remained difficult to eliminate, and this was not without reason.
He was no longer weak, and there was no longer a need for the same caution as before.
He could now understand just how much the Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei had held back when sparring with him.
The power of an Archon was truly overwhelming. In a sense, Futsu Mitama considered himself fortunate.
At that time, the Shogun had held no hostility toward him. Otherwise, his fate would have been no different from Scaramouche or the other Harbingers.
Only after reaching this level did he truly comprehend the restraint and goodwill that Raiden Shogun and Raiden Ei had shown him.
"Please take proper rest." Ganyu looked at them seriously and asked, "Do you require the Millelith to escort you? Although we are somewhat short-handed, arranging an escort is still possible."
She understood well that, in truth, such an escort was unnecessary.
This group could traverse Liyue without obstruction. Unless Rex Lapis himself intervened, even an unsealed Demon God would likely be suppressed once more.
And the reason was simple—Ganyu could sense that Futsu Mitama had grown stronger yet again.
At his current level, even during the Archon War, he would have been an existence capable of claiming dominion over a region.
One should not underestimate what it meant to claim a region. During the Archon War, Liyue had been a battlefield where numerous Demon Gods waged war.
Ganyu was uncertain about the caliber of Demon Gods in other regions, but based on the fluctuations of Futsu Mitama's aura within Liyue alone, he could undoubtedly establish dominion over a territory and be acknowledged as an Demon God-like existence.
"No need," Futsu Mitama said with a faint smile, shaking his head. There was truly no need for an escort, as their group contained too many powerful individuals.
Ganyu nodded and offered a few reminders, stating that if they encountered special circumstances, they could directly seek assistance from the Millelith.
If they encountered enemies, they could act first and report afterward, simply invoking her name.
Futsu Mitama nodded repeatedly, indicating his understanding. With that, Ganyu departed. Before leaving, she cast a deliberate glance at Black Aila.
It seemed as though she wished to say something, yet in the end, she remained silent, deciding instead to wait until matters here were fully settled before seeking out Futsu Mitama or Cloud Retainer to inquire about Black Aila.
As Ganyu left to attend to her duties, Futsu Mitama turned his attention to Xiao, Yelan, and Tartaglia and asked, "What are your plans next?"
Futsu Mitama's group would undoubtedly return home. Everyone was fatigued, and with the exploration concluded, it was time to rest.
However, Xiao, Yelan, and Tartaglia were in different situations.
Xiao would most likely go to seek out Morax that very night.
Yelan still had numerous responsibilities to handle. With the reopening of the Chasm, she would undoubtedly be the busiest among them.
As for Tartaglia, he might even need to return to the Chasm, as he still had to manage the Fatui forces stationed there.
"I need to see Rex Lapis," Xiao said seriously, gripping the stone Yaksha mask in his hand. "I must settle Bosacius's situation properly. With Rex Lapis's power, it may even be possible to restore him."
Hearing this, Tartaglia inwardly shook his head, believing it to be impossible.
With no body remaining and only a remnant of the spirit left, even if restoration were possible, the result would likely be incomplete.
"I need to go to the Jade Chamber," Yelan said, stretching slightly and displaying her elegant posture. She yawned before adding, "After reporting all intelligence matters to the Qixing—"
"I should finally be able to rest. So, what about you, Fatui Harbinger?"
Yelan looked at Tartaglia with interest, curious about his intentions.
"Hahaha~" Tartaglia laughed lightly, showing no intent to conceal anything. "Nothing special. I'll return to Liyue Harbor. As for the Chasm, I'll visit the Ministry of Civil Affairs and see whether I can have those soldiers withdrawn."
Due to certain questionable actions by Dottore, the relationship between Snezhnaya and Liyue was no longer in a cooperative phase.
Both sides remained wary of each other, each concerned about potential betrayal. As for the Fatui soldiers within the Chasm, Tartaglia could not ignore them now that he was aware of their situation.
They were, after all, his comrades, and if assistance could be given, he would not withhold it.
Here, the meaning of "comrades" differed from "the Tsaritsa's subordinates." The former could not be abandoned, while the latter could be utilized freely, as their losses were considered acceptable.
"What a coincidence." Yelan smiled as she looked at Tartaglia. "I am part of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Regarding the Fatui within the Chasm, I can decide whether to release them."
"After all, they have contributed significantly to Liyue. We cannot allow 'certain individuals' to undermine this relationship."
Tartaglia raised an eyebrow, becoming inwardly alert. From her words alone, he could already tell that someone was about to face consequences.
Yelan's accommodating stance clearly carried ulterior motives.
After spending over ten hours together within that peculiar space, neither of them underestimated the other.
That duration of interaction was more than enough for both to gain insight into each other's temperament.
Although they had already engaged in numerous subtle exchanges, Tartaglia still nodded, feigning surprise.
"Then I'll have to trouble you. I'm not sure how to properly express my gratitude."
"It's nothing," Yelan replied with a sweet smile. "As long as the Fatui withdraw from the Chasm, that will suffice."
Hearing this, Tartaglia felt a measure of relief, though his expression remained faintly dissatisfied. "That doesn't seem appropriate. You should know that the Fatui have also contributed greatly within the Chasm, assisting the Millelith in dealing with numerous threats. It doesn't seem reasonable for us to simply leave like this, does it?"
In truth, regarding the internal affairs of the Chasm, Tartaglia had already decided not to involve himself further and intended to leave matters to Liyue.
After extensive exploration, he had found no trace of Azhdaha, nor any relevant clues.
To reach this conclusion, he had expended significant time and resources, inviting Liyue historians for consultations and even arranging for his subordinates to interview former miners to reconstruct possible locations.
In the end, he identified seven potential sealing sites, yet none yielded results.
Thus, Tartaglia had abandoned further pursuit within the Chasm. His focus would shift elsewhere.
He even considered inviting Zhongli to dinner again in the future. Zhongli had already suggested that Azhdaha was unlikely to be within the Chasm.
Although Zhongli had not elaborated, other historians had insisted otherwise, leading Tartaglia to follow the majority opinion at the time.
Ultimately, he had to accept the consequences of that decision.
Now, however, the situation had changed.
Tartaglia sought compensation, as the Fatui had suffered considerable losses within the Chasm while also contributing significantly.
The compensation he proposed was substantial, and Yelan responded that she could not approve such terms independently. Instead, the matter would need to be negotiated by the Liyue Qixing.
Tartaglia was in no hurry. In his view, it was the Qixing who would feel pressure.
As long as he maintained his baseline, there would be room for negotiation.
Observing the exchange between Tartaglia and Yelan, Futsu Mitama and the others chose not to intervene.
They simply watched from the side.
If Kokomi had already recovered, they might have departed earlier.
There was no benefit in interfering, as the two represented the respective positions of Snezhnaya and Liyue.
The subject they discussed was inherently sensitive.
The Fatui had indeed contributed significantly within the Chasm.
At the same time, with the reopening of the Chasm, the potential gains were immense.
Yelan needed to assess Tartaglia's intentions to ensure that the Fatui would not gain excessive influence.
After a brief exchange, the two failed to reach an agreement and ultimately parted on less-than-ideal terms.
Tartaglia chose to remain within the Chasm, awaiting a formal response from Liyue.
Yelan, on the other hand, returned to Liyue Harbor alongside Futsu Mitama and the others, as they shared the same route.
Xiao disappeared in an instant, likely heading to find Morax.
Futsu Mitama glanced at the darkened sky and remarked casually, "When we entered, it was night. Now that we've come out, it's still night. It seems we were inside only briefly."
In reality, they had spent an entire day and night within that unknown space, even completing a sign-in during that time.
"Mmm," Black Aila nodded slightly. Although she did not fully understand his meaning, she sensed there was something more to his words.
"It was indeed quite brief," Yelan agreed, her tone calm. "I expected the operation to take much longer. I did not anticipate it being resolved within a single day and night."
"However, the dangers within should not be underestimated. Without you, Futsu Mitama, we would not have escaped so easily."
Her voice carried a trace of lingering tension, recalling the combined force of Bosacius, a hundred Millelith, and a dozen Exorcists.
Without power at the level of an Adeptus, success would have been unlikely.
At this, the others remained silent, as they all understood the true cause through the Chat Group.
According to Black Aila, within that peculiar space, danger would not manifest unless provoked.
Yet Futsu Mitama had done exactly that—splitting space apart, forcibly teleporting, and directly provoking the consciousness of the space.
The result had been immediate. The space's will had focused entirely on him.
Had it instead targeted everyone equally, Lumine, Paimon, Tartaglia, and Yelan would have faced overwhelming pressure.
Under such conditions, they would have been confined to the initial safe zone.
"No. Even without me, you would have found a way out," Futsu Mitama said with a slight smile, shaking his head.
If he had not acted so recklessly, the space's hostility would not have escalated.
Though they might have been delayed, with Lumine, Paimon, and Tartaglia present, they would not have remained trapped indefinitely.
Even if Tartaglia's role had become understated, his combat ability remained formidable.
Moreover, each battle further refined his strength. Such growth was the mark of true talent. To attain the rank of Fatui Harbinger at such a young age, Tartaglia was far from ordinary.
"Even so, without you, it would have taken longer," Yelan replied with a smile as their group gradually exited the Chasm.
"It's dawn."
At that moment, Sangonomiya Kokomi looked toward the rising sun. In her otherwise dull eyes, a faint glimmer of clarity returned.
"Mmm," Kuki Shinobu nodded as well, gazing at the horizon. "Another intense experience. But darkness always fades, and light always arrives."
Shenhe remained silent, watching the distant sunrise before glancing back at the darkness of the Chasm.
Something within her seemed to shift.
Those who had sacrificed themselves remained buried in darkness, while those above lived beneath the light.
Was this the lesson her master had intended her to understand?
Shenhe raised her hand slightly, as though trying to grasp the rising sun.
Aila and Black Aila followed quietly behind Futsu Mitama.
Compared to Aila's composure, Black Aila could not help but glance around.
For the first time, she was walking among so many people.
For the first time, she truly felt that she was living.
Her other self had also lived.
A new beginning had quietly taken shape.
Her emotions were subtle, yet she sensed that everything would move toward a better future.
—
Each of them carried their own thoughts as they made their way toward Liyue Harbor.
Meanwhile, Xiao appeared before Zhongli and Guizhong.
"You have returned." Guizhong smiled gently upon seeing him. "How did it go?"
Although she already knew the outcome, she chose not to reveal it.
Zhongli simply looked at Xiao, who knelt before him, and waited.
"Rex Lapis," Xiao said earnestly, raising the stone Yaksha mask. "Bosacius is within. He still lives. Please…"
Zhongli nodded slightly, a complex expression passing through his eyes as he accepted the mask.
For a moment, his thoughts returned to the era of the Archon War.
A time when the Yakshas had not yet withered.
Their fate had been shaped by his commands.
He had always felt a sense of responsibility toward them.
Yet the Yakshas themselves viewed it as duty and honor.
Even now, Xiao believed their purpose was to fight for this world.
Despite the burden of karma, they had never abandoned their mission.
And yet, Rex Lapis could not save them.
This was why he often said he was not omnipotent. He appeared all-powerful, yet there were limits to what he could do. Compared to this, the abilities of the Chat Group seemed almost absolute.
Even a fragment of a soul could gradually recover within it.
Erosion itself could be reversed over time.
Azhdaha and Guizhong were clear examples.
Raiden Makoto, too, had once intervened through it, altering the course of battle and preventing further calamity.
"Bosacius will see you again," Zhongli said calmly as he stored the Yaksha mask. "That day will not be far."
Xiao suddenly raised his head, surprise evident in his eyes.
He had already prepared himself to wait a thousand years.
The only certainty was that even Guizhong's resurrection had taken more than a thousand years, and that the Lord of Geo had paid an unknown price to accomplish such a heaven-defying act.
Now, however, Rex Lapis had stated that this day would not be far off, causing Xiao's heart to pound violently.
This was the emotion known as anticipation. He was already looking forward to that day.
Zhongli gave a slight nod as he observed Xiao's expression.
This was his assurance, because there were already preliminary indications regarding the progress of the special husk doll.
If nothing unexpected occurred, then the primary material for the special husk doll would indeed be the World Tree.
As for how to transform the World Tree into such a miraculous item as the [special husk doll], that would require time, along with repeated experimentation.
If not for the uncertain situation in Sumeru, combined with the fact that Archons could not easily enter the territories of other nations—
Maha Rukkhadevata had sent Futsu Mitama to Sumeru to investigate, rather than dispatching Zhongli or Raiden Ei.
Because they were current members of The Seven, their sudden presence could easily lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict.
If she were still the reigning Dendro Archon, it would be a different matter. However, she had already passed that position on to her successor.
Although she did not fully understand her successor's current state, Maha Rukkhadevata was not one to make decisions on their behalf without necessity.
In contrast, Raiden Makoto, the former Electro Archon, had intervened in Inazuma without hesitation after learning of its condition.
This was because the policies enacted by the current Raiden Shogun had gone too far. Inazuma had developed a Resistance, and the Fatui were working alongside the Tri-Commission.
Meanwhile, she remained within the Plane of Euthymia, choosing not to act. If this had continued, Inazuma might have faced eventual ruin, which prompted Raiden Makoto to intervene decisively.
While Raiden Makoto could act in such a direct manner, Maha Rukkhadevata chose a more measured approach by sending Futsu Mitama to investigate.
He possessed not only strength, but also the identity of a future Electro Archon. Both his power and his position made him suitable for the task.
Moreover, Futsu Mitama was highly perceptive. If he encountered any situation, he could address it immediately while also relaying information through the Chat Group.
Zhongli was well aware of this. If not for Futsu Mitama's involvement, he might have already made a covert trip to Sumeru himself.
He believed that Raiden Ei would have done the same. Her desire to revive her sister would have driven her to act.
If not for Maha Rukkhadevata and Futsu Mitama, she might have already gone to Sumeru with her blade.
It would be a mistake to assume Raiden Ei would refrain from such actions. She had once gone directly to Snezhnaya over a "dispensable" Gnosis, demanding an explanation from the Tsaritsa.
After handing over the stone Yaksha mask containing Bosacius, Xiao stated that he would continue his duty of eliminating demons and would not remain.
He departed as swiftly as he had arrived, vanishing in an instant.
"Are you truly confident?" Guizhong asked Zhongli. "Even if you and Albedo estimate a ninety percent probability that the World Tree is the primary material for the special husk doll—"
"There is still a ten percent chance that it is not."
She was cautioning him against excessive expectation. The greater the hope, the greater the potential disappointment.
"If it is not, then there is nothing to be done. We will simply continue signing in," Zhongli replied with a faint smile. "After all, the special husk doll is obtained through that method. And since you were the one who obtained it, you will need to take responsibility and acquire another."
Guizhong was briefly taken aback, clearly not expecting Morax to respond in such a tone.
Bosacius's situation had evidently lifted his mood.
This surprised her, yet it also brought her a sense of ease. A Morax capable of jest was far removed from his previous state.
It reminded her of Raiden Ei, who had once withdrawn entirely into the Plane of Euthymia, indifferent to all matters.
After joining the Chat Group and learning of the possibility of her sister's revival, she had gradually re-engaged with the world.
According to Yae Miko, Ei was emerging from her isolation and becoming more open.
This stood in stark contrast to her former self, who had withdrawn from all external affairs. She had even abandoned her fondness for desserts, a detail that spoke volumes.
Naturally, Yae Miko's tendency to tease her had once resulted in a rather direct pursuit—from Inazuma City all the way to the Grand Narukami Shrine.
"Responsible? What kind of responsibility?" Guizhong's tone shifted playfully as she looked at Zhongli. "If it concerns you, I would not mind taking responsibility."
"Oh my. If we consider our ages, you are several thousand years older than I am. That would make this a case of an old ox eating tender grass."
"Well, it cannot be helped. The tender grass is willing."
Zhongli's smile faded, returning to his usual composed demeanor, though a trace of helplessness passed through his gaze.
Guizhong, on the other hand, seemed all the more pleased.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Zhongli appeared to notice something. His brows lifted slightly as he glanced at the Chat Group.
"They are heading toward Liyue Harbor," he said calmly. "After a full day and night of battle, they are exhausted."
Guizhong did not look at the Chat Group, responding as if it were obvious. "That is only natural. After such exertion, rest is expected. More importantly, will the Chasm resume operations? If so, you will become busy again."
"Hehe, after all, you have not yet retired, Morax."
Zhongli shook his head slightly, his gaze directed toward the distant Liyue Harbor. "There is no need to concern ourselves with the Chasm for now. That is a matter for the future. At present, what requires attention is the safety of Liyue Harbor."
Guizhong tilted her head slightly, confusion evident in her eyes.
The safety of Liyue Harbor? What could possibly be wrong?
"Albedo and Klee have already arrived," Zhongli said, pressing a hand lightly to his forehead, his tone carrying a subtle nuance. "Upon arriving near Liyue Harbor, they encountered Director Hu."
"Now, Director Hu is playing with Klee. I suspect Liyue Harbor may soon face some…complications."
Guizhong's expression shifted instantly. She turned to the Chat Group and saw Albedo's message.
[Albedo: "Is anyone currently in Liyue Harbor?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "What's wrong?"]
[Zhongli: "What happened?"]
[Keqing: "Did you cause trouble?"]
[Azhdaha: "Albedo would not cause trouble. What is it?"]
[Albedo: "I used a spatial node to arrive near Liyue Harbor, intending to head to the Chasm, but Director Hu appeared. Klee is now playing with Director Hu. Klee wants to blast fish, and Director Hu thinks it is acceptable."]
[Raiden Ei: "Blasting fish should not be a serious issue, correct?"]
[Yae Miko: "Wait…blasting fish? Near Liyue Harbor?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "If it is at the scale used by the Resistance, it should be manageable."]
[Albedo: "No. The Resistance uses modified designs created by Klee. As for Klee's own Jumpy Dumpty—its power is not excessive, but it is far from insignificant."]
[Guizhong: "Wait a moment!!! Give me few minutes! I will be there immediately!!!"]
At that moment, Guizhong could no longer remain still. Without another word, she rushed toward Liyue Harbor.