Lu Lin readily handed over a pouch of Mora.
"This is one million Mora as a deposit. Take it first. The remaining balance will be paid once the job is done."
"Thank you…"
Lumine's feelings were complicated. The thought of traveling closely with Lu Lin for an unknown number of days made her heart uneasy — but they were short on money, and he was generous…
It was all Paimon's fault. She ate too much. All their savings had disappeared into her stomach.
Lumine shot Paimon a glare. Paimon, unaware of her inner turmoil, was still marveling at Lu Lin's generosity.
"Wow, Lu Lin is so generous!"
Lu Lin observed Lumine's hesitant expression and more or less understood what she was thinking. He smiled inwardly.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
Capturing Tartaglia wasn't the difficult part — tracking him down was. Once they found him, activating time-stop for three minutes would be more than enough to subdue a previously defeated opponent.
So the earlier talk about needing assistance had simply been a convenient excuse.
Deepening his connection with Lumine during this mission and inviting her to become a Serenitea Pot resident — that was his true goal.
Since the "treatment incident," Lumine had been subtly avoiding him. Someone as perceptive as Lu Lin could feel it.
Now fate had handed him the perfect opportunity — they were out of money, and he had a reason to travel together.
"Anything you need to prepare? If not, let's depart now."
Time was critical. If Tartaglia left Liyue, the mission would fail.
Lumine and Paimon had nothing to gather.
The three left the city, heading west.
Toward Qingxu Pool
West of Liyue Harbor lay Qingxu Pool.
Though teleport waypoints existed across Teyvat, they required prior activation — like uncovering a map.
Lumine had never explored Qingxu Pool. Lu Lin had ventured even less.
So they traveled on foot.
Without sightseeing, they moved at full speed.
What would take ordinary travelers two days, they completed in less than half.
Shortly after sunset, they arrived at the location mentioned in the intelligence.
The Fatui Camp
In a hidden canyon near The Chasm, Lu Lin and Lumine peeked down.
Inside lay a Fatui encampment.
Several Pyro rifle skirmishers and Cryo heavy gunners patrolled outside. The scale suggested a sizable force.
"There are so many Fatui gathered here. Do you think Tartaglia is inside?" Lumine whispered.
"Not necessarily. We should infiltrate and confirm," Lu Lin murmured.
A frontal assault would alert them.
The best approach was infiltration and a precise strike.
"I'll sneak in," Lumine said immediately.
"Wait. I'm going with you. Paimon, hide somewhere safe and wait for our signal."
"Wouldn't two people be more noticeable?"
"We cover each other. If Tartaglia is inside, we strike immediately."
She nodded.
The canyon had steep cliffs and only one guarded entrance.
Stealth entry from the front was impossible.
They would climb above and descend under cover of darkness.
The cliff was rugged, but neither struggled.
Lu Lin climbed first.
As Lumine reached the top—
Suddenly, he grabbed her and rolled behind a large rock.
She was about to ask why when he covered her mouth.
Footsteps.
Someone was on the cliff.
Lumine blinked to signal understanding. He released her.
Unexpected Company
"Seriously… we've been stuck here for half a month. What are we even doing?" a seductive female voice complained.
"The Harbinger's orders aren't for us to question. But I've been holding back for too long," a male voice replied impatiently.
"Don't rush me. Come over here — there's a big rock."
"Half a month without a chance like this — how can I not rush?"
Their voices drew closer.
They stopped on the opposite side of the very rock Lu Lin and Lumine were hiding behind.
Moonlight bathed one side of the rock.
Lu Lin and Lumine remained concealed in shadow.
The Fatui pair, impatient and oblivious, leaned against the moonlit side.
"Well, here's fine. Brace against the rock. I want to see better."
"You're so demanding…"
The sounds of clothing being loosened followed.
Then came suppressed breaths and intimate whispers.
Lu Lin hadn't expected to encounter a secret rendezvous atop a cliff.
Lumine, innocent and inexperienced, turned crimson.
In the darkness, he couldn't see her face clearly — but her eyes flickered with flustered light.
The muffled sounds, rhythmic movement, and hushed gasps filled the air.
The atmosphere grew charged.
Lu Lin's arm was still around Lumine's waist.
Without thinking, his fingers began tracing circles over her waist through her clothing.
Even through fabric, his touch carried undeniable effect.
Lumine shivered slightly in his embrace.
Sensing her gradual response, Lu Lin saw no reason to waste the waiting time.
They couldn't proceed until the Fatui pair finished anyway.
So his hand slid lower—
And slipped beneath the hem of her skirt.
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